This past March Women Talk Design hosted a Lightning Talks session at SXSW 2024. One of our speakers, Melody Ethley was also an alumna of our 8-week Present Yourself program. We interviewed Melody to learn about her motivation for taking the program, her experience at SXSW, and her advice for others interested in sharing their voice.
Left to right: Elise Entzenberger, Mirandy Kim, Danielle Barnes, and Melody Ethley
When did you take the Present Yourself program and why did you decide to enroll?
I participated in the Present Yourself program in June 2022. The decision to enroll was driven by my desire to become a more confident speaker. I had just taken on more responsibility at work which required me to lead several meetings, and I wanted to make sure that I was able to articulate my thoughts in a cohesive manner.
What was your biggest takeaway from the program?
It’s hard to choose just one, so I will list a few. I feel like the common thread that resonated with me throughout my time in the program was that someone needed to hear what I have to say. It may not always be a novel topic, but because I am the one presenting, you may never know what that means to a listener in the audience. I also learned that genuine communication resonates with audiences far more than rehearsed or overly polished speeches. Each of these takeaways have transformed my approach to public speaking. Now, I focus on connecting with listeners, sharing relatable stories, and being true to myself. And finally, I could not forget about the framework that WTD taught us during the program. It truly has been a game changer for how I prepare for speaking engagements, whether it’s a talk at SXSW or even just routine meetings at work.
Tell us about your experience speaking at SXSW with WTD.
Participating in SXSW with Women Talk Design was honestly a transformative experience! It was a time that challenged me in ways that I’ve only experienced in small doses. I met regularly with Danielle and my fellow speakers leading up to the big day, and when the time came, I felt well prepared. Having support from every angle (even the audience!), helped me feel grounded and encouraged. The real-time feedback, the chance to connect with the audience after the session, and the friendships I’ve found in my fellow speakers was just the icing on the cake.
What advice do you have for someone interested in sharing their voice?
I do my best to encourage aspiring speakers to come to the same realization that I did when I went through the Present Yourself program, which was, “My voice matters, and needs to be heard.” That realization got me to do things outside of my comfort zone, which is where growth resides.The other advice that I continue to follow myself is in these 3 steps:
- Know Your Message: Identify what matters to you and share it authentically.
- Practice: Regularly practice speaking, whether in front of a mirror, with friends, or at meetups.
- Learn from Others: Attend talks, observe effective speakers, and learn from their techniques.
What’s your next speaking goal?
My next speaking goal is kind of unsexy, but feels like a full-circle moment from when I started as a Present Yourself participant two years ago. As my career continues to evolve and as I start to gain new responsibilities at work, I hope to refine my “stage presence/persona” as a leader in my space. There are several elements to that, but the ones I am focused on now have to do with giving and receiving feedback, as well as articulating my stance on ideas and topics in a way that is understandable to my audience.
Learn more about the Present Yourself program and our upcoming cohort here. Help us bring Lightning Talks back to SXSW by voting for the session in PanelPicker.