Speaking & Advocacy
“By the end of my second or third view of “Roar”, I was teary-eyed. I felt a flutter in my chest and a deep appreciation for what Trusty had just brought to the world.”
- Institute of American Indian Arts’ Chronicle
“I don’t know how to express how much Amanda has changed my life. She has changed my life on a level I didn’t know was possible at a rate I didn’t even know was possible.”
– Justine Smith, comedian
I’m the person kiddos come to when they don’t feel comfortable going to their grownups at home.
That doesn’t mean the family has done anything wrong. We all need a different adult to open up to now and then. It is a privilege for me to be that “different adult” and to build spaces where young folks can ask questions, experiment with vulnerability, and practice setting boundaries.
I’ve spent the last decade researching language choices that help young brains process hard conversations and now I share that information with medical professionals, educational organizations, and public events for families. Using personal experiences (my own childhood trauma), professional experiences (two decades as an educator) and relatable humor, I empower organizations and communities to talk about hard things and hold space for developing adolescents. Please reach out here to plan your next event!
The UK's LOOK Magazine features an interview about ROAR in print and online: 2013
A special "Tap-Up" set about anxiety at MY BAR KONA: Stand-up and tap improvisation combined
Community events offered at the top of the 2019 school year on the Big Island
A Stand-Up Special with a TED Talk vibe: 2019
2014 Huffington Post feature: "39 Of The Country's Greatest Dancers Explain Why They Dance"
Celebrating success after LET'S F***ING TALK ABOUT IT: BODY IMAGE with Justine Smith: 2019