Speak with Presence

In this episode 85, Jen V. dives into her method for gaining speaking presence through the Presence Paradigm™ - Confidence, Focus, and Influence.

If you have communication topics you want to hear about, email Jen at JenV@VoiceFirstWorld.com

In this episode, Jen V. goes solo in response to requests from listeners for communication tips and tools to speak...with presence. If you have communication topics you want to hear about, email Jen at JenV@VoiceFirstWorld.com.

Jen Vellenga and Jennifer Rettele-Thomas are the co-founders of Voice First World®, a communication and leadership coaching company.  They train executives and leaders on the Presence Paradigm™, a communication technique created from Jen V's decades of training actors to perform authentically with stage presence. If you want to learn more about how to speak confidently, book a discovery call at www.voicefirstworld.com/chat.

In this episode, Living in Mama Kelce’s World, we sit down with LeAnne Stowe, owner of Annie’s Barn. LeAnne talks about how she turned an online Facebook auction into a shop that operates in 12 different cities and online at https://anniesbarn.com/.

From her viral products to her personal connection with national hero “Mama Kelce” - the mother of NFL superstars, Travis Kelce (Kansas City Chiefs) and Jason Kelce (Philadelphia Eagles)  – hear how Annie has developed not only a thriving business, but a tight community of “Barnstormers.” 

Jen Vellenga and Jennifer Rettele-Thomas are the co-founders of Voice First World®, a communication and leadership coaching company.  They train executives and leaders on the Presence Paradigm™, a communication technique created from Jen V's decades of training actors to perform authentically with stage presence. If you want to learn more about how to speak confidently, book a discovery call at www.voicefirstworld.com/chat

In this episode 77, Lead with Love, we spoke with Christine Kemper, Marketing Professional, Board Member, and Founder of Kansas City Girls Preparatory Academy, a school that teaches young women to use their voices, succeed in college and lead impactful, meaningful lives.

It's giving Tuesday! This is where to give: Education - KCGPA      Arts - Heartland Arts

In Christine’s inspiring story, she sees a need in her community and takes matters into her own hands to meet the need. Find out how the students in her school are encouraged to put their own presence into the world.

Following a fifteen-year career that began in the U.S. Department of Justice and evolved to include roles in business communications, politics and higher education, Christine founded a marketing and research consultancy that has advised local, national and global brands since 2002. She is co-founder of The Collectors Fund and The Kansas City Collection, two enterprises that invest in art and build markets for artists, as well as YEP, an internship and scholarship organization focused on nurturing entrepreneurship among high school students. She has served in leadership roles for dozens of regional nonprofit organizations, including the Women’s Foundation, Women’s Employment Network, WIN for KC, the WWI Museum and Memorial, DeLaSalle Education Center, the Symphony Foundation and University Academy Charter School. Her current passion is in her role as a founder and board chair of Kansas City Girls Preparatory Academy. 

Jen Vellenga and Jennifer Rettele-Thomas are the co-founders of Voice First World®, a communication and leadership coaching company.  They train executives and leaders on the Presence Paradigm™, a communication technique created from Jen V's decades of training actors to perform authentically with stage presence. If you want to learn more about how to speak confidently, book a discovery call at www.voicefirstworld.com/chat.

In this episode, Giving Deeply, we spoke with Claire Costello, Managing Director, Senior Philanthropic Strategist for Philanthropic Solutions at Bank of America Private Bank.

Claire takes us on an exploration of what data says about how we—especially women—interact with philanthropy. Listen in on her insights into giving versus receiving and how we can best show up for philanthropy.

Affluent Charitable Giving Trends and Statistics in 2022 (bankofamerica.com)

Jen Vellenga and Jennifer Rettele-Thomas are the co-founders of Voice First World®, a communication and leadership coaching company.  They train executives and leaders on the Presence Paradigm™, a communication technique created from Jen V's decades of training actors to perform authentically with stage presence. If you want to learn more about how to speak confidently, book a discovery call at www.voicefirstworld.com/chat

In this episode 75, Spectrum of Authenticity, we interviewed Lindsey Rood-Clifford, President and CEO of Starlight Theatre in Kansas City, MO. We met with her on location at Starlight in her office overlooking the audience seating.

Lindsey shares her experience being unanimously voted to be the new—and first female—CEO at Starlight, and how she creates change authentically in her role. Hear her philosophy on inspiring teams and constantly connecting with community.

Jen Vellenga and Jennifer Rettele-Thomas are the co-founders of Voice First World®, a communication and leadership coaching company.  They train executives and leaders on the Presence Paradigm™, a communication technique created from Jen V's decades of training actors to perform authentically with stage presence. If you want to learn more about how to speak confidently, book a discovery call at www.voicefirstworld.com/chat.

We interviewed Nancy Whitworth, the Chief People Officer at McCownGordon Construction. We met with her on location at her office in downtown Kansas City, MO.

