W H A T P E O P L E A R E S A Y I N G
F O R O N L I N E R E V I E W S, C L I C K H E R E
T V, V I D E O & M E D I A
I describe Amanda Hennessey to other producers as “the talent whisperer.” She’s been working with the on-screen cooks for both of our flagship instructional cooking shows – America’s Test Kitchen and Cook’s Country. She is truly our secret weapon!
Amanda is smart and empathetic – and both qualities are at the core of the work she does. She helps people learn how to relax and be themselves on camera – which is much, much harder than it sounds. She’s also able to identify and work through what’s holding them back from being their authentic selves on TV. With Amanda’s guidance, many of our newer cast members have gone from nervous and uncomfortable to cracking jokes and commanding the set with ease, often in the span of a single season.
I can’t recommend Amanda highly enough.
Kaitlin Keleher
Executive Producer, America’s Test Kitchen & Cook’s Country
Thanks again for the excellent coaching today. I feel much better having broken through the wall of the unknown with your help and rehearsed what to expect and how to present.
Community activist, preparing to be interviewed by PBS
I was considering writing a book about dog training and she helped me brainstorm and shape my ideas. When I did receive a book deal, she continued to support my process. I have pitched my ideas to TV producers and Amanda helped me to prepare for these intense meetings so that what I conveyed was clear, succinct and I was able to authentically share who I am.
Once my book came out, I needed to take part in a video "trailer". Amanda helped me to shape the tone, the flow of ideas and how best to articulate them. We also discussed my outfit and how I could manage any nervous energy that comes up.
Kate Perry, CEO & Founder
Kate Perry Dog Training
NYC's Best Dog Trainer - New York Magazine
E X E C U T I V E
Amanda’s help was transformational. In addition to teaching me to reframe my mental construct around presenting (which itself was worth the investment), she provided the actual tools to make me better at it.
Being able to apply these tools, and even more importantly THINK about applying these skills in the moment (rather than being distracted by less helpful thoughts), makes me feel like I now have the “secret” to doing this well.
I find myself actually looking forward to presenting.
Lauren Jezienicki, Vice President
Christopher Wilson, Executive Director of Enforcement
Securities and Futures Commission
Hong Kong
Amanda is amazing. She helped shape our presentation's story line; improve wording and flow. Having fun, being yourself, being confident while delivering a speech requires public speaking skills. Amanda is fantastic at teaching those skills!
Jennifer Bergantino, VP Business Development, ConConn, Inc.
Amanda was AMAZING! She not only gave me helpful tips on how to remember my lines, engage the SXSW audience and effectively sell the product, but she more importantly improved my confidence that I was lacking before she and I met.
Janalyn Peppel, Head of Customer Development
Embr Labs
Avi Green, Executive Director
Scholars Strategy Network
From the moment we began working together, Amanda's insights, suggestions, dedication, enthusiasm and expertise were outstanding. Her ability to listen and provide thoughtful feedback and suggestions was invaluable to me, and I couldn't have done it without her!"
Rebecca Hourihan
Founder and CMO
401(k) Marketing, LLC
S C I E N T I S T
I took all of your amazing advice and felt 100x more comfortable before and during the speaking panel. I think I did a good job and got a lot of good feedback afterwards.
Yahoo!
Communicating is the most important thing I do, but my presentations weren't good enough. Amanda Hennessey helped me be more persuasive and engaging.
She even helped me be funnier!
Being a better speaker has made me a better leader. And that's no laughing matter.
Thanks for everything! The talk was excellent, completely surpassed my own expectations and I was very happy with my voice.
Marnie, PhD candidate at MIT
Amanda took the time to really understand my concerns before coaching me for a very important interview. She helped me both project confidence and ease and also genuinely feel them.
My presentations have seen a vast improvement, and I find that I’m much more active now in small group meetings. Amanda’s utmost professionalism and sharp insights have been instrumental in getting me to accomplish my goals.
Thank you, Amanda
Scientist, preparing for a job talk
I came to Amanda in a panic because I'm a biologist, not an actor, but I was filming a demo video for a prospective wildlife tv show...The results were fantastic! What an improvement over my initial attempts.
Don Lyman, Professor
Thank you very much for your training. It was definitely uplifting and gave me more confidence in terms of facing the crowd.
Scientist at a pharmaceutical company
Amanda is great to work with! She provides a hefty dose of positive energy and covers every step in the public speaking process. From mindset and ideas to slides, delivery and body language -- she covers it all. And, like any great coach, she gently guides you through the process with direct, honest feedback. At the end, you will know your speaking mission, have clarity on your message, and have the tools needed to overcome any doubts that come your way. Highly recommended!"
Newly confident speaker from Boston, MA
S T U D E N T S & F A C U L T Y
Amanda was invaluable during my interview process for medical school. She gave me feedback and guidance on every aspect of the interview process, from delivering my answers articulately to presenting a demeanor that conveys self-assurance. She helped me move beyond my initial anxieties about interviewing at top medical schools.
A. Thomas, Brown University graduate
Soon to attend Yale Medical School
Thank you SO much for your expertise and time yesterday! I am still reeling from how much I learned! Wow, acting requires a level of psychological insight that I had never realized.
You are one of the best listeners with immediate insight, that I have ever met.
Professor, Public Health
Boston
Amanda’s help was invaluable.
She has an instinctive ability to grasp what works and what doesn't in a presentation. She helped me to think about how to express myself and how to feel comfortable and natural in doing so. Amanda was totally invested in helping and passionate about doing so, and she always went the extra mile to help.
A.T., Harvard Law School student
Amanda exceeded my expectations. She was flexible with scheduling and meeting methods, receptive and patient, and most importantly, her advice worked!
It went really well! I even got some laughs in the crowd. One more presentation to go for the semester!
Nursing student
Amanda helped me to turnaround my "job talk" presentation when I applied for academic positions. Her contribution was beyond any expectation - while I expected her to improve my delivery techniques alone, she managed not only to have me grip my audience, but she also helped me to improve the actual structure of my talk, making it crisp, exciting and enthralling.
N. Shilon, Harvard Law School student
Undergraduate student
I was really nervous about law school and did not have much luck with other public speaking coaches. I was about to give up and wing it in law school when I found Amanda.
Sessions with Amanda were completely different from anything I had tried.
Each lesson was jam-packed with tips that I would have never thought of, fun exercises, and tons of practice – the time flew by and I left each lesson armored with so many more strategies than when I went in.
A.B., now attending Cornell Law School
O T H E R
Amanda took me from puddle of nerves to confident speaker. Her professionalism and sense of humor provide a safe learning environment with non-judgmental corrections.
I never would have been able to run a successful campaign without the courage and guidance from Amanda!
Kristie L. Ferrantella, Select Board, Nantucket
J. Barnard, preparing a eulogy for her sister
Amanda's wisdom and creative technique have helped me focus on what I like about my work and my research when I present. I was even relaxed enough the last time to joke around with my co-panelists!
Client who gave a short presentation in the U. S. Senate