Speaking With Confidence

Have you ever been put on the spot in a meeting when your boss turns to you and asks, “What’s your take on this?” and your mind just goes blank? If you’ve ever struggled with this kind of pressure, you’re definitely not alone. In this episode of Speaking with Confidence, I tackle the uncomfortable but all-too-common experience of freezing up when you’re unexpectedly called upon, and I reveal a practical way to break through that mental block, fast.

I open the show by getting real about what’s actually happening in those high-stakes moments. Freezing up isn’t a sign that you’re not smart, or that you don’t know your stuff, it's the result of cognitive overload. Suddenly, your brain’s juggling a hundred possibilities at once, and without a clear filter or system in place, panic sets in and clarity goes out the window.

That’s why today I’m sharing a tool that’s been a game-changer for me and my clients: the ACES method. It’s a mental checklist that helps you cut through the noise and respond with confidence even when your heart’s pounding and your thoughts are scrambling for an exit.

I’ll walk you through the ACES framework. We’ll dig into the real reasons smart people freeze, why the usual “just be confident” advice falls flat, and how using a simple, four-step mental scan can help you deliver sharp, focused answers in any conversation.

Here’s what we cover in this episode:


Why freezing doesn’t mean you’re unprepared and what’s actually going on in your brain when you’re put on the spot.


The critical importance of filtering your response through “audience” focusing on who’s asking the question and what they actually need from you.


The “one thing rule” for content zeroing in on the single most important piece of information instead of dumping everything you know.


How to spot and align with hidden expectations behind the question, so you answer what’s really being asked.


The power of having a go-to “script” structure point, reason, example, and action that helps your thoughts flow into a clear, compelling answer.


Practical, low-pressure ways to practice ACES, so the process becomes automatic (even when you’re under pressure).


A simple challenge to try the ACES method in your next everyday conversation to start building unstoppable communication muscle.

If you’re ready to replace panic with process and show up in high-stakes moments with real clarity, this episode is for you. Don’t forget to visit speakingwithconfidencepodcast.com to grab your free eBook, The Top 21 Challenges for Public Speakers and How to Overcome Them, and check out the Forming for Public Speaking course. Let’s keep moving towards progress, not perfection. Your voice really can change the world!
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Have you ever wondered why confidence seems to slip away right when you need it most? Or if it’s really possible to change how you feel about yourself and your abilities no matter how long you’ve struggled?

On this episode of Speaking with Confidence, we dive into the roots of real confidence, the power of self-talk, and how science and faith come together to help us show up as our best selves. I’m Tim Newman, and today I’m joined by the incredible Dr. Laurette Willis, a cognitive behavioral therapist, speaker, mentor, and founder of Weight Loss Without Willpower and Praises Moves Fitness Ministry. Laurette’s journey from childhood struggles with overeating and self-image to empowering women and men around the world to find strength without shame brings a wealth of wisdom and practical tools to our conversation.

We kick things off by unpacking what confidence really means. As Dr. Laurette explains, the word itself comes from the Latin “confidere” to have full trust. She shares how true confidence is about leaning your full weight on your trust on something greater than yourself, and why this “trust” is the opposite of fear, especially for people whose greatest challenges show up right alongside their greatest gifts.

We both get personal about our own experiences with stage fright and imposter syndrome even after years of professional speaking and performing. Dr. Laurette opens up about growing up with negative self-talk and how completely changing what she said to herself transformed not only her feelings but her results in life. I reveal my ongoing struggles with self-doubt, despite being able to help others navigate the same thing, and we both talk about how, even as coaches, we need outside support to keep our inner voices in check.

Throughout the episode, we explore:


The roots and true meaning of confidence


How fear often attacks our greatest strengths


The five-step chain that links self-talk to results


Practical neuroscience: how your brain can and does change (neuroplasticity!)


Myths about “overnight” change and why patience with yourself matters


How your environment and the people around you shape your mindset and outcomes


The power of habits, big and small, to rewire your brain and your life


Dr. Laurette’s story of feeling most “herself” on stage, and how improv taught her trust


Using faith-based practices and scripture to ground confidence


A powerful cognitive-behavioral exercise to physically “cast off” worry and take on peace


The science behind victory celebrations, positive self-talk, and dopamine hits for change


Why believing in others before they believe in themselves can be life-changing


A hands-on bilateral brain stimulation technique for cutting through fear or cravings in seconds


The practical, lifelong value of mentorship, support, humility, and helping others up the ladder


How to speak life into yourself and others (and why that matters more than you think)

By the end of our heartfelt, hope-filled talk, you’ll walk away with a practical toolkit for tackling fear, reframing your inner dialogue, and stepping up to life’s stage with true confidence rooted in trust, humility, and real support.

If you’re ready to break out of old cycles, speak with boldness, and help others do the same, this conversation with Dr. Laurette Willis will inspire you from the inside out.
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Are you tired of working hard but still finding yourself overlooked, misunderstood, or stuck in conflict at work? In today’s episode, I tackle the question: What if the real reason you're not getting the recognition or opportunities you deserve isn’t about how hard you’re working, but about the way you communicate?

I’m Tim Newman, a recovering college professor turned communication coach, and your guide on the Speaking with Confidence podcast. In this episode, I break down the exact three-part formula I use with my clients to transform invisible, frustrated professionals into clear, connected, and unstoppable communicators. It’s not just a list of tips, it's a step-by-step system where every part is necessary, and missing any one piece makes the whole thing fall apart.

It’s just you and me exploring what it truly means to become a successful, respected communicator. I’ll share the actionable steps that have helped my clients move from being overlooked to being valued, and from being anxious in the spotlight to becoming confident, effective public speakers.

