Speaking
I’m a storytelling keynote speaker who helps leaders, teams, and conference audiences turn ideas into stories people understand and remember. In my interactive workshops, I use my Skills Drills™ methodology to get people practicing. They try an idea out loud, work with different partners, and discover how to make it land. They leave having done the work themselves.
Bring Cathey to your event
For years, I’ve worked beside TED and TEDx speakers as they found the idea, built the story, and practiced saying it aloud. I bring that same care to my own stage work. People get a story worth listening to, and a way to think about their own.
I can deliver a keynote, an interactive session, or a workshop. We’ll talk about who’s in the room and what you want them to walk away able to do.
Signature talks and sessions
My keynotes and interactive sessions explore storytelling, presentation skills, and human imagination. I shape each one around your audience and what you want them to leave able to do.
Storytelling keynote
“Just tell your story” sounds simple until you try it. I show people how to find the moment that matters, consider whose ears the story is for, and bring its emotion to life. We talk about the roles we play in other people’s stories, too.
For leaders, teams, associations, and communities
Interactive storytelling session
Information can explain what happened. A story helps people understand why it matters. This session gets into point of view, the idea beneath the details, and how to relive a moment so an audience can see and feel it.
For conferences, leadership groups, and teams
Creativity and AI keynote
AI can generate a lot. It cannot bring your lived experience into the room or notice when the room needs a different conversation. This talk is about using the technology while keeping human imagination, judgment, and connection in charge.
For organizations navigating AI and change
Speaking skills session
Infowhelm. Slow starts. A finish that just fades away. I show the habits that make a good idea harder to hear and what to do instead, with the audience at the center of every choice.
For anyone who speaks as part of their work
For organizations
A practice-based session for people who need to make their ideas clearer and say them out loud.
We start with the Idea Map™ to find the one idea underneath a presentation, pitch, update, or story. Then people practice it through Skills Drills™: short speaking rounds, new partners, tighter time limits, and another chance to try it.
Participants leave with a way to plan their next talk and real practice making an idea understandable to someone else. I shape the session around the group and the work they actually do.
Ask about The Speaking Lab
Watch Cathey speak
Here’s a short talk I gave at DisruptHR Portland. You can also watch my TEDxHickory talk, “Share Your Life.”
Watch my TEDx talk ↗The format fits the room
Some audiences need a strong idea to open the day. Others need to try the work themselves. Tell me what you’re planning, and I’ll help shape a session that earns its place on the agenda.
Let’s talk
Tell me about your audience, your event, and the idea you want them talking about afterward.
Ask about speaking
