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Pati the Poetess (Tricia Veldman) is a spoken word poet, author, TEDx speaker, and founder of Powerful & Poised.  

With a Masters from Columbia University and a decade of speech coaching under her belt, Pati’s artistry combines a unique blend of psychology, spirituality, and mindset. Her speaking and original spoken word pieces are known to deeply move and inspire audiences. She sneaks profound insights in an entertaining, playful way that captivates audiences. 

As the regular emcee of SOFO Poets Society, Pati has a natural prowess for commanding a room and facilitating shows. A highly empathetic writer, she tailors her one of a kind storytelling to meet the needs and desires of each audience. 

With extensive experience in corporate training, theater, and speech pathology, her work embodies both the art and science of self-expression.

Book Pati if you want uniquely entertaining and inspiring spoken word poetry, a personalized and heartfelt keynote, or transformative group training.

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Spoken Word Poetry & Inspirational Speaking

Pati the Poetess

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There's a fine line between "assertive" and "aggressive". Many people struggle to navigate speaking up without feeling like they’re stepping on toes, being "too much", or coming across as vain.Magic happens when "confident" stops feeling antithetical to "kind".&nbsp; Because in reality, one of the kindest things we can do is communicate with honesty.&nbsp; People often feel they need to choose between being an overly sweet people-pleaser or a totally aggressive jerk, but there is a happy medium between the two.This talk will cover:<ul><li>verbal and non-verbal communication - what you say and what your body says without you knowing</li><li>navigating difficult conversations with directness and professionalism</li><li>active listening skills that make colleagues and clients feel genuinely heard</li><li>collaboration strategies that reduce friction and improve team dynamics</li><li>setting and respecting boundaries in professional relationships</li></ul>Listeners will learn how to:<ul><li>share ideas with both courage and compassion</li><li>be unapologetic (in a considerate way)</li><li>speak up authentically in any situation</li><li>handle nervous jitters when speaking</li><li>redefine their relationship to presenting themselves</li></ul>Ideal for:<ul><li>healing toxic workplace environments</li><li>empowering sensitive speakers to share their ideas (find their voice)</li><li>bringing humanity back to leadership</li></ul>*Can be tailored as a keynote speech or interactive seminar / workshop with exercises

Confident & Kind: Speaking Up without Putting Others Down

Cited as humanity’s number one fear for a reason, all speaking is a form of “public” speaking.&nbsp; But speaking jitters don’t have to be a lifelong sentence. Taught by someone who has personally overcome debilitating speech anxiety, this talk or workshop will equip you with fundamental skills to stay calm, cool, and collected no matter how nerve-wracking the event.&nbsp;We’ll cover:<ul><li>the biological reason we fear public speaking</li><li>how we can use those nervous jitters for good</li><li>the role of breath and the body</li><li>specific techniques &amp; exercises to practice&nbsp;</li><li>major mindset and perspective shifts to use everyday</li></ul>You’ll learn to:<ul><li>stay calm under pressure</li><li>think more clearly when put on the spot</li><li>handle “mind going blank” situations</li><li>smoothly recover when things get off track&nbsp;</li><li>speak concisely and with ease&nbsp;</li></ul>The ultimate goal:&nbsp;<ul><li>eliminating filler words to use intentional pacing and pauses</li><li>navigating speaking anxiety so nerves become fuel</li><li>developing executive presence to command any room</li><li>speaking with clarity and precision, whether with two people or two hundred</li><li>structuring content so your message lands the way you intended it to</li></ul>This talk focuses more on delivery than content - meaning less on what you say, more on how you say it. *Can be delivered as a keynote but recommended as an interactive seminar / workshop with participation engagement to apply techniques

