ZPraise

Testimonials:

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From Public Speaking Clients:

“‘I can’t tell you how much that helped yesterday.  The talk is IN me now like never before.  Your witnessing was MAGICAL. Seriously. AMAZING. I’m so grateful for your time and investment. Big exhale. A million whispers, thank you!!!!’ Johanna helps me get to my best stuff!  She helps me hone my content to what matters most.  Before we start working, I often feel anxious and by the end I feel calm and prepared.  After we work together, I’m always jazzed about what I have to say and feel stoked to share it.” Kristen Wheeler, Founder, Native Genius Lab

“I wanted to work with a public speaking coach, and when I met Johanna, knew she was the right person. I gained the confidence I needed to move away from my notes while speaking and truly connect with the members of the audience. I got help with letting go of “fillers,” being okay with pauses, and using my breath for power. I’m not stressed out before a talk now, and have much more fun at my speaking events! I appreciated Johanna’s authenticity and kindness. I highly recommend her–she knows what goes into speaking well, and teaches it according to the specific needs of the person.” Gail Storey, author, www.gailstorey.com 

“Your work is grounded in play and flexibility, so when I get into a rut, the practices you taught reminded me that there’s a creative process and vocal play that I can access in and after situations that may trigger or make me feel like I am in a rut! It is a psychological process that gets to the root of who you are in a playful, experiential way so you can dance more freely in your authentic self. We did a lot of hard work together, but there was always the possibility of playfulness. My take-away is to always remember how important breath is, and that I experience the breath exercises that we did together as on par with the nourishment of food! The work we do is so very nourishing! When I remember and practice those exercises, I feel really present and alive. I think of you as a leader who’s carrying this torch of light, shedding light on the recesses and shadow parts of the mind. You are present and engaged. You’re right there when we’re working together, right there in the moment, interested and curious. You’re there to do the work. I have this sense from you that whatever’s there is ok. It feels safe.  I trust that you’re genuine.”  Rebecca Winter, massage therapist

“In the short time I worked with Johanna, I quickly learned how to better connect with the audience, and that made a tremendous difference in my speaking!” Porter Storey, physician 

“Johanna helped me get to the heart of what I was trying to say, and helped me to say it in a way that felt real. I’m a performer so when I was asked to give a TED talk I didn’t think I needed a coach, but her attention was spot on and boosted my talk up a notch in strength and clarity.”  —Hal Walker, musician, TEDx presenter

“I felt really comfortable working with Johanna. It was fun but also grounded in knowledge and experience. I needed help in expressing who I am and what I do and felt deeply supported by Johanna’s presence and attention. I got exactly what I needed. She used some traditional tools of performance warm-up and also really great imagery to help me speak with more confidence and clarity about my work in the world. It’s clear she enjoys doing it. It was very joyful and such a great way to start my day and my week. I will definitely take this work with me and utilize it!”  –Audrey Gunn, artist, performer, healer

“I came to the talk with pretty low expectations. I didn’t think I’d be walking away with as much as I did, but I really liked the way you sent us home feeling like we had some new tools, and some good reasons why we should go out and speak. You were dynamic, approachable, and funny–strong, but not overbearing. I appreciated the atmosphere you created. I felt like you were aware of the whole room. I also appreciated that you encouraged us to be ourselves when we’re speaking. You displayed that really well in your talk by being so relaxed.” Cindy Kalman, KalmarxDesign.com

“Thank you for the wonderful presentation. You are a very warm, engaging and inspiring speaker. I really enjoyed the exercises you facilitated. I am definitely going to practice them in anticipation of future speaking opportunities. I have already recommended you to a friend” —Karen Schuster, graphic designer

“I found you to be an inspirational and down-to-earth speaker, a friendly guide who shared practical tips to overcome the fears of speaking in public. The idea of using your nerves and fears as a source of energy never would have occurred to me before your talk. You presented the speaking conundrum in a new light, with humor and enthusiasm. Thank you!”  —Paula Gillen, owner, Gillen Edits

“Johanna coached me in preparing and rehearsing my wedding vows and my toast for the reception. Over just a few sessions, in her unique way, through various exercises, she was able to help me relax, become spontaneous and find my authentic words.  Johanna gave me simple, direct, and honest feedback which helped me remain centered, speak my truth, and communicate directly to my bride and audience.”  —Danny Mack

From Fearless Solos Participants:

“Because English is my second language, I was dreading the writing part and not sure if I would be able to express myself fully in English. I didn’t know if I was ready to talk on stage, but in fact it was very rewarding being witnessed in my vulnerability. I felt extremely proud of myself after the performance for having had the courage to share very personal moments from my life. Now I’m able to tap into that feeling whenever I need to. Some of the exercises were out of my comfort zone but Johanna and the group made it feel save to explore. Johanna is funny, flexible, and encouraging as a teacher. She’s got excellent boundaries and great creativity, too. This class pushed my edge and inspired me at the same time. I highly recommend this class.” Dörte Stanek, MA Somatic Counseling Psychotherapy student 

