Have you ever wondered why your team keeps hitting the same roadblocks during tough conversations, even after attending communication training? In this episode, I get to the heart of why knowing what not to do isn’t enough and share the system that finally gives your team the words and tools to handle conflict before it explodes.

I’m Tim Newman, and today on Speaking with Confidence, I’m diving into what it really takes to flip those negative habits that sabotage hard conversations into positive ones that drive real collaboration. There’s no guest today, just an honest breakdown of practical tools you can start using right away.

Last week, we named the five habits that hijack difficult conversations: win at all costs, react instead of respond, only my opinion matters, never ask questions, and get even. If you missed it, definitely go back and listen, because today’s episode builds on those ideas and moves us forward.

Here’s the tough truth: knowing what’s wrong doesn’t automatically mean we know how to get it right. You can recognize bad habits all day long and still have no idea how to turn things around in the heat of the moment. That’s why today, I show you how to build the five habits that make conflict your team’s best tool rather than its biggest threat. We talk through my three-step system for making sure these new habits aren’t just words in a workbook, but living, breathing patterns your team uses every day.

In this episode, I’ll walk you through:

I end by challenging you to take just one step this week whether it’s naming a wrong, mapping a real conflict to right, or introducing your team’s cue in a low-stakes setting. Remember, real progress comes from using these tools in actual conversations, not just understanding them in theory.

If you’re ready to transform the way your team handles tough conversations, this episode is for you. Be sure to visit speakingwithconfidencepodcast.com for your free public speaking ebook and to register for my Formula for Public Speaking course. As always, your voice has the power to change the world. Let’s build the habits that unlock it.

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What does it really take to be heard across generational lines, and how can we bridge the communication gap between Gen Z and other generations? That’s the big question we tackle in this episode of Speaking with Confidence.

I’m Tim Newman, and today we dive into the evolving landscape of communication far beyond polished speeches and proper grammar. It’s about making people feel seen, heard, and understood. This episode features an eye-opening conversation with Raquel Borras, creator of “Rock the Boat,” founder of Rock Vision, brand strategist, podcast host, and filmmaker. Raquel is on a mission to help us stop talking about Gen Z and start listening to them, taking the bold step of traveling cross-country in an RV to connect with Gen Zers face-to-face and create her new documentary, “I Hear You, Gen Z.”

In our conversation, Raquel shares what drove her to leave her corporate job, fund her filmmaking adventure with her own savings, and the life-changing experiences that unfolded along the way. We discuss the importance of not burning bridges, as Raquel recounts her ongoing positive relationship with her former company illustrating how supportive networks are crucial, no matter where your path leads.

Raquel gives us an inside look at the journey of making “I Hear You, Gen Z,” sharing the surprises and lessons learned as she met young people across the country. What stood out most was Gen Z's reliability and willingness to show up and engage, challenging so many tired stereotypes about this generation’s work ethic and priorities. We talk about the often-overlooked impact of the pandemic on Gen Z’s communication skills and how, instead of blaming them, we need to recognize the responsibility of older generations for shaping the current social and technological environment.

In this episode, we cover:

Ultimately, if you want to build real confidence in communication at home, at work, or in society this conversation is for you. We can change the narrative, embrace empathy, and start seeing every generation, including Gen Z, as teachers, leaders, and partners in progress.

Connect with Raquel:

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Have you ever wondered why even your best arguments leave people tuning out or avoiding you entirely? In this episode of Speaking with Confidence, I tackle the hidden habits that quietly wreck our conversations often without us realizing it. If you’ve ever felt like you keep “winning” at work or in your personal life, but walking away with damaged relationships or unresolved issues, you’re not alone. Today, I’ll help you diagnose exactly what’s going wrong under the surface, so you can start making positive changes.

We often assume that because we talk a lot, we’re skilled communicators. But as I share in this episode, talking isn’t the same as communicating and somewhere along the way, we started treating conversations like competition instead of collaboration. Whether it’s the Monday morning meeting, a heated text exchange, or a hasty email you regret sending later, the patterns are the same. I’ll break down my OWN diagnostic framework, WRONG, five habits that sneak into our conversations and leave us disconnected from the very people we most want—or need to reach.

