Breaking the Silence
by PR Connections
This podcast will explore the real fears behind public speaking, share honest stories, practical tools, and encouragement to help listeners to speak anyway. This podcast will appeal to speakers at all levels. Host Gail Larson is a long-time Toastmaster and uses the skills learned to improve individuals’ abilities to move beyond their fear.
Episodes
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When Midnight Gives Way to Morning
Episode 1: When Midnight Gives Way to Morning Last season, we explored what keeps us awake at night. But what if those midnight worries connect to the very human needs we struggle to meet? In this season premiere, Gail Larson introduces seven dimensions of human fulfillment and explores how our...
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Crushing Your Inner Imposter with Outer Confidence
What happens when the voice keeping you awake asks, “Who do you think you are?” In this episode of BREAKING the SILENCE: After Midnight, Gail Larson explores how impostor syndrome disguises itself as perfectionism, over-preparation, procrastination, and fear. Discover how frustration,...
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Remembering Those That Visit Us After Midnight: Remembering 9/11
Tonight’s special episode is dedicated to remembering September 11, 2001—a day that changed our country, affected people around the world, and left memories that continue to visit many of us after midnight. During this episode, I will share my personal story through three reflection points—the...
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Addressing the Unspoken Words That Keep Us Awake
Have you ever been told, “You’ve changed”—and wondered whether it was an observation or a warning? In Episode 6 of BREAKING the SILENCE: After Midnight, I explore how personal growth reshapes our closest relationships. Drawing from my own transition beyond corporate life, I unpack three fears…
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Dealing with Money Worries That Speak Louder Than Sleep
What happens when money worries begin speaking louder than sleep? In this solo episode of BREAKING the SILENCE: After Midnight, I share a personal story and an important reminder: You are not your net. We’ll explore three practical ways to quiet the financial noise—name the numbers, engage your...
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Focusing on Life Changes That Shift Our Peace — Major Life Transitions
Major life transitions can shift our peace, reshape our relationships, and make us wonder who we are becoming. In this episode of Breaking the Silence: After Midnight, we explore how to navigate change with honesty, grace, and hope. The stories, views, and opinions shared on BREAKING THE SILENCE...
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Finding Small Lights and Hope in the Darkness
This episode reflects on those sleepless nights when the darkness can feel heavier than the night — the sadness, emotional heaviness, and memories that sometimes follow us from childhood into adulthood. We will also make space for something just as important: the possibility of light. Sometimes...
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Moments When the Mind Refuses to Be Quiet
Sometimes the mind refuses to be quiet because something within us is asking for attention, reassurance, or release. Anxiety may get loud after midnight, but it does not have to have the final word. My surprise guest knows this all too well, but shares her process for turning after-hours anxiety...
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The Weight We Carry After Midnight - Stress and Overwhelm
This episode begins with a weight many of us know too well: stress and overwhelm — the responsibilities we carry, the pressure we hide, and the thoughts that refuse to rest when the world goes quiet. My guest, Krystina, considers herself to be a “domestic engineer” in all senses of the term and...
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The Possibility You've Been Holding Back
In this Season 2 finale of Breaking the Silence: Beyond the Boundaries, Gail reflects on the powerful conversations, courageous stories, and defining moments that shaped the season. Through each guest’s journey, we saw what becomes possible when people stop shrinking, step into new spaces, and...
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Allowing Yourself to Be Fully Transparent
In this episode, we’ll explore what it means to communicate more honestly across generations, particularly with fathers or as a father…and how to move beyond old roles, old assumptions, and old emotional boundaries. This podcast is brought to you by LifeWave. Want to learn more? Visit...
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Living Beyond the Boundaries
What happens when growth becomes more than a moment—and instead becomes a way of life? In this episode of Breaking the Silence: Beyond the Boundaries, I’m joined by accomplished author and poet Lydia Pejovic, whose work reflects the complexity of identity, perspective, and personal…
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Sharing the Story You’re Ready to Own
After more than two decades as a speech pathologist, this episode’s guest shares what it truly means to step into a new identity. Now traveling the world through her entrepreneurial journey in the jewelry industry, she reflects on the evolution of her voice and her story. In “Sharing the Story...
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When Your Voice Expands the Room
In this episode of Breaking the Silence: Beyond the Boundaries, I’m joined by Steve, a longtime educational leader whose journey took him from classroom educator to Vice President of Humanities for a renowned educational publishing company. Along the way, Steve became known as an accomplished...
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Courageous Conversations that Build Connections
For this episode, my guest is author and speaker Phil Randazzo, founder of American Dream U, a nonprofit dedicated to helping our military gain the education and resources they need to find their dream job or start their own business. In this episode, he shares powerful insights on how courageous...
