Walt Interviews Laurel Felt – Sacred Rambling

Stand Up and Speak Up

Laurel Felt, Ph.D., is the founder and CEO of HeartFelt Speaking. She helps purpose-driven women and allies, like entrepreneurs and activists, to translate their big ideas into powerful stories and easy-to-understand messages that they can confidently deliver on TEDx stages, in coffee shops, and everywhere in between. In addition to coaching one-on-one, Laurel also teaches online courses and facilitates workshops for many notable organizations. Laurel also donates her time to amplify marginalized voices. She coaches non-native English speakers who have experienced refugee resettlement and has advised a grassroots campaign for the Los Angeles Council. Before launching her private practice, Laurel joyfully taught public speaking at the University of Southern California (USC). Her over 250 beloved students grew into skilled and enthusiastic public speakers. She continues to teach several courses in business communication at USC. She also serves as a Senior Fellow with UCLA’s Center for Scholars & Storytellers. Laurel earned a Ph.D. in Communication from USC, a master’s degree in Child Development from Tufts University, and a bachelor’s degree in Social Policy from Northwestern University. Perhaps equally dazzling as these academic accolades, she is a former star of community children’s theater (debuting at age 8 in a memorable turn as Zoompa the Oompa Loompa), champion of high school public speaking, a darling of collegiate improv, and maverick Toastmaster.