Speaking With Confidence

What if the way you sound matters just as much if not more than the words you say? We often believe that effective communication starts and ends with content, but in today’s episode, we dig beneath the surface: how can aligning your voice with your authentic self change the way you connect with others?

I’m Tim Newman, and this week on Speaking with Confidence, I invited Wolfe Lanier to join me for a truly eye-opening conversation. Wolfe is a Somatic Voice practitioner and researcher, currently completing his MFA in Voice Studies at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama. His journey has taken him from the mountains of Appalachia, through New York’s corporate coaching world, into deep somatic practice all fueled by a central, fascinating question: why is there often a gap between who we are and how we come across?

Wolfe shared his own story of performance anxiety, stage fright, and that all-too-relatable feeling of disconnect between inner worth and outward expression. We explored how self-talk, ego, and even physical tension in the body shape the sound of our voice and how often, what’s holding us back in communication is much deeper than we realize.

Here’s what we covered in this episode:


Why your voice often reveals more than your words


Wolfe’s personal journey from stage fright to vocal research


The connection between self-talk, inner worth, and how you sound


The science and experience of “vocal congruence”


How culture, accent, and history influence voice and acceptance


The role of somatic practice and releasing physical tension


Why most people are their own worst critics and how to break the cycle


The interplay between ego, perfectionism, and authentic communication


Generational shifts in communication styles and expectations


Step-by-step advice for building confidence and congruence in your voice

If you’ve ever wished your voice could reflect your real confidence, or you’ve struggled to feel truly comfortable speaking up, this episode will give you a fresh perspective and practical steps to start bridging the gap between who you are and how you come across.

Connect with Wolfe:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wolfe-lanier-1186a61b/

Website: https://www.wolfelanier.com  

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wolfe.lanier/

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Are you making your message clear or just making it longer? In today’s episode, we’re tackling one of the most common myths in professional communication: that sounding like a CEO means drowning in buzzwords and complex sentences. In reality, the strongest leaders use a different formula: simplicity, conciseness, and real confidence.

I’m Tim Newman, your host for Speaking with Confidence. As a former college professor turned communication coach, I’ve seen firsthand how even the smartest folks can accidentally sound junior not because they lack expertise, but because we’re all trained to value complexity over clarity. In this episode, I’m breaking down the exact framework I use with executives who want to sound like leaders and get results.

It’s just me, Tim Newman, sharing straight talk and some proven strategies you can start applying right now. We’ll look at why so many ambitious professionals default to overwrought, jargon-heavy language, and why that tendency actually undercuts your credibility in the boardroom. I’ll share stories from real pitch meetings, explain the “eighth grade rule” for clarity, and walk through practical techniques for making your message unmistakable. You’ll also hear why brevity is your best friend, how every extra sentence waters down your message, and how CEOs wield silence as a tool for authority.

We’ll explore what true confidence sounds like (hint: it’s not loud or domineering), and I’ll walk you through the “certainty principle” talk like you’re correct, listen like you’re wrong. You’ll learn to spot and banish the hedges and caveats that sneak into everyday speech. I’ll wrap things up with actionable drills and real-world examples, including rewriting an email and running your own words through the simple, concise, and confident filter.

In this episode, you’ll discover:


Why most people accidentally sound junior at work and how to break the habit


The three-part formula for executive presence: simple, concise, and confident


The “eighth grade rule” for clarity and why it matters


Practical exercises to strip jargon and complexity from your communication


How brevity and silence signal credibility


The difference between true confidence and performance


How to replace hedges with certainty and why vulnerability is part of real confidence


Tools you can start using tomorrow to make every word count

If you’re ready to stop hiding behind big words and long explanations, and start being understood, this episode is your playbook. Remember, your voice has real power when you use it with intention.
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What if the comfort you feel isn’t a sign you’re doing things right, but a warning that you’ve started losing ground? In this week’s episode of Speaking with Confidence, we dig deep into the real meaning of comfort and the high cost it can carry through the extraordinary journey of my guest, Said Eshaghi. If you’ve ever found yourself stuck in a rut or held back by a life that feels “just comfortable enough,” this is an episode you can’t afford to miss.

