Soulful Speaking

Lauri Smith
  • 5.0 (10)
  • SELF-IMPROVEMENT
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

What if public speaking isn’t a nerve-wracking obligation — what if it’s really a soul-stirring way to come alive? Soulful Speaking is where the masks come off and your Wild, Untamed, Radiant voice rises. Through stories, coaching, and real conversations, Lauri Smith helps you transform public speaking from fear and conformity into soul, creativity, and courageous presence. Episodes feature heart-to-heart conversations, breakthrough coaching, inspiring stories of transformation, and guest experts who speak — and live — differently. You’ll learn how to bring the same presence you have 1:1 with your closest friends to soulmate audiences of any size, from TikToks to TED Talks. Created by speaker, actor, author, and soulful speaking and leadership coach Lauri Smith, this show shifts the conversation around public speaking from one rooted in fear, competition, and conformity to one filled with soul, creativity, and courageous transformation — so you can say YES to the voice inside calling you to create your legacy.

  1. 2D AGO

    Boxes We Live In, Boxes We Leave

    Send Lauri a message What happens when the life that looks successful on paper no longer feels true inside? In this episode, best-selling author and real estate entrepreneur Betsy Pepine shares the deeply personal journey that led her to write Breaking Boxes: Dismantling the Metaphorical Boxes That Bind Us. From family-of-origin expectations and gender norms to professional identities and marital labels, Betsy reflects on the invisible structures that shape our choices—and what it takes to step beyond them. We explore how speaking for her book differs from speaking for a company, why writing was both challenging and healing, and how choosing a more authentic path transformed not only her career—but her voice. This conversation is a reminder that some boxes protect us for a time… and some are meant to be taken apart. Takeaways 1. Success can quietly coexist with deep dissatisfaction. 2. Some boxes protect us for a season, then begin to confine us. 3. Speaking for a company requires a different voice than speaking for yourself. 4. Vulnerability often eases once the truth is already out in the world. 5. Family-of-origin expectations can shape decades of career and identity choices. 6. Labels and forms subtly influence how others see us—and how we see ourselves. 7. Writing can be both a creative craft and a deeply therapeutic process. 8. Authentic speaking allows the full range of head, heart, and humanity to show up. Soul Sucker Quiz Take the Soul Sucker Quiz to learn which Soul Sucker screams the loudest in your mind so you can release them from being in charge and set your voice free!https://voice-matters.com/soul-sucker-quiz/ Support the show Thank you so much for listening! Take the free Speaker Alter Ego Quiz to find out which protective mask is hiding your wild, untamed radiance. https://voice-matters.com/speaker-alter-ego-quiz/ Follow me on: Instagram https://www.instagram.com/voice_matters_llc/ Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauri-smith-voice-matters/ YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@voicematters9646

    38 min

  2. 6D AGO · BONUS

    Career vs. Calling: The Near-Death Pivot that Changed Everything (bonus)

    Send Lauri a message In this bonus episode, Speaker, coach, and Next Level University CEO Alan Lazaros joins Lauri for a raw, high-voltage conversation about fear, intensity, and the courage to be “too much.” From a high-school speech panic (and a hypnotist’s snowboard hack) to a near-fatal car crash at 26 that turned a career into a calling, Alan traces the inner rewiring that let him own his truth on stage and in life. They unpack the peak-performance “Goldilocks zone,” why “slow down” isn’t always smart advice, how shame hides at both ends of the bell curve, and why accurate thinking—not people-pleasing—creates real impact. If you’ve ever been told to be less, this episode invites you to be true. Takeaways 1. Your sweet spot isn’t “calm on the couch”—it’s alive, engaged, and just-challenging-enough. 2. Early speaking anxiety can be reframed: pair fear with a domain where you feel powerful (Alan used snowboarding via hypnosis). 3. Being “too much” is often code for “you’re triggering the status quo.” Own it with discernment, not apology. 4. A career becomes a calling the moment you stop diluting yourself to fit in. 5. Alcohol (and other numbing) can mute a future-oriented brain to “blend”—notice what you’re dampening. 6. Boundaries require recalibrating your “respect Richter scale,” especially after chaotic upbringings. 7. Principles beat templates: pauses, tone, story—apply them to your unique style, not someone else’s. 8. Truth vs. social performance: accurate thinking liberates your voice and your life. 9. Shame clusters at the edges of the bell curve; compassion + honesty dissolves it. Soul Sucker Quiz Take the Soul Sucker Quiz to learn which Soul Sucker screams the loudest in your mind so you can release them from being in charge and set your voice free!https://voice-matters.com/soul-sucker-quiz/ The Speaker Alter Ego Quiz Take the Speaker Alter Ego quiz to find out which protective mask hides your natural radiance so you can learn how to get present, connect deeply, and share your vision when it matters most!https://voice-matters.com/speaker-alter-ego-quiz/ Support the show Thank you so much for listening! Take the free Speaker Alter Ego Quiz to find out which protective mask is hiding your wild, untamed radiance. https://voice-matters.com/speaker-alter-ego-quiz/ Follow me on: Instagram https://www.instagram.com/voice_matters_llc/ Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauri-smith-voice-matters/ YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@voicematters9646