This time, it’s just me, Tim Newman, your host and a recovering college professor turned communication coach. I’m passionate about helping you build not just your public speaking skills or storytelling chops, but the soft skills that drive real results in every conversation that counts.

Here’s what I cover in this episode:

If you recognize yourself in a couple (or even all) of these habits, don’t worry that’s exactly where growth begins. Next episode, I’ll share the right way to build civil, effective conversations that genuinely move things forward. For now, tune in and take the first step by naming what’s actually wrong then watch your communication start to change.

Don’t forget, you can grab your free ebook on the top 21 challenges for public speakers at speakingwithconfidencepodcast.com and register for my upcoming public speaking course as well. Your voice has the power to change the world. Let's make sure you’re using it to connect, not just compete.

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What truly makes persuasion effective convincing arguments, or the power of storytelling? In this episode of Speaking with Confidence, we dive deep into the difference between being merely heard and genuinely remembered.

I’m Tim Newman, your guide on this journey to mastering powerful communication. Today, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Michael Stockham, a powerhouse in the legal world, a bestselling novelist, and an electrifying speaker who commanded attention in courtrooms and captured imaginations on the page. With over two decades of high-stakes litigation experience and a series of acclaimed legal thrillers under his belt, Michael Stockham brings a unique perspective on how story, clarity, and curiosity not just bravado build real confidence and persuasion.

Our conversation explores the vital importance of earning your audience’s attention in those crucial first thirty seconds and why brevity and preparation are more persuasive than simply saying more. Michael Stockham unpacks what he’s learned from years persuading judges, juries, and now readers, revealing how mistakes and even “wrecking” your perfect material can make you more relatable and impactful. We explore practical ways lawyers pare down complex arguments for juries, how to hook attention with a strong opening, and the similarities between the courtroom, the boardroom, and fiction writing when it comes to keeping your listener engaged.

Here’s what we covered in this episode:

Whether you’re in the courtroom, a meeting, the classroom, or just trying to make a memorable impression, this episode is your guide to showing up with clarity, confidence, and the kind of compelling story that moves people to action.

Connect with Michael:

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What if those five seconds of awkward silence after a tough question aren’t your enemy, but your superpower? In this episode of Speaking with Confidence, I’m diving straight into one of the most nerve-wracking moments in any presentation: the Q&A. We rehearse our slides, perfect our transitions, and smooth out our closing lines, but when the floor opens up for questions, everything can change in an instant especially when you feel you’ve lost control.

I know that feeling all too well, both as a former college professor and now as a communication coach. As I guide you through, I’ll show you how these moments of silence, those pauses where your heart is pounding and your mind goes blank, can actually be your secret weapon rather than your biggest fear.

In this solo episode, there’s no guest just me and decades of experience with Q&A sessions that taught me the hard way: confidence isn’t about never freezing or panicking, it’s about having a system you can rely on when the pressure hits. I share the “5-Second Rule” I discovered after years in the classroom, and I’ll show you why your audience sees these pauses as thoughtful, even when they feel endless to you.

Today, I break down the three greatest anxiety spikes that sabotage Q&As losing control of the room, getting a curveball or even hostile question, and the nightmare of complete silence. I’ll walk you through handling tough questions you never prepared for, responding calmly when you’re challenged, and, most importantly, holding the silence confidently when nobody jumps in right away.

We’ll go step-by-step through:

Your challenge this week: write down the question that scares you most before your next presentation and draft the shape of your answer. Trust in the pause, and let your newfound confidence grow from the silence. Remember, progress always beats perfection, and your voice has the power to change the world. Let’s make your next Q&A your greatest strength!

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How do you actually lead yourself before you can lead others, and what does self-leadership have to do with confidence and authentic communication? In today’s episode, we’re digging deep into the idea that most of us don’t really have a communication problem — we have a self-leadership problem. You can’t speak with confidence if you don’t trust your own voice, and you’ll never lead a team until you can lead yourself.

I’m Tim Newman, your host, and today I’m joined by the insightful Chip Scholz. Chip is a man of stories and craft, a long-time business and leadership coach, and the author of Every Dog Has Its Day. He’s a guy who has found lessons in everything from family conversations to unexpected detours, shaping pieces of maple in his woodshop, and recovering from major life challenges like a stroke. His reflections on craft and life show us how small, quiet moments can fundamentally change who we become and what we’re willing to let go of.

