Chelsey Goodan Author, Educator, Speaker, and Changemaker

Praise for Chelsey Goodan

Chelsey Goodan wowed my audience with her inspirational delivery and insightful knowledge. 300 people signed up for our zoom workshop with Chelsey on “The Art of Listening: The Key to Professional and Personal Success” and every attendee stayed the whole time because they were so captivated by Chelsey, which is incredibly rare for our virtual events. The comments from our audience were full of gratitude for Chelsey’s brilliant insights into how to create a life filled with success.”
—Judith Balkin, Chairwoman, NYU Women’s Initiative

Chelsey Goodan was an absolutely incredible speaker! She excels at tailoring her incredible content to whatever the audience needs and is able to do it on the fly just before the event starts. While her book is ostensibly about teenage girls, really, it’s a masterclass in listening, resisting people pleasing and toxic positivity, holding space without trying to “fix” everything, and being comfortable with discomfort. She has an unparalleled ability to speak to—and reach—both teens and adults and the boys and men at our event were even more intrigued and engaged by what she shared. Multiple attendees remarked how safe they felt asking vulnerable questions and expressing real fears. Several of the men and boys said they came away with a better understanding of how to support the teen adult women in their lives.”
—Sarah Lacy, Director of Marketing and Programming, JAR Farms 

I had the opportunity to co-host an event that Chelsey spoke at, and she was truly fantastic. She commands the room. She’s very very fun and informative. It was really inspiring hearing what she had to say. I recommend her very highly!”
—Will Forte, actor (SNL, MacGruber, The Last Man on Earth)

Our group was completely transformed. While business summits often focus too much on the external, Chelsey’s insight gave us a look at ourselves internally. Both men and women began opening up, connecting, and reigniting passions in such inspiring ways. Chelsey’s powerful energy and enthusiasm delivered an experience our group will never forget.”
—Dione Spiteri, Event Host for ONEFUTURE on Richard Branson’s Necker Island

I had the privilege of witnessing Chelsey speak at a mastermind event where she taught high-achieving men how to understand themselves and others. Inspired by her impact, I hired her to speak with my co-ed team for the same transformative insights. Chelsey possesses a remarkable blend of sincerity and empathy, allowing her to connect with her audience and teach strategies that foster deeper individual and shared awareness, significantly elevating high-performing teams.”
—Daniel Deitrick, U.S. Naval Officer

Having Chelsey speak to our six different cohorts every year is incredibly inspirational, but she’s also very practical in empowering women and girls’ voices. She understands the nuances of leadership, social dynamics, historical influences, and the insecurities that hold us back from our greatest potential. Chelsey increases an audience’s capacity to grow, making the experience invaluable.
—Sarah Jakle, Executive Director & Founder of the nonprofit DemocraShe

Chelsey is a total on-it, walk-the-talk, money-where-your-mouth-is, first responder vibe. I’ve hosted events where she speaks, and she teaches everyone not only how to bring out the best in teenage girls, but in everyone.”
—Moon Zappa, actress, artist, and author of Earth to Moon: A Memoir

I have co-hosted a few charity events where Chelsey spoke, and she is one of the most compelling and exciting speakers that we’ve ever had at these events. She knows how to crystallize and mobilize people’s emotions and really tell a story in a simple way that makes you excited about knowing more about the topic and taking action.”
—David Wain, director, writer, actor (Role Models, Wet Hot American Summer, Wanderlust)

Praise for Underestimated

I’ve personally witnessed how Chelsey changes the lives of teenage girls for the better by deepening connections and helping everyone feel more heard and understood. With passion and enthusiasm, Chelsey empowers girls to discover their voices in both the most practical and deepest of ways. This book is exactly what we all need right now, for our families and for our future voices in the world.”

—Laura Dern, Academy Award-winning actress and New York Times bestselling author of Honey, Baby, Mine

If you have a teenage girl in your life, you need to read this.”

—Oprah Daily

To create a world that welcomes girls’ and women’s powerful voices and fosters their agency, we need this book. UNDERESTIMATED masterfully teaches us how to empower teenage girls by simplifying solutions to challenging topics like self-doubt, shame, the beauty myth, and power, offering effective tools for parents, educators, and trusted adults in girls’ lives.”
—Jennifer Siebel Newsom, filmmaker and founder of The Representation Project

Sometimes we wish our children came with an operating manual. Fortunately, that operating manual now exists. If you are a parent, caregiver, or educator who cares in any way about understanding this crucial period in a teenager’s development, in a way that supports thriving rather than walling off, UNDERESTIMATED is essential reading. The powerful wisdom will help you not just as a parent, but in every relationship.”
—Neil Strauss, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Truth: An Uncomfortable Book About Relationships

Chelsey is a godsend. This book is a godsend. In UNDERESTIMATED, Chelsey gives us all the tools needed to have the difficult and much needed conversations with our teenagers. Or any teenagers. I’ve seen her work firsthand and trust me, WE ALL NEED THESE TOOLS. Badly. She brings sensitivity to her work and a ‘just removed enough’ perspective that is impossible for parents to have from close up.”
—Jenni Konner, writer, director, and executive producer of HBO’s Girls

Chelsey expertly reveals the power of teenage girls. She welcomes us into their minds with curiosity and fun, rather than fear. UNDERESTIMATED gives insight into ways to create a fairer and more empowering world where girls and women can thrive.”
—Eve Rodsky, New York Times bestselling author of Fair Play and Find Your Unicorn Space

What makes this book stand out is the way Goodan allows girls to share their truths openly and without judgment… empower[ing] young women by showing readers what they have to teach adults about the power of (inter)personal authenticity.”
—Kirkus Reviews

UNDERESTIMATED provides a critical blueprint for the kinds of conversations that parents and their children are afraid to have, but deeply need. It’s an accessible yet poignant exploration of how parents and teenage girls can grow together rather than further apart. And I can’t think of someone more equipped to help us understand and uplift teenage girls than Chelsey Goodan.”
—Liz Plank, award-winning journalist and author of For the Love of Men: From Toxic to a More Mindful Masculinity

THIS is the book I wish I (and my parents!) had when I was growing up. Filled with clear, compassionate guidance that debunks the myths around adolescent girls as ‘mean,’ UNDERESTIMATED gives us the tools to support, embrace, and even learn from our teenage girls, who have so much more wisdom than we may realize.”
—Sarah Jones, Tony Award-winning writer, actor, and filmmaker

Reading this book made me feel as though I had stumbled upon a pot of gold. Suddenly I had a better understanding of my own often misunderstood mind, and as my daughter grows, I’m hoping I can apply the same compassion and understanding that Chelsey teaches. UNDERESTIMATED is a must read for anyone who has a daughter, is a daughter, or knows a daughter.”
—Becky Lynch, WWE champion wrestler