    46 min

  3. FEB 10

    A Hyperventilating Thought Leader?

    Send Lauri a message What happens when the person who once hyperventilated in middle school at the mere thought of speaking… becomes the woman people ask to take photos with after her talk? In this episode, Lauri sits down with Kelly Schuknecht, marketing strategist, thought leadership coach, and founder of Two Mile High Marketing, to trace the true origin of Kelly’s visibility: not a strategy, not a brand pivot—a whisper. Kelly shares the moment she watched other speakers and thought, “I could teach that.” Then the deeper thread: a fear of being looked at—rooted not in dramatic “capital-T” trauma, but in quieter conditioning that says, don’t stand out… don’t make waves. From a first talk where the tech failed to the day she walked into a room with 1,000 chairs, this conversation is for every “unicorn” leader who’s been trying to follow someone else’s formula—and wondering why it doesn’t fit. If you’re being called to teach, lead, speak, or create… this episode is a lantern. TAKEAWAYS 1. The beginning of thought leadership is often a soft inner knowing: “I’m the teacher now.” 2. Fear of visibility doesn’t require “big-T trauma” to be real—conditioning and “little-T” experiences can wire a deep stay-small reflex. 3. Your audience often can’t see your internal storm—nerves aren’t the same as incompetence. 4. Your first talk doesn’t need to be perfect; it needs to be done (also: don’t add unnecessary tech your first time). 5. The moment you survive a “bigger cave” (like 250–300 people), smaller rooms stop feeling like dragons. 6. Speaking isn’t just exposure—it’s a door that opens other doors (invites, summits, new visibility). 7. A “unicorn niche” can actually be an advantage: fewer competitors means more fit opportunities. 8. Building a team can be an act of leadership identity—choosing your way, not the “should” way. 9. Authenticity beats imitation: borrowing someone else’s style instead of your essence is a visibility trap. Soul Sucker Quiz Take the Soul Sucker Quiz to learn which Soul Sucker screams the loudest in your mind so you can release them from being in charge and set your voice free!https://voice-matters.com/soul-sucker-quiz/ The Speaker Alter Ego Quiz Take the Speaker Alter Ego quiz to find out which protective mask hides your natural radiance so you can learn how to get present, connect deeply, and share your vision when it matters most!https://voice-matters.com/speaker-alter-ego-quiz/ Support the show Thank you so much for listening! Take the free Speaker Alter Ego Quiz to find out which protective mask is hiding your wild, untamed radiance. https://voice-matters.com/speaker-alter-ego-quiz/ Follow me on: Instagram https://www.instagram.com/voice_matters_llc/ Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauri-smith-voice-matters/ YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@voicematters9646

    42 min

  4. FEB 6 · BONUS

    Forget Memorization. Find Your Flow. (bonus)

    Send Lauri a message What happens when “memorize it” kills your aliveness? In this bonus episode, speaker and leader Kurt Uhlir shares how forcing a script spiked his stress, shut down vulnerability, and flattened his presence — and how returning to flow changed everything. We unpack small-room freakouts, the body’s signals (hello, stress across the chest), and the simple reframe that turns fear into fuel. Then we put it all into practice with a live coaching moment using my Intend • Align • Invite framework. If you’ve ever felt over-scripted, under-present, or stuck between nerves and excitement, this one’s your permission slip to speak wild, untamed, and radiant — without losing real-world impact. Takeaways 1. Flow beats memorization for authentic presence and impact. 2. The body tells the truth: stress across the chest often signals “vulnerability closed.” 3. Treat speaking like a conversation, not a soliloquy (improv > recitation). 4. Counterintuitive truth: small rooms can trigger more nerves than arenas for some people. 5. Fear and excitement feel the same in the body; label it excitement or scare-citement to channel energy. 6. Your “worst talk” can reveal emotional triggers — and your path back to presence. 7. Quick framework for Zoom & stage: Intend • Align • Invite (set the vibe, embody it, welcome them into it). Soul Sucker Quiz Take the Soul Sucker Quiz to learn which Soul Sucker screams the loudest in your mind so you can release them from being in charge and set your voice free!https://voice-matters.com/soul-sucker-quiz/ Support the show Thank you so much for listening! Take the free Speaker Alter Ego Quiz to find out which protective mask is hiding your wild, untamed radiance. https://voice-matters.com/speaker-alter-ego-quiz/ Follow me on: Instagram https://www.instagram.com/voice_matters_llc/ Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauri-smith-voice-matters/ YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@voicematters9646

