Contact Nancy to speak to your group about her book or about the power of presence, storytelling, and transformative communities.
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Nancy Scannell writes about parenthood, sobriety, mental illness, aging, friendship and faith with candor and humor. Nancy inspires hope in the face of challenges, and she credits prayer and community as continuous sources of strength. Her poetry speaks to the beauty of the human spirit wrapped in Grace.
She has presented two TEDx Talks, “The Power of the Pause” and “How Laughter Fosters Connection and Positive Change.”
She grew up in a large family, and she and her husband have five adult children and two grandchildren. With many marathons and triathlons in her past, she now finds solace on long walks along Lake Michigan in Chicago and Northwest Indiana.
Nancy cares deeply about faith, family, education, wellness, and mental health.
Positive change starts with you!
Miracles happen in true connection.
Stories create connection.
Storytelling and attention open windows to humanity and spirituality. Align your life with your strengths, values, and personal life mission.
Presence + Awareness + Curiosity + Desire + Practice + Commitment = Positive Change
Speaker
Mindful & Motivational
Be inspired. Make the shift. Create change.
Why hire Nancy to speak at your event?
Nancy connects with audiences and helps them see the best in themselves. Presentation topics include positive leadership strategies, interpersonal communication, the power of presence, faith, resilience, and trust. She has been presenting to audiences since 2009 and works with organizations to clarify their messaging and identify the needs of their audiences.
Potential Topics:
- Life as a Prayer
- Presence
- Cultivating Transformative Communities
- Less is More
- Stories Connect us (workshops available)
- Aging with Grace
- The Power of the Pause
- The Grace of Laughter
- Stories as Windows to Humanity and Spirituality
Past Stage Appearances:
- “The Power of the Pause,” TEDx Valparaiso University, Feb. 1, 2019 – Watch on YouTube »
- “How to Manage the Flood of Emotions that Follows Retirement,” Wealthstream Podcast, February 2021
- “Pausing to Lead: Show up in Each Moment,” American Council on Education Women’s Conference Keynote Speaker, Indiana University, Kokomo, Oct. 2019
- “Cultivating a Culture of Trust,” Valparaiso University Leadership Education Across Disciplines Program, February 2019
- “Crucial Conversations and Effective Communication,” Valparaiso University LEADS Program, October 2018
- “Avoiding Burn-out”, Concordia University Wisconsin Faculty Keynote Speaker, August 2020
- “Let’s Talk about Time [Management]”, APL NextED Strategic Planning, July and Dec 2020, Remote Work and Time Management
- “Forgiveness” and “Lent”, St. Teresa of Avila, Gathering in Faith Together speaker, Valparaiso, Indiana
Presentations
A Mom in the Audience
Stand-up Opener for Brendan Scannell, October 2025, Chicago Street Theater, Valparaiso, IN
TEDx Valparaiso University
Nancy Scannell used to attack life with a “frenetic energy”: she moved from one activity to the next as quickly as possible, only stopping to regain her composure during her morning run. After attending a session on mindfulness, she discovered that she could gain the same peace and composure that she gleans from her morning runs in a moment of purposeful pause.
Episode 61 – How To Manage the Flood of Emotions That Follows Retirement
In this episode, Tim Scannell is joined by a very special guest, his wife, Nancy Scannell, who recently retired from teaching. Nancy discusses the emotional impact of retirement, how she managed to cope with it, and how you can discover your inner passion to help you decide the next step in your life.
Laughter Fosters Connection
Launch and Let Go! Identify conditioned tendencies and free yourself from habits, expectations, and shame that don’t serve you and others. Lead the life you want to lead while giving others the space to live theirs.
School Leaders for Today
Online presentation of “The Power of the Pause” for School Leaders for Today, a consortium of educators in the Chicagoland area.
Endorsements
What People Are Saying
“Nancy draws on her own life experiences to engage her audience with a genuine humility and contagious energy. Being the ninth of ten children frames her unique perspective on chaos and serves as the foundation for her ability to communicate the true power of pause. She connects with an approachable enthusiasm and authentic kindness. In listening to Nancy, you will learn to listen to yourself. Only then can you embrace your full capacity to grow and, as Nancy says, ‘show up in the world.’”
– Bill Higbie, President, Porter County Community Foundation, Indiana
“A gifted communicator, Nancy is genuine and sincere–someone whose thoughtfulness and intelligence is always marshalled in service to others, their potential, and a greater communal good.”
– Anna R. Stewart, PhD, Valparaiso University
“LOVE. That was what that whole night was about. Love against the current; love with no excuses. Without apologies. No holds barred.”
– John Ruff, Valparaiso University