Book Charlene

For more than three decades, I’ve spoken to groups large and small—from intimate gatherings to conference rooms filled with hundreds. No matter the setting, my purpose is always the same:

To use story as a way to connect, reflect, and move forward.

I don’t give rehearsed speeches or one-size-fits-all presentations. Every talk grows out of the people in the room and the reason they’ve gathered. I speak from lived experience—resilience, loss, faith, discernment, and the quiet strength it takes to keep going when life doesn’t unfold the way we expect.

My work is rooted in the belief that stories matter. Not because they are dramatic or polished, but because they help us make sense of what we’ve lived through. They remind us we’re not alone. And sometimes, they give us the courage to take the next step.

Whether I’m speaking to educators, writers, widows, community groups, or professionals, my goal is always the same: to leave people feeling seen, encouraged, and reminded of their own strength.