The Sow to Speak Podcast with Kristy Mandour

In this episode, we tackle the crucial first moments of any speech. Learn how to grab your audience's attention and set the stage for a memorable presentation, whether to a room of five or five hundred. Episode Highlights: Why the opening matters: The impact of your first 60 seconds 5 proven techniques to hook your audience Quick Tips: Remember: A great opening sets the stage for your entire t...

Have you ever felt your heart race at the thought of speaking in front of a crowd? You're not alone! In today's episode, we're digging into the root of public speaking anxiety, and I'm sharing some practical tips to help you bloom as a speaker. In today's episode, we explore: The simple equation for building confidence: Present + Engagement = Confidence Why bringing your "...

Have you ever felt like your stomach backflips at the mere thought of public speaking? You're not alone! But what if I told you there's a way to actually enjoy it? In today's episode, we're kicking off our July communication topic on all things public speaking with a fresh perspective that might change how you feel about taking the stage or sitting at the table. Key Points: Reframe...

In today's episode, we're honoring the holiday of independence by exploring the world of FOMO and how to overcome it. Talk about true freedom! I'll share five down-to-earth strategies to help you focus on what really matters, along with some real-life examples to show you how these play out in and out of the office. Throughout the episode, I'll give you practical, baby-step actions...

In this episode: We dive into how fear of failure can sneakily hijack our focus Discover why distraction isn't just about having poor focus skills– it might be protecting you from facing your fears Learn how trying to avoid failure can actually sabotage your success (I know, right?) Explore three practical strategies to overcome fears and stay focused Remember, we're all in this together....

Many leaders struggle with the persistent need to be the fixer—the one with all the solutions. While well-intentioned, this mentality can actually disempower your team and hinder growth. In this episode, we'll highlight five powerful questions to help shift your mindset from enabler to empowerer. You'll learn: How to instill unshakable self-trust in your capabilities beyond being "ind...

Welcome back to The Sow to Speak Podcast ! This June, we’re diving into focus, the magical topic that can transform our hectic schedules. Today’s episode addresses the number one listener request: avoiding daily distractions. We’ll walk through a step-by-step process to help you uncover what matters most so you stay focused on what you want and not what you don't. Some of the key steps we cove...

In today's episode, we're diving into the first installment of our new monthly series. Each month, we’ll explore a subtopic of communications with practical ways you can use emotional intelligence to enhance it. For June, it's all about focus. Every week this month, I'll share strategies to help you master your focus. Because let's be honest, this is the time of the year when o...

Today, we’re wrapping up our Mental Health Awareness Month series with a deep dive into empathy and compassion in leadership. Here’s the lowdown: Empathy vs. Compassion : I break it down simply. Empathy is feeling someone’s emotions, while compassion is taking action to help them. It’s like feeling someone’s pain and then actually helping them up after they’ve tripped. Why it Matters : We explore...

In today's episode, we're diving into the power of talking to yourself in the third person. Now, I'm not talking by your first name, unless that's your thing, go for it. More of creative ways that you can look at parts of yourself with more curiosity, creativity, and maybe even humor. As always, there's science-backed research on how powerful this technique is in regulating you...

Today's episode is special because we're diving into a topic that's close to my heart: "Bring Your Inner Child to Work Day" and its profound impact on mental wellness. This is a concept I coined that works instantly to chill out your nervous system and amp up your presence and creativity. In this episode, we'll explore how reconnecting with our inner child in a simple way...

"Why can't I just..." If you've found yourself asking this question when working to change any behavior for the better, from fitness to finances to relationship dynamics, you're so not alone. In today's episode, we are joined by Britt Frank, clinician, trauma specialist, and author of The Science of Stuck: Breaking Through Inertia to Find Your Path Forward and the upcomin...

In this episode, we welcome Paige Appel, a circle facilitator, founder of spiritual center Riverbank, and wellness boutique owner. Paige is a true grounding force amidst the hustle and bustle of our world. Having experienced the challenges of scarcity in a city known for its glitz and glam, Paige understands firsthand the toll it can take on one's soul. Determined to help others break free fro...

