The Big Talk with Tricia Brouk

In today's episode, you will hear a big talk from Danielle Monogue, an amazing speaker and alum of The Big Talk Academy Mastery.

Danielle is the co-founder of Post House Legacy, a podcast dedicated to reshaping how we prepare for the unexpected. With more than 15 years of corporate leadership experience, she brings clarity and compassion to end-of-life conversations, helping families and leaders reduce stress while building lasting legacies.

During her big talk, "How Being Prepared for the Unexpected Is the Greatest Leadership Skill," she explores:

• Why real leadership means preparing for when you're not there

• The importance of communicating about the hard things and having the uncomfortable conversations

• The reason creating systems for the unexpected (wills, passwords, insurance, business continuity) isn't morbid; it's leadership in action

• How legacy is about presence, not just accomplishments

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniellemonogue/

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I am back with Part 2 of my incredible conversation with renowned dialect and vocal coach Denise Woods.

Today's episode focuses on the actual techniques and approaches Denise uses with her actors, CEOs, and leaders.

If you missed it, Part 1 of our conversation is in Episode 731 from March 3rd.

In this episode, we'll explore:

• What happens when you get out of your own way and let the story shine

• How using your imagination to see images rather than just saying words results in more effective speaking

• The way Denise helps clients find their own authentic connection to feelings rather than manufacturing what they think emotions should be

• The power of stillness and breathing in unlocking your authentic voice

• Why great communication isn't just about speaking your truth, but also about listening to and receiving other people's truths

Her first appearance on The Big Talk podcast in Episode 731

Website: https://www.speakitclearly.com/

Her book, The Power of Voice

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/speakitclearly

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/denise-woods-b1239518

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In an era overwhelmed by AI-generated content and social media noise, consistency has never been more critical.

In this solo episode, I share my personal journey and decades of experience as a dancer, director, speaker, and leader, revealing how showing up authentically and consistently is the key to building trust, credibility, and lasting influence.

Tune in to discover:

• Why consistency, not volume, sets influential voices apart

• The pitfalls of chasing trends and spreading yourself too thin

• Six specific steps to maximize your influence through consistency—from defining your non-negotiables to measuring impact, not activity

• How to start building consistency, even if you're just beginning

• Why authentic presence can't be replicated by AI or social media algorithms

Come to my two-day virtual masterclass, The Art of The Big Talk

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In this episode, I'm super excited for you to hear from Gracia Sotomayor. You may remember Gracia from her appearance on the podcast last November in Episode 707, where we talked about pursuing your dreams, no matter how unconventional.

Born in Lima, Peru, Gracia discovered artistic cycling through a magazine photo and was captivated by the concentration and control required. With no resources available in Spanish, she taught herself and eventually moved to Germany to master the sport. She has competed in the UCI Cycling World Championships and became the first person to translate the official rulebook into Spanish.

As an ambassador for artistic cycling, Gracia has promoted the sport across Latin America and been featured in international media. Through her speaking, she shares how embracing inner power, taking unconventional paths, and helping others can lead to personal transformation and lasting impact.

In her inspiring talk, "My Bike, Love, and Empowerment," she explores:

• Building self-trust through challenging yourself

• Making fear a companion rather than a barrier, and aligning your actions with your dreams

• How personal transformation can ripple outward to create societal impact

• Why breaking free from limiting beliefs is ongoing work

Her first appearance on The Big Talk podcast in Episode 707

Her talk on The Big Talk Academy Stage in NYC

Website: https://www.graciasotomayor.com/

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

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gracia-sotomayor-v/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gracia.sotomayor/

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Today's guest, Denise Woods, has been the 'voice behind the voice' for Hollywood's most celebrated performers for over twenty years. As a dialect and vocal coach, she has contributed to Oscar- and Tony-winning performances.

Beyond Hollywood, Denise has been the secret weapon for Fortune 500 executives, broadcast journalists, and elite athletes transitioning to broadcasting careers. Her client list reads like a who's who of entertainment—from Jessica Chastain to Queen Latifah, from Anthony Mackie to Maggie Gyllenhaal.

Denise is also committed to giving disenfranchised voices the courage and tools to tell their stories by dismantling fear, shame, and trauma. As a graduate and the first African-American female faculty member of Juilliard's Drama Division, she's breaking barriers while helping others find their power. Her book, The Power of Voice, captures this transformative approach to finding and using your authentic voice.

In this episode, we'll explore:

• Why embracing your authentic light is essential to mastery

• The reason true expertise means embracing "I don't know"

• How non-conformity fuels artistic excellence, and why Denise thrives as a co-creator and collaborator

• The spiritual and intentional approach to preparation that allows authentic voices to emerge

• Her current favorites: Book: Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison, Speaker: Michelle Obama, Podcast: Trevor Noah's What Now?

