Last night, I found myself talking about breakfast on stage—not to entertain or inform, but to experiment. At first, it felt a little silly. But very quickly, I realized: this was public speaking in its most liberating form.
I attended the monthly Public Speaking Playground (TM) meetup at Capital Factory in downtown Austin, hosted by the vibrant and deeply knowledgeable Sammi Sadicario (The Voice Experts). With a rich background in theater, acting, and vocal performance, Sammi brought a refreshing blend of artistic flair and neuroscience-backed insights to what can often feel like a dry topic or nerve-wracking skill: Public Speaking.
Public Speaking, Reimagined
This wasn’t your typical speaker workshop filled with typical filler words eliminations and personal voice critiques. Sammi introduced us to a whole-body approach to communication, rooted in performance, breathwork, and energy regulation. Her framework for “owning the room” includes seven powerful elements:
- Energy: The Foundation of Your Presence
- Breath: The Key to Power & Control
- Mind: Rewire Your Inner Voice
- Words: Speak with Precision & Impact
- Voice: Master Tonality & Influence
- Body: Align Your Posture & Presence
- Story: The Secret to Captivating Any Audience
It’s a full-spectrum method that encourages you to show up completely—not just polished. We began with vocal warmups and movement to get out of our heads and into our bodies, setting the stage for the in-person speaking exercise.
The Vagus Nerve and the Power of Breath
One of the standout moments for me was when Sammi spoke about the vagus nerve, an often-overlooked part of our nervous system that’s essential for regulating calm, connection, and communication. A regulated vagus nerve means a more relaxed body, more resonant voice, and more confident presence.
As someone who’s spent years in communications, this hit home in a new way. It’s not just about the words you choose—it’s about the state you’re in when you speak them.
Exploring the Five Tones of Voice
Sammi then introduced a concept I’d never encountered before: the Five Tones of Voice (by Barabara McAfee), inspired by the natural elements:
- Earth – grounded, calm, rooted
- Air – light, airy, curious
- Water – emotional, fluid, soothing
- Fire – bold, energized, passionate
- Metal – sharp, direct, refined
To practice, we each got stage time to describe what we had for breakfast—yes, breakfast!—while Sammi coached us to try out different tones. It was surprisingly powerful. The small shifts in tone changed how people listened and how we felt while speaking. This playful structure gave everyone space to experiment, without fear of judgment.
My Takeaway: Presence Over Perfection
What struck me most was how freeing the entire evening felt. There was no pressure to perform, only an invitation to explore. Public speaking, in this setting, wasn’t about “getting it right.” It was about connecting—to your voice, your breath, your story, and your audience.
If you’re in Austin and want a fun, supportive, and slightly theatrical way to develop your speaking skills, I can’t recommend this event enough. Sammi creates an environment where growth feels exciting—not scary.
And honestly? I’ll never think of “just talking” the same way again.
