I sat down with keynote speaker, leadership trainer, and singer-songwriter Rachel Druckenmiller to explore what it really means to live and work UNMUTED. Rachel shares how she invented roles inside a corporate job, navigated a near-career-ending pivot right before the pandemic, and eventually brought her voice - literally - onto the keynote stage. We talk about borrowing others' belief when your own is shaky, her V.O.I.C.E. framework, building self-concept clarity, and practical ways to start expressing more of who you are at work. She also tells the powerful backstory behind her original song "Somebody," and we riff on how saying yes, and before you feel ready can change your career trajectory.
Say yes before you're ready—then give yourself time and structure to figure it out.
Unmuting is an internal process first: shine a light on your strengths, borrow others' belief when yours wobbles, and build self-concept clarity.
Rachel's VOICE Method starts with identifying the void (what hurts/isn't working) and imagining what becomes possible if you change.
Ask mirrors in your life: "When have you seen me at my best?"—and let that feedback land.
Creativity compounds: tiny bets (singing snippets, one lesson a week) can evolve into signature elements of your work.
Alignment matters: let what you wear and how you show up reflect your message (on and off stage).
A simple daily question: "How can I be a contribution today?"
You don't have to abandon relevance—Rachel reframed engagement and leadership topics through the lens of Unmuted.
Rachel's website & speaking: racheldruckenmiller.com/speaking. RACHEL DRUCKENMILLER
TEDx: How Self-Silencing Is Sabotaging You. YouTube
Sizzle/Speaker Reels (YouTube). YouTube+1
Rachel on Spotify (originals & cover). Spotify+1
LinkedIn: @rachelbdruckenmiller. LinkedIn
