Talking to Storms
Connor Simonoff Oenomel, LCSW
Consulting & Training Services
Talking to Storms works with leaders, programs, organizations, communities, and individuals to create an affirming, strengths-based environment for growth that recognizes the complexity of thriving in a diverse environment. Through a hybrid approach combining solutions architecture, education, and policy management, Talking to Storms provides consulting, training, evaluation, and assessment services with a special focus on gender diversity, trauma, health equity, social justice, and LGBTQ+ communities.
About
Connor Simonoff Oenomel
Connor (he/him) is a multi-disciplinary generalist who has worked across operations, project management, and social policy.Connor's thrives in areas of system or process refinement and creation, including change management and human-focused operations. Connor brings a background in macro social work—the study of how big-picture social policy shapes our communities and lives— to his work as well as an understanding of the modern workplace and the principles of technological solutions architecture.As a queer, trans, and polyamorous immigrant, Connor is passionate about counteracting stigma and oppression and working towards equity. He has a special focus on DEI and is passionate about de-pathologizing sexuality and gender, working towards healthcare equity for transgender and non-binary individuals, and developing trauma-informed systems and organizations.
Talking to Storms
Talking to Storms closed its doors in 2026. For 6 years, it provided trauma-informed, empathetic, and empowering consulting and coaching services including training, education, assessment, evaluation, and policy management as well as 1:1 coaching. While the formal business has closed, Connor's passion behind it has not and he continues to offer ad hoc consulting and training services as well as welcome invitations to connect about future opportunities.The name of Talking to Storms was inspired by Ellen Kort's poem "Advice for Beginners".
Areas of Interest
Systems & Macro Social Work
mutual aid; community organizing; liberation health; health and healthcare equity; cultural competency; diversity, equity, and inclusion; trauma-informed public policy; solutions architecture
Sexuality & Gender
LGBTQ+ communities; TINGE (transgender, intersex, non-binary, and gender expansive) communities; polyamory and non-monogamy; sex- and kink-positive
Mental Health
trauma; self-advocacy; human-focused operations
Credentials
Licensed Certified Social Worker (LCSW)
Massachusetts, USA
2020-2026Master of Social Work (MSW)
Specializations: Macro Social Work | Trauma & Violence
Boston University, 2020
Degree Equivalent to HBO Sociaal Werk, IDW certificate available upon requestBachelor of Arts in Anthropology
Minor: Sexuality & Queer Studies
Brandeis University, 2012
Professional Memberships
- BeNeLux LGBTQ+ Business Chamber
- BUSSW Network for Professional Education (Trainer's Hub)Former Memberships
- National Association of Social Workers
- Beroepsvereniging van Professionals in Sociaal Werk (BPSW)
- Share-Net Netherlands
- Society of Gender Professionals
Consulting
Our businesses, organizations, groups, and lives are richer with policies that unite us and make space for the most vulnerable among us. However often we find that true belonging is difficult to achieve in practice. How do you create an organizational culture that balances productivity and belonging? What systems are causing friction for your employees or volunteers and why? How does the human psyche cope with change? If you're struggling these or other questions, I can help. My approach is strengths-based, efficient, down-to-earth, and participatory.What I Offer:
- Project Planning or Development
- Forms/Policies Analysis & Intervention
- Human-focused Systems Architectural Solutions
- Policy & Process Creation or Refinement
- Needs Assessments & Evaluations
- DEI Social Media/Website Analysis & Intervention
- Trauma-Informed Policy Audits
- Professional Development and Cultural Competency Training
- Workplace Culture Guidance
- Participatory Goal/Objective Setting & Vision Mapping
Areas of Focus
human-focused operations
trauma-informed policy
change management
LGBTQ+ diversity, equity, and inclusion
healthcare equity & access
cultural competency training for care providers
participatory research & community organizing
systems or process refinement or creation
de-pathologizing gender diversity
Education & Training
I am a dynamic educator that has a knack for breaking down complex topics into easy-to-grasp pieces. I encourage participation and promote a safe, down-to-earth, and empathetic learning environment. I specialize in working with health and mental health providers, including social service providers and students, but I am also available for corporate training, conferences, round tables, panel discussions, and as a keynote speaker.Topic Areas:
- Fundamentals of Trauma-Informed Leadership
- Participatory Research, Outreach, or Marketing to Marginalized Populations
- Building a Culture of Honest Feedback in Your Organization
- Competition isn't Motivation: Creating Employee Motivation Systems that Work
- Understanding and Serving Multi-Faceted Gender Identities in Healthcare
- Mutual Aid as a Cornerstone of LGBTQ+ Health
- Generating Clinical Empathy for Gender Diverse Clients
- Transition Journaling
- Introduction to Liberation Health
- LGBTQ+ 101s: Introductions to Gender, Sexuality, Non-Monogamy, and more
- Trauma-Informed Policy 101
- Combatting Microaggressions
- Self-Advocacy
Testimonials
"Connor did a great job touching on both micro and macro interventions which can help make our clinical practice more inclusive towards gender diverse folks. We discussed concrete steps that can be taken in and outside the workplace to implement changes. Additionally, Connor uses tweets, memes, and videos to bring a light humor to a serious conversation, which helps make the training even more engaging! At the end, we were left with ample amount of time to ask questions and review real life scenarios. I highly recommend this training for all healthcare providers!"
-SD-"Connor provides a safe space through his experience and availability to allow us to get familiar with theses concepts, to ask questions without risking harm, and provides context to a small but very real part of humanity in order for us to be better care providers for all people. Connor is very open and willing to help along people better understand the realities of LGBTQ+ people, he facilitates conversation and learning very efficiently and interactively."
-Annie-
Teaching Philosophy
My goal as a trainer is to create content that aspires to the following goals:
Interactive
We all know the best learning comes when we participate, so I use a number of strategies to encourage participation including online teaching tools like Mentimeter and Slido, case studies, discussion questions, breakout discussions, icebreakers, and quizzes.
Engaging
Interaction without engagement is meaningless. For effective learning to take place, we must tackle the "why" and "how" behind topics. My strategies for engagement include using my own personal story and experiences as well as humor, social media, current events, and a refreshing dollop of honesty.
Relevant
Beyond just the "why" and "how" lurks the ever present "who cares?" question. Content must be relevant to the learners at the highest level. It should align with the learners' current experience, context, roles/responsibilities, culture, and needs. Relevant content not only uses the latest sources, but it also takes into account the experience of the learner.
Personal
For content to be relevant it also must be personalized. Your organization is a unique entity with concerns, goals, needs, and challenges. My trainings are tailored to your context and I always try to get a sense of where your learners are at before crafting a training.
Brave
My teaching does not shy away from difficult concepts or truths. Instead, I empower learners to consider multiple viewpoints and find the courage to make a difference through their learning. My trainings are brave spaces in which learners are emboldened to take action in their learning. This also means that when possible I encourage small group learning with manager or leader trainings held separately to encourage a 'safer space' environment in which learners can take risks.
Illuminating
My goal is always to teach both the foundational concepts and the philosophical ones. In other words: I teach people how to think and consider new perspectives. Unlearning unconscious bias is an important part of all of my trainings.
Lifetime Connection Promise
Learning doesn’t stop just because you graduate, change jobs, or complete a workshop. Once you’ve done a training with me, you have me as a resource for the rest of your life. You can always reach out with questions, issues, comments, thoughts, or challenges. I’m here for you!I guarantee this for each and every one of your learners.
Teaching Inspiration
The following are resources & theories I have used to craft my own personal teaching methods and philosophy.
