Captivate the Mic: Master Public Speaking & Video, Build Confidence and Boost Visibility

Send us Fan Mail Even though I grew up performing, singing, dancing, and doing theater, the very first time I stood up to speak as myself at a Toastmasters meeting—without a script or a character to hide behind—my brain went completely blank. My heart pounded, I started sweating, and I completely choked in under 30 seconds. In this special solo episode of Captivate the Mic , I'm pulling back...

Send us Fan Mail Are you tired of making the same mistakes in your life or business over and over again, but you just can't seem to find your blind spots? Trust me, you are not alone. Today on Captivate the Mic, I am bringing you an absolute mind-expanding conversation with the brilliant psychotherapist, best-selling author, and master storyteller, Ira Israel. Ira has an unbelievable backstor...

Send us Fan Mail What do Broadway showstoppers and massive business profit margins have in common? A lot more than you think! In this episode of Captivate the Mic, I am sitting down with the brilliant, beautiful, and absolute powerhouse entrepreneur Erin B. Haag. Erin grew up deep in the legendary New York theater scene—her dad was the technical director at the iconic Public Theater, and she was r...

Send us Fan Mail Think you’re too busy to write that book? Think again. Ever feel like you’ve got a massive story inside you but zero time to actually sit down and type it out? I get it. We’re entrepreneurs, we’re caregivers, we’re running a million miles an hour. That’s why I brought the fabulous Judy Lane Boyer onto the show. Judy is a professional ghostwriter and former professional translator...

Send us Fan Mail What if connection didn’t have to be fast… or digital… or filtered? In this episode of Captivate the Mic , I sit down with two incredible humans, Gary Simmons and Linda Tai, to share something we’ve been quietly building—something that feels simple, but deeply needed. We talk about loneliness in a hyper-connected world…  Why scrolling isn’t the same as feeling seen…  And how a sma...

Send us Fan Mail Are you leading your team, or are they just working for you? Today on Captivate the Mic, I’m sitting down with my friend Mark Nice—a man who defines himself as a servant leader first and a content marketing strategist second. We dive deep into Mark’s incredible journey, from being raised by preachers to a chance encounter with a five-star Italian chef that changed his life (and le...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever felt like you should know more about money… but don’t? Like you’ve made mistakes, waited too long, or somehow missed the memo? You are not alone—and you are not behind. In this episode of Captivate the Mic, I sit down with financial advisor Traci Steelman, and we talk about the emotional side of money that no one teaches us—especially as women. We dive into the shame...

Send us Fan Mail What if healing isn’t about “fixing” yourself… but reclaiming who you were before the trauma? In this powerful and honest conversation, I sit down with healer, author, and TV host Beth Jones to talk about grief, trauma, resilience, and what it really means to become an empowered survivor. We go deep into: • Moving through grief cycles faster as you heal • Why survivors internalize...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Captivate the Mic , Elaine Williams sits down with Cam Beaudoin, founder of The Frequent Speaker, to unpack what it really takes to become a paid professional speaker. They discuss building authority, standing out in a saturated market, and using storytelling, niching, and strategic video to rise above the noise. If you’re an aspiring speaker, female leader refi...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Captivate the Mic , Elaine Williams sits down with marketing strategist and former attorney Nina Cleere to unpack one of the biggest visibility shifts happening right now: how people are being found through AI instead of traditional search. Nina shares her unconventional journey from public defender to corporate counsel to digital marketing expert—and how her ba...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Captivate the Mic , Elaine Williams sits down with Amy Jenkins — estate planning and probate attorney — for an honest, eye-opening conversation about what really happens after a loved one passes away. After navigating the loss of her own father, Elaine shares firsthand how having power of attorney, medical directives, and a DNR still didn’t prepare her for the r...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Captivate the Mic , Elaine Williams sits down with Mickey Fitch-Collins , a leadership development expert, professional facilitator, and former teenage professional bass fisher whose unconventional journey shaped her powerful voice on stage. Mickey shares how becoming the youngest professional bass fisherman in the U.S. at just 14 years old unexpectedly launched...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Captivate the Mic , Elaine sits down with Amy Castro, a corporate trainer, speaker, and communication expert with over 30 years of experience in the speaking industry. Together, they pull back the curtain on what it really takes to build a sustainable speaking career — beyond the stage, the spotlight, and the hype. Amy shares honest insights about: why most of t...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Captivate the Mic , I sat down with Kimberly Lynne, a board-certified hypnotist and trauma-informed healer who transformed decades of chronic illness, anxiety, and physical pain into a wellness journey rooted in subconscious healing. Kimberly shares her personal story of battling over 20 years of unexplained illness, panic attacks, and debilitating symptoms — an...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Captivate the Mic , Elaine sits down with Michelle Walters — imagination advocate, clinical hypnotherapist, marketing expert, author, and creator of MakeMyHypno.com, the world’s first custom AI-powered hypnosis audio generator. Michelle blends science, spirituality, and marketing psychology to help people break patterns, overcome anxiety, reduce sugar cravings,...

