Chats with Yvonne

In our journey exploring the stories behind the way we speak, we're turning inward. As an introvert, keynote speaker, and coach, I know that standard speaking advice often fails when it feels like it completely contradicts your nature. We dive into the types of introversion to understand how they manifest in our daily lives. I then provide commentary on what those specific types can tell us ab...

Hola everybody! Studies show that 99% or more of participants of MLM's lose money. In this episode, I share a short (and kinda spooky) story about the time someone reached out for help refining their “motivational speech,” only for me to realize they were actually trying to pitch an MLM. We’ll unpack what multi-level marketing really is, how these companies use public speaking to sell false hope,...

Hola everybody! Have you ever been invited to speak at an event, only to find out they expect you to pay for the opportunity? In this episode of Chats with Yvonne, I’m breaking down the truth about pay-to-speak scams, why they prey on speakers, and how to spot red flags before you waste your money.💡 We chat: What “pay-to-speak” events really are (and why they’re often a scam). The difference betw...

Latinas make up just 2% of tech roles in the U.S., despite being a powerful and growing part of the workforce. In this episode, we’re joined by Carrie Peralta, Founder of Peak State Coaching and former recruiter at companies like Verizon, Google, and Netflix. Her mission is to empower women and underrepresented individuals to not just survive, but thrive in tech. Topics discussed: Carrie’s upbring...

Hola everybody! Stage fright can feel overwhelming, but you still run the show. In this episode, I’m walking you through what to do before, during, and after a speaking moment to feel more grounded and confident. We’ll talk preparation tips (like mastering your content), how to manage nerves in the moment (grounding techniques and the power of a pause), and how to recover with kindness to self onc...

Hola everybody! Have you ever tried to hold back tears while speaking? How do you think it impacted your delivery? I was thinking about the last time I cried and realized it was while I was on stage, sharing a story publicly for the first time. I remember feeling overwhelmed by the emotion, a little embarrassed to be crying, but also in a safe space to let it out. As a public speaking consultant,...

Hola, everybody! Right before this speaking gig, I had a wave of self-doubt. I started to question whether the audience would even care about what I had to say. In this episode, I walk through what that moment felt like, the tools I used to shift my mindset in real time, and how I still showed up and did my thing on stage. If you’ve ever had that “Why me?” or "I can't do this" moment...

Why does it feel embarrassing to admit we don't know something? In this episode, we chat about one particular barrier that might stop many of us from growing: fear of appearing incompetent. From the pressure to “already know” to the embarrassment of asking questions, we explore why learning out loud feels uncomfortable for many adults and where embarrassment comes from. I share adult learning theo...

Hola everybody! Speaking off the cuff can feel overwhelming. Not because we don’t know what to say, but maybe because we haven’t yet found a clear way to organize our thoughts in the moment. In this episode, I’m sharing 3 simple frameworks to help you answer questions on the spot with clarity and confidence. Mentioned in the episode: Episode 47: Use Your Hobbies to Improve Your Public Speaking: ht...

Hola everybody! In this episode, we’re diving into one of the best techniques in public speaking: the pause. I share how intentional pauses can help calm the nerves, help your message land, and create space for connection with your audience. I also provide real-life examples and tips on how to practice the pause and start using pauses effectively.

Hola everybody! What stories are "okay" to share and which ones do we stay silent about? In today's episode, we explore how our cultura influences the way we share our experiences. From "echale ganas" to the fear of being “too much,” we unpack some of the things that shape our storytelling. Join us for the Strorytelling Like Our Abuelitas mini retreat: https://www.chatswith...

Hola everybody! In this episode of the Chats with Yvonne podcast, I am *Introverting hard af*. I share details about the back to back speaking engagements I had, how each one impacted my energy, & take some time to do what I do best: reflect & give myself time to deep think. I pick random pages on books that I have on rotation & share reflections that are tied to our speaking journey....

