Let's Talk

Author: graceredmanstg

#110: Real Talk with Dr. Ed Tori – Keynote Speaker, Influence and Communication Coach, Professor at Georgetown University & Former Director of The Influence Center

Have you ever wondered what truly drives people to say “yes,” follow your lead, or trust your message?

In this episode of Real Talk, I sat down with the brilliant Dr. Ed Tori — a master of building rapport, communication, and human behavior — to pull back the curtain on the psychology behind persuasion and connection.

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You Want Fierce Confidence? Stop Waiting for Life to Calm Down

Have you ever walked through a season where everything felt heavy?

Your chest tightens before you even open your eyes.
Your shoulders ache from the invisible weight of it all.
You move through the day, but it’s like your body is dragging through molasses—heavy, tired, foggy.

You’re not lazy.
You’re not broken.
You’re likely in the middle of a storm.

#108: Real Talk with Juliana Salfiti – Partner at Wilson Elser and Professor at UC Law SF

“I was living a life built on expectations not desire. It was time to come back to me.” – Juliana Salfiti

In this powerful episode of Real Talk, Juliana Salfiti, a civil litigator, law professor, model, and fierce advocate for women—pulls back the curtain on her personal healing journey.

A partner at her law firm, professor of Pre-Trial Litigation at UC Law SF, and San Francisco Regional Representative for WAVE (a program that empowers women in law), Juliana is no stranger to high-stakes environments. But behind the accolades and courtroom wins was a woman quietly unraveling, questioning the life she had built on the expectations of others.

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This powerful word could change everything…

There’s this funny thing that happens when you start saying “no” with your chest. You expect lightning to strike. A disappointed text. Maybe a passive-aggressive comment. Or for your inbox to fill with guilt grenades. (Spoiler: it won’t.)

#107: Real Talk with Marques Ogden – Former NFL Athlete, Executive Coach and Globally Recognized Keynote Speaker and Podcast Host

“How you view yourself is your reality.” – Marques Ogden

In this powerful episode of Real Talk, I sit down with Marques Ogden, former NFL athlete turned entrepreneur, globally recognized keynote speaker, and podcast host to one of the top globally recognized podcasts, Get Authentic with Marques Ogden—for a raw and inspiring conversation about resilience, failure e, and the power of reinvention.

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#106: Real Talk with Bianca Bee – Celebrity Talent Booker, CEO of BFF Cosmetics & Author

“What’s for you, is FOR YOU!” – Bianca Bee

In this episode, I sit down with Bianca Bee, a Detroit native turned media powerhouse. At just 17, Bianca moved to Los Angeles to attend film school, quickly landing roles at Oprah Winfrey Network, VH1, TMZ, E! News, and The Steve Harvey Show. She later became a Booking Producer in NYC for The Mel Robbins Show, Nick Cannon’s Talk Show, and Fox Weather.

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From Desperation to Determination: The Mindset Shift That Elevated Me

On January 2nd, 2009, I walked into my office and was met with a harsh reality—almost no billing in my business. The market crash of 2008 had finally caught up with me, and I felt the weight of it all at once.

I allowed myself to feel it. I mourned, screamed, cried, and asked, Why me? But after letting those emotions run their course, I made a conscious decision—I wasn’t going to let this storm define me. Instead, I was going to soar above it.

#105: Real Talk with Joy Ajlouny – Palestinian American Entrepreneur and Investor, #1 Female Founder in the Middle East, Top 1% of Female Global Leaders

“If you walk into a room and you don’t give a damn what anyone thinks of you, you are the most powerful person in the room.” – Joy Ajlouny

In this episode of Real Talk, we sit down with Joy Ajlouny—a trailblazing entrepreneur, investor, and speaker who didn’t just break barriers—she obliterated them. 

Joy is the powerhouse behind Fetchr, a Silicon Valley-backed startup that revolutionized logistics in the Middle East, solving the region’s infamous “no address” problem. Under her leadership, Fetchr was named the #1 startup in the Middle East by Forbes.

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Why We’re Missing the Target on Success

Society taught me that work had to come first. If I didn’t put my career at the center of everything, I was told I’d fail.

So, I threw myself into it. I wore every title proudly—business owner, wife, mom, daughter, sister, friend and even room mom. My schedule was packed, my to-do list never-ending, and I convinced myself this was what success looked like. I really did enjoy the hustle it was fun!

Until it wasn’t fun any more!