Hold The Room

About Hold The Room

In the age of distraction, choosing presence is a powerful way to become memorable and build influence. You know how to own the room with confidence but confidence is not enough to leave a lasting impression. You need to Hold the Room with presence. This conversation is for anyone stepping into bigger rooms. Cara Truitt is a speaker, communication coach, and the creator of the Choose the One framework. She helps leaders, teams, and organizations communicate with greater clarity, confidence, and presence—whether they’re leading a meeting, facilitating a workshop, or navigating a high-stakes conversation. On Hold the Room, Cara brings together experts, thought leaders, and exceptional communicators to unpack the habits, mindsets, and practical skills that help people create trust, foster connection, and communicate in ways that leave a lasting impact.

Publisher

Cara Truitt

Category

business

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

30 Jul 2026

Latest episode

14 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

12 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   14 Oct 2026

   How to Stop Silencing Yourself and Trust Your Voice | #11 with Rachel Druckenmiller

   What if the thing holding you back isn't a lack of confidence, but the habit of silencing the parts of yourself that deserve to be seen? Keynote speaker and singer-songwriter Rachel Druckenmiller joins Cara Truitt on Hold The Room to explore how to overcome self-doubt, build self-trust, and find the courage to show up as yourself, even when you're not sure you're ready. Rachel knows what it feels like to hold back. After years of being shy, guarded, and afraid of judgment, she built a career in corporate wellness before burnout forced her to reconsider how she was living. She had spent so much time trying to prove she was impressive that she had lost touch with the person she wanted to be. That experience became the foundation for UNMUTED, her work helping people express themselves courageously and live more fully. What Does It Mean to Live Unmuted? For Rachel, getting unmuted isn't about becoming the loudest person in the room. It's about letting yourself be seen, heard, and known without constantly editing yourself to meet someone else's expectations. She shares the moment she stood in front of a room of speakers and sang for the first time, revealing a part of herself she'd kept hidden for years. Instead of being judged, she felt celebrated. The experience helped her recognize that the very thing she feared exposing was something people wanted to see. That lesson followed her into songwriting, keynote speaking, and the work she does with leaders and teams. Rachel's story is a reminder that you don't need to have everything figured out before you begin. Confidence is the byproduct of action. You build self-trust by taking steps, gathering evidence of what you're capable of, and learning that you can handle what happens next. How Do You Stop Silencing Yourself? One of the most revealing moments in this conversation comes when Rachel shares her experience preparing for a TEDx talk. She worked hard to get the opportunity she'd wanted for years, but in trying to make the talk perfect, she became overly scripted and lost the authenticity that made her message meaningful. She knew something was off, but she struggled to trust her own instincts. Later, faced with a similar situation, she made a different choice: she let go of a polished script and rebuilt her talk around a more honest version of herself. The experience offers a valuable lesson for anyone preparing to lead a meeting, speak on a stage, share an idea, or step into a bigger role. Preparation matters, but not when it comes at the expense of your voice. Sometimes the discomfort you're feeling is information worth listening to. Rachel also introduces her VOICE framework, a practical process for recognizing where you're holding back, imagining what you really want, reconnecting with who you are, and taking action toward a more fully expressed life. What You'll Learn in This Conversation Recognize the ways you silence yourself. Notice where fear of judgment, rejection, or not being good enough keeps you from speaking up or sharing your ideas. Understand the difference between impressing and connecting. People don't need a perfect performance from you. They need to experience the real person behind the message. Build confidence through action. You don't have to feel ready before you start. Taking action gives you evidence that you can learn, adapt, and handle challenges. Learn to trust your instincts. When something feels wrong or unlike you, pause and get curious instead of automatically assuming you need to push through. Accept opportunities before you feel completely qualified. An invitation might be the chance to discover what you're capable of, not proof that you should already know everything. Use other people's belief in you. Ask trusted people what they see in you, and practice receiving their encouragement instead of immediately dismissing it. Get clearer on who you are. Reflect on your strengths, values, and the qualities you bring into a room. A stron

2. 

