Today, I interview Robyn Smith, who spent much of her early life feeling unheard and afraid to speak up. As a child, she was timid and quiet, often holding back her voice in class and around others. Early experiences of separation from her mother left her with a deep sense of not being fully seen or heard. At home, she had the freedom to make choices, but in the outside world, she shrank into the background, afraid of being judged.

Even as she grew older, the fear of speaking up stayed with her. She taught gymnastics as a kid and later became a yoga teacher, but she still struggled to trust her voice. She believed she wasn’t loud enough, and speaking in front of others felt like a challenge.

Her breakthrough came when she immersed herself in deeper personal work. Through intensive training, she began to understand the patterns that held her back and found the confidence to use her voice in a new way.

Now, Robyn helps women struggling with relationship challenges, guiding them to break free from old patterns and build deeper, more fulfilling connections. She teaches practical tools for communication, emotional healing, and self-worth—helping others experience love and relationships in a way that feels truly supportive and nourishing.

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Robyn Smith is an award-winning speaker and a leading trauma, communication, and relationship coach for women. As the founder of the Rock Your Relationship movement, she has helped thousands turn frustration into fulfillment by building deeper, more conscious, and loving connections.

With inspiration from her thriving 23-year marriage, Robyn blends practical relationship strategies with emotional healing to create lasting change. Her approach goes beyond communication, reshaping how women experience love and connection.

As a certified master trauma coach, she specializes in helping clients break free from trauma and unhealthy patterns, restoring harmony within relationships and within themselves.

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Find Robyn here:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCprnkDKhwO6Nr1YR5rasnBA/videos

https://www.facebook.com/groups/consciousthrivingrelationships

https://consciousthrivingrelationships.com/

https://calendly.com/robyn-smith-coach/relationship-breakthrough-session

https://www.instagram.com/robyn.smith.relationshipcoach/

Support the show

I’m Dr. Doreen Downing and I help people find their voice so they can speak without fear. Get the Free 7-Step Guide to Fearless Speaking https://www.doreen7steps.com​.

Today, I interview Linda Graf, who lost her confidence in speaking after a sudden family financial crisis during her teenage years shattered her sense of stability and support. Once a child who thrived in speech contests and artistic pursuits, Linda found herself unable to speak in front of even a small group, carrying this fear well into adulthood.

As Linda navigated her career in sales and later coaching, she felt an undeniable pull to confront her fear of speaking. Witnessing a friend courageously express herself at her wedding after training with Speaking Circles inspired Linda to seek similar help. This pivotal moment marked the beginning of her journey to rediscover her voice.

Through Speaking Circles, Linda learned that presence and listening are at the heart of authentic expression. She embraced practices that built her mental resilience, enabling her to speak with confidence while staying true to herself.

Today, Linda is a relationship and mental fitness coach, guiding women to strengthen their relationships through curiosity, compassion, and courage. She empowers her clients to recognize and overcome self-sabotaging patterns, helping them find their voice in both personal and professional relationships.

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Linda Graf is a Relationship and Mental FitnessTM Coach who’s been coaching and leading workshops for 20+ years. Linda helps women 45+ open to the possibility of what their most important relationships can be - and provides them with step by step tools and practices so they can make it happen.

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Find Linda here:
https://www.lindagrafcoaching.com/ 

Support the show

I’m Dr. Doreen Downing and I help people find their voice so they can speak without fear. Get the Free 7-Step Guide to Fearless Speaking https://www.doreen7steps.com​.

Today, I interview Sarah Dawkins, who struggled with losing her voice after being constantly told to be quiet as a child. Her curiosity was often met with dismissal, and a negative experience in school left her feeling silenced and small. Later in life, despite her passion for teaching and helping others, the fear of public speaking deepened her internal struggle with self-expression.

Sarah grew up in a strict household and found herself rebelling in her late teens as a way to reclaim her suppressed vibrancy. However, emotional wounds from her upbringing and bullying shaped her life choices, leading her to pursue a career in nursing where she could provide the care and support she had longed for.

