If you've ever felt like you're not good enough, feared being judged, or held yourself to impossible standards, you’re not alone.

In this episode, I explore three of the most common lies our subconscious mind feeds us that sabotage our confidence. I unpack where these beliefs come from, how they show up and why they stick... so we can learn to gently and boldly rewrite the script.

In this episode, I’ll help you:

• Understand how beliefs form and why they’re so sticky
• Reframe each of the three lies with compassion and clarity
• Remember that confidence isn’t something you find - it’s something you remember

Let's connect

Connect with me on Instagram

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Check out my course '21 Days to Become an Incredible Public Speaker'

In this powerful and refreshingly honest episode, global speaker and former TEDx Perth coach Shil Shanghavi shares his extraordinary journey - from being punched in a schoolyard because he had a stutter to becoming a sought-after professional speaker. Shil opens up about managing stuttering, mastering the craft of storytelling, and handling on-stage disasters. He also drops golden tips for public speaking confidence, building internal resilience, and navigating imposter syndrome with grace. This episode is a masterclass in mindset, language, and reinvention

TIME STAMPS

[3:45] The moment that changed everything - the school bully

[7:25] Mentally mapping words like Tetris blocks

[11:55] The worst (and best) advice ever received

[17:40] Why some speakers seek sympathy - and why your story needs a point

[19:30] What do you do when you’re 10 minutes in and need to switch keynotes?

[22:10] The wet chinos story

[32:10] Why Shil visualises everything going wrong - not everything going right - before speaking

[36:10] The 52-second pause that moved an audience

[40:20] Coaching TEDx speakers: The real work isn’t content - it’s delivery, presence, and dismantling ego

[43:45] Imposter syndrome before this podcast

[50:00] 3 actionable tips for building confidence

CONNECT WITH SHIL

Connect with Shil on LinkedIn

Check out Shil's website

Connect with Shil on LinkedIn

Connect with Jordana Borensztajn:

Check out my course '21 Days to Become an Incredible Public Speaker'

Jordana on LinkedIn

Jordana on Instagram

In this solo episode of Fuel Your Confidence, I peels back the truth behind public speaking nerves, and why they’re not only normal, but necessary. In this episode I show you how to work with your nerves, and not against them.

Whether you're standing on a stage, pitching in a meeting, or simply sharing your voice, this episode gives you a mindset shift that will change how you see yourself... and your butterflies.

You’ll learn:

• Why nerves don’t mean you’re not ready
• How to ground yourself when adrenaline takes over
• The #1 reframe to use when nerves hit
• How to stop aiming for perfect and start aiming for presence

Because confidence doesn't mean the absence of nerves. That's a giant myth!

In this week's episode, I sit down with the brilliant, curious, and hilarious Julian Moore. Julian is a tech expert, AI specialist, and bonafide "uber-nerd" who spends 3 to 5 hours every single day testing AI tools and experimenting with emerging tech. But here’s what makes Julian special: he’s not your typical tech guy. He’s not robotic or dry. He’s engaging, deeply human, and truly funny. 

In this conversation, we go deep on confidence, communication, live presentation fails, artificial intelligence, and what happens when your AI-generated beachwear website accidentally displays nudity at a serious conference. (Yep. That happened.)

We explore:

• What it really takes to simplify complex topics and sound like a genius doing it
• Why confidence isn’t the absence of fear - it’s what you do with the fear
• How to laugh through mistakes on stage and turn awkward fails into memorable moments
• Why Julian thinks AI is actually making us more creative, not less
• The concept of “abundance theory” - and how sharing your knowledge boosts your credibility
• The power of curiosity, humour, and asking better questions
• How dyslexia has become Julian’s ultimate superpower in communication

This is more than a conversation about AI; It’s a masterclass in life, learning, and letting go of perfection. If you’re a speaker, teacher, leader, creative, or curious human trying to navigate confidence in the chaos, this episode is for you!

TIME STAMPS

[02:16] Calm, casual, and funny: Julian’s rare ability to make tech feel human and simple

[03:31] What gives Julian the confidence to claim expert status in an AI-saturated world?

