Speaking With Confidence

Have you ever felt like a total fraud, trying to perform as an expert instead of actually becoming one? In this episode, I dig into one of the biggest traps communicators face: the expert facade and the fear of failure that keeps us stuck. I'm Tim Newman, former college professor turned communication coach, and today on “Speaking with Confidence,” we're tackling the myth that failure is the enemy of success especially for Gen Z, where every misstep can feel like it's broadcast to the world on a permanent record.

We often think that to be taken seriously, we need to show up perfectly, but that mindset actually blocks progress. I share two personal stories the first from my college days where I was so nervous during my first speech that I literally threw up in class, and a second, more recent example where I blanked and spelled my own name wrong in front of a nurse. These moments were embarrassing, but they weren’t endpoints. They were powerful pivots that taught me vital lessons about authenticity and human connection.

In this episode, I walk you through my simple, three-part Pivot Protocol designed to transform every failure into a strategic advantage: no toxic positivity here, just practical, clear communication strategy. You’ll learn the difference between “tuition payments” (failures that teach you something) and “tragic errors” (ones you repeat without learning). We dive into why hiding mistakes actually creates communication breakdowns, blocking help and trust from your team or boss.

Here’s what you’ll take away from this episode:


The truth about why holding up a perfect expert image is a trap that shuts down learning


How to reframe failures as essential data instead of identity-defining flaws


Step-by-step instructions for using the Pivot Protocol:


The Autopsy: A cold, emotion-free look at what went wrong and what it revealed


The Extraction: Finding the strategic insight that only failure could give you


The Leap: Turning your new insight into a confident, public move forward


How I personally moved from being the most nervous speaker in class to a coach who builds real connection through vulnerability


Practical questions for breaking down your mistakes, so you stop letting embarrassment run the show


Why communicating your learned insights, instead of just the mistake, builds stronger trust and credibility


How to shift your team dynamic from defensive and blame-focused to curious and innovative

If you’re ready to stop protecting your image and start protecting the lesson, this episode is for you. Progress not perfection is the goal. Try applying the Pivot Protocol to a small failure this week and watch how your communication clarity and confidence grow. And don’t forget to grab your free ebook, The Top 21 Challenges for Public Speakers and How to Overcome Them, at SpeakingWithConfidencePodcast.com or register for the Formulas for Public Speaking course. Remember: your voice has the power to change the world. See you next time!
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Have you ever looked like the picture of confidence on the outside, while secretly battling feelings of self-doubt or imposter syndrome on the inside? If so, this episode of Speaking with Confidence is for you.

On this week’s episode, I explore what it really means to “feel confident,” not just look confident, and how we can bridge the gap between external appearance and our internal belief. I’m joined by the fantastic Joanna Zhang, international speaker, award-winning entrepreneur, and founder of The Operations Genius. Joanna has an incredible story of personal and professional transformation, having not only led her business to multiple international awards, but also overcome her own struggles with the imposter syndrome that so many high achievers face.

Joanna and I dive deep into the journey from external validation to authentic self-assurance. We get honest about what it’s like to achieve on paper but still be wracked with self-doubt, and how that pattern shows up for so many high achievers. Joanna shares her firsthand experiences with winning big awards but initially not feeling “enough” on the inside, her transition into genuine self-celebration, and how she began to recognize and embrace her own strengths instead of endlessly comparing herself to others.

We reflect on why it’s so hard for so many of us to accept compliments, celebrate wins, or acknowledge our growth and how to start shifting that mindset. Joanna introduces some practical strategies (including the genius idea of a “happy fund” to reward yourself!) for building and maintaining real, lasting self-confidence.

We also dive into:


The trap of comparing your weaknesses to others’ strengths


The pivotal shift from “doing” to “being” and why slowing down is essential for real growth


Recognizing the signals that your external confidence isn’t matched internally


How to celebrate small wins and why it matters so much for long-term fulfillment


Joanna’s journey from operating in a masculine leadership and communication style, especially in a male-dominated field, to finding balance and power in feminine energy and self-acceptance


Why skills are only part of being an effective communicator: how your inner state and intention drive impact, connection, and influence


Letting go of judgment and perfectionism to speak “from the flow,” and simple exercises to help you break free from fear and just get started (spoiler: you’ll surprise yourself!)


The biggest confidence wounds facing the younger generation, and the influence of social media and family on self-worth


Concrete actions you can start taking now to build up your authentic confidence, no matter where you’re starting from

Whether you’re a leader, entrepreneur, creative, or simply someone seeking a more confident presence, Joanna’s approach is all about acceptance, celebration, and letting go of old patterns that no longer serve you.

If you’ve ever wondered why outer confidence and inner confidence don’t always match and what practical steps you can take to finally align the two, this episode will give you encouragement, actionable ideas, and a supportive reminder that you absolutely have the power to change your relationship with yourself, your work, and your communication.

Connect with Joanna:

Website: https://operationsgenius.net/  

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/zhang-joanna/

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/18BGiVkHpK/?mibextid=qi2Omg   

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCViTPty9wg9JXwHMvoKWnkA

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Have you ever wondered why you can’t just “be more confident,” no matter how many pep talks you hear or inspirational quotes you read? In this episode of Speaking with Confidence, I tackle the frustrating reality that traditional confidence advice is often nothing more than a vibe check—temporary and fleeting, especially when the pressure is on. As a recovering college professor turned communication coach, I’ve seen firsthand how misunderstood confidence can be. Today, I take you through a forensic audit of your confidence, showing you how to treat it as a system—not a feeling.

We dive deep into the root causes that keep so many of us stuck in cycles of self-doubt, particularly for Gen Z, who face an identity crisis amplified by social media and external validation. I break down the three primary psychological triggers that hold you back: the imposter syndrome amplifier, the perfectionist trap, and the external validation void. These “gaslighters,” as I call them, create toxic narratives that sabotage your confidence and keep you chasing impossible standards.

But we go beyond identifying the problem. This episode is packed with actionable strategies to override those default settings. I walk you through a 48-hour trigger journal exercise to pinpoint your specific confidence dips, and introduce the Value Inventory—an evidence-based approach that forces your brain to face the reality of your skills and accomplishments. Drawing on concepts like Ryan Leak’s “chasing failure,” I show you how to use small, intentional failures as research tools to dismantle the perfectionism trap.

We build what I call your resilience firewall, connecting your audit findings to the three pillars that matter most: planning, research, and practice. By targeting your vulnerability points with specific plans, actively acquiring competence, and collecting low-stakes feedback, you create evidence-based assurance, moving from the feeling of being an imposter to speaking with unshakable authenticity.

Here’s what we covered in this episode:


Why “just be more confident” is useless advice and what actually works


The three psychological triggers that sabotage genuine confidence


How to do a confidence forensic audit using a 48-hour trigger journal


Building a Value Inventory to fight imposter syndrome with real evidence


Turning failure into research, not shame


Creating a resilience firewall through targeted planning, research, and practice


Why confidence isn’t a fixed trait, but a dynamic system you maintain


Actionable steps to start building evidence-based assurance today

Ready to upgrade your mental operating system and build real, lasting confidence? Start your 48-Hour Trigger Journal now and collect your first piece of evidence. For more tips and resources, check out speakingwithconfidencepodcast.com, grab your free ebook, and register for my Formulas for Public Speaking course. Remember, progress beats perfection every time—and your voice has the power to change the world.
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Have you ever wondered what it really means to speak with confidence, and how your words, presence, and mindset can transform every conversation? In this episode of Speaking with Confidence, I explore that question and much more with a truly remarkable guest.

