Fireside conversation · 30–90 minutes
Beyond the Podium: A Fireside Conversation with Erika X. Driscoll in the Lobby
A welcoming conversation where the distance between speaker and audience falls away
An intimate, fireside-style gathering where audience questions open into shared perspectives, honest conversation, and personal connection.
Come with a question. Leave with a connection.
About the presentation
A conversation with room to breathe.
A formal presentation can begin a conversation without giving everyone the time or comfort to join it. Beyond the Podium creates that additional space: an informal gathering where attendees can sit with Erika, ask what matters to them, and follow ideas wherever the room takes them.
Questions may grow from The Universe Spoke, Here We Go, fear, identity, writing, leadership, or something the attendee has been carrying privately. An event QR code lets people submit a question by name or anonymously, but no one has to submit a question—or purchase a book—to belong in the conversation.
Erika selects questions that can open a meaningful exchange, then speaks directly with the people in the room. Not every question is promised an answer, and the gathering is free to move beyond the submitted list when a follow-up, shared experience, or unexpected connection deserves more time.
The technology stays in the background. Its purpose is simply to help quieter voices enter the conversation while Erika remains present with the group. Books may be available, but the measure of the gathering is the quality of the connection rather than the length of a signing line.
Come with a question. Leave with a connection.
What audiences can carry forward
- Space for thoughtful questions that may be difficult to ask in a formal auditorium
- A direct conversation about fear, identity, authenticity, writing, leadership, and lived experience
- A personal connection shaped by the people in the room rather than a rigid agenda
Who it can serve
- Conferences and conventions
- Community gatherings
- Post-keynote audiences
Available formats
Keynotes, Lectures, Storytelling, Poetry readings, Book-reading breakout classes, Panels, Q&A sessions, Audience interaction. The right format, length, accessibility needs, and audience interaction are confirmed as part of the event conversation.
Planning something meaningful?
Let’s find the shape that fits.
Share your audience, goals, timing, and event context. Erika’s speaking path is designed for a genuine conversation, not a hard sell.