Hola everybody! In this episode, I’m taking you behind the scenes of my audition experience—what led me to apply, how I prepared, and what really happens when you pitch your idea to the producers. We cover: - Why I decided to audition for Shark Tank- What the audition process was like- How public speaking played a key role in my pitch- The biggest takeaways from the experience🔔 Subscribe & Re...

Hola everybody! In this episode of Chats with Yvonne: Public Speaking con Cultura, I share how to find and build community as a speaker, what our cultura can teach us about belonging, and why having the right people around you makes all the difference. I'll also leave you with reflection prompts to intentionally think about the role of community in your speaker journey, as well as your role as...

Hola everybody! In this episode of Chats with Yvonne: Public Speaking con Cultura , we're diving into a topic that too many of us shy away from—money. Specifically, how much speakers should charge and why having a speaker rate card is essential. We cover: General speaker fee ranges based on experience and speaking type (corporate, conferences, panels, workshops, etc.). The key elements of a sp...

Hola everybody! In this episode, I break down my tips to help you get started in your speaking journey, centering your truest essence. From understanding your nerves to crafting your first speech, to getting paid, I give you practical tips and thoughts to encourage you in your speaking journey. Links mentioned in the episode: GoFund Me for families affected by the LA Wildfires: https://docs.google...

Hola everybody! In this episode, we’re chatting all about public speaking hacks to help you feel more prepared, confident, and authentic in 2025. What AI tools can you leverage? How do you decide what story to tell? How do you go beyond the Q&A and poll features on Zoom to deeply engage your audience, virtually? 2025 is the year for our collective growth as speakers & presence on stage. Li...

Hola, everybody! In this episode of Chats with Yvonne , I get real about my introversion—sharing how I’ve learned to lead with it and how it intersects with the deep-rooted costumbres of our culturas. I explore how cultural expectations have shaped my journey as an introvert and how they might be influencing yours too. I also invite us to redefine how we think about introversion, offering strategi...

As speakers, our words mean something when they’re shared on the stage. This new series “Words Matter” within the podcast will explore common phrases or words that are used in community spaces and in our communities to unpack what they really mean and how they’re impacting our message and actions. Are we creating spaces where difference thrives, through our words? Are we inspiring innovative think...

In today's episode I share why I no longer believe in imposter syndrome. I share moments where I have felt that sense of "imposter syndrome" and dissect them to get to the root of it. And maybe, you’ll also be able to reflect as those moments come up for you and like me, stop believing in imposter syndrome. Thank you for tuning in!

In this episode, I’m diving into how impromptu speaking can help you conquer the fear of public speaking. As an overthinker myself, I know how easy it is to let nerves and overthinking hold you back from speaking up. But here’s the thing—those spontaneous moments where you’re asked to speak on the spot can be the key to building your confidence in the art of public speaking. I’ll share some tips o...

Hola everybody! In today's episode, I discuss Ethical Storytelling. What does it mean to be ethical when you share stories? Who is impacted by the sharing of this story and is it worth it? Practice your storytelling with the ¡Latina, Presente! Public Speaking con Cultura Practice Prompts . Join an upcoming ¡Latina, Presente! virtual workshop . Book an Inquiry Call with me.

Today we’re talking about what happens in the brain when we share stories.  We know what it takes to share a powerful story, we know what it feels like in our bodies to be vulnerable and share that story. But what is actually happening in our brains when we’re on stage sharing that story with an audience. I cover neurochemical releases, neural coupling, and how stories help with memory retention....

Breaking the Cycles of Lies as a First Generation Individual Meet Dr. Lisette Sanchez is a bilingual and bicultural licensed psychologist, speaker, and writer, renowned for her commitment to supporting BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) individuals and first-generation professionals. As the founder of Calathea Wellness, a comprehensive virtual practice, she provides individual therapy...

Hola, everybody! Today’s episode is about building trust with your audience. Building trust as a public speaker is one of the most important things you can do to have a successful speaking career.  Throughout the episode I’ll be reading bits from Connect, Then Lead by Amy J.C. Cuddy, Mathew Kohut, and John Neffinger from HBR’s Must Reads on Public Speaking and Presenting as a way to bring studies...