I’m Tim Newman, your host, a recovering college professor turned communication coach and today we’re exploring the powerful, and sometimes dangerous, role comfort can play in our personal growth and professional transformation. This isn’t just another episode about communication tactics. Today, we’re talking about the crucial things that happen before you ever open your mouth, moments that shape your confidence, your ability to adapt, and ultimately, your life’s direction.

Said Eshaghi is the founder of Lead Beyond, a Maxwell Leadership certified team member, DISC consultant, and author of the new book Escape from Comfort. Said’s story begins in war-torn Iran, where, as a young teen, he and his brother faced a life-altering decision that would forever change the trajectory of their lives. From a perilous escape across dangerous borders to rebuilding his life in Sweden, rising to become a world-class biochemist, and eventually confronting the pitfalls of unchecked ambition, Said’s journey is a masterclass in resilience, adaptability, and the power of honest reflection.

Here’s what we covered in this episode:


The harrowing journey that took Said Eshaghi from his home in Iran, through Turkey, and finally to Sweden and how the decisions made during that trek shaped his perspective on trust and survival.


Surviving trauma as a child, and why sometimes the things left unsaid are just as important to your survival as what you do say.


How positive thinking and the pressure to excel even in subjects you hate can be both a survival mechanism and a potential weakness.


The life-changing impact of a compassionate teacher, and how that experience informs the way Said Eshaghi now helps others struggling to express themselves.


The challenges of finding your voice in a new country and language, including the role that trust plays in overcoming cultural and communication barriers.


Lessons learned from the world of academia why top performers in STEM and high-pressure fields often fail to communicate outside their technical “bubble,” and the difference a great communicator can make.


The concept of “mind laundering”: how seemingly harmless persuasion, mixed with personal agendas, can manipulate even the most well-intentioned people and how to recognize the signs before it’s too late.


The dangers of unchecked ego and accidental growth, and how losing your sense of purpose can cause even the most successful individuals to go astray.


Said Eshaghi’s proprietary FAR framework and how it helps people navigate transitions (and uncomfortable conversations) to move from survival to leadership and fulfillment.


How to spot the one degree shift that can, over time, take you miles away from your intended path and what to do if you realize you’ve drifted.


Why personal growth, reflection, and a purpose bigger than yourself are critical not just to your own development, but to your capacity to help others in a meaningful way.

You’ll also hear us discuss Said Eshaghi’s new book, Escape from Comfort, and how honest reflection on life’s turning points is the key to escaping the “trap” of a comfortable but unfulfilling existence.

If you’re in your 20s and feeling directionless, or maybe you’re older and questioning whether your comfort is holding you back, this episode will give you the perspective and practical steps you need to start uncomfortable but ultimately transformative conversations with yourself.

Ready to move beyond comfort and toward the life (and impact) you were meant for? Dive into this conversation and let’s start navigating the transitions together.

Connect with Said:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/said-eshaghi/

Website: https://saideshaghi.com    

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/said.eshaghi.9

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Ever walked out of a meeting replaying the moment you got interrupted or worse, wondered if there’s anything you could have done differently? If you’ve ever felt powerless in those situations, you’re not alone, and today’s episode is here to give you specific tools to reset those dynamics immediately.

This week on Speaking with Confidence, I’m tackling a scenario many of us know all too well: a coworker disrespects you in front of the group, and all eyes are on you to see what you’ll do next. Most people default to one of two “losing” moves: shrink away or snap back. Both give control away, and neither actually solves the real problem. What’s really going on isn’t a confidence gap, it’s about perceived cost. In the workplace, disrespect thrives when it’s cheap for the other person. My goal today is to show you how to make sure crossing your boundaries becomes expensive.

I’m breaking down the dynamics we so often encounter but rarely address directly. I’ll walk you through the hidden calculations your coworkers are making, and I’ll share three phrases that shift the power dynamic without turning things into a confrontation.

