Finding My Voice Between Two Worlds: Ireland & the U.S.
I was born in Ireland to an American mother and Irish Dad, and though I’ve spent most of my life on the magical Emerald Isle, my connection to the U.S. has shaped me in ways I’m still discovering. My mother, Patti-Ellen, left Michigan to marry my dad, Sean, bringing with her a love of homemade cookies, pizza, and pasta—foods that weren’t common in Ireland at the time and my Dad had some trouble embracing them. Apparently, I even had an American accent as a toddler, though it quickly faded once I started school!
Growing up, my siblings and I got glimpses of American life through the traditions my mother kept alive and our trips there about every five years. But my experience of actually living in the U.S. really revealed the differences between the two cultures to me.
My First Taste of American High School
At 15, I had the chance to live with my Aunt Christine and my 6 cousins in Tipp City, Ohio, and attend high school there for two months. It was a stark contrast to my all-girls Catholic school in Ireland, housed in a hundred-year-old building with strict uniforms of gingham shirts and royal blue jumpers. In Ohio, the high school felt more like a scene from a movie—boys and girls in bright, casual clothes, wide, noisy well-lit hallways, and fascinating new classes, like jazz music!
When I returned to Ireland, my friends teased me about how "American" I had become. That trip planted a seed in me—a curiosity about different ways of living, learning, and expressing myself.
Returning to the U.S. as an Adult
In my 30s, I had another opportunity to live in America, this time in San Francisco with my sister, Germaine, who had built a life there as a massage therapist and birth doula. For me, this time the transition was more challenging, but I made the most of it by diving into something I loved—singing. I took jazz lessons, performed at open mic nights, and embraced the vibrant music scene. That experience gave me the confidence to return to Ireland and study music full-time, setting the stage for my career in voice coaching.
Love, Life, and the Atlantic Between Us
In 2008, while I was studying Jazz Vocal Performance in Dublin, I met Mike—a mysterious musician from Los Angeles. We had a whirlwind romance in Dublin, despite our love for eachother the physical distance between our worlds took us in different directions. Out of the blue, nearly a decade later, we reconnected, and Mike moved to Ireland for three years, where we got married. Then, in 2020, we made the decision to relocate to Northern Michigan to support Mike’s mother during the pandemic.
Living in the U.S. during lockdown was challenging, but it also forced me to pivot in ways I never expected. I leaned into online work, started networking with U.S.-based clients, and expanded my reach beyond what I had ever imagined.
The Cultural Contrast: Ireland vs. the U.S.
Spending significant time in both countries has given me a unique perspective on self-expression, confidence, and success.
In Ireland, humility is deeply valued—people tend to downplay their achievements, and financial stability is often prioritized over ambition. In contrast, the U.S. has a strong culture of self-promotion and personal achievement. With fewer social supports, people tend to push forward, share their offerings, and make their voices heard.
During my time in the U.S., I launched a podcast, wrote a book, and built a thriving YouTube channel. Would I have done all of that if I had stayed in Ireland? Maybe—but the American mindset of "going for it" certainly played a role.
Now, as I navigate my next chapter, I find myself seeking balance between the two worlds. How do we embrace confidence and self-promotion without losing our authenticity? How do we honor humility while still stepping into our full potential?
Finding Your Own Balance
Through my journey, I’ve learned that success isn’t about adopting one cultural approach over another—it’s about finding what works for you. Whether you resonate more with the Irish way of staying humble or the American drive to push forward, the key is learning to express yourself in a way that feels both natural and empowering.
That’s what I help my clients do—find their voice, step into their confidence, and communicate with clarity, no matter where they are in the world or what challenges they face.
If you’ve ever struggled with speaking up, being seen, or navigating the expectations of different environments—whether at work, in relationships, or in leadership—I’d love to support you on your journey.
Because no matter where you are, your voice deserves to be heard.