Chats with Yvonne

Hello everybody!!   

Welcome to Season 2, Episode 1 of the Chats with Yvonne Podcast where we dive into the world of public speaking and chat with people about their individual journeys in hopes that we can further connect with the art of public speaking.

Our Guest today is Brittney Johnson (@brittneyxedu)! 

Here from her: 

My name is Brittney Johnson and I’m a 25-year-old from LA. I am a second-grade teacher, DEI Chair, and a second-year Educational Leadership, Administration and Policy doctoral student at Pepperdine University. Additionally, I have a BA in Political Science and Sociocultural Linguistics (UCSB ’18) and a M.ED in Teaching (USC ’20). I’m interested in urban planning equity, DEI initiatives, school district segregation, and organizational leadership! Outside of school & work, I enjoy going to spin classes, listening to music, traveling (will visit my 27th country in December!), family dinners, and baking along to The Great British Bake-Off.

My message for my platform is that we may all be on the same journey, but we each may need a different path. Do what is best for you to protect your spirit, mind and body as you pursue your purpose.

Let us know what you think & be sure to follow Brittney for grad life tips, flow, & personal growth. 

NEW CHAT! #chatswithyvonne #humanizingpublicspeaking   

Fabio Peña is a first-generation college graduate born in Guadalajara Jalisco Mexico. He was raised in Yakima Washington and later moved to Seattle to study at the University of Washington. Although he was rejected from the business major, he worked his way up to become the financial controller for an international manufacturing company and also decided to start his own consulting firm. Peña and Co. provides two types of services: management consulting to small-medium sized businesses, and also to the first generation community through storytelling and mentorship. When he’s not working, Fabio enjoys traveling, spending time with his wife and two pet huskies, dancing, and cooking. 

Learn more about Fabio and his #publicspeakingjourney here! Available via the #chatswithyvonnepodcast and IGTV (@chatswithyvonne_) for your preferred viewing needs.

Nancy Marmolejo is an executive coach and keynote speaker who teaches leaders, executives, and entrepreneurs how to tap into their Deep Genius, the hidden strengths we all hold that uncover our next levels of leadership capacity and problem solving.  

As the founder of TalentAndGenius.com, she’s committed to uncovering what makes us great and putting meaning into what we create.  Dubbed a “professional paradigm shifter”, Nancy’s been featured in Forbes, Latina, Latina Style, The Huffington Post, Univision, Smart Money, Redbook, as well as many popular podcasts. She is a recipient of the Anna Maria Arias Award for creativity and innovation in business as well as many other awards and recognitions.  

A little-known fact is that Nancy spent her teen years working the snack bar at AC Flea Market in Hayward. Witnessing the world’s first Flea Market Wedding as well as getting to know the many “fleas” taught her lessons in marketing, PR and branding you could never learn in school.  

She recently wrote a book about navigating grief in the world of social media and is working on another about creativity for leaders. Nancy lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her daughter and a very large orange cat.   

Follow @chatswithyvonne_ on Instagram if you'd like!

Why is it so important to take your audience on a journey? How can you do this in an impactful way. Designer, Erick Lopez takes us through this exact journey & reminds us how important it is to sell your vision in a way that will resonate.

Erick, I was in awe of your entire process and definitely inspired by your approach to public speaking! Check it out and let us know what you think. How will you take your audience on a journey?

Here's a continuation of my chats with high school peers about our experience with public speaking through benchmark portfolio defenses! Jerica, also my best friend, talks to us about getting out of our comfort zone and how public speaking is a tool for doing that.  

Enjoy! You can also listen to this on The Chats with Yvonne Podcast. 

If you don't already, follow my Instagram @chatswithyvonne_ for more.

How can public speaking lead to new and exciting opportunities? Christina shares exactly how to do that. She has an admirable way of bridging her interests and expertise to create stories and communities that uplift and inspire our communities towards action.  

Christina Rodriguez is your homegirl for all things Grad School & Marketing with a commitment in creating equitable opportunities for women of color in Business, Housing and Academia. Christina received her Bachelor's degree in Latino/a Studies from San Francisco State University and went on to receive her Master's degree (MBA) with an emphasis in Marketing at Notre Dame de Namur University. She is currently pursuing her doctorate in Educational Leadership and provides her expertise and experience navigating college as a first generation Latina.   

Don't forget to follow @chatswithyvonne_ for more!

How can student involvement strengthen your public speaking skills? Benjamin breaks that down for us and gives us some great insight into his role as an advisor where he empowers his students to find their confidence; their purpose.   

Benjamín Perez is the founder and host of the Latinx Greek Life podcast and the Find Your Purpose Instagram live series. He became a brother of Sigma Delta Alpha Fraternity, Inc. at  San José State University. He is the co-founder of  Gente Unida, a student leader coalition of Latinx students. The purpose of the student organization is to create unity amongst the Latinx student organizations. His passions are empowering and advocating for his culture as well as giving back to the world that changed his life, higher education.   

Follow him across all social media platforms @pereztheadvisor!

The chats with my high school peers continue! Mikayla, also a communications professional, shares how our high school experience with public speaking through project based learning/ benchmark portfolio defenses shaped her career and life trajectory.   

Her energy is infectious and her advice for gaining confidence in yourself despite setbacks, will inspire you.   

Enjoy! 

Welcome to this month's episode of Chats with Yvonne. This one is especially made for all of our mommies / mommies to-be and anyone considering motherhood: "I can be a good mom and a thriving professional."

Marialva is Dominican. Expat in Costa Rica. Finance Professional, Career Mentor and Working Mom slaying career and motherhood with courage and authenticity.

She's an introvert & connector that's passionate about helping women thrive in their careers while enjoying motherhood. Lover of all things chocolate and lip balm addict! 

This month's chat is with Helen Cartagena. We went to high school together where we engaged in Project Based Learning and that meant public speaking for us! I thought it would be cool to catch up and talk about how our high school experience impacted our relationship with public speaking today.