Today, I interview Liz Sweet, who spent years feeling the pressure to be polished and perfect, even when it left her exhausted. Growing up in Los Angeles, she was encouraged to use her voice, but only her polished side was welcomed, while her vulnerable self was seen as “too much.”

As she built her career leading trainings around the globe, Liz created a confident persona that looked successful on the outside but drained her on the inside. Her turning point came when she discovered a presence-based approach and realized that real confidence comes not from performance, but from connection.

In this conversation, Liz shares what it meant to drop the mask, move through discomfort, and find the deep freedom of being seen as her whole self. She shows how presence—not polish—is what allows your true voice to shine.

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Liz Sweet is the founder of Connected Speaking, where she helps professionals find real confidence in their voice and leadership. With over a decade of experience training nonprofit and philanthropic leaders, she knows how easily the pressure to prove yourself can take over—no matter your role.

Liz also knows this struggle personally. For years, she battled speaking anxiety, relying on performance and polish to get by. Her turning point came when she discovered a presence-based approach that helped her move beyond fear and perfectionism into genuine confidence and ease.

Today, Liz leads supportive group programs and coaching that go deeper than surface-level techniques. She guides people to feel at home in their voice, connect more authentically, and lead with greater impact.
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Find Liz here:

www.ConnectedSpeaking.com 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethasweet/ 

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I’m Dr. Doreen Downing and I help people find their voice so they can speak without fear. Get the Free 7-Step Guide to Fearless Speaking https://www.doreen7steps.com​.