   7 Oct 2026

   How to Build Presence That People Remember | #10 with Jacob Brown

   What does it take to make your presence felt without making the room all about you? Former NFL athlete, entrepreneur, keynote speaker, author, and coach Jacob Brown joins Cara Truitt for a conversation about presence, resilience, values-driven leadership, public speaking, and what it really means to hold a room. Jacob learned early that presence on the football field wasn't simply about being loud or aggressive. It was about making your presence known, felt, and remembered while holding space for yourself and the people around you. That lesson followed him from football into business, leadership, coaching, and the stage. What Does It Mean to Lead From Your Core? Jacob shares the story behind his first book, Fail Forward, and the lesson that changed how he approached failure. His aunt asked him what would happen if football didn't work out, leading to the idea that even when you fail, you can still move forward, learn, and gain ground. That mindset eventually became a foundation for his work with leaders and organizations. Instead of viewing mistakes as proof that you're stuck, Jacob encourages people to treat them as part of the process of moving forward. The conversation then moves into Jacob's second book, Avocado Leadership: The Unshakable Power of Values-Driven Leadership. The avocado becomes a powerful metaphor for leadership that is resilient on the outside, nourishing to the people around it, and rooted in a strong core. Jacob opens up about becoming a manager before he was ready and realizing that being good at your job doesn't automatically prepare you to lead other people. He had to learn empathy, approachability, and how to lead from his values rather than simply relying on his own ideas. How Do Your Core Values Shape Your Leadership? Jacob shares an exercise he uses in his keynotes to help people identify their most important core values. Rather than trying to hold onto dozens of values at once, participants narrow their list down until they identify the two values that matter most to them. For Jacob, those values are empathy and service. He explains how knowing your core values gives you something to return to when you're operating at your best and when you're under stress. He also breaks down his AVOCADO leadership framework: A: Assess, don't assume V: Values-driven leadership O: Open-mindedness C: Courageous conversations A: Accountability in action D: Develop more leaders O: Optimism with ownership The goal isn't simply to become a more polished manager. It's to become the kind of leader whose actions remain connected to what they actually believe. How Do You Speak With Confidence When You're Afraid? Jacob also shares what he has learned through more than a decade of professional speaking. One of his biggest lessons is simple: it's not about you. Fear of public speaking often becomes an internal conversation about whether you'll say the wrong thing, forget your words, stumble, or embarrass yourself. Jacob argues that when your attention stays focused on yourself, it's much harder to communicate effectively. Instead, he encourages speakers to put their energy toward the idea they're sharing and the people they're there to help. That shift takes some of the pressure off the speaker and puts the focus where it belongs: on the message and the person receiving it. That connects directly with Cara's Choose The One philosophy. Whether you're speaking to three people or 10,000, you don't have to connect with everyone at once. You can choose one person who needs what you have to say and give that person your full attention. What Does It Mean to Hold the Room? Jacob makes an important distinction between owning a room and holding a room. Owning the room means being willing to take up space and let people see who you are. But holding the room also means knowing when to make space for someone else. Sometimes presence looks like speaking. Sometimes it looks like listening, asking a question, thanking someone,

3. 

