HI. I’M SONESS.
COACH TO OVER 140 SPEAKERS, TED WORLDWIDE TALENT SEARCH & 4-TIME TEDX SPEAKER PUBLISHED ACADEMIC AUTHOR ON COMMUNICATIONS
Soness Stevens is a TED Worldwide Talent Search & 4-time TEDx speaker, communications academic and practitioner, trainer to 140 TED & TEDx speakers. Her stories move audiences from laughter to tears to standing ovations.
Soness’s talks connect, engage and move audiences of 10 to 1,000, having transformed over 750,000 participants. Vulnerable and powerfully, she shares how we can change conversations professionally, personally, and in our relationships with her belief “listening is love.”
Her TEDx talk on “Have You Ever Felt Heard?” received two standing ovations. And her TEDx talk on “Miscarriage: What do you say?” changed the dialogue of how we are present with those grieving the loss of an infant, hopes, or identity.
Soness is a three-time published academic. As an Associate Professor of Business Presentation Skills at YNU, her research on communications revolutionized the university system, instilling autonomous learning and interactive teaching.
Soness’s emotive storytelling and exciting data engage the audience instantly. Her “Take action now!” philosophy creates interactive talks raising the audience on their feet applying the life-changing principles immediately!
Soness speaks around the world from North America to Asia to the Middle East at events including McKinsey, Disney, World Family, NHK, FOX, Google, Mobile World Congress, TED, TEDx, Softbank, Good Life Project, and National Digital Design Conference, the largest design conference in Pakistan. You may have seen Soness’s nationwide weekly broadcast communications TV show on NHK TV or previously on FOX Japan.
Soness is the official English voice of Hello Kitty. She lives near the beach and practices Zazen Meditation at her local temple in Japan.
SPEAKER
LIFESTYLE
EMPOWERING TALKS
TEDX TALK
”HOW TO KNOW, ASK & GET PAID WHAT YOU’RE WORTH”
As featured on TED’s “How to be a Better human” Series
Underpaid and overworked as a freelancer? Freelancing vet Soness Stevens debunks the myths that could be preventing you from earning — and knowing — your full professional value.
LIVE IN ACTION
See my live speaking here...
“HOW TO SPEAK SO PEOPLE WILL LISTEN?”
Soness Stevens, a communications researcher and practitioner asks, “How to listen so people will speak?” In this TED talk, learn how to become a better listener. Listening skills through active listening, compassion, and Hello Kitty!
MISCARRIAGE: WHAT DO YOU SAY?
What to say when a friend has a miscarriage? Soness Stevens is a global communications practioner and researcher. In this TED talk on miscarriage, Soness shares the voices of 600 women suffering losing a baby of what to say and what not to say.
EMPOWERING
INSPIRING
TEACHING
YOU HEARD HER HERE..
NEED AN ENGAGING SPEAKER?
Soness Stevens is a TED Global & 4-time TEDx speaker, coach to 130+ TED & TEDx speakers, and communications practitioner. Her stories move audiences from laughter to tears to standing ovations.
Soness’s talks connect, engage and move audiences of 10 to 1,000. Two decades of transforming 750,000 participants. She shares vulnerably and powerfully on how to have meaningful conversations professionally, personally and in our relationships with her belief “listening is love.”
Her TEDx talk on “Have You Ever Felt Heard?” received two standing ovations. Her TEDx talk on “Miscarriage: What do you say?” changed dialogues on grieving loss whether it’s the loss of a baby, hopes, or identity.
Soness is a three-time published academic. Her communications research revolutionized the university system at YNU instilling autonomous learning and interactive teaching.
Soness speaks around the world from North America to Asia to the Middle East at events, including McKinsey, Disney, World Family, NHK, FOX, Google, Mobile World Congress, TED, TEDx, Softbank, Good Life Project, National Digital Design Conference Pakistan.
Watch Soness’s nationwide weekly broadcast communications TV show on NHK TV or previously on FOX Japan.
Soness is the official English voice of Hello Kitty. She lives near the beach and practices Zazen Meditation at her local temple in Japan.
You may have seen Soness at…
LOOKING FOR A GUEST ON YOUR PODCAST?
AS HEARD ON...
POWER OF EMOTION
Soness Stevens’ talks at the November FEW meeting and shared her secret weapon to connect and engage audience authentically. Curious what she empowers her speakers before they go on stage? Click here to read on the full details.
