Oversharing With Rhonda

The journey to becoming the best public speaker you can be doesn’t begin with knowing the best tools, frameworks, and strategies. None of those things matter if you don’t believe you belong in the room.  The path to knowing who you truly are and expressing yourself in an authentic way takes work. Fear and imposter syndrome will show up but with the right tools in place, you will be able to identify these narratives and navigate through them with confidence and intentionality.

In this episode, Rhonda is talking about why doing the inner work is critical to your public speaking journey. 

Rhonda gives the three steps to doing the inner work:

• Owning who you are
• Detaching from limiting narratives
• Why you need to eliminate the thoughts and behaviors that don’t serve you

The doors are OPEN to the Catalyst Academy! 

Catalyst Academy is a 12 month incubator for women of color who want to grow their thought leadership through public speaking. We are already doing transformative work and are ready for you to join us. You can learn more at http://bit.ly/TheCatalystAcademyPod

Connect with Rhonda Khan

Learn more about Rhonda and how she can help amplify your voice, head over to https://www.simplyspeechsolutions.com

Follow Rhonda on Instagram at Simply Speech (@itssimplyspeech)

Join the conversation over on Instagram at Oversharing with Rhonda (@oversharingwithrhonda)

For those who are thinking of changing careers, or are like me and have transitioned a few times, you know the path is not always lit. You can Google until your heart’s content, but it won’t give you the tools and guidance to embark on your journey. I wish I had a guide when I was making my changes. The good thing is, there is!

In today’s episode of Oversharing with Rhonda, I discuss career change and leadership with my good friend Cynthia Pong. 

Cynthia Pong, JD, is an award-winning career strategist, speaker, and author of Don't Stay in Your Lane: The Career Change Guide for Women of Color. Cynthia is also an NYU-trained lawyer turned career coach, and she's on a mission to get women of color the money, power, and respect that they deserve. Her career advice has been featured in NPR, HuffPost, CNBC, and more, and she is a LinkedIn Top Voice for Job Search and Career. Cynthia is a proud introvert, a classic middle child, and an unapologetic Rottweiler enthusiast.

If you haven’t heard of Cynthia, you need to, because one conversation with her will get you completely together. For anyone who’s changed careers, thought of changing careers, or in the midst of a career change, or ready to own your leadership journey.  

Cynthia is my colleague, client, and Friend-tor, that I cherish so much, and I’m pleased to share her with you today.

In this episode, Cynthia and Rhonda discuss:

• Cynthia’s journey and why she pivoted careers
• Cultural stigmas surrounding career choices vs. following your own path
• Finding your identity
• Tips for changing careers
• Defining leadership, why it's important to be visible.

The doors are OPEN to the Catalyst Academy! 

Catalyst Academy is a 12-month incubator for women of color who want to grow their thought leadership through public speaking. We are already doing transformative work and are ready for you to join us. You can learn more at http://bit.ly/TheCatalystAcademyPod

More about Cynthia Pong 

Follow Cynthia on Social to join the conversation

@embracechangeNYC on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, & YouTube

@embraceNYC on Twitter 

To learn more about Cynthia and to purchase her book, head over to Embracechange.nyc

Connect with Rhonda Khan

Learn more about Rhonda and how she can help amplify your voice, head over to https://www.simplyspeechsolutions.com

Follow Rhonda on Instagram at Simply Speech (@itssimplyspeech)

Join the conversation over on Instagram at Oversharing with Rhonda (@oversharingwithrhonda)

Is it you who is showing up when you speak? Or is there a presenter mode you implement when you have to step on the stage or in front of the screen?

You don't have to show up in a way that doesn't serve you. You don’t have to live up to anyone else’s expectations about how you should walk, talk, or act but your own. 

In this episode, Rhonda is diving into what it means to be in presenter mode, ways to recognize it, and how to turn it off.

