In this episode, I speak with Carol Cox, founder and CEO of Speaking Your Brand. Carol is a powerhouse when it comes to helping entrepreneurs and professionals create impactful presentations and thought leadership platforms.

We discuss the concept of the "Expert Trap" and how it affects public speakers and entrepreneurs alike. Carol shares valuable insights on overcoming self-doubt, perfectionism, and imposter syndrome to truly connect with your audience.

Key Takeaways:

1. Avoiding the Expert Trap: Don’t feel the need to pack every fact and detail into your talk. Focus on what transformation your audience needs and weave personal stories to make your message relatable.
2. Emotional Resonance: The stories you are most reluctant to share often have the greatest impact. Make sure your story includes specific details and emotional elements to deeply connect with your audience.
3. Overcoming Perfectionism: Strategies such as finding a trusted person to discuss your ideas, accepting nerves as part of the process, and even getting involved in supportive communities can make a big difference.

More about Carol:

Carol Cox is the founder and CEO of Speaking Your Brand®, a coaching and training company that works with high-performing, purpose-driven women entrepreneurs and professionals to create their signature talks and thought leadership platforms. Carol is the host of the weekly, 5-star-rated Speaking Your Brand® podcast and, during election seasons, serves as a political analyst on TV news. Carol was named one of Orlando's Women of the Year in 2021 and featured in Forbes. Through her company and content, her mission is to empower more women to find and use their voices, to tell the stories that need to be told, and to activate ideas for change.

• Speaking Your Brand Podcast: speakingyourbrand.com/podcast
• Discover Your Speaker Archetype = free quiz so listeners can learn what their natural speaking and communication strengths are and how to add to them: speakingyourbrand.com/quiz
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/carolcox

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Thanks to Our Sponsors: The Receptionist for iPad, Alma, & All Things Private Practice + Empowered Escapes 2025 Retreats & Summits!

✨ The Receptionist for iPad

Thanks to The Receptionist for iPad for sponsoring this episode.

The Receptionist offers an iPad list check-in option where clients can scan a QR code to check in, which negates the need for you to buy an iPad and stand. Go to thereceptionist.com/privatepractice and sign up for a free 14-day trial. When you do, you'll get your first month free. And don't forget to ask about our iPad list check-in option.

✨ Alma

Thanks to Alma for sponsoring this episode.

Building and managing the practice you want can be challenging. That’s why Alma offers tools and resources to help you build not just any practice, but your private practice. They’ll help you navigate insurance, access referrals who are the right fit for you, and efficiently manage administrative tasks — so you can spend less time on the details, and more time delivering great care. You support your clients. Alma supports you. Visit helloalma.com/ATPP to learn more.

✨ All Things Private Practice + Empowered Escapes 2025 Retreats & Summits

Learn about retreat opportunities at allthingspractice.com and empoweredescapes.com. Doubt yourself, do it anyway.

✨ Hurricane Relief for WNC communities

Donate to help provide urgent aid for WNC communities affected by Hurricane Helene. Visit: atppod.com/wnc

Mentioned in this episode:

The Receptionist for iPad

I want to thank The Receptionist for iPad for sponsoring this episode.

From new patients faced with an empty lobby and no idea where to find their therapist to clinicians with a session running over time and the doorbell ringing, some of the most anxiety-ridden moments of a therapy appointment happen before a session even starts. The Receptionist for iPad, helps you tackle some of that pre-appointment apprehension and anxiety. The Receptionist for iPad is an easy-to-use digital client check-in system that helps your visitors check in securely to their appointments and notify their practitioners of their arrival via SMS, email, or your preferred channel. No more confusion, and less lobby checking or having clients sign in on paper logbooks. It can even help you upgrade and update your demographic information for your clients as well and even validate parking.

Start a 14-day free trial of the Receptionist for iPad by going to thereceptionist.com/privatepractice. Make sure to start your trial with that link and you'll also get your first month free if you decide to sign up.

Alma

I want to thank Alma for sponsoring this episode.

Building and managing the practice you want can be challenging. That’s why Alma offers tools and resources to help you build not just any practice, but your private practice. They’ll help you navigate insurance, access referrals who are the right fit for you, and efficiently manage administrative tasks — so you can spend less time on the details, and more time delivering great care. You support your clients. Alma supports you. Visit helloalma.com/ATPP to learn more.