Hi! I'm Stephanie! I'm passionate about building impactful partnerships, enabling businesses to grow, and making sure the social impact community thrives. With over a decade of consistently generating seven and eight figure annual revenue for companies, I understand what it takes to drive success.

Over the last 15 years working with non-profit, government and for profit businesses, I've developed a unique process for building community and generating revenue through a partnership growth mindset. I've been fortunate to develop programs and partnerships that have touched lives across the globe, from India to the United States and beyond. I've created thousands of ecosystems and opportunities that unite governments, educators, employers, and donors to make tangible change.

I believe that together we can achieve great things and am committed to paving the way for a more inclusive, impactful future.

Stephanie Wilson

I can coach a multi-million dollar proposal team, but coaching volleyball felt terrifying.

For years, I've lived and breathed volleyball—even having a court right in my front yard! But passion for a sport doesn't automatically translate into coaching skill. This thinking held me back.

Professionally, I'm confident coaching teams through complex proposals, government funding, and partnership strategies. 

But volleyball felt different. It was my pure outlet, my passion - what if I wasn't any good at it?

This year, I decided to challenge that fear. I took the leap and started coaching a regional training team of 15U/16U girls.

The results?

It's better than I ever imagined.

The skills I use in professional settings like mentoring, strategy, driving a team—are incredibly relevant on the court.

And yes, getting a clothespin that says "Fav Coach" at a tournament this weekend absolutely made my year! 🥳

My takeaway? Don't let the fear of the unknown sideline you. 

That simple phrase, "I don't know how to do this yet, but I'm willing to learn," is the easiest first step to unlocking unexpected growth. 

You may just surprise yourself with what you can achieve.

Ready to take the leap? What small risk are you committing to take this week to step outside your comfort zone?

#Leadership #PersonalGrowth #Volleyball #Coaching #ChallengeYourself

Cross-Sector Growth Strategist | $100M+ in Government & Partner Funding Secured | Nonprofit • Tech • Education • SaaS | Founder – The Uplift Collective

In two days, we hit the road for a month-long adventure.

Some vacation time, some work days, and a LOT of hours together - twenty-four a day for thirty days straight to be exact.

We did not take our annual road trip last year for a lot of reasons, so this one feels extra special.

He is my favourite person in the world, and every time we do a trip like this, I fall even more in love with him. 

For the way he sees life. 

For the way he interacts with strangers. 

For the way we show up for each other - him driving, me taking meetings.

I will share pieces of this year’s journey as we go.

Here is to adventure, love, and the balance of work and rest that somehow always feels right when you are on the road.

#JoinMe #Roadtrip

I’m equal parts terrified and thrilled to share this.

Because this one… it means something.

It’s built from every proposal written, every “not this time” email, every partnership formed, and every win celebrated over the last 20 years.

After months of work (and a few too many coffees), Sandra and I are launching something we wish existed when we started out.

Introducing The Funding Compass.

If you’ve ever spent hours searching for grants, rewriting proposals, or wondering how to turn one-time wins into steady, reliable funding — this is for you.

Between Sandra Saric and I, we’ve spent over two decades writing, reviewing, and funding proposals.

We’ve seen how competition has intensified, how partnerships have become harder to build, and how organizations are pushed to maximize their own piece of the pie instead of expanding what’s possible together.

We knew there had to be a better way.

✨ The Funding Compass helps organizations to not just find funding and win it but to turn opportunities into sustainable, predictable revenue streams.

It’s designed to bring clarity to the process, structure to your strategy, and momentum to your mission.

Because funding shouldn’t feel like chaos. It should feel like confidence.

Check it out: www.thefundingcompass.com

This isn’t just a launch — it’s a milestone built on every late night, every lesson, and every “try again.” And we’re just getting started. Join us!

Jedno #Funding #Government #SocialImpact 

Also - feedback is always welcome. We've already made improvements since it was launched to our Insider's Group.

______________
Hi! I'm Stephanie Wilson. Over the last 10 years, I've guided organizations to secure over $100M in revenue through government funding. Hit the bell 🛎️  to get notified of when I post. Join a newsletter to not miss a thing! Join The Funding Compass to get started with us today!

Open article: The Funding Compass - Never Miss a Funding Opportunity Again by thefundingcompass.com

The Funding Compass - Never Miss a Funding Opportunity Again

I woke up sick today.

And for the first time in a long time, it is just a regular cold.

Not the kind that comes from pushing too hard for too long. 

