You’re NOT afraid of public speaking.
Speaking up in front of other people is the vehicle to create the impact you want to have in the world. You have things to say that are so important it feels overwhelming to get them out.
Because…
…what if people judge you?
…and what will your parents think if you talk about that thing in public?
…or what if you stumble over the words and become an instant meme?
You’re afraid of fully stepping into your own power.
I can’t say you’ll never make a mistake. Fun fact: my computer crashed right as I introduced a celebrity guest on Zoom with 16,000 people watching.
But I can say your life will be different after you’ve overcome the fears that are preventing you from speaking up.
I define public speaking as:
Speaking on a stage
Speaking to the media
Speaking in meetings
Speaking in job interviews
Speaking up in your day-to-day role
Speaking about yourself in front of friends and strangers
Every single one of those things used to paralyze me with fear. I would feel shaky, lightheaded, and sweaty. I was sure that it was incredibly obvious I was overthinking and on the verge of a meltdown.
That’s why I created Public Speaking for Organizers (or advocates, or candidates or anyone doing the most good they can in the world): a live, half-day workshop to change the way you approach public speaking.
Here’s the thing: most people are afraid of “public speaking” to some extent. But for you it’s different. I believe you feel afraid of public speaking because you have something worth saying.
What if that anxious feeling you get was actually the energy you need to rise to the occasion?
What if that feeling in the pit of our stomach is just the weight of the important stories you have to share? What if your hands are shaking because you’re fully transforming into the public speaking superhero the world needs right now?
No, really.
One voice can change a room, and I think it should be yours.
If you’re working on a campaign or cause that matters to you, I’d bet someone else speaking up is what got you involved for the first time.
Imagine the impact you’ll have when you remove the barriers that hold you back to speaking in front of people?
There are lots of generic public speaking programs or practice groups that are old fashioned, shame-based and geared towards AWMs *(average white males) who want to show off their big ideas.
If that’s your vibe, go for it.
But I believe people learn best in supportive, affirmation-based settings where they can unpack what they’re experiencing and identify their own unique methods to overcoming fear.
Seen here:
Hi there, I’m Ashley.
I’ve worked in the music industry + hosted a podcast + worked as a coach + worked on political campaigns, which means I have some really unique experiences to draw from.
I’ve led the largest political organizing training of all time, where I spoke to 16,000 people all at once.
I’ve been interviewed on podcasts, webinars and live television broadcasts.
I’ve led the first ever women’s public speaking practice group in NYC.
I’ve been on TV a handful of times talking about a fandom I’m a part of (you’ve gotta sign-up to find out the embarrassing details…)
And until around 2015 I had paralyzing stage fright and would practically blackout if I had to so much as introduce myself in a small group.
Fast forward to today and I absolutely love public speaking. It’s one of my favorite things to do and makes me feel really confident in myself.
To me it’s like riding a roller coaster (I’m actually still terrified of roller coasters, but let’s stick with the analogy): you feel that anticipation as the roller coaster is going up, up, up and then slowly around the bend and then ...drop! You scream and laugh and before you know it - it’s all over and you’re walking away slightly lightheaded but exhilarated.
And you start looking around for the next big ride to get on so you can do it all over again.
Here’s what’s included:
Pre-session materials to help you prepare for the intensive
5 hours of training, collaboration and coaching over Zoom
A small cohort of fellow organizers to learn with and from
A workbook to keep your learnings organized
An exclusive invite to an 10-week group training program to deepen your public speaking skills (where we get into speaking to the press, assertive communication and speaking on the fly, among other things).
The Logistics:
Price:
$550
$250
Date: Friday, March 8th from 12-5pm eastern
Location: Zoom so you can join from anywhere
Don’t wait until you’re too deep into election season to get comfortable speaking up. Let’s do this now!
*I love average white males. Some of my best friends are average white males.
Wondering why you should listen to me?
I’ve invested thousands of dollars and hundreds of hours of practice working with experts to overcome my own fear of public speaking.
Since 2015 I have:
Led the first women’s only public speaking class in NYC (think Toastmasters, but for women).
Spoke in-person to over 250 people on behalf of the first Women’s March.
Trained 16,000 people live over Zoom for Vote Save America.
Appeared as a guest on podcasts and hosted 85 episodes of my own show.
Been interviewed on live TV multiple times.
As an organizer, advocate or even a current or future candidate - you’ll be expected to speak in front of others every single day. Whether that’s asking for donations, leading a phone-bank over Zoom or just speaking in a meeting with your boss and your boss's boss - you need to be able to confidently and calmly use your voice to have the impact you want to have in this world.
Some people think public speaking is selfish- like you’re going to turn into some maniacal bro-salesman-creep overnight if you speak up in front of a room full of people.
That’s why I want to remind you: public speaking isn’t about you.
It’s about a message that needs to be heard, that message only you can share.
Sure, lot’s of other people might have similar backgrounds or more of a “sob story”. But there are people out there who can only hear the message if it comes from you.
Seriously.
Think about it. How many times have you given a friend advice and they totally ignored you? But then, years later they get essentially the exact same advice from someone else and suddenly it all clicks for them, they take the advice and they give all the credit to this other person.
It’s the same thing with talking about the issues, making an ask of someone to get involved or inspiring someone to vote. They’ve heard the same thing from other people before…maybe even dozens of other people.
But they haven’t heard from you. At least not yet.
And that’s why I hope you’ll join me for Public Speaking for Organizers we we’ll:
Write a short personal story you can use in different situations.
Identify your core values and why your voice is necessary in the movement.
Unpack what makes public speaking so scary.
Create individual methods for calming and managing your nerves.
Practice speaking in front of a supportive and positive small group
Learn the core frameworks that make Public Speaking for Organizers such a powerful program for people working on campaigns, issues and in movements.
As an organizer you’ll be asked to speak to house parties full of potential volunteers, to introduce a candidate at an event or tell your good ol’ Story of Self.
Imagine being able to do those things confidently and maybe even enjoy it?
I’d love for you to join me for a live, half-day workshop to address your fear of public speaking.
We’ll meet virtually over Zoom over the course of a Saturday. We’ll dig into the biology of “fear”, address how to manage it, and how to use your voice in all different situations.
IMPORTANT NOTE: I know not everyone has had the opportunities to speak in school or to be fully heard at home or in the workplace.
Women, Black people, people of color, those who speak English as a second language, folks with disabilities and Queer and trans folks are often responded to very differently when they speak than the AWM.*
But I know you have things to say and I want to help you get them out clearly, confidently and in a way that is actually fun for you!
