Speaking with Soul: What Theater, Breathwork, and Breakfast Taught Me About Communication
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.
- Published in General, Professional, Texas
Powering the Future: What I Learned at the Intersection of AI and Clean Energy
As someone deeply passionate about sustainability and conservation, I often think about the water we use, the trees we plant, the waste we manage—but rarely have I taken a deep dive into the complex world of energy infrastructure.
That changed yesterday at MCJ Live – Where AI Meets Energy, hosted at The Sunset Room in downtown Austin. Curated by MCJ Collective and sponsored by J.P. Morgan and Gunderson Dettmer, the event brought together climate tech innovators and energy leaders for an afternoon of bold ideas at the intersection of AI, energy resilience, and climate innovation.
And honestly? It was an eye-opener in the best possible way.
- Published in General, Professional, Texas
Communicators in the Age of AI: Navigating Tools, Ethics, and Authenticity
On Thursday, May 22, I joined fellow communicators at Q-Branch in Downtown Austin for an event hosted by the PRSA Austin Chapter—an evening that promised insight and inspiration, and absolutely delivered. The focus? The evolving role of artificial intelligence in public relations and communications. It was a dynamic and thought-provoking panel that confirmed familiar ideas and concerns while highlighting new AI opportunities and challenges.
Moderated by Anne Lasseigne Tiedt, APR, the panel featured four industry professionals: Monica Talan (TechTranslators.ai), Tim Weinheimer (Hahn), Dan Martin (Hiebing), and Lisa Peterson (Lisa Peterson PR). Each panelist offered a unique perspective—from tech backgrounds to data analytics, agency marketing services to media relations—on how AI is transforming how we communicate, collaborate, and connect with our audiences.
- Published in General, Professional, Texas
Finding My North Star: What I Learned in ACC’s Strategies for Today’s Jobs Class
I recently completed the Strategies for Today’s Jobs (4-weeks / 8-days) career development course through Austin Community College (ACC), designed to help job seekers clarify their goals, polish their materials, and build confidence in today’s job market. Overall, I felt that the class was good and thoughtfully put together. While much of the content felt like “Career 101” and seemed primarily catered to those entering or re-entering the job market, I still found many gems of insight that were useful for refining my current job search strategy and long-term career planning.
Even though I’ve already navigated multiple stages of professional development, this course served as a helpful refresher and provided space for intentional reflection. I appreciated the structured pace, the supportive instructors, and the opportunity to revisit foundational strategies with fresh eyes and a lens of AI support.
Below is a breakdown of each day, including key takeaways that stood out to me:
Day 1: Orientation + Self-Assessment
Focus: Identifying personal strengths, values, and workplace preferences.
Takeaways:
- We kicked off the class with discussing personality assessments for career alignment like YouScience offered through ACC, which served as a reminder of how I operate best in a team and workplace setting.
- Reflecting on core values, missions, and motivations helped reaffirm my commitment to working in sustainability and mission-driven environments—something that’s remained consistent in the later half of my career.
- The structured self-assessment activities gave me a career direction clarity and helped create a more intentional mindset heading into the rest of the course.
Networking at Easy Tiger North: Community, Coffee & Career Connections
Lately, Easy Tiger North has become more than just a great spot for pastries and coffee—it’s become the backdrop for some of my most valuable networking experiences in Austin. From marketing mixers to sustainability meetups, this laid-back location has offered countless opportunities to connect with brilliant minds and inspiring peers across industries. Let’s take a quick walk back through a few recent events that have made a big impact on me.
Ad 2 Austin’s 32 Under 32 Awards (May 8)
Most recently, I had the honor of volunteering at the check-in table for Ad 2 Austin‘s 32 Under 32 Awards, celebrating the city’s top young professionals in marketing and advertising. Held at Easy Tiger North with an MVP-themed flair, the event buzzed with creativity and camaraderie.
Welcoming each nominee gave me a front-row seat to the incredible work being done in this industry—from strategic brand launches to innovative digital campaigns. It was equal parts inspiring and energizing to meet so many trailblazers under 32 who are already reshaping the marketing landscape.
Shoutout to Ad 2 Austin, the event sponsors, and Easy Tiger for making the night a celebration to remember—complete with delicious food and meaningful conversation. The future of marketing in Austin looks bright, and I’m grateful to have played a small part in recognizing those leading the way.
- Published in General, Professional, Texas
Defining Green Marketing & Sustainability Communications: An Hourglass Term That Shaped My Career
In the world of marketing, buzzwords come and go — but “green marketing” and “sustainability communications” are terms that have stuck with me, not just as trends, but as defining themes throughout my career. They’re what I call hourglass terms — concepts that begin broadly, narrow into a specialized niche, and then fan out again to influence a wide range of industries, sectors, and communication needs.
Let me explain — and take you on a journey through how I came to specialize in this growing, evolving, and deeply meaningful space.
What Is Green Marketing, Exactly?
At its core, green marketing refers to promoting products, services, or practices that are environmentally friendly. It’s about more than slapping a green label on a package — it’s a commitment to transparency, sustainability, and often, behavioral change. Green marketing focuses on aligning brand values with environmental ethics, creating campaigns that both inform and inspire.
Sustainability communications, meanwhile, goes beyond the consumer angle. It encompasses the storytelling, messaging, and strategic outreach that organizations use to engage stakeholders — from the public to policymakers — on environmental initiatives, sustainable practices, climate resilience, and more.
Together, these two disciplines span a massive spectrum — from technical communications about carbon reporting to grassroots storytelling about tree planting or water conservation. Hence the hourglass.
- Published in General, Professional