Somewhere along the way, we got the message that speaking up was dangerous.

Not overtly, of course. No one stood at a podium and said, “Be quiet if you want to be taken seriously.” But we learned through subtle glances, passed-over promotions, and the hush that follows when a woman says what everyone’s been thinking.

We learned to polish our words until they were perfect.
To question our intuition if it wasn’t backed by data.
To lead like someone else—someone safer—so we wouldn’t rock the boat.

I remember the first time I shared a big win out loud. I was twelve. I came home so proud of something I had accomplished—and instead of celebration, I was met with criticism. That moment stuck. It taught me to shrink good news. To mute pride. To keep chasing my wins, just don’t tell anyone. It would take years—and therapy—to unlearn that silence.

But here’s the truth I’ve come to know after decades in corporate boardrooms, billion-dollar business meetings, and late-night coaching calls with women like you:

Staying silent doesn’t protect your power. It erodes it.

And if there’s ever been a moment to reclaim it, it’s now.

When You’ve Been Quiet for Too Long

You don’t need me to tell you what silence feels like. You’ve lived it.

You’ve smiled through the meeting even when someone took credit for your idea.
You’ve nodded in agreement while your gut twisted in dissent.
You’ve said “yes” to things that drained you—and “no” to things that lit you up—because it felt easier than explaining why.

I see it all the time in the women I coach. Brilliant leaders who have built their careers on competence, composure, and control—but who quietly feel unseen, unexpressed, and unsupported.

Every time you hold your truth back to make someone else more comfortable, you reinforce the belief that your voice doesn’t matter.

But it does. Deeply. And now more than ever.

Your Voice Isn’t a Liability—It’s Your Leadership

Let’s get one thing clear: your voice doesn’t have to be loud to be powerful.

You don’t have to shout to be heard.
You don’t have to have all the answers to speak with authority.
You don’t have to be perfectly polished to make an impact.

Your voice becomes powerful the moment you decide to use it with intention.
Because a culture based on meritocracy alone will be a failed culture. You have the power to speak up even when the results, the data, or the metrics may tell a different story.
Especially then.

Even if your voice shakes.

Especially if it shakes.

Because that’s when it’s real. That’s when it’s brave. That’s when it has the power to not only change your career—but your entire relationship with yourself.

Claim Your Share of Voice

In any room, ask yourself: who’s doing the talking? Are you taking up your rightful space—or just sitting in the back taking notes?

Studies have shown that women are often interrupted (33%), speak significantly less than men in meetings (men do 75% of the talking in-person, 92% on virtual meetings), especially when they’re outnumbered. Even in senior roles, women often hesitate to interrupt, challenge, or pose the questions that need to be asked.

This is your reminder to speak up. Ask the thing you know others are wondering. Offer the idea. Raise your hand. Take up your share of voice—not just for you, but for every woman who’s still learning how.

Because your presence isn’t a disruption. It’s a contribution.

Why This Moment Matters More Than You Think

We are living in a time when women’s voices are both more visible—and more vulnerable—than ever. And while the world continues to debate what we’re “allowed” to say, I want you to hear this from me:

You don’t need permission. You need practice.

There is no perfect time to start speaking your truth.
But there is a cost to waiting.
To holding your breath in every meeting.
To filtering your wisdom until it sounds like someone else’s.
To asking for what you need only when it’s convenient for others.

Now is the time.

Not because your voice is perfect.
But because your silence is no longer sustainable.

What I’m Creating for Women Like Us

Over the years, I’ve had hundreds of women say to me, “Lori, I don’t even know what I want anymore—I’m just so used to pushing through.”

And I realized: they’re not alone. Their stories, their insights, their power—it’s all sitting just below the surface, waiting to be voiced.

That’s why I’m launching a podcast.

A real, raw, no-fluff space for high-achieving women who are ready to stop performing and start speaking. Where we’ll talk about what’s really going on beneath the polished exteriors. The stuff we whisper to our best friends—but rarely say out loud.

Because your voice matters.

Because you’re not alone.

And because it’s time.

Start Small. Speak Honestly. Lead Boldly.

You just have to begin.

Start by saying no.
Start by asking for what you need.
Start by naming the thing no one else will.

Even if your voice is shaky, it’s still strong.
Even if your voice is new, it’s still wise.

And I promise you—once you start using it, your JOY won’t just return.

It will resound.

P.S. The podcast is coming soon. Want to be the first to listen? [Join the waitlist here.] Because your voice deserves a seat at this table—and we’re saving you one.

Why Now Is the Time to Use Your Voice—Even if It’s Shaky

Somewhere along the way, we got the message that speaking up was dangerous.

Not overtly, of course. But we learned through side-eyes, passed-over promotions, and the hush that follows when a woman says what everyone’s thinking.

So we sharpened our words. Silenced our intuition. And led like someone else—someone safer—just to stay in the room.

I learned that early. I was twelve, sharing a big win at home—and was met with criticism instead of celebration. That moment taught me to mute pride. To shrink my success. To keep chasing those wins, just don’t tell anyone. It took years—and therapy—to unlearn that silence.

But here’s the truth:

Staying silent doesn’t protect your power. It erodes it.

And if there’s ever been a time to reclaim it—it’s now.

What Silence Costs Us

You’ve smiled through the meeting while someone took credit for your idea.
You’ve nodded in agreement while your gut twisted in dissent.
You’ve said “yes” to what drained you—and “no” to what lit you up—just to avoid explaining why.

I see this in the women I coach every day: brilliant leaders who feel unseen, unexpressed, and unsupported.

Your voice isn’t the problem. Silence is.

Your Voice Is Leadership

You don’t have to be the loudest in the room to be powerful.
You don’t need to have all the answers to speak with authority.
You don’t need polish to make an impact.

You need truth. You need intention. You need courage.

Even if your voice shakes. 

Especially if it shakes.

Because that’s when it’s real. That’s when it has the power to change your career—and your relationship with yourself.

Take Up Your Share of Voice

Ask yourself: Who’s doing the talking? Are you taking up your rightful space?

➤ In mixed-gender meetings, men do 75% of the talking in person—and 92% in virtual meetings.
➤ Women are 33% more likely to be interrupted.
➤ Even in senior roles, women hesitate to challenge or question.

This isn’t just about airtime. It’s about ownership.

Speak up. Share the idea. Ask the question.
Not just for you—but for everyone still learning how.

You Don’t Need Permission—You Need Practice

There’s no perfect moment to start using your voice. But there is a cost to waiting.

To holding your breath in meetings.
To watering down your truth.
To asking for what you need only when it’s convenient for others.

Now is the time.

Not because your voice is perfect.
But because your silence is suffocating.

I’ve heard it so many times:
“Lori, I don’t even know what I want anymore—I’m just so used to pushing through.”

That’s why I’m launching The JOY CEO podcast:
A real, raw, no-fluff space for high-achieving professionals who are ready to stop performing and start leading with JOY.

Because your voice matters.
Because you’re not alone.
And because it’s time.

Start Small. Speak Honestly. Lead Boldly.

Say no.
Ask for what you need.
Name the thing no one else will.

Even if your voice is shaky—it’s still strong.
And once you start using it, your JOY won’t just return.
It will resound.

P.S. The podcast is coming soon. Want to be the first to listen? [Join the waitlist here.] Because your voice deserves a seat at the table—and we’re saving you one.