(This article was originally posted on The Voice Nook on Substack.)

 Like a lot of people, I have a complicated relationship with the idea of taking up space, being seen and heard. And, of course, my reasons for this are varied and layered.

In addition to having a more dynamic and less expensive way to connect with all of you, I moved my mailing list to Substack, in large part, to have a place to play, experiment and practice what authentic self-expression looks and feels like for me. To have a place to grow and evolve, and to challenge myself.

I feel my posts are, generally speaking, authentic. I give myself permission to write about whatever I want, however I want. I allow for a lot of imperfection. I’m clear about why I’m sharing, and what I want to model through the process. I usually organize my writing around an idea, experience or theme, and then I just let it flow and weave it all together as I go.

Over time, I’ve been getting more comfortable sharing stories that are more personal and vulnerable, and I will continue to do so.

Interestingly, the one topic that feels the most vulnerable to explicitly talk about here is…my work.

Why is it so hard to talk about my work?

It’s curious, right? Almost every single person on this list knows me through my work. This is, after all, the InnerVoice Studio mailing list.

And yet, here we are.

There are many reasons for why this feels difficult. They include, in no particular order:

• Generic bouts of insecurity or imposter syndrome
• A genuine joy for being the person behind the curtain helping others shine
• The double-bind women live within regarding how we are ‘allowed’ to be and how we are perceived by—and treated by others when we talk about our work or embody our worth
• Expectations placed on me from when I was very young to be a person who cares for others while needing little in return
• The ethical choice to not reveal anything about my clients or their personal journeys
• The desire to not appear sales-y or spammy

And all of these fall under the one simple question:

Is it safe to be seen in this way?

Authenticity is like a muscle

To become comfortable with and excellent at something requires patience, intention, awareness, and trial and error—along with a willingness to be radically honest with oneself while cultivating self-compassion, self-forgiveness, and self-trust.

It’s important to be discerning about when and how to stretch your own edges, so that your growth is supported while minimizing the risk of injury.

The same is true for developing confident authenticity.

Not every part of you needs to be shared with everyone else all of the time.

You get to decide who has access to what parts of you, why, when, and how.

Felt confident. Might delete later.

Checking in with yourself, first

To keep yourself safe when lifting heavy weights at the gym, you might ask yourself questions like:

• How do I feel in my body?

• Do I have enough energy?

• Am I well-rested?

• Am I feeling strong?

• Am I feeling focused or distracted?

• Do I need/have someone to spot me?

When deciding whether or not to share a particular part of yourself with a particular person or in a particular setting, you might ask questions like:

• What part of me needs to be seen right now? Why does this part of me need to be seen? What do I need?

• Does the person I’m sharing this with have the desire or capacity to see me the way I wish to be seen? Do I believe it will be satisfying to share this part of me with this person? Will my needs be met here?

• Does it feel safe to share this part of myself in this situation? If not, is it actually unsafe to share this, or do I need to challenge a story that I have about safety?

• Do I have the skills needed to care for myself while being seen in this way, as well as the tools needed to express this part of myself effectively?

• What do I want to practice here, which of my edges would I like to stretch, and how do I minimize risk of injury?

In my post ‘In a World of Noise, What is it to Have a Voice’ on December 5, 2023, I shared some of the additional questions that guide me when I’m writing these types of posts in this particular space:

What do I stand for?

Who am I operating in service to?

What impact do I want to have?

What behavior do I want to model?

What valuable perspective can I contribute here?

How do I want people to feel in my spaces?

When is it best to sit back and listen?

In what ways am I hiding or letting myself off the hook too easily? In what ways am I pushing myself too hard?

To truly embody authenticity, we need to be in full alignment with ourselves.

Today, I Need to Stretch My Own Edge

 

Today, in addition to offering something in service to you—through both a discussion of the concept of authenticity and the act of modeling how to practice it—I’m also here in service to me. (Gasp! Just typing that triggers like 17 alarms in my body.)

Today, I need to practice being seen very clearly and specifically through the lens of who I am as a coach, the work I do in the world, and the services that I offer.

Ok, so…why now?

Two main reasons:

1. I’ve recently had cause to reflect on my work and experience, and I’m quite proud of how I have grown as a coach, as well as the work I’ve done, and the caliber of humans that have trusted me to do the work with them. I’m quite good at what I do and today I will give myself this space to fearlessly acknowledge and embody this truth.

2. I would like to fill my calendar up with more work. To get this work, I need to be bolder about letting people know that I’m here and why I might be a good fit for them.