Website: https://www.speakitclearly.com/

Her book, The Power of Voice

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/speakitclearly

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/denise-woods-b1239518

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In this episode, I'm sharing how my journey as a professional dancer, performing with companies like Lucinda Childs alongside Baryshnikov and on stages from Lincoln Center to the Paris Opera, shaped my approach to leadership and influence.

I examine how the skills and lessons from any area of expertise—whether dance, athletics, science, or business—can be translated into powerful leadership qualities.

Together, we'll explore:

• The importance of resilience and collaboration in both dance and leadership

• Embracing impermanence and moving forward after achievements

• How to identify and translate your own expertise into leadership principles

• The value of sharing personal stories to become a memorable, influential voice

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In this episode, you'll hear a powerful big talk from certified speaker Ivana Ivanek. You may remember Ivana from her appearance on the podcast last July in Episode 683, where we talked about redefining success.

Ivana is a keynote speaker, business strategist, mindset coach, and host of the Online Business By Design Podcast. She specializes in helping teachers, coaches, and educators build online businesses that drive profit and impact so they can create the success and the life they desire.

In her talk, "Modern Social Silencing Isn't Just a Women's Issue," she explores:

• How modern social silencing impacts all genders through workplace dynamics, family expectations, and societal pressures

• The hidden costs of staying silent, and what is required to break that silence

• The importance of creating 'voice-positive' environments and how leaders can actively cultivate them

• Why speaking up isn't something to earn or wait for permission to do

Her first appearance on The Big Talk podcast in Episode 683

Website: https://ivanaivanek.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivana-ivanek-426553230/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ivanaivanek_/

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This is a very special episode for me as I introduce you to a dear friend and member of my team, Emma Price.

Emma is an educator, speaker, and advocate whose work explores motherhood, disability, infertility, and resilience. With over twelve years in elementary education, she began her career as a classroom teacher and later became a private tutor specializing in literacy and executive functioning, helping students build confidence and independence.

Emma now serves as my amazing Executive Assistant here at The Big Talk and makes it possible for me to support leaders globally in sharing their voices on major stages.

She has spoken internationally on disability, access to education, resilience, and the power of desire, bringing a grounded, deeply human perspective to conversations about life transitions and rebuilding identity after adversity.

In this episode, we'll explore:

• Why resilience is relative to each person's experience

• Emma's experience of speaking from healing, not wounds, and how this can impact your speaker journey

• How we successfully navigate working together while maintaining our friendship

• The reason your desire signals what's possible for you, and why overcoming limiting beliefs is ongoing work

• Emma's current favorites: Book: All the Light We Cannot See, Speaker: Emily Oster, and Podcasts: Good Hang & Landlines

Her SPEAK talk, Wishful Thinking

Get in touch with Emma at [email protected]

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Today marks a powerful milestone for the podcast, Episode 727. This number holds deep meaning for me and offers profound lessons for all of us as leaders and influential voices.

For years, the number 27 has been my spiritual touchstone, appearing everywhere from my birth date to my wedding anniversary, from my book launch to daily messages from my late fur babies, Lola and Bella. It's how I know I'm aligned with my purpose.

Join me as I decode the number 727 as a blueprint for leadership and transformation.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• Why 727 is more than a number—it's a roadmap for influential leadership

• How King George and George Harrison embodied the transformative power of "the two"

• Why mastery requires embracing discomfort daily, not waiting for the perfect moment

• Questions to help you identify your own "two" and bridge the gap between where you are and where you want to be

Key Takeaway: Leadership and influence aren't about the big moments. They're about showing up for the uncomfortable work in between. That's where your power lives, where your influence grows, and where your voice becomes unstoppable.

Grab your copy of my new book, Being Smart Is Stupid

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In today's episode, you will hear a big talk from Dr. John Librett, an amazing speaker and alum of The Big Talk Academy Mastery. You may remember John from his previous appearance on the podcast in Episode 659, where we discussed trusting the process.

John is a certified speaker, author, and thought leader in preventive medicine and cancer survivorship. With over 25 years of experience, including chairing a White House Interagency Council, he inspires audiences worldwide to rethink health and wellness through his engaging presentations and practical, actionable insights.

In his big talk, "Cancer Cannot Live in Rooms Full of Light," he explores:

• Why the 2,000-year-old prescription of light, exercise, music, massage, and moderate diet shouldn't be considered "alternative" medicine, but instead, fundamental aspects of cancer care

• How to reframe the cancer narrative and stop using warfare language like "fighting," "battling," and "war on cancer"

• The reason cancer diagnoses in people under 49 will increase by more than 100% in the next five years

• How, as a cancer patient and medical student, he advocated for a treatment plan that became a national standard of care

• What comprehensive cancer care should look like and how we can create it

His first appearance on The Big Talk podcast in Episode 659

John's profile on The Big Talk Speakers Directory

Website: https://www.survivorhealthcare.com/about-shc

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/survivor-architect/

Transform your expertise into a speaking legacy with me inside The Big Talk Academy Mastery

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