In this solo episode I'm carrying on the celebration of 100 episodes (!!!) to share with you the story on how the podcast came to be. Not only is this a story to entertain you but also to inspire you to bring whatever "that thing" is that keeps tapping your internal shoulder out into the world. I also, as usual, end with an actionable mental wellness tip that will instantly support y...

Today, we're celebrating a milestone—it's our 100th episode! To mark this special occasion, we're excited to spotlight a leader who is doing remarkable work in the world. Our guest today is Grace Zuncic, the Chief People and Impact Officer at Cotopaxi, an outdoor gear and apparel company with a mission to do good. Grace's journey is one of dedication and passion, as she's commi...

In this episode, we're getting real about the tough stuff: turning tragedy into a source of strength and inspiration for others. Our guest, Dawn Maynor, isn't just a manifesting coach—she's been through the trenches and emerged with a wealth of wisdom to share. Her own journey through personal tragedy has taught her invaluable lessons about resilience, healing, and finding purpose in p...

In this special episode, we extend our heartfelt support to all the incredible mothers out there, whether you're embarking on the journey of motherhood for the first time or you're a seasoned veteran in the beautiful chaos of parenthood. Joining us today is Chelsea Barbine, the visionary founder of Core Care Cultivate, who brings with her a wealth of insight and wisdom. Amidst the whirlwin...

In this episode, we're shining a spotlight on the often brutal and overwhelming challenge of time management, particularly for high-achieving leaders who strive to excel in their professional endeavors while still being present for their families. Imagine this: You're a driven leader, constantly pushing the boundaries of what's possible in your career. But as you strive for success, th...

How can we cultivate resilience and well-being in the demanding world of healthcare? Joining us is the remarkable Katie Farinas, a labor and delivery nurse and certified yoga and meditation instructor with a passion for integrating mindfulness practices into the healthcare environment. In this episode, Katie shares her journey of bringing mindfulness resilience training to her fellow healthcare pr...

Our mind is a powerful tool, but sometimes, it can work against us. We've all heard of IQ and EQ, but what about PQ? Positive Intelligence is the newest mental tool to change those pesky inner critical voices for good. In today's episode we're exploring Positive Intelligence which refers to a concept developed by Shirzad Chamine, which focuses on the balance between your "Saboteur...

Today, we have a very special guest who is all in on helping women harness their potential and go big in business. My friend, Julia Pimsleur, is the founder of Million Dollar Women, a movement designed to empower women to take their businesses to the next level. She's also a business scaling coach, a mindset expert, and the author of Go Big Now. Through her experiences as an entrepreneur, Juli...

In a world where flashy leadership often takes the spotlight, it's refreshing to shed light on individuals like Steve Zogby, co-owner of Scalzo, Zogby, and Wittig Insurance Co., who wants nothing to do with it. Steve shares how leading with humility and genuine care for those he serves, and his heart-centered approach not only drives his business but also speaks directly to his values while en...

In this solo episode, I'm continuing the miniseries on making room for your dreams in midlife. Running a business, a life, a household or all three can be incredibly chaotic. The most counterintuitive piece of wisdom is that by making room (if even five minutes a day) for your dreams, everything else will feel less stressful. It's like you're undoing the pressure valve release just by...

In this episode, Dr. Aliza Pressman, host of the Raising Good Humans podcast, co-founder of the Mount Sinai Parenting Center, and author of the upcoming book, The Five Principles of Parenting, joins me to discuss everything from what it takes to raise good humans, to how we can do it with more ease and much less internal and external pressure. Dr. Aliza has been one of those people whose impact ha...

The next guest on The Sow to Speak podcast is my friend, Linda Lubey, who is the Regional Director of Transportation for the NYSDOT Mohawk Valley Region. It's such an intimate and inspiring conversation, and I'm so happy to share it with you! EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: • The opportunities that arise from being a female leader in a male-dominated industry. • The misconceptions of some of the curre...