Here’s what I cover in this episode:


Why most responses to workplace disrespect—shrinking away or snapping back—don’t work, and what’s really happening in the silence after you’ve been interrupted


The “perceived cost” principle and how others assess whether it’s worth it to disrespect you


The first phrase: “I’m going to stop you right there,” how and why it works, and the importance of delivering it calmly and without qualifiers


A real-world example of this phrase in action from a sports sponsorship meeting


The second phrase: “That’s not what I said,” is designed to halt sneaky reframes and backhanded dominance moves, and how to effectively use it to reclaim accuracy and credibility


How to prevent diluting your response and exactly what to do after using the phrase


The third phrase: “I’ll need you to handle that differently next time,” for those chronic, ambiguous behaviors that are hard to call out but undermine your authority and effectiveness


The importance of focusing forward, stating expectations, and not getting lured into relitigating old behavior


Why the delivery, calm, flat, matter-of-fact is as important as the words themselves


How all three phrases work as a simple system to block nearly every kind of workplace disrespect


The real driver beneath all three: shifting the math so it’s not worth it for others to cross your boundaries

I wrap up with a practical challenge for you: choose the phrase that fits your life the best, and practice it out loud so you’re ready the moment you need it. Progress, not perfection, is always our goal. Stick around for some free resources if you want to keep leveling up your communication skills!

Remember, your voice really does have the power to change everything, especially when you use it with clarity and confidence.
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Have you ever wondered if you’re missing the clues that are pointing you to your true purpose? On this episode of Speaking with Confidence, we tackle one of the most important questions anyone can ask: What if your unique design isn’t something you have to invent, but something that’s already waiting to be discovered in the signals of everyday life?

I’m Tim Newman, and today we dig deep into the art and science of finding and living your purpose, with the help of a truly fascinating guest, Caleb Matthews. Caleb Matthews is the founder of The SeeLink, a renowned speaker in the spiritual strategy space, and the creator of the SSB method (spirit, soul, and body). With two decades of experience helping thousands decode the hidden signals in their dreams, personal history, and daily frustrations, Caleb Matthews brings insight from new age festivals to meeting rooms with government leaders, and his radio broadcasts have reached millions across Africa.

In our conversation, we unpack what it really means to have a “DNA of Design,” why so many people struggle to interpret their own purpose, and the crucial role that our spirit, not just our mind or body, plays in guiding us. Caleb Matthews shares his own remarkable journey from practicing speeches with stuffed animals to speaking at a Kenyan orphanage at 18, which was a life-altering lesson in gratitude and the power of perspective.

We explore why Western culture often sidelines the spiritual side of ourselves, and how reawakening it can be a powerful anchor, especially in times of crisis. We also get very practical: how can you start recognizing everyday signals and “dots” that point toward your calling? Caleb Matthews offers simple strategies, including the importance of writing down and reflecting on your dreams which, he argues, are not just random brain static, but coded messages from your deeper self (or even the divine).

Some of the things we covered in this episode include:


Caleb Matthews’s unique method for discovering purpose through spirit, soul, and body


The transformative experience of speaking in Africa and what it taught about gratitude


How Western society tends to diminish the role of spirit in personal growth and why that matters


The essential practice of recognizing and interpreting dreams as guides for your life


Specific reasons why most people miss the clues to their purpose by rushing from A to Z


The importance of staying connected to awe, wonder, and childlike curiosity in adulthood


The dangers of stuffing down conscience and emotion and how to open up again


How who you surround yourself with (the five people you see most) shapes your identity and fulfillment


The “three Cs” of construct, conform, and contract in self-development


Practical tips on dream journaling and the first question to ask when interpreting your dreams


The significance of safeguarding your senses in a noisy, social media-driven world


Lessons learned from speaking across more than a dozen countries: every audience is different, yet fundamentally the same

If you’ve ever wondered where your purpose is hiding or how to listen to your life for clues you might be missing this episode will give you both inspiration and clear steps to move forward. Plus, Caleb Matthews shares how you can take his free “DNA of Design” quiz at calebmatthews.net to get started on your own journey toward discovering your design type.

I hope this conversation challenges and empowers you to look deeper, listen closer, and take the next step in living out your unique calling.

Connect with Caleb:

Website: https://www.calebmatthews.net  

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

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/caleb.matthews.334/  

X: https://x.com/TheSeeLink

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