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Virtual Speakers Association International is proud to present the inaugural podcast Unpolished Stories: Speaking Beyond the Spotlight. This series explores the professional speaker’s life beyond audiences and the stage to uncover the stories we learn from. Each episode will include hosts Chantelle Both of Southern Africa and Celina Peerman of the United States and feature a renowned guest speaker who shares their stories and lessons learned. From minor hiccups to major surprises, learn how ...
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This podcast is about the changing organization and our relationship to it -- how we enter, thrive and exit. Each episode is meant to be thoughtful, funny, and applicable. Stories, insight, and "words to say" come from Dr. Celina's experience with over two and a half decades of listening, learning from and leading conversations in hundreds of companies. Each episode will explore a new theme about life arriving in, interacting with and leaving the workplace.
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Episode 9 - Walk the Talk with Ingrid Lotze & Gavin Moffat
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Send us a text In this episode of Unpolished Stories: Speaking Beyond the Spotlight, co-hosts Dr. Celina Peerman and Chantelle Botha sit down with globetrotting speaker duo Ingrid Lotze and Gavin Moffat—TEDx speakers, scuba divers, communication strategists, and partners in both life and business. From trading in a traditional home for a nomadic li…
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Episode 8: Mastering Moments with Eytan Segev
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Send us a text In this episode of Speaking Beyond the Spotlight, we sit down with Eytan Segev—international speaker, master profiler, and expert in face reading and body language—to uncover the hidden signals that shape our connections and communication. With decades of experience helping leaders, teams, and entrepreneurs understand the unspoken la…
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Episode 7: Love you, Bye Authenticity with Brent Lindeque
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Send us a text In this episode of Speaking Beyond the Spotlight, we sit down with Brent Lindeque, South Africa’s Good Things Guy, to explore the power of storytelling, authenticity, and resilience. From turning a viral act of kindness into a global movement to navigating the highs and lows of being in the public eye, Brent shares his journey of spr…
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Episode 6: The Inner Journey with Subheer Ramnoruth
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Send us a text In this episode, we dive deep into the journey of Subheer Ramnoruth, a powerhouse in leadership, strategic management, and personal transformation. As a sought-after speaker and consultant, Subheer has shared the stage with icons like Robin Sharma and Dr. Kevin Gaskell, and his book, The Guru & His CEO, has shaped boardroom discussio…
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Episode 5: Blaze Your Own Trail with Lorraine Jenks
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Send us a text In this episode of Unpolished Stories, we dive deep into the inspiring journey of Lorraine Jenks, a trailblazing advocate for sustainability and award-winning professional speaker. With a career spanning five decades, Lorraine shares how her passion for protecting the environment and championing underdogs led her from the world of pr…
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Episode 4: High Stakes Leadership with Traci Ruiz
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Send us a text In this inspiring episode, hosts Chantelle Botha and Celina Peerman talk with Traci Ruiz, a high-stakes leadership expert and one of the highest-ranking Latina police officers in the United States. With over 25 years in law enforcement and nearly two decades training officers in combat and de-escalation, Traci shares powerful stories…
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Episode 3: Be Celebrated with Rikki Arundel
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Send us a text In this episode of Unpolished Stories, we explore questions and stories with Rikki Rikki is a preeminent keynote speaker and diversity advocate, renowned for their expertise in LGBTQ+ inclusivity, with a focus on transgender and non-binary issues. Their work has directed multinational corporations toward embracing diversity and foste…
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Episode 2: Finding Your Voice with Julian Mather
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Send us a text In this episode of Unpolished Stories, we dive deep into the journey of Julian Mather, a man who has seen the world through many lenses—literally and figuratively. From his days as an army sniper and globe-trotting cameraman for ABC, National Geographic, and the BBC, to his transformation into a professional speaker and magician, Jul…
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Episode 1: Be Bolder Sooner with Charlotte Kemp
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Send us a text In episode 1: Be Bolder Sooner, hosts Chantelle Botha and Celina Peerman talk with Charlotte Kemp - Futures Alchemist who shares her insights and stories from many years as a professional speaker with a global impact. Learn more about her lessons learned and tips for new and advancing speakers. Presented on behalf of Virtual Speakers…
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Send us a text As leaders, we have a responsibility to communicate with our team about why and how priorities are changing. However, it's crucial to strike a balance between sharing too much and not enough information. Dr. Celina provides useful tips for leaders to determine when to share updates and when to wait.…
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Send us a text Imagine a console with several levers, each having a handle that can be moved to achieve a specific goal. The question is, which lever should you move, and how much should you move it? Tune in to Dr. Celina's discussion on decision-making in situations where priorities need to be shifted. Learn how to move the levers with certainty a…
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Send us a text Have you had a moment when you know something, but you just can’t seem to pull it out of your memory? In this episode, we’ll look at the connection between change, recall, and focus. How does focus improve our recall? This episode explores these ideas and ways to improve focus and recall during rapid change on the job.…
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Send us a text Do any of our listeners enjoy making lists? How many of you write something on your list just to cross it off? Tune in to this episode to learn more about why it feels good to check something off your list. Dr. Celina reminds us that what we focus on matters, and that check mark means more than we may think.…
