Liz Brunner
Keynote speaker, best-selling author, communications expert, Podcast host & Emmy award-winning journalist. Liz Brunner’s television career spanned 28 years. Along with co-anchoring the #1 rated 6pm newscast at ABC-TV in Boston, she conducted exclusive one-on-one interviews with prominent figures: professional athletes, global political leaders including President Barack Obama & cultural icons such as Oprah Winfrey. In 2013, Liz embarked upon her next chapter as CEO and Founder of Brunner Communications helping people find their authentic voice, tell their story and lead with presence. Liz is also the host of the award-winning podcast, “Live Your Best Life with Liz Brunner," guiding guests to share their stories of re-creation. In 2023, Liz's highly acclaimed book, Dare To Own You, was a winner in the “memoir” category from Book Excellence Awards. And in the Feathered Quill Book Awards, placed Silver/ 2nd Place category for "Self-Help" and Finalist in the "memoir/ biography” category.
Instagram: @lizbrunner/
LinkedIn: @LizBrunner
Facebook: @OfficialLizBrunner
Favorite Non-Reading Activity
Being physically active! I love to workout and challenge myself. I participate in many different types of workouts; walking and/or running around the beautiful Charles River or Seaport District in Boston, getting on the Peloton bike and doing a crazy hard 45-minutes, lifting weights or taking a yoga class which I find extremely challenging. I love the energy I feel after moving my body. It also is a great way to release stress, clear my head and because I usually workout in the morning, I find it a great way to start my day.
Have You Ever Experienced Imposter Syndrome?
Yes! And I still do from time to time, but I work on it and try to get at the core of what those real feelings are, where are they coming from and why? What’s interesting is research estimates that about 70% of people will experience imposter syndrome at some point in their lives especially if they consider themselves a high-achiever. I fall into that category. I have high standards for myself which can be a double edge sword. It can push me to work hard, have a strong desire to do well, and be my best, but if I don’t meet my own expectations for myself, that’s when the pangs of imposter syndrome will sometimes creep in. That happened recently while working diligently on a special project. Every time I take what seems like some positive steps forward on this project, and then bravely share them with people whom I admire, and whose opinions I value because they are so accomplished—only to have them suggest I’m still not there yet—has raised the imposter syndrome’s ugly head. Feelings of self-doubt start to creep in and I have to actively remind myself of my own accomplishments and belief in myself that I will figure it out. It’s also a reminder that the most important story we tell is the one we tell ourselves.
Is there another profession you would like to try?
There was a point in time in my life when I thought I wanted to be an architect, or work in residential construction, or interior design. I’ve renovated a number of homes and I love going into hardware stores and choosing bathroom & kitchen faucets and knobs, draw pulls, lighting fixtures, paint colors, wallpaper, and simply creating beautiful spaces to live in. I love the design process. Maybe that will be my 5th career chapter! Who knows?
Do You Have Another Artistic Outlet In Addition To Your Writing? Do You Sew? Paint? Draw? Knit? Dance?
Ballroom dancing! While I am a classically trained singer, toured Europe, sung for Pope John Paull II in Vatican Square, sung on stage with the Boston Pops, and performed our national anthem for the New England Patriots, the Boston Red Sox and the Boston Celtics, in my heart, I want to be a dancer. I find the sheer movement, elegance, strength and athleticism inspiring. One of my favorite TV shows is “Dancing with the Stars” because of not only the beautiful choreographed routines, but of the journey the contestants take during the competition. Several years ago, while still working as a TV journalist/news anchor at ABC in Boston, I had the opportunity to do several stories with one of my favorite pros on the show at that time, Tony Dovolani. One of the stories we did together was of him teaching me a :30-second tango. It was heaven! I vowed then that someday I would take ballroom dance lessons. About a decade later, that dream came true, and I competed in 4 different categories; cha cha, rumba, swing and mambo, even placing 1st in 3 of them!
What Brings You Great Joy?
I believe joy is all around us, if we are willing to see it, and yes, even create it. Many things bring me joy; family & friends, enjoying a lovely meal, reading a great book, and even better if I learn something from it, but one activity that has stood the test of time is journaling. For the past 40+years, I have been journaling nearly every single day. I may spend only 15-minutes, or I could spend sometimes up to 45-minutes. For me, it’s a way to express gratitude, to be joyful for what I do have in my life. It’s also very cathartic. If I’m struggling with something, I find writing extemporaneously a wonderful way to express my thoughts and feelings and eventually process them too. What I’ve discovered over the years is that sometimes because of the writing and the calmness that it generates within me, I am able to uncover answers and problem solve. I’ve grown so much with this practice and highly recommend it to everyone.
