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What if your biggest personal crisis turned out to be your greatest professional breakthrough?

In this episode of Speaking With Confidence, I sit down with Jenny Alday Townsend, an award-winning entrepreneur, keynote speaker, and Amazon bestselling author, for an unforgettable conversation about resilience, reinvention, and the communication tools that helped her rebuild her life from the ground up.

Jenny opens up about the moment her marriage was rocked by infidelity and how it forced her to rediscover who she was outside of her business. She shares how stepping back from micromanagement actually helped her team thrive, and how mastering powerful communication, through storytelling, active listening, and emotional honesty, became her secret to success both at work and at home.

We also dig into her “Stroke It” framework: a practical, heartfelt guide for making others feel seen, heard, and appreciated. Whether you're navigating tough conversations at work, trying to reconnect with your partner, or simply looking to boost your public speaking confidence, Jenny brings the kind of real talk and actionable insights you’ll want to revisit again and again.

In this episode, we cover:

• How ego and fear of vulnerability stifle effective leadership
• Why storytelling isn’t just a skill—it’s a lifeline
• Overcoming imposter syndrome and speaking anxiety after public failure
• What Jenny learned about communication by working herself out of a job
• Setting boundaries, building trust, and showing appreciation through language

Ready to level up your relationships and communication skills on stage, in your marriage, or in your own head? This episode is your permission slip to show up, speak honestly, and lead with intention.

Connect with Jenny:

Website: Jennyaldaytownsend.com
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@JennyTownsend
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennyaldaytownsend/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jennyaldaytownsend/
Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennyaldaytownsend
Podcast: Jennyaldaytownsend.com/podcast

Visit TimNewmanSpeaks.com to grab your free eBook, The Top 21 Challenges for Public Speakers and How to Overcome Them, and start building the confidence you deserve!

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Forget everything you thought you knew about effective communication. It’s not the stats, not the slides, and definitely not the script that makes people lean in, it’s the story.

In this solo episode, I break down the neuroscience behind why storytelling is one of the most powerful communication tools we have. When you tell a real story, especially the messy, imperfect ones, you create a shared experience with your audience that facts alone can’t touch.

I walk through the 3-part storytelling framework I use with every keynote: Struggle, Strategy, and Transformation. Skip the struggle and you skip the connection. But when you open up about the nights you almost quit, the awkward stumbles, the trial-and-error moments, your audience doesn’t just hear you, they feel you.

I also share a personal moment where a story completely shifted the room, and how I discovered that vulnerability isn’t weakness; it’s credibility.

If you’ve ever wondered how to connect faster, lead stronger, or speak with more confidence, the answer might be hiding in the story you haven’t told yet.

Want to practice? Try this: Spend 30 seconds describing a challenge you faced, and 30 seconds on how you got through it. That unfiltered version might just be your next standing ovation.

Resources mentioned:

Get the free guide: The Top 21 Challenges for Public Speakers (and How to Overcome Them)

Register for The Formula for Public Speaking course

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What do boxing, public speaking, and personal transformation have in common? For Cam F. Awesome, everything.

In this episode of Speaking With Confidence, I sit down with Cam, a 12-time national boxing champion, motivational speaker, and self-described “motivational vegan,” to talk about the mindset behind powerful communication and unstoppable resilience.

Cam doesn’t just tell a comeback story, he lives one. Bullied as a kid and cut from every team he tried out for, Cam found boxing not as a passion, but as the only option left. He turned that into a decorated amateur career and a life dedicated to helping others reframe their inner narratives.

From the ring to the stage, Cam reveals the mental techniques that helped him dominate in the ring and how they can help you dominate your self-doubt. Whether you're battling imposter syndrome, speaking anxiety, or just trying to show up more authentically, this conversation offers a no-fluff roadmap to lasting confidence.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why confidence starts with your internal dialogue, not applause or approval
• Cam’s daily “gratitude reps” that help him stay mentally strong and emotionally grounded
• How to win conversations (and audiences) using storytelling techniques from the boxing ring
• Why imposter syndrome is often just your brain trying to protect you—and how to punch back
• The simple formula: belief + action = inevitable results

If you’ve ever felt like your fear of failing is louder than your voice, Cam’s philosophy will rewire the way you think. Because, as he says, “If you can fail without being discouraged, success becomes inevitable.”

