Speaking - Toni Lepeska

About Toni

Toni Lepeska is a Memphis journalist, essayist and contributing author to two books about grief and healing. She loves to share unvarnished, personal stories to inspire and assist hurting people, but she started out her professional life keeping quiet about her experiences. Instead, she told other people’s stories.

As a young newspaper crime reporter, she interviewed cop-hating mobs, captured drug kingpins and criminal minds collared for crimes like murder and arson. She wept with women who’d lost sons to senseless violence, husbands to horrible mishaps and mothers to life-altering mayhem. She interviewed celebrities, politicians, entrepreneurs and plain ole everyday folks about their hopes, trials, wins and losses. And though the idea was to tell the news, she always wanted to go deep. She wanted to get to the heart of a person, to the heart of humanity.

Today, she blends those experiences with tales of her personal defeats, struggles and triumphs. She is a skilled storyteller with an authentic voice. She will make you cry and laugh and think.

Take a look at the topics Toni has shared with audiences over the years. Don’t see your subject of interest here? Feel free to ask Toni to expand on a blog topic published on this site or to speak on other subjects of interest to your group.

Speaking Topics

Processing Loss & Grief Through Journaling

Full of anecdotal stories and tips on journaling loss. Something special happens when we write down our woes. Sometimes we only discover how we really feel when we start writing. We access our deepest feelings and thoughts, express them, and come away with the seed of healing.

High Hopes: The Lifelong Importance of a Mother

Encouragement for women who fear their efforts aren't hitting the mark delivered by the childless author about receiving mothering - and becoming far more than looked possible. Toni's mom had a can-do personality, but Toni was not a can-do child. How did she cast off pessimism to become more optimistic about life's tragedies? Including the death of her courageous mom?

Was I a Good Daughter?

Caregiving was the hardest job Toni ever had. Her dad was dead. Her mom was dying. Her brother was in prison. And at 39, she took on a new, ill-fated relationship. It was a perfect recipe for chaos. Toni shares stories to help caregivers heal from expectations of perfection and embrace their best efforts.

What People Are Saying About Toni

"Toni is a confident and engaging speaker. She is transparent about her life experiences and gives thought-provoking insights. Toni desires to connect with her audience through stories, poise and approachability. She is easy to follow and a delight to listen to."

Sharla Chevalier, Collierville, Tenn.