Emily is pictured with shoulder-length blonde hair smiling and showing her teeth. She is wearing a sleeveless animal print top against a solid blue background.
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BOOK EMILY

Building the skill of confidence starts with changing the stories we tell ourselves.

Emily's experiences with physical disability—stemming from a childhood brain injury—serve as a powerful roadmap for others looking to find their own voice and create more inclusive communities. By transforming her personal journey into a universal dialogue on identity and confidence, Emily helps individuals and organizations move past fitting in and into the courage of truly belonging.

In a world defined by rapid AI disruption and economic change, self-advocacy is no longer optional.

Through her memoir, Dating Disability, and her dynamic speaking programs, she invites audiences to build the internal trust and resilience skills needed to navigate life’s challenges. Whether she is addressing high school students discovering their self-worth or corporate leaders building inclusive cultures, Emily’s work is rooted in a single, transformative truth: the power of introspection is our greatest resource for growth.

VIEW Corporate Speaking Overview
VIEW Corporate Speaking Overview
Explore High School programs
Explore High School programs

Speaking & Facilitating for Organizations

Emily is in a black dress speaking to a seated audience in a conference room, with a presentation slide titled 'Meet Emily!' projected on the wall behind her.

WORKPLACE KEYNOTE

Building Confidence from the Inside Out

A high-impact keynote on mastering the tactical skill of self-advocacy to stay tethered in a changing world.

Two people sitting in chairs on a stage with a large screen behind them. Emily is smiling and talking to a man who is also seated. The screen behind them has a picture of Emily and the text "author and speaker".

PEOPLE LEADER WORKSHOP

Proactive Inclusion for People Leaders

Strategic workshops focused on disability inclusion, giving managers the introspection and skills needed to lead and support employees with disabilities effectively.

Emily sitting at a desk, smiling and looking at a computer screen, in a bright room with bamboo blinds, a vase of flowers, and various office supplies.

FOR ERGS

Introspection & Identity (For ERGs)

Customizable experiences—from unscripted fireside chats to immersive book clubs—using Dating Disability to spark candid dialogue on confidence, resilience, and identity.

Emily is holding a microphone standing on a stage with a large screen behind her. The screen displays a colorful graphic and text that says 'Special Guest Emily Goodson.'

SCHOOL-SPECIFIC PROGRAM

Confidence and Finding Your Voice

A relatable and empowering program for students and staff on developing the skill of self-confidence, mastering positive self-talk, and learning the tactical art of self-advocacy.

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Past Engagements

A corporate training Emily facilitated with Cornerstone in 2025

Reconciling My Voice

Emily’s closing remarks from the 2023 Page Society Spring Seminar

Emily spoke at a corporate leadership offsite in May 2021

A sample from Emily’s virtual corporate training sessions

FILL OUT A BOOKING FORM
FILL OUT A BOOKING FORM

Insights on Confidence & Inclusion

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CULTURE AMP

Workplace Culture Leader

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SOULCYCLE

Soul Stories Interview

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Emily has wavy brown hair, is smiling and holding a large clear crystal award inside a cafe near a window with city buildings outside.

NAWBO SAN DIEGO

Entrepreneur Award

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A woman sitting on a chair in a room being filmed for a video interview or production. She is wearing a gray jacket and shorts, with her legs crossed, and is surrounded by professional filming equipment including cameras, lighting, and sound gear. The room has hardwood floors, large windows with blinds, and minimal furniture.

CULTURE CONVERSATIONS

Podcast: Breaking Barriers

VIEW

Event poster for an IPA presentation titled 'Disability and Intimacy: How Media Shapes Our Understanding,' taught by Emily Goodson on Saturday, December 2, 2023, from 9 am to 10:30 am PT, featuring an abstract image of a person in black clothing holding a bouquet of white flowers.

COURSE REPLAY

Disability & Intimacy

VIEW

DOWNLOAD EMILY'S INCLUSIVE PRACTICES TOOLKIT FOR ORGANIZATIONS
DOWNLOAD EMILY'S INCLUSIVE PRACTICES TOOLKIT FOR ORGANIZATIONS

  • “Emily is able to take an idea and really form it into a truly captivating speaker session. I came to her looking for a guest speaker to bring an external voice and relate it to our company's unique values; she not only brought together an even more enticing idea, but brought forth a perfectly organized mini-event complete with depth, multiple takeaways, thoughtful data, and ultimately delighted the audience. I was extremely impressed with her organization and how all the very thoughtful communication pieces came together in a matter of days. She's a clear, thorough, and captivating storyteller able to bring a vague idea to light. I can't wait to work with her again.”

    GRACE HUIBERTS

  • “Bringing Emily to your organization is less like holding a workshop and more like entering another dimension where you are exposed to stories you might not have considered. No one's ever entered another dimension and come back unchanged.”

    MOLLY LAFLESH


  • “Emily led a workshop at our company. Her empathetic and candid approach transformed a challenging subject into an engaging and enjoyable experience. The facilitated workshop was both relatable and interactive, effectively conveying the key message and enabling attendees to take away valuable insights for both their professional and personal growth. I would absolutely work with Emily in the future!”

    SASHA LEE JONNALAGADDA

  • “Emily gave a keynote for our leadership team at an annual retreat. The attendees gained increased empathy and understanding for what it is like to go through life with a physical disability, which will help them better interact with our diverse population of employees. In addition, Emily motivated the team to reframe their past setbacks in a way that will set them up for better success moving forward.” 

    MARY KELLY

  • “Bringing Emily to speak at my training produced the highest feedback ratings I’ve seen. With grace and poise, Emily used her lived experiences to introduce concepts of disability that set the foundation for a broad and deep discussion. It’s a challenging time for practitioners to build workplace culture; having Emily as a resource has been critical for affirming the identities and experiences of my teams.”

    STEVEN HUANG

  • “Emily took time and care in sharing her story with our students. She empowered them to reflect on the challenges they face each day and encouraged them to work through those challenges with self-confidence and a willingness to take risks. She emphasized the importance of being kind to yourself and to those around you.”

    MARIA RICHA

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