    37 min

  5. FEB 3

    From Quieted to Clear: Owning the Room After You’ve Been Erased

    Send Lauri a message What happens to your voice when survival requires silence? Kat Polsinelli stepped onstage at 10… and years later, found herself slowly losing her voice inside a decade-long abusive relationship she never expected to be in. In this intimate conversation, Kat and Lauri explore the invisible architecture of emotional and psychological abuse—how it isolates, rewrites reality, and convinces brilliant people to doubt their own knowing. Kat doesn’t just talk about her story—she tells it. Fully. Embodied. Unfiltered. As a living, breathing journey of control, awakening, and the moment choice returned. This episode is a masterclass in how speaking becomes healing—for both the storyteller and the listener—through the power of repetition (“say it again”), the liberation of not overexplaining, and the sacred pause that lets truth land in the room. If you’ve ever heard a voice inside you whisper share it… this one meets you there—with courage, clarity, and a path forward. About Kat: Kat Polsinelli is a sought-after speaker, bestselling co-author, and host of Real Chat with Kat, a top 10% globally ranked podcast airing on four radio stations and two public TV stations. From stepping onto a stage at 10 years old to reclaiming her voice after a decade-long abusive relationship, Kat’s journey is one of resilience and transformation. A survivor of domestic violence, PTSD, and single motherhood at 16, Kat speaks with grounded honesty about the invisible impact of emotional and psychological abuse, the power of boundaries, and the role self-worth plays in healing. Through her lived experience, she challenges assumptions about abuse and invites deeper understanding of the complexities survivors face. Connect with Kat: https://www.facebook.com/katpolsinelli https://www.linkedin.com/in/thelotuseffect/ https://www.instagram.com/katpolsinelli/ Soul Sucker Quiz Take the Soul Sucker Quiz to learn which Soul Sucker screams the loudest in your mind so you can release them from being in charge and set your voice free!https://voice-matters.com/soul-sucker-quiz/ The Speaker Alter Ego Quiz Take the Speaker Alter Ego quiz to find out which protective mask hides your natural radiance so you can learn how to get present, connect deeply, and share your vision when it matters most!https://voice-matters.com/speaker-alter-ego-quiz/ Support the show Thank you so much for listening! Take the free Speaker Alter Ego Quiz to find out which protective mask is hiding your wild, untamed radiance. https://voice-matters.com/speaker-alter-ego-quiz/ Follow me on: Instagram https://www.instagram.com/voice_matters_llc/ Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauri-smith-voice-matters/ YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@voicematters9646

    47 min

  6. JAN 27 · BONUS

    Earth & Sky: A Soulful Speaking Tune-Up (mini-sode)

    Send Lauri a message In this bonus minisode, you’re invited into a grounding ritual — one that rose up unplanned during a conversation with a guest, and insisted on being shared. This is a moment to pause. To feel the truth of where you are. To reconnect with the pulse beneath your voice — that wild, steady rhythm that holds you long before any words arrive. If you’re longing for a reset… If your speaking feels scattered or over-efforting… If your nervous system is whispering for spaciousness… This minisode is a doorway back to the place your truest voice begins.  Support the show Thank you so much for listening! Take the free Speaker Alter Ego Quiz to find out which protective mask is hiding your wild, untamed radiance. https://voice-matters.com/speaker-alter-ego-quiz/ Follow me on: Instagram https://www.instagram.com/voice_matters_llc/ Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauri-smith-voice-matters/ YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@voicematters9646