   30 Sept 2026

   5-Minute Ways to Build Stronger Connections | #9 with Katherine Goldstein

   What if building stronger relationships isn’t about having more time, more friends, or a bigger network? What if connection is a skill we can practice? In a world designed to divide our attention, meaningful connection takes intention. Journalist, speaker, and consultant Katherine Goldstein joins Cara Truitt to talk about her upcoming book, Neighboring: How to Build Community You Can Count On, and why rebuilding our communities starts with small, practical acts of presence. Katherine’s research uncovered a simple but powerful idea: many of us haven’t lost our desire for connection. We’ve lost practice with the skills that create it. Why Does Connection Feel Harder Than It Used To? Katherine talks about the decades-long decline in social connection and how phones, social media, remote work, and increasingly digital lives have accelerated it. We may be surrounded by people and constantly communicating, yet still feel disconnected. The good news is that connection isn’t a personality trait. It’s a skill. You don’t have to become an extrovert, find the perfect neighborhood, or completely eliminate your phone. You can start by practicing presence with the people already in your life. How Do You Build Deeper Connections Without More Time? One of the most useful ideas in this conversation is the power of small moments. A phone call. A voice note. Making eye contact in the hallway. Asking someone what they’re looking forward to instead of settling for “How are you?” Stopping by a new parent’s house instead of leaving a comment on Facebook. These moments don’t require hours of free time. They require attention. Katherine calls this the deep casual mindset, the idea that connection is more important than perfection. Especially in the workplace, casual and frequent interactions can build relationships and trust more effectively than occasional formal events. What Does It Mean to Let People Show Up for You? Katherine also gets personal about her own journey with community. When her son was hospitalized, she realized that although she had friends, she didn’t feel comfortable asking them for help. She had to learn not only how to show up for other people, but how to receive support herself. That vulnerability is part of building real community. Sometimes asking someone for a small favor actually strengthens the relationship. Sometimes letting someone see the imperfect parts of your life gives them permission to be human too. The same principle applies at home. Instead of trying to do everything yourself, give people an opportunity to contribute. What If We Stopped Waiting for the Perfect Moment to Connect? Katherine’s idea of deep casual hosting challenges the pressure to make everything perfect before inviting people in. You don’t need a spotless house or an elaborate meal to create connection. You need a space where people feel welcome. That same principle extends far beyond our homes. At work, in our neighborhoods, in friendships, and during major life transitions, meaningful community is built through repeated small acts. 10 Takeaways From This Conversation Connection is a skill, not just a personality trait. If you’re out of practice, you can rebuild your connection skills. Practice presence with the people already in your life. You don’t have to meet someone new to start strengthening your relationships. Don’t let social media substitute for real connection. A comment or reaction isn’t always the same as showing up for someone. Use voice notes when a text doesn’t capture what you mean. Hearing someone’s voice brings warmth and nuance back into communication. Avoid texting difficult conversations. When tone and context matter, choose a form of communication that allows for more connection. Try the deep casual mindset at work. Frequent, low-pressure interactions can strengthen trust and relationships. Ask for small favors. Letting someone help you can actually deepen the relationship. Build community before you need it. Lif

4. 

   23 Sept 2026

   Is Perfectionism Holding You Back?: 3 Steps to Move From Perfectionism to Excellence | #7 Dr. Amna Shabbir

   What if perfectionism isn’t the high-achiever superpower you thought it was? For high achievers stepping into bigger rooms, perfectionism often shows up as high standards, overwork, self-criticism, people-pleasing, and the constant feeling that you should be doing more. In this conversation, Cara Truitt sits down with Dr. Amna Shabbir, MD, NBC-HWC, CPC to rethink perfectionism and explore what happens when we stop demanding flawlessness and start making room for our humanity. Dr. Amna Shabbir is a Fractional Chief Wellbeing Officer, Dual Board-Certified Physician, TEDx Speaker, Top Podcast Host, Super Mom and award-winning entrepreneur, with advanced training in Integrative Wellness, Performance, and Leadership Development. She speaks, coaches and consults on workplace wellbeing, perfectionism, and curating sustainable success as a high achiever. Why Does Perfectionism Get Worse as We Achieve More? Dr. Amna explains that perfectionism isn't simply an individual personality trait. Our expectations are shaped by culture, family, childhood experiences, work environments, and the standards we absorb from the people around us. For many high achievers, every new room brings a new expectation to have the answers immediately. But growth doesn't work that way. When we believe we need to have everything figured out before we stretch into something new, perfectionism takes over. Amna shares her own experience of moving through medicine, motherhood, and postpartum depression while feeling unable to ask for help. The pressure to appear as though she had everything together became part of what kept her from acknowledging that she was struggling. Then her daughter came home with a 99 out of 100 on a test and immediately called herself stupid. That moment forced Amna to look differently at achievement, confidence, well-being, and the messages we pass on to the people around us. What’s the Difference Between Perfectionism and Excellence? One of the biggest distinctions in this conversation is between perfectionism and excellence. Perfectionism focuses on perceived flaws, hiding imperfections, managing how you're seen, and avoiding failure. Excellence comes from growth, intention, discipline, and a willingness to embrace the mess that comes with becoming better. You don't have to lower your standards to let go of perfectionism. You can care deeply about the quality of your work while still allowing yourself to make mistakes, ask for help, rest, and be human. Why Are We Always Comparing Ourselves to Our Former Selves? Perfectionism doesn't only compare us to other people. Sometimes the harshest comparison is with who we used to be. Amna and Cara talk about the pressure to maintain the same stamina, output, and capacity we had at another stage of life, even when our circumstances have changed. We aren't the same person we were at 20, and we don't have to measure today's capacity against yesterday's. The conversation also explores the “tyranny of shoulds” and the “tyranny of coulds.” There is always another thing we could do, another goal we could pursue, another version of ourselves we could become. Eventually, we have to decide what is enough. The Courage Bridge: 3 Steps to Challenge Perfectionism Amna introduces her Courage Bridge, a framework designed to give high achievers something tangible to practice. Examine your intentions.Ask yourself why you're doing what you're doing. Is the motivation coming from intention and care, or from fear and impression management? Creating space to examine your intentions helps quiet the noise around you. Fail with self-compassion.Failure is part of growth. Instead of berating yourself when something doesn't go according to plan, ask what you would say to someone you love if they were in the same situation. Model your humanity.You don't have to overshare or turn every conversation into a therapy session. Simply acknowledging that you have struggles, receive help, and don't have everything figu

