Private Practice Startup Podcast

Episode 108: Holy Cow, I'm Gonna Do a TED Talk!!
Date: October 20, 2018
Hosts: Dr. Kate Campbell & Katie Lemieux
Guests: Yolanda Harper & Shaman Harper

Episode Overview

In this inspiring and lively episode, hosts Dr. Kate Campbell and Katie Lemieux are joined by therapist Yolanda Harper and her husband, Shaman Harper, for a behind-the-scenes look at Yolanda’s journey to giving a TEDx Talk. The conversation focuses on how the opportunity came about, the preparation process, handling imposter syndrome and nerves, and practical tips for mental health professionals—or anyone—hoping to step onto a bigger stage and share their message.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Birth of a TEDx Journey

• Origin Story: The idea sparked from regular conversations between Yolanda and Shaman, who are both fans of TED Talks. Shaman humorously nudged the process along by reaching out to a local organizer on Yolanda's behalf.

  • Quote (Shaman):

    "I reached out to the people that were hosting it, and I said, hey, I think my wife would be awesome at this. And what is even involved?... they were like, well, we would love to have her come audition." (06:57)

• Getting Signed Up Unwittingly: Yolanda became known as "the girl whose husband signed her up for the audition."

  • Quote (Yolanda):

    "Throughout this entire event, I was known as the girl whose husband auditioned, signed her up for the audition." (07:37)

• Finding Local Opportunities: The pair discovered there are many independently run TEDx events in local communities. Yolanda participated in TEDx UTampa.

Overcoming Fear and Imposter Syndrome

• Introvert vs. Extrovert Dynamic: Yolanda is naturally more reserved, which made the public speaking challenge even greater.
  • Quote (Yolanda):

    "Totally not... in our relationship, he's the extrovert and I'm the introvert. ...There might have been a couple of conversations that were like, well, you freaking do it because I'm not." (08:41)

• Emotional Preparation: Practicing authenticity and focusing on serving others made the process meaningful, not just anxiety-ridden.

Preparation: From Message to Delivery

• Clarifying the Message: Compressing an 18-minute talk to 12 minutes intensified the need for focus.

  • Quote (Yolanda):

    "Getting super clear about my message...I wanted to share people's stories...I wanted to get across the message that, hey, if you have been through a hard thing in your life, there is healing." (13:03)

• Practice, Practice, Practice:

  • Extended nightly practice sessions with Shaman timing, critiquing, and supporting the process.
  • Quote (Shaman):

    "I think it was probably, what, twice a night, we would sit down and start the timer...We used the most efficient words we could say to get the point across..." (13:55)

• Support and Outside Help: UTampa linked her with their speech department for coaching and revision help, though Yolanda stayed true to her message, choosing heartfelt stories over technical research.

  • Quote (Yolanda):

    "I wanted to put some heart and soul into it, but you have to practice that too, as weird as that sounds...I really had to stand in that. That's not what this talk is about." (15:13)

• Staying Present, Not Perfect: Rehearsal was never about memorization; presence and authenticity mattered most.

  • Quote (Yolanda):

    "Anytime that I rehearsed the talk, it sounded a little bit differently. So memorization is just set you up for like crashing and burning on the stage." (17:04)

Managing Nerves & Mindset

• Pre-Talk Rituals: On the day, while others paced and rehearsed, Yolanda practiced calming techniques from Accelerated Resolution Therapy on herself backstage.

  • Quote (Yolanda):

    "I was sitting back there, I had my eyes closed. I was using the eye movements from accelerated resolution therapy, right. Just to calm." (19:22)

• Defining Success: Success wasn’t about a flawless performance but making an impact on just one person.

  • Quote (Yolanda):

    "If just one person comes away saying, okay, I can get help for what I've been through, that's success." (19:53)

TEDx Talk Aftermath and Impact

• Professional Benefits: The TEDx Talk has become a calling card—clients and colleagues now reference it, and it’s used by therapy organizations as a resource.

  • Quote (Shaman):

    "It's actually a cool reference point for people to point to, like, you know, if somebody knows somebody that needs help or something like that..." (24:09)

• Personal and Family Pride: The process became a family affair, with kids and even pets involved in practice, ultimately resulting in immense pride from Yolanda's children.

  • Quote (Yolanda):

    "My kids being so proud of me. That was phenomenal. My kids just saying, wow, this is really an awesome thing that you're doing." (26:59)

• Marketing Lessons Learned: In hindsight, having a plan for leveraging the talk once published (for marketing/outreach) would have been helpful.

Key Tips for Aspiring TEDx Speakers

• 1. Research Local Opportunities: TEDx events are widespread and locally organized—find one near you. (07:37)
• 2. Choose a Passionate Topic: The process is intense; passion keeps you committed. (11:32)
• 3. Clarify and Focus Your Message: Especially crucial as time frames shrink. (13:03)
• 4. Practice Authentically: Prioritize presence and connection over perfection. (13:55)
• 5. Celebrate Milestones: Find joy in every step, big or small—ring the cowbell!
• 6. Ignore Critics: Not everyone will agree with or love your talk. That’s not your responsibility. (21:41)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Facing Big Opportunities:

  "Oh my gosh. Totally. Yes. It's an omg. Holy cow, like freak out exciting moment."
  Yolanda, 02:02

• On The Importance of Practice:

  "You practice and you practice and you practice and you remember to be your perfectly imperfect, authentic self."
  Yolanda, 15:13

• On Success:

  "If just one person comes away saying, okay, I can get help for what I've been through, that's success."
  Yolanda, 19:53

• On Storytelling and the Ted Spirit:

  "The spirit of TED is to tell a story... they want you to tell stories that start ideas."
  Shaman, 20:40

• Ring the Cowbell!

  • (Hosts joke throughout about celebrating wins big and small—ringing the physical cowbell Yolanda was gifted by the hosts after her previous podcast visit.)

    "We need a cowbell ring."
    Katie, 28:47
    [Yolanda rings cowbell] (28:57)

Important Segment Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment | |---------------|------------------------------------------------------------| | 05:24 | How Yolanda got roped into a TED Talk (Origin story) | | 07:37 | Finding and auditioning for local TEDx events | | 08:41 | Navigating introversion and pushing outside comfort zones | | 13:03 | Honing and clarifying your message | | 13:55 | Practicing the talk—support from family and partner | | 15:13 | Working with a speech coach and staying true to your style | | 19:22 | Backstage nerves and self-soothing routines | | 19:53 | Redefining success on stage | | 24:09 | Professional impact and community recognition | | 25:02 | Celebration & family pride | | 28:44 | Recap of actionable TEDx tips | | 28:57 | Cowbell moment—celebrate progress! |

Episode Tone and Style

Fun, warm, supportive, and deeply authentic—with humor and occasional emotional moments, particularly as Yolanda recounts both the hurdles and the high points of her TEDx adventure. The episode is energetic but down-to-earth, peppered with practical insights and encouragement for clinicians and entrepreneurs alike.

Further Resources & Contact

• Watch Yolanda’s TEDx Talk: [Link to be provided in show notes]
• Contact Yolanda: yolaLaHarperTherapy (email), active in the Private Practice Startup Facebook group
• For more tips: Listen to Yolanda’s earlier episode: Five Steps to Building Your Business with Audacious Authenticity and Courageous Courage (Episode 36)

Final Takeaway:
If you dream of giving a TEDx talk (or any big presentation), let passion drive you, practice relentlessly, stay true to yourself, ignore the critics, and celebrate every step—cowbell optional, but recommended.