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Send us a text What frustrates you? Dr. Celina explores the topic of frustration during times of change and how it can lead to a loss of focus. She discusses ways to prevent frustration or recover from it, so it doesn't negatively impact progress. By listening in, you can discover new ways to apply your efforts effectively to the right tasks during…
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Send us a text In times of change, certain actions should be avoided. Dr. Celina discusses both individual and team behaviors that can help direct the necessary resources and attention toward the change by refraining from other activities that hinder progress. Please prepare a notepad or keyboard to jot down the list of "not now" items.…
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Send us a text During times of change, it can be challenging to know which areas require your attention the most. To ensure that you and your team are focused on the most important aspects, Dr. Celina has provided a review of key areas and reflection questions that you can use. It is crucial to remember that not all tasks are equally important, and…
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Send us a text Small wins give us a boost for what comes next. What can you celebrate in the midst of change? Even small improvements can be a win, especially if you are further than where you started. Dr. Celina will give you five key tips for making celebrations count when navigating the sea of change.…
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Send us a text Often, we describe change in steps and pace - three steps forward, one step back, four steps forward, --- but ideally, not eighteen steps backwards. What is your next best step? Dr. Celina will examine actions you can take to make that next move, no matter how big or small it is.By Celina Peerman, Ph.D., SHRM-SCP
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Send us a text No matter how much change is going on, there is always something that has not changed. When we only focus on what is changing, we often lose sight of what has not changed and that can be the anchor we need to navigate what comes next. Are you stuck and wondering what you could say next time you have to announce or support a change to…
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Send us a text The adjustment to change is not a smooth linear process. Have you ever asked yourself what to do if you were on board with a change, but now find yourself in a spot where it is not looking so good? What happens when everyone else is moving forward, yet you are feeling like you are stuck? Listen in and find out what to do when you hav…
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Send us a text Another thing. Oh, and another thing. And another one, too. Ever wanted to pump the brakes on a change? In this episode, Dr. Celina will focus on scheduling what you can and waiting for change that isn't priority right now. Dumping change after change does not work. What can you do to go a little easier with yourself on how much and …
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Send us a text How do some people just roll easier with change than others? What is that about? Dr. Celina will explore this mindset and our choice in how we respond, rebound, and adjust. Renew your commitment to adjusting to change better, knowing when, and how to, so we can accomplish the goals and challenges in front of us.…
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Send us a text Have you ever heard the expression, "Change is good...you go first." Often we can see the potential, yet we don't want to be the first one to have to experience it. Dr. Celina explores what that's about and possible strategies we can take to undo the scary first step when it comes to change.…
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Send us a text In recent years, a dumpster fire has been a symbol of something in life that is fueled by many things and even more so of chaos. This depicted image has even been made into Christmas ornaments. In this episode, you'll get to listen to Dr. Celina's observation of a real dumpster fire and how it might have other lessons for us to learn…
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Send us a text "Chicken Little," of childhood story fame; isn't the only one to claim the sky is falling...in her work, Dr. Celina hears many employees make similar fateful statements. We are here to question, why is that? In this episode, we explore the why, especially during change, our brain may go to doomsday instead of hope.…
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Send us a text Have you ever said, "I didn't see that one coming." It is often an expression of bewilderment or angst because of some unforeseen ripple effect due to a decision or situation. While we know change is going to happen, is there anything we can practice or do to help see what the ripple effect is? Dr. Celina kicks off this discussion in…
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Send us a text When someone says, "that's not my job," what does it mean? Dr. Celina explores that phrase in this episode and digs deeper into what might be happening in that moment. Explore overload, role confusion, lack of motivation, and more in this episode. Hear the phrase with new insight and questions to ask next.…
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Send us a text When you step into a leadership role, you can't do all the work you used to do while taking on new responsibilities...well, you can, but you won't do either very well. In this episode Dr. Celina examines the reasons delegation is difficult. She reminds us that when we don't delegate to allow others to learn, we hold them back. While …
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Send us a text Focus and the discipline to select where you center your attention is renewable. In this episode, Dr. Celina connects focus and emotions to choices we make in where our energy goes. Every day we make choices about what we put effort towards. At work, it may be situations, people, emails, or deliverables that require you to choose to …
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Send us a text Leaders must navigate crisis situations with skill, precision, and resolve. This episode examines what great leaders do under pressure as well as what they prepare for before the emergency. Little or big issues, leaders can be ready by thinking ahead and having communication plans in place before they really need them.…
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Send us a text Pick a movie and consider the actor who finds themselves away from shore. If they are unprepared or unseasoned for sea life, it can be a panic stricken moment when they lose sight of land. There are many times as leaders or team members where we lose our line sight and may need to regain it. Dr. Celina explores this idea and what we …
