Struggling to speak confidently in meetings or presentations — even though your English is advanced?
This episode unpacks the real reasons professionals freeze in English…and what to do instead.
Join Sean Watson, business English coach and former opera singer, and Dr. Howie Jacobson, executive performance coach, for a bold, honest, and practical conversation on:
🧠 Speaking under pressure
🎯 Executive presence for non-native speakers
🧩 Phrasal verbs and collocations (finally explained clearly)
🤖 How AI can hyper-personalize your English learning
💬 Why “small talk” is the hidden killer of confidence
Meet the Hosts:
🔹 Sean Watson – Business English Fluency Coach helping professionals thrive in high-stakes conversations.
🔹 Dr. Howie Jacobson – Executive Coach and Performance Strategist focused on clear communication, presence, and personal growth.
🛠 Tools & Topics Mentioned:
- Using AI (like ChatGPT) for coaching + course design
- Public speaking pacing & anchor words
- Workplace idioms & cultural fluency
- Breathing techniques from opera and theater
- Language anxiety & the nervous system
- Productivity tools and personal knowledge management
📌 Timestamps:
00:00 – Intro & Who This Podcast is For
01:00 – Meet Sean – Business English Coach
02:00 – Meet Howie – Executive Coach & Language Learner
03:00 – Real Pain Points: Daniella in Finance
04:00 – What Is Executive Presence?
05:00 – Alex the Developer – Monotone & Misunderstood
06:00 – Small Talk Anxiety & Cultural Gaps
07:00 – Howie on Fear vs Anxiety
08:00 – How Slowing Down Boosts Speaking Confidence
09:00 – Opera, Public Speaking & Anchor Words
10:00 – Performance, Pacing & Presence
11:00 – Why Pausing Builds Authority
12:00 – Opera Skills for Communication
13:00 – Sounding Fluent in Other Languages
14:00 – The Truth About Colocations
15:00 – Business English: Phrasal Verbs & Idioms
16:00 – Make vs Do & Common Mistakes
17:00 – AI Tools That Save Time & Personalize Learning
18:00 – Hyper-Personalized Coaching with AI
19:00 – Cross-Cultural Communication Pitfalls
20:00 – Making Mistakes Gracefully Across Cultures
21:00 – Coaching Native Speakers on Leadership
22:00 – The Peter Principle & Team Growth
23:00 – Helping Clients Lead Instead of Do
24:00 – Hitting the Ceiling & Bottlenecks
25:00 – Creating a New Kind of Podcast
26:00 – Feedback Invitation & Closing Remarks
27:00 – Final Reflections & Call to Action
📬 Let’s Connect:
🎙️ Coaching with Sean: https://tinyurl.com/5669kjnm
🎯 Coaching with Howie: https://tinyurl.com/yty9n5np
📩 Feedback & guest ideas: [email protected]
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