Lynn Smith is a former national news anchor for NBC, MSNBC, and CNN who now serves as an executive communication strategist and CEO of Lynn Smith Media & Communications, where she helps enterprise leaders become revenue-driving communicators. Drawing on 15 years inside top newsrooms, she coaches Fortune 500 CEOs to transform fear into confident communication that protects productivity, investor trust, and market value, and she is also the author of the children’s book Just Keep Going, designed to teach kids resilience and courage from an early age.

On this episode we talk about:

How fear quietly sabotages CEOs, communication, and company performance

Why Lynn wrote Just Keep Going as a children’s book inspired by her work with executives

A simple framework for assessing risk with best and worst-case scenarios

The difference between real confidence and arrogance in leadership

How to prepare for high-stakes communication moments without sounding scripted

Why presence, energy, and human connection are irreplaceable in the age of AI

Top 3 Takeaways

Fear is a signal, not a stop sign. The most successful leaders learn to “metabolize” fear, assess risk clearly, and move forward with smart, courageous decisions instead of staying stuck in their comfort zone.

Preparation is the fastest path to confidence. When you prepare the right way—refining your message, practicing soundbites, and taming your inner critic—you show up calmer, clearer, and far more influential.

Your communication and presence are your new competitive edge. As automation and AI expand, the leaders who win will be those who communicate with clarity, empathy, and energy that other humans actually want to follow.

Notable Quotes

“The greatest indicator of success is your ability to metabolize fear and assess risk without being reckless.”

“Confidence isn’t believing you’re good at everything—it’s knowing you’ll figure it out even if you fail.”

“If you don’t communicate your vision effectively, it doesn’t exist.”

Connect with Lynn Smith:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lynnsmithtv

Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/lynnsmithtv

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

Website: https://www.lynnsmith.com

Just Keep Going Book & Resources: https://www.justkeepgoingbook.com

 Travis Makes Money is made possible by High Level – the All-In-One Sales & Marketing Platform built for agencies, by an agency.

 Capture leads, nurture them, and close more deals—all from one powerful platform.

 Get an extended free trial at gohighlevel.com/travis

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices