Stop Shrinking: The Power of Owning Your Spark

Smart Meetings vice president and content director JT Long sits down with powerhouse emcee and event strategist Devon Montgomery Pasha for an unforgettable conversation about authenticity, impact and the bold moment she stopped shrinking and chose to take up space. JT shares some exciting news: Devon will join What One Thing? as a future co-host.

From managing stage nerves to navigating motherhood and career with intention, Devon opens up about the mentors who fueled her rise, the rituals that keep her grounded and the spark that powers her work. This episode celebrates bold choices, belonging and the power of showing up fully as yourself.

✨ If you’ve ever made yourself smaller to fit in, this is your invitation to expand

Transcript

JT Long
And welcome back to What One Thing, a Smart Meetings podcast. I’m JT Long, Vice President and Editorial Director at Smart Meetings, and I have the pleasure of talking to some of the smartest people on the planet about what made the difference in their careers and lives.

I’m so excited because today I’m here with Devon Montgomery Pasha. She’s a professional emcee, certified event designer, master facilitator, and the creative force behind DMP Creative. She’s trusted by top-tier planners and producers to bring strategy, spark, and soul to every event—and she delivers every time. Devon was named one of the 100 most influential people in the events industry and Smart Meetings’ Top Speaker of 2024. She’s known for her Spark Method, her signature red, and her ability to turn passive audiences into active believers. She’s more than a mic holder—she’s a moment maker. And I’m thrilled to announce that she’ll be co-hosting some of these episodes with me in the future.

Devon, welcome!

Devon Montgomery Pasha
Thank you so much, JT! I’m so excited to join the Smart Meetings podcast family, and I’m glad we could do this intro episode before I start co-hosting. What a great adventure to be on.

JL
We get to talk to some fabulous people—but first, we want to get to know you a little better. Ready?

DMP
So ready. Fire away.

JL
When did you know you wanted to be part of the big, beautiful world of meeting professionals? Did you wear red lipstick and carry a mic in kindergarten?

DMP
I verified with my mom this morning, and yes, from a very young age, I loved to perform and command presence. I made my family watch me sing and perform—and if they weren’t paying attention, I’d tell them to close their eyes because they didn’t deserve to see the performance.

I think I always knew I wanted to be part of this world. I credit my two grandmothers: one was a homemaker—an artisan of hospitality and belonging—and the other was an academic, socialite, and teacher. Put those two together in a petri dish, and here I am.

JL
Well, you’ve definitely made a name for yourself. I love running into you at events. But I heard a rumor: not everyone feels comfortable on stage. How do you manage the emotions before, during, and after?

DMP
I love this question. I’m a very emotional person—which I see as both my Achilles’ heel and my superpower. I still get nervous, still have imposter syndrome. But I talk to it: “OK, we’re nervous—that means this matters.” I’ve learned to acknowledge those feelings instead of pushing them away.

I have a morning playlist—Aretha, Lizzo, Demi Lovato. I do mirror pep talks. I tell myself: “They chose you. You’ve got this. Be yourself. Rock the stage.”

JL
And after the lights go off?

DMP
There’s a bit of a low—what some call post-conference blues. I channel that into rest, journaling, and reconnecting with my daughter. I try to see it as creating space for something new, not mourning what’s over. And I always make my bed before I leave for a trip—coming home to that calm space helps.

JL
That’s such a smart habit. I love that. OK—what’s one of the most profound moments you’ve experienced at an event?

DMP
It was my 40th birthday. I spent it at the College of Extraordinary Experiences, held in a 12th-century castle in Poland. One session involved storytelling—two artists transformed a personal story into spoken word and music on the spot.

I shared how I’ve never felt like I fit in. I’m six foot one, always off the charts, always trying to belong. But when I stopped trying to shrink and chose to be seen as I am—that’s when transformation began. They turned my story into a moving piece of art. I was in tears. Everyone in the room felt it. It was a gift of peace, power, and presence.

JL
Do you feel like you belong now?

DMP
I do. And that’s hard to say without getting emotional. Every decision to be authentic came with fear, but also freedom. I stopped straightening my hair at 38—just broke my hair dryer one day and said, “Let’s try this.” Then came the red lipstick. I was always told my lips were too big. Not anymore.

Every scary step has paid off. And the more I show up as myself, the more I give others permission to do the same.

JL
You mentioned your daughter earlier. How has being a mom shaped your work?

DMP
It’s been a journey. My family took a while to realize I wasn’t just “a party planner.” When I started speaking professionally, they didn’t really get it. But my daughter—she’s six—saw my awards and told my best friend, “That’s what Mommy did.” She was proud of me. That moment meant everything.

I didn’t grow up with a working mom. So I’m figuring this out. She misses me when I’m gone, but I told her: “I love being your mom. And I also love what I do. I hope one day you’ll understand that being proud of yourself is important too.”

JL
And what’s her favorite part when you come back?

DMP
Swag! Conference bags, fidget toys, lanyards—she loves it all. She even came to an event with me once, wore a matching suit, and worked the room with a giant smile. That bag weighed 35 pounds. Better than Halloween.

JL
You’re a role model, Devon.

DMP
Thank you. I hope working moms—and dads—know it’s OK to say, “I love you. I love me too.”

JL
So finally, what is the one thing that made all the difference in your life and career?

DMP
The moment I stopped shrinking.

I used to only wear black. I tried to be quiet, to fade in. One boss told me I was “too intense”—that I needed to tone it down. But I burned out trying to be small.

So I stood up. I spoke up. I asked questions. I took up space—one vertebra at a time. I realized if you’re not working on your own goals, you’re working on someone else’s. That hit me hard.

But I didn’t get here alone. Courtney Stanley changed my life. She saw the spark in me, poured gasoline on it, and said, “Let’s go.” She speaks my name in rooms I’m not in. She believes out loud. And we all need someone like that.

JL
We’re going to do this together—lift this community up, amplify the sparks, and build something bold.

DMP
Absolutely. Let’s go.