The Art of Connection – From Presence to Real Conversation

Lisa Wade is a British-Dutch television presenter, journalist, programme maker, writer, director and facilitator with more than twenty years of experience in media, storytelling, education and live events. She became widely known in the Netherlands as a presenter of the iconic children’s television programme Het Klokhuis. She later presented Vroege Vogels on national radio and television and co-created and presented the award-winning historical series 13 in de Oorlog, which was nominated for an International Emmy Award. She holds a Master’s degree in Theatre Studies and Dramaturgy from the University of Amsterdam, where she graduated cum laude. Throughout her career, Lisa has worked at the intersection of storytelling, communication, education and human connection. Whether she is interviewing someone, presenting to an audience, directing, teaching a workshop or facilitating a conversation, she is interested in the same fundamental question: what allows people to become present enough to genuinely meet one another? She has worked with children, young people, media professionals, musicians and professionals from many different fields, helping them communicate with greater confidence, authenticity and connection. Her approach combines more than two decades of experience in front of the camera and on stage with her background in dramaturgy, journalism and directing. As a British-Dutch professional, Lisa works fluently in both Dutch and English and brings a naturally international perspective to her work. Her workshop Presenting Me grew out of the observation that people often become less convincing when they start trying to “present”. Instead of teaching participants to perform a polished version of themselves, Lisa helps them discover what happens when they stop performing and start connecting. Through practical exercises in presence, curiosity, listening, storytelling andnd interaction, participants develop a way of communicating that feels both more natural and more powerful.