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Speaking Up for What Matters Most
In this episode of Breaking the Silence: Beyond the Boundaries, Chaka Meyers, an Army veteran and transportation operations leader joins me to discuss leadership, purpose, and speaking up for what matters most. This conversation comes full circle, as she was once my student over 40 years ago—and...
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Speaking Into New Spaces
In this episode, Speaking Into New Spaces, the focus will be on new roles, environments, and stepping into growth. Pat, who is a group coordinator for Go Ahead Tours, has successfully stepped into her own growth while discovering that sharing her passion for travel can afford her more travel...
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Giving Yourself Permission to be Seen
What’s holding you back from being seen? In this episode of Breaking the Silence: Beyond the Boundaries, we explore what it really means to step out of the shadows, take up space, and give yourself permission to be visible—without waiting for validation from anyone else. This podcast is brought…
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What are you ready to say now?
In this episode of Breaking the Silence: Beyond the Boundaries, I’m joined by a former police sergeant II, Steve Adams, who is sharing stories he’s held back — but ready to share now. Through his experience in law enforcement, we explore how perceptions of policing have shifted over time, and…
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Breaking the Silence: Beyond the Boundaries Launch
This introductory episode will launch Season 2 of Breaking the Silence: Beyond the Boundaries . Whereas the first season was about finding the courage to speak, Season 2 is about moving past the limits we once believed defined us. Through powerful conversations and personal reflection, this…
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Your Voice Moving Forward
This episode is called “Your Voice Moving Forward.” And it’s about what happens after you begin breaking the silence. The episode isn’t about fixing anything. It’s about integrating what we’ve learned — and looking ahead. With 8 years of experience in IT, a degree in biomedical laboratory…
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Being Heard Without Being Loud
In this episode of Breaking the Silence: Finding the Courage to be Heard, we’re exploring the idea of Being Heard without Being Loud. I’m joined by Sonya Smallwood, a results-driven sales professional with a strong track record of exceeding goals and building lasting client relationships. Known…
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When Your Voice Shakes and Why That’s Okay
Host Gail Larson's guest, Kristina Goldstein is currently pursuing a career in either Radiation Health or Nuclear Engineering. She is the ideal candidate to talk to us about When your Voice Shakes and Why That’s Okay! Even with her years of service in the Navy and advanced education, she would...
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The First Time You Speak Anyway
“Today on Breaking the Silence, I’m joined by Dane Larson, a seasoned corporate marketing communications manager who has spent his career guiding marketing strategy and growth across biomedical industries, advancing diagnostics and saving lives. But today, Dane will be sharing more personal…
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Speaking Up in Rooms that Intimidate You
In this episode entitled, Speaking Up in Rooms that Intimidate You, Jesse Oakley III and I will chat about the power dynamics that show up in both professionally and personal environments, like meetings, panels, and even classrooms. We will discuss how possibly gender, age, race, or any physical...
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The Stories We Tell Ourselves About Speaking
The focus of this episode is to explore a speaker’s mindset and inner dialogue. It will ask the question, “What story has fear been repeating, and is any of it true?” Helene Rose will share her experiences, particularly in language shifts that build courage. Helene Rose is a mindset and personal...
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Finding Your Voice (Before You Find Your Words)
This episode will focus on identity and self-trust when speaking. We will explore the question of whose voice are you afraid to sound like, or not sound like, either personally or professionally, and when to use your authentic voice vs. professional voice. My guest, Mary Jo Aganad has worked in…
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When Fear Takes the Microphone
This episode will focus on why does fear show up in our bodies before we speak? Our guest will share stories about physical symptoms and anxiety associated with public speaking, and suggest how to cope. This podcast is brought to you by Classy Communications. Your solution for business success....
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The Myth of the Confident Speaker on Breaking the Silence
Focus: Debunking perfection - Core Question: Is confidence something you’re born with — or something you build? Angles: Why “they’re just confident” is a lie Confidence vs. courage Speaking while scared 🎯 Outcome: Removes intimidation and comparison. Calvin Dorsey is President of Dorsey…
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Why We Stay Silent on Breaking the Silence
Focus: Naming the fear : Core Question: What are we really afraid of when we don’t speak up? Discussion Points: Fear of judgment, failure, rejection, visibility. Early experiences that taught us silence = safety. Reframing silence as learned, not permanent Outcome: Listeners feel seen and...
About this show
This podcast will explore the real fears behind public speaking, share honest stories, practical tools, and encouragement to help listeners to speak anyway. This podcast will appeal to speakers at all levels. Host Gail Larson is a long-time Toastmaster and uses the skills learned to improve individuals’ abilities to move beyond their fear.
Hosted by
PR Connections
Categories