Send us Fan Mail In this empowering episode of Captivate the Mic, host Elaine Williams sits down with bestselling author Kirsten Weiss , the mastermind behind over 70 cozy mystery novels, including Legacy of the Witch and the beloved Tea & Tarot series. Together, they explore how storytelling, humor, and resilience help women reclaim their voices — both on the page and in real life. Kirsten sh...

Send us Fan Mail Show Notes In this candid and insightful conversation, Elaine sits down with veteran speaker manager Julie Cooley , who has worked with hundreds of speakers through NSA, the Colorado Speaker Academy, and her own business helping thought leaders build sustainable, profitable speaking careers. If you’ve ever wondered why your inbox isn’t filling with paid gig offers yet — this episo...

Send us Fan Mail Elaine welcomes Frankie Ann — a multi-talented singer, dancer, comedian, and producer — for a heart-to-heart about visibility, validation, and the messy beauty of creative life. Frankie Ann shares her journey through the highs of national tours and TV appearances, the lows of health setbacks, and the ultimate realization: your art becomes more powerful when you stop seeking approv...

Send us Fan Mail In this solo episode of Captivate the Mic , Elaine Williams breaks down the art (and science) of owning the room —whether you’re speaking to 10 people in a meeting or 10,000 from a stage. Elaine shares insider performance tips that comedians, actors, and speakers use to instantly command attention, engage distracted audiences, and create unforgettable presence. From reclaiming the...

Send us Fan Mail In this powerful conversation, Elaine sits down with Salvatore Manzi , a corporate speaking expert who helps purpose-driven leaders translate complex, data-rich ideas into clear, compelling messages. With decades of experience coaching executives and teams, Salvatore shares practical tools to elevate communication, build presence, and lead with authenticity. You’ll hear insights o...

Send us Fan Mail In this candid and insightful episode, I sit down with my friend John Aslanian, a seasoned beauty industry insider, to talk about what really goes on behind the scenes of the glamour world. John reveals surprising truths about the beauty business, the pressures it creates, and the myths we’ve been sold about looking “perfect.” We explore why true beauty is about confidence, presen...

Send us Fan Mail In this bold and soul-baring episode, Elaine is joined by powerhouse coach and speaker Jacquie Grillon for a truth-packed deep dive into people pleasing, perfectionism, and what it really takes to unlearn the conditioning that keeps women stuck, silent, and drained. From Catholic school trauma to addiction, codependency, and overgiving in work and relationships — Jacquie shares he...

Send us Fan Mail ✨ Show Notes: In this profoundly moving episode of Captivate the Mic , Elaine Williams sits down with Peter Samuelson — Hollywood producer of over 27 films, founder of seven life-changing charities, and author of Finding Happy . Peter opens up about the inspiration behind his book — part memoir, part mentor-in-your-pocket — written to guide young people (and honestly, any of us)...

Send us Fan Mail 🔍 In this heartfelt and deeply insightful episode, Elaine Williams welcomes Ron Reich back for part two of their conversation on leadership, mission statements, and the ripple effect of healthy (or toxic) workplace culture. Ron shares powerful real-world stories from his decades of leadership training—including one tearful turning point with a struggling plant manager—and how tru...

Send us Fan Mail My cousin, Melissa Williams, 10X World Champion with different breeds and different divisions, shares her experience growing up with horses and the many things she learned from them in this short clip from a longer interview.  If you want more info about anything related to horses, leadership retreats, equine therapy, trainings, Captivate the Crowd or Casa BlancaVentures, please s...