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Send us a text Have you ever encountered a change and thought "that's interesting"? There are a few popular comments out there like, "didn't see that one coming" or "plot twist" when something unexpected happens. Dr. Celina explores these responses to give perspective on how to address the change and offers more insight on questions we can ask when…
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Send us a text Have you ever heard of quiet quitting? Or have you or someone you know felt disengaged on the job? The question we are addressing today is, why do employees disconnect from their team or organization, and what can we as a leader do about it? Dr. Celina explores signs to watch for and steps to take in this episode to help address and …
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Send us a text What can you share? Transparency is important in healthy relationships, it can include sharing the why, telling the truth, being upfront, and more. Dr. Celina pushes on her own boundaries of how much is too much, and shares some recent lessons learned about her own learning in this area. Tune in to understand and find out how to be t…
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Send us a text What is the difference between positivity as a choice and toxic positivity? Dr. Celina explores the choices we make about our mindset at work and how feelings impact that. What can a leader do to be positive but not to the point where so much of it is too much? Listen in and learn more.…
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Send us a text Why does defensive behavior show up in teams at work? What can be done to recognize and turn it around? Dr. Celina shares examples and strategies to overcome those moments where defenses go up, walls are built, or attack mode is in gear. Listen in to not only understand your own response but the responses of your team better.…
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Send us a text In your team or organization, where does connection happen in-flow? Improving communication and effectiveness can be even better when we look for improvements at points of transitions between teams, departments, or shifts. Dr. Celina offers ideas about ways to see this with new perspective and points to improve on.…
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Send us a text What is complexity and how does it impact us every day? System thinkers are able to work through the muck of complicated and systematically pull back layers to solve the right problems. Dr. Celina will explore key elements in moving forward in teams even when everything we do seems to impact everything else.…
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Send us a text Failure has so much to teach us. Listen in as Dr. Celina looks at failure through a systems thinking lens to identify what leaders can do better for our teams and our own growth. Perfect people in perfect systems need not listen.By Celina Peerman, Ph.D., SHRM-SCP
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Send us a text Leaders must meet people where they are at and take them somewhere, likely a vision, a goal, whatever they will pursue together. In this episode, Dr. Celina will examine how systems thinking can shape our plan and when the "unknowns" seem massive, she'll offer some options to work through next steps.…
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Send us a text Leadership can't happen alone. While leading people, you also lead people in systems, which means we have to understand how all actions in a system impact other elements of the system. What does that mean for you? Seeing the interconnectedness is critical. Listen in to learn what skills you can build to do this better.…
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Send us a text Change will happen. Being change ready is a choice. Dr. Celina examines what we should consider before the change happens and what mindset it will continue to take to be our best in the moments of change. Our mindset is one of the best things we can control even during unexpected or unplanned change. Listen in for new content and exc…
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Send us a text It's complicated can be a weighty statement that represents emotion and often a sense of being overwhelmed. It can also be viewed as multi-layered and full of opportunity. How you envision this can be key to your next steps. In this episode Dr. Celina explores the required fundamentals to build complex systems and sometimes the oppor…
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Send us a text Have you ever fallen in love with an idea? Learn more in today's session why that isn't usually a good idea, how you can detect it earlier than later, and how in a recent simulation with a team falling in love with an idea meant buying Texas and a large herd of goats.
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Send us a text In organizational systems, everything you do has an effect on something else. A leader has a particular impact because of their position, experience, or other types of power and influence. Dr. Celina focuses on the ripple effect leaders have when they move into a situation that, too often, disrupts or creates chaos for others.…
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Send us a text Have you heard the term "struggle bus?" What does struggle mean to you as a professional, and a leader? What can you do about it? Dr. Celina explores steps that we can take to identify and recover from challenges, big and small, that we must tackle to become our best.By Celina Peerman, Ph.D., SHRM-SCP
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Send us a text What happens when a leader is having a hard time making a decision? Others wait. Opportunity is lost. Misunderstandings creep in. This short and sweet episode explores the state of "wishy washy" decision-making and gives you some quick tips to identify and overcome the moments when fear, perfectionism, or uncertainty take hold.…
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Send us a text What role does fear have in change? Dr. Celina explores the choice of change and what helps us or holds us back. Organizations and people must change or be changed. The question then really becomes what choice we will make when the circumstances present themselves or if we engage the opportunity so we can drive it.…
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Send us a text By definition, judgement is the evaluation of evidence to make a decision. However, we know in teams and organizations it can become a long line of opinions about who, what, when, and why something is or is not a good idea, of value or to standards. When do decisions help us and when does judgment get in the way of progress? Dr. Celi…
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Send us a text Motivation is simple and complex all at the same time. What motivates you doesn't motivate someone else and what motivates you today, won't motivate you tomorrow because things change. Join Dr. Celina for an episode about motivation in our teams, where gaps show up, and what leaders can do about it.…
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