Speak English with Confidence | More Than Words

You already know English. So why does something stop you the moment it matters?

In this six-minute conversation, I'm joined by master coach Peter Freeth to talk about what's actually happening when you freeze - the inner critic, the fear of embarrassment, the perfectionism that feels like it's protecting you. Because it is. That's the problem.

This is Speak English with Confidence, previously 'From Lost to the River', a podcast about language, identity, and what it really takes to speak with confidence.

More conversations, coaching options, and my new book More Than Words: Essays on Language, Identity, and the Courage to Speak at procoachenglish.com.

Peter Freeth is a master coach, author of more than 15 books, and the founder of Genius, a consultancy that helps organisations understand what makes their best people so good at what they do. Over a career of more than 30 years, he's worked with leadership teams around the world on executive coaching, leadership development and culture change, and he runs coaching and training programmes across the UK, the US, Latin America, Europe and Asia.

Find Peter: 

LinkedIn: Peter Freeth

Website: https://genius.coach

Reach out to me: 

Join my Substack community here: https://substack.com/@thecouragetospeak

You've studied English for years. You know the grammar. So why does speaking it at work still feel so hard?

In this four-minute conversation, finance manager Nines López talks about what English learning got wrong - too much grammar, not enough real conversation - and what actually helps professionals stop freezing and start speaking with confidence.

Note: this episode is conducted in Spanish.

This is Speak English with Confidence, previously 'From Lost to the River', a weekly show about language, identity, and what it really takes to speak with confidence.

More conversations, coaching options, and my new book More Than Words: Essays on Language, Identity, and the Courage to Speak at procoachenglish.com.

You understand more than you speak. You freeze in meetings. You know the grammar but can't get the words out in the moment.

In this seven-minute conversation, language coach Nacho Fernández - who works with CEOs and senior professionals on exactly this - talks about what actually unlocks speaking confidence. The shift from grammar to communication. The fear of judgement. Why correction and criticism are completely different things. And what happens when you finally drop the block.

Note: this episode is conducted in Spanish.

This is Speak English with Confidence, previously 'From Lost to the River', a weekly show about language, identity, and what it really takes to speak with confidence.

More conversations, coaching options, and my new book More Than Words: Essays on Language, Identity, and the Courage to Speak at procoachenglish.com.

Many Spanish professionals have the certificates — B1, B2, even C1 — but still struggle to speak English confidently in real conversations. Why? Because the system teaches you to pass exams, not to communicate.

In this episode of Speak English with Confidence, previously 'From Lost to the River', English teacher Alba Guerrero González returns to unpack the difference between Exam English and Real English. We explore how 'titulitis', external pressure, and exam‑oriented learning create a generation of learners who feel confident on paper but insecure when speaking.

Alba explains why major exams like selectividad still ignore speaking, and how that shapes your confidence years later in meetings, interviews, and high‑stakes situations. If you’ve ever wondered why you overthink when speaking English, apologise too much, or hesitate even with a strong level, this conversation reveals the emotional roots of that insecurity — and how to rebuild confidence through a connection‑over‑perfection mindset.

This episode gives you one clear benefit: a practical way to start speaking more naturally without waiting to feel “ready.”

Follow Alba on Instagram and TikTok for daily English tips and speaking strategies.

If this episode resonates, you’ll find more conversations, coaching options, and my new book More Than Words: Essays on Language, Identity, and the Courage to Speak at procoachenglish.com.

Connect with me on Substack. 

Many people speak English well, yet still panic when someone says, “Sorry, could you repeat that?” In this short episode of Speak English with Confidence, previously 'From Lost to the River', I explain why these moments often have nothing to do with your English level.

You’ll learn the hidden variables in communication that affect understanding: background noise, distractions in the listener’s mind, technical issues on video calls, and the simple fact that people are often in their own head. When someone doesn’t understand you, it’s usually because they weren’t fully present, not because your English was wrong.

This episode will help you stop overthinking, stop blaming yourself, and speak with more confidence in meetings, presentations, and real‑time conversations.

If this resonates, you’ll find more conversations, coaching options, and my new book More Than Words: Essays on Language, Identity, and the Courage to Speak at procoachenglish.com.

Connect with me on Substack. 

You're mid-sentence and someone's face changes. Suddenly everything you know disappears.

In this seven-minute conversation, language coach, author and podcast host Daniele Ponzo talks about exactly that moment -- and what it taught him about confidence, imperfection, and what communication is actually for. His story of being sent to fix a client problem in Barcelona, in his third language, is worth the listen alone.

