Speaking With Confidence

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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What does it really take to move from simply having a message to building a message that truly lasts? That’s the question we answer in this episode of Speaking with Confidence.

This week, we dig deep into the art and science behind powerful communication not just what you see on stage, but the systems, preparation, and intentionality that make those moments matter. I’m joined by Jared Cagle, Executive Vice President of Content at Maxwell Leadership. Jared is a master of helping communicators, authors, and thought leaders craft messages that create lasting impact. He’s been directly involved with the development, publishing, and global expansion of John Maxwell’s legendary leadership content, and he shares a behind-the-scenes look at what it really takes to influence at scale.

In our conversation, Jared Cagle and I talk about the recent International Maxwell Conference, with Jared offering his highlights and lessons learned from running the show behind the curtain. We discuss the real meaning of connection and community, why the hallway conversations are sometimes more transformative than what happens on stage, and how being genuinely interested in others is foundational to meaningful leadership and influence.

Here’s what we cover in this episode:


Jared’s role at Maxwell Leadership and the intentional system behind crafting memorable messages


Why community and connection matter more than just great content


The power of being interested in others and making them feel valued


Jared’s unique career journey from cold calls to leading content for a global brand


Lessons from getting “in the room” with world-class leaders and how to add value


The relationship between reading, writing, and effective speaking


Practical advice on building messages that last and how the market determines message longevity


The importance of making your message about the audience, not just yourself


Confidence vs. preparedness: what the top speakers and leaders really feel before walking on stage


How to contextualize your message for different audiences and make every moment of interaction count


Why starting small and serving locally can create ripple effects of influence


What’s next for Jared, the legacy work with John Maxwell, and how you can get involved with Maxwell Leadership

Whether you’re an aspiring speaker, established leader, or someone passionate about communicating with more impact, this episode will give you actionable strategies and a fresh perspective on what it takes to build a message and a legacy that lasts.

Connect with Jared:

LinkedIn: https://www.instagram.com/jared_cagle/   

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

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Have you ever wondered why, despite doing everything right, being considerate, polite, and following all the unspoken rules you still feel overlooked in meetings or conversations? In this episode of Speaking with Confidence, we’re diving into the seven subtle "safe habits" that might be sabotaging your presence and making you come across as less confident than you truly are.

I’m Tim Newman, a recovering college professor turned communication coach, and I’m here to guide you through the small shifts that turn good communicators into truly compelling ones. Today’s topic grew out of my work with interns, new grads, and young professionals who, without realizing it, train the people around them to see them as unsure or not quite ready to take up space in the room. These aren’t glaring mistakes that most wouldn’t even recognize as confidence killers. But they are quiet habits that slowly erode your authority and can make you feel and look like an imposter.

In this episode, we’ll unpack the seven most common habits that keep talented people playing small. You’ll hear why polite apologies, upspeak, or the nervous nod aren’t keeping the peace; they’re quietly holding you back. I’ll walk through why these behaviors backfire, what they communicate to your colleagues or audience, and practical ways to break out of them without swinging to the opposite extreme of arrogance or aggression.

Here’s what I cover in this episode:


Why apologizing before speaking (with “sorry to bother you,” “quick question,” or “does that make sense?”) weakens your message, and how a simple confident pause has greater impact


The damage caused by upspeak and “the expert facade,” and how to use clear, simple language that establishes real authority


The body language of submission including the invisible man posture and the nervous nod and how to physically take up space to signal confidence


Why over-editing your thoughts or waiting for the perfect moment keeps your contributions invisible, and how to use “the three second rule” to build confidence in real time


The psychological effect these habits have on listeners, and how breaking even just one can immediately shift how you’re perceived in any room


How to choose just one habit to focus on this week for real, sustainable progress, instead of overwhelming yourself with total transformation

Whether you see yourself playing small with language, posture, or silent self-editing, today’s episode will help you swap safety for real presence one habit at a time. Stick with me to the end for a simple challenge you can use in your next meeting, and remember: your voice has the power to change the world.
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