June 25, 2024

Mastering Mindful Speaking: Insights from Danielle Benzon on Breath, Presence, and Performance

Mastering Mindful Speaking: Insights from Danielle Benzon on Breath, Presence, and Performance

Welcome to another enriching episode of the Mindful You Podcast, where we delve into the transformative power of mindfulness in all aspects of life. In this episode, we're joined by Danielle Benzon, an expert in acting and voice training who specializes in empowering speakers through mindfulness and embodiment techniques.

Danielle shares her journey from classical theater to becoming a transformative speaker coach, emphasizing the profound impact of breath control and being present. She discusses the interplay between voice work and mindfulness, offering insights into how mindful speaking can elevate one's ability to connect and communicate effectively.


Get ready to unlock the secrets of powerful, mindful communication in this enlightening conversation with Danielle Benzon. Tune in and discover the power of the pause, the breath, and the art of articulation.



This is not just another interview. This is a deep dive into:

- Embodiment vs. Disembodiment: Danielle discusses the difference between being fully present in your body (embodiment) and being lost in your thoughts (disembodiment), and how this impacts your speaking ability.

- The Power of Breath: Learn about Kristen Linklater’s exercise, "the touch of sound,” which emphasizes the importance of breath in connecting to your inner voice and achieving a state of mindfulness.

- Mindful Articulation: Discover how pausing and taking deep breaths between thoughts can improve your diction, clarity, and emotional expression.

- Fluid Speaking: Hear a live demonstration by Danielle on how varying your breathing and pauses can make your speech more dynamic and engaging.

- Danielle has kindly offered to share a special exercise not typically available to her general audience.



About the guest:

Danielle Benzon is the founder of The Inspired Speaker Academy, Danielle works with both professional speakers and private individuals who want to improve their overall communication skills.

​As a voice, speaking, and stage presence coach, Danielle is passionate about creating space for authentic human communication and unlocking the hidden potential within each speaker. It's not enough to know what to say, understanding how to tune and "play" the voice-body instrument is integral to creating a voice that is powerful, expressive, and engaging. Through repeated practical exercises, speakers turn their stage fright into joy, confidence, and excitement. By showing up and being fully present both physically and emotionally, on stage and on camera, a speaker can unlock the ease and power of authentic expression.



Resources:

If you'd like to receive Kristen Linklater’s "Touch of Sound" exercise, email Danielle at danielle@theinspiredspeaker.com with "Mindful You Podcast" in the subject line, and she'll send you a recording and additional resources.



Connect with Danielle Benzon:

Website: https://www.theinspiredspeaker.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielle-benzon-b7973916/


About Alan:

Alan Carroll is an Educational Psychologist who specializes in Transpersonal Psychology. He founded Alan Carroll & Associates 30 years ago and before that, he was a Senior Sales Training Consultant for 10 years at Digital Equipment Corporation. He has dedicated his life in search of mindfulness tools that can be used by everyone (young and old) to transform their ability to speak at a professional level, as well as, to reduce the psychological suffering caused by the misidentification with our ego and reconnect to the vast transcendent dimension of consciousness that lies just on the other side of the thoughts we think and in between the words we speak.

Personal: https://www.facebook.com/alan.carroll.7359

Business: https://www.facebook.com/AlanCarrolltrains

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/aca-mindful-you/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mindfulnesseminar/

Web Site: https://acamindfulyou.com/