Speaking Episodes

Most people spend months preparing for a single DisruptHR presentation. Ashlynne Valdez delivered two different talks in 30 days, won Best Speaker at one event, and helps select speakers for DisruptHR Las Vegas. In this episode, we go behind the scenes of DisruptHR to explore what separates a good talk from a great one. Ashlynne shares how she develops topics, finds a disruptive angle, prepares for the fast-paced five-minute format, and what organizers are really looking for when reviewing sp...

Personal branding for women over 40 who feel invisible is rarely about a lack of expertise. It's about two decades of keeping your head down, taking care of everyone else, and forgetting to tell the world what you know. In this episode, Monica Rivera breaks down what it actually takes to stop hiding and step into the visibility you've already earned. Together, Rhona Pierce and Monica unpack why experienced women, especially women over 40, feel invisible even after 20 years of building skil...

Everyone wants to get paid to speak — but few know what it really takes to build a lasting career doing it. In this episode, Torin Ellis joins Rhona Pierce to break down the business behind the mic — from commanding rooms and carving your niche to staying relevant in a space that changes overnight. You’ll learn: How to turn free speaking gigs into paid opportunities The mindset shift that keeps your message authentic (even when the world isn’t) When to raise your rates — and...