In this episode, Rhonda talks about:

• What “presenter mode” is and ways to identify it
• How to show up intentionally as your authentic self
• Perfectionism and how it can keep you in presenter mode
• What it means to be aware of your body language and how to identify those triggers
• Why do you need to keep asking yourself, “is this serving me?”

The doors are OPEN to the Catalyst Academy! 

Catalyst Academy is a 12-month incubator for women of color who want to grow their thought leadership through public speaking. We are already doing transformative work and are ready for you to join us. You can learn more at www.simplyspeechsolutions.com/thecatalystacademy

Connect with Rhonda Khan

Learn more about Rhonda and how she can help amplify your voice, head over to https://www.simplyspeechsolutions.com

Follow Rhonda on Instagram at Simply Speech (@itssimplyspeech)Join the conversation over on Instagram at Oversharing with Rhonda (@oversharingwithrhonda)

What happens when you use your voice? What happens if you're intentional about what you say and how you show up in the world?

It's not easy to own your voice and show up as your authentic self. As women of color, our voices are quite often silenced in spaces that don't include us. But what if you made the decision to speak up anyway? What if you gave yourself permission to do so?  

Today, Rhonda is laying it all out on the table with the help of her guest, Minda Harts. 

Minda Harts is the CEO of The Memo LLC and an award-winning and best-selling author of The Memo: What Women of Color Need To Know To Secure A Seat At The Table.

Minda is a Professor at NYU Wagner and hosts a live weekly podcast called Secure The Seat. In 2020, Minda was named the #1 Top Voice for Equity in the workplace by LinkedIn. She is an Aspen Ideas Festival Scholar and has been featured on MSNBC’s Morning Joe, Fast Company, The NY Times, and Time Magazine. Minda frequently speaks at companies like Microsoft, Amazon, Nike, and Bloomberg on topics such as Managing Diverse Teams, Courageous Leadership, and Advancing women of color in the workplace. 

In this episode, Rhonda and Minda discuss:

• How Minda grew into her voice and finding her greater mission
• Knowing your worthiness and what you deserve
• Being authentic vs being intentional
• Why amplifying other voices is a part of the work.
• How we continue moving forward. 

Minda has been one of my most dedicated clients and a key example of what happens when you own your voice to propel your mission.

In The Catalyst Academy, my public speaking incubator for women of color, we teach you exactly how to own your voice, speak with intention, and use speaking to propel your mission. If you are ready to give yourself permission like Minda did, I am offering a free live private training Propel Your Platform Through Public Speaking, on April 12th. Apply for the training by going to https://bit.ly/thecatalystacademy

More about Minda Harts

To learn more about Minda and the work she’s doing, head over to www.mindaharts.com 

Join the conversation with Minda on Twitter @mindaharts

Follow Minda on LinkedIn @mindaharts

Connect with on Instagram @mindaharts

Connect with Rhonda Khan

Learn more about Rhonda and how she can help amplify your voice, head over to https://www.simplyspeechsolutions.com

Follow Rhonda on Instagram at Simply Speech (@itssimplyspeech)

Join the conversation over on Instagram at Oversharing with Rhonda (@oversharingwithrhonda)

“Style is not about fashion, it's about you.” - Naana Badu

In this episode, Rhonda interviews Style Coach and Speaker Naana Badu on how to express your bold, authentic self through your personal style. Rhonda and Naana discuss why it’s important to invest in your growth and how expressing yourself through appearance is as important as your words.

Naana Badu is a Style Coach and Speaker for women of color who want to magnify their magic by tapping into their bold, authentic style! As the Founder and CEO of Badu Basics, a style and image consulting firm, Naana teaches women how to ditch the Plain Jane vibes and become a Powerhouse Boss. For 12 years she’s coached women on how to create a personal style that aligns with their personal brand. 

Naana spent 15 years working as a management consultant in the corporate world. As a black woman navigating predominantly white, male spaces, she learned the importance of authenticity - being true to herself. Her work is dedicated to helping women of color embody a powerful presence by infusing clarity, color, and confidence into their wardrobe. 