Not the kind where you finally slow down, take a break, and your body crashes the moment you exhale. The vacation cold. The post-deadline flu. The crash that happens right when you finally breathe.

Our bodies remember what we try to ignore. They hold the exhaustion we keep pushing through.

So this time, I am grateful. Grateful that this cold is just a cold. 

Just a normal, human, everyday cold.

It feels almost like a sign of progress. 

That maybe (just maybe) I am finally learning what balance looks like.

Sometimes the smallest things remind you that healing does not always look like rest. 

Sometimes it looks like living at a pace your body can keep up with.

#ProgressOverPerfection #TakeCareOfYourself #RestAndRelax

There's a light snow falling outside this morning. ☃️
Everything is quiet.
Still.

It's the kind of morning that reminds me how easy it is to overlook the quiet when life moves fast.

Today, I'm choosing to notice it.
To appreciate the space between what was and what is coming.

Because sometimes the most productive thing you can do is slow down enough to hear yourself think. ❄️

#Grateful #SlowDown

This week had wins. It also had moments of doubt, long pauses, and those quiet “am I doing this right” check ins.

That is the part of building something new that most people never see.

The good and the uncertain are always happening at the same time.

We launched things.
People showed up.
Feedback came in.
Progress is real.

And at the same time, I am learning, adjusting, and growing just as fast as the work itself.

It is a reminder that creating something meaningful is rarely smooth.

It stretches you, surprises you, humbles you, and energizes you… sometimes all in the same day.

If you are in a season where the wins and the wobble live side by side, you are not alone.

Both are part of the story. CHEERS TO GROWING AND IMPROVING!

What did this week teach you?

#SeasonofGrowth Jedno #Leadership #Authenticity

I AM A FEMALE ENTREPRENEUR.
Wait. What? Really? How did that happen?

I should have posted this yesterday.
You know, ON the ACTUAL National Women’s Entrepreneurship Day.
But for all the reasons I am sure many people face… I didn’t.
So here we are. One day late, still just as proud.

I never pictured myself in this world. I did the work. I led teams. I supported organizations. But entrepreneur felt like a title for other people.

And yet… here I am.

And what is EVEN BETTER than becoming an entrepreneur myself?

Building something with a cofounder who is also a woman.

Someone who brings her own brilliance and strength.
Someone who sees the vision and helps expand it.
Someone who wants to build something that makes a real difference.

There is something powerful about creating something with another woman who leads with integrity, purpose, and an enormous amount of heart. Shout out to you Sandra Saric!!!

So, to every woman who has stepped into something new, surprising, or brave this year… I see you.

#FemaleEntrepreneurship #FromFriendsToFounders Jedno

In the past few weeks, I’ve had conversations with nonprofit leaders and a common thread keeps surfacing.

Everyone’s trying to lead through change while the rules keep shifting.

The opportunities are still there, but they’re smaller, faster, and harder to catch.

A pilot project here. 

A short-term funding window there. 

A new initiative that may not exist by next fiscal year.

What I’m hearing over and over again is that leadership today feels less like strategy and more like triage. 

Leaders are holding their teams together, 
managing funder relationships, 
and trying to stay innovative when the ground won’t stop moving.

The challenge isn’t just finding funding anymore. It’s learning how to diversify it. 

Resilience has always been part of this work. But agility, well that’s becoming the new superpower.

If you are a leader in this space, the best thing you can do right now is stay curious.

Ask what else your organization could offer beyond its current programs.

Reach out to partners in different sectors.

Look at where your mission intersects with economic priorities.

Diversification starts with curiosity, not capacity.

You've got this!!!

#GovernmentFunding #RevenueDiversification #MakingADifference #BusinessDevelopment

Yesterday I had one of those conversations that fills you with pure joy.

The kind where you pause for a second, smile, and think, THIS is why I do this work.

Someone I have had the privilege of working with just had their second proposal approved.

Seeing their excitement, their relief, and their sense of possibility made my whole day.

What makes it even better is remembering the journey, all the learning, the refining, the patience it takes to get to this point. 

Every funded proposal carries a story of persistence and growth.

I am so proud of the work they are doing, and so grateful to play even a small role in helping bring their vision to life.

Here’s to more of these conversations.

The quiet wins that remind us that momentum builds one “yes” at a time.

#CelebratingWins #GovernmentFunding #ProposalDevelopment #BusinessDevelopment

Every now and then someone says something that hits you in a way you did not expect. That happened yesterday.