A major turning point came when Sarah began to question conventional approaches to health and healing. This exploration opened the door to self-healing and a new understanding of wellness that transformed her life.

Today, Sarah helps clients reconnect with their own inner wisdom and strength. Through her book, podcast, and coaching, she guides people to take simple steps toward healing and discover the quiet voice that leads to transformation.

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Sarah Dawkins is a highly sought-after Holistic Health and Healing Coach, Keynote Speaker, and the Author of HEAL YOURSELF.

As a former Registered Nurse with over twenty years of medical experience, Sarah brings a unique, integrative perspective to her work. She’s also a Multi-Award-Winning Entrepreneur and host of the popular health-focused podcast Heal Yourself with Sarah Dawkins.

Sarah’s expertise spans from self-healing multiple chronic health issues to supporting clients in uncovering and addressing the root causes of their symptoms, empowering them to achieve vibrant, lasting health and transformative wellness.

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Find Sarah here:
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahdawkins

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dawkinsse 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarah.dawkins.health 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/dawkins_sarah 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SarahDawkinsHealth 

Podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/healyourselfsarahdawkins

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/heal-yourself-with-sarah-dawkins/id1670856549 

Healing with Forgiveness ebook: https://mailchi.mp/b4d6ffbac1f1/healing-with-forgiveness 

Support the show

I’m Dr. Doreen Downing and I help people find their voice so they can speak without fear. Get the Free 7-Step Guide to Fearless Speaking https://www.doreen7steps.com​.

Today, I interview Carla King, an author and publishing expert who overcame the struggle of being an introvert terrified of speaking publicly—even after her writing was published. Carla grew up in a unique environment shaped by her introverted, artistic mother and extroverted, mechanical father. Living in rural North Carolina, she spent much of her time reading and working on mechanical projects with her dad, finding comfort in solitude and observation. 

A dramatic move to Silicon Valley during her teenage years pushed her into a new world of cultural contrasts, where she began exploring her identity and finding her voice through writing and travel. A pivotal moment in Carla’s journey came when she took a solo motorcycle trip through Europe, leaving behind a marriage that no longer served her. That experience not only marked her personal transformation but also inspired her first published story. 

Today, Carla uses her expertise and adventurous spirit to guide authors in turning their stories into books, teaching them to overcome the fear of sharing their deepest truths and connect authentically with their readers.

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Carla King is an author and publishing expert who's passionate about guiding writers through the journey of turning their stories into polished, professional books. Known for her adventurous solo motorcycle travels and as a pioneer in online travel blogging, Carla brings creativity and clear, actionable advice to her coaching. Through her books, workshops, and the Your Publishing Compass yearlong program, she helps authors confidently navigate the publishing process and share their stories with the world.
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Find Carla here:
https://carlaking.com/ 
https://carlaking.com/in/carlaking/ 
https://www.facebook.com/missadventuring/ 
https://www.instagram.com/missadventuring/
Free Download - https://BookHip.com/LJQATKD 

Support the show

I’m Dr. Doreen Downing and I help people find their voice so they can speak without fear. Get the Free 7-Step Guide to Fearless Speaking https://www.doreen7steps.com​.

Today, I interview Dr. Kalpana Sundar, who overcame a life of restriction and stifled self-expression to discover her authentic voice. Growing up in a traditional Indian household in the United States, Kalpana experienced the tension of balancing cultural expectations and her own independent spirit. As the firstborn and a rebellious child, her attempts to express herself were often met with resistance, leading her to suppress her voice to conform. Her early years were shaped by her parents' hopes and dreams, which she fulfilled by pursuing a career in medicine, becoming a successful ENT surgeon.

