Often as speakers, it falls on us to do the "heavy lifting". It is up to us to speak truth to power. It is up to us to point out what, up until now, has been invisible to audience members. It is up to us to paint the picture. It is up to us to share hard truths in ways soft enough to be heard. And every day, many of us rise to the challenge. Today, I will lift a heavy truth, that it is RELATIONSHIP that takes people from hard truth to reconciliation. Today I will share why that works and more, how that works. And I know they will hear me. So today, my speaker friend, I think of you. As I lift, I know you are too and the world is a better place thanks to the work we do. And I love you for it. LIFT!!

In my humble opinion, the words of an amazing and wise leader resonate long after they are gone, even if all they ever lead was their own family. I know this to be true, as I take a deep breath and acknowledge the date - September 28, 2025, 20 years since the passing of my amazing mother. Yet, she walks with me every day. She comes with me to every event. She is the inspiration behind every post. She is my driving force. She is my example of just how strong and happy an Indigenous person can be, when bridges are truly built. Because, you see, my father wasn't Indigenous. But he was the perfect ally. He held and even built space for my mom to be exactly who she was. He didn't doubt her strength and resilience to get us through tough times. He counted on it. And she counted on him. In that good soil, my mom flourished. Nothing she did in that home was done without laughter. Everything from cooking to doing dishes, washing floors to making an incredible Christmas dinner was done with laughter and love. Because she knew she was safe. She knew she was loved. She knew she was valued. She knew she was needed. Yet, I sigh as I acknowledge that so many Indigenous people (including myself, at times) do not know such good soil ... yet. And that is my mission, that is my purpose, to create good soil for all who exist and live and love within Canadian borders. A mission inspired by a woman with a grade four education that had a smile that lit up even the darkest corners. Twenty years has not minimized her impact. Rather, the twenty years highlight that her teachings and examples are just as resilient as she was. The journey and the work continues. Mom, I miss you more than anyone could ever know. Twenty years hasn't minimized that fact either. (And please, to those reading these words, no platitudes. No "She is in a better place." No, "You were lucky to have her." Be like my Dad. Just sit in this moment with me. Type that you hear me and nothing more. That is the first step to creating good soil - being able to sit in the moments of grief and pain without minimizing it, discarding it, or excusing it. A'ho.)

The following is the September 27th entry from my first book, Honorary Indian Decolonized, available on Amazon. I am sharing here just in case any of you have been curious about my tattoo ... _____________________________________ Often I am asked to explain the significance of my bicep tattoo (the one that would eventually become the logo for my company, the logo on the very binding of this book), so to honour my ‘tat’ and all those that mean the world to me, here is the story of my tattoo … Christians have baptisms. Anishinaabe have naming ceremonies. Our spirit names, given by an Elder after prayer and ceremony, always have some tie to nature. My name is Mishkopaganakwe, Red Thunderbolt Woman. I am said to be the human manifestation of that split second in time when the thunder sounds just as the lightning strikes. Occurring together, they signify the storm is directly overhead. For those who know me, they know I am dramatic, bright, and I would hope as memorable as the event that is my namesake. The red thunderbolt is the largest part of my tattoo. Further, I am of the Loon clan. Similar to the horoscopes of the white world, each clan has a different role in the community to ensure its success. The loons are said to be the speakers, the politicians of the community … enough said for those who know me. In the middle of the thunderbolt, my tat shows a loon taking flight. Contrary to the many images and statues that have a loon sitting passively on a lake, I am known for movement, therefore … takeoff. Next, in Anishinaabe (Ojibwe) culture, as in many other Native cultures, the eagle feather is one of our most sacred items and receiving an eagle feather is recognized as one of the highest honours. If you look closely at my ‘tat’, at the top, in the direction of North (the land of the Elders) are two small falling feathers. Falling because they represent my parents, who are both deceased; small, not to imply my parents were insignificant, but rather to represent the distance to spirit world. My ‘tat’ shows the simple fact that my parents are always with me.

I am enjoying the most beautiful morning in my office, catching up on things that were at risk of falling through the cracks during my insane week. Information and follow-up has been entered into my CRM, allowing me to discard the random notes I had written on (thought of you @Barbara Hemphill ). I have answered heartfelt emails now that I had time to give the heartfelt responses they deserved. (I would rather be all-in than quick with my responses.) I have ads scheduled and posts locked in. I have time for a long and body-worshipping workout. And then my final event at 2 pm. This is a glorious way to end the week - grateful for all I did, happy with all I have done, while looking forward to what comes next. And I pray, my speaker friend, that you can say same. Breathe it in - the gift that is this day. Love ya! Sandi

Hi folks, You spent weeks perfecting your keynote. You rocked it on stage. Everyone clapped. You got great feedback. Now what? Don’t let your keynote fade into the ether. Here’s how to repurpose that powerful talk into monthly income: 3 Ways to Turn Your Talk Into Recurring Revenue 1. Break it down into modules and turn it into an online course. 2. Use the content as a foundation for a group coaching program. 3. Build a mini-membership where you go deeper into your core topic each month. Speaker Tip of the Week You’re sitting on gold. Don’t rebuild the mine. Just repurpose what you’ve already created. Next time: How to Build Your Coaching Offer in a Weekend Here’s to multiplying your message, Inspiring Speakers Bureau Fueling Your Voice. Growing Your Reach.