Susan Koeppen

Koeppen was born in Albany, N.Y. She was graduated in 1994 from Syracuse University's Newhouse School of Public Communications with a degree in broadcast journalism. She enjoys travel and has been to every continent except Antarctica. Reprinted with permission. ©MMVIII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Suggested Speech Topics:
Balancing Motherhood and Work
Real Life Stories: The Best of Susan Koeppen
Fire Safety: What You Must Know
Lead in Toys and other Safety Issues at Home
Missing Children: How to Prevent it

Video segments are available on all of the above.

 

Topic descriptions provided in her own words by Susan Koeppen.

Balancing Motherhood and Work: I like to call it "Mama on the Move!" Time is my enemy. I work in a fast-paced, high-pressure industry where things are happening 24/7 -- it's called Motherhood. And then I have my other job as correspondent for “The Early Show” on CBS--which is also 24/7/365--high pressure, demanding, intense, fast paced--I work fast and need to get a lot done at once. You can often find me with a baby on my hip, a toddler attached to my leg, a cell phone at my ear and a blackberry in my hand. If you think I'm kidding, just ask my husband. He sees me juggling all the time. (cue the Circus Music). But I love every minute of it and I have realized that I can make all my dreams come true--having a great family and a great job--but it takes courage, hard work, a driving need to succeed, and a few Coronas don't hurt.

Real Life Stories: As a Consumer Correspondent for "The Early Show" on CBS, I have done numerous human interest stories--from how to save yourself if you fall through the ice (I actually got into icy water to demonstrate) to how to escape a sinking car (I plunged into the water in a car to see for myself) to the crucial need to have an escape plan if you are ever caught in a fire (I burned down a house with the help of a fire department). There is a special video of my “Best Stuff”.

Fire Safety: What You Must Know: As a reporter for more than a dozen years, I have covered many stories about fires. I am passionate about the need to educate families on the topic of fire safety--and the steps you need to take to get out alive. In my career, I have burned down, with the help of local fire departments, three homes and brought viewers inside as the homes catch fire and the blaze sweeps through the rooms. By doing this, viewers can see just how quickly the fire spreads. I will provide tips on what to do in the event of a fire, how to escape, and how to prevent fires in the first place. After a segment on how to use a fire extinguisher, I received an e-mail from a viewer who said she used that information to put out a fire in her kitchen. If she hadn't seen the report, her house may have burned down.

I can also discuss in depth the following issues:
Lead in Toys and Other Safety Issues at Home
Missing Children: How to Prevent it
Scams of All Kinds
Miscellaneous Safety Issues (i.e., soccer goals that tip over and kill kids, sand holes on the beach can be dangerous)