In this episode, Nancy explains how shifting her mindset completely changed her leadership game and the three words that inspired her epiphany. Learn about the enormous impact Nancy has on her community and Voice First World® itself, and how she’s gained a reputation as an outstanding leader. 

Jen Vellenga and Jennifer Rettele-Thomas are the co-founders of Voice First World®, a communication and leadership coaching company.  They train executives and leaders on the Presence Paradigm™, a communication technique created from Jen V's decades of training actors to perform authentically with stage presence. If you want to learn more about how to speak confidently, book a discovery call at www.voicefirstworld.com/chat.

On this episode, Have You Made It?, we share a compilation episode from the 2020-2021 podcast, Ditch Your Backup Plan: Stories of rewarding careers between starving artist and celebrity. This was Jen V.'s first podcast, where she interviewed guests in the performing arts on what it means for them to follow a risky career path.

In this episode, each guest answers the question, "Have You Made It?" It's an invasive question that artists get asked far too often. Their perspectives on this question will help you frame your own achievements, big and small.

Jen Vellenga and Jennifer Rettele-Thomas are the co-founders of Voice First World®, a communication and executive coaching company.  They train executives, leaders, and speakers on the Presence Paradigm™, a communication technique created from Jen V's decades of training actors to perform authentically, with presence, on stages, on video, and audio.  If you want to learn more about how to speak confidently, book a discovery call at www.voicefirstworld.com/chat.

On this episode, Take a Risk, we share a compilation episode from the 2020-2021 podcast, Ditch Your Backup Plan. This was Jen V.'s first podcast where she interviewed guests in the performing arts on what it means for them to follow a risky career path.

In this episode, each guest answers the question, "What has been your biggest risk?"  Some of their reflections may surprise you.  

This is also the exact episode that inspired Jen V. and JRT to chuck it all and resign from their positions in higher education to launch Voice First World®.  It was a huge risk and they have not regretted it for one single second!

Jen Vellenga and Jennifer Rettele-Thomas are the co-founders of Voice First World®, a communication and executive coaching company.  They train executives, leaders, and speakers on the Presence Paradigm™, a communication technique created from Jen V's decades of training actors to perform authentically, with presence, on stages, on video, and audio.  If you want to learn more about how to speak confidently, book a discovery call at www.voicefirstworld.com/chat.

Jen Vellenga and Jennifer Rettele-Thomas are the co-founders of Voice First World®, a communication and executive coaching company.  They train executives and leaders on the Presence Paradigm™, a communication technique created from Jen V's decades of training actors to perform authentically, with presence, on stages, on audio, and video.  If you want to learn more about how to speak confidently, book a discovery call at www.voicefirstworld.com/chat.

Halfway to Anywhere with Logan Stacer, Executive Artistic Director of Heartland Arts KC and a Youth Pastor at Awaken Church KC.

In this episode, Logan shares where he finds confidence and joy. You'll learn how he advocates for multiple social justice challenges in Kansas City and you'll hear the story of a kitchen accident that led to his epiphany about being kind.

"If you can make it in New York, you can make it anywhere. If you can't make it in Chicago, you can't make it anywhere.  If you make it in Kansas City, you are Halfway to Anywhere."

Heartland Arts KC trains performing artists to become advocates of social justice. They aim to position Kansas City as a hub for arts advocacy, making public policy accessible for all.

Jen Vellenga and Jennifer Rettele-Thomas are the co-founders of Voice First World®, a communication and executive coaching company.  They train executives and leaders on the Presence Paradigm™, a communication technique created from Jen V's decades of training actors to perform authentically, with presence, on stages, on audio, and video.  If you want to learn more about how to speak confidently, book a discovery call at www.voicefirstworld.com/chat.

Master the Mundane with Deb Richard (pronounced ri-SHARD) will inspire listeners to trust their instincts and value integrity.

Deb played on the LPGA Tour for twenty years (1986–2005), during which she won five Tour events and finished in the top-10 in over seventy events. Her best finishes in the LPGA majors included a tie for tenth place in the 1996 Kraft Nabisco Championship, a tie for fifth in the 1991 LPGA Championship, a tie for ninth in the 1986 U.S. Women's Open, and ties for fourth in the 1988 and 1998 du Maurier Classic. In 1992, Richard was selected for the U.S. Solheim Cup team. 

Richard has been inducted into the Kansas Golf Hall of Fame. She has also received a number of awards for her charitable activities. To learn more about Deb, read her book, Trust: Understanding My Why or check out her leadership program, Burlap Leaders.

Jen Vellenga and Jennifer Rettele-Thomas are the co-founders of Voice First World®, a communication and executive coaching company.  Jen V. works with executives and leaders on the Presence Paradigm™, a communication technique created from Jen V's decades of training actors to perform authentically, with presence, on stages, on audio, and video.  If you want to learn more about how to speak confidently, book a discovery call at www.voicefirstworld.com/chat.