When Vanessa Rials, LMSW, instructor of social work and director of field education, stood before a crowded room for her first speaking engagement at a church at age 13, she felt the familiar rush of nerves in her chest.
But Rials didn’t come to stay silent. She came to speak with the voice God gave her. She hasn’t remained quiet ever since.
“First and foremost, I just want to be the vessel I need to be,” Rials said. “This is so much bigger than me. I’ve seen it change lives. I once had someone message me, ‘You just saved my life.’ That’s not me — that’s God.”
Since 2017, Rials has taken on more than 75 speaking engagements across the Midwest, speaking on topics such as mental health, grief, trauma-informed care and cultural competence. Many of these talks were part of conferences, school visits and trainings for staff at local agencies.
Now, she plans to turn her speaking platform, Positive Perspective, into a business that continues to bring hope to those who need it most.
Invisible burdens
Rials’ speeches stem from deep reflection and personal experiences. A recurring theme in her talks is what she calls “invisible burdens.”
“You never know what someone is going through,” she said. “People might look fine on the outside, but inside they’re struggling with trauma, anxiety, grief or things they’ve never shared. That’s why I share my story — it creates space for others to open up about theirs.”
Rials faced her own struggles in June 2022, when she underwent brain surgery followed by a six-day stay in the intensive care unit. Basic functions like walking, eating and even holding herself upright were temporarily gone. For a time, she didn’t know if she would ever regain them.
As recovery stretched from weeks into months, something else emerged: a profound sense of gratitude.
“When you lose the ability to do everyday things, you realize how precious they are,” she said.
This experience further lit her fire for storytelling. Speaking about medical trauma became a way to not only process her own experience but also to validate the invisible battles others face.
In November 2024, Rials presented at an event hosted by the Brain Injury Association of Kansas and Greater Kansas City called Beyond Rehab: Succeeding at Life: A Conference on Brain Injury. At the time, the organizers had no prior knowledge of Rials’ medical history — they simply knew she was a licensed master social worker who gave talks on mental health.
“This marked the first occasion on which I shared my personal story on a public platform,” Rials said. “I genuinely consider this opportunity to be a divine blessing.”
Her interactions with listeners affirm that her talks matter; several have approached her after a presentation, sometimes with tears in their eyes, to say they finally felt seen.
“That’s what it’s all about,” she said. “Just making a difference in one person’s life. I also believe God qualifies you in spaces that you might not feel qualified for.”
Inspired by family
When Rials talks about building her speaking platform, she always circles back to her grandfather. His support, she said, was one of the driving forces behind Positive Perspective, the name she chose for her mission of spreading healing through storytelling.
“About seven years ago, I made a YouTube video talking about an experience I had when I did an event called Night Under the Stars,” Rials explained. “At the time, I was president of a social work organization on campus (at Wichita State University), and it was to bring awareness to those experiencing homelessness. It got a lot of attention.”
She also posted a video about what it was like to navigate two different cultures as a biracial woman who is African American and Mexican-American. Her grandpa called her after seeing the video, which sparked a conversation Rials will always treasure.
“He let me know I have a gift and that I should explore this,” she said. “Then, after showing my dad the video, he said, ‘You’re going to be a speaker. You’re going to write a book.’ He told me I should name it ‘Positive Perspective,’ and that’s where the foundation formed.”
Therapy and testimony
In addition to teaching and speaking, Rials serves as a crisis therapist for Comcare, Sedgwick County‘s mental health services, one night a week. The role brings her face-to-face with people in their most vulnerable moments.
“I’m assessing, diagnosing, making sure they’re safe and connected to resources,” she explained. “I see folks experiencing homelessness and everyone from kids to law enforcement. Anyone who walks in that door, I’m there for them.”
That’s what it’s all about — making a difference in one person’s life.
Vanessa Rials
The work is demanding, but for Rials, it aligns with her speaking mission. Both roles involve listening, encouraging and guiding people toward healing.
“The skills overlap,” she said. “Whether I’m creating a safety plan with someone in crisis or encouraging an audience from a stage, I’m trying to help people feel seen and supported and helping them move forward.”
Mentors at Newman
On Newman University’s campus, Rials’ students know her not only as a teacher but also as a mentor who takes time to listen.
In one class, Master of Social Work student and soccer player Delphine Sosu named Rials as the person she would say “thank you” to for making a positive difference in her life — a cherished moment that stays with Rials. Sosu described Rials as “genuine and caring in everything she does.”
“Vanessa is not just leading from a position; she leads from her heart,” Sosu said. “She treats people with kindness, listens with patience and creates a space where you feel safe to grow. She has been more than a professor; she has been a mentor and a friend who has supported me both academically and personally.”
Sosu added that Rials has encouraged her to trust God’s timing, stay strong in her journey and keep striving to become a better version of herself.
“I truly feel blessed to have crossed paths with her because her influence has shaped both my education and my personal growth so immensely,” she added.
Rials deeply appreciates her own campus mentors like Yelando Johnson, Ed.D., LMSW, MBA, who serves as the director of Newman’s Master of Social Work program and is an associate professor and division chair for social work, for “recognizing my passion for presenting,” Rials said.
Johnson shared how rewarding it is to witness Rials “step into her purpose” and use her voice to inspire others.
“I am so proud of her,” Johnson said. “Watching Vanessa grow and share her story through campus and community events has been a reminder of why we do this work in our program. We want to help students recognize the power they already carry within themselves. Vanessa’s courage and authenticity not only uplift those who hear her, but she also sets an example for others about resilience, leadership and hope.”
Rials also recalled a meaningful interaction with Video Communications Specialist James Sanny, who reached out after one of Rials’ speaking engagements on campus and said he “took the conversation home” to share insights with his wife and children.
“When you’re a speaker, you’re so vulnerable,” she said. “You’re sharing your heart. It means the world when someone takes time to say, ‘What you said really mattered.’ That keeps me going.”
Even bigger stages
Rials’ dream is to one day take Positive Perspective full time and travel across the world.
“I want to speak at big conferences where people walk out feeling inspired, empowered and ready to heal,” Rials said. “I’d love to sustain my life just through speaking.”
She even envisions stepping onto the iconic TED Talk stage. If she could pick any topic, it would be the intersection of medical trauma and mental health — specifically, invisible burdens.
In the meantime, Rials continues to build her speaking portfolio. Her calendar includes a major keynote address in April 2026, one she hopes will open doors to larger audiences and new opportunities. In addition to speaking, she will continue teaching and the ongoing work of crisis therapy.
Her campus mentors wholeheartedly believe in her goals to expand her speaking horizons in the near future.
“My hope for her is that she continues to walk boldly in this calling, expanding her platform while staying grounded in the values that guide her,” Johnson said. “I believe her voice will continue to open doors, break down barriers and create spaces where others feel seen and empowered. She has so much to give, and I’m excited to see the impact she will make, not only here on campus but far beyond.”
Wherever Rials goes, her mission remains the same.
“I just want to make a difference,” she said. “To be the vessel God uses to inspire healing, resilience and love.”