Connect with Cam:

https://www.camfawesome.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/camfawesome/

https://www.facebook.com/CamFAwesome

https://www.instagram.com/camfawesome/

http://www.youtube.com/@CamFAwesome

Visit TimNewmanSpeaks.com to grab your free eBook, The Top 21 Challenges for Public Speakers and How to Overcome Them, and start building the confidence you deserve!

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Want to be a guest on Speaking With Confidence? Send Tim Newman a message on PodMatch
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Ever freeze up mid-conversation or overthink every word before a big presentation? I’ve been there too, and I’ve learned that you don’t need to be perfect to be powerful.

In this solo episode of Speaking With Confidence, I’m sharing three of my favorite improv-inspired techniques that have helped me (and many of my clients) show up with more presence, connection, and confidence, no matter the setting.

You’ll hear how the “Yes, And” mindset can instantly shift you from anxious overthinking to engaged collaboration, how embracing failure (yes, on purpose) builds real trust and authenticity, and why a quick 10-second grounding technique might be your new go-to tool for calming nerves.

These tools aren’t about performing, they’re about transforming how you show up. Because confidence doesn’t come from being flawless. It comes from learning to trust yourself in the moment.

Resources:
Grab your free eBook: The Top 21 Challenges for Public Speakers (and How to Overcome Them)
Book a free coaching call with Tim: TimNewmanSpeaks.com

Support the show

Want to be a guest on Speaking With Confidence? Send Tim Newman a message on PodMatch
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What if the best leaders aren't the ones with the answers, but the ones who know how to ask the right questions?

In this episode, I sit down with former Army officer turned leadership coach Chris Duprey to explore the mindset shift that turns managers into powerful communicators. Through his Pathfinder’s Compass framework, Chris breaks down the difference between leading by instruction and leading by inquiry. Spoiler: It’s less “boss mode,” more “Ted Lasso with a mission.”

They get deep into the four pillars of breakthrough communication, Yes-And energy, vanguarding concerns, a question-first mentality, and the Law of Three, and explain how they help leaders develop other leaders. Whether you’re navigating team dynamics, family conversations, or your next big presentation, this episode reveals how curiosity, self-awareness, and intentional listening are the tools that change everything.

Chris shares how the military taught him the importance of active listening and how that lesson stuck with him far beyond the battlefield. His approach isn’t about surface-level leadership tips, it’s about building trust, growing initiative, and empowering others to find their own answers.

Connect with Chris:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/cduprey/

https://questionfirstgroup.com

Visit TimNewmanSpeaks.com to grab your free eBook, The Top 21 Challenges for Public Speakers and How to Overcome Them, and start building the confidence you deserve!

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Ever been told to “just stop saying um” like that’s helpful advice? In this episode, I share the honest moment a student called me out for giving that exact unhelpful tip, and how it changed my entire approach to teaching effective communication.

You’ll learn why our brains default to filler words when we’re speaking too fast, what neuroscience says about the role of pauses, and why the solution isn’t perfection, its presence.

Discover the "two-second solution" that helps reduce filler words by up to 40%, and how a well-timed pause can increase your authority, boost audience retention, and even calm speaking anxiety. Whether you’re leading meetings, pitching ideas, or just trying to get through a conversation without saying “uh” every 5 seconds, this episode is packed with tools to help you show up more powerfully and speak with confidence.

Resources:
Grab your free eBook: The Top 21 Challenges for Public Speakers (and How to Overcome Them)
Book a free coaching call with Tim: TimNewmanSpeaks.com

Support the show

Want to be a guest on Speaking With Confidence? Send Tim Newman a message on PodMatch
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Leadership isn’t about having all the answers; it’s about knowing the right questions to ask. In this episode of Speaking with Confidence, host I am joined by nationally recognized executive performance coach John Little to explore the real work behind powerful communication and authentic leadership.

With over 25 years of coaching and consulting experience, John shares how his EMBRACE framework helps professionals overcome imposter syndrome, build real confidence, and communicate with clarity. Together, we unpack the subtle difference between ego and confidence, the impact of generational communication styles, and why trust is the foundation of leadership, not charisma.

If you’ve ever felt like you weren’t “enough” in a room full of leaders, or you’re tired of faking it just to keep up, this conversation is your permission slip to lead with what makes you unique.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why imposter syndrome might be a sign of potential
• How technology is reshaping (and sometimes ruining) our communication instincts
• The “unfair advantage” hiding in your personal story
• Ego vs. confidence: How they really show up in the workplace
• Practical strategies for building trust and influence as a leader
• Why humility, storytelling, and listening are the new power tools of leadership

Whether you’re new to leadership or a seasoned executive, John’s insights will help you show up with more presence, purpose, and confidence.

