Dancing in the Discomfort Zone with Anne Bonney

Anne Bonney
  • 4.8 (25)
  • Self-Improvement
  • Updated Weekly

Let's face it, life is uncomfortable. Whether it's interacting with other humans (or trying to), going after our goals and improving our lives, or understanding other people's perspectives, preferences and proclivities, being able to face the discomforts in life with courage, compassion, confidence and resilience will make life a lot more enjoyable! So join me as we DANCE IN THE DISCOMFORT ZONE! We'll explore new ideas, learn how to build our confidence, courage and resilience, and laugh a little too, because life is serious enough. We need a little cha cha, and a little ha ha every once in a while! Welcome to the Discomfort Zone with Anne Bonney!

  1. 3d ago

    What Will They Say? Breaking the Rules We Inherited

    What if some of the rules running your life aren’t actually yours? **WATCH THIS EPISODE ON YouTube: https://youtu.be/ty1VIuHSMDY Award-winning filmmaker, keynote speaker, and author Denise Soler Cox (https://denisesolercox.com/) returns to Dance in the Discomfort Zone with her new book, What Will They Say?, an exploration of the cultural taboos, inherited expectations, and unspoken rules that shape how we live, lead, belong and sometimes hold ourselves back. **BUY THE BOOK NOW: https://denisesolercox.com/book The book was born after touring with her documentary Being Ñ. After viewing the film, people repeatedly approached her and revealed secrets they’d never told anyone and dreams they were afraid to go after. Denise began noticing a pattern: underneath many of those stories was the same powerful fear...what will people say? While Denise writes through the lens of her Latino perspective, this conversation is wildly universal. Because every culture, family, workplace, and community has rules that encourages hiding things from others to "save face". The fun begins when we start asking whether we still want to follow them. We get into: The surprising “line” that inspired an entire bookA cultural phrase that can quietly follow you into your career and lifeThe deeply personal taboo Denise almost didn’t write aboutWhat an AP Physics lesson unexpectedly reveals about emotional healingWhy breaking a generational cycle may be much simpler than we thinkMore from Denise: https://denisesolercox.com/https://www.instagram.com/denisesolercox/https://www.linkedin.com/in/denisesolercox/Denise's original appearance here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-182-denise-soler-cox-film-maker-and-expert-in/id1444223443?i=1000560093054Denise Soler Cox is a cultural excavator — award-winning filmmaker, keynote speaker, and author who goes inside the cultures that shape how we lead, belong, and who we become. Her debut book ¿Qué Dirán? / What Will They Say? (Simon & Schuster, August 2026) uncovers the ten inherited rules keeping us shrinking and shows us how to stop. She’s spoken on 400+ stages, including two TEDx talks, and her podcast The Self-ish Latina has listeners in 32 countries. Anne Bonney is a keynote speaker and emcee who helps organizations lead through change by building resilience, emotional intelligence, and courageous communication.

