Do You Remember the Moment You Decided to Become a Speaker?

Every speaker has a story. Not the story they tell on stage. The story that explains how they ended up on stage in the first place. For me, it happened in a corporate conference room many years ago.

At the time, I was a young professional working for a large company. One afternoon, management gathered everyone into a large auditorium-style meeting room to hear a guest speaker discuss organizational change.

I don't remember much about the introduction. I do remember what happened next. As the audience applauded, a short, bald-headed man in a suit confidently walked across the stage carrying a plastic milk crate.

A milk crate.

It seemed completely out of place. When he reached the lectern, he casually dropped the crate on the floor, stepped onto it, and suddenly stood tall enough to see comfortably over the podium. 

The room erupted in laughter.

Within seconds, he had accomplished what every speaker hopes to accomplish. He had everyone's
attention. That speaker was Alan Parisse, although I didn't know at the time that our paths would cross again years later when I would eventually interview him for my television program on professional speaking.

What I didn't realize that afternoon was that I wasn't just listening to a presentation. I was witnessing the beginning of a career. Something shifted inside me during those ninety minutes.

While everyone else was listening to the message about change, I found myself fascinated by the mechanics of the presentation itself.

How did he create laughter?

How did he command attention?

How did he make 150 people feel like he was speaking directly to them?

I watched his gestures.

I listened to the rise and fall of his voice.

I noticed how he moved across the stage.

I paid attention to how he connected with the audience.

One moment particularly stood out. To reinforce a point, he pulled out a copy of the local newspaper and referenced an article that directly affected many of us in the room. That may not sound remarkable until you realize he had flown in from Utah only hours before taking the stage.

It was a small detail, but it taught me a lesson that I still use today:

Great speakers make every audience feel like the presentation was created specifically for them.

When the program ended, most of my coworkers headed back to their cubicles. I headed toward the stage. I waited patiently until I had a chance to thank him for the presentation. Then I shared something that felt almost ridiculous to say out loud.

I told him I wanted to do what he did. I wanted to become a professional speaker. I asked if he could give me one piece of advice. Just one. His answer was simple.

"Find mentors."

He encouraged me to seek out speakers who were already doing what I hoped to do. Attend their programs. Learn from them. Ask questions. Study their craft. Buy them a cup of coffee if they'll give you a few minutes of their time.

That advice changed my life. In the years that followed, I attended presentations whenever I could.

I studied speakers.

I watched pastors deliver sermons.

I observed trainers, coaches, and presenters.

I became a student of communication.

Looking back now, I realize something important. The presentation itself inspired me. But the conversation afterward launched me. Today, after decades of speaking, training, writing, and working with audiences, I still remember that afternoon.

And it makes me curious.

Can you remember the moment that put you on the path you're on today?

If you're a speaker, trainer, coach, consultant, teacher, or leader, was there a person who inspired you? Was there a presentation that changed the way you thought about your future? 

I'd love to hear your story.

Because every speaker has one.

And every journey starts somewhere.

Why Great Meetings Respect the Agenda

Every professional has the same resource: time. If you're in the Hartford/Springfield area of New England and you want your time respected, come to the next meeting of the Hartford Springfield Opportunity Network in Windsor Locks, CT.

Some people have more money than others. Some have larger networks than others. Some have more experience than others. But every one of us gets the same 24 hours each day.

That's why one of the quickest ways to earn trust in a meeting is to start on time, end on time, and honor the agenda you promised.

Unfortunately, many networking meetings drift. A speaker goes long. Announcements multiply. Conversations wander. What was supposed to be a one-hour meeting becomes ninety minutes. Attendees begin looking at their watches and wondering what else they could be doing.

When that happens, the organizer may not realize it, but they're sending a message:

"My agenda is more important than yours."

Great meeting leaders send a different message.

They understand that professionals often arrange their entire day around a scheduled event. They may have clients to see, employees to manage, phone calls to return, and families waiting at home. Respecting the agenda demonstrates respect for the people in the room.

There's another benefit as well.

Structure creates confidence.

When attendees know a meeting will start on time, stay focused, and finish as promised, they are far more likely to return. They can relax, engage, and participate because they trust the process.

