An Inspired Chat with Brenda Adelman of San Diego, CA

Brenda Adelman shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Brenda, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What battle are you avoiding?
I am avoiding getting into red vs blue conversations with someone I know will not receive it well or be able to hear my points. I am open to seeing how I can create a safe space for dialogue where both me and the other person can truly hear each other.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My life taught me that a single story can break you-or set you free. I chose the latter, and now I help others do the same.
In my case my father shot and killed my mom and married my aunt (her sister). I healed from it and then turned it into a critically acclaimed one-woman show I’ve toured with worldwide.

These days, I help people step into their power by owning their story, expressing their true voice, and showing up with confidence—whether that’s on a stage, in a boardroom, or on a Zoom screen. For me, it’s not just about presentation skills, it’s about transformation.

I work with clients to uncover the personal stories of resilience that shaped who they are, and then connect those stories to their business or mission so their message really lands. With my background as an award-winning actor and director, I bring in writing feedback, performance coaching, and acting techniques that help them shine with presence and authority.

What makes my work unique is this mix of artistry, psychology, and strategy. I’ve seen firsthand how stories can heal, inspire, and open doors—and that’s what drives everything I do.

Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
My mom was a wild bohemian artist in a very harsh place, Brooklyn. She taught me compassion for everyone, to be true to myself and that it was okay to be different. Because she stayed in the abusive relationship she also taught me things I would have to unlearn- like how it is okay to be diminished by your partner. Her death led me to my purpose and my deep healing journey.

When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
I had this moment several years after my mom was killed by my dad that I realized that if I continued to hate my father- I was hating a part of myself and I refused to continue. I did a ritual and declared my forgiveness of him and the embracing of his good qualities that lived inside me- into the universe. That moment led to me feeling a sense of joy again. I stopped feeling shame and my talent was unleashed and ready to express. This is what I help my clients with now and what I share on stages as a gift to my audiences to tap into their resilience

Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
That an entrepreneur with no speaking experience can learn a formula, sit in a BIG group program and create and deliver an extraordinary talk that gets them paid- out of the gate.

Mastery takes discipline and practice and to be unforgettable you need more than a formula and to deliver like a pro- you need a director or customized presentation coaching

Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
Brenda has inspired millions by sharing her story of forgiving her father, for taking her mom’s life proving that we are stronger than we imagine. Through her one-woman show, My Brooklyn Hamlet, her proven forgiveness system and global SOUL Story Method teachings, she created a ripple effect- empowering countless people to tap into their legacy message and share their stories in unforgettable ways.

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