In our conversation, Chip Scholz brings a wealth of experience, not only from decades of coaching top executives but also from a journey of personal transformation. We talk about the lessons he learned at the lathe, the dangers of “forcing the cut” both with wood and with people, and why being authentic is at the heart of real leadership. We go beyond the clichés why “being authentic” is so much more than a buzzword, and how most people actually get this concept wrong. Chip Scholz unpacks why most folks struggle to articulate what they truly want, and how getting honest feedback is a critical first step in transformation.

We dig into some of the tough stuff like navigating 360 evaluations without spiraling into self-doubt, and recognizing the difference between companies that “weaponize” feedback versus those that use it for real growth. We walk through the kind of accountability that separates real leaders from those just going through the motions, and why actions always speak louder than words. We also hit on the transition from doing to being as you move into leadership roles, and the pitfalls of believing your own PR at the top.

We also talk about the importance of reading and lifelong learning, why so many people stop reading books after college and what they’re missing by doing so. Chip Scholz shares his framework built around the 5 Cs: context, clarity, conditioning, choice, and character. We discuss generational differences, social skill development (or lack thereof), and how cycles in society shape our communication and sense of self.

Not to mention, we tackle the link between self-awareness, emotional literacy, and communication confidence and why being able to name your emotions and own them is a foundational skill for any leader or speaker.

Here’s what we cover in this episode:

If you’re ready to reframe the way you think about leadership, confidence, and the voice you bring to the world, this episode is for you. Let’s do the work together because your voice has the power to change not just your world, but the world around you.

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What if the advice to "calm down" before a big presentation is actually making your nerves worse? In this episode of Speaking with Confidence, we challenge one of the most common myths about overcoming stage fright and explore why trying to force yourself into calm may be backfiring.

As your host, Tim Newman—a recovering college professor turned communication coach—I’m here to help you master the art of showing up with confidence in every conversation that counts. Today, we’re zeroing in on nerves and adrenaline, and how the world’s top performers don’t eliminate these feelings—they learn to channel them.

In this solo episode, I walk you through the surprising science behind nerves and performance, starting with the foundational Yerkes-Dodson curve from 1908, which shows that there’s a sweet spot between zero stress and too much stress; that middle ground is where you’re alert and loose, ready to perform at your best. I share why the standard advice to "relax" before a big moment doesn’t work and explain what elite athletes like Michael Phelps, Kobe Bryant, and Rafael Nadal do differently—their routines and mental strategies transform adrenaline from something to fight into something to fuel them.

We’ll look at Harvard researcher Alison Wood Brooks’ study, which put the “calm down” approach head-to-head with a simple two-second reframe. You’ll learn why just saying “I am excited” out loud can shift your entire mindset and how pairing that phrase with your own personal pre-performance ritual can put you in the zone without fighting your biology.

Throughout the episode, I discuss:

Whether you’re gearing up for a board meeting, a big pitch, or simply want to own the next Zoom call, this episode will give you practical, science-backed tools to turn nerves into your competitive advantage. Because the goal isn’t less adrenaline—it's giving your body better instructions. Your voice has the power to change the world, and I’m excited to help you harness it.

Timestamps:

00:00 Struggling with anxiety before meetings

04:10 Visualizing and rehearsing success

08:53 Handling pre-review nerves

11:05 Managing situational nerves

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Have you ever wondered whether “confidence” is really the key to becoming a great communicator or is something more important happening beneath the surface? In this episode of Speaking with Confidence, we’re challenging what it really means to find your voice, step up before you feel ready, and why confidence might not be the word we should be chasing after all.

I’m Tim Newman, your host and recovering college professor turned communication coach. This week, I’m joined by Dr. Mickey Fitch Collins, leadership facilitator, speaker, and expert in helping organizations translate human skills like communication, empathy, and resilience into real-world impact. Mickey’s diverse background spans higher education, edtech, and corporate learning, and she brings both research and hands-on experience to the table.

