When was the last time you showed up as your whole self — messy bun, bold dreams, coffee cup in hand — and said, “This is me”?

In this episode of The Communication Queen Podcast, host Kimberly Spencer sits down with Marianne Hickman, professional speaker, storytelling coach, and founder of The Elegant Office. Together, they unravel the truth that every Queen in business needs to hear: authenticity isn’t optional — it’s your greatest business strategy.

From her journey as a single mom of five on food stamps to becoming a powerhouse on global stages, Marianne reveals how owning your story — every raw, unfiltered, audacious bit of it — builds unshakable trust. Kimberly and Marianne go deep on the “cost of conformity,” how to stop shrinking to fit, and why storytelling that comes from the scars (not the wounds) transforms audiences and careers alike.

If you’ve ever felt like your story wasn’t “professional” enough to share, this conversation will shake you awake. Because when you stop performing and start being real, your people don’t just listen — they lean in.

🎧 Tune in and discover how your authenticity can amplify your message, magnetize the right stages, and create transformation every time you speak.

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Enjoy, sovereigns!

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, or your other favorite podcast listening platform. You can also watch the episode on Youtube.

What You’ll Learn in this Episode:

1. Authenticity is your superpower.
   Marianne shares her journey from being a single mom on food stamps to a thriving speaker and entrepreneur. Her success began when she stopped caring about others’ opinions and started showing up as her true self. That radical ownership of her story turned vulnerability into power


2. Authentic storytelling builds trust.
   The more honest and human you are, the more your audience connects. Marianne’s viral “coffee post” story demonstrates that imperfection is what resonates most—authentic moments create deeper relationships than polished personas


3. Rejection is redirection.
   Marianne uses her “bottle of water” metaphor to teach that your value doesn’t change based on where you are—only your environment does. If you’re not being valued, you’re simply in the wrong room


4. Tell stories from the scar, not the wound.
   Both Kimberly and Marianne stress that the most powerful stories are told from a place of healing and ownership, not blame. When you’ve moved from “this happened to me” to “this happened for me,” your message becomes transformational


5. Show up, even when it’s messy.
   Marianne emphasizes that 80% of success is just showing up—on podcasts, in conversations, on stages. Authentic visibility builds relationships, credibility, and confidence over time


6. Gratitude fuels grounded storytelling.
   She also shares a personal morning practice: “What if I lost everything I didn’t thank today?” That mindset keeps your message rooted in appreciation and presence, not perfection

🌟 In Short

You’ll learn how to:

• Turn real-life experiences into emotionally resonant stories
  
  


• Build trust through authenticity in your brand and voice
  
  


• Move from fear of judgment to confident self-expression
  
  


• Heal your story so it empowers, not limits, you
  
  


• Use storytelling as both a business and personal growth strategy
  
  

This episode is a masterclass in authentic storytelling — how to stop performing, start transforming, and let your truth be your stage.

Quotes:

“As long as I’m proud of it and can honor it, it takes the power from others and gives it back to me.” - Marianne Hickman

“If you’re not finding your value, you’re just in the wrong room — not the wrong story.” - Marianne Hickman

“Authenticity isn’t about perfection. It’s about power — the power to be unembarrassable.” - Marianne Hickman

Links & Additional Resources:

Connect with Marianne Hickman.

Website: https://mariannehickman.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marianne__hickman

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@marianne__hickman

Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/349b6bi0HwzT1szt3S40V0?si=dc8acc8fb77e4b0e

Mastery Hive Public Speaking Training Program: https://offers.mariannehickman.com/weekly-mastery-hive-call?am_id=kimberly8230

Moments of Note:

00:00 – The Mic-Drop Promise: Never Be Embarrassed Again
Marianne Hickman opens the episode with the mantra that changed her life — “I don’t care what you think of me.” Discover how reclaiming your self-worth rewires your confidence and turns embarrassment into empowerment.

01:50 – From Food Stamps to Financial Freedom: The Power of a Story Still Being Written
Marianne shares her journey from single mom of five on food stamps to thriving entrepreneur. Learn how “unfinished stories” are actually your strongest brand asset.

03:45 – Authenticity vs. Approval: The Nordstrom Suit Story 👗
A $750 suit, a corporate stage, and one big realization: you can’t buy authenticity. Marianne’s fashion confession turns into a masterclass on personal branding and being yourself on stage and off.

06:50 – The Coffee Post That Changed Everything ☕
When Marianne’s viral “authen