I was in a conversation that flowed easily. We talked about work and life. We were catching up because it had been a few years since we spoke and a lot had changed in both our lives. 

At one point she said she always remembered and valued that I wasn't an ego driven leader.

It stopped me for a moment because it reminded me why I do this work. 

I care about helping people work together in ways that feel honest, supportive, and real. 

I care about creating connection. 

I care about clearing the noise so teams and partners can do their best work together.

Her comment felt less like praise and more like a small reminder that I am on the right path. 

The work matters because the people matter.

What is something someone said to you recently that stayed with you?

#HonestConversations #Connections #Leadership #Impact

It is raining here today and honestly… it matches my brain.
When it rains it pours and I am all up in my head about balance.

We have our very first Jedno workshop next week and I am so excited about it. 

It is free, it is useful, and it is built to help people avoid the funding mistakes we see all the time. And did I say it's our FIRST!?!?! Eeekk!!

And yet here I am trying to walk that fine line between sharing something exciting for us and not turning my feed into a parade of promotions.

People do not come to LinkedIn to be sold to.

They come for connection and insight and a little bit of humanity.

So here is the balance I am trying to hold today.
I want to share what we are building because I know it will help people.
I also want to respect the space and the people in it.

If you are in the world of government funding or know someone who is, the workshop is there for you next week. Link in first comment (hope to see you there).

If not, I hope you still see me as someone who shows up with intention, not noise.

Maybe that is the real balance.

Leading with value first and letting people decide what they need.

What helps you stay centered when everything starts to pour at once?

#Leadership #FromFriendsToFounders #GovernmentFunding #SocialImpact

If your feed is full of budget reactions and you’re thinking about scrolling past, I get it.

But here’s why it might be worth a closer look (at the document itself, not my post lol).

This year’s federal budget puts most of its weight behind a few big focus areas. 

Nearly 80 percent of the investments are directed toward two priorities: protecting Canada’s long-term economic and national strength, and reducing costs for Canadians.

The biggest areas of investment are housing, infrastructure, artificial intelligence and innovation capacity, national defence and cybersecurity, and support for businesses looking to scale or stay competitive.

There’s also a shift in how the government plans to spend overall: less on day-to-day operations, more on long-term projects it believes will shape Canada’s future economy.

What’s quieter this year are broader investments in education systems, immigration supports, nonprofit capacity, or community development — except for some targeted programs like youth employment and support for personal support workers in health care.

So while you don’t need to read every page of the 300-plus page document, it’s worth spending a few minutes looking up the areas that matter to you. 

Budgets don’t just reflect spending — they reflect priorities. And those priorities affect where opportunities flow next.

#FederalBudget2025 #CanadianEconomy #CanadaStrong

I'm at #SaasNorth today and tomorrow! Say hi if you see me!

#SN2025 Jedno

Launching something new always comes with a mix of excitement and nerves.

And this week has reminded me why I care so deeply about this work.

Over the years I have watched incredible organizations pour their hearts into proposals only to hear no.

Not because their ideas were weak.

Not because their mission lacked value.

But because the application itself got in the way.

So for our very first free workshop at Jedno, we chose to tackle this head on.

Three Proposal Mistakes That Make Funders Say No

This is a live session for leaders who want more clarity, stronger positioning and a better understanding of what funders actually look for.

If you work in a nonprofit or start up organization and you're trying to be more successful with funding, this session will absolutely support you.

It is practical.

It is accessible.

And it comes from years of reviewing, writing and winning proposals across sectors.

You can grab your spot here:
https://lnkd.in/edR_dSG4

I am really looking forward to this one. It is going to be a powerful conversation and I hope to see you there.

#FirstWorkshop #SoExcited #MakingADifference

Open article: Crack the Funding Code: 3 Proposal Mistakes That Keep You From Winning Big by eventbrite.ca

Crack the Funding Code: 3 Proposal Mistakes That Keep You From Winning Big

I love a good audience engagement moment, don't you? 

During a recent presentation, the facilitator asked a simple question:

“When you hear the word performance, what’s the first word that comes to mind?”

The answers filled the screen in a word cloud: results, excellence, consistency, mindset, success, talent, grit.

What struck me most was how few of the responses were about people.

So much of how we measure performance focuses on outcomes and efficiency, not the human side that makes those results possible.

Performance is more than metrics.

It’s Connection. 
Clarity. 
Consistency. 
Care.
(I'll stop here cause I can't think of any more C's 😂 )

It’s how people feel supported enough to keep showing up and growing.

If you asked your team this question, what word would you hope to see appear?

