Diane Darling's first adventure on a ship was crossing the Pacific from the US to the Philippines at the age of six. She's been an avid traveler ever since.

She attended the International School of Bangkok in her teens.

In her 20s she was a tour leader taking Americans all around the world helping them, with humor, accept that France didn't have American coffee and yes McDonalds served wine.

Her love of teaching has been a lifelong passion. First at elementary school and now with adults in professions such as law, engineering, accounting, architecture, and medicine.

She was even the commencement speaker at MIT Charm School - yes there is such a thing.

McGraw-Hill published her books in nine languages and her work has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, International Herald Tribune, San Francisco Chronicle, and MSNBC.

In order to get over her fear of speaking she took acting classes and stand-up comedy.

Diane's clients include Microsoft, London School of Economics, European Cardiology Society, Fidelity Investments, Bank of America, University of Texas, Center for Women in Law, American Bar Association, Virginia Bankers Association, and many others.

She has traveled to over 60 countries and all seven continents. She is a friendly, functional introvert now living in Boston, MA, USA.

Click here to visit Diane's personal website >> https://dianedarling.notion.site

Here are several topics and options ... happy to discuss other ones or customize as needed. I'm a former tour leader and can speak about many travel destinations.

As a tour leader I have sailed on Windstar, Princess, Pearl of Scandanavia, Stella Maris, and several others.

Lessons Learned from a First Time Published Author
Writing a book is on the bucket list for many people. There are many moving parts to know before taking on the project - which I encourage anyone to do. McGraw-Hill has published my book in nine languages and I'm also self-published by Amazon Kindle. Hear what's involved with writing and publishing a book.

Introduction to ChatGPT
Join us for an enlightening introduction to ChatGPT, where you'll discover what ChatGPT is and how to harness its potential. Whether you're a travel writer seeking research assistance or a grant writer supporting nonprofit organizations, you'll be amazed at the versatile applications of this popular artificial intelligence (AI) tool.

LinkedIn for Retirees and Philanthropists
LinkedIn isn't just for working professionals. In this lecture, you'll learn how to use LinkedIn as a retiree to find pickleball buddies or as a philanthropist to ensure your charitable donations are well-utilized. Discover new ways to connect and engage on this powerful platform.

Dealing with Difficult People
We've all encountered difficult people, and I should know—I used to be one. Hear about my personal journey and learn strategies to help others who are challenging. Discover the right things to say, the best times to say them, and what to avoid.

Life as an ExPat
Embark on a journey through my life as an expatriate. From sailing across the Pacific at age six to living in Manila, Thailand, and Europe, I'll share how these experiences shaped my life and career as a teacher, fundraiser, and professional speaker. Explore the profound impact of living abroad.

Creating a Lotus Flower Out of a Napkin
Unleash your creativity with our origami workshop, where you'll learn to craft a beautiful lotus flower from a dinner napkin. This hands-on session will provide you with the skills to create elegant napkin art, perfect for enhancing any dining experience.

Organizing Your Travel Photos
With every trip, we accumulate countless photos. This interactive session will guide you through organizing, saving, and sharing your travel photos. Learn about storage options, best practices for sending photos and videos, and how to manage your digital memories efficiently.

What Happened to Jim Thompson - Creator of Thai Silk Industry
Jim was a family friend in Bangkok. My parents met him before I was born and he is often credited with creating the global interest in Thai silk. On a Easter Sunday in the 60s he went for a walk in Malaysia and has never been seen again. Hear about the various theories.

Resilience: From Homeless to Homeowner
Hear an inspiring story of resilience, detailing how I transitioned from being homeless to a homeowner. Discover the strategies and inner strength that helped me persevere through tough times and learn how to apply these lessons to your own life challenges.

How to Become a Paid Speaker
You have valuable knowledge to share, so why not get paid for it? In this lecture, I'll reveal the secrets to turning your expertise into a profitable side hustle. Learn how to set your rates, when to offer pro bono services, and tips from a frequently paid speaker to kickstart your journey as a professional speaker.

Video 'hello' to cruise staff members ...

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I've been a professional speaker for 20 years. Clients include Harvard, Cisco, European Cardiology Society, Fidelity Investments, University of Texas.

Past tour leader and traveled on many cruise lines: WIndstar, Princess, Royal Viking, Pearl. Lived in Asia, Europe, & US. Traveled to 60 countries.