Keynote Speaker.
Community Architect.
Bestselling Author.
I’m Cyndie Spiegel; a builder of community, (influential) proponent of wellbeing & personal leadership, author of (insightful) books, sharer of collective wisdom and an all-around speaker of truth, especially the hard ones.
I use storytelling, vulnerability and the tools of positive psychology to teach personal leadership, broaden perspectives and illuminate possibilities. Through my work, people discover for themselves how to live more authentically and refine their mindsets for good. I’ve been told that I’m a compelling, highly-impactful, irreverent speaker and teacher. I’m definitely biased—but hell, I agree.
My candid approach ignites powerful conversation because it strips away the ideas that we’ve been taught about how we should show up in the world.
I grew up on public assistance in a small town in New Jersey; we were financially poor but rich with love. My upbringing deeply informs my work because my own story is one of marginalization in my childhood but also deep privilege as an adult. Two sides of the same coin. Neither is good or bad. They simply…are.
I spent 15 years in the NYC fashion industry, 7 years as an adjunct professor at both Parsons School of Design and the Fashion Institute of Technology, several years as an ISHTA certified yoga & meditation teacher and an entire lifetime seeking understanding in various philosophies before fully transitioning my own career when I was 35. Since then, I’ve become certified in Applied Positive Psychology, written a best-selling book on the topic that has sold over 300,000 copies, graduated as a scholar in the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program and in 2023 released my second book, Microjoys: Finding Hope (Especially) When Life Is Not Okay, with Penguin Random House.
I think the word “should” is bullshit.
In 2019, I founded Dear Grown Ass Women®, a deeply inclusive platform and community for women 35+.
We have a subset of unique experiences that are often ignored within the spaces of personal development and community building. I created this platform for us to learn through self-exploration, build inclusive friendships and continue evolving while in the community of like-minded diverse women. (Most things in life are better with friends, am I right?!)
I believe that it takes commitment to cultivate a deep understanding of who we truly are. But by doing this valuable work, we also tap into the epicenter of our integrity. And through personal integrity, we also uncover deeper confidence. I’ve learned that the impossible is often possible.
The path may take an unforeseen divergence and we may be judged for how we get there (wherever there is) but when we have integrity and are clear in our pursuits, most things become possible.
Start here to discover my programming for individuals, or here to learn about corporate or speaking options.
A bit of backstory on my two books.
I inadvertently began a new (to me) career 12 years ago, and since then, I’ve become certified in Applied Positive Psychology and written a best-selling book on the topic (A Year of Positive Thinking: Daily Inspiration, Wisdom & Courage; 2018) that has sold over 300,000 copies and been published in multiple languages.
A few years later, the pandemic hit and while the world mourned collectively, I experienced multiple devastating losses—on a quiet Friday evening, my 32-year-old nephew was killed and only months later, my beloved mother unexpectedly passed away.
My coping mechanism during this most difficult time in my life was to consciously seek [what I referred to as] microjoys. This led to the topic of my most recent book, Microjoys: Finding Hope (Especially) When Life Is Not Okay, released in 2023 (Penguin Random House).