I’d love to hear yours.

#Outcomes #Leadership #SocialImpact
Jedno The Uplift Collective

Yesterday I saw so many posts about gratitude. And I LOVED READING EVERY ONE OF THEM!!!

But It also reminded me that thankfulness does not need a date on the calendar. 

It is a practice. Something we can choose every day.

Today I am thankful for amazing friends who always show up, a business that is finding its rhythm, and a cofounder who is just as inspired to make a difference with the work we do. (And tissues, I'm so thankful to the inventor of tissues)

Gratitude changes everything. 

It turns the everyday into evidence that we are moving in the right direction.

What are you thankful for today?

The Canadian War Museum invites you to learn more about Canada’s military history during Remembrance Week.

The museum will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. today. Admission is free.

On Remembrance Day, visit the museum’s webpage to watch the light shining through Memorial Hall at the Canadian War Museum. At exactly 11 a.m. on Nov. 11, sunlight enters through a single window in Memorial Hall, illuminating the headstone of Canada’s Unknown Soldier.

Link: https://lnkd.in/e3Uh-rXs

Canadian War Museum
#WeRemember #UnknownSoldier #CanadianWarMuseum

Open article: Memorial Hall Visitation and Livestream | Canadian War Museum by warmuseum.ca

Memorial Hall Visitation and Livestream | Canadian War Museum

Choose your favorite ⬇️ and pretend the universe sent it just for you.

1️⃣  Seats are free but your next funding opportunity is priceless.

2️⃣  Your proposal deserves a glow up.

3️⃣  The algorithm brought you here for a reason.

4️⃣ We promise this will be more fun than reformatting a budget spreadsheet.

5️⃣ Your weekend self might scroll. Your weekday self will thank you.

SEE YOU THURSDAY AT NOON EST!!!

If you are reading this on a Saturday night, THIS post might be your sign.

You could be anywhere right now, but you are here.

Thinking about work. Thinking about growth. (Ok, that's probably not what you were originally thinking about but now that we said it you are 😂 )

And probably wondering why funding always feels so complicated. (Because aren't we all?)

Good news. We've got you covered.

This Thursday, join our live workshop and learn how to avoid the proposal mistakes that keep great ideas from getting funded.

It is free, fast, and might just make your next proposal a lot stronger.

Link in comments.

Now back to your weekend. 👋

Most women entrepreneurs work hard, hoping their talent will speak for itself.

But in leadership, visibility matters just as much as skill. How do I know?

Because I spent 27 years in front of the camera as a TV anchor for CNN, Bloomberg, and ABC. So I know what it takes to capture attention, tell stories that matter, and own the room.

Then in 2017, I decided to flip the equation and walk away from the steady paycheck.

But before I could, I had a hypothesis:

I believed that more women in leadership could benefit from raw and honest storytelling. Because I saw how time and time again, I could silence a room with nothing but my own story. 

Only problem?

Most women don’t know how to claim their expertise or use their voice. I’ve seen it happen all too often:

→ Women afraid to take up space
→ Brilliant executives unsure how to articulate their value
→ Entrepreneurs with incredible ideas who struggle to build authority

That's exactly why I built Women's Leadership Lab – to help women master public speaking, build a powerful personal brand, and become recognized leaders in their industry.

Here's how it works:

1. Uncover your signature story by crafting a compelling narrative
2. Master public speaking by learning to command any stage or boardroom
3. Amplify your visibility by leveraging storytelling for career growth, business success, and thought leadership

The women I work with have:

✔️ Landed TEDx talks & keynote speaking gigs
✔️ Raised millions in funding & secured board positions
✔️ Built personal brands that attract high-value opportunities

Because you don’t need to wait for permission to lead. You just need to start owning your story.

So if you’re ready to turn your story into your most powerful asset?

Drop me a DM or click here to learn more: www.joyadass.com

Joya Dass

I'm getting ready to emcee two full hours of programming in person this Thursday.

Someone who has always sat in the seat to my right, in the front row, for the last 3 years is my partner Matt Bevington.

More than that, he has been by my side as I built this business up.

On this Veterans Day, I don't have anything to teach today.

The person you partner up with is sometimes the biggest business decision of all.

Thank you for your service Matt. (Navy)

I’m a recovering TV anchor helping 1 time pressed woman in her 50’s give a TEDxTalk in 2026 | Currently interviewing candidates for my 2026 Mastermind. Apply joyadass.bio

A few weeks ago, I hosted a workshop called “Monetize Your Personal Brand”

I heard from an aspiring thought leader who had this one fear:

“I want to build a platform… but I’m flat broke right now, so I need to wait until the timing and finances align.”

