The Heart of Speaking

A Raucous Holy Fool’s Day to One and All!

April 1st

Holy Fool’s Day

April 1 is the day to find your voice, speak your truth, and shake things up.  Forget the pranks and silly antics of April Fool’s Day. Become a Holy Fool!

Each year I remind you that this is your day to speak out.  Here is last year’s post to inspire ideas for the outer expression of your inner Holy Fool.

Comparative mythologist Joseph Campbell talked about the archetype of the Holy Fool. The Fool is the most dangerous person on earth, Campbell explained, the most threatening to all hierarchical institutions.  He has no concern for naysayers, and no one has power over him (or her). She is not limited, not stoppable, nor controllable. She knows what she has to do and is doing it, no matter what. Continue reading

A personal message from Gail…

Many of you have written to ask where I’ve been, am I okay, why haven’t I been in touch, and even to say you miss my occasional newsletters.  Thank you!  It has been a fallow time in my creative life as my outer life has been taking my full energy.  But the seeds of new experience have been planted that I trust will bring a rich harvest.

The irony is not lost on me that my attempt to upgrade my website and become social media savvy to communicate more regularly was a big part of what shut me down! The process was agonizing and I haven’t written since the new site went live last spring.  At the same time, 2011 was full of “firsts” including an amazing trip to Peru, where I was able to connect more directly with the indigenous wisdom that informs my work. Lynne Twist and I developed a new workshop Fundraising from the Heart: The Soul of Money, the Soul of Story, which we presented at Stillheart Institute in the California redwoods (coming soon on video).  My two-day introductory workshop in Vancouver for 25 people sold out in a week, so I returned for a second one.  I also had the honor of coaching the seven Social Venture Network  innovation award winners for the award ceremony at the Philadelphia conference in October. Their world-changing stories, all so different, reminded me once again that when we know our medicine and our message and answer the call of our hearts, we get out of our own way and serve the needs of our changing times. Continue reading

Responsibility for Your Impact

What Happens When Women Wake Up?

What Happens When Women Wake Up?

Years ago in my intensive studies with cultural anthropologist Angeles Arrien, she spoke of “responsibility for our impact.” That teaching has stayed with me as I’ve observed how easy is it for others to perceive us in ways that can be contrary to how we see ourselves. Being responsible for our impact requires that we remain vigilant to the expectations we create. For example, when we are given the speaking platform, the invitation confers a level of authority that gives our words great power. And on a personal level, when engaged in a glorious “what if . . . ?” co-creative surge that comes and goes like a hot flash, others may be making plans while we are moving on.

It is time to recognize the power we hold. It is time to clear those sabotaging voices that tell us we’re not enough. We would be wise to heed the advice quoted by a recent client: “Don’t compare your insides with everybody else’s outsides.” Continue reading

Has Your Message Chosen You?

 

Sense of Wonder

Sense of Wonder

This week I saw the inspiring film A Sense of Wonder made from interviews with Rachel Carson in the final year of her life, in 1964. As the government marine biologist spoke of the critical acclaim she received for her book Silent Spring, she said, “In some ways, the subject chooses the writer.”

Carson had made a seven-month commitment to write a book for which she received a publishing advance from Houghton Mifflin in 1958. It became the culmination of her life’s work when, two and a half years into her research, she realized she was just scratching the surface. When Silent Spring was published in 1962, the critics in the chemical industry were louder than the initial acclaim. (She noted there were few dissidents but they had a lot of money.) Her book catalyzed investigation into the destruction of life that comes from synthetic pesticides and catapulted environmental concerns to the forefront of public discourse, where they have remained ever since. Continue reading

A Word From Our Clients

Description: Hear from Danielle LaPorte, Michael Hart, Jennifer Louden, Susan Hyatt, Dr. Diane Chung, Julie Daley and Dyana Valentine.

Gail’s Book & Audio Book!

Applause!

"I came to polish my skills and be better at ‘transforming’ and ‘inspiring’ my audiences. I was the one transformed, more connected to my own story, clear on the unique perspective only I can bring to my audiences."
JIM SIBLEY
University of British Columbia

Our Next Available Program

Transformational Speaking Immersion
Santa Fe, NM, USA

To get started right away, join our online academy.