One of the highest compliments a networking group can receive is not that the coffee was good or the room was nice. It's hearing someone say:

"I know that when I attend, my time will be well spent."

That's not an accident.

It's the result of thoughtful planning, disciplined facilitation, and a commitment to serving the people who chose to be there.

As organizers, we don't just fill rooms.

We create experiences.

And one of the simplest ways to create a better experience is to respect the clock.

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What do you think? Have you ever attended a meeting that consistently started on time, stayed on track, and delivered value? We'd love to hear what made it memorable.

Calming the Chaos: Why Calm Has to Come Before Clarity

In business, caregiving, leadership, family life, and everyday decision-making, most people are taught to push harder when life feels overwhelming.

Make the list.
Solve the problem.
Answer the email.
Handle the crisis.
Keep moving.

And sometimes, of course, action is necessary.

But what I have learned through years of holistic wellness, lifestyle coaching, energy work, and supporting people through stressful seasons is this:

Clarity rarely comes from chaos.

When we are overwhelmed, rushed, emotionally flooded, or mentally overloaded, even simple decisions can feel heavy. We may second-guess ourselves, react too quickly, avoid what needs to be handled, or say yes when every part of us is asking for a pause.

That is not weakness.

That is often a sign that our nervous system is working overtime.

Calm Is Not Doing Nothing

One of the biggest misconceptions about calm is that it means we are passive, detached, or avoiding reality.

I see it differently.

Calm is not ignoring the problem.
Calm is creating enough internal steadiness to meet the problem more clearly.

When we pause long enough to breathe, ground ourselves, and regulate our response, we give ourselves access to better thinking. We become less reactive and more intentional. We can listen more fully, communicate more clearly, and choose our next step instead of simply being pulled into the urgency of the moment.

That matters in business.
It matters in leadership.
It matters in caregiving.
It matters in relationships.

And it matters in the quiet moments when no one else sees how much we are carrying.

The Cost of Living in Constant Reaction

Many capable people are functioning in a near-constant state of reaction.

They are answering everyone else’s needs before checking in with their own. They are managing work, family, aging parents, health concerns, finances, schedules, and expectations — often while telling themselves they should be able to handle more.

Over time, that level of pressure becomes exhausting.

The mind gets noisy.
The body gets tense.
Patience gets thinner.
Decisions feel harder.
And joy becomes something we postpone until life finally slows down.

But life does not always slow down on its own.

Sometimes, we have to build small moments of calm directly into the life we already have.

A Simple Reset

Here is one tool I often recommend because it is simple, discreet, and realistic.

Before you respond, decide, send, speak, agree, or react — pause for two minutes.

Try this:

Place both feet on the floor.
Relax your shoulders.
Take one slow breath in.
Exhale a little longer than you inhale.
Notice one thing you can see.
Notice one thing you can feel.
Ask yourself: What is the next right step?

Not the perfect step.
Not the forever decision.
Just the next right step.

This small pause can interrupt the automatic stress response and help you return to yourself before moving forward.

It will not solve every problem.

But it can change the state you are in when you meet the problem.

And that can change everything.

Calm First. Then Move Forward.

We do not need to wait for life to be peaceful before we practice peace.

We do not need perfect circumstances to create a steadier response.

And we do not need to overhaul our entire life to begin feeling more grounded.

Sometimes the most powerful shift begins with a pause, a breath, and the decision to stop meeting every moment from a place of urgency.

That is the heart of calming the chaos.

Not pretending life is easy.
Not denying what is hard.
Not stepping away from responsibility.

But learning to come back to center before we move forward.

Because when we are calmer, we are clearer.

And when we are clearer, we are far more likely to choose the next step that actually supports the life, work, relationships, and well-being we are trying to build.

Calm is not a luxury.

It is a lifeline.

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About the Author

Mary-Anne Schelb is a Life Coach, Holistic Consultant, Holistic Health Practitioner and founder of Intentional Calm. Through her work, Mary-Anne helps busy professionals calm the chaos, reduce stress, and move forward with more clarity, steadiness, and intention.

She is the creator of the Intentional Calm Method™, a practical framework that blends holistic wellness, nervous-system support, mindfulness, energy work, journaling, and intentional living tools to help people return to center and make clearer, more grounded decisions.