5. 

   16 Sept 2026

   Executive Presence and How to Build Leadership Presence Through Connection | #6 with Elena Arecco Bridgmon

   What If Executive Presence Isn't About How You Look? Executive presence has become one of the most common pieces of feedback in leadership, but what does it actually mean? Elena Arecco Bridgmon argues that the answer may have less to do with how polished you appear and much more to do with how well you connect, build trust, and move people to action. What Makes Someone a Presence-Based Leader? On this episode of Hold The Room, Cara Truitt sits down with Elena Arecco Bridgmon, Co-Founder and COO of LUMO Leadership, executive coach, former corporate talent and operations leader, and mom to two teenage girls. After roughly two decades working inside large organizations, Elena now helps leaders and organizations create the conditions for people to do their best work. Her work sits at the intersection of leadership development, organizational culture, working-parent sustainability, and the human skills that are becoming increasingly valuable in the age of AI. Elena shares some of the leadership lessons that shaped her, including what she learned from her father about organization, curiosity, asking difficult questions, and leading without needing a formal title. She also explains how she learned to practice leadership outside her job description by volunteering for a diversity, equity, and inclusion committee, building relationships and influence without direct reports. How Can Leaders Build Trust When They Don't Know the Answer? One of the most practical moments in the conversation comes when Cara asks what leaders should do when they're holding a room and someone asks a question they can't answer. Elena's advice is simple: own where you are. Leaders don't build trust by making something up or trying to "tap dance" around a question. They can say what they know, acknowledge what they don't know, and explain the path forward. Authenticity creates more trust than pretending to have every answer. The conversation then moves into one of the biggest themes of the episode: how organizations can better support people through major transitions. From becoming a working parent to stepping into a major leadership role or navigating a merger, these moments can create friction when people don't have the right support systems. Elena explains how LUMO works with organizations through these human moments using coaching, training, and assessments. Why Should Leaders Ask the Next-Level Question? Cara and Elena also explore what it really means to create a workplace where people feel welcome to bring their whole selves. Instead of stopping at "How are you?", Elena encourages leaders to ask the next question when something feels off. That deeper curiosity can create the kind of relationship where employees feel safe asking for support. And when leaders worry that asking a personal question means they'll have to fix the problem, Elena offers another powerful reframe: care without trying to carry it. Is Executive Presence Actually Leadership Presence? The conversation takes a particularly important turn when Cara and Elena question the phrase executive presence itself. Elena argues for replacing it with leadership presence, a more tangible, behavior-based concept centered on authentic connection, empathy, trust, and the ability to motivate people toward action. Instead of focusing on whether someone looks or sounds like a traditional executive, leadership presence asks what kind of experience you're creating for the people around you. Elena also shares a deeply personal experience from her early career at Bank of America, when she was told she didn't have enough executive presence despite being qualified for an internal role. When she asked for specific feedback about what she needed to change, she received none. That experience became part of her motivation to understand what executive presence really means and how leaders can develop influence through relationships, practice, speaking, and connection. For leaders who have ever been told t

6. 