See Complete Calendar

Follow me!TwitterFacebookLinkedinBlog Categories</h3> </div><div class="art-blockcontent"> <div class="art-blockcontent-cc"></div> <div class="art-blockcontent-body"><a href="https://twitter.com/gaillarsen" target="_blank"><img src="https://realspeaking.com/wp-content/plugins/social-profiles-widget/assets/images/default/Twitter_48x48.png" alt="Twitter" /></a><a href="https://www.facebook.com/transformationalspeaking" target="_blank"><img src="https://realspeaking.com/wp-content/plugins/social-profiles-widget/assets/images/default/Facebook_48x48.png" alt="Facebook" /></a><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/gaillarsen" target="_blank"><img src="https://realspeaking.com/wp-content/plugins/social-profiles-widget/assets/images/default/Linkedin_48x48.png" alt="Linkedin" /></a><form action="https://realspeaking.com" method="get"><label class="screen-reader-text" for="cat">Blog Categories</label><select name='cat' id='cat' class='postform'> <option value='-1'>Select Category</option> <option class="level-0" value="5">1 Calling All Voices</option> <option class="level-0" value="7">2 The Heart of Speaking</option> <option class="level-0" value="8">3 The Art of Speaking</option> <option class="level-0" value="9">4 The Energetics of Speaking</option> <option class="level-0" value="10">5 The Business of Speaking</option> <option class="level-0" value="1">6 Can’t Help Myself Commentary</option> </select> </form> <script type="text/javascript"> /* <![CDATA[ */ (function() { var dropdown = document.getElementById( "cat" ); function onCatChange() { if ( dropdown.options[ dropdown.selectedIndex ].value > 0 ) { dropdown.parentNode.submit(); } } dropdown.onchange = onCatChange; })(); /* ]]> */ </script> <div class="cleared"></div> </div> </div> <div class="cleared"></div> </div> </div> <div class="cleared"></div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="cleared"></div> <div class="cleared"></div> </div> </div> <div class="art-footer"> <div class="art-footer-t"></div> <div class="art-footer-body"> <div class="art-content-layout"> <div class="art-content-layout-row"> <div class="art-layout-cell art-layout-cell-size4"> <div class="art-center-wrapper"> <div class="art-center-inner"> <div class="art-widget widget widget_categories" id="categories-2"><h5 class="art-widget-title">Categories</h5><div class="art-widget-content"> <ul> <li class="cat-item cat-item-5"><a href="https://realspeaking.com/category/calling-all-voices/">1 Calling All Voices</a> </li> <li class="cat-item cat-item-7"><a href="https://realspeaking.com/category/the-heart-of-speaking/">2 The Heart of Speaking</a> </li> <li class="cat-item cat-item-8"><a href="https://realspeaking.com/category/the-art-of-speaking/">3 The Art of Speaking</a> </li> <li class="cat-item cat-item-9"><a href="https://realspeaking.com/category/the-energetics-of-speaking/">4 The Energetics of Speaking</a> </li> <li class="cat-item cat-item-10"><a href="https://realspeaking.com/category/the-business-of-speaking/">5 The Business of Speaking</a> </li> <li class="cat-item cat-item-1"><a href="https://realspeaking.com/category/cant-help-myself-commentary/">6 Can't Help Myself Commentary</a> </li> </ul> </div></div> </div> </div> <div class="cleared"> </div> </div> <div class="art-layout-cell art-layout-cell-size4"> <div class="art-center-wrapper"> <div class="art-center-inner"> <div class="art-widget widget widget_recent_entries" id="recent-posts-3"><h5 class="art-widget-title">Recent Blog Posts</h5><div class="art-widget-content"> <ul> <li> <a href="https://realspeaking.com/books-list-2023/">Books by Transformational Speakers 2023</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://realspeaking.com/emergence/">An emergence story for these times … and all of time</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://realspeaking.com/birthing-the-new-story-imagining-a-world-that-works-for-all-of-life/">Birthing the New Story! Imagining a World that Works for All of