In this conversation, we dive deep into Mickey’s fascinating journey from being a teenage girl breaking into the male-dominated world of professional bass fishing (yes, you read that right!) to holding senior roles in academia and ultimately walking away at forty to rebuild her career from scratch. Along the way, Mickey discovered that public speaking isn’t just about commanding a stage, it's about storytelling, and storytelling is about relationships.

We explore the formative power of speaking before you feel “ready,” how early public speaking experiences shaped Mickey’s life, and how standing out demographically meant she had to develop substance and real influence behind her voice. We unpack the vital distinction between confidence (what people see and measure externally) and self-efficacy (the inner belief in your ability to get things done) and why understanding this difference is a gamechanger.

Mickey shares specific, research-backed building blocks for growing your own self-efficacy and how simple reflection and feedback can rapidly increase your poise and presence, whether you’re on stage or in the workplace. We discuss why confidence might get you in the room, but only competence and substance keep you there, and how storytelling and vulnerability open the door to authentic influence. You’ll also hear how she wrestled with the decision to leave a prestigious academic role and how to navigate major transitions in your own professional life.

Here’s what we covered in this episode:

You’ll leave this episode with a new perspective on confidence, actionable steps to build your self-efficacy, and some unforgettable fish tales that prove everyone has stories worth sharing, especially you.

Be sure to visit speakingwithconfidencepodcast.com to get your free ebook, “Top 21 Challenges for Public Speakers,” and register for our Formula for Public Speaking course. Remember: your voice has the power to change the world.

Connect with Mickey:

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Have you ever left a meeting feeling like half your team understood you perfectly, while the other half looked completely lost? Why does strong communication click with some people but fall flat with others even when you’re saying the same thing? In this episode of Speaking with Confidence, I tackle exactly that question and share a crucial framework that has transformed my own communication style and helped hundreds of my coaching clients unlock breakthrough results at work.

I’m Tim Newman, a recovering college professor turned communication coach and today I’m revealing why the “one great style” approach to communication is outdated and what you should do instead. Drawing from Thomas Erikson’s “Surrounded by Idiots,” I introduce the four core color-coded communication styles Driver (red), Connector (yellow), Analyst (blue), and Stabilizer (green) and show how identifying and adapting to these preferences is the real secret to becoming a confident, effective communicator and leader.

This episode is all about practical skills, not theory. I break down each communication style with real-life examples from my days in the classroom and share why misfires between styles cause friction and misunderstandings. I explain what drives each type, what frustrates them, how they perceive other styles, and the small but powerful adjustments you can make to connect more effectively with anyone in the room.

Several points were raised, including:

The conversation focused on moving beyond self-awareness to skillful adaptation recognizing your own style is only the start. The real growth comes from shifting your communication to meet others where they are, while still remaining true to yourself. Tune in to learn why talking like you’re right but listening like you’re wrong can change not just your conversations, but your impact as a leader. I’ll walk you through actionable steps to use this framework immediately, no personality quizzes required.

Don’t forget to visit speakingwithconfidencepodcast.com for your free ebook and details about my Forming for Public Speaking course. Looking for progress, not perfection let’s get fluent in all four communication “languages” together!

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Have you ever wondered why so many virtual presentations feel flat or why “death by PowerPoint” is still so common, even with all the tools and technology we have? In this episode of Speaking with Confidence, we dig into what it really takes to connect with an audience, both in-person and online, and how you can turn your presentations from forgettable to impactful right from the very first minute.

My guest for this episode is Rick Altman, a presentation industry veteran with over two decades of experience, host of the world-renowned Presentation Summit, and author of the new book "Crush Your Next Virtual Presentation." Rick Altman has worked with hundreds of companies, been heard by tens of thousands of professionals, and read by millions looking for better results with their presentations. His expertise spans message crafting, design, software technique, and live delivery.

We kick things off by addressing a frustration many of us share: If your audience can read your slides without you, why are you even there? Rick Altman dives into why content-heavy slides rob presentations of real human connection, especially in the virtual world. We talk about how easy-to-use technology can lead to bad habits like putting everything on a slide, using distracting animations, or letting AI do the creative thinking for you.

Here’s what we covered in this episode:

If you’re looking to up your game as a communicator whether on stage, in the boardroom, or over Zoom this episode will give you practical, battle-tested strategies to present with more confidence and real connection.

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