   9 Sept 2026

   How to Turn Your Online Presence Into Impact | #6 with Meredith Dean

   What If Your Online Presence Could Change Someone's Life? Social media isn't just about followers, impressions, or going viral. The most meaningful digital influence can be what happens offline when your platform helps a person, business, or community take its next step. How Can Social Media Create Real-World Impact? On this episode of Hold The Room, Cara Truitt welcomes Meredith Dean, also known as @Merenator, a former journalist turned full-time travel and lifestyle content creator, digital strategist, community builder, and founder of The Dean's List. Meredith has generated more than 260 million social media impressions and collaborated with brands and organizations including Google Travel, the Charlotte Hornets, Bumble, Marriott Hotels, YouTube Shorts, and others. She has also helped more than 500 clients strengthen their personal brands through social media coaching, digital strategy, career consulting, and storytelling. But Meredith's work isn't really about chasing bigger numbers. Her focus is on using online visibility to create offline impact, especially for women-owned and minority-owned businesses and the communities around them. What Does It Mean to Be a Person of Influence? Meredith shares powerful examples of what can happen when someone uses their platform intentionally. One post helped bring attention and customers to a struggling local restaurant. Another video transformed a violinist's social media presence, taking him from roughly 2,000 followers to 200,000 followers in just two weeks and generating more than 20 million impressions. But Cara and Meredith make an important distinction: you don't need millions of followers to have influence. Everyone has a circle of influence, and what matters is how intentionally you use your relationships, voice, ideas, and community to help other people create impact. Why Does Offline Connection Still Matter in a Digital World? Meredith talks about why she believes in-person relationships can matter even more than online visibility. That philosophy shows up throughout her work, including her involvement with a nonprofit supporting girls' schools, wells, and clinics in western Kenya. She describes seeing how community support can create lasting change and how digital storytelling can help bring more people into that work. The conversation also explores Meredith's experience in journalism, interviewing major public figures, building an online community, and learning what makes someone feel truly present. She shares a memorable lesson from interviewing Larry King: the people who make the greatest impression are often the ones who are exactly the same person in real life as they are on camera. Authenticity can be felt. How Can You Use Your Influence for Good? Meredith opens up about a difficult moment that helped shape her platform. After a Women's March post went viral, she received thousands of hateful messages and even death threats. Rather than allowing that experience to silence her, she used it as motivation to lift up other women online and build a more supportive community. Cara and Meredith ultimately return to one of the biggest questions of the episode: If we have the ability to create change and change a life, do we also have the responsibility to use our voice? Meredith's answer is a powerful one. Your story and your words matter more than you realize. You don't have to wait until you have a massive platform to start creating impact. You can become a creator instead of simply a consumer, share what you've learned, support someone else's work, and use whatever influence you already have to make a difference. Whether you're building a personal brand, growing a business, creating content, leading a community, or simply wondering how your own voice can make a difference, this conversation is a reminder that everyone has influence. The question is what you choose to do with it. KEY TAKEAWAYS How to turn social media influence into real-world impact by using

7. 

   2 Sept 2026

   The Art of Holding Space: Why Presence Changes Everything | #5 with Emma Dixon Desmond

   What if the most transformative thing you could offer someone isn't a service, but your presence? In this episode of Hold the Room, Cara sits down with Emma Dixon Desmond, master barber, cosmetology educator, yoga instructor, Reiki practitioner, and founder of Space Dixon. With more than 13 years of experience behind the chair, Emma shares how she intentionally creates a space where people feel safe, seen, and accepted exactly as they are. From serving neurodivergent and LGBTQ+ clients to incorporating mindfulness, yoga, and Reiki into her work, Emma reveals how true connection begins with presence. Together, Cara and Emma explore what it means to hold space for others, why creating a welcoming environment matters, and how small moments of attention can create lasting transformation. In this episode, you'll discover: Why "holding space" is more powerful than providing a service How presence becomes a daily practice, not a destination The importance of creating environments where people can show up authentically. Whether you're a service provider, business owner, leader, parent, or simply someone looking to connect more deeply with others, this conversation offers a beautiful reminder that being fully present is one of the greatest gifts we can give. Come as you are. You might leave feeling more like yourself than ever before. Connect with Emma: Website: https://espacedixon.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/espacedixon/ Special mentions: Wigs for Kids: https://www.wigsforkids.org/ Dress Code Project: https://www.dresscodeproject.com/ Connect with Cara: Website: www.caratruitt.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caratruitt/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/caratruitt/ Join the Collective: https://holdtheroom.circle.so/checkout/hold-the-room-collective If this conversation reminded you that real influence begins with genuine connection, subscribe to Hold The Room and share this episode with someone whose voice deserves to be heard. Connect with our sponsor: https://apextransitllc.com/