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[few] Soness Stevens Woman In Japan Experience
SPEAKING TOPICS
1. HOW TO LISTEN SO PEOPLE WILL SPEAK
(as seen on TEDx)
In a world where everyone is vying for attention, the genius is in being able to hear. What if your message, your idea worth spreading whether on the TED stage, the office or your clients was being lost? It’s not a language thing. It’s about the deeper connection. Soness shares 4 basic elements you need to remember to communicate effectively with any audience–whether globally or your neighbor to connect and engage with anyone.
“I believe that you are a master communicator, Soness Stevens. You have opened my heart up to listening more, especially to those I love the most. One of my dear friends shared with me that I listen to him more than anyone else. AND I realize that I am not always fully present with him. Now I am aiming to be fully present with everyone I am blessed to be with. Thank you for your beautiful and inspiring sharing.”
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--Bodhi Kenyon, Trainer -
2. YOUR TED-WORTHY IDEA: FROM DAYDREAM TO REALITY
What’s your idea worth spreading? How do you get to speak at TED? Soness Stevens gives you a Roadmap to TED: everything you need to take your spark of an idea to get booked to speak at events. You’ll learn what makes an idea worth spreading, create a clear and concise concept, and gain confidence in your idea to the audition stage.
“I got booked to speak at 3 TEDx events because of this workshop and course! Soness has her unique techniques, exercises, and stages of really deep diving into what our core messages, what we stand for, and what we want to be known for. I thought I had an idea, but Soness made me dig further and helped me discover “The Idea” Worth Spreading. The organizer for TEDxOxford said he has never seen an application to this level of high quality, well prepared, and the authenticity of the core message core thesis. Thank you, Soness!”
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--Shirley Liu, VP of L’Oreal Paris -
3. THE POWER OF EMOTION IN YOUR STORY TELLING
What makes a talk engaging? The power of story, of course! Or is it? Everyone talks about the hero’s journey. But the story is simply a vehicle to move from point A to point B. The Power of Emotion is the fuel to drive your story. Whether you are preparing for your TEDx talk connecting with others over lunch or networking, you’ll learn simply powerful techniques to captivate.
“A whole new perspective on storytelling! It had the whole audience on its feet!”
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--ND2C organizer Sana Khalid -
4. HOW TO KNOW, ASK, AND GET PAID WHAT YOU’RE WORTH.
In my TEDx talk “How to know, ask, and get paid what you're worth” featured by TED in their “Better Human” series, I share the myths and physical activities (yes, 2 activities in an 18-minute talk!) to make a shift.
“So smart, thank you Soness. I love your confidence, your candor, and your gutsiness. We all need to keep the end game in mind, and you talk gives us the rationale for doing that.”
- --Dana Rubin, Founder of Speaking While Female Speech Bank
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“Creative professionals need to know their value - and know when to say no, walk out. Assessing one's worth is one of the hardest thing I've ever had to do. I think everyone asking themselves this will find what they're looking for in your talk!”
- --John Daub, Only in Japan Producer with over 1 million subscribers.
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Testimonial
"Soness is nothing short of amazing! She was the only speaker to get a standing ovation at our TEDx event. She brings that same energy on and off stage!"
TEDx organizer Zac Oshima,
Brand Manager, Running at NIKE
"I loved the way Soness interacted with the audience. As speakers we often get up and we stand and deliver, but we forget that there is a conversation between the speaker and the listener. That really came across."
-- Lara Hanlon,
Designer in Residence at IBM
"Soness brings in all elements required in human communication to hook my heart. I understood it to such depth. And I wanted to speak to her...come on the stage and speak with her. Today I felt: maybe I should open my own mouth and mind and express myself so that I can have a real conversation. Communication can be done only by you opening up yourself."
--Manabu Nagaoka,
Sesame Workshop, New York
"Whether as a speaker, or as a coach for the speakers, [she can get] that positive energy going, and really create the ambiance for learning because it is when we open up that we are able to learn. …. She can’t help but help others be better at what they do. I think as someone who came here “full of himself” to host the event [to ND2C in Pakistan], it would be an understatement to say that I was ten times better than how I was when I came here to host this conference after having met Soness. … She really helped me open up and she really helped me to realize where I could improve. She did all of that without making any discomfort felt by anyone around, or by me, for that matter. If I were to say this, Soness is a superwoman, a super speaker, a super coach and to top all of that off, she’s got the moves." OOOuuuu!
--Umair Saeed,
COO of Blitz Advertising, LTD.
"Since hearing Soness’s talk on “How to Listen So People Will Speak,” I’ve been using the 3 techniques (funny how hard it is to break the habit of not really listening!). And you’re right--it’s amazing how much more information is shared just by repeating what’s said and asking “tell me more.” I’m a compulsive problem-solver, so listening doesn’t come naturally to me. I usually jump straight into mode. Can’t wait to use your techniques in the business setting!"