How are you going to show up today?

In this episode, Rhonda and Naana discuss:

• Naana’s personal style journey
• How being an individual is going against the status quo
• Why you need to stand in your true self and show up as you are
• The meaning of personal style
• How to show up with intention
• Why investing in yourself is the best self care

More about Naana Badu

Naana has an Image Consultant Certification from the Fashion Institute of Technology and is a member of the Executive Board of the Association of Image Consultants International (AICI) New York Tri-State Chapter. 

If you've ever felt like you aren't dressing in a way that magnifies your magic or you question if you have to compromise your color to fit in white worlds, then I invite you to apply to my signature style coaching program called the Style Elevation Experience! Women of color, if you want to step out of your Plain Jane vibes and enter your Bold, Authentic Powerhouse Self, visit www.badubasics.com

Follow Naana on Instagram @badubasics to stay up to date on the latest trends.

P.S. Naana is also a proud member of The Catalyst Academy, Rhonda’s year long public speaking incubator for leading women of color. Our #CatalystCrew is full of inspiring, trailblazing women of color that are amplifying and elevating their voices. Are you ready to join us? Visit http://bit.ly/thecatalystacademy now!

Connect with Rhonda Khan

Learn more about Rhonda and how she can help amplify your voice, head over to https://www.simplyspeechsolutions.com

Follow Rhonda on Instagram at Simply Speech (@itssimplyspeech)

Join the conversation over on Instagram at Oversharing with Rhonda (@oversharingwithrhonda)

How can we embrace vulnerability when we speak? When done intentionally and safely, vulnerability is one of the most powerful tools for connection.

In this episode, Rhonda discusses the importance of vulnerability and public speaking and how to use it as a tool to connect with your audience. Vulnerability is important because people want to know you. We want to know who you really are. We want nuggets of truth, and we care what matters to you. When we are invested in you beyond “what you came to say” we are way more likely to be engaged and impacted by your words.

Here are some questions you can ask yourself when incorporating vulnerability your public speaking:

• What are some stories that I can share with my audience? 
• Is what I’m sharing safe? 
• Have I worked through this and healed, or am I still “in it? 

In this episode, Rhonda talks about:

• What vulnerability is and what it isn’t
• Why vulnerability essential to have when you are speaking
• How to incorporate vulnerability in your talks
• How to inject different parts of your story into your public speaking
• Connecting with your audience with intention and storytelling

Let’s get you sharing more thoughtfully and connecting with your audience. Hit that play button and join the conversation.

The doors are OPEN to the Catalyst Academy! Catalyst Academy is a 12 month incubator for women of color who want to grow their thought leadership through public speaking. We are already doing transformative work and are ready for you to join us. You can learn more at https://bit.ly/thecatalystacademy

Connect with Rhonda Khan

Learn more about Rhonda and how she can help amplify your voice, head over to https://www.simplyspeechsolutions.com

Follow Rhonda on Instagram at Simply Speech (@itssimplyspeech)

Join the conversation over on Instagram at Oversharing with Rhonda (@oversharingwithrhonda)

In this episode, Rhonda is diving deep into motherhood and the journey to becoming a mom. While the transition into motherhood can be painful, scary, and sad,  it can also be beautiful, happy, and joyful.

Today’s guest is Stepha LaFond. Stepha is Life Coach and Mentor, dedicated to helping moms navigate the space between who they are and who they’re still becoming. As a mom of two young children she knows first hand the struggles of juggling the demands of motherhood, career and life. 

She started her practice out of a desire to put moms at the center of the conversation, with an emphasis shifting the narrative on modern motherhood to one that allows space for  mamas to grow, heal and take care of themselves at all stages of their journey. 

Her work on Matrescence- the transition into motherhood- invites her clients and spectators to explore and hold space for this common but rarely discussed phase of development, whilst taking a critical look at the unjust systems and power structures impacting motherhood  and creating necessary shifts towards liberation. 