    What Will They Say? Breaking the Rules We Inherited

  2. Aug 10

    Stop Trying to Solve Your Life (Start Discovering It) | Dr. Kelsey Miles

    Have you ever worked your butt off to build the life you thought you wanted...only to get there and think,  "...Wait. Is this it?" Dr. Kelsey Miles (https://www.drkelseymiles.com)  knows that feeling firsthand. WATCH THIS EPISODE ON YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/K83AKk4gm7k After earning a PhD in chemistry, she walked away from the career she'd spent years building to become a touring blues musician. Today, she's somehow both and she's discovered that science and creativity aren't opposites at all. In this fascinating conversation, we explore why so many of us treat life like a problem to solve instead of an experiment to run, how curiosity beats certainty, and why the scientific method might be one of the best tools for navigating change, uncertainty, and personal growth. If you've ever felt stuck, questioned your path, or wondered whether you're becoming the person you actually want to be, this episode is for you. Chapters 00:00 Dancing in the Discomfort Zone 03:10 From Chemistry to Music: A Journey of Self-Discovery 05:48 The Power of Music in Healing 08:57 Finding Common Ground Through Music 11:54 The Intersection of Science and Art 15:04 Embracing Change and New Opportunities 23:10 Redefining Success and Personal Discovery 30:09 Embracing Change and Continuous Growth 37:04 Navigating Discomfort and Life's Challenges 44:59 The Science of Experimentation in Life Want more from Dr Kelsey? https://www.drkelseymiles.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/iamkelseymileshttps://www.youtube.com/@iamkelseymileshttps://www.instagram.com/iamkelseymileshttps://www.facebook.com/iamkelseymilesMusic: kelseymiles.com  Dr. Kelsey Miles invites audiences to stop treating life like a problem to solve and start approaching it as something to discover. Through live science and live music, she shows people how to read the signal, cut through the noise, and make decisions that feel more aligned with who they are becoming. She is the 2026 Professor of the Year at Avila University in Kansas City. Anne Bonney is a keynote speaker and emcee who helps organizations lead through change by building resilience, emotional intelligence, and courageous communication.

    Stop Trying to Solve Your Life (Start Discovering It) | Dr. Kelsey Miles

  3. Jul 31

    Finding Your Voice in a World Full of Noise | July Wrap-Up

    July was Voice Month on Dancing in the Discomfort Zone, and what started as four completely different conversations turned out to have one beautiful common thread: Your voice is how people experience you, and especially today...that matters!   As Anne (https://YourChangeSpeaker.com) celebrates another trip around the sun (Happy Birthday Anne!), she reflects on the lessons shared by John Di Domenico, Joshua Seth, Hilary Blair, and Beth Z and explores why our voices matter now more than ever. In a world filled with AI, deepfakes, curated social media personas, and constant noise, authenticity has become one of our greatest superpowers.  In This Episode, We Talk About:  Why your voice is far more than just the sound coming out of your mouth  How authenticity and human connection are becoming more valuable in the age of AI  The ways your voice builds trust, relationships, and influence  Why intentional communication matters more than being louder  How to think about the "flowers" you're leaving in your footsteps Questions to Consider How do people experience you?Are you using your voice intentionally? What stories are you telling? What truths are you willing to speak? What kind of ripples are you creating?As Anne enters her 52nd year, she offers a powerful reminder: Maybe the goal isn't to be louder or more impressive. Maybe it's simply to use the voice we've been given to leave people feeling seen, heard, and a little bit better for having crossed our path.   Anne Bonney is a keynote speaker and emcee who helps organizations lead through change by building resilience, emotional intelligence, and courageous communication.

    Finding Your Voice in a World Full of Noise | July Wrap-Up

  4. Jul 27

    Someone Can Steal Your Voice Now (Here's How to Protect Yourself) | Beth Z

    What if your voice wasn’t actually… your voice? In this eye-opening (and occasionally hilarious) episode, Anne welcomes back tech expert and self-proclaimed “nerdy best friend” Beth Z (YourNerdyBestFriend.com) for a fascinating conversation about AI voice cloning, deepfakes, and why your authentic voice may be more valuable than ever. From AI-generated songs to scary scams, Beth explains what’s possible today, and most importantly, what we all need to know to stay safe.  Spoiler alert: Beth cloned Anne’s voice for the intro, and it’s just weird enough to make you question everything. In This Episode, We Talk About:  The fun side of AI-generated songs, content, and creativity  The frightening ways scammers are using cloned voices  Why everyone need a “safe word”  How to protect yourself from deepfakes and AI impersonation  Why skepticism and human connection matter more than ever  The truth about detecting AI-generated audio and video Connect with Beth:  YourNerdyBestFriend.com Beth Z, “Your Nerdy Best Friend,” helps people make sense of emerging technology with humor, practicality, and zero jargon. She explores the tools shaping our future and teaches audiences how to use technology wisely while staying safe and human. Anne Bonney is a keynote speaker and emcee who helps organizations lead through change by building resilience, emotional intelligence, and courageous communication.