Life</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://realspeaking.com/4-ways-to-work-with-gail/">4 Ways to Work with Gail</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://realspeaking.com/its-holy-fools-day-lets-ditch-deadlines-and-grab-the-lifelines/">It’s Holy Fools Day! Let’s Ditch Deadlines and Grab the Lifelines</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://realspeaking.com/a-new-rhythm-for-new-times/">A new rhythm for new times</a> </li> </ul> </div></div> </div> </div> <div class="cleared"> </div> </div> <div class="art-layout-cell art-layout-cell-size4"> <div class="art-center-wrapper"> <div class="art-center-inner"> <div class="art-widget widget widget_archive" id="archives-2"><h5 class="art-widget-title">Blog Archives</h5><div class="art-widget-content"> <label class="screen-reader-text" for="archives-dropdown-2">Blog Archives</label> <select id="archives-dropdown-2" name="archive-dropdown"> <option value="">Select Month</option> <option value='https://realspeaking.com/2024/01/'> January 2024 </option> <option value='https://realspeaking.com/2021/10/'> October 2021 </option> <option value='https://realspeaking.com/2020/11/'> November 2020 </option> <option value='https://realspeaking.com/2020/10/'> October 2020 </option> <option value='https://realspeaking.com/2020/03/'> March 2020 </option> <option value='https://realspeaking.com/2019/04/'> April 2019 </option> <option value='https://realspeaking.com/2018/08/'> August 2018 </option> <option value='https://realspeaking.com/2018/04/'> April 2018 </option> <option value='https://realspeaking.com/2017/06/'> June 2017 </option> <option value='https://realspeaking.com/2016/12/'> December 2016 </option> <option value='https://realspeaking.com/2015/09/'> September 2015 </option> <option value='https://realspeaking.com/2015/03/'> March 2015 </option> <option value='https://realspeaking.com/2014/10/'> October 2014 </option> <option value='https://realspeaking.com/2014/02/'> February 2014 </option> <option value='https://realspeaking.com/2013/07/'> July 2013 </option> <option value='https://realspeaking.com/2013/03/'> March 2013 </option> <option value='https://realspeaking.com/2012/04/'> April 2012 </option> <option value='https://realspeaking.com/2012/03/'> March 2012 </option> <option value='https://realspeaking.com/2012/01/'> January 2012 </option> <option value='https://realspeaking.com/2011/03/'> March 2011 </option> <option value='https://realspeaking.com/2010/11/'> November 2010 </option> <option value='https://realspeaking.com/2010/08/'> August 2010 </option> <option value='https://realspeaking.com/2010/07/'> July 2010 </option> <option value='https://realspeaking.com/2010/05/'> May 2010 </option> <option value='https://realspeaking.com/2009/11/'> November 2009 </option> <option value='https://realspeaking.com/2009/10/'> October 2009 </option> <option value='https://realspeaking.com/2009/08/'> August 2009 </option> <option value='https://realspeaking.com/2009/06/'> June 2009 </option> <option value='https://realspeaking.com/2009/03/'> March 2009 </option> <option value='https://realspeaking.com/2009/01/'> January 2009 </option> <option value='https://realspeaking.com/2008/12/'> December 2008 </option> <option value='https://realspeaking.com/2008/11/'> November 2008 </option> <option value='https://realspeaking.com/2008/01/'> January 2008 </option> <option value='https://realspeaking.com/2007/08/'> August 2007 </option> <option value='https://realspeaking.com/2007/05/'> May 2007 </option> <option value='https://realspeaking.com/2007/04/'> April 2007 </option> <option value='https://realspeaking.com/2007/03/'> March 2007 </option> <option value='https://realspeaking.com/2006/12/'> December 2006 </option> <option value='https://realspeaking.com/2006/10/'> October 2006 </option> <option value='https://realspeaking.com/2006/07/'> July 2006 </option> <option value='https://realspeaking.com/2005/03/'> March 2005 </option> <option value='https://realspeaking.com/2004/04/'> April 2004 </option> </select> <script type="text/javascript"> /* <![CDATA[ */ (function() { var dropdown = document.getElementById( "archives-dropdown-2" ); function onSelectChange() { if ( dropdown.options[ dropdown.selectedIndex ].value !