NSA-Arizona Projects Lab

What is it? A casual, virtual co-working support space

Why do it?

• Bursts of focused work with breaks promote productivity and reduce stress.
• Focus intently on a project, content development, marketing, pitching, operational or administrative processes etc.
• It’s an opportunity to ask for feedback, share resources and support each other’s work
• During the highly productive segments, you’re muted with your video on or off

How long is it? 2 hours, once weekly

When is it? Monday from 12:00 p.m. -2:00 p.m. (excluding holidays)

• Project Lab may be expanded to an additional day and time if Monday participation merits expansion

Project Lab Flow:

Start at 12:00 p.m.

• Welcome new participants to introduce themselves
• Each person shares their project, challenge or goal for the lab time

Facilitator schedules a 50-minute work session

• Take a break and share progress, ask any questions, share any related resources
• A 40–50-minute work session is scheduled
• Topics or conversations that require more time can continue via the chat or participants can stay on zoom after the scheduled end time and continue supporting each other

The regular host is Michele Redmond, with co-host Cassandra Thompson.

By registering for this event, you are giving permission for NSA-Arizona to add your contact information to our email list and to use any photographs (screenshots) that are taken at the event containing your likeness for as long as NSA-Arizona deems appropriate and desirable.

NSA-Arizona: Holiday Mixer

Thursday, 4 December 2025

5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

The holiday season is just around the corner, and we’re excited to kick off the festivities with a special event just for you!

At the home of Lee and Gail Jenkins

11545 N. 129th Way

Scottsdale, AZ 85259

Join your fellow NSA members for a holiday extravaganza! This is the perfect opportunity to unwind, connect with fellow speakers, and share some holiday cheer in a warm, relaxed setting.

• Food, drinks and dessert provided!
• Special Make-and-Take Hot chocolate mason jars!
• Holiday Music!
• Networking!
• Special Prizes!

Please RSVP by Monday, 1 December 2025

Details:

• Parking will be on the street.
• There is a gate code which you will receive in the reminder email after you RSVP.

Any questions? Call or Text Alaina at 520-240-6538

Can’t wait to celebrate with y’all! Happy Holidays!

Please note, registration fees are non-refundable.

By registering for this event, you are giving permission for NSA-Arizona to add your contact information to our email list and to use any photographs that are taken at the event containing your likeness for as long as NSA-Arizona deems appropriate and desirable.

AI Tools For Beginners - where do you start?

With a dizzying array of AI tools available to grow your speaking business, you may be curious how you figure out where to start and which ones you could consider using. In an exciting fireside chat, Gina Carr will walk us through how to strategize and determine which AI tools will be useful to you and she will give us a primer on a few of her favorite AI "starter" tools for marketing, sales, prospecting, and more!

About our guest: As the CEO of Stark Raving Entrepreneurs, Gina Carr works with business leaders to leverage AI-powered marketing for more impact, influence, and income. Gina has an MBA from the Harvard Business School and an engineering degree from Georgia Tech. Known as “The Tribe Builder,” Gina helps passionate people build powerful tribes of raving fans.

All registrants will receive access to the recording.

By registering for this event, you are giving permission for NSA-Arizona to add your contact information to our email list and to use any photographs (screenshots) that are taken at the event containing your likeness for as long as NSA-Arizona deems appropriate and desirable.

Speaker Studio is a members-only benefit, designed as an intimate learning environment that creates breakthrough moments for our members. As such, members may present and guests may observe.

We are limited on presenters for this session, based on who signs up first.

“Speaker Studio was an incredible opportunity to receive thoughtful, diverse feedback that truly elevated my presentation skills. The timing was perfect because it encouraged me to invest in coaching right before filming my course videos and recording my first Audible. The impact on my delivery was truly transformational. Thank you, Speaker Studio and fellow NSA AZ members.” - Rose Ann Forte, Founder, The Plans He Has For Me, LLC

SPEAKER STUDIO COMPILED READINGS

Don Thoren has contributed many documents – articles, emails, etc. – over the past several years as teaching aides. These documents are contained in  this file (click to access).

Questions or suggestions? Contact us via email or phone at 480-382-0638.

By attending this event, you are giving permission for NSA-Arizona to add your contact information to our email list and to use any photographs (or screenshots) that are taken at the event containing your likeness for as long as NSA-Arizona deems appropriate and desirable.