[05:16] From computer store owner to conference keynoter - an unlikely speaking journey

[06:56] Discovering a superpower: Extroverted tech nerds are rare, and valuable

[08:37] Making AI useful: why Julian skips theory and goes straight to practical impact

[10:30] Embracing stage fails and teaching German scientists how not to bore an audience

[12:03] When AI glitches onstage - and Julian’s philosophy on enjoying the mess

[12:31] The most unforgettable live demo disaster involving AI, nudity, and a Catholic conference

[14:50] Getting flagged by the U.S. government during a live improv tech keynote

[17:22] Imposter syndrome still pops up - and why Julian embraces it instead of fighting it

[19:10] Confidence from abundance: Why sharing everything gives Julian his edge

[20:02] If you love asking questions, you’re already a great presenter (even if you don’t know it yet)

[22:53] How dyslexia became Julian’s superpower for connecting dots and adapting fast

[25:03] Robots and smart glasses: Julian’s two favorite frontiers for the future

[26:57] Why AI isn’t making us lazy - it’s making creativity more accessible than ever

[29:54] When you fear the wors, lean in, because it can’t get worse than that

[32:08] Julian’s nerdy but powerful rituals to structure keynotes with impact and flow

[37:07] Julian’s top 3 confidence tips

Learn more about Julian here

Connect with Julia on LinkedIn

In this solo episode, I’m diving into one of the most powerful confidence tools I’ve ever learnt: saying yes before even when you don't feel ready.

I share the real, raw stories that shaped me - from completely blanking out on stage at the New York Comedy Club to winging my very first MC gig with shaky knees and a whole lot of adrenaline.

You’ll hear:

• Why “readiness” is a myth that holds us back
• What I have learnt in moments of total panic
• The difference between fear and excitement (they feel the same!)
• My go-to breathing technique to calm nerves instantly
• Four confidence boosters you can use right now

If you’ve been waiting for the perfect time to take the leap… it's right now!

I hope this episode gives you the nudge you need to trust yourself, take action, and discover what’s waiting on the other side of “yes.”

TIME STAMPS

[02:30] Theme: Say yes before you're ready because readiness is a myth.

[04:15] NYC stand-up story: I blanked on stage and forgot everything.

[07:15] Turning point: One breath and a friend's face brought it all back.

[08:10] Lessons learnt: Presence, recovery, trust, and connection.

[09:30] First MC gig: I said yes with zero experience and figured it out along the way.

[11:30] Panic turned to possibility; and confidence came through action.

[12:45] 4-2-4 breathing tool to calm nerves and regain control.

[15:20] Celebrate your micro-wins when you show up without feeling ready.

[16:20] Confidence doesn’t arrive first. It follows courageous action.

[17:45] Real growth happens in sweaty, shakey, messy moments.

[19:50] Fear and excitement feel the same — it’s all about the label we give them!

[20:40] What are you delaying until you feel ready?

[22:00] Quick confidence tips

Let's connect

Connect with me on Instagram

Connect with me on LinkedIn

Check out my course '21 Days to Become an Incredible Public Speaker'

What happens when you say yes before you're ready? In this episode, I sit down with Paul - Arctic ultra-marathoner, adventurer, and accidental business builder - to explore the mindset behind doing outrageous, hard, and hilarious things.

Paul shares why you don’t need to be fearless to chase big goals. You just need enough courage to take the first step - and the self-belief comes later.

We dive into:

• Why confidence is built by stacking tiny wins
• How doing "weird stuff" makes you more capable than you realise
• What extreme challenges teach you about resilience, identity, and growth
• Why your resume should never limit your real-life adventures

This conversation is raw, funny, and wildly energising - perfect if you’re ready to stop waiting to "feel ready" and start expanding what’s possible.

TIME STAMPS

[00:00] – Why you only need just enough courage to take the first step

[00:31] – Introduction to Fuel Your Confidence and today's incredible guest

[02:31] – "Half Bear Grylls, half Harry Potter"

[03:06] – Overview of Paul's epic Arctic ultramarathon adventures

[03:31] – What really drives Paul to do extreme challenges

[04:23] – The true reason behind his adventures: not for fame or glory

[05:23] – Lessons learned about pushing human limits

[08:22] – Is Paul fearless? How he deals with nerves and uncertainty

[09:39] – How small steps and momentum build unstoppable confidence

[11:07] – Risk-taking

[13:33] – Balancing family responsibilities with extreme adventures

[17:57] – Why we limit ourselves and how society feeds comfort

[22:15] – Why motivation alone isn't enough: the real power of discipline

[23:54] – Curiosity as a driver of action (even with frozen snot involved)

[24:46] – What draws Paul to the brutal conditions of the Arctic

[26:03] – How strategy and preparation overcome emotional sabotage

[27:13] – Final advice on building real confidence through action

[31:17] – Setting outrageous quests and trusting the baby steps

Connect with Paul

Paul's website

Paul on LinkedIn

Paul on Instagram

If you’ve ever felt knocked down by a dating disaster, wondered if you’re funny, or questioned whether you had the confidence to get up in front of a room of people—this one’s for you.