Here’s what we cover in today’s episode:


Why the root of your career problems is more likely a communication issue than a lack of effort or expertise, and why that’s actually good news


The myth that sounding articulate or having a big vocabulary means you’re a good communicator and why real communication starts with clarity above all else


The importance of the “eighth grade rule” explaining your ideas so simply that even an eighth grader would understand, making your message unmissable at work


A deep dive into collaboration and why true teamwork isn’t about being agreeable or avoiding conflict, but about handling friction with empathy and courage


The “velvet brick” framework: being soft on the person but hard on the problem so you can tackle tough issues without sacrificing relationships


How poor communication in small, one-on-one conversations can snowball into big project failures and blown deadlines down the line


The misconception that public speaking is an innate talent, and why it’s actually about having applied confidence in your message and your collaborative skills


A personal story about how reframing the audience as collaborators rather than judges can eliminate stage fright and boost your influence


Why you can’t cheat the system by skipping steps each skill builds on the last, and only by mastering the sequence do you unlock real career leverage


A challenge for the week: Identify one conversation and apply the eighth grade rule—deliberately choose clarity, and see how it transforms your results

By the end of this episode, you’ll not only have a practical formula for communication success, but you’ll understand why each part matters and how to put it all together for dramatic results in your work and beyond.

Don’t forget to visit speakingwithconfidencepodcast.com to grab your free eBook on the top 21 challenges for public speakers and learn about the Formula for Public Speaking course. Your voice really does have the power to change the world. Let's unlock it together.
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Have you ever wondered why, no matter how hard you try, you can’t just “be confident” especially when your hands are shaking and your mind is racing? If so, you’re not alone, and you’re exactly who this episode is for.

Today on Speaking with Confidence, we’re tackling the reality behind what it means to build, lose, and rebuild true confidence especially for those who’ve faced serious self-doubt, bullying, or lived experience with mental health challenges. I sat down with the remarkable Hufsa Ahmad licensed therapist, scientist, award-winning mental health advocate, behavioral health consultant, and two-time TEDx speaker. She’s uniquely known for blending science, clinical wisdom, and sharp humor, turning even life’s lowest points into stepping stones for growth and resilience.

In this episode, Hufsah opens up about her journey from being a happy, curious child to enduring relentless bullying, depression, and defining periods of isolation. She shares how a suicide attempt as a child and ongoing battles with mental illness and the stigma attached eventually pushed her to hit rock bottom. From there, she didn’t just rebuild her confidence; she reframed her entire relationship with herself and those around her.

Highlights from our conversation:


How early life experiences and bullying shaped Hafsah’s self-image and how she turned the corner


The gritty process of learning to care less about what others think, even in the face of online hate and real-world rejection


The impact of social media on social confidence, and why stepping away transformed her focus and well-being


The difference between “performing confidence” and actually feeling it, and how to spot the difference


Why humor is a tool for healing, connection, and resilience and how anyone can start using it


Tactics Hafsah uses to reframe negative self-talk and rewrite the narrative after setbacks


The most common myths anxious speakers believe, and evidence-based ways to challenge them


What crowd work and comedy taught her about real presence in public speaking


Practical steps every anxious speaker should stop doing immediately and what to do instead


The power of not taking things personally, and why audience reactions aren’t always about you

If you’ve ever felt crushed by criticism, paralyzed by anxiety, or frustrated by the advice to “just be confident,” this episode will give you actionable wisdom, a few laughs, and a whole new way to think about resilience on and off the stage.

Connect with Hufsa:

Website: https://hufsaahmad.com    

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hufsaahmad/  

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hufsaahmad   

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@hufsa-ahmad

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Have you ever wondered if knowing too much about your subject could actually make you a less effective communicator? I know it sounds counterintuitive, but in this episode of Speaking With Confidence, I dive into why deep expertise might be your biggest liability when presenting and the one simple rule that can turn it all around.

Hi, I’m Tim Newman, a recovering college professor turned communication coach, and in this episode, I share my journey from thinking that piling on credentials and information would make me the most persuasive person in the room to realizing that too much expertise can actually get in the way of real communication. I know firsthand how easy it is to fall into “the expert trap,” and today, I want to walk you through the five ways this shows up in our presentations, plus the practical fix that anyone can use immediately.

It’s just me sharing hard-won experience and tools you can apply whether you’re presenting research, delivering a pitch, or leading a team meeting. We start by unpacking the subtle but powerful curse of knowledge, that cognitive bias that makes us forget what it felt like not to know our subject. From there, I break down the other traps that experts stumble into: overloading slides with data, defaulting to lecture mode, relying on jargon to “prove” credibility, and hiding behind an impenetrable expert persona that actually alienates your audience.

We don’t just name the problems, we walk through fixes. I share my go-to strategies, like building presentations that map the audience’s journey rather than just dumping information, making every slide a clear, focused compass rather than a wall of text, and applying what I call the “Gen Z Intern Test” to ensure your language stays human and relatable. Most importantly, I reveal the eighth-grade rule: If a typical eighth grader can’t grasp your main point and its importance after just one hearing, you need to simplify it even further. Clear ideas are your greatest source of authority.

Here’s what I cover in this episode:


The real ways expertise can sabotage your communication and connection


Understanding and overcoming the curse of knowledge


Escaping the trap of data drowning and cluttered slides


Breaking the lecture loop by building real exchanges with your audience


Avoiding jargon overload and speaking so anyone can understand


Letting go of the impenetrable expert persona and embracing authentic authority


The “eighth grade rule” as your universal test for clarity


Why preparing to connect is always more powerful than preparing to impress

If you’re ready to move your presentations from impressive to impactful, and from credible to truly connected, this episode is packed with tools to get you there. Don’t forget to grab your free ebook at speakingwithconfidencepodcast.com, and I’ll see you next time as we keep building the soft skills that create real change.
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