In addition to her holistic wellness practice, Mary-Anne is an author, educator, speaker, and workshop facilitator. Her signature message is simple: calm is not a luxury — it is a lifeline.

Learn more at Intentional Calm.

The Digital Mess We Leave Behind

Why Every Adult Should Prepare Their Online Accounts Before It’s Too Late

I recently read an article in Epoch Times that grounded me quickly. I'm getting up there in age and have so many digital accounts. The article made me think about what will happen to all those accounts, especially the ones that I'm paying a subscription for.

Most people spend time preparing wills, organizing finances, or thinking about who will inherit treasured possessions after they pass away. But very few people stop to think about something else that now follows us through nearly every part of life:  Our digital footprint.

Think about how much of your life now exists online:

• family photos stored in the cloud

• email accounts

• social media profiles

• streaming subscriptions

• banking apps

• online businesses

• YouTube channels

• passwords

• documents

• auto-pay accounts

Now imagine your family trying to sort through all of that while grieving. Unfortunately, many families are left scrambling because nobody ever prepared them for the digital side of death. The good news is that this problem is easier to solve than most people realize.

Start by Choosing a Digital Executor

One of the smartest things you can do is designate someone who will handle your digital life after you’re gone. This person is often called a digital executor. They don’t necessarily have to be the same person handling your estate, but they should be:

• trustworthy

• organized

• reasonably comfortable with technology

• willing to help your family navigate online accounts and subscriptions

Most importantly, don’t just mention it casually in conversation. Write it down. Include instructions in your will or in a separate document that your executor knows exists. Verbal wishes often disappear during stressful moments.

Use the Legacy Tools That Already Exist

Many people don’t realize that companies like Google, Apple, Facebook, and Instagram already provide tools that allow you to prepare your accounts ahead of time.

For example:

Google

Google’s Inactive Account Manager allows you to decide what happens to your Gmail, Google Photos, Drive, and YouTube accounts after a period of inactivity.

You can:

• have data deleted

• allow trusted people access

• notify selected family members

Apple

Apple’s Digital Legacy feature allows you to assign a legacy contact who can request access to important files, photos, notes, and messages after your death.

Facebook and Instagram

These platforms allow you to:

• memorialize your account

• designate a legacy contact

• request account deletion ahead of time

These tools are free and only take a few minutes to set up.

Ignoring them means giant tech companies may make decisions for your accounts instead of you.

The Password Problem

This is where many families hit a wall.

Even if loved ones know accounts exist, they often cannot access them.

Some people leave no information at all.

Others make the mistake of storing passwords in unsafe places like:

• sticky notes

• random notebooks

• unprotected Word documents

• phone notes apps

A password manager with emergency-access settings can be extremely helpful. Several services allow you to choose a trusted emergency contact who can request access if something happens to you. If password managers feel overwhelming right now, even a simple written inventory stored securely with your important documents is far better than nothing.

Don’t Forget About Subscriptions

Here’s another issue many families never consider:  Recurring charges continue after death unless someone stops them. Streaming services, software subscriptions, gym memberships, apps, website hosting, and automatic bill payments can quietly continue charging credit cards or bank accounts for months. During a stressful time, your family may not even know these accounts exist.

A simple list containing:

• the service name

• login email

• approximate monthly cost

can save your loved ones enormous frustration later.

One Final Thought

Preparing your digital life is not about expecting the worst. It’s about making life easier for the people you care about. A few hours of organization today can prevent confusion, financial headaches, and emotional stress for your family someday. And honestly, that may be one of the kindest gifts you leave behind.

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This post was inspired by an excellent article discussing digital legacy planning and online account management after death.

Original article:
The Epoch Times article on digital legacy planning

Electric Danger on the Roadways

 

Electric Danger on the Roadways 
By John P. Slosek, Jr., The Insurance Coach®

This past week, I dedicated my radio show to a growing trend that is spreading rapidly across our country: The rise of the e-bike.
The origins of this movement began back in 1895. A man named Ogden Bolton Jr. received a patent for a battery-powered hub-motor bicycle. That’s right — well over 100 years ago. Ogden envisioned a machine that could assist riders traveling long distances on two-wheeled bicycles. However, his invention never gained significant traction or mass production.

