Speak Your Mind Unapologetically Podcast

As we navigate the holiday season, setting boundaries can be challenging. Find out how to respond confidently to intrusive questions and requests without guilt or drama. Learn why boundaries are hard to set during the holidays and discover effective strategies to assert your needs while maintaining relationships. From common boundary mistakes to real-life examples, this episode offers practical tips to help you protect your energy and priorities, enhancing both personal and professional interactions. Tune in to develop the skills to speak up with confidence and authenticity. Happy holidays!

00:00 Introduction: Navigating Holiday Boundaries

00:52 Why Setting Boundaries is Challenging During Holidays

08:56 Common Boundary Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

12:52 Effective Communication for Firm and Warm Boundaries

13:56 Handling Pushback on Your Boundaries

16:12 Conclusion: Strengthening Your Unapologetic Voice

🎁 Free Resource: Download the 30 Power Shifts Guide — a free, practical cheat sheet with real-life "weak vs. powerful" word swaps for meetings, presentations, and everyday conversations.

• Replace soft, hesitant phrases with powerful, natural ones.

• Speak with clarity, conviction, and calm authority.

• Be heard without apology.

👉 Get your free guide here: https://assertiveway.aweb.page/30power

✅ Free Newsletter: https://assertiveway.com/newsletter/

✅ Take the Quiz 'Do You Speak Like a High-Impact Leader?': https://myassertiveway.outgrow.us/highimpactleader

✅ Listen on the Speak Your Mind Unapologetically podcast on Apple Itunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/speak-your-mind-unapologetically-podcast/id1623647915

✅ Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6L1myPkiJXYf5SGrublYz2

✅ Order our book, 'Unapologetic Voice: 101 Real-World Strategies for Brave Self Advocacy & Bold Leadership' where each strategy is also a real story:

https://www.amazon.com/Unapologetic-Voice-Real-World-Strategies-Leadership-ebook/dp/B0CW2X4WWL/

✅ Follow the show host, Ivna Curi, on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivna-curi-mba-67083b2/

✅ Request A Customized Workshop For Your Team And Company: http://assertiveway.com/workshops

Contact me: [email protected] or [email protected]

Contact me on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivna-curi-mba-67083b2

If you've ever felt like you're the one holding everything together at work — following up, reminding, double-checking, fixing last-minute mistakes, and caring more about the outcome than everyone else — this episode is for you.

Because you shouldn't have to sacrifice your time, your sanity, or your career reputation just to compensate for other people's lack of follow-through.

And you also shouldn't have to choose between:

• staying silent and doing it all yourself or
• speaking up and being labeled "difficult," "demanding," or "not a team player."

There's a better way, and it starts with assertive accountability.

You'll learn:

• why holding others accountable feels so uncomfortable
• how to stop chasing and reminding without sounding controlling
• how to protect your boundaries without damaging relationships
• how to speak up early (before resentment builds)
• how to get colleagues and partners to follow through, without nagging or apologizing

We'll walk through 10 accountability conversations you can use with anyone you work with peers, project partners, cross-functional teams, even leaders to get results while maintaining respect and likability.

If you want to be known as someone who is reliable, respected, and not walked over, this episode will give you the exact language and confidence to make it happen.

🎁 Free Resource: Download the 30 Power Shifts Guide — a free, practical cheat sheet with real-life "weak vs. powerful" word swaps for meetings, presentations, and everyday conversations.

• Replace soft, hesitant phrases with powerful, natural ones.

• Speak with clarity, conviction, and calm authority.

• Be heard without apology.

👉 Get your free guide here: https://assertiveway.aweb.page/30power

✅ Free Newsletter: https://assertiveway.com/newsletter/

✅ Take the Quiz 'Do You Speak Like a High-Impact Leader?': https://myassertiveway.outgrow.us/highimpactleader

✅ Listen on the Speak Your Mind Unapologetically podcast on Apple Itunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/speak-your-mind-unapologetically-podcast/id1623647915

✅ Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6L1myPkiJXYf5SGrublYz2

✅ Order our book, 'Unapologetic Voice: 101 Real-World Strategies for Brave Self Advocacy & Bold Leadership' where each strategy is also a real story:

https://www.amazon.com/Unapologetic-Voice-Real-World-Strategies-Leadership-ebook/dp/B0CW2X4WWL/

✅ Follow the show host, Ivna Curi, on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivna-curi-mba-67083b2/

✅ Request A Customized Workshop For Your Team And Company: http://assertiveway.com/workshops

Contact me: [email protected] or [email protected]

Contact me on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivna-curi-mba-67083b2

Have you ever shared an idea in a meeting… and nothing happened? No reaction. No acknowledgement. People move on.

Then minutes later — or even next week — someone else says the exact same thing, and suddenly everyone thinks it's brilliant.

It's infuriating. It's discouraging. And it makes you question your value, your credibility, and whether speaking up even matters.

Here's the truth nobody teaches you at work:

Most ideas don't get ignored because they're bad. They get ignored because of how they're introduced, framed, and reinforced.

In this episode of Speak Your Mind Unapologetically, you'll learn exactly what to do so that your ideas land, don't get overshadowed, and are not repeated by someone else. You'll walk away with simple, repeatable strategies to make your ideas heard, respected, and credited back to you — without sounding aggressive, needy, or territorial.

You'll learn:

• Why some voices get taken seriously in meetings — and others don't (regardless of talent)
• How to speak up so your ideas stick the first time
• What to say when someone repeats your idea and gets the credit
• Phrases that reinforce your expertise without conflict or defensiveness
• How leaders can amplify overlooked voices and stop accidental idea-stealing

This episode applies to anyone who's felt ignored, overshadowed, or underestimated at work: introverts, early-career professionals, remote workers, immigrants, and empaths.

Because great ideas don't change careers. Great ideas that get heard change careers.

Tune in now to learn how to make your voice impossible to overlook.

🎁 Free Resource: Download the 30 Power Shifts Guide — a free, practical cheat sheet with real-life "weak vs. powerful" word swaps for meetings, presentations, and everyday conversations.

• Replace soft, hesitant phrases with powerful, natural ones.

• Speak with clarity, conviction, and calm authority.

• Be heard without apology.

👉 Get your free guide here: https://assertiveway.aweb.page/30power

✅ Free Newsletter: https://assertiveway.com/newsletter/

✅ Take the Quiz 'Do You Speak Like a High-Impact Leader?': https://myassertiveway.outgrow.us/highimpactleader

✅ Listen on the Speak Your Mind Unapologetically podcast on Apple Itunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/speak-your-mind-unapologetically-podcast/id1623647915

✅ Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6L1myPkiJXYf5SGrublYz2

✅ Order our book, 'Unapologetic Voice: 101 Real-World Strategies for Brave Self Advocacy & Bold Leadership' where each strategy is also a real story:

https://www.amazon.com/Unapologetic-Voice-Real-World-Strategies-Leadership-ebook/dp/B0CW2X4WWL/

✅ Follow the show host, Ivna Curi, on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivna-curi-mba-67083b2/

✅ Request A Customized Workshop For Your Team And Company: http://assertiveway.com/workshops

Contact me: [email protected] or [email protected]

Contact me on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivna-curi-mba-67083b2

When you're in a high-stakes meeting, job interview, panel, or senior leadership presentation, everything can be going perfectly, until someone throws a loaded question at you.

Suddenly, confidence can turn into defensiveness. Preparation can turn into rambling. Months of hard work can collapse in 10 seconds if you sound insecure, reactive, or unsure.

This episode of the Speak Your Mind Unapologetically Podcast reveals exactly how the top 1% of executives, leaders, and media-trained spokespeople stay calm, credible, and in control even when they're challenged publicly, and even when they don't have the answer.

You'll learn how to:

• Stay in command of the conversation when someone tests you
• Pivot without sounding evasive
• Respond without rambling, over-explaining, or defending yourself
• Sound confident even when you're caught off guard
• Protect your credibility under pressure

We'll cover 15 powerful media-training tactics used by CEOs, world-class communicators, and top-tier interview candidates to make sure tough questions never derail their image, confidence, or opportunities.

Whether you're navigating executive meetings, stakeholder presentations, performance reviews, client discussions, or interviews for bigger roles, this episode will teach you how to turn hard questions into opportunities for influence and respect.

If you want to feel unshakeable when someone challenges you, this episode is for you. Press play and learn to communicate like someone who deserves to be heard.

✅ Schedule a Complimentary Call To Plan Your One Conversation: https://calendly.com/assertiveway/30min

🎁 Free Resource: Download the 30 Power Shifts Guide — a free, practical cheat sheet with real-life "weak vs. powerful" word swaps for meetings, presentations, and everyday conversations.

• Replace soft, hesitant phrases with powerful, natural ones.

• Speak with clarity, conviction, and calm authority.

• Be heard without apology.

👉 Get your free guide here: https://assertiveway.aweb.page/30power

✅ Free Newsletter: https://assertiveway.com/newsletter/

✅ Take the Quiz 'Do You Speak Like a High-Impact Leader?': https://myassertiveway.outgrow.us/highimpactleader

✅ Listen on the Speak Your Mind Unapologetically podcast on Apple Itunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/speak-your-mind-unapologetically-podcast/id1623647915

✅ Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6L1myPkiJXYf5SGrublYz2

✅ Order our book, 'Unapologetic Voice: 101 Real-World Strategies for Brave Self Advocacy & Bold Leadership' where each strategy is also a real story:

https://www.amazon.com/Unapologetic-Voice-Real-World-Strategies-Leadership-ebook/dp/B0CW2X4WWL/

✅ Follow the show host, Ivna Curi, on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivna-curi-mba-67083b2/

✅ Request A Customized Workshop For Your Team And Company: http://assertiveway.com/workshops

Contact me: [email protected] or [email protected]

Contact me on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivna-curi-mba-67083b2

Most people don't struggle with speaking up in general. They struggle with one specific conversation that feels risky — a conversation with career, relationship, or emotional consequences.

Whether it's a performance review, a promotion request, a conflict, a micromanaging boss, a workload pushback, a boundary conversation, or a situation where you feel overlooked or disrespected… avoiding the conversation always feels safe in the moment, but it silently costs you confidence, influence, visibility, and self-respect.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• Why certain conversations feel so intimidating
• What's really driving the fear of conflict, backlash, or judgment
• The hidden psychological and career consequences of staying silent
• What changes when you approach these conversations strategically rather than reactively
• How to communicate with clarity, respect, and strength — without aggression or over-explaining

If you've been overthinking a conversation at work or losing sleep about what to say, this episode will give you the roadmap to finally move forward.

✅ Schedule a Complimentary Call To Plan Your One Conversation: https://calendly.com/assertiveway/30min

🎁 Free Resource: Download the 30 Power Shifts Guide — a free, practical cheat sheet with real-life "weak vs. powerful" word swaps for meetings, presentations, and everyday conversations.

• Replace soft, hesitant phrases with powerful, natural ones.

• Speak with clarity, conviction, and calm authority.

• Be heard without apology.

👉 Get your free guide here: https://assertiveway.aweb.page/30power

✅ Free Newsletter: https://assertiveway.com/newsletter/

✅ Take the Quiz 'Do You Speak Like a High-Impact Leader?': https://myassertiveway.outgrow.us/highimpactleader

✅ Listen on the Speak Your Mind Unapologetically podcast on Apple Itunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/speak-your-mind-unapologetically-podcast/id1623647915

✅ Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6L1myPkiJXYf5SGrublYz2

✅ Order our book, 'Unapologetic Voice: 101 Real-World Strategies for Brave Self Advocacy & Bold Leadership' where each strategy is also a real story:

https://www.amazon.com/Unapologetic-Voice-Real-World-Strategies-Leadership-ebook/dp/B0CW2X4WWL/

