Celeste Headlee
Born: December 30, 1969 – Whittier, California, United States
Celeste Headlee is an American journalist, radio host, and author who writes and speaks about communication, work culture, and race. She is best known for We Need to Talk, Do Nothing, and Speaking of Race, and for her TED talk “10 ways to have a better conversation,” viewed millions of times.
Biography & Author's Journey
Celeste Headlee’s route to authorship ran through music and broadcast journalism. Raised in a family shaped by performance and a mixed cultural inheritance, she is the granddaughter of composer William Grant Still. She studied at the Idyllwild School of Music and the Arts, earned a bachelor’s degree in vocal performance at Northern Arizona University, and completed a master’s in vocal performance at the University of Michigan. Before becoming widely known as a journalist, she worked as an operatic soprano and performed Still’s music. She entered public radio in 1999 and later worked at WDET, NPR, The Takeaway, and Georgia Public Broadcasting’s On Second Thought. ((https://celesteheadlee.com/celeste-headlee-musician/))
Quotes
You May Also Like
Popular Books
Discover more
Speak with Presence and Power
In a world where attention is the ultimate currency, the ability to project authority and warmth is a critical career accelerator. This plan is designed for leaders and professionals who want to move beyond nervous hesitation and master the physical and psychological mechanics of powerful communication.
Navigate High-Stakes Conversations
High-stakes conversations shape our professional success and personal relationships, yet most people lack the skills to navigate them effectively. This learning plan equips professionals and individuals with evidence-based techniques to transform challenging interactions into opportunities for connection, influence, and positive outcomes.
Become a Great Speaker 222439
Public speaking is one of the most valuable professional and personal skills, yet most people struggle with anxiety and ineffective delivery. This comprehensive plan takes you from building foundational confidence through advanced TED-level techniques, making it ideal for professionals, entrepreneurs, educators, and anyone who wants to influence, inspire, and lead through powerful communication.
The Executive Voice
This program is designed for rising leaders who need to command respect and drive results in high-pressure environments. It bridges the gap between technical expertise and executive presence by mastering the art of concise communication and strategic influence.
Lead the Conversations That Matter
High-stakes leadership requires more than just technical expertise; it demands emotional regulation and precise communication. This plan is designed for managers and executives who need to navigate intense meetings and deliver tough feedback while maintaining professional relationships.
The Leader's Voice: Mastering Executive Communication
This program is essential for rising managers and executives looking to bridge the gap between technical expertise and influential leadership. It provides a practical roadmap for anyone needing to drive results through high-stakes communication and cultural alignment.
CEO: Master Public Speaking & Global Culture
In an increasingly interconnected business world, technical expertise is no longer enough; leaders must bridge cultural gaps and communicate with absolute authority. This learning plan is essential for executives and aspiring CEOs who need to master cross-cultural intelligence and persuasive storytelling to lead diverse global organizations.
To speak well
Effective communication is the cornerstone of professional success and personal influence. This plan is designed for anyone looking to transition from basic speaking to mastering the art of persuasion, public presence, and authentic connection.
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