Now, this is faulty thinking for 3 reasons:

👉 Clarity doesn’t cost money—confusion does. You lose months, sometimes years, spinning in place without a clear 1 story, 1 message, 1 transformation. Take it from me. I was there.

👉 Visibility isn’t something you “buy later.” It compounds from the tiny steps you take starting today—writing daily, sharing one 1 strong transformation you are capable of creating.

👉 Your future opportunities don’t appear when you’re ready. They appear when you’re visible. People don’t invest in you because you have money. They invest because they see themselves in the story you are telling. They feel most understood by you.

Even after I explain this, people come back to me and say:

“Okay, I get it. But what if I’m transitioning industries? Shouldn’t I wait until I’ve ‘arrived’ before I start building my thought leadership?”

You can overcome this by taking one simple bet:

👉 Start building the platform as you become the person who earns the platform.
Document the transition. Connect the dots between the old industry and the new one and why you solve problems uniquely because of that lens.

But don’t take my word for it.

Years ago, I had a client who transitioned industries.

She used to manage hair salons. She switched to managing janitorial services for brick and mortar businesses.

She built up a decent local book of business. Now she wanted a client with a national footprint and a book of business that generated $3-5MM in revenue.

By the time we finished working together, she had THREE national clients.

Here is what we did together:
https://lnkd.in/eEar--Mb 

_____
As I head into 2026, I want to work less. 

I work too much when I’m in New York.

I work way less when I’m living in Europe 4x a year and make the same revenue.

I have systems that allow me to do so and make the same money. Moving forward——I’ll start sharing more ‘systems’ with you that allow me to work less and live more.

I’ll share all of those systems with you in my course.’

It goes live Friday Feb 13th. 

Sign up for the waitlist here: https://lnkd.in/erNg5Uv4

I’m a recovering TV anchor helping 1 time pressed woman in her 50’s do raw and honest storytelling that grabs a room | Currently interviewing candidates for my 2026 Mastermind. Apply joyadass.bio

This month I asked him:

Do you feel your business is 
1. elevated since we worked together?
2. Where you want it to be ?

"Most certainly Yes & Yes!"

Have you made your investment with me back?
"Yes I made it back last year itself :) and it still keeps giving"


In 2024, I had hired him to support my Mastermind retreat with breakfast and lunch. I hire alot of personnel for my events, but I noted he, in particular, was rapt with attention with the content I was teaching. 

I “read the room.”

“How can I support you?”

My clients were all women, so he wasn’t sure I worked with male clients.

“I’ve been sitting on a supper club concept for several years. But my clients are asking me to do better storytelling around my food.”

So we began work to practice better storytelling around his food. Chef Nitin’s biggest challenge was that he would wander into tangents versus stay focused on the item of the moment.

My job was to rein that in. FOCUS.

He was also undercharging for his talents. We needed to elevate his pricing and target audience.

I learned about his grade school years, teaching himself to cook while his parents worked. His ‘come to jesus’ moment in discovering “idli” and “dosa” again at college at a coastal town with friends. Meeting his wife and discovering the flavors of Singapore.

With his Supper Club concept, each course was a nod to a story from his life.

I challenged him. 
I'm not like every coach.

At the end, he would have to road test his storytelling chops. His first real Supper Club. I would bring all my other storytelling clients.

That was 2 years ago already. 

When crafting your own stories, remember:

👉🏽Reflect deeply on your journey: identify those seminal moments. I have an exercise I use for my VIP Days 

👉🏽Infuse authenticity into your storytelling; all three of our primal brains light up when you tell a story with high stakes, a great deal of emotion and data.

👉🏽Don’t be afraid to showcase vulnerability; it's in those honest, not so perfect human moments that your audience truly connects with you.

It's Black Friday this week and I'm knocking $1000 off my VIP Day intensives.
This is even better if you want to do it abroad. Save even more. See link here: https://lnkd.in/egVxAtqH

People think starting thought leadership / personal brand building is:

• You need to be original and profound every time you speak
 • You need a massive audience or credentials before you begin
 • You need perfect visuals

What it actually is:

• “I’m not communicating this well. Let me try again.”

 (Having a script you deploy in real time forcing folks to rise to your standards, rather than you lower yours. Set healthy boundaries. In the words of Neil Strauss, “Unspoken expectations are premeditated resentments.”) 