== '' ) { document.location.href = this.options[ this.selectedIndex ].value; } } dropdown.onchange = onSelectChange; })(); /* ]]> */ </script> </div></div> </div> </div> <div class="cleared"> </div> </div> <div class="art-layout-cell art-layout-cell-size4"> <div class="art-center-wrapper"> <div class="art-center-inner"> <div class="art-widget widget widget_search" id="search-3"><h5 class="art-widget-title">Search This Site</h5><div class="art-widget-content"> <form method="get" name="searchform" action="https://realspeaking.com/"> <div class="search"> <input name="s" type="text" value="" style="width: 95%;" /> <span class="art-button-wrapper"> <span class="art-button-l"> </span> <span class="art-button-r"> </span> <input class="art-button" type="submit" name="search" value="Search" /> </span> </div> </form> </div></div><div class="art-widget widget widget_text" id="text-6"><div class="art-widget-content"> <div class="textwidget"></br> <a href="https://feeds.feedburner.com/TruthWellSpoken" title="Subscribe to my feed" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml"><img src="https://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon32x32.png" alt="" style="border:0"/></a><a href="https://feeds.feedburner.com/TruthWellSpoken" title="Subscribe to my feed" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml">Subscribe to Gail's Blog</a></br> </br> </div> </div></div><div class="art-widget widget widget_text" id="text-2"><h5 class="art-widget-title">Contact Gail</h5><div class="art-widget-content"> <div class="textwidget">Phone: 1-505-986-8650<br /> <a href="https://realspeaking.com/contact/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Contact Form</a><br /> Located in Santa Fe, New Mexico <br/> USA</div> </div></div> </div> </div> <div class="cleared"> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="art-footer-center"> <div class="art-footer-wrapper"> <div class="art-footer-text"> <p><a href="https://realspeaking.com">Home</a> | <a href="https://realspeaking.com/training/transformationalspeakingimmersion/">The Training</a> | <a href="https://realspeaking.com/transformationalspeaking/">The Book</a> | <a href="https://realspeaking.com/ravereviewsgaillarsen/rave-review/">Rave Reviews</a> | <a href="https://realspeaking.com/gaillarsen/">Gail's Story</a> | <a href="https://realspeaking.com/blog/">Blog</a> | <a href="https://realspeaking.com/media/">Media</a> | <a href="https://realspeaking.com/contact/">Connect</a></p> <p>Copyright © 2024. All Rights Reserved. Website powered by <a href="https://designsimplex.com" target="_blank">Design Simplex LLC</a>.<br /> Real Speaking is a registered trademark | <a href="https://realspeaking.com/privacy">Privacy Policy</a><BR> Real Speaking LLC is a limited liability corporation registered in the state of New Mexico.<BR> <p>  </p> <div class="cleared"></div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="cleared"></div> </div> </div> </div> <div id="wp-footer"> <a id="FollowMeTabRightSm" onClick="showFollowMe()" href="#" style="border-bottom:none;"><img src="https://realspeaking.com/wp-content/plugins/follow-me/images/rightsm.gif" border="0" /></a> <div id="FollowMeBubbleBG" style="visibility:hidden;"></div> <div id="FollowMeBubble" style="visibility:hidden;border-bottom:none;"> <div class="top" style="background-image:url('https://realspeaking.com/wp-content/plugins/follow-me/images/followme_top.gif');width:329px;height:60px;float:left;display:block;border-bottom:none;"> <a id="close" onClick="hideFollowMe()" href="#" style="border-bottom:none"><img src="https://realspeaking.com/wp-content/plugins/follow-me/images/close.png" border="0" /> </a> <!