  5. Jul 20

    Your Voice Is Betraying You (And You Don't Even Know It) | Hilary Blair

    What if the biggest thing affecting your relationships, leadership, and communication isn't what you're saying...but how you're breathing? In this episode, Anne sits down with speaker, facilitator, and communication expert Hilary Blair (hilaryblairspeaks.com), creator of the Fruitful Friction® framework, to explore the surprising connection between breath, voice, trust, and human connection. Drawing from decades in theater and corporate leadership development, Hilary reveals why your voice is a giant "poker tell" and how small shifts in breath and awareness can dramatically change the way people experience you.  If you've ever struggled with difficult conversations, workplace conflict, executive presence, or feeling truly heard, this episode is packed with practical wisdom. In This Episode, We Talk About:  Why your voice communicates trust before you even speak the words  How breath affects confidence, connection, and emotional regulation  The difference between being vulnerable and being available  Why "take a deep breath" may be terrible advice...and what to do instead  How tone, vowels, consonants, and vocal habits influence relationships Want more from Hilary? HilaryBlairSpeaks.comArticulateRC.comHilary Blair is a dynamic speaker, facilitator and CEO of ARTiculate: Real&Clear. She’s the creator of Fruitful Friction®, a framework redefining tension as a catalyst for innovation, collaboration, and trust. Blending her background as a professional actor with deep expertise in communication and executive presence, Hilary helps leaders stay in conversation when it matters most. Her work equips teams to engage authentically, communicate clearly, and use friction to gain traction for growth. Anne Bonney is a keynote speaker and emcee who helps organizations lead through change by building resilience, emotional intelligence, and courageous communication.

    Your Voice Is Betraying You (And You Don't Even Know It) | Hilary Blair

  6. Jul 13

    AI Can't Replace This (And Neither Can Anyone Else) | Joshua Seth

    What do Digimon, mind reading, voice acting, magic, and AI-proof careers all have in common? Joshua Seth. In this fascinating episode, Anne sits down with award-winning mentalist, keynote speaker, corporate emcee, and legendary voice actor Joshua Seth (https://www.joshuaseth.com/) for a conversation that explores the surprising connection between voice, influence, focus, and the uniquely human skills that technology can't replace.  Best known as the voice of Tai in Digimon and the villain Tetsuo in Akira, Joshua shares how a childhood spent listening to old radio shows launched a career that eventually took him from Hollywood voice actor to Magic Olympics champion and creator of the theatrical show Mind Magic Live that is currently selling out everywhere it goes.  (and I've seen it, and it's that good!)  But beneath the magic lies a powerful message about connection, communication, and adaptability. In This Episode, We Talk About:  Why your voice and presence create emotional connection  How Joshua accidentally discovered his dream career while escaping a broken air conditioner  Breathwork techniques to improve confidence, resonance, and vocal presence  Why human skills like empathy, listening, and influence are becoming more valuable in the age of AI Want more from Joshua? https://www.joshuaseth.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuaseth/Joshua Seth is an award-winning mentalist, keynote speaker, and corporate event emcee. He's the winner of the Magic Olympics and the star of the theatrical touring show Mind Magic LIVE. But he's best known as a celebrity voice actor who can be heard in over 100 TV shows and movies, including his starring roles as Tai in Digimon and Tetsuo in Akira. But his greatest role is as the father of his two teenage children. Anne Bonney is a keynote speaker and emcee who helps organizations lead through change by building resilience, emotional intelligence, and courageous communication.