8. 

   26 Aug 2026

   How Do You Build Trust Through Communication?: 5 PR Strategies That Strengthen Executive Presence | #4 with Eleni Gates

   Trust isn't built when everything is going well. It's built in the moments when your words, actions, and values have to align under pressure. Strategic communication starts long before a crisis arrives. In this episode of Hold The Room, Cara Truitt welcomes Eleni Gates, founder of Gatehouse Communication Strategies and a communications expert who helps leaders and organizations strengthen trust through clear, credible messaging. Drawing from years of experience advising hospitality brands, nonprofits, executives, and thought leaders, Eleni shares practical strategies for building visibility without sacrificing authenticity. The conversation explores why executive presence extends far beyond confidence or charisma. Instead, Eleni argues that presence begins with knowing your values, communicating intentionally, and creating genuine human connection in every interaction. Why Do Core Values Matter in Public Relations? Cara and Eleni discuss how clearly defined core values become the foundation for leadership messaging, media interviews, crisis communication, and brand positioning. They also unpack why listening often matters more than speaking, how preparation reduces panic, and why organizations should prioritize internal communication before making public statements. Whether you're preparing for podcast interviews, keynote stages, television appearances, or leadership opportunities, this episode offers actionable advice for communicating with clarity while earning long-term trust. Key Takeaways How defining three core values creates more authentic leadership communication. Why executive presence starts with intentional listening instead of talking. How strategic communication builds trust before a crisis ever happens. Why every media interview should begin with a clear message you can summarize in ten words or fewer. How the power of the pause helps leaders avoid reactive communication mistakes. Why crisis communication plans should reflect organizational values as much as logistics. How internal communication strengthens company culture and public credibility. Why media training helps founders and thought leaders stay focused under pressure. How hospitality as a mindset improves leadership, client relationships, and brand trust. Why authentic visibility comes from consistency between your values and your messaging. Guest Bio Eleni Gates is the founder of Gatehouse Communications Strategies, a strategic communications consultancy that helps brands and leaders build trust through clear, credible communication. With a background leading communications for nationally recognized hospitality and restaurant brands, she brings deep expertise in executive visibility, brand positioning, and leadership messaging. Eleni speaks frequently on the intersection of hospitality, communication, and human connection in leadership. Connect with Eleni: GatehouseComms.com LinkedIn Instagram Connect with Cara CaraTruitt.com LinkedIn Instagram JOIN THE COLLECTIVE If you're ready to communicate with greater intention and build trust that lasts, subscribe to Hold The Room and follow the show for more conversations on leadership, presence, and meaningful connection. Connect with our sponsor:  https://apextransitllc.com/

9. 