The turning point in her life came when she faced a personal health crisis—thyroid cancer. Although she physically recovered, unprocessed trauma from the experience led her to seek therapy years later. This journey helped her recognize the patterns of silencing her voice, not only from her upbringing but also in her professional and personal relationships. Slowly, Kalpana began to dismantle these constraints, transitioning out of her medical practice, ending her marriage, and embracing a new chapter in life.

Today, Dr. Kalpana Sundar has transformed her experiences into a mission to empower others. Through her book Beauty Unbound, speaking engagements, and coaching work, she guides individuals to break free from limiting beliefs and find the courage to live authentically. She now helps aesthetic providers enhance their businesses while continuing to inspire others to embrace freedom and authenticity in their lives.

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Dr. Kalpana Sundar is a multifaceted powerhouse in medicine, entrepreneurship, and personal development. As a board-certified expert in Otolaryngology and Facial Plastic Surgery, she founded a successful ENT practice and medical spa. Her early battle with thyroid cancer ignited her passion for achieving balance between professional and personal life. Through her book, Beauty Unbound, and transformative talks, Dr. Sundar inspires women to embrace leadership roles, especially in entrepreneurship.

In addition to her work as a speaker on leadership and entrepreneurship, Dr. Sundar hosts the TV show Gloves Off and consults with aesthetic providers to elevate their businesses and personal lives. Based in San Diego, she lives vibrantly, indulging her love for travel, fashion, and martial arts. Join us as we delve into her inspiring story of passion and defying societal norms.

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Find Kalpana here:
https://www.youtube.com/@DrKalpana.Unbound 
https://www.instagram.com/drkalpana.unbound 
https://linkedin.com/in/drkalpanasundar
https://drkalpanasundar.com/masterclass 

Support the show

I’m Dr. Doreen Downing and I help people find their voice so they can speak without fear. Get the Free 7-Step Guide to Fearless Speaking https://www.doreen7steps.com​.

Today I interview Natalia Price, who shares her journey of overcoming silence and fear to embrace her voice and power. Growing up in South America, Natalia experienced a childhood marked by bullying and cultural expectations that kept her quiet and compliant. Moving to the United States at age 10, she became aware of new possibilities for women’s empowerment but struggled to break free from old patterns.

Natalia shares the deep inner work that transformed her fear of speaking into her greatest strength. Through shadow work and exploration of ancestral trauma, she uncovered the roots of her fear and began to alchemize it into confidence. Her journey illustrates how meeting fear head-on can lead to profound personal and spiritual growth.

In this episode, Natalia invites us to reflect on how collective and personal histories shape our voices. She emphasizes the power of slowing down, tuning into the heart, and connecting with sacred feminine energy to find clarity and purpose. Her message is a call to embrace authentic expression and contribute to a more balanced and empowered world.

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Natalia Price is a women's spiritual empowerment mentor, ordained priestess, and facilitator of the 13 Moon Mystery School. She facilitates transformation through one-on-one mentorship, the year-long Priestess Initiate Circle, the Embodied Ritual Leadership Program, and community Moon Circles.

Natalia supports women in unlocking their potential and honing their skills to lead with authenticity and purpose. She merges archetypal psychology, women’s empowerment, and spiritual leadership to help women find their authentic voice, trust their intuitive wisdom, and offer their gifts to the world with clarity and confidence. Passionate about the feminine rising movement, Natalia sees it as a powerful force for rebalancing our planet and creating meaningful change to seed a new world.

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Find Natalia here:
www.instagram.com/natalia.price/
https://www.facebook.com/nataliaprice1/
https://www.nataliaprice.com/subscribe-free-gift-art-of-ritual

Support the show

I’m Dr. Doreen Downing and I help people find their voice so they can speak without fear. Get the Free 7-Step Guide to Fearless Speaking https://www.doreen7steps.com​.

Today, I interview DevSuroop Kaur, who grew up as the youngest of three sisters in a family where she often felt muted and silenced. As a young adult, she searched for herself through diverse experiences, including working in Alaska, battling addiction, and struggling with a fear of speaking that kept her from fully expressing who she was.