Just two years later, in 1897, Hosea W. Libbey of Boston invented an electric bicycle propelled by a “double electric motor.” The motor was designed within the hub of the crankset axle, and the battery power could be distributed depending upon flat terrain or uphill travel. Yet even this invention failed to take Boston — or America — by storm.

Now let’s fast-forward approximately 100 years to the late 1990s.
In 1997, American automotive executive Lee Iacocca founded EV Global Motors, a company that produced an electric bicycle model known as the E-bike SX. It became one of the early attempts to popularize e-bikes in the United States.

By 2007, e-bikes were estimated to account for 10% to 20% of all two-wheeled vehicles in many major Chinese cities. Typical models require approximately eight hours to recharge, providing a travel range of 25 to 30 miles at speeds averaging around 12 miles per hour. As of 2026, global sales of e-bikes are estimated at approximately 40 million. This is a growing trend exploding worldwide. 
So, what changed?
In my opinion, what began as a helpful transportation innovation is now developing into a potentially dangerous epidemic in certain situations.

Over the past five years, e-bike sales have become one of the primary growth drivers of the bicycle industry. Fueled by pandemic-era transportation shifts, environmentally friendly commuting, and major technological advancements, sales increased dramatically between 2019 and 2021 and continue to grow at strong double-digit rates globally.
Now, let me be clear.

I am not referring to properly manufactured e-bikes designed with factory safety standards and regulated speed limitations. Most traditional e-bikes were originally intended to travel between 15 and 20 miles per hour and were designed to assist the rider — not replace bicycling altogether. When e-bikes first gained popularity in Europe and later in the United States, their original purpose was simple:

To help people continue cycling longer
To reduce physical strain
To assist riders climbing hills

To help older riders remain active
To allow commuters to travel farther without exhaustion
To encourage environmentally friendly transportation
To help individuals with physical limitations continue enjoying cycling

The philosophy behind the original e-bike concept was straightforward:

“Pedal when you can… assist when you need help.”
The electric assistance was intended primarily for steep hills, rough terrain, or longer journeys. Otherwise, the bicycle was still expected to function primarily as a bicycle. That is exactly why these machines are classified as bicycles and not mopeds or motorcycles.

Globally, approximately 40 million e-bikes are sold every year, and annual worldwide sales are projected to continue rising substantially over the next several years.
Now let me ask you a question.
How many times have you been stopped at a traffic light or stop sign and suddenly watched a pre-teen or teenager fly across the crosswalk in front of your vehicle on an e-bike — without a helmet — zigzagging through traffic? A number of week ago, I was traveling at the required speed limit of 30 mph when what looked like a 12 year old boy passed me easily on a e-bike without a helmet crossing from one side of the street to the other. SCARY!

This is precisely why I titled this article Electric Danger on the Roadways.

Many younger riders are now modifying these e-bikes with aftermarket parts that can increase speeds to 35, 40, or even more than 40 miles per hour. At that point, we are no longer talking about a traditional bicycle. I live in Massachusetts, where motor vehicle laws require mopeds capable of speeds between 20 and 25 miles per hour to be registered and display license plates. The same applies to motorcycles. However, bicycles do not require registration or license plates.

So, the question becomes:
What are the laws in your state regarding modified e-bikes?

Another Huge Problem:
Parents Often Don’t Realize They Can Be Sued.

Parents may potentially be held financially responsible for situations involving:
Negligent supervision
Allowing reckless operation
Permitting unsafe modifications
Failure to enforce helmet use
Allowing illegal roadway operation

So here are some important questions I ask you, the reader:
Do you own an e-bike?
Do you allow your teenage children to use it?
Has it been modified in any way?

What exactly constitutes a modification?
Removed or altered speed governors
Upgraded batteries that increase wattage. A 2000-watt-battery can create speeds of 40 MPH
Aftermarket motors
Throttle acceleration modifications
These changes can push speeds far beyond manufacturer specifications.

Between 2017 and 2022, the Consumer Product Safety Commission tracked hundreds of fatalities involving micro mobility devices, including e-bikes, e-scooters, and hoverboards. Emergency room visits involving e-bikes have also risen dramatically nationwide.
Somebody once told me:

“John, someone can work their entire life accumulating savings, assets, property, and wealth — and because of one uninsured mistake, lose it all.”

