“I would recommend Juanita to anyone. In the words of Miranda Priestly in the Devil Wears Prada movie, if you don’t hire her, you are an idiot!”
Gemma Sharp
Clinical Psychologist | Researcher | TEDx Speaker
“I would recommend Juanita to anyone.”
At the time when I worked with Juanita on my TEDx Talk, I was a researcher and lecturer at Curtin University and about to start a research fellowship at Monash University.
When I got the call inviting me to give a TEDx Talk…I almost said no. I didn’t really understand the opportunity I’d just been offered. Luckily some colleagues brought me to my senses before they gave the spot away!
Having said yes, I thought – I lecture and do public speaking all the time for my day job – this will be easy. Of course, there’s nothing routine about doing a TEDx Talk – which I came to learn quickly. Being offered the chance to share your ideas on the TEDx platform is a privilege you can’t squander, but it takes work to do it well.
I had just just completed an internship with the ABC prior to my TEDx Talk, and working with Juanita, as a professional speechwriter and speaker coach felt similar to that public broadcasting experience – I learned a lot and both were very enjoyable!
Juanita walked me step-by-step through the journey to the stage. She taught me what I needed to know, then gave me achievable progressive deadlines. As long as I did the work – I would be stage-ready by the event date.
Within just a few sessions working together, Juanita had honed my idea. After a few more sessions we had a speech script that was succinct, compelling, did my idea justice and was still authentically me. I have a TEDx Talk I am immensely proud of, and it has become a vital tool in my work to make the world good.
I would recommend Juanita to anyone. In the words of Miranda Priestly in the Devil Wears Prada movie, if you don’t hire her, you are an idiot!
Since giving my TEDx Talk I have received extensive coverage on mainstream media, made regular appearances on television and received a number of awards including the Australian Psychological Society Media Award for Public Engagement with Psychological Science (2023), which recognises strong communication of scientific knowledge. I have no doubt that my TEDx Talk was a significant factor in my being honoured with such a prestigious award.