Her turning point came in her early twenties when she discovered Kundalini Yoga through the Western Sikh community. Fully immersing herself in the structured spiritual practices, she became a yoga teacher, a chant leader, and an active member of the community. Music and Naad Yoga gave her a sense of grounding and connection to her voice. However, decades later, she faced a crisis of conscience and chose to leave the community, freeing herself to reclaim her authentic voice.

Now, DevSuroop helps others empower their voices by drawing on her rich experiences in yoga, music, and leadership. She empowers her clients to express themselves with confidence and live in alignment with their true purpose.

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DevSuroop Kaur empowers soul-led entrepreneurs and speakers to unlock the full potential of their authentic voice. With over 40 years of experience in executive business leadership, yogic practices, and music performance, she is a sought-after voice empowerment coach. Her clients benefit from a unique combination of Naad Yoga—the yoga of sound—and practical life and business expertise, fostering profound personal and professional transformation.

An influential entrepreneur and speaker, DevSuroop is also an accomplished chant leader and vocalist with internationally distributed albums spanning chant, meditation, jazz, and classical Indian kirtan. She holds an MBA from Claremont Graduate University, along with certifications in yoga and sound healing, offering a deeply holistic approach to inspire lasting change.

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Find DevSuroop here:
www.devsuroop.com 
https://www.instagram.com/devsuroop.kaur/ 
https://www.facebook.com/groups/empoweredsound 

Support the show

I’m Dr. Doreen Downing and I help people find their voice so they can speak without fear. Get the Free 7-Step Guide to Fearless Speaking https://www.doreen7steps.com​.

Today, I interview Meg Dennison, who grew up in a rural area where life was quiet, and opportunities to connect were limited. In her household, her father’s preference for peace and order meant that noise and self-expression were often discouraged. While the stillness of her environment shaped her early years, Meg’s lively and rebellious spirit found subtle ways to emerge. 

As she grew older, her natural curiosity led her to a career as a reporter. She loved asking questions and diving deep into people’s stories, but when faced with opportunities to share her own voice—such as participating in public discussions—she was gripped by fear. Her nervousness about saying the wrong thing or being judged often caused her to retreat from these opportunities.

A turning point came when Meg decided she wouldn’t let fear or her discomfort with speaking hold her back any longer. She began taking classes to practice. These experiences helped free her voice from the nervousness that once paralyzed her. Along the way, she realized that reclaiming her voice wasn’t just about performance but about finding a deeper sense of presence and confidence through inner work.

Today, Meg uses her journey to inspire and guide others. As a coach, she helps individuals practice conscious leadership, embrace their authority, and connect with their voices in meaningful ways. Her story is a testament to how practice, presence, and inner work can transform fear into confidence and inspire others to express themselves fully.

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For over a decade, Meg Dennison has guided women through the practice of conscious leadership, helping them step into their authority and meet their ambitions. Her work includes one-on-one coaching, corporate team development, business workshops, and hosting transformative retreats at her home in Santa Cruz, California.

Meg’s lifelong passion has been supporting women and girls in their leadership journeys. She is dedicated to ensuring that women have the skills and support they need to share their brilliance and bring their visions to life.

Her own path reflects the resilience and transformation she teaches. Meg reimagined her 38-year marriage to the man she met on a college newspaper, reshaped her career in midlife, and even made a cross-country move after raising her three children.
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Find Meg here:
Website - www.megdennison.com 
LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/megdennison 
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/meg_dennison 
Youtube - https://youtube.com/@megdenn 

Support the show

I’m Dr. Doreen Downing and I help people find their voice so they can speak without fear. Get the Free 7-Step Guide to Fearless Speaking https://www.doreen7steps.com​.

Today I interview Leisa Reid, who grew up with a strong sense of independence fostered by her parents’ unique approach to raising her. With her parents divorced and living in different states, Leisa’s early life involved traveling alone between homes, which encouraged self-reliance from a young age. Her father, a hypnotherapist, further nurtured her independence by introducing her to ideas about inner awareness and self-reflection, fostering a curiosity that helped her feel comfortable exploring her inner world.