Connect with John:

http://www.linkedin.com/in/bigjohnlittle

https://thewinnersedgecoaching.com

Visit TimNewmanSpeaks.com to grab your free eBook, The Top 21 Challenges for Public Speakers and How to Overcome Them, and start building the confidence you deserve!

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Want to be a guest on Speaking With Confidence? Send Tim Newman a message on PodMatch
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If you've ever wondered what separates the average speaker from someone who commands attention and inspires action, the answer is simpler than you think, and far more powerful. It’s not talent. It’s not charisma. It’s commitment.

In this solo episode, I talk about the unglamorous but transformational truth: powerful communicators never stop improving. From the books they read to the feedback they embrace (even when it stings), great communicators know that input drives output. And that growth? It’s never accidental.

Whether you're navigating team meetings, delivering keynotes, or just trying not to blank during a presentation, this episode will challenge you to look at communication as a muscle, not a medal. You’ll learn why even 10 minutes of daily reading can sharpen your storytelling techniques, how feedback fuels progress, and why recording yourself (cringe and all) is one of the smartest things you can do to grow.

In This Episode:

• Why reading is a communication superpower
• The truth about lifelong learning and leadership communication
• How to get honest feedback without getting defensive
• Four practical ways to elevate your communication every week
• Why being a better communicator has nothing to do with being perfect

If you're ready to step into your full potential as a communicator, this episode is your roadmap.

Resources:
Grab your free eBook: The Top 21 Challenges for Public Speakers (and How to Overcome Them)
Book a free coaching call with Tim: TimNewmanSpeaks.com

Support the show

Want to be a guest on Speaking With Confidence? Send Tim Newman a message on PodMatch
Speaking With Confidence
Formula for Public Speaking
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What makes someone a powerful communicator? According to Ron Reich, it's not the title, the slides, or the flashy speeches; it’s relationships, self-awareness, and the willingness to grow.

With 30 years of experience in leadership development, corporate training, and coaching across industries like banking, tech, and pharma, Ron brings a grounded, human-first perspective to communication. In this episode, we dive into what truly builds confidence, not just in public speaking, but in everyday leadership.

Ron’s secret weapon? A relentless commitment to learning. He’s read over 400 leadership books (yes, really) and shares how the simple habit of reading just ten pages a day transformed his communication, leadership, and credibility.

You’ll hear Ron’s take on the “Platinum Rule,” why emotional intelligence trumps technical skill, and how the best communicators aren’t always the loudest, they’re the ones who listen with their eyes, ears, and heart.

What You’ll Learn:

• How self-awareness helps you lead and speak with confidence
• Why asking for help makes you a stronger communicator
• How to overcome imposter syndrome through preparation and practice
• The difference between communication and connection, and how to bridge it
• Why leadership development never ends (and shouldn’t)

Whether you're stepping into leadership for the first time or just trying to sound less awkward in meetings, this conversation will give you the tools and perspective to speak up with confidence and actually be heard.

Connect with Ron Reich:
LinkedIn:  www.linkedin.com/inron-reich7809829
Instagram: instagram.com/leadership_rlb/

Grab your free eBook: Top 21 Challenges for Public Speakers & How to Overcome Them
Explore the Formula for Public Speaking: timnewmanspeaks.com

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Want to be a guest on Speaking With Confidence? Send Tim Newman a message on PodMatch
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Are you an introvert who dreads networking events or fast-paced meetings? Good news: you don’t have to become an extrovert to be a powerful communicator.

In this episode, I share real-world strategies tailored for introverts who want to boost their communication skills without changing who they are. You’ll learn how to own your voice, embrace your natural strengths, and create authentic connections, one meaningful conversation at a time.

I talk about:

• The 30-Second Rule for getting your voice heard in meetings
• The Two-Deep Strategy to make networking less draining (and more effective)
• How to use written communication to express yourself with clarity and impact
• Why active listening might be your most underrated leadership tool
• How to overcome imposter syndrome without pretending to be someone you're not

Whether you’ve been told to “speak up more” or you’re just tired of feeling overlooked, this episode offers a refreshing, practical toolkit to help introverts lead with confidence and connection.

Download your free eBook, Top 21 Challenges for Public Speakers & How to Overcome Them, and explore the Formula for Public Speaking course at timnewmanspeaks.com.

Support the show

Want to be a guest on Speaking With Confidence? Send Tim Newman a message on PodMatch
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