That statement has stayed with me for years because there is truth behind it.

Now let me give you one final scenario.

This is directed specifically toward e-bike owners who own homes, condominiums, or renters insurance policies.
Imagine the following situation: Your child is operating a modified e-bike traveling 35 miles per hour without a helmet. The rider crosses from a sidewalk into the roadway, strikes a pedestrian causing severe injuries, or causes a motor vehicle accident resulting in catastrophic injury or even death.
Now the question becomes:
Who Pays the Damages?
This is where things can become extremely serious.
Many homeowners policies contain:
Motor vehicle exclusions
Self-propelled vehicle exclusions
Limitations involving motorized conveyances
And once an e-bike has been modified beyond its legal classification, an insurance company may argue: “This is no longer an e-bike. "This is now a motorized vehicle.”
That argument could potentially create a devastating coverage gap. You work too hard for your money and assets.
My recommendation is simple:
Contact your insurance agent or insurance company and ask specific questions regarding your automobile, homeowners, condominium, or renters coverage.

Inform them that you own an e-bike and ask:

Does my current policy provide liability coverage if someone is injured? Would the insurance company provide legal defense if a lawsuit occurs? Are modified e-bikes excluded?       
Should additional coverage be considered?
It has truly been my pleasure writing this post for you.

I hope that those of you who own e-bikes take at least some of these recommendations seriously. These are simply educational recommendations designed to encourage awareness, responsibility, and common-sense decision-making.
This article is intended strictly for general educational and informational purposes so readers may make informed decisions that they believe are in their own best interests.

                                                        About the Author                                                                   John P. Slosek Jr. is the founder of Slosek Insurance Corporation, established in 1984 and still serving clients today. For more than 40 years, John has worked in the insurance industry helping individuals, families, and business owners better understand protection, risk, and financial responsibility.
In addition to operating his agency, John has spent over 30 years as a motivational and self-improvement speaker, focusing on common-sense life lessons, personal growth, and real-world decision-making. 
John is also the host of The Insurance Coach® radio show, heard every Saturday morning at 8:00 a.m. on Classic Hits 97.7. www.classichits977.com (Hit Listen Live). The program combines insurance education, life experiences, motivational insight, and practical advice designed to help listeners make better decisions for themselves and their families. John proudly resides in Massachusetts with his family and enjoys spending time with his children and grandchildren.

Reboot of the Hartford Springfield Speakers Netork

Some testimonials age well because the need behind them never changes.

Back in 2014, members of the Hartford Springfield Speakers Network shared what kept bringing them back month after month.

“This group is one of the best run networking groups I’ve ever been to…”

What stood out most was this line:

“Every time I miss a meeting, I feel like I’m missing out on a key piece of information that can drive my business forward.”

That’s the difference between simply filling a room… and building one people genuinely want to be part of.

As we prepare for the launch of the Hartford Springfield Opportunity Network, we’re revisiting some of these moments from the archives.

Welcome New Writer to the Blog

Lisa Barrett - LPC, ATR, Artist, Author, Speaker, Coach

Lisa A. Barrett, LPC, ATR, is a Registered Art Therapist and Licensed Professional Counselor with a successful private practice in Connecticut. She is also a personal and professional coach, author, and speaker whose work focuses on self-empowerment, emotional wellness, and effective parenting and coaching skills.

Lisa has been featured in local newspapers and has expanded her reach through podcasting, sharing practical tools and insights to help individuals cultivate calm clarity and live more empowered lives.

With over 20 years of experience teaching art, Lisa also worked as a commissioned designer and artist for both residential and commercial projects, bringing creativity, insight, and depth to all aspects of her work.

How to Live an Empowered Life: Easy and Practical Daily Tools

Laughter, Wisdom and Innocence, Surprising Quotes from Children

Touched By Art offers the following creative:

• Speaker (Parents, Educators, Corporate Wellness, Holistic Programs)

• Blogger/Podcaster

• Expressive Workshops

• Custom Fine Art

• Group Art Lessons

• Murals - commerical and residential