The first reason? No problem. I’ve already been practicing this, so it doesn’t feel like that big of a deal to share my experience from this perspective, specifically in an online community space that I have cultivated to practice authentic self-expression.

The second reason? Eek. It feels like posting a billboard in Times Square that says:

“I’m Sam. Here’s why you should hire me!”

I just realized that when I think about other companies that do actually post billboards in Times Square highlighting their products and services, nothing feels weird about it.

So, I guess nothing needs to feel weird about me doing it either.

Certainly not here, in a community of friendly people who are already interested in what I do.

So, anyway…

I’m Sam. Here’s why you should hire me:

1. Confidence & Presence Practices

This pillar helps you develop a grounded sense of self by strengthening emotional awareness and intention. You’ll learn how to stay centered, composed, and confident — especially in moments of uncertainty or pressure. These practices support authentic presence and help you show up fully as yourself in any situation.

2. Voice & Speech Technique

This pillar offers personalized guidance to help you own your voice with clarity, consistency, and ease. You’ll explore tone, pace, breath, and delivery — tools that empower you to speak with confidence, be heard, and express yourself authentically.

3. Communication & Presentation Skills

This pillar focuses on both verbal and non-verbal communication strategies that foster deeper connection, clearer messaging, and more meaningful presence — in both personal and professional contexts.

This integrated framework provides a holistic and individualized development experience that meets you where you are — and supports where you want to go in life, relationships, and communication.

👉 Experience:

65 Organizations: Including companies in hardware, software, AI, machine learning, climate tech, biotech, finance, insurance, healthcare, government, nonprofit, and more.

25 Countries: Clients hail from across five continents, from Argentina to Turkmenistan and throughout the U.S., reflecting wide-ranging regional and cultural perspectives.

1500 People: From individual contributors and team leads to directors, VPs, and C-suite executives — across engineering, operations, product, legal, and leadership. Also: artists, musicians, writers, coaches, and other thoughtful humans doing meaningful work in the world.

👉 Education and Certifications:

• Certified Women-Owned Business Enterprise (WBE) – New York State

• B.A. in Political Science, International Relations Concentration – SUNY Albany

• Mind-Body Coach Certificate – The Embody Lab

• Mental Health First Aid Certificate – National Council for Mental Wellbeing

• Project Management 360 Certificate – Cornell University

• Project Leadership Certificate – Cornell University

Additional Training: Conflict Resolution, Goal Setting, Stress Management, Emotional Intelligence, Nonviolent Communication, Voice and Singing Technique, Trauma Awareness, and Cultural Competence

👉 Some Things I Can Help You With:

• Embodied confidence and self-awareness

• Less reacting from fear and operating on autopilot

• More choice, responsiveness and better decision-making

• Clarity and intention in articulating your thoughts

• Improved conflict navigation

• Relaxed idea-sharing in meetings and social settings

• Ability to set boundaries, say ‘no’, and ask for and receive

• Confidence and presence when presenting to an audience

• A vocal sound that represents your true self

• Vocal control, power, projection, and stamina when you need it

• Stronger relationships and enhanced collaboration

• Strengthened leadership skills and increased impact

• Reduced social anxiety

• Greater comfort and poise in all spoken languages

• Increased sense of professionalism and presence

• Strong and clear sense of self and excitement for the future, no longer being defined by the past or by other people’s versions of you

👉 Ways We Can Work Together:

• 1-to-1 coaching

• Group workshops + corporate trainings

• Speaking engagements

👉 How to Connect with Me:

• Reply to this post. All responses come directly to me and are strictly confidential.

• Book a no-cost discovery call here.

One Final Thought

There is only so much we can cover in a post like this and, as you can tell from reading these posts, there are so many layers to embodied confidence and authentic self-expression—even in a simple post like this.

One Very Important Thing that needs to be mentioned here, is that in this particular online space, every time I am brave enough to be my authentic self, I’m met in return by your care, intention, curiosity, and thoughtfulness.

When I write these posts, I often picture the faces of folks I’m working with or have worked with in the past. I remember all the conversations and email exchanges we’ve had, and all the beautiful relating and relationships that occur through us both showing up in this curious little corner of the internet and beyond.

I am able to practice cultivating community, safety, and authentic relating, because YOU practice in return.

And whether or not any business follows from these emails, this work of cultivating well-intentioned, caring communities is it’s own Very Important Thing.

As ever, thank you for being here…and for the privilege of doing all of this with you.