    AI Can't Replace This (And Neither Can Anyone Else) | Joshua Seth

  7. Jul 6

    Why You Hate the Sound of Your Voice (And Why You Should Listen Anyway) | John Di Domenico

    What do Donald Trump, Christopher Walken, Morgan Freeman, speech therapy, and persuasion have in common? Apparently… everything. This week, Anne sits down with Emmy-nominated emcee, comedian, speaker, impressionist, and all-around character John Di Domenico (https://beacons.ai/thejohnnydshow) for a conversation that starts with celebrity impressions and unexpectedly turns into a fascinating deep dive into the power of the human voice.  John shares how overcoming a severe childhood speech impediment led him to develop an incredible understanding of voice, cadence, pacing, and influence, and why most of us are leaving a huge amount of our vocal potential untapped. Whether you're a speaker, salesperson, leader, podcaster, or just a human who talks to other humans, this episode will change the way you think about the sound of your own voice. In This Episode, we Talk About:  How speech therapy turned John into a master impressionist  The surprising connection between voice, trust, and influence Why hearing your recorded voice makes you cringe...and why you should absolutely do it anyway  Simple ways to improve your presence, communication, and impact  How Morgan Freeman intentionally developed that legendary voice  Hi Alex Baldwin impression https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1cqbz6Want more from John? John Di Domenico Social Media Card: https://beacons.ai/thejohnnydshowWebsite: thejohnnydshow.comInstagram: @thejohnnydshow LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johndidomenico/FB: www.facebook.com/johndidomenicocomedy/Youtube: www.youtube.com/@thejohnnydshow1TikTok: thejohnnydshowCameo: https://www.cameo.com/thejohnnydshowEmmy Nominated, Award-Winning, Actor, Writer, Comedian & Impressionist. John started performing voices at five years old & went on to overcome a severe speech impediment. He voices many celebrities and is now best known for his Live, TV, Film and Vocal appearances across all platforms. As a speaker, John Di Domenico captivates audiences with a unique and engaging blend of entertainment and insightful commentary.  John hosts and emcees corporate meetings in the US and internationally for Fortune 500 companies. He has 6.1 million TikTok followers, 25 million YouTube views and 50k Facebook Followers. Anne Bonney is a keynote speaker and emcee who helps organizations lead through change by building resilience, emotional intelligence, and courageous communication.

    Why You Hate the Sound of Your Voice (And Why You Should Listen Anyway) | John Di Domenico

  8. Jun 29

    The Surprising Truth About Quitting

    What do a rock-and-roll roadie, a resilience researcher, and a CPA-turned-yogi have in common? More than you think. At first glance, June's guests seemed to disagree completely.  Amy Vetter embraced reinvention.Scott Scovill preached tenacity. Courtney Clark advocated quitting. But when I looked closer, I realized they were all teaching the same lesson: Don't quit because it's hard. Quit because it's wrong. In this month's wrap-up episode, I connect the dots between three incredible conversations and explore what turned out to be the difference between giving up on a dream and giving up on a plan. You'll discover: • Why persistence and adaptability are partners, not opposites • The difference between a goal and a plan • How fear disguises itself in different ways but can always get in the way • Why success is more like dancing than walking (hence the name of this podcast!) If you've ever wondered whether you should keep pushing, change direction, or completely reinvent your approach, this episode will help you find the sweet spot between grit and flexibility.    Anne Bonney is a keynote speaker and emcee who helps organizations lead through change by building resilience, emotional intelligence, and courageous communication.

    The Surprising Truth About Quitting
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About

Let's face it, life is uncomfortable. Whether it's interacting with other humans (or trying to), going after our goals and improving our lives, or understanding other people's perspectives, preferences and proclivities, being able to face the discomforts in life with courage, compassion, confidence and resilience will make life a lot more enjoyable! So join me as we DANCE IN THE DISCOMFORT ZONE! We'll explore new ideas, learn how to build our confidence, courage and resilience, and laugh a little too, because life is serious enough. We need a little cha cha, and a little ha ha every once in a while! Welcome to the Discomfort Zone with Anne Bonney!

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