In the very first solo episode of Fuel Your Confidence, I share my accidental, magical and wonderfully chaotic journey into the world of stand-up comedy. I take you on a funny and deeply personal journey which started with a brunch date gone horribly wrong.

What follows is a story of resilience, stage time, hecklers, accidental brilliance, and transformative lessons. You see, comedy didn’t just give me laughter—it gave me unshakable confidence.

From Melbourne Comedy Festival to New York clubs, I share 11 life-changing insights that show how comedy fuels courage, clarity, and confidence.

Whether you're dreaming of stand-up or just want to own your voice more powerfully, this episode is packed with inspiration (and punchlines).

TIMESTAMPS

[0:00] – Welcome to the First Solo Episode!

[01:25] – The Bad Date That Changed Everything

[04:15] – Imitating the Hangover Guy = Free Therapy

[06:00] – Comedy Is a Craft: Learning the Rules

[07:40] – Writing as Therapy: Turning Pain Into Punchlines

[08:50 – The First Gig: Friends, Family & Five Minutes

[10:50] – The Power of Not Forecasting Fear

[12:15] – Going from 7 Minutes to 55 Minutes

[14:50] – Comedy Festival Chaos and Character Building

[18:00] – A Call to a Comedian Friend in the U.S.

[19:20] – Comedy vs. Corporate: Why Nothing Scares Her Now

[21:00] – Creating a Heckler Segment (With a Print-Out!)

[23:50] – Comedy Built Her Resilience for Every Stage

[26:40] – From Fringe to Festivals

[29:20] – Why Comedy = Emotional Regulation Superpower

[31:30] – Yes, You Can Be Funny Too

[33:00] – 11 Life Lessons Comedy Taught Me About Confidence

Let's connect!

Jordana on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jordanaborensztajn

Jordana on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordanaborensztaj

Jordana on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@jordanaborensztajn

What does it take to be Australia’s most in-demand MC? In this powerful and hilarious episode, I sit down with Andrew Klein, a former lawyer turned legendary corporate MC. Andrew shares the mindset, preparation, and emotional intelligence required to be an extraordinary MC – plus the lessons learned from the gigs that didn’t go to plan. From managing unpredictable moments to reading a room with precision, this conversation is packed with real stories, sharp insights, and powerful advice for anyone looking to build confidence on stage. If you’re a speaker, event host, or simply confidence-curious, this one's packed with insight and heart.

[00:28] Welcome to Fuel Your Confidence

[02:04] From law to laughter

[05:30] Dressed as a Muppet at Martin Place

[07:07] “Like a clown, for corporate”

[09:34] Skills that transfer from law to stage

[09:45] How team-building gigs led to a full-blown MC career

[12:47] Emotional intelligence over everything

[14:51] The universal truth about audiences

[18:13] Confidence without nerves

[24:01] Learning from bad speakers

[25:13] The two traits of powerful presenters

[28:43] Surprise intros and keeping it fresh

[36:57] When things go wrong on stage

[42:51] Why saying no is often the most powerful career move

[56:29] Three game-changing confidence tips

[1:02:04] Behind the curtain: MCing might look easy, but it’s anything but simple

[1:03:09] Arrows, scribbles, and post-conference chaos

Connect with Andrew Klein:

Andrew on LinkedIn

Andrew on Instagram

Andrew's website

Connect with Jordana Borensztajn:

Check out my course '21 Days to Become an Incredible Public Speaker'

Jordana on LinkedIn

Jordana on Instagram

Welcome to Fuel Your Confidence – the podcast that helps you show up, speak up and shine brightly… so that you can own the spotlight in every room.

Each fortnight, I’ll be joined by incredible guests from the speaking world and beyond – magnetic MCs, powerhouse presenters, and epic humans doing courageous things – as they share the real, raw, and inspiring stories behind their confidence.

And on the in-between weeks, it's you and me. On these solo episodes, I’ll be diving into the lessons, the failures, the behind-the-scenes truths, and the secrets I have discovered through my 16-year journey on stage – as a speaker, MC, comedian and magician. You'll get the tools, the mindset shifts, and the practical tips to fuel your confidence from the inside out.

So If you’re an entrepreneur, a creative, a speaker, or a small business owner – or if you’re simply ready to stop playing small and start showing up fully and boldly in business and in life – I’ve got you covered.

Your voice has power and your story has impact. So let’s fuel your confidence – one episode at a time.