However, as she grew up, this independence created challenges in her personal relationships, particularly in understanding and expressing her needs. After her own divorce, Leisa had a breakthrough during a session with her therapist, who asked her to identify her emotional, physical, and spiritual needs. This task, unexpectedly difficult, led Leisa to seek answers in personal development workshops, where she started uncovering her inner beliefs and blind spots.

Now, Leisa channels her experiences to help others find their voice in public speaking. As the founder of Get Speaking Gigs Now, she guides entrepreneurs to get booked and share their messages confidently. Drawing from her own journey, she inspires others to step onto the stage with purpose and clarity.

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Leisa Reid is the Founder of Get Speaking Gigs Now and CEO of the International Speaker Network. Her mission is to transform public speaking into a powerful strategy for business growth, guiding speakers to make their message impactful and fulfilling. Known as the "Talk Doula," Leisa supports entrepreneurs in crafting their talks and finding speaking opportunities to build lasting visibility.

With experience on over 600 stages, the authorship of seven books, and her role as a podcast host, Leisa brings a wealth of expertise and practical know-how to aspiring speakers. Beyond her work, Leisa is a dedicated mom, wife, and dog-lover who enjoys live rock concerts and dance fitness classes, bringing joy and balance into her busy life.

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Find Leisa here:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/leisareid/
https://facebook.com/getspeakinggigsnow/
https://www.facebook.com/leisa.reid.2/
https://www.instagram.com/getspeakinggigsnow/
https://www.instagram.com/leisareid
https://www.youtube.com/c/LeisaReid

Support the show

I’m Dr. Doreen Downing and I help people find their voice so they can speak without fear. Get the Free 7-Step Guide to Fearless Speaking https://www.doreen7steps.com​.

Today, I interview Kathryn Regganie, who grew up feeling different because of her learning disabilities, especially dyslexia. Kathryn shares how she faced challenges in school and often felt disconnected from traditional learning systems. Despite these struggles, her parents, especially her father, were a strong source of encouragement, reminding her she had the choice and determination to succeed, even if others doubted her.

As Kathryn moved into the corporate world, she continued to experience a sense of disconnection. Although she found ways to express herself and move forward, she was often in environments where her voice felt restricted, especially in male-dominated spaces. Eventually, Kathryn reached a turning point, realizing that the corporate path didn’t align with her true self. Seeking deeper connection and purpose, she discovered energy work, which helped her reconnect with her inner strength and sense of self.

Now, Kathryn embraces her unique perspective, seeing her dyslexia as a “superpower.” She guides professionally-minded women in discovering their own power through calmness, grounding, and self-leadership. Kathryn’s work centers on helping women feel confident, grounded, and able to lead with compassion, creating environments where everyone can feel seen and heard.

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Kathryn spent over 15 years in the corporate world, where she served as a bridge between tech innovators and sales teams, translating ideas and keeping both sides connected. During this time, she worked for large companies, balancing the worlds of meaning and analytics and learning the importance of clear communication in fast-paced environments.

After stepping away from corporate life, Kathryn discovered energy healing and began to understand the deeper impact of compassionate leadership. She saw how powerful it is for women to stay grounded and connected with themselves, realizing that true leadership comes from this inner alignment. This awareness inspired her to change direction, focusing on helping others find resilience and strength within.

Today, Kathryn guides professionally-minded women in slowing down, grounding themselves, and finding confidence. Through her business, she empowers women to embrace their inner strength and lead with their authentic, compassionate selves.

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Find Kathryn here:
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathrynregganie/
Website - https://www.dragonwomanquiz.com 

Support the show

I’m Dr. Doreen Downing and I help people find their voice so they can speak without fear. Get the Free 7-Step Guide to Fearless Speaking https://www.doreen7steps.com​.