NSA-Arizona Program Saturday, January 10, 2026

This meeting will be held upstairs in the training room, Suite 201.

Please note: Coffee and water will be provided. You are welcome to bring your own beverage and snacks.

3 Ways to Participate:

1. Register to join us in person.
2. Register to join us via live-streaming on the day of the event.
3. Register to receive a link to the recording afterward.

Say What They Can't Unhear: How To Inspire Change That Lasts

In a world of constant change, how can speakers inspire transformations that truly endure? Tamsen Webster, acclaimed speaker and author of "Say What They Can't Unhear: The 9 Principles of Lasting Change," presents a groundbreaking approach to crafting talks that create lasting shifts in how audiences think and act.

Drawing from over 30 years of experience in message design and change communications, Webster challenges conventional wisdom about persuasive speaking. She reveals why traditional presentation methods often fail to drive real change and introduces a powerful new framework for creating talks that stand the test of time.

Whether you're delivering keynotes, training workshops, or virtual presentations, this session will equip you with the tools to not just engage your audience, but to transform them. Learn how to turn a momentary "yes" into enduring action with ideas that resonate so strongly, they become impossible to "unhear."

Key Takeaways:

• Understand why audience change is a reaction, not just an action, and how to design your talks accordingly
• Learn to craft a case for change that connects with your audience's existing beliefs and identity
• Discover speaking strategies that overcome resistance without relying on pain or pressure
• Master the art of turning short-term audience agreement into long-term commitment

EARLY REGISTRATION ENDS ON JANUARY 5TH. REGISTER EARLY TO SAVE!

Part message designer, part English-to-English translator, and now part doctoral student, Tamsen Webster, MBA helps leaders quickly craft their case for long-lasting changes in thinking and behavior. In addition to her work in and for major organizations such as Harvard Medical School, Fidelity Investments, and Databox, she’s a judge and mentor for the Harvard Innovation Labs, a professional advisor at the Martin Trust Center for MIT Entrepreneurship, and has spent over 10 years as the Idea Strategist for one of only nine legacy-level TEDx events in the world. She was named to the Thinkers50 Radar in 2022 and is the author of two books, Find Your Red Thread: Make Your Big Ideas Irresistible and Say What They Can't Unhear: The 9 Principles of Lasting Change. She lives in Boston with her husband, two sons, and two brindle Greyhounds, Hazel and Walnut.

Connect with Tamsen

Website: https://tamsenwebster.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tamsenwebster/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tamsenwebster
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TamsenWebster/

By registering for this event, you are giving permission for NSA-Arizona to add your contact information to our email list and to use any photographs (or screenshots) that are taken at the event containing your likeness for as long as NSA-Arizona deems appropriate and desirable.

Cancellation Policy: No refunds.

Please notify us if you have any special needs for the meeting.

The Hidden Edge Every Speaker Needs: Negotiation & Body Language Secrets That Decide Who Gets the Gig

If you don’t master these hidden strategies, the next big speaking opportunity will go to someone else—and you’ll be left wondering why.

In the competitive world of professional speaking, success isn’t just about delivering compelling content; it’s about mastering the art of negotiation to get more gigs. Despite their expertise on stage, many speakers miss out on opportunities or settle for less than they deserve due to a lack of negotiation skills. This knowledge gap can lead to missed gig opportunities, undervalued contracts, and a struggle to build and maintain a sustainable speaking career.

Professional speakers often face unique negotiation challenges, from determining fair market rates to handling fee objections. Without a solid understanding of negotiation tactics tailored to the speaking industry, even the most talented orators may leave money on the table or fail to secure repeat engagements. Dr. Greg’s presentation will help speakers resolve those issues and position them for more significant opportunities.

Learning Objectives

1. How speakers can use questions to uncover hidden value and position themselves to get the gig
2. How to identify and overcome the most common negotiation mistakes made by speakers
3. How-to strategies for confidently discussing fees (investments) and value propositions based on body language/nonverbal signals
4. Techniques for handling objections and pushback on pricing

About our guest: As a Harvard-trained, Forbes-cited, top 50 corporation negotiator with a wealth of 30-plus years of negotiation and reading body language experience, Dr. Greg Williams, ‘The Master Negotiator & Body Language Expert,’ has taught people worldwide negotiation and reading body language skills. He is an accomplished author, speaker, trainer, and a recognized worldwide thought leader on negotiation and reading body language who has spoken in 23 countries. The research firm Global Gurus has double-ranked Greg in negotiation and body language among the top 30 gurus worldwide. 

