Speaking With Confidence

Have you ever wondered what really goes on behind the scenes of a high-pressure, time-limited public speaking presentation—and how a communication coach turns even his own missteps into teachable moments? In this special episode of Speaking with Confidence, I pull back the curtain on my recent experience presenting a Pecha Kucha at PodFest 2026, while offering you practical coaching advice you can apply to your own speaking journey.

As we celebrate the podcast’s two-year anniversary (with a special giveaway—don't miss the details!), I reflect on what it means to embrace confidence, resilience, and the power of vulnerability on stage. This episode is a bit different: using my own Pecha Kucha talk as a case study, I break down the presentation, highlight what worked, where I stumbled, and how you can learn from real-life examples. If you’ve ever let fear hold you back from speaking up, stepping onto a stage, or pressing “record” on a podcast, this one’s for you.

I’m joined at the top of the show by Roddy Galbra, who introduces me before I launch into my presentation breakdown. From that point, I take you step-by-step through everything: prepping the talk and building slides under a deadline, battling nerves, and the moment-by-moment coaching insights I’ve gained both from experience and good old-fashioned trial and error. Along the way, I share how tools like ChatGPT can be a feedback partner (and sometimes a brutal truth-teller!) when preparing for big moments.

Here’s what you’ll get in this episode:


The inside story of my Pecha Kucha experience with only five minutes and 20 auto-advancing slides


Candid reflections on starting too fast, handling nerves, embracing pauses, and managing mistakes as they happen


Why humor, humility, and authenticity work better than perfection on stage


Recognizing the importance of connecting your story to a clear call to action


The value of critiquing your own performances—and the difference between authority and arrogance in public speaking


Insights into how your fears might be tied up with your identity, and how to use that to fuel growth instead of hesitation


Why your audience doesn’t connect with perfect—they connect with “messy,” real stories


Actionable advice on what to improve in any talk: punching up your openings and closings, planting your feet, letting silence do the heavy lifting, and giving your audience a repeatable mental model they’ll remember


Encouragement to step up, take action, and use your unique voice, regardless of nerves or previous stumbles

If you’re ready to move past fear and into progress—not perfection—this episode will encourage and challenge you to take your next speaking risk. Don’t forget, I’m running a special giveaway: leave a review for Speaking with Confidence, share it on social media and tag me, and you could win a free three-hour coaching package with me focused on communication and leadership skills.

Tune in, learn from my journey, and remember—your voice has the power to change your world.

Talk soon,Tim

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How prepared are today’s students for the realities of the workforce, and what can we do to close the career readiness gap? That’s the big question we tackle in this episode of Speaking with Confidence.

This week, I’m joined by Mike Wysocki, an award-winning author of Careers by the People and a seasoned veteran with over 30 years in tech sales. Mike’s journey is both cautionary and inspiring. After launching a successful career without the tools or guidance he needed, Mike has dedicated his life to helping the next generation develop the soft and professional skills they need to succeed.

We dive deep into the hard truths and realities of career preparation, from what’s missing in both higher education and K12 settings, to the vital importance of communication and other soft skills. We talk about why so many students—especially those who are first-generation and come from working-class backgrounds—are being left behind in a system that focuses more on education as an end in itself, and less on real-world outcomes.

You’ll also hear:


The story behind Careers by the People and why Mike felt compelled to write it


How he gathered authentic stories—from CEOs to actuaries to accountants—to help other students avoid the same pitfalls he encountered


Why soft skills (or what some call “power skills”) like public speaking, communication, teamwork, and writing are more important than ever—and actionable ways for students to develop them, whether through Toastmasters, acting classes, or even stand-up comedy


Practical strategies for career exploration, including talking to those inside—and outside—the industries you’re considering, seeking out summer jobs, volunteering, and joining professional associations


The difference real-world experience makes, and why getting out of your hometown for a first job can open up your world


The importance of follow-up and adding value in networking, not just collecting contacts


Why students need trusted advisors from a range of ages and backgrounds, and why advice from peers isn’t enough


What gives us hope about the next generation, and what still keeps us up at night

You’ll also catch us going back and forth on what colleges and employers could be doing differently, how parents and students can ask the right questions during the college decision process, and what we as educators and mentors can do to make the biggest difference.

Whether you’re a student, a parent, an educator, or someone thinking about your next step, this episode gives you the tools and real talk you need to move forward with clarity, courage, and confidence.

Tune in to hear the full conversation with Mike Wysocki—and stay with us till the end for his tips on making the most of every career opportunity and how to get in touch with him for more insights.

Connect with Mike:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-wysocki/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@careersbythepeople   

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Have you ever found yourself stuck in a conversation with a complicated coworker, wondering, “How do I actually communicate with this person to get things moving forward?” In today’s episode of Speaking with Confidence, I dive right into the core question: How can you effectively communicate with complicated people—especially when, let’s be honest, we’re all complicated in our own unique ways?

Hi, I’m Tim Newman, a recovering college professor turned communication coach, and I’m excited to guide you through practical strategies for navigating communication challenges at work. In today’s episode, I reference Ryan Leak’s insightful book, How to Work with Complicated People, which inspired much of the approach I share.