   19 Aug 2026

   How Do You Stay Present When Life Pulls You Everywhere? | #3 with Lanaire Malone

   What if the secret to being fully present isn't doing more—it's carrying less? For millions of leaders, caregivers, and parents balancing competing responsibilities, the answer may be learning which roles to hold tightly and which ones can wait. In this episode of Hold The Room, Cara Truitt sits down with TEDx speaker, executive leader, nonprofit founder, and self-proclaimed "Sandwich Generation It Girl," Lanaire Malone, for an honest conversation about presence, leadership, and navigating life's busiest seasons without losing yourself. As someone caring for both growing children and aging parents while leading professionally, Lanaire introduces her powerful framework of "Stop Stacking Capes. Start Switching Them." Rather than trying to carry every responsibility at once, she explains how intentionally shifting between your roles creates more peace, greater impact, and stronger relationships. What Does It Mean to Truly Hold the Room? Cara and Lanaire explore how genuine presence begins long before stepping onto a stage. They discuss preparing your heart before speaking, creating meaningful moments of connection, embracing authenticity over perfection, and why making one person feel seen can change an entire room. The conversation also dives into executive presence, public speaking, self-compassion, asking for help, caregiving, leadership, emotional resilience, and building connection through intentional attention. Whether you're leading a company, raising a family, caring for loved ones, or simply trying to show up more fully in your everyday life, this episode offers practical encouragement for carrying what matters most. Why Do Small Moments of Connection Matter? Some of the most meaningful leadership moments don't happen on stages or in boardrooms. They happen in everyday conversations when someone feels seen, heard, and genuinely valued. Lanaire reminds us that presence isn't measured by how many people we reach. It's measured by how deeply we connect with the person right in front of us. Key Takeaways Why "stop stacking capes and start switching them" helps prevent burnout while balancing multiple responsibilities. How executive presence begins with being fully present before trying to be impressive. Why caregivers and working parents benefit from identifying which responsibilities are "glass balls" and which are "rubber balls." How choosing one person to intentionally connect with creates stronger leadership and greater trust. Why authentic speakers prepare through private "mirror moments" before stepping onto public stages. How asking for help strengthens leadership rather than diminishing credibility. Why self-compassion creates the foundation for meaningful human connection. How intentional micro moments of connection can transform workplace culture and personal relationships. Why event hosts and speakers should focus on serving the audience rather than performing for them. How presence allows leaders to make every interaction count. Guest Bio Lanaire Malone is a TEDx speaker, executive leader, founder, nonprofit advocate, and speaker who helps leaders and caregivers navigate life's in-between seasons with resilience, clarity, and purpose. Known for her engaging storytelling and practical leadership frameworks, she inspires audiences to lead with presence while balancing the many roles life demands. Connect with Lanaire LanaireSpeaks.com Instagram Facebook Hurdles In Heels Watch Lanaire's TEDx Talk Connect with Cara CaraTruitt.com LinkedIn Instagram JOIN THE COLLECTIVE If this conversation encouraged you to lead with greater presence and intention, subscribe to Hold The Room and share this episode with someone who needs the reminder that they don't have to carry everything alone. Learn about our sponsor:  https://apextransitllc.com/

10. 

    12 Aug 2026

    The Secret to Becoming a More Powerful Speaker | #2 with Brian Lafontaine

    The most powerful speaker in the room isn't the loudest or the most polished. It's the person who's fully present. In a world that rewards performance, many leaders, speakers, and professionals spend years perfecting what they say while overlooking the one thing people remember most: genuine human connection. What Makes Someone Truly Memorable? On this episode of Hold The Room, Cara Truitt welcomes keynote speaker, speaking coach, and professional actor Brian Lafontaine for a conversation about the difference between performing for an audience and connecting with one person. After more than 30 years in film, television, theater, and voiceover, with credits including Ozark, Stranger Things, Homeland, and Outer Banks, Brian discovered that the greatest lesson acting taught him wasn't about performance. It was about presence. Whether standing in front of a camera, leading a keynote, or speaking in a boardroom, the people who create lasting impact aren't trying to impress anyone. They're fully engaged with the human being in front of them. Why Does Presence Matter More Than Performance? Brian shares how an unexpected shift in his acting career led him into speaking coaching, where he realized the same skills that create compelling performances also create authentic leadership. The conversation explores fear, vulnerability, storytelling, self-awareness, presence, and why so many accomplished professionals still struggle to let themselves be fully seen. Cara and Brian also discuss the courage it takes to stop chasing perfection, trust your own story, and embrace the idea that every conversation is an opportunity to create meaningful connection. Whether you're leading meetings, giving presentations, stepping onto a stage, or simply hoping to communicate more authentically, this conversation is a reminder that your greatest strength isn't becoming someone else. It's becoming more fully yourself. Key Takeaways Why authentic presence creates stronger connections than polished performance. Why vulnerability builds trust faster than perfection. How actors use presence to create genuine emotional connection that every speaker can learn from. Why storytelling becomes more powerful when rooted in personal truth. How fear of being seen holds back leaders, speakers, and entrepreneurs. Why public speaking starts long before you step onto a stage. How listening deeply creates more influence than trying to sound impressive. Why every person's story has the power to change someone's life. How choosing connection over performance helps people remember not just what you said, but how you made them feel. Guest Bio Brian Lafontaine is a keynote speaker, speaking coach, and professional actor with more than 30 years of experience in film, television, theater, and voiceover. His credits include Ozark, Stranger Things, Homeland, and Outer Banks. Through his coaching and Speak Easy events, Brian helps founders, executives, and professionals communicate with authenticity, confidence, and genuine presence. Connect with Brian BrianLafontaine.com LinkedIn Instagram SPEAK EASY Connect with Cara CaraTruitt.com LinkedIn Instagram JOIN THE COLLECTIVE If this conversation reminded you that real influence begins with genuine connection, subscribe to Hold The Room and share this episode with someone whose voice deserves to be heard. Learn more about our sponsor: https://apextransitllc.com/

