Mary Ellen Sherman

Account Executive

MC (McHenry) Magazine

Shaw Media

"Improv for Public Speaking" Workshop - May 2017

 

"Just wanted to thank you for the fun night last night [at your workshop]. You had some great tips on how to loosen up on making presentations. We'll all be starting our talks with "185 baseballs"! It helped me when I finally accepted that I was the expert on my topic. I just needed to tell "them" about it. That was a confidence builder.  

 

You made that group of strangers feel safe enough to stick their necks out.  That's a real magic trick!  Great job!

I think you're offering valuable techniques!"

 

 

 

Stephen Bero

Executive Director, Algonquin Area Public Library

Algonquin, IL - November 18, 2016

After leading a team building session for the staff at Algonquin Area Public Library

"Thanks again for leading my staff through a stimulating training session this morning! I look forward to crossing paths again with you soon."

 

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Holly Muth

Financial Advisor, Edward Jones Investments

Roscoe, IL - May 2016

"I recently had the opportunity to attend a professional event and was privileged to experience one of Julie's workshops.  The experience in my opinion was a "must have" for anyone looking to expand their ability to effectively connect and communicate both with your professional and personal relationships!  

 

Julie does an outstanding job of using humor to uncover the real issues that holds us back in life!  Julie teaches you how to relinquish the control, be still, be a better listener, build each other up, yet most importantly how to turn up the humor!  Her interactive style enabled a group of approximately 40 professional ladies to come together, connect, build trust and therefore open up a dialogue of how we can produce results in our relationships! 

 

We got the message! And it was a fantastic one that inspired and produced confidence!  It's amazing what laughter can do!  Julie is a "ray of light" that would bring a wonderful experience and message to any corporate or personal event!"

 

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Sheva Carr

CEO/Executive Director, Fyera! and the Fyera Foundation Sunflower SunPower Kids

Boulder Creek, CA - April 2016

“As a business leader and humanitarian, it never occurred to me that improv could help solve intractable business and societal problems until I met Julie Ostrow. In one half hour she changed the way I communicate with my staff and think about strategic planning to exponentially boost effectiveness. She taught me to apply principles of play from my childhood improv days to engage the full creative prowess and passion of every team member and stakeholder, generating a synergy that has impact far greater than a well intentioned visionary imposing their vision could ever have. She helped me shift from being the visionary, to inspiring the visionary in every one I collaborate with. And she did it using her unique and genius balance of sober self honesty and vulnerability that grounds humor and play in a non shaming way to illuminate new possibility and growth through fun, opening space for everyone's creativity to work together. Julie, YOU ROCK!”

 

 

Humor, Laughter, and Improv Workshop Participant

Baxalta Pharmaceutical Company;

Chicago, IL - December 2015

"Improv done effectively and appropriately can be a great tool to build confidence in front of an audience and allows you to take the pressure of yourself."

 

 

Julie Ann Sullivan

AATH Member

"I really got a great understanding of the trophy's value in your life and the lives of others. I love when gifts unfold before us that we had no real idea existed.  Good for you for being open enough to see them, accept them and nourish them. Yea!"

 

 

Richard C. Lind

At The Beat Tom and Bill Golf Challenge Fundraiser

2014

"Julie, thank you for making laughter a big part of Friday's event...Your laugh-off with my Granddaughter was priceless.. The only thing bigger than your laugh is your Heart...!! Thanks again...!"

 

 

Harald Eide Ellingsen

Bryne, Norway

"You combine laughter and seriosity perfectly. And, you have a unique gift of connecting to people."

 

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Daxa Sanghvi, MSW

Kenenth Young Center

Elk Grove Village, IL

"I noticed that you really were able to connect with the attendees. In fact you handled a challenging situation very well when one of the participants was disruptive. You were kind, compassionate and professional. You explained how laughter can make things easier in life and really affect one’s feelings and physiology.

Once again, I am grateful that you were able to come and give a wonderful fun experience to my support group."

 

 

Claudia Terrones, Laughter Yoga Participant
Akasha Yoga Studio; Crystal Lake, IL

"I attended a Yoga Laughter Session at Akasha Yoga in January [2011].  Not knowing what to expect, I thought it was best to have an open mind.  At first my laughter was forced, but quickly became natural.  The Yoga room was filled with laughter, smiles and sparkling eyes.  It felt great to have a decent  belly laugh.   I left the session feeling good, and each day after my mood improved.  About two weeks later, I realized that I felt better than I had in the last three years.  I felt happy and a little carefree, but most of all I felt like myself again."

 

Chip Lutz

Association for Applied and Therapeutic Humor (AATH)

"Smart, articulate and flat out funny! Julie has the ability to take what's going on in life and throw a comedic spin on it that not only makes you laugh....but also makes you think. Truly, she is a catalyst for comedy and helping people laugh their ways to a new them! Thanks, Julie, for helping me find the funny!"

 

Andrea Turner

2007 - 2009 President Golden Corridor Chapter, IAAP 

Golden Corridor Chapter of the International Association of Administrative Professionals

"We thoroughly enjoyed having Julie at our annual APW [Administrative Professionals Week] event this past March. Administrative Professionals can be a pretty serious group of people, especially with the current economic business climate, so it was great to have a stress release with laughter - and lots of it. I received comments from some of the attendees that they found themselves 'laughing' during the drive home!"       

 

Linda Eenigenburg

Business Analyst/Root Cause Analysis, Follett Software Company

“I went to a lunch presentation where Julie gave a humorous speech about laughter yoga. I've heard a lot of great humor speeches, but Julie's was the best I've ever heard. The entire audience had tears rolling down their cheeks. (Me too!) Julie is an interesting person with a proven background in public speaking, having been a past Area Governor in the Toastmasters organization. I highly recommend her if you would like to sponsor a humorous presentation. Great!”


Brian James

Owner, C.E.L. & Associates

“I've had the pleasure of hearing Julie speak. She is great at what she does. It takes a lot of work to do what she does, but she seems to do it so effortlessly. I truly believe that she has a deep passion for her profession and has a lot to offer those who retain her services. If you ever get an opportunity to hear Julie speak, take advantage of it. She has the gift of humor.”


Chrissy Trilling-Raices 

Grants Manager, OMNI Youth Services

As a member of OMNI Youth Services’ Development Department, I was a part of OMNI’s Volunteer Recognition dinner in January.  Quite often these are rather dull affairs with speeches by our staff and sometimes a volunteer.   Imagine my surprise when this year the speeches were funny, interesting and heartwarming.  This is mostly due to the delightful speech by Julie Ostrow.

Her speech was both entertaining and uplifting.  She conveyed the impact OMNI’s Youth Mentoring Program had on her and the impact on the youth she mentored.  Her speech was comical, yet very moving and heartfelt. 

It was a pleasure to listen to Julie this year and it has been a pleasure to have her as an OMNI volunteer.  She is one of the few people to be able to verbalize how important OMNI’s programs are without boring the audience.  I highly recommend Julie for any speaking engagement.