• Publishing one clear idea every week on LinkedIn — even if only 10 people see it

 (My biggest client conversions come from publishing client transformation stories. How I got someone from point A to point B. I converted $100K in business with 4,000 followers)

• Repeating your core message until people can repeat it back to you

(I teach raw and honest storytelling. In my LinkedIn comments, I'm hearing those two words repeated back. Your brand echo is when this happens.)

That’s literally it.
_______
You will never regret building a powerful personal brand. It unlocks magic and opportunities that you have yet to access. I often say, think of Anna Wintour. If Vogue Magazine fired her tomorrow, she still has a powerful personal brand that far outshines Vogue. 

I outlined how I built to 11,000 followers and counting on LInkedIn in this free download

https://lnkd.in/eQ_cACPs

Next Tuesday I board a flight to Vienna to host my 3rd Deep Writing and Reflection Retreat of the year. What I have learned from years of hosting retreats:

As much as we love the convenience of Zoom, some things get lost in translation. Because I was able to observe one of my clients in person at a retreat this year, I pulled two data points for her talk on stage.

Travel isn't about the money. Travel-is about courage. It's a pattern interrupt. It's a signal to your nervous system that you can be uncomfortable--and still okay.

Since I work mostly with women, this is the first time they often to get prioritize themselves. Their thoughts. What they want.  At home, their lives often revolve around other people's dreams and priorities.

Joya, I find myself at a funny crossroads. What is my next chapter? I can't figure it out

Sure, we have all been there. I was there when I was working on my business the entire time in between my shots on television. When my final station was undergoing a merger, that was my sign to go full time on my business and put TV on the side burner. I created this handy download with an exercise that can help you start to craft what you may want in your next chapter:
https://lnkd.in/exh-kQtd

How can I thrive though holiday season? What we should do instead of NY resolutions?

I want to thank someone for asking me this on my Substack chat.

👉🏽One Idea:
👉🏽Script Your Season (Before It Scripts You)

Most feel like the season happened to them. It washes over you like a tsunami, rushing from party to family function.

But what if you scripted it out, like a movie director, with intention?

Research from Huffman & Milkman, Wharton shows that when life becomes busy, people unconsciously drift away from what matters most unless they pre-commit.

So what if you put intention around these questions:

👉🏽What is the feeling I want to cultivate? 

I love the warm feeling in my stomach sitting by a fireplace. I’m happiest when I’m with good friends. Drinking good wine at the place I’m going to be for the night. I love the discovery that comes with visiting Christmas markets in another country and the Beauty. Wonder. Discovery that goes with it.

👉🏽What is the rhythm you want to live by? 

I want a slow morning with 2 cups of tea. Journaling time. Reading time. I want a schedule with protected writing time.

👉🏽What is the ONE thing that would make this season meaningful?

Time with Matt’s family on the farm in Wisconsin.

👉🏽Journal prompt:

If a documentary crew followed me this week, the story they’d capture is… (me with a smile on my face, slowing down and eating salads to ready for my photo shoot.)

Do you want to be more intentional about the holidays this year? 
Download my 15 journal prompts to help.
https://lnkd.in/ec38JU-G

Hosting one of my signature Deep Writing and Reflection Retreat. 

I’m lucky to do work I love.

Tonight 7 women leaders and business owners at the Vienna Opera House for “The Makropoulos Affair”

No alternative text description for this image

How to set a boundary this holiday (and novel! Actually get some rest?)
Plus The code to get $1000 off a VIP Day with me in 2026

Gosh. I finally blinked after bringing 5 of my clients to the big stage. Life from September to November is always such a blur.

I said 'no' to many many invitations in the last few weeks. I had to hunker down and focus. But now I'm returning to civilian life and BAM!

The holidays are around the corner—and so are the invitations.

I return from hosting my Deep Writing and Reflection Retreat in Vienna and I'm in the thick of it.

Yowsa!

My parents immigrated here from Burma and Calcutta in 1969, when the immigration laws changed in favor of Indians.

I was born here and grew up celebrating Santa. The Easter Bunny. The Tooth Fairy. I wrapped all the family presents at Christmas, decorated the tree. I knew what was inside every gift box.

But one year, Santa surprised me a dollhouse. (My version of the Red Rider BB gun from Christmas Story.) I spent hours and days, dreaming up a glamorous life for my Barbie.

Over the years, as I became an adult, my parents and I were poles apart on everything other than where Barbie would park her sports car.

Who I would date. What I would do for a living. How I would live my life.