Here’s a closer look at what we discussed:

• Stepha’s journey into motherhood and life coaching
• Preparing women for motherhood not just childbirth
• How to ask for what you want and setting boundaries
• Creating joy in motherhood
• Modern motherhood and transitioning back into corporate life

This episode is for any mama that needs to be heard, seen, and loved. Hit that play button and join the conversation!

The doors are OPEN to the Catalyst Academy! Catalyst Academy is a 12 month incubator for women of color who want to grow their thought leadership through public speaking. We are already doing transformative work and are ready for you to join us. You can learn more at https://bit.ly/thecatalystacademy

Links and resources mentioned:

To learn more about Stepha LaFond, head over to Stephalafond.com

Book a Mama Soul Chat with Stepha to learn how she can support you on your journey. 

Follow on Stepha on Instagram @mamaslaylife

Are you a new mom, plan on becoming a mom, or are looking for ways to support the mom in your life? Join the Mama Collective to stay up to date on ways to embrace motherhood and get the support you need.

Connect with Rhonda Khan

Learn more about Rhonda and how she can help amplify your voice, head over to Simplyspeechsolutions.com

Follow Rhonda on Instagram at Simply Speech (@itssimplyspeech)

Join the conversation over on Instagram at Oversharing with Rhonda (@oversharingwithrhonda)

Note: This episode was recorded and scheduled before the events at the Capitol on January 6th. While we don’t mention it in the episode, it is our hope that this conversation serves as self care and as you move through this week.

Rhonda is diving deep into boundaries, perfectionism, self-worth, intuition and self-trust with Shirin Eskandani. There are so many quotes and affirmations in this one conversation that will get you together and get you through.

Shirin Eskandani is a life coach, public speaker and writer who specializes in mindfulness and mindset work. She has been a featured wellness expert on the Today Show, Shape and Cosmopolitan Magazine. Prior to building her successful coaching business she was an award winning opera singer, performing at Carnegie Hall and The Metropolitan Opera.  

Certified by the International Coach Federation, Shirin’s holistic approach to transformation is influenced by her background in meditation, spirituality and the arts. An inspiring and dynamic speaker, Shirin has presented at ALT Summit, Ignite Womxn Summit, Well Summit, Heal Haus and the Assemblage. She is the co-founder of The Glow Up and Brown Girl Brunch and hosts two podcasts- Wholehearted Coaching: The Podcast and Two Girls Talking Shit.

Are you always concerned about the outcome of whatever you wanted to accomplish? Have you ever thought about how you wanted to feel when you’ve accomplished that thing?

Here’s a closer look at what we discussed:

• The importance of boundaries and why we need to set them
• Being mindful of the five feelings you really want to feel this year
• How to interrupt perfectionism and stop hustling for our worth. 
• Learning how to trust ourselves and our intuition

This episode is so rich with quotes and affirmations, and tons of fun. Hit that play button and join the conversation.

The doors are OPEN to my program, Catalyst Academy! Catalyst Academy is a 12 month incubator for women of color who want to grow their thought leadership through public speaking. The time is now for you to take the stage. Applications to be a founding member close on January 15th. You can learn more at https://bit.ly/thecatalystacademy

Links and resources mentioned:

To learn more about Shirin Eskandani and Wholehearted Coaching, head over to www.wholehearted-coaching.com

Follow Shirin on Instagram at @wholeheartedcoaching

Find out more information about Shirin’s course, Inner Compass Inner Compass: The Course — Wholehearted Coaching

Connect with Rhonda Khan

Website: https://www.simplyspeechsolutions.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itssimplyspeech/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oversharingwithrhonda/

In this episode, Rhonda interviews Janel Martinez. Janel Martinez is a multimedia journalist and the founder of the award-winning blog, Ain't I Latina?, an online destination celebrating Afro-Latinx womanhood.

