We’re looking forward to introducing you to Danely Segoviano. Check out our conversation below.
Danely , it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: Who are you learning from right now?
I enrolled in a PhD program with the University of California, and I am proud to say that I am enrolled in a course with Elizabeth Loftus the renown memory and law professor and public speaker. I really look at people like her as role models for goals that I’d like to achieve one day like doing a TedTalk and engaging in research within my special interest topics of film, feminist psychoanalysis, sadomasochism, and journaling. I am also learning a lot from professionals in the Hollywood’s film industry, and I am always reading the published work of a variety of academics. People often forget that learning is a lifelong process, so I try to find joy in it as much as possible.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am an English literature and language professional that has experience teaching composition, themed courses, and coaching students in a variety of personal and professional goals. I am currently working on a PhD and pre-dissertation research, but I also tend to write creatively whenever I get the chance.
“Smalltown Boy” is my third published work. It was inspired by my father’s life as a migrant from Mexico who struggled to cope with alcoholism. The book is available now on paperback and ePub through Amazon. My next book is still in the works.
I also helped found the company Of Words and Ink, which is a startup company that helps BIPOC writers self-publish or create a non-traditional publishing career for themselves. The company also has a website, blog, and Youtube page.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
I love this question! It deserves a deep and nuanced answer, but – for the sake of this interview – I think I can say that many people in my position get super caught up in their own thoughts. I’m a very guarded person as a result of cPTSD, so I tend to get caught up in my thoughts a lot. That’s not necessarily bad though. I struggle with gaging if situations, people, or circumstances are safe, so I do a lot of danger assessing on any given day. Unfortunately, this means that I tend to censor a lot of what I want to say. It takes me a while to feel comfortable enough to share anything with a friend, so it can get awkward when the energy is not reciprocated or backfires.
Who can resist a good sense of humor? I think learning to slap on some shade of humor onto a situation can fix just about anything. People with a wicked sense of humor are irresistible. And, if the issue was the result of miscommunication, a little vulnerability to share our point of view goes a long way.
What fear has held you back the most in your life?
Being noticed has always been an intimidating experience for me. When you are noticed, it puts you in the line of fire and something bad could happen as a consequence. So, for the longest time, I tried very hard to not be noticed. Logically, I know that something good can also happen, and I have had enough experience with developing fortuitous opportunities to know my fear is irrational. I do think that I have allowed this fear of being noticed to hold me back from engaging in door opening opportunities too much, and I am actively working on tapping into my courage more. Oddly, I am great with people. My biggest struggles are with doing public speaking to large groups and being on camera.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Is the public version of you the real you?
No! I think we have a lot of versions of ourselves depending on the situation or circumstance. The public version of me is very guarded and, as I’ve been told, a bit cold or detached. But, I’ve also been described as very proper.
In private, I am calm. I like reading and enjoy my solitude. I don’t need to be engaged in conversation with someone at all times. I enjoy my rest and relaxation. My nephew would probably add that I can be funny and silly. And, I am much more affectionate than what people give me credit for.
That being said, I did work in law before, so I do have my sharp edges. I’ve been know to inspire fear in a handful of people that were unlucky to get on my bad side. These days I am not afraid of engaging people in “superior” positions of power and giving them a piece of my mind especially if I am already upset my time is being wasted or misused.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
If I only had 10 years left to live, I would stop working to pay bills immediately. I would like engage in all kinds of vices: frivolous sex, prostitution, money theft, and non-stop travel. I’d wear wigs and change my name every day. I’d start bar fights and get a tattoo. You name it!
The reality is that I would probably cry for a while that I have such a short time to live. And, then I’d probably write a book and go backpacking around the world while updating my social media platforms. But, I already hate living only to work, so that would be the first thing I’d stop doing.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://danelysegoviano.wordpress.com/
- Instagram: @danelysegoviano
- Youtube: @danelysegoviano
Image Credits
NALIP Film and Media 2025 Summit
