Jill S.
Founder and Owner at Flexible Communications, LLC
Women Empowerment
Education: BA from University of Vermont - PhD from Boston University
Newburyport, MA, USA
Biography
Dr. Jill Stoddard is passionate about sharing her expertise in psychology to help people flourish in their work and health. She is an international and TEDx speaker, award-winning former professor, three-time book author, licensed psychologist, coach, and co-host of the Psychologists Off the Clock podcast which is ranked in the top .5% worldwide. Dr. Stoddard is an entrepreneur who founded Flexible Communications, LLC, in Massachusetts, and The Center for Stress and Anxiety Management in California. Her books have been translated into twelve languages and include: The Big Book of ACT Metaphors; Be Mighty; and Imposter No More. Her thoughts have also appeared in the Washington Post, New York Times, Woman’s World, Today.com, Psychology Today, Scary Mommy, Thrive Global, The Good Men Project, Mindful Return, The Boston Globe, and more. She regularly appears on podcasts and as an expert source for various media outlets. She lives in Newburyport, MA with her husband, two kids, and disobedient French Bulldog.
Passion
I use the art of storytelling and nearly 20 years of expertise as a psychologist to provide organizations with transformative experiences that are based in the latest psychological science but translate to everyday skills that will help you flourish at work and beyond.
I aim to challenge outdated ideas about confidence and success, and instead, offer a more values-driven and human approach to growth. My work centers on a simple but powerful belief: discomfort isn’t a sign that something’s gone wrong, it’s a sign you’re right where you are meant to be -- at the intersection of caring and challenge.
While I work with all types of audiences, my biggest strength and passion is working with women, especially those in male dominated fields, to inspire courageous leadership and career advancement.
Featured Video
Featured Book
My Podcast
I am willing to travel
More than 100 miles
When it comes to payments
I generally get paid for speaking but make exceptions
Topics
Best Story
When I told my dad I had applied to a very competitive psychology PhD program--one I knew I had no chance of getting into-- to work with a world-renowned anxiety expert named Dr Barlow, my business-man-father (who knew nothing about mental health) responded, "Dave Barlow, the psychologist?" It turns out he belonged to the same golf club as Dr. Barlow and they had played several times. Fast forward a few months and I was accepted. In the more than 20 years since that acceptance, I have accumulated a number of successes: I run a million dollar business, I have published 3 books, I did a TEDx talk, and I have spoken with 1000s of people in dozens of organizations. And yet, I still worry that the only way a mediocre candidate like me could have possibly gotten into a stellar program like BU was because my father knew the program director. Classic imposter syndrome.
Origin Story
Growing up, I was called Tubby, Little Tubette, and Tubby Tubby two by four who couldn't fit through the kitchen door. This, of course, did little to inspire confidence! When I had a career-bucket-list-dream-come-true opportunity to give a TEDx talk, my insecure self nearly turned the opportunity down. But I remembered a lesson from a former therapy client that had me harnessing my inner-Oprah. I did the talk but importantly I didn't wait until I felt confident or worthy--I did it scared. This is the basis of all my talks--when you're taking on a challenge you care about, OF COURSE you are going to feel scared or fraudulent. The key isn't 'fixing' this, it is learning to do The Thing in the presence of difficult thoughts and feelings.