Never Fear Public Speaking Again

An energizing and practical talk about improving interpersonal communication and social skills.AI can write your copy - it can’t deliver it.AI can help you get connected online - it can’t converse for you in person.AI is replacing many jobs - it can’t touch in-person experiences.Now is the time to refine your in person speaking and social skills - which are irreplaceable qualities in the age of technology.&nbsp;Yet with the influx of robotic potential, social confidence is only diminishing, and even casual encounters feel more awkward than they used to.&nbsp;This talk revisits fundamentals of human communication:<ul><li>Eye contact</li><li>Body language</li><li>Facial expressions</li><li>Vocal tone&nbsp;</li><li>Speaking confidence&nbsp;</li></ul>Perhaps most importantly, listeners will learn how to reduce feelings of social anxiety to improve self-confidence in any speaking situation.&nbsp;*Can be delivered as a keynote speech or presented as an interactive seminar / workshop**This talk can be infused with spoken word poetry, shown to have physiological effects on the body that boost motivation.&nbsp;

Your Edge Against AI

Enjoy a dynamic, inspirational poetry performance designed to uplift, inspire, motivate, or simply entertain.&nbsp;Poetry taps directly into the emotional centers of the brain, creating a sensory and psychological experience.&nbsp;Research shows that listeners exhibit measurable physiological responses to spoken word poetry in particular, including changes in heart rate and emotional arousal - meaning listeners will have a visceral experience beyond entertainment.This can be delivered as poetry + talk on a given theme, or a selection of spoken word pieces.

Signature Spoken Word

60% of CEOs cite “creative thinking” as the most valuable leadership skill. And everyone has creative potential.&nbsp;This practical and inspiring session will teach you:<ul><li>the benefits of creative expression</li><li>how to find and pursue your own natural creative gifts</li><li>ways to overcome common blocks to creative thinking</li><li>how to incorporate creativity into your everyday work or build it as a hobby</li></ul>Listeners will walk away with a tangible action plan for putting their creative pursuits into practice - in a way that fits their schedule, their goals, and their purpose.*Can be delivered as a keynote or workshop / seminar with interactive exercises.

Unveiling the Closet Creative

This emotional and heartfelt talk touches on how to find meaning and purpose while caretaking a dying loved one.&nbsp;Inspired by my own journey navigating my mother’s terminal illness, which I touched on in my TEDx Talk: Tenets of Time: the short, the long, the messy.This talk covers:<ul><li>how to balance living your own live while taking care of another</li><li>how to soften through grief and let it empower rather than debilitate</li><li>powerful reframes to help you cope with the situation long term</li></ul>

Coping as a Caretaker

Tricia led a communication workshop for our organization during a company-wide meeting, and it was one of the most impactful sessions we’ve had. She brought deep expertise and broke down common interpersonal and interdepartmental communication challenges in a way that was both engaging and easy to understand.

What set the session apart was its practicality. Tricia not only shared key insights and best practices, but also created space for us to apply them through interactive breakout sessions. Our team walked away with valuable takeaways that we’ve been able to use both professionally and personally.

She went above and beyond by providing a thoughtful recap afterward, helping us reinforce and sustain what we learned. 

Tricia is dynamic, engaging, and inclusive, with a great sense of humor that makes her content even more impactful. 

I highly recommend her to any organization or individual looking to strengthen their communication - whether verbal, nonverbal, or written.

Alison Harris, Hearts on Fire - Modern Diamond Jewelry

After working with Tricia I broke out of my shell.  She taught me practical tools that helped me develop confidence. In my tutorials with her I was able to overcome the dislike of my voice and the fear I had in my heart.  I made enormous progress in a short time and feel very grateful and encouraged.

Daryl Davis, Co-Founder of Seaside, FL

I attended the Speak with Confidence workshop and it was such a great experience. Tricia did an amazing job creating a space that felt both supportive and empowering.

Her guidance was clear, encouraging, and truly helped me tap into my voice in a deeper way. I left feeling more confident, more aware, and inspired to continue growing. I'm grateful for this experience and the energy she brings. I highly recommend Tricia!

Mina Moore, Through and Beyond

Tricia helped me view my fear of public speaking from an entirely new perspective. Using science, facts, and a little bit of exposure therapy in a safe environment she instilled a belief that one day I would be able to express myself clearly and with confidence. I will definitely attend future workshops!

Pati the Poetess

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