Private High School in Austin, Texas

I had the pleasure of bringing in Stephanie Threinen to lead a Cool, Comms, Collected mini workshop for my high school theatre students. In a time when communication is often filtered through screens and social media, her workshop felt imperative. Stephanie engaged students with interactive games, real-life examples, and thoughtful prompts that made healthy communication and active listening both accessible and fun.

The impact has been immediate: my students are not only stronger performers on stage—more present, attentive, and authentic—but they are also applying these skills in daily life. I’ve noticed improvements in how they interact with me, their parents, and one another. They are becoming more confident, concise, and compassionate communicators.

I truly believe these workshops benefit all students, not just theatre kids. Whether it’s the football team building trust, the debate team sharpening listening and response skills, or any group that depends on collaboration, these lessons are invaluable. Communication is a life skill, and Stephanie’s workshop offers it in a way that is both practical and transformative. I would recommend Cool, Comms, Collected to any school or organization looking to prepare their students for success on and off the stage.  —Faith Madsen, Head of Theatre, Hyde Park High School

This is Vedaant Vivek who has recently completed all the 5 sessions of your “Cool, Comms, Collected” course at the Lakeway Library. Thank you for teaching various important topics to me in this course. It has really benefited me, and I can truthfully say that I have learned to communicate more effectively. In this course, I learned how to have a good and engaging conversation with another person, or even in front of an audience. I also learned to properly act in situations using an effective process of thinking. Next, I learned how to collaborate effectively with a group to accomplish a common goal. Finally, I learned how to connect with other people of all ages and truly understand what they are saying. In summary, this class has really helped me in many ways and I am grateful to you for hosting this class. Thank you for all your tips, support, and encouragement. —Vedaant V., age 14

I am writing to express my deep appreciation for the Cool Comms Collected program and to share the profound impact it has had on my life. As someone living with PTSD and anxiety, communication has often been a significant challenge for me. Before this program, I found it difficult to express myself clearly, remain calm in stressful conversations, and build connections across different settings. Attending Cool, Comms, Collected with my service dog in training has been a transformative experience. The program provided a safe and welcoming environment where I could participate fully, while also giving my service dog valuable exposure and practice in real-world communication settings. This dual support has helped me feel more confident, less isolated, and better prepared for the future. Through the program, I have gained practical tools for speaking and listening, as well as strategies for managing anxiety during interactions. I have noticed meaningful improvements in my ability to advocate for myself, communicate respectfully across different age groups, and build stronger relationships with others. The emphasis on intergenerational communication has been especially powerful, teaching me how to bridge generational gaps with empathy and understanding. Cool, Comms, Collected has not only improved my communication skills, but also supported my personal growth, my service dog’s training, and my ability to feel connected in my community. I truly believe this program deserves recognition for its effectiveness and positive impact on the lives of its participants.  —Rachel S., age 33

•••

My twin daughters and I took the Cool, Comms, Collected series with Stephanie Threinen and absolutely enjoyed it. My daughters are on the very shy side, and so I knew going into the course that they would feel intimidated, but I also knew that they would walk away learning something. Stephanie’s use of fun ice breakers and games to involve everyone in the class really made the topic of communication approachable for our family and fun. It was heartwarming to see that we sat in a room eager to hone our communication skills with people who encompassed a wide range of ages and ethnicities. It brought a sense of hope within me that as a community, I sat among others who chose to get better at communication. Everyone there seemed humble in knowing that there’s always more to learn. She covered basic tips like eye contact and more nuanced guidance of listening to someone’s story (whether that be their overall life experience or the story of a particular moment they were communicating to you at the time). As a society who spends a lot of time behind cell phone screens, but rarely speaking on their phones to loved ones, I felt like this course did a good job reminding our community to step aside from the technology. My hope is that more intentional, judgement-free, listening and speaking communication practices can live in communities all over and we as a society can get better at hearing others, rather than instinctively reacting. —Victoria W., age 41, participated with twin daughters, age 12

•••

I’ve known Stephanie professionally for years and I’ve watched her apply her communication skills in her everyday work as an external communications manager, so I was curious to see how her communication workshops might benefit me. I attended the workshop on active listening, and it really helped me to be much more mindful in the way that I approach conversations—both at work and at home. As an engineer, I’m used to focusing on problem-solving and developing an immediate answer to people’s needs, but this workshop helped me slow down and truly listen without jumping to fix or respond. It’s made me a more thoughtful director, team member, better parent to my two college-aged kids and generally someone who is more enjoyable to connect with.  —Christianne C., age 54

I’m 80 years old, a Vietnam veteran, and a retired Medical Laboratory Scientist. My career taught me to rely on data, so I came to these workshops with a naturally analytical—and sometimes skeptical—mindset. When Stephanie suggested that most information can be interpreted in multiple ways, and encouraged us to preface statements with phrases like “in my opinion” or “based on my experience,” I was doubtful. But I tried it and quickly saw how it made conversations less defensive and more open—even on topics people usually avoid. What impressed me most was the mix of participants, from teens to retirees, sharing personal stories and applying communication lessons in real time. Each session built on the last, showing how small shifts in language and listening can lead to stronger understanding. For me, it was both enlightening and humbling—proof that communication is just as critical as data in solving problems. These workshops aren’t just informative; they’re practical, enjoyable, and vital for connecting across generations.  —Bob R., Age 80, participated with mobility accommodations.

•••

In this time of discontent, communication skills are more important than ever. As a wife, mother, grandmother, and someone with a degree in Elementary Education and Psychology, I’ve spent my life learning and teaching the value of connection. When I saw an announcement about Stephanie’s Cool, Comms, Collected workshop at our local library, I was curious about what looked like a unique event. After just one session, I was hooked and began attending with enthusiasm. It took some convincing, but eventually my husband, Bob, joined me—and after one workshop, he saw just as much value in it as I did. Later, we brought our college-age granddaughter, who lives with a sight disability, and found that the intergenerational, inclusive environment made the experience meaningful for all of us. One of my favorite activities was a collaboration challenge where our mixed-age group built a tower out of toothpicks, tape, and string. Watching the youngest participants take the lead while the rest of us learned to listen and support was both fun and eye-opening. It was a living example of the communication tools Stephanie had taught us. These workshops have enriched my family’s conversations at home and given us practical tools for connecting across generations. I will continue encouraging my friends and neighbors to attend, because these are skills everyone needs. Stephanie is a gifted facilitator whose creativity, curiosity, and leadership are making a real difference in our community. —Lynne R., Age 77