The Bronx, NY native is a frequent public speaker discussing media, culture and identity, as well as diversity at conferences and events for Bloomberg, NBCU, SXSW, Harvard University and more. She’s appeared as a featured guest on national shows and outlets, such as BuzzFeed, ESSENCE, NPR and Sirius XM, and her work has appeared in Adweek, Univision Communications, Oprah Magazine, Remezcla and The New York Times. Janel was included in the Red Bull-produced short doc, Hasta Abajo: Feminism, Sexuality and Reggaeton, and host of original Ain't I Latina? and Blossom series, ¡Representa! 

The Honduran-American has been nominated for the 20th Annual Rosoff Award in the 20-Something Category and won the Afro-Latino Festival of New York's Digital Empowerment Award and, in 2018, was recognized at City Hall by the New York City Council, the Black, Latino and Asian Caucus and the Bronx Delegation to the NYC Council for her contributions as a woman of Garifuna descent. Her work will also be included in the forthcoming book, Wild Tongues Can't Be Tamed.

Who do we define ourselves as in this world? What is our culture? Janel asked herself these same questions as she left for college, dove deep into her identity, and expressed who she is to the world. As a Black woman of Latin American descent, Janel shares her journey to amplifying her voice and identity as well as others.  Janel says “we must center ourselves in the narrative if no one else will.”

Here’s a closer look at what we discussed:

• How Janel started her journey into journalism
• Exploration of our identity and how others identify us
• What is means to be Afro-Latina and how Janel amplifies her culture
• Why we need to be an ally for others in your community

This episode is so rich with quotes and affirmations, and tons of fun. Hit that play button and join the conversation.

Are you ready to transform your public speaking skills in 2021? Join my waitlist to get notified first of my new flagship offering. Head over to bit.ly/Rhondaslist.com to sign up!

SHOWNOTES: https://www.simplyspeechsolutions.com/blog/episode5

Links and resources mentioned:

Connect with Janel on her website.

Follow Janel on Instagram and Twitter.

Connect with Rhonda Khan
Find out more information about Rhonda and Simply Speech Solutions here
Follow @simplyspeechsolutions on Instagram
Follow @oversharingwithrhonda on Instagram

In this episode, Rhonda interviews L’Oreal Thompson Payton. L’Oreal is a freelance writer, motivational speaker and yoga-teacher-in-training dedicated to celebrating and uplifting Black women and girls.

What started as a journey to self-healing led to a successful career as a freelance writer. Her #blackgirlmagic revolution began with writing for notable black magazines Jet and Ebony. She claimed her voice and built her confidence along the way.

L’Oreal shares her journey as a writer and how she successfully copes with infertility. As a child, L’Oreal knew that writing would be her calling. In middle school, she started journaling as a form of self-expression and healing. After becoming editor-in-chief with a monthly column in high school, she soon realized that her words were not only healing herself but also others who read her work. She found her purpose in helping others through words.

L’Oreal has written her most vulnerable piece to date about her struggles with infertility. In her own search for support, she realized there was little information geared towards black women and their experiences. She again sought to help others, like herself, facing this issue and show the messy middle of infertility for black women. In this episode, she shares what has helped her to cope. 

If you want to learn more about L’Oreal and her journey, hit that play button!

Here’s a closer look at what we discussed:

• L’Oreal discovers her gift for helping others through words

• How writing started L’Oreal’s #Blackgirlmagic revolution

• Imposter Syndrome and ways to overcome it

• L’Oreal’s fertility journey and her search for support in the black community

SHOWNOTES: www.simplyspeechsolutions.com/blog/episode4

Are you ready to transform your public speaking skills in 2021? Join the waitlist to get notified first of my new flagship offering.

Links and resources mentioned in this episode:

Connect with L’Oreal on her website.

Follow L’Oreal on Instagram and Twitter.

Find resources, community, support and spread awareness with Fertility For Colored Girls.

Connect with Rhonda Khan

Find out more information about Rhonda and Simply Speech Solutions here

Follow @simplyspeechsolutions on Instagram

Follow @oversharingwithrhonda on Instagram