“When I initially signed up for this class, I was concerned that the group wouldn’t be willing to discuss more serious subjects, so I was glad to find that others were willing to go deep. This class finally nudged me over that wall of being afraid to take up space, to have a voice and be seen. Standing on a stage and telling my story was powerful and freeing. I’ve noticed after taking the class that I’m much more expressive, open and naturally “me.” I finally have a way to tell my story that’s powerful, yet in manageable doses for people to hear. This class has also opened up a whole new direction for me professionally. The exercises Johanna led were completely unexpected and exactly what I needed. She led them in a way that made it easy for me to try stuff, even if at first I felt awkward and self-conscious. Johanna was gentle, honest, mindful, encouraging, accepting and inviting. She stayed compassionate and professional when sticky situations arose, and never wavered from the truth of what needed to be said or done. The class gave me exactly what I wanted–a way to tell my story. But more importantly it gave me what I needed–a place to stretch beyond my fear walls, stand tall, and powerfully speak my truth. I felt powerful and gutsy, and it was a lot of fun.” Kate Mikayan, core-calling.com 

“The experience of working with Fearless Solos allowed me to get out of the routine, the mundane, and reignite the fire and passion for storytelling through movement, breath and word. Johanna led us through a variety of experiences to create reflexes of expansion, rather than contraction, and in doing so helped us birth stories that may have otherwise been untold. This is a wonderful opportunity to crack open and find the seeds that often lie dormant. Feed, water and provide light and a beautiful thing can be born. I find that sometimes I have to get out of my own way to allow for what aches to be born.” —Erin Anderson

“This class was, without fail, the reboot to my week. It reset me. It turned me back in to my creative side, to the energies and inspirations that are all too easy to neglect. It revitalized me. The combination of physical movement and creative output and sharing formed a perfect booster for my spirit, my body, and my writing. What else can I say? I loved this class. I wrote stuff I’m proud of, I wrote stuff that revealed things I wasn’t aware of before, I performed things I didn’t think I had in me, I rediscovered why I love writing and performing and why it’s important. I laughed my ass off, I wept over a cheese grater for the first time in my life, and I got to both delve into childhood memories and discover myself as an adult. I wrote stuff that hurt, I wrote stuff that sucked, I wrote stuff that made no goddamned sense, but it felt good because I was writing.” –Denali H., non-profit operations manager

“I learned that we all are working with our own edges and from there is where we perform.  This class provides this in an ABSOLUTELY beautiful way! I was surprised left and right in this class. It brought up many internal and external struggles and allowed me to really be honest and clear in addressing them. I was surprised by how my performance unfolded itself in its own organic way and the confidence that came from pushing many aspects of myself while also being supported by Johanna and the group. I was surprised at how much I enjoy performing! I would describe this class as Kick Ass Awesome! It pushed me to my own edge. It supported me in standing at the edge and sprouting wings for flight. The class allows for comfortable risk taking into the realm of the self and beyond!” –Regina Stribling, visionary

“I can be a pretty tough judge, but I loved this class and I loved working with Johanna. The work (and play) I did in there continues to reverberate in my life in very healing ways. Through writing and movement and great feedback, I was able to dive into a story that has caused me a lot of suffering in my life and come out with a new appreciation for myself and my life and some of what it means to be human. What a gift! I’m really grateful to the class and to Johanna.”    –David Lang Kessem, singer/songwriter

“This class was a great, possibly life changing experience. I learned I could be true to myself. The class provided a mechanism/structure to explore a critical topic that quiet frankly I did not have the discipline or skills to process that deeply  —  when it got tough Johanna and other participants were there for me  — the overall experience enabled me to make strides much more quickly and effectively than I could have alone.” –Stephanie Davis, LEAN Manufacturing management consultant

“Johanna provided us with a safe and nurturing environment in which I could take risks as a first-time writer and performer.  This was such a positive experience for me.  Even though it was scary taking the stage for the first time, the response I got from the audience was very affirming.  I discovered that I could not only share my story but be entertaining as well.  This experience boosted my confidence and enriched my life and I look forward to taking this class again!”  —Jocelyn Barcelon, sales consultant

From Fearless Solos Audience Members:

“That was better than anything I’ve seen on Broadway, and totally worth a Broadway ticket price.” –Tanya Meyer

“Such a profound exercise in creating beauty with truth. We are so lucky to witness these Life Lines. Thank you!” Megan Zubaedi

“Thank you for your courage to awaken courage!” –Jennie Gershaler Lopez

“Woah! Incredibly powerful!” –Jessica Yoder

“You rock, Johanna. You supported the uprooting and unveiling of beautiful, powerful, healing stories.” –Lorene Wapotich

“Fantastic magic!” –Aimee Eddins

“This was fresh and raw and beautiful.” –Teresa Peterson

“Amazing. Everyone was so well-spoken and delivered their truths so well.” –Aprille Jordan

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