Backstage Pass: Ep. 19 - Judi Holler: The Art & Impact of Self Expressionism
judi holler bio
In a world where untapped potential often lies dormant, Judi Holler is on a mission to empower people to lead themselves, face fear, and discover how to bring thier best, most authentic, creative, and engaged selves to work—even in uncertain times. Her keynotes are a call to action, inspiring leaders and teams to align accountability with authenticity.
Drawing from her electrifying spontaneity as an alumnus of Second City’s Conservatory in Chicago and a 15-year award-winning career in hospitality sales and marketing, Judi packs her keynotes with business acumen and creativity that will awaken the spirit of every individual to face their fear and rise as leaders, no matter their role.
For 25+ years, Judi has been smashing through glass ceilings, whether in her earlier years as an executive in the meetings and events space or in the past 10, where she has built a thriving enterprise encompassing a successful keynote speaking business, a top 1% podcast on iTunes, and a bestselling book. Her work has garnered praise from Forbes and Success Magazine, attracting clients like Four Seasons, Ford Motor Company, Marriott, Bank of America, T-Mobile, Avon, Calendly, The Boston Red Sox, The Ritz Carlton, and more.
Her bestselling book, Fear Is My Homeboy®, delivers a powerful message: stop letting fear boss you around and start leveling up personally and professionally. By shutting down self-doubt, you can harness the transformative power of proactive action and build a life and career that truly reflects who you are.
Off stage, you can catch Judi working on her next book (dropping 2025), building the HOLLAverse, mixing up a mean Cadillac margarita, laughing at her golf game, and jamming to 90's hip hop like it’s still the golden era. Judi lives in Scottsdale, Arizona, with her husband, Scott, and their two dogs, Jameson and Tito.
show notes
On the latest episode of Backstage Pass, Gail Davis and Judi Holler have a high energy conversation about the significance of creativity in the future of work, embracing a broader vision of what is possible, and the power of improv in life and business. Tune in to hear how Judi empowers audiences to think big, feel seen, and express themselves fully.
In this episode of Backstage Pass, host Gail Davis interviews Judi Holler, a keynote speaker and improv-trained emcee, about her experiences and insights in event planning and audience engagement. They discuss the importance of openness, building relationships, and the role of an emcee in creating a successful event. Judi shares her approach to learning about the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) and how she uses improv techniques to engage audiences during her keynotes. The conversation highlights the significance of trust between clients and creatives, as well as the power of improvisation in navigating uncertainty. In this engaging conversation, Judi Holler shares her experiences with improv and its transformative power in both personal and professional settings. She discusses the ABC game, a unique improv exercise that fosters connection and creativity. Holler introduces her new keynote, 'The Transformational Art of Self-Expressionism,' emphasizing the importance of self-awareness and creativity in leadership. She outlines her Holla Framework, which includes six laws of self-expression, and highlights the significance of recreation in self-discovery. The discussion culminates in the impact of her keynotes on audiences, leaving them energized and with a broader vision of what's possible.
Key topics in this episode include:
Judi Holler emphasizes the importance of openness in building relationships with clients.
Engagement and energy are crucial for keeping audiences connected during events.
Trust between the emcee and the client is essential for a successful partnership.
Understanding the client's needs and culture is vital for an effective emcee.
Improv techniques can be powerful tools for audience engagement in keynotes.
Judi's experience with EOS has transformed her approach to events.
Building a personal connection with the audience enhances the overall experience.
The role of an emcee is to be an extension of the client's team.
Judi's unique blend of keynote speaking and MCing creates a dynamic experience for attendees. Improv can help individuals realize they can do hard things.
Self-expression is crucial for effective leadership.
Creativity is becoming a top skill needed in the future of work.
People need to feel safe to express themselves.
Recreation is essential for self-discovery and joy.
Happy, self-aware people contribute positively to organizations.
The Holla Framework provides structure for self-expression.
Engaging audiences requires energy and authenticity.
Keynotes should inspire a bigger vision for attendees.
Leadership should focus on the becoming, not just the doing.
Visit gdaspeakers.com to learn more about bringing Judi Holler to your next event!