✅ Follow the show host, Ivna Curi, on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivna-curi-mba-67083b2/

✅ Request A Customized Workshop For Your Team And Company: http://assertiveway.com/workshops

Contact me: [email protected] or [email protected]

Contact me on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivna-curi-mba-67083b2

Your voice is the bridge between who you are and how you lead. So how can you be heard and be remembered, even in toxic workplaces? In this episode we are joined by Lily Lapenna, MBE, communication coach and facilitator, honored by Queen Elizabeth for her impact work, and Amy Ewbank, expert in voice and former professional actor and Head of HR. Amy Ewbank and Lily Lapenna are Co-CEO's at Verve Leaders They share how to express your true essence and the art of joyful communication.

You'll discover:

• The 3 Es Framework (Essence, Expression, Environment) that transforms the way you communicate.
• What Prince William taught me about communication in 3 minutes.
• How to listen to what's not being said, and create trust through attunement.
• How to pitch, present, and persuade with storytelling that enchants.
• The secret confidence technique of powerful speakers.
• What every great pitch needs to land, that most people avoid.

Amy Ewbank and Lily Lapenna are Co-CEO's at Verve Leaders

Lily Lapenna, MBE, is a communication geek working with professional to help them get heard and be remembered. She works in academic institutions Like Harvard and Oxford university on business and communication. She is a passionate coach and facilitator around all things communication. She was honored by Queen Elizabeth with an MBE for her social impact work.

Connect with Lily: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lilylapenna/

Amy Ewbank is a leadership coach, communication strategist, and expert in voice. She began her career as a professional actor, performing in repertory theatre, BBC Radio, and Channel 4 amongst others. She also has experience working as Head of HR at a UK national charity, she has been featured on Sky News, Channel 5 and The Guardian for her work on the stage and beyond.

Connect with Amy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-ewbank-45158a231/

Elevate your communication skills with Verve: https://www.verveleaders.com/

✅ Free Newsletter: https://assertiveway.com/newsletter/

✅ Take the Quiz 'Do You Speak Like a High-Impact Leader?': https://myassertiveway.outgrow.us/highimpactleader

✅ Listen on the Speak Your Mind Unapologetically podcast on Apple Itunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/speak-your-mind-unapologetically-podcast/id1623647915

✅ Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6L1myPkiJXYf5SGrublYz2

✅ Order our book, 'Unapologetic Voice: 101 Real-World Strategies for Brave Self Advocacy & Bold Leadership' where each strategy is also a real story:

https://www.amazon.com/Unapologetic-Voice-Real-World-Strategies-Leadership-ebook/dp/B0CW2X4WWL/

✅ Follow the show host, Ivna Curi, on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivna-curi-mba-67083b2/

Get clear, practical answers to the toughest speaking-up questions: recognition, raises, boundaries, timing, and more—so you're heard and respected at work.

You asked. I answered, fast. In this rapid-fire Q&A, we tackle the most common (and most avoided) questions about speaking up without backlash: how to advocate without seeming pushy, what you can reasonably ask for (and how to build a case), what to do when credit goes missing, how to set boundaries and still be seen as a team player, how to advocate when you're not senior, and how to bounce back after a "no."

You'll leave with practical scripts, mindset shifts, and a repeatable approach to turn hard conversations into "liquid sunshine."

Listen if you want to:

• Be heard and understood, without damaging relationships
• Turn self-advocacy into a daily habit
• Get recognition, resources, and flexibility credibly

🎁 Free Resource: Download the 30 Power Shifts Guide — a free, practical cheat sheet with real-life "weak vs. powerful" word swaps for meetings, presentations, and everyday conversations.

• Replace soft, hesitant phrases with powerful, natural ones.

• Speak with clarity, conviction, and calm authority.

• Be heard without apology.

