Transformational keynotes that create "ah-ha" moments and drive powerful action.Â
PErformance Without burnout
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The Gift of Choice: Finding Your Power in Any Circumstance
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What happens when you discover at 13 that you exist because of your mother's rape? For decades, Dr. Susie Castellanos Hansley was trapped by rage and the belief she "shouldn't be here." But when she finally heard the part of the story she'd missed—that her mother chose to have her despite impossible odds—everything changed.
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Drawing from her award-winning story (National Speakers Association Carolinas "Last Story Standing" 2025 winner), Dr. Susie reveals how shifting from "this shouldn't have happened" to recognizing the choices that were made transformed victimhood into empowerment. Through vulnerability, science, humor, and profound insight, she shows audiences that no matter what circumstances they're facing, they have more choices than they realize.
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Audiences will discover how to move from fighting unchangeable realities to finding their power through conscious choice. This isn't just an inspiring story—it's a framework for transforming any challenging situation from powerless to empowered.
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Key Outcomes:
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Why we feel powerless in challenging circumstances - and how to find your agency
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How to tell the difference between circumstances you can change and ones you can't - and where to focus your energy
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Tools to shift from victim thinking to empowered choice-making - so you can move forward powerfully
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How to transform your most difficult experiences into sources of strength and service - TOGETHER
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Target Audience:
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Professionals facing major life or career transitions
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Anyone dealing with circumstances beyond their control
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Leaders navigating organizational change and uncertainty
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Individuals seeking to transform challenging personal histories into sources of strength
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Conference attendees looking for authentic vulnerability combined with practical wisdom
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Speaking Topics/Themes:
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Personal transformation and resilience
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Finding choice in challenging circumstances
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Overcoming trauma and adversity
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Leadership through vulnerability
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The power of reframing your story
Key Outcomes:
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Why we feel powerless in challenging circumstances - and how to find your agency
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How to tell the difference between circumstances you can change and ones you can't - and where to focus your energy
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Tools to shift from victim thinking to empowered choice-making - so you can move forward powerfully
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How to transform your most difficult experiences into sources of strength and service - TOGETHER
Stories help you alchemize trauma... when you get up and tell that story, you help other people touch on trauma in their own lives.
Emily Crookston, Ph.D.
Panel, Interview, and Podcast Topics
✓ Why Mindset Isn't Everything
✓ Identifying and Working With Early Childhood Trauma
✓ The Biology of Belonging: Creating Psychological SafetyÂ
✓ The Truth about ADHD in Women
Pictured: Presenting on a Panel on Ethical Leadership at Activate Good
Susie is an excellent speaker... She connects to the audience through her storytelling mixed with facts and figures.
Frank Kitchen, Certified Speaking Professional
What I absolutely loved about this speech is it took me on a journey... it was just phenomenal and I loved it.
Michelle Mckown-Campbell
"Susie is a dynamic speaker with engaging and empowering content. She presented a web-based workshop on how to overcome imposter syndrome for the Brown Alumni community and she was fabulous!"
Johanna Hussey, M.Ed
Director of Career & Life Design, Brown UniversityÂ
"Susie is a dynamic speaker with engaging and empowering content. She presented a web-based workshop on how to overcome imposter syndrome for the Brown Alumni community and she was fabulous!"
Johanna Hussey, M.Ed
Director of Career & Life Design, Brown UniversityÂ
How to Be a High Performer
Without Burning Out
Being a high performer doesn't have to come at the expense of your energy and well-being. The key lies in understanding when you're fueling your actions with cortisol - then pivoting to the biological fuel that's designed to sustain high-impact action.Â
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In this hands-on session, Dr. Susie Hansley will teach you why we stay cortisol-driven and how to switch to sustainable energy in seconds. You’ll learn exactly how to release stress quickly and take consistent action that supports your goals without draining your energy.
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What Your Audience Will Learn:
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✓ How to notice stress triggers early before they accumulate
✓ How to reset stress FAST—even in the middle of a busy workday
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Immediate Impact:
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✓ Stop stress accumulation before it leads to burnout
✓ Think clearly and make better decisions under pressure​
✓ Stay motivated and energized for the long haul
"Susie is one of my favorite speakers I’ve seen. She connects to her listeners with her personal story, then adds in the science behind our behavior, paired with actionable ways we can overcome stress.
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I loved Susie’s talk so much that I actually hired her to be a speaker for my corporate wellness business. She was super professional and engaging and I would highly recommend her."
-Georgia Homsany, MBA
Founder and Owner, Daily Dose Wellness
Effective Communication
in High-Performing Teams
Teams can work incredibly hard together, but communication breakdowns create stress, delays, and frustration. The breakthrough happens when you establish a shared language for discussing challenges—and create the psychological safety so every team member feels heard and valued.
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In this interactive session, Dr. Susie Hansley will teach you how to identify communication gaps before they derail projects, manage team conflict constructively, and build the relationships that transform individual contributors into a truly high-performing team.
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What Your Audience Will Learn:
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✓ How to identify and name communication challenges using concrete language
✓ Techniques to create psychological safety where all team members speak up honestly
✓ Strategies for turning conflicts into conversations that strengthen relationships
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Immediate Impact:
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✓ Reduce project delays caused by poor communication
✓ Build stronger relationships and deeper trust within your team
✓ Create an environment where problems get solved faster through open dialogue