Greg’s motto is, “You’re always negotiating!”

All registrants will receive access to the recording.

By registering for this event, you are giving permission for NSA-Arizona to add your contact information to our email list and to use any photographs (screenshots) that are taken at the event containing your likeness for as long as NSA-Arizona deems appropriate and desirable.

Wanna get into the media?

Curious how to find and connect with journalists and editors to grow your brand?

NSA Arizona has got your back!

In this virtual workshop, you’ll develop a deep understanding of the what, when, where, and why of getting publicity via “earned media” - television, print, radio, and podcasts - and, perhaps most importantly, the how! 

We will show you the strategies and tactics to connect and engage with journalists and editors to pitch stories and land media mentions. You’ll learn specific mechanisms to establish and crystallize your expertise in the minds of media professionals who will know to come to you and will welcome additional pitches for future stories and in breaking news.

You’ll walk away with several resources, insight, and information, including:

• Media worksheet you can use time and again
• Better understanding of how to identify and work with journalists
• Greater sense of how to communicate your unique value proposition succinctly and compellingly
• Greater comfort and confidence in dealing with the media 
• Skills to get your messages across even in the face of challenging or unexpected questions

You’ll be ready to identify media opportunities you can pitch yourself for, and grow your credibility as a professional speaker and/or subject-matter expert. 

And bonus! We will do mock media interviews so you can see the dos and don'ts of successful interactions with journalists.

This virtual workshop will be delivered by three NSA members who collectively bring decades of experience as television and print journalists, PR directors, and media trainers, and will provide real-world knowledge and practical advice so you’ll:

• Gain an understanding of the ROI of appearing in “earned media”, i.e. traditional media relations (print, TV, radio, and podcasts)
• Learn how to develop compelling and differentiated key messages and story ideas for media
• Discover how to pitch your story and expertise to media
• Learn how to identify and cultivate relationships with journalists and editors to be amplify your authority and be known as the go to expert in your space
• Understand how to clarify and leverage a news hook to position yourself for current and future media interview opportunities in the wake of breaking news
• Develop knowledge in preparing for successful media interviews
• Take your media mentions to the next step by promoting on social media and beyond

Your Facilitators:

Kristy Siefkin is an Emmy-recognized journalist, keynote speaker and executive communications coach who’s captivated millions as a television anchor, reporter, and host for CBS, FOX, NBC, Discovery, and Animal Planet. Today, she helps executives and thought leaders own the spotlight on camera, on stage, and in the boardroom through her signature GoTo Speaker Method™. Her clients span industries from healthcare to finance to technology and include Fortune 500 companies, venture capital firms, and global nonprofits.

Jeff Leshay is one of the world’s most sought-after media and presentation coaches, having elevated the storytelling skills and influence of thousands of CEOs, CFOs and emerging leaders at Fortune 500 and other companies. As a TV news correspondent for CNBC, Fox Business, NBC and ABC, Jeff won nine Associated Press broadcasting awards while clarifying complex issues and eliciting colorful and insightful perspective. He went on to serve in leadership roles at three of the largest PR firms and two multi-billion-dollar companies before founding Leshay Communications. Jeff has a Master of Science degree from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism and has authored two books. 

Alaina G. Levine, CSP®, is a professional speaker, science writer, coach, and author of several books, including Networking for Nerds and Create Your Unicorn Career. As a journalist, she has written 500+ articles in publications such as World Economic Forum, National Geographic News Watch, and Scientific American. A former communications director, Alaina has been featured as an expert source in dozens of articles, podcasts, and TV interviews, including for Discover Magazine, Seattle Times, Inc. Magazine, and ABC News.

Cancellation Policy: No refunds.

By registering for this event, you are giving permission for NSA-Arizona to add your contact information to our email list and to use any photographs (screenshots) that are taken at the event containing your likeness for as long as NSA-Arizona deems appropriate and desirable.