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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In this episode, I’m joined by bestselling author, performer and comedian Tova Leigh for a brilliantly honest conversation about confidence, authenticity and finally caring less about other people’s opinions. Tova shares how motherhood pushed her to speak openly about the things women were thinking but rarely saying, and why being yourself matters more than looking confident.

We also talk about body image, handling criticism, facing change with curiosity and doing scary things before you feel ready. From posting the video to wearing the bikini, Tova’s approach is refreshingly simple: start small, see what happens and remember that most people are far too busy thinking about themselves anyway.

Highlights:

(02:23) - Why confidence can look a lot like simply not caring

(04:10) - The motherhood moment that pushed Tova to tell the truth

(14:18) - What really happens in her head before she walks on stage

(24:49) - Redefining failure when the likes, laughs or sales do not come

(32:54) - How curiosity can make change feel far less frightening

(36:33) - The small body confidence experiment that changed everything

Connect with Tova HERE

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I’m joined by the brilliant Alistair McGowan for an honest, funny and wonderfully thoughtful conversation about confidence, reinvention and knowing when it is time to try something new. Alistair shares how he moved from award-winning impressions and acting into classical piano and poetry, despite having plenty of doubts along the way.

We talk about why confidence can disappear when we stop enjoying what we do, how repetition quietly builds self-belief, and why honest feedback matters more than empty praise. Alistair also reveals why performing on stage can feel easier than walking into a party, which makes me feel much better about avoiding awkward small talk.

Highlights:

(02:20) How poetry, piano and impressions became one wonderfully unexpected show

(05:30) Why losing your love for something can shake your confidence

(08:13) The backstage message that completely changed Alistair’s performance

(14:50) Why doing the scary thing repeatedly really does make it easier

(21:19) The tiny choices that can make a huge difference to self-belief

(39:13) How to handle criticism without letting one opinion define you

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In this episode, I’m joined by celebrity makeup artist and beauty entrepreneur Sean Maloney, who shares how he went from stocking shelves in Boots to working with stars, leading international pageant teams and building an award-winning academy. We talk about the moments that demanded courage, including four-minute makeovers at London Fashion Week and a life-changing decision made from a hostel bunk bed.

Sean also opens up about comparison, online criticism and the pressure to look confident when you are quietly paddling underneath. His story is a brilliant reminder that confidence is not about feeling fearless. It is about focusing on your own path, saying yes to opportunities and remembering why you started.

Highlights:

(03:01) The confidence switch Sean learned to turn on

(07:13) Creating a catwalk look in just four minutes

(12:51) How a random Boots job launched his beauty career

(20:29) The hostel stay that changed the direction of his life

(24:21) Why posting on Instagram is not enough to build a career

(33:01) How Sean recovered when one bad photo went viral

Connect with Sean:

https://seanmaloney.co.uk/

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Serial entrepreneur Maxine Laceby, the co-founder of Absolute Collagen, joins Sian to share how a late-in-life fine art degree, a raw self-stripping art project, and a pan of bone broth led to a £30 million business.

Maxine opens up about feeling invisible as a stay-at-home mum, rebuilding her self-worth, and the Post-it note mantra that changed everything: “Everything you need is inside you. You are enough.”

She talks candidly about being an “underestimated everyday woman,” raising confident daughters, leading with values, and why the first step to being seen is to stop underestimating yourself.

(03:00) - The art project that stripped away every mask and changed Maxine’s life

(08:00) - Standing on the edge of the cliff and saying “sod it” to regret

(10:30) - Hiring on instinct: why values matter more than CVs

(25:16) - “You’ll leave when it hurts enough”: raising confident, resilient daughters

(34:32) - Stop underestimating yourself and look in the mirror with no armour

(38:20) - Being the owl in the nest: embracing who you really are to change your life

Find out more about Absolute Collagen HERE

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