Mar 5, 2026 | ASK ANNA
“Anna, never touch your hair when you are on stage.” The voice cut through the room, sharp and commanding. It belonged to Patricia Fripp, a legendary speaking coach I had hired to help me become a better presenter. I admire Patricia deeply. She is wise, caring, and...
Feb 5, 2026 | ASK ANNA
This is a response for my “Ask Anna” series to a question I received: “I had a blow-up with my partner yesterday. Later, I said I was sorry, but they are still cold and distant. I feel like I’ve done my part. Why isn’t it enough?” I was facilitating a mediation in...
Jan 22, 2026 | ASK ANNA
This is a response for my “Ask Anna” series to a question I received: “I constantly feel anxious that my partner is upset with me. If they are quiet, or if they don’t respond to a text immediately, I assume I did something wrong. I spiral into panic. How do I stop...
Jan 8, 2026 | ASK ANNA
Welcome to my column, “Ask Anna.” This is a space where I act as a researcher and fellow traveler exploring relationships. I share what I have observed from twenty-five years of living and working across four continents. You can ask me any question about tension,...
Dec 4, 2025 | ASK ANNA
My coach and mentor Jesus de la Garza taught me something essential that I keep learning over and over: stay humble and don’t take yourself too seriously. A few weeks ago, someone challenged one of my workshop exercises. We’d just finished a session on listening, and...
Nov 20, 2025 | ASK ANNA
A few months ago, a woman approached me after a workshop in Montreal. We were in the hotel lobby, and she’d been waiting until everyone else had left. “Anna,” she said, lowering her voice, “I need to address something with my business partner, but I know she’ll get...