About

WHO: People call me Jennifer (Upton) now Garbers. Just don't call me late for dinner.

WHAT: The mission of this website is to serve as a resource for those seeking greater satisfaction in their life through the exploration of creativity, spirituality, and humor. I serve the public as a court reporter, and other passions are making mixed-media art, community involvement, and getting into nature.

WHEN: Now. That's where all our power is. From a historical perspective, this website began in 2010 and was known then as Court Reporter Bound. While I was earning my associate's degree in judicial reporting and RPR certification, this website hosted updates on progress in steno school, free practice dictation materials for court reporting students, and lots of tips & tricks for gaining speed and proficiency. They say "write what you know," so over time the subject matter covered has widened, yet it continues to serve as an online repository for motivation, inspiration, and accountability.

WHERE: Located in the Driftless area of the Midwest, USA, my work as a court reporter has taken me to many beautiful communities.

WHY the name Speaking Louder Than Words? It references the quote, "actions speak louder than words," and the idea that a picture is worth a thousand words, so it's the act of using words and images to bring about positive change in the world.

HOW: The steno machine (using stenography, a phonetic language/keying system) helps me instantly convert human speech into text on a computer screen, a process known as realtime or real-time. This combination of technology and skill ensures accurate record keeping, and it also facilitates accessibility for deaf/Deaf/hard of hearing persons when used in a CART or captioning setting.

Like the sidebar photo? It was taken by Dahli Durley Photography at Sutra Global Imports.