Daniele works with IT professionals on English confidence and hosts The Non-Native Leader podcast. His book Easy English for IT is on Amazon.

Note: this episode is conducted in Spanish. Listen to the full conversation in English here on Apple Podcasts. And here on Spotify. And watch it with subtitles here on YouTube. 

This is Speak English with Confidence, previously 'From Lost to the River', a weekly show about language, identity, and what it really takes to speak with confidence.

More conversations, coaching options, and my new book More Than Words: Essays on Language, Identity, and the Courage to Speak at procoachenglish.com.

Connect with me on Substack. 

Most people who freeze when speaking English have already done everything they were supposed to do. The classes, the grammar, the certification. And it still wasn't enough.

In this three-minute clip, language coach and author Daniele Ponzo talks about the moment he realised perfectionism was the problem, not the solution - and what actually shifted when he stopped trying to sound perfect and started trying to connect. His observation that even native speakers constantly mishear each other and ask for repeats is the kind of thing that quietly rewires how you think about your own mistakes.

Daniele works with IT professionals on English confidence and hosts The Non-Native Leader podcast. His book Easy English for IT is on Amazon at danieleponzo.com.

This is Speak English with Confidence, previously 'From Lost to the River', a weekly show about language, identity, and what it really takes to speak with confidence.

More conversations, coaching options, and my new book More Than Words: Essays on Language, Identity, and the Courage to Speak at procoachenglish.com.

Connect with me on Substack.

Why does the professional who runs meetings brilliantly in their own language go quiet the moment the conversation switches to English?

In this conversation, I'm joined by Daniele Ponzo, Italian language coach, author of Easy English for IT and host of The Non-Native Leader Podcast, who spent 13 years in Ireland building a career in a language he'd only ever studied at school. We talk about the red-pen perfectionism he carried into his first job, the day he stood at a friend's funeral with no idea what to say in English, and the moment he noticed native speakers asking each other "sorry, what?" all day long and realised it had never been about him.

Daniele also shares what he learned from colleagues with shaky grammar who went on to lead international teams, and why adults need to fall off the bike a few times, the way children do, before the ego stops telling them they should already sound perfect.

This is Speak English with Confidence, previously 'From Lost to the River', a weekly show about language, identity, and what it really takes to speak with confidence.

More conversations, coaching options, and my new book More Than Words: Essays on Language, Identity, and the Courage to Speak at procoachenglish.com.

Find Daniele

More from me

Visit my website for more info: procoachenglish.com. Ever freeze mid-sentence in English, fearing judgment or looking “not good enough”? You’re not alone. Many ambitious Spanish professionals feel the pressure to be perfect, but perfection isn’t the point. Imagine speaking naturally, confidently, and clearly in meetings, presentations, or real conversations without fear holding you back.

In today's episode, language coach Bianca González and I explore how confidence, mindset, and emotional blocks like frustration and fear shape language learning. We challenge perfectionism, discuss learner-centered coaching versus outdated grammar drills, and explain why mindset and self-perception often matter more than grammar alone.

Discover practical strategies to overcome fear of embarrassment, imposter syndrome, and self-doubt. Gain tools to communicate effectively, stay calm under pressure, and feel confident in professional settings.

If you're ready for personalised support then you can reach out and book a call with me here via this link.

Follow me on Linkedin here

Follow Bianca Gonzalez and Mary Costello on Substack where you can sign up for weekly, free Zoom conversation sessions designed for Spanish learners who value connection over perfection. Move beyond basic exchanges and explore English in a relaxed, pressure-free space. No performance, just conversation, curiosity, and community.

Start building your English confidence today! Explore mindset strategies, coaching insights, and free guides here:

Start building your English confidence today! Explore mindset strategies, coaching insights, and free guides here:

Command the Room in English

Top 10 English Challenges For Spanish Speakers & How To Fix Them

#EnglishConfidence #BusinessEnglish #SpanishExecutives

Do you ever get so busy checking every word that you lose track of what you actually wanted to say?

In this eight-minute episode, I share how I used to stress over my Spanish, convinced it was never good enough, and what changed when I started treating language as a tool for getting my message across. I talk about why perfectionism keeps so many capable people quiet, how to stay focused on your objective in a meeting or presentation, and how a little visualisation beforehand can help you act in the moment. There's also a word on accents, which are something to be proud of, and on why real connection with people will always count for more than flawless grammar.

This is Speak English with Confidence, previously 'From Lost to the River', a weekly show about language, identity, and what it really takes to speak with confidence.

More conversations, coaching options, and my new book More Than Words: Essays on Language, Identity, and the Courage to Speak at procoachenglish.com.

Connect with me on Substack.