Jo Richards
Speaking Confidence Coach,
Talk Writer & Sovereignty Mentor
About Jo
I know what it’s like to feel your throat constrict at the very thought of speaking; to feel panic rising in your body and to find yourself speaking words while having no idea what’s actually coming out of your mouth. I was an actress, a facilitated large teams but whenever it came to sharing something personal in front of a group my whole system went into panic mode.
I felt so frustrated, confused & despondent. I knew I had so much to share and I longed to feel
fully expressed.
I discovered that the way to transform the fear of being seen was ironically to BE SEEN
To be seen in a safe space fully and completely.
To speak in a safe space where I felt completely seen and heard, where there was so much curiosity, deep listening and celebration. It offered a complete rewiring of my nervous system.
Speaking in this environment, I found my voice. And from the moment I felt it activate in my body, I was forever changed. I was actually here; allowed to exist; my thoughts mattered, how I felt mattered, I knew the value of my words because I felt & heard how they moved the people I was speaking to.
This is what I offer my clients. A space of genuine curiosity. a safe space where they can speak freely and feel seen and heard, where they can hear themselves speak, where they know that what they have to say matters, who they are matters, their stories matter, a space where they can become more of themselves and feel fully expressed, a place where they can connect their deepest knowing and speak unapologetically from there.
Communication has been a major theme in my life.
I studied at the esteemed Jacques Lecoq Theatre School In Paris and performed on stages across Scotland and Sydney. I've toured a one woman show and am the co=founder of a sketch comedy duo Jo & Scott where I am a scriptwriter and performer. in 2024 I undertook a 3 month pedagogical intensive in the work of Lecoq/Bing/Copeau, deepening my understanding of accessing embodiment, presence and improvisation and complicité on stage.
I am the child of Deaf parents and grew up as a bilingual and bicultural member of the Deaf community. My natural affinity for gesture makes its way into my storytelling and speaking. I became an Auslan Interpreter working across a variety of settings from university to conferences to sign singing on stage for the after party at Sydney’s Mardi Gras.
I studied Media and presented a Drivetime programme and Film Reviews on Sydney’s Eastside Radio.
For almost 3 years I was a Stage Manager in Dublin where I learnt about great theatre and storytelling from some of the world's best storytellers.
For over 12 years I facilitated events globally in a human-centred-design methodology.
I have spoken on Deep Listening, Unleashing your Voice, Front of Room Presence, Storytelling, Confidence and Leadership, am a regular Storyteller at The Moth and have been featured on the Moth Radio Hour.
I have deep experience in a broad range of meditation and mindfulness practices and
nervous system regulation tools.
I believe that the journey of becoming an authentic, embodied speaker naturally dovetails and blossoms into greater self-confidence, clear communication and sovereignty and offer Sovereignty Mentorships and workshops. After severe burnout I worked intensely with my boundaries Mentor.
I am passionate about Sovereignty, Boundaries and Personal agency and believe that we speak ourselves into sovereignty - the more we own and acknowledge our needs, wants and preferences, the more we own and value the weight of out beliefs and the wisdom we have gained from lived experience, we self actualise - we are here - present in the world... a whole, sovereign being with unique thoughts, feelings and wants. Allowed to exist.
I love the word "sovereignty".
I am a Speaking Confidence Coach and Talk writer drawing on a depth of experience in performance, theatre, storytelling, improvisation, design thinking, personal development and ancient traditions. I have coached TEDx Speakers, Keynote Speakers and Conference Speakers.
I am passionate about unleashing women’s voices. I care deeply about offering a space where people feel genuinely seen and heard.
I care deeply about my clients feeling connected to their voice, to themselves, feeling fully expressed;
You knowing that you have something to say and feeling free to say it when & how you choose.
There is nothing more exquisite.
If you’d like to connect, I'd love to chat.
Want to know more about how we
can work together?
Book in a call above or get in touch below!