👉 Get your free guide here: https://assertiveway.aweb.page/30power

✅ Free Newsletter: https://assertiveway.com/newsletter/

✅ Take the Quiz 'Do You Speak Like a High-Impact Leader?': https://myassertiveway.outgrow.us/highimpactleader

✅ Listen on the Speak Your Mind Unapologetically podcast on Apple Itunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/speak-your-mind-unapologetically-podcast/id1623647915

✅ Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6L1myPkiJXYf5SGrublYz2

✅ Order our book, 'Unapologetic Voice: 101 Real-World Strategies for Brave Self Advocacy & Bold Leadership' where each strategy is also a real story:

https://www.amazon.com/Unapologetic-Voice-Real-World-Strategies-Leadership-ebook/dp/B0CW2X4WWL/

✅ Follow the show host, Ivna Curi, on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivna-curi-mba-67083b2/

✅ Request A Customized Workshop For Your Team And Company: http://assertiveway.com/workshops

Contact me: [email protected] or [email protected]

Contact me on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivna-curi-mba-67083b2

Silence feels safe, but it kills your future. Unleash your authentic voice and stop letting the voice in your head keep you silent. In this episode of the Speak Your Mind Unapologetically Podcast, you'll regain control over the emotional cycle of fear and confidence, so that your nervous system stops hijacking your presence in meetings, and you can reclaim your voice and your influence at work.

What you'll discover in this episode:

• Why silence is not an option.

• Why self-doubt, replaying worst-case scenarios, and "what-if" loops quietly steal your voice—and how that affects your career, your leadership and your impact.

• How to break the fear script.

• The three essential voices every professional needs.

• Why action = confidence, not the other way around—how one simple step leads to the next, builds momentum, and eventually changes your career trajectory.

• A call to stop choosing comfort over progress; because silence may feel safe, but it kills your future.

Who this episode is for: You're a mid-to-senior professional, an emerging leader or an experienced leader who's ready to move from being unheard to being influential. You want to speak up smarter and navigate tough conversations without damaging relationships, and have the tools to advocate for yourself, your team and your future.

Tune in if you're ready to Stop letting fear write your story. Rewrite your script. Own your voice, your goals and your future.

If this episode resonated, please share it with a colleague, friend or ally who's ready to speak up—and remember to subscribe so you never miss an episode from Speak Your Mind Unapologetically. Let's lead out loud together.

🎁 Free Resource: Download the 30 Power Shifts Guide — a free, practical cheat sheet with real-life "weak vs. powerful" word swaps for meetings, presentations, and everyday conversations.

• Replace soft, hesitant phrases with powerful, natural ones.

• Speak with clarity, conviction, and calm authority.

• Be heard without apology.

👉 Get your free guide here: https://assertiveway.aweb.page/30power

✅ Free Newsletter: https://assertiveway.com/newsletter/

✅ Take the Quiz 'Do You Speak Like a High-Impact Leader?': https://myassertiveway.outgrow.us/highimpactleader

✅ Listen on the Speak Your Mind Unapologetically podcast on Apple Itunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/speak-your-mind-unapologetically-podcast/id1623647915

✅ Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6L1myPkiJXYf5SGrublYz2

✅ Order our book, 'Unapologetic Voice: 101 Real-World Strategies for Brave Self Advocacy & Bold Leadership' where each strategy is also a real story:

https://www.amazon.com/Unapologetic-Voice-Real-World-Strategies-Leadership-ebook/dp/B0CW2X4WWL/

✅ Follow the show host, Ivna Curi, on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivna-curi-mba-67083b2/

✅ Request A Customized Workshop For Your Team And Company: http://assertiveway.com/workshops

Contact me: [email protected] or [email protected]

Contact me on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivna-curi-mba-67083b2

Everyone says, "Be bold. Be unapologetic." But what does that really mean at work?

Boldness easily gets mistaken for arrogance or aggression. Then, when you speak up, people shut down.