11. 

    7 Aug 2026

    7 Habits That Create Lasting Human Connection | #1 with Najam Usmani

    How do you make people feel truly seen in a distracted world? Entrepreneur, philanthropist, and global leader Najam Usmani believes the answer isn't status or success. It's choosing service, leading with kindness, and creating one meaningful connection at a time. Why Does Presence Matter More Than Performance? On this episode of Hold The Room, Cara Truitt sits down with entrepreneur and global leader Najam Usmani to explore what creates authentic influence. From arriving in America alone at 19 years old to building relationships with presidents, senators, executives, and students, Najam shares the mindset that transformed his life: impact matters more than achievement. His stories reinforce a powerful truth that echoes Cara's Choose The One philosophy. Presence isn't about commanding attention. It's about intentionally connecting with the person in front of you. How Can Service Create Opportunity? Najam explains why networking is really about generosity, why listening beats trying to impress people, and how acts of service create ripple effects that change lives. He shares lessons from launching Champ Camp, mentoring students from different backgrounds, and helping young people discover purpose before making life-changing career decisions. The conversation also explores leadership, belonging, immigration, mentorship, executive presence, emotional intelligence, and why kindness remains a universal language across cultures and industries. Whether you're a leader, entrepreneur, speaker, educator, or simply someone who wants deeper relationships, this episode offers practical wisdom for creating trust through intentional connection. Key Takeaways Why choosing one person to focus on creates stronger human connection than trying to impress a room. How intentional listening builds executive presence and authentic leadership. Why service-first networking creates opportunities that transactional networking never will. How mentorship programs can accelerate career clarity for young professionals. Why celebrating failure helps build resilience and long-term success. How curiosity and compassion strengthen business relationships across industries. Why intangible qualities like trust and goodwill remain competitive advantages in leadership. How daily acts of kindness create meaningful influence that compounds over time. Why daydreaming with purpose can shape long-term personal and professional growth. How focusing on helping the people closest to you creates lasting community impact. Guest Bio Najam Usmani is an entrepreneur, global leader, activist, philanthropist and speaker heading Full Bright Ventures; and ISM consulting dealing in international commodities helping businesses formulate impact business plans and raise capital both domestically and internationally. Najam moved to the US from Pakistan alone at 19 to pursue the American dream and found success through struggle, eventually leading events for renowned US senators, governors, and presidential candidates. He believes your network is your net worth and believes in the philosophy that our legacy is ahead NOT behind us. Connect with Najam FullBrightVentures.com TheNextFactor Twitter Instagram Facebook LinkedIn Connect with Cara CaraTruitt.com LinkedIn Instagram JOIN THE COLLECTIVE If this conversation challenged the way you think about leadership and connection, subscribe to Hold The Room and follow the show for more conversations about presence, influence, and becoming someone people genuinely remember. Connect with our sponsor:  https://apextransitllc.com/

12. 

    30 Jul 2026

    Welcome To Hold The Room

    New episodes weekly on Wednesdays starting August 5th CaraTruitt.com JOIN HOLD THE ROOM COLLECTIVE

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