-- <a id="grab" target="_blank" title="grab this" href="http://www.ignitesocialmedia.com/tools/follow-me/"><span>grab this</span></a>--></div> <div class="mid" style="background-image:url('https://realspeaking.com/wp-content/plugins/follow-me/images/followme_mid.gif');width:329px;background-repeat:repeat-y;float:left;"> <div id="stretch"> <span><a title="Facebook" target="_blank" href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Transformational-Speaking/189305358912 " rel="me"><img width="32px" src="https://realspeaking.com/wp-content/plugins/follow-me/images/facebook.png" border="0" alt="Facebook" /> Facebook</a></span> <span><a title="Twitter" target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/gaillarsen" rel="me"><img width="32px" src="https://realspeaking.com/wp-content/plugins/follow-me/images/twitter.png" border="0" alt="Twitter" /> Twitter</a></span> <span><a title="Youtube" target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/gaillarsen1" rel="me"><img width="32px" src="https://realspeaking.com/wp-content/plugins/follow-me/images/youtube.png" border="0" alt="Youtube" /> Youtube</a></span> <span><a title="LinkedIn" target="_blank" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/gaillarsen" rel="me"><img width="32px" src="https://realspeaking.com/wp-content/plugins/follow-me/images/linkedin.png" border="0" alt="LinkedIn" /> LinkedIn</a></span> <span><a title="RSS" target="_blank" href="https://realspeaking.com/feed" rel="me"><img width="32px" src="https://realspeaking.com/wp-content/plugins/follow-me/images/rss.png" border="0" alt="RSS" /> RSS</a></span> </div></div> <div class="bottom" style="background-image:url('https://realspeaking.com/wp-content/plugins/follow-me/images/followme_bottom.gif');height:34px;width:329px;clear:both;float:left;"> <a id="grab" target="_blank" title="grab this" style="border-bottom:none;" href="http://www.ignitesocialmedia.com/tools/follow-me/"><span>grab this</span></a> </div> <div class="grab" style="width:329px;clear:both;float:left;"><a style="border-bottom:none;" href="http://www.ignitesocialmedia.com/tools/follow-me/"><img src="https://realspeaking.com/wp-content/plugins/follow-me/images/followme_grab.gif" /></a></div> </div> <link rel='stylesheet' id='cvg-styles-css' href='https://realspeaking.com/wp-content/plugins/cool-video-gallery/css/cvg-styles.css?ver=6.2.4' type='text/css' media='all' /> <link rel='stylesheet' id='jquery.fancybox-css' href='https://realspeaking.com/wp-content/plugins/cool-video-gallery/third_party_lib/fancybox_1.3.4/jquery.fancybox-1.3.4.css?ver=6.2.4' type='text/css' media='all' /> <script type='text/javascript' src='https://realspeaking.com/wp-content/plugins/page-links-to/dist/new-tab.js?ver=3.3.6' id='page-links-to-js'></script> <script type='text/javascript' id='flagscript-js-extra'> /* <![CDATA[ */ var FlaGallery = {"ajaxurl":"https:\/\/realspeaking.com\/wp-admin\/admin-ajax.php","nonce":"b0198f23e6","license":"","pack":""}; /* ]]> */ </script> <script type='text/javascript' src='https://realspeaking.com/wp-content/plugins/flash-album-gallery/assets/script.js?ver=6.0.2' id='flagscript-js'></script> <script type='text/javascript' src='https://realspeaking.com/wp-content/plugins/cool-video-gallery/third_party_lib/jwplayer_7.3.6/jwplayer.js?ver=6.2.4' id='jwplayer-js'></script> <script type='text/javascript' src='https://realspeaking.com/wp-content/plugins/cool-video-gallery/third_party_lib/fancybox_1.3.4/jquery.fancybox-1.3.4.pack.js?ver=6.2.4' id='jquery.fancybox-js'></script> <!-- 117 queries. 0.963 seconds. --> </div><style>#global_body_1 img{display:none;}#button10_1{display:none !important;}#button12_1{display:none !important;}#button13_1{display:block !important;}#button1_1{display:block !important;}#button2_1{display:block !important;}#button5_1{display:block !important;}#button6_1{display:block !important;}#spidervideoplayerhtml5_1{background-color: #ffffff; border: 1px solid #a9a9a9; float: left; list-style-type: none !important; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 5px;}#button4_1{display:block !important;}#button3_1{display:block !important;}</style> <script> jQuery(document).ready(function(){ jQuery('.video-stream').trigger('pause'); }); </script> </body> </html>