We kick things off with an all-too-familiar workplace scenario: a colleague agrees to a deadline with smiles and nods, only to send a passive aggressive note a few days later that derails the project. Your instinct may be to fire back or just give up, but I explain why that reaction rarely solves the underlying problem—because the real issue is how complicated humans communicate with each other.

Here’s what we covered:


Why communicating with complicated people is a universal challenge


The importance of translating your message for different audiences


How workplace communication direction changes your approach (up, across, and down)


Strategies for communicating up: focusing on outcomes and impact with leadership


How to handle peer-to-peer conflict through respect, questions, and common ground


Four keys for giving clear, motivating direction to your team


The difference between tactical fixes and building a true communication system


The foundational skill of knowing your audience and message, and why it’s essential for every workplace conversation

Whether you’re reporting to a boss, negotiating with coworkers, or leading a team, you’ll leave this episode with actionable techniques to stop the cycle of miscommunication and start showing up—every single time—with clarity and confidence. Remember, the goal isn’t perfection—it’s consistent progress.

Before I sign off, don’t forget to grab your free eBook, “The Top 21 Challenges for Public Speakers and How to Overcome Them,” at speakingwithconfidencepodcast.com, and check out our Formula for Public Speaking course. Thanks for listening and always remember: your voice has the power to change the world.
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Have you ever found yourself stuck in a conversation with a complicated coworker, wondering, “How do I actually communicate with this person to get things moving forward?” In today’s episode of Speaking with Confidence, I dive right into the core question: How can you effectively communicate with complicated people—especially when, let’s be honest, we’re all complicated in our own unique ways?
Hi, I’m Tim Newman, a recovering college professor turned communication coach, and I’m excited to guide you through practical strategies for navigating communication challenges at work. In today’s episode, I reference Ryan Leak’s insightful book, How to Work with Complicated People, which inspired much of the approach I share.
We kick things off with an all-too-familiar workplace scenario: a colleague agrees to a deadline with smiles and nods, only to send a passive aggressive note a few days later that derails the project. Your instinct may be to fire back or just give up, but I explain why that reaction rarely solves the underlying problem—because the real issue is how complicated humans communicate with each other.
Here’s what we covered:
Why communicating with complicated people is a universal challenge
The importance of translating your message for different audiences
How workplace communication direction changes your approach (up, across, and down)
Strategies for communicating up: focusing on outcomes and impact with leadership
How to handle peer-to-peer conflict through respect, questions, and common ground
Four keys for giving clear, motivating direction to your team
The difference between tactical fixes and building a true communication system
The foundational skill of knowing your audience and message, and why it’s essential for every workplace conversation
Whether you’re reporting to a boss, negotiating with coworkers, or leading a team, you’ll leave this episode with actionable techniques to stop the cycle of miscommunication and start showing up—every single time—with clarity and confidence. Remember, the goal isn’t perfection—it’s consistent progress.
Before I sign off, don’t forget to grab your free eBook, “The Top 21 Challenges for Public Speakers and How to Overcome Them,” at speakingwithconfidencepodcast.com, and check out our Formula for Public Speaking course. Thanks for listening and always remember: your voice has the power to change the world.
Support the show
Want to be a guest on Speaking With Confidence? Send Tim Newman a message on PodMatch
Speaking With Confidence
Formula for Public Speaking
Facebook

Send us a text
Have you ever wondered why taking action beats raw talent every single time, or how you can leverage new technology like AI without losing the heart and soul of your message? In this episode of Speaking with Confidence, we’re getting to the root of what it means to communicate with clarity, build your confidence as a storyteller, and stand out in our fast-changing world.
I’m Tim Newman, your host, a recovering college professor turned communication coach, and today I’m joined by the incredible Jim Edwards. Jim’s a true legend in the world of online business and communication, with almost three decades of experience helping entrepreneurs, coaches, speakers, and professionals get their messages heard. Not only is he a bestselling author of over three dozen books, but he’s also helped countless people find their voice and capitalize on their knowledge.
Listeners will also hear actionable advice on:

Finding and sharing your own stories (even if you think you don’t have any)

Developing patience and delayed gratification for long-term success

Building confidence as a speaker through preparation and practice

Using writing as a tool for clarifying your thoughts and improving your communication

Harnessing AI as a creative accelerant, not a replacement for your ideas

Understanding the new role of creators and curators in a world awash with content

How to recognize and communicate your true value as a coach, speaker, or business owner

Whether you’re trying to write your first book, become a more compelling speaker, or navigate the digital landscape with authenticity, this episode offers real, practical steps and mindset shifts that will help you take your message and your confidence to the next level.
I’m so grateful to Jim Edwards for joining me and sharing his wisdom (and contagious enthusiasm). If you’re looking for even more confidence-building resources, don’t forget to visit speakingwithconfidencepodcast.com for your free eBook and more tools to help you unleash your voice!
Connect with Jim:
Website: https://jimedwards.com    
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thejimedwardsmethod/   
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejimedwards   
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JimEdwardsFan
X: https://x.com/RealJimEdwards
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@jimEdwards
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thejimedwards

Support the show
Want to be a guest on Speaking With Confidence? Send Tim Newman a message on PodMatchSpeaking With ConfidenceFormula for Public SpeakingFacebook
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