I'm a Sagittarius. Strong-willed on the best of days.

I left at 18, never to meaningfully return home. The cultural divide was too wide a bridge to cross.

For a few years, after Matt and I got together, I went back to visit my mom. (My dad has long since passed) But I was staring down the gaping maw of that cultural abyss once again, hoping to erase it.

So these days, I make myself scarce in my hometown of Enola, Pennsylvania come the holidays.

How do I say no without the guilt?

The American Psychological Association annual "Stress in America Report" consistently finds that social obligations, family expectations, financial pressures around the holidays cause cortisol levels in our bodies to spike.
So instead of feeling the warm snuggly hug of the holiday, folks feel more anxiety, sleep less and are generally less satisfied with life.

Setting a boundary at the holiday, it isn’t selfish—it's shielding our nervous systems from more strife.

Now, maybe your situation isn't as fraught as mine, but you are pining for the right words to say 'no' and set a boundary this holiday.

Read on in this edition of the "Beyond Words" newsletter to get the script:

Maybe, the biggest gift you can give yourself this holiday… is a good no.

Being a TV anchor for 27 years, scripts were my lifeline. Today, I keep scripts tucked away in my back pocket to help me speak up in work situations. You might enjoy my series called the "Anatomy of a 'no" where I share scripts for different scenarios (i.e. disagreeing respectfully, laying down a firm boundary). 

You can get it here:

https://lnkd.in/gcuh4My8

Welcome to the 11.25 Edition of the "Beyond Words" Newsletter where I share scripts on how to become your own best advocate Today at a glance: A scrip

Open article: A Script for Setting a Firm Boundary This Holiday (and actually get some rest?) by Joya Dass • 4 min read

A Script for Setting a Firm Boundary This Holiday (and actually get some rest?)

Fifty tiny faces, brows furrowed with equal parts skepticism and curiosity peered at me across a big board room table Wednesday night in New York City.

The New York Chapter of Ms President meets in the boardroom at Alliance Bernstein last night in Manhattan.

Sofia Sahai, President of the New York Chapter of an organization called Ms President training girls grades 4-7 to become civic leaders some day, asked me to share best practices about public speaking.

I was 100% feeling intimidated as I peered back.
A. I don’t usually speak to this age group.
B. Their last speaker was Gloria Steinam. I learned that from the ice breaker question everyone answered.


So I was honest right out of the gate. I shared I was intimidated.
“I usually speak to women your mom’s ages,” I said with a smile.
In a fireside chat with Ahana, I explained that in a former life I was a TV news anchor but now I help women train for the TEDx stage.
“Does everyone know what a TEDxTalk is?” Most of the hands in the room went up.


I drove home how important it is to
A. Always be yourself.
B. Be sure you have a ‘why’ behind the thing you are saying.

The girls broke up into small groups. Under the careful watch of the high school girls, they filled out worksheets sharing:
Who I am
What I do
Why it matters

After journaling, they practiced delivering their ‘elevator pitches’ to each other.

The last activity is the most fun activity.

I’ve done this at companies as a big pharma was about to swallow up a smaller one. I’ve done this with the Girl Scouts.

Three sets of girls role-played 3 common scenarios where public speaking is necessary.
“Speaking up at the doctor’s office”
“Getting your ideas are heard in a group project”
“Running for student government and supporting why”

After each role play, I asked the room to weigh in.
What was working?
What was not working?
What could each character have done better?

The hands couldn’t go up fast enough.
Everyone had thoughts on ‘how to do better.’

Then I asked, “What would be a good script to change what is going wrong here? What would be a better way to handle it when someone is squashing your voice?
Everyone had ideas.
Then I asked, “But how can you say that nicely, so everyone feels heard and respected.”
This time, more scripts flooded in.

Our ‘actors’ took the feedback and did the role play again, integrating the feedback from the entire group.

I was so impressed with how assertive all the girls were in making their voice heard. No fear!
I also chose girls who didn’t raise their hands to weigh in with what could be better. After all, I do this with adult women all the time at Zoom roundtables.


I journal before I go to bed and one of the questions I answer is: “What was my joy level today between 1 to 10?

Most days, its a “6.”
But yesterday was a “10.”
Why?

Seeing the transformation in the room —from hanging back to “Pick me!” was beautiful.

Two apps I'm using to optimize and stay organized as I host a retreat in Europe next week. (Steal them)

I am using the Roamy Travel app to plan all the places I plan to visit in Paris next week.

Here’s how it works.