In this episode of the Speak Your Mind Unapologetically podcast, Andrea Wojnicki, host of the Talk About Talk show, interviews Ivna Curi on how to speak up with confidence, strength, and respect, so you can be bold and build connection.

You'll discover: ✔️ What "being bold and unapologetic" actually means in the workplace ✔️ How to assert yourself without damaging relationships ✔️ A simple, proven formula for bold, clear, and respected communication

Tune in to discover how to be heard, respected, and influential, without ever being seen as "too much."

🎁 Free Resource: Download the 30 Power Shifts Guide — a free, practical cheat sheet with real-life "weak vs. powerful" word swaps for meetings, presentations, and everyday conversations.

• Replace soft, hesitant phrases with powerful, natural ones.

• Speak with clarity, conviction, and calm authority.

• Be heard without apology.

👉 Get your free guide here: https://assertiveway.aweb.page/30power

✅ Tune into the Talk About Talk podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/talk-about-talk-communication-skills-training/id1447267503

✅ Free Newsletter: https://assertiveway.com/newsletter/

✅ Take the Quiz 'Do You Speak Like a High-Impact Leader?': https://myassertiveway.outgrow.us/highimpactleader

✅ Listen on the Speak Your Mind Unapologetically podcast on Apple Itunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/speak-your-mind-unapologetically-podcast/id1623647915

✅ Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6L1myPkiJXYf5SGrublYz2

✅ Order our book, 'Unapologetic Voice: 101 Real-World Strategies for Brave Self Advocacy & Bold Leadership' where each strategy is also a real story:

https://www.amazon.com/Unapologetic-Voice-Real-World-Strategies-Leadership-ebook/dp/B0CW2X4WWL/

✅ Follow the show host, Ivna Curi, on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivna-curi-mba-67083b2/

✅ Request A Customized Workshop For Your Team And Company: http://assertiveway.com/workshops

Contact me: [email protected] or [email protected]

Contact me on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivna-curi-mba-67083b2

#Leadership #Communication #Assertiveness #CareerGrowth #SpeakUp #WomenInLeadership #WorkplaceConfidence #ProfessionalDevelopment

Does fear ever get in the way of advocating for yourself? Everyone has fear. Everyone has courage. The difference is which one you give energy to. In this episode of Speak Your Mind Unapologetically, we explore science-backed ways to be more courageous and build confidence in speaking up. From mindset shifts to emotional regulation and social strategies, this episode is your go-to guide for becoming fearless. Listen now to discover:

• 20 science-backed strategies to find your courage to speak up and be more assertive
• Mindset, cognitive, emotional, and social techniques to overcome fear
• How to boldly speak your mind and transform your career, leadership, and life

🎁 Free Resource: Download the 30 Power Shifts Guide — a free, practical cheat sheet with real-life "weak vs. powerful" word swaps for meetings, presentations, and everyday conversations.

• Replace soft, hesitant phrases with powerful, natural ones.

• Speak with clarity, conviction, and calm authority.

• Be heard without apology.

👉 Get your free guide here: https://assertiveway.aweb.page/30power

✅ Free Newsletter: https://assertiveway.com/newsletter/

✅ Take the Quiz 'Do You Speak Like a High-Impact Leader?': https://myassertiveway.outgrow.us/highimpactleader

✅ Listen on the Speak Your Mind Unapologetically podcast on Apple Itunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/speak-your-mind-unapologetically-podcast/id1623647915

✅ Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6L1myPkiJXYf5SGrublYz2

✅ Order our book, 'Unapologetic Voice: 101 Real-World Strategies for Brave Self Advocacy & Bold Leadership' where each strategy is also a real story:

https://www.amazon.com/Unapologetic-Voice-Real-World-Strategies-Leadership-ebook/dp/B0CW2X4WWL/

✅ Follow the show host, Ivna Curi, on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivna-curi-mba-67083b2/

✅ Request A Customized Workshop For Your Team And Company: http://assertiveway.com/workshops

Contact me: [email protected] or [email protected]

Contact me on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivna-curi-mba-67083b2