    7 min

  7. JAN 20

    On the Brink (Literally): Evelyne’s Becoming

    Send Lauri a message Voice and visibility coach Evelyne Brink returns with a story that’s part pilgrimage, part primal scream, and fully alive. From being told her voice was “dysfunctional” to getting into (and then kicked out of) musical theatre school, Evelyne follows intuition across continents—Thailand’s Sanctuary, New York cabarets, Brighton pubs—and even into an unlikely season as a #1 Madonna tribute artist. We unpack rejection, rewilding, and the moment you stop auditioning for approval and start embodying who you are. If you’ve ever felt “too much,” broke-but-brave, or called to say no to the shiny path, this conversation is your permission slip. Come for the glitter, stay for the grit—and leave with practices to trust your voice, your body, and your inner Wonder Woman. Key Takeaways 1. Rejection redirects: Sometimes being “kicked out” is the first step toward freedom. 2. Different ≠ broken: A unique voice is often your greatest gift. 3. Intuition leads, logistics follow: The how unfolds when you listen to the call. 4. Voice is healing: Sound, song, and primal release move trauma through the body. 5. Art feeds art: Every gig, even the unexpected ones, refines your artistry. 6. Aliveness transforms how we speak and lead. (Yes, even in corporate) 7. Women’s voices are needed now: The world changes when we rewild expression. Connect with Evelyne: https://www.linkedin.com/in/evelynebrink/ https://www.instagram.com/evelynebrink/ https://www.evelynebrink.com/ Soul Sucker Quiz Take the Soul Sucker Quiz to learn which Soul Sucker screams the loudest in your mind so you can release them from being in charge and set your voice free!https://voice-matters.com/soul-sucker-quiz/ The Speaker Alter Ego Quiz Take the Speaker Alter Ego quiz to find out which protective mask hides your natural radiance so you can learn how to get present, connect deeply, and share your vision when it matters most!https://voice-matters.com/speaker-alter-ego-quiz/ Support the show Thank you so much for listening! Take the free Speaker Alter Ego Quiz to find out which protective mask is hiding your wild, untamed radiance. https://voice-matters.com/speaker-alter-ego-quiz/ Follow me on: Instagram https://www.instagram.com/voice_matters_llc/ Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauri-smith-voice-matters/ YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@voicematters9646

    52 min

  8. JAN 13

    From Silence to Sound: Finding Your Wild Voice

    Send Lauri a message Therapist and nature-based guide Laura Rose shares how an early love of reading aloud and debate gave way to silence after bullying—then slowly blossomed into a wilder, truer voice through chanting, song circles, land stewardship, and community. We explore why language can’t carry all meaning, how sound opens the door, and what shifts when we replace “fit in” with “belong.” If you’re craving permission to express—beyond the rules and into resonance—this conversation will meet you where words begin: in the living pulse beneath them. Takeaways 1. Your voice often begins before language—in vibration, breath, and sound. 2. High school “fit in” culture can mute authenticity; healing happens in circles that welcome the whole self. 3. Safety strategies (be quiet, take cues, perform “good”) work… until they don’t. 4. Sounding and singing can heal the split between voice and soul. 5. “Presence begins where primal and purpose meet”—and it can take years to find simple, true language for what you know. 6. Nature mirrors our freedom—the wild yard thrives, the manicured one conforms. 7. Speaking your truth gives others permission to find theirs—liberation is contagious. ​ Soul Sucker Quiz Take the Soul Sucker Quiz to learn which Soul Sucker screams the loudest in your mind so you can release them from being in charge and set your voice free!https://voice-matters.com/soul-sucker-quiz/ Support the show Thank you so much for listening! Take the free Speaker Alter Ego Quiz to find out which protective mask is hiding your wild, untamed radiance. https://voice-matters.com/speaker-alter-ego-quiz/ Follow me on: Instagram https://www.instagram.com/voice_matters_llc/ Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauri-smith-voice-matters/ YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@voicematters9646

    37 min
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About

What if public speaking isn’t a nerve-wracking obligation — what if it’s really a soul-stirring way to come alive? Soulful Speaking is where the masks come off and your Wild, Untamed, Radiant voice rises. Through stories, coaching, and real conversations, Lauri Smith helps you transform public speaking from fear and conformity into soul, creativity, and courageous presence. Episodes feature heart-to-heart conversations, breakthrough coaching, inspiring stories of transformation, and guest experts who speak — and live — differently. You’ll learn how to bring the same presence you have 1:1 with your closest friends to soulmate audiences of any size, from TikToks to TED Talks. Created by speaker, actor, author, and soulful speaking and leadership coach Lauri Smith, this show shifts the conversation around public speaking from one rooted in fear, competition, and conformity to one filled with soul, creativity, and courageous transformation — so you can say YES to the voice inside calling you to create your legacy.

Information

  • Creator
    Lauri Smith
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    73
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Voice Matters LLC
  • Show Website
    Soulful Speaking