I put in all the addresses of all the places I want to visit.
It maps out, by day, the clusters of addresses I can batch together.
It’s also on my phone.

Places in my Roamy app:
👉🏽The booksellers of Paris on the Seine for second-hand books. (Right bank: Between the Quai du Louvre down to the Pont Marie. Left bank: between Quai de la Tournelle and Quai Voltaire)
👉🏽Le Figaret at 16 Rue de Sèvres to get my initials sewn into my shirt.
👉🏽Maison Fabre at 128-129 Gal de Valois to stare at gloves.  
👉🏽Dressing Particulier at 1 Rue de Normandie in search of vintage belts. I picked up a Celine belt for $30.00 last year
👉🏽Louise Carmen Paris at Passage du grand Cerf to ogle the journal making
👉🏽Modo Yoga Paris, 21 Bd Richard-Lenoir to keep up my practice. The beauty of my Classpass membership is that I can book workouts anywhere in the world.
 

I now have teams dedicated to each retreat I host.

Neri and I are using the app Trip Plans to keep all the tickets and bookings in one place for Vienna. She can update in real time if, say a driver’s details have changed for our trip to the Schonbrunn Palace.

I can see the update right away.
The itinerary is also available to me if I don’t have Wifi.

God.
Send.

3 ways to setting boundaries with family during the holidays on things you *don't want to talk about* (your relationship status, your job status)

Think about making a list of your needs and how you might meet them. What topics are off limits and what are conversations you don't wish to participate in?

Set aside time to speak to your family about how you want to spend the holidays this year.  Some scripts in this video below.

Feeling extra grateful for this space and for all of you. Thanks for being part of a community that inspires, encourages, and reminds me daily why I love what I do. Wishing you a Thanksgiving rich with gratitude, warmth, and whatever dessert makes you happiest.

https://lnkd.in/etPu2FjR

Open video: How To Set Healthy Boundaries With Family | Healthy Family Boundaries | Tips On Setting Boundaries on youtube.com

How To Set Healthy Boundaries With Family | Healthy Family Boundaries | Tips On Setting Boundaries

I met a woman who was downsized from her corporate job, spent 1 year trying to stand up her consulting business, got burned out and made no money last year.

I asked, “Paint the picture for me. What would your ideal business look like?”
“I would create content and make money.”

I asked, "What would happen if you stayed exactly where you are?”
“I would feel like a failure.”

This person didn’t want systems to help her business make money. She was leveraging a friend to improve the cover images on her Youtube videos.

Peter Thiel, co-founder of PayPal, once said, “If you have a 10-year plan of how to get [somewhere], you should ask: Why can’t you do this in 6 months?”

Whenever you’re ready, there are 1 way I can help you:
Join the Samita Lab Mastermind Class of 2026. You have left corporate and don’t know how to write content that calls in business. You don’t have the systems for standing up your business.

I can teach you.
Apply here:

Open article: Waitlist for the Samita Lab Mastermind by m3ihsuc7lbk.typeform.com

Today I'm speaking to 50 young girls (4th grade to 7th grade) about public speaking.

The young are part of an organization called Mspresident.com and are learning best practices to become a leader some day.

We begin with a fireside chat and the first question is:

"You spent many years as a TV anchor speaking to millions of people on live television. That is the ultimate form of public speaking. How did you get so good at connecting with an audience?"

1999, my first on-air job, KGWC-TV, Casper, Wyoming, my general manager told me: "Stop being what you think a TV news anchor should be, and just be yourself. It's the most unique thing you bring to the table."

Many years later, I would get another reminder of this very same counsel:

I was cast to do comedy at Caroline's on Broadway. If you are familiar with New York City, that is a pretty high profile stage. But not a stage 'on-brand' for me as a business news TV anchor.  

The person doing the casting was familiar with my 'on-air business news' personality. But, unbeknownst to me, she observed me 'offline' talking smack with my friends. 

I did an 11 minute set on my dating life in New York at the time. (I was single and would regale my friends with tales all the time. I had amassed quite the story bank).

You know what I learned from that experience?

I do morning television. It's all chat based. I could stand to let that 'offline' Joya into my 'on-air' personality more. 

My career really took off when I did that.

It wasn't about public speaking. It was about absorbing feedback and having the courage to act on it.

Today, I'm a recovering TV anchor helping draw out your personality in a well crafted TEDx Talk. Do you have the courage? I'm currently interviewing candidates for 2026. Apply here. https://lnkd.in/gmaVFqtJ

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