I’m Tim Newman, your host—recovering college professor turned communication coach—and today I’m joined by Antoni Lacinai, an internationally acclaimed workplace communication expert, keynote speaker, and author. Not only has Antoni delivered masterclasses worldwide on compassionate leadership and empathy-driven engagement, but he’s also written and co-written 14 business books, hundreds of magazine columns, a novel, a radio theater play, and even released his first song on Spotify. Clearly, he’s not just a business mind; he's a creative soul with a unique perspective on what it means to be authentic in our work and communication.

We kick off the episode by diving into Antoni’s creative pursuits, including his Christmas song written for fellow speakers—because it’s important to show you’re more than just your job title. We talk about bringing humanity and authenticity back into business, how being creative makes us more relatable, and why it helps people see us beyond our professional roles.

From there, the conversation moves into pivotal moments in Antoni’s journey that led him to recognize communication as his superpower, such as being the only seven-year-old at a parent-teacher meeting brave enough to raise his hand—and discovering the impact that being listened to can have on a young mind. We discuss the importance of listening and encouragement for children, and how that applies to interactions throughout our lives. We also touch on research showing how positive recognition drives better team performance, and how small acts of kindness—like simply saying “good morning”—can profoundly elevate workplace culture.

Here’s what we covered:


Antoni’s creative journey and the value of authenticity


How pivotal childhood moments and being listened to shaped his confidence


The impact of positive recognition and kindness in the workplace


Practical ways to build confidence and get into the right mindset before communicating


The three communication superpowers: empathy, clarity, and energy


How to balance these superpowers for world-class communication


The importance of emotional intelligence and practicing new habits


The role of analog vs. digital communication and what AI means for human connection


Why SMART goals might not be enough, and the alternative model of HAPPY goals


Encouragement for listeners to use their voice to make a difference

By the end of this episode, you’ll know the secret ingredients to speaking with confidence—and why your words truly matter. Thanks for listening, and as always, remember: your voice has the power to change the world.

Connect with Antoni:

Website: https://www.antonilacinai.com

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

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

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Have you ever wondered why some networking conversations feel awkward and stale while others just flow with authenticity and connection? In today’s episode of Speaking with Confidence, I tackle exactly that question: why those standard "What do you do?" Icebreakers fail so spectacularly, especially with Gen Z, and how you can transform surface-level small talk into meaningful, memorable conversations.

I dive deep into the challenges of genuine communication in both personal and professional settings. As someone who's spent years studying and coaching communication, I've seen too many capable people get overlooked not because they're not ready, but because they haven't learned how to confidently show up and connect. This episode is all about stepping off the script and embracing authenticity in every conversation that counts.

In this episode, I walk you through my Connection Catalyst framework, designed to help you shift from fact-finding to insight discovery, and show you how strategic curiosity can make you stand out in any room, especially if you’re looking to connect with Gen Z or anyone craving genuine dialogue over tired transactional questions.

Here’s what we covered in this episode:


Why typical networking questions ("What do you do?", "Where are you from?") rarely create real connection


The psychology behind scriptive responses and why Gen Z sees right through transactional conversations


How boring questions signal a lack of curiosity, and why deep, value-driven questions build trust


The three principles of the Connection Catalyst: moving from information to insight, creating a value exchange, and building momentum for deeper conversations


Examples of transforming closed questions into open-ended ones that uncover beliefs, vulnerabilities, and real stories (like replacing "Do you like your job?" with "What's a belief you had about your industry that turned out to be completely wrong?")


The importance of the hidden value exchange in networking how strategic questions demonstrate genuine interest and build social capital


Practical tips for weaving strategic curiosity into your conversations without sounding robotic, including the use of conversational bridges and active listening


Why building rapport matters before diving into deeper questions, and how to keep the conversation comfortable and engaging


A challenge for listeners: replace one standard question in your next conversation with a strategic one and notice the change in dynamic


Reminders on progress over perfection, and resources for public speaking and communication improvement

If you want actionable ways to upgrade your networking skills and create conversations that matter, this episode will give you the tools and the confidence to do just that. Listen in, and let’s start having dialogues that actually build connection, not just check boxes.
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