Your Confidence Podcast

In this episode, I’m joined by Miss England director Angie Beasley and current Miss England Grace Richardson for a conversation about confidence, growth and what really happens when you step outside your comfort zone.

Both share how they went from being shy and unsure of themselves to speaking on stages, entering pageants and helping others build confidence too.

We talk about failure, self-acceptance, body language, public speaking and why confidence rarely arrives before you act.

Grace also shares how returning to Miss England after not placing the first time changed everything, and why authenticity matters more than trying to look perfect.

Highlights:

(03:15) - How practice and doing the scary thing helped Grace become more confident

(06:37) - One simple way to start stepping outside your comfort zone

(11:06) - What Grace learned from not placing the first time she entered Miss England

(22:08) - Grace’s practical tips for self-acceptance and confident public speaking

(25:08) - How posture and body language can help you feel more confident

(38:50) - What confidence really feels like on the inside, even when you look composed

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In this episode, I’m joined by celebrity chef, author and presenter Marcus Bean to talk about what confidence really looks like when the pressure is on.

Marcus shares how he went from teaching himself to cook in his own pub kitchen to winning Iron Chef UK, appearing on live television and hosting huge food events.

We talk about nerves, rejection, learning on the job and why being confident doesn’t mean feeling fearless.

Marcus is wonderfully open about still getting nervous, putting himself in unfamiliar situations and building confidence by doing things before he feels completely ready.

Highlights:

(03:01) - Marcus reveals how a nightmare chef situation pushed him into the kitchen

(10:56) - Feeling completely out of his depth before going on to win Iron Chef UK

(19:17) - Why one strong skill can give you the confidence to build many more

(21:38) - What live TV taught Marcus about pressure, mistakes and thinking on your feet

(32:36) - How fitness affects his confidence, work, parenting and mindset

(41:56) - Why putting yourself out there matters more than waiting to feel ready

Connect with Marcus:

https://www.facebook.com/marcusbeanchef/?locale=en_GB

https://www.instagram.com/marcusbeanchef/?hl=en

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In this episode, I’m joined by theatre performer, technician and content creator Izzie Norwood to talk about confidence both online and off.

Izzie shares how her love of creating helped her start posting on social media, why motivation can matter just as much as talent, and how she has learned to keep going even when confidence dips.

We also talk about auditions, working backstage in the West End, handling feedback online and finding fulfilment outside the thing you are chasing.

Izzie shares why confidence can look completely different depending on the room you are in, and why showing up as someone people want to work with can matter just as much as having every skill perfectly polished.

Highlights:

(02:40) - Why loving the thing you are creating can give you the confidence to start

(06:47) - The secret to surviving audition rejection without making it mean everything

(09:52) - If people do not like your content, maybe you are simply not their creator

(14:32) - Those moments when you look back and realise younger you would think this is very cool

(18:22) - Feeling confident online, then walking into an audition room and suddenly questioning everything

(23:06) - Why being someone people actually want on the team can matter more than knowing everything

Connect with Izzie:

https://www.instagram.com/izzie_norwood/?hl=en

https://uk.linkedin.com/in/izzie-norwood-387968215

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In this episode, I’m joined by Liam Dooley, Chief Executive of Shrewsbury Town Football Club, to talk about what confidence really looks like in a high-pressure sporting environment.

Liam shares how he stays grounded when results, supporters and public opinion can all shift quickly, and why consistency matters when you are leading under scrutiny.

We also talk about empowering teams, handling difficult conversations, body language, feedback and the fine line between confidence and arrogance.

Liam also shares why asking questions, building rapport and learning from the people around you can be some of the most powerful ways to grow your confidence.

Highlights:

(02:00) - What happens to your confidence when everyone has an opinion about your job

(04:45) - Football, family and staying off social media when you need to keep yourself grounded

(10:26) - The simple things that still make a huge difference: eye contact, a smile and actually being present

(13:47) - Confidence or arrogance? Why leadership sometimes means backing your own decisions

(22:23) - How to handle difficult conversations without forgetting there is a person on the other side

(30:04) - Want more confidence? Start asking more questions

https://uk.linkedin.com/in/liam-frederick-dooley-

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In this episode, I’m joined by Simon Hall, creator of the award-winning Compelling Communication Skills course at the University of Cambridge and a former BBC journalist with 20 years’ experience across TV, radio and online news.

We talk about what confident communication really looks like, why preparation matters more than appearing effortless, and how simplicity, brevity, clarity and authenticity can transform the way you speak.

Simon also shares practical advice for public speaking, meetings, difficult conversations and using your voice with more impact, plus why confidence without substance will only get you so far.

Highlights:

(03:31) - When 250 people suddenly became 2,500, and Simon had two weeks to prepare

(05:23) - The secret behind looking effortless: a whole lot of effort

(09:06) - Why big words do not make you sound smarter

(19:22) - One message, keep it clear, keep it brief, then stop talking

(23:12) - The simplest voice trick for sounding calmer and more confident

(37:56) - Simon’s four foundations for compelling communication

Connect with Simon:

https://thetvdetective.com/

https://uk.linkedin.com/in/simon-hall-communications

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In this episode, I’m joined by Don Moore, Professor at the Haas School of Business at the University of California, Berkeley, whose research explores confidence, overconfidence, leadership, negotiation and decision-making.

