Keynote Speaker, Host & Coach, BabbleOnBrooke
Tell us about yourself, as well as your career in entertainment and entrepreneurship.
I love people; everything I have ever done has been centered around others. The majority of my career has been spent in the entertainment industry, whether as an International Award-Winning Host, TV/Stage Actor, or even a Fortune 500 Spokesperson. I have always been somewhat of an entrepreneur; I started my own video marketing company - long before it became a ‘thing’, at the very start of social media - that showcased the L.A. events industry while connecting venues/vendors to event planners. My life changed significantly 10 years ago, when I was involved in a car accident. It eventually led me down the path of becoming an Motivational Speaker and Coach.
Why did you start Babble on Brooke? How did you launch this project?
BabbleOnBrooke was, quite frankly, born out of necessity. In the years following my accident, I experienced difficulty speaking and breathing due to neck and back pain. Following several hospitalizations and neck surgeries, I became housebound; being transported back and forth between specialists was worsening my situation. As I spent several years receiving home healthcare, I lay flat, struggled to breathe, and spent the rest of my time wondering why I was here. My partner quit his job to become my 24/7 caregiver. I went bankrupt, became estranged from my family and was depressed to the point of suicide… There was much more to it, but this is an article not a novel, right? :)
The one thing I really needed was community; once I was strong enough to do so, I began livestreaming on Periscope. There were times when all I would do was blink and people would tune in. We taught viewers my language of blinking - 1 blink meant "yes", 2 meant "no" and 3 meant "I love you" - and they would ask questions, come along for my doctor’s visits, and even watch my partner detangle my hair for hours. Meanwhile, I would encourage them to "babble on", the mantra that I created for myself to keep going. My viewers became my 'why;’ my reason to go on. As time went on, I learned that I became the same thing for some of them. Messages began to pour in, with many saying that they tuned into my livestreams for hope; seeing what I endured on a daily basis made them realize that their lives were pretty great, and - in some cases - they even changed their minds in considering taking their own lives. At that point, I decided that I was never going to stop showing up for them. I am forever grateful for that amazing global community. I babbled on for them… and I am still here today because of it.
What is a Cappella Babble and how did it impact your life?
"A Capella Babble" began once I noticed that I could sing again. Singing was such a big part of my life and professional career (not only did I love to do it, but I toured nationally for musical theatre). After my accident, singing was something I never thought would even be possible for me to do again… And then it was. I was so elated about it that the only thing that made sense was sharing it with my beautiful online community. I started an interactive online show called "A Capella Babble" where viewers would submit comments in the chat and I would respond by singing their comments to the tune of popular songs. It was super high energy, nonstop, and very fun. The weekly show wound up being streamed on 3 different platforms; I loved every moment of it, even though - behind the scenes - it would take me an entire week to recover from one session and get ready for the next one. It was worth it; something that got me through a continued very difficult time.
What role has music played in your life? How has music helped you through difficult times?
Music was my first love and I am so grateful to have been gifted the ability to sing. I still can't believe that there was once a period of my life where I was able to make a living through singing… how blessed was I? Then to have my singing abilities back after losing them? Let’s just say that the gratitude is tenfold. I still incorporate singing in my speech from time to time. I also plan on bringing it even more to the forefront in the future. Stay tuned for that!
What is your favorite song and why is it significant to you?
My favorite song is a toss up between "Don't Worry Baby" (The Beach Boys are my favorite band) and "Break My Stride" (the 80s hit by Matthew Wilder). I grew up with both of those songs and always loved them. If you listen to the words, you will also understand why they are so significant to me… even more so now than before. □
Article Credits
Instagram: @babbleonbrooke
Twitter: @babbleonbrooke
Facebook: Babble on Brooke
Website: babbleonbrooke.com