We talk about what confidence actually means, why feeling more confident doesn’t always lead to better performance, and the difference between genuine ability and simply appearing self-assured.

Don also shares how preparation, practice and experience can build confidence in more useful ways, why under-confidence can hold us back, and how thinking in probabilities can help us make better decisions without fooling ourselves.

Highlights:

(04:17) - The confidence myth Don says the research just doesn’t support

(07:33) - Want more confidence? Preparation, experience and actually doing the work might be the answer

(11:53) - That voice saying ‘I’m not good enough’? Here’s how to challenge it with evidence

(16:02) - Yes, you can feel confident and still be absolutely terrified

(20:04) - Why Don was willing to celebrate his kids’ well-intentioned failures with ice cream

(27:58) - One surprisingly simple habit for making smarter, more realistic decisions

https://www.linkedin.com/in/don-moore-01725b

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What if confidence isn’t something you’re born with, but something you can actually train? In this episode, I’m joined by performance psychologist Dr Tom Bates, who has worked with Premier League footballers, Team GB athletes and Olympians, to find out what really creates lasting self-belief.

We talk about handling setbacks, performing under pressure, changing the way you speak to yourself and why three simple breaths can completely shift your state.

Tom also shares why confidence is built through doing the difficult stuff, not avoiding it, plus some brilliant advice for parents trying to raise confident young people in a very noisy world.

Highlights:

(02:23) - Why confidence is a conscious choice, not something you either have or don’t

(05:00) - The uncomfortable truth about setbacks and why we actually need them to build confidence

(10:08) - Stop measuring yourself purely by the result and start noticing the small wins

(14:12) - Pressure isn’t always the problem, it’s how we interpret what our body is telling us

(19:45) - Try this simple three-breath exercise to feel calmer, stronger and more focused

(36:50) - How an Olympic swimmer turned an overwhelming environment into something she could embrace

Connect with Tom:

https://www.instagram.com/tombatescoaching/?hl=en

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I’m joined by comedian, author and Scummy Mummies co-host Helen Thorn for an honest conversation about confidence, divorce, running and rebuilding your life.

Helen shares how her confidence shifted from performing on stage to something much deeper: knowing her values, asking for help and learning to stand up for herself.

We also talk about the impact of running, the power of supportive friendships and why confidence does not mean having everything figured out.

Helen’s story is funny, moving and refreshingly real, reminding us that progress can be messy and that self-compassion is often where the strongest version of us begins.

Highlights:

(02:58) - The difference between performing confidence and feeling it

(05:39) - Why vulnerability can be the first step towards confidence

(09:33) - How running became a way to reclaim herself

(18:48) - The friendship that helped her through divorce

(21:31) - Letting go of shame and admitting life is still messy

(35:39) - Practical advice for speaking when nerves take over

Connect with Helen:

https://www.instagram.com/itsmehelenthorn/?hl=en

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I’m joined by London-based casting director and senior casting producer Erica Stein to talk about confidence, career pivots and what really happens behind the scenes in casting.

Erica shares her journey from steaming dresses and making tea as a runner to working on award-winning productions and building a career in branded content at LADbible.

We also explore why confidence is not about being the loudest person in the room, how rejection can strengthen you, and what performers can do when nerves take over.

Erica’s story is a brilliant reminder that every attempt gives you evidence, experience and a stronger version of yourself for next time.

Highlights:

(02:32) - How a childhood obsession with Friends shaped Erica’s career dream

(06:09) - Realising the role she thought she wanted was completely wrong

(14:27) - Why failure gives you evidence that you can try again

(21:35) - Confidence as self-belief without constant external validation

(24:22) - What casting directors really notice in nervous performers

(42:54) - Building confidence by saying yes to small, uncomfortable things

Connect with Erica:

https://uk.linkedin.com/in/erica-stein-620488194

https://www.instagram.com/ericavstein/?hl=en

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In this episode, I’m joined by Adam Purnell, better known as the Shropshire Lad, to talk about turning a lifelong love of food into a thriving career. Adam shares how redundancy, a borrowed camera and a slightly awkward first YouTube video eventually led to pop-up events, brand partnerships and his fire-cooking restaurant, Embers.

We also chat about confidence, leadership and the reality behind building a hospitality business. Adam is refreshingly honest about financial pressure, learning as he goes and why success rarely happens overnight. There’s plenty of humour, practical advice and a reminder that sometimes confidence simply means giving something a go.

Highlights:

(02:17) - How a childhood obsession with food became the foundation for Adam’s career

(05:41) - Turning social media posts and chaotic pop-ups into a growing business

(13:28) - The moment Adam realised fire cooking was about creating a show

(15:17) - Why you should never put all your eggs in one basket

(22:14) - Building confidence by doing the things that scare you

(38:00) - The honest truth about ten years of graft, risk and reinvestment

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