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Speaking With Confidence

Speaking With Confidence

By: Tim Newman
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 Are you ready to overcome imposter syndrome and become a powerful communicator? Whether you're preparing for a public presentation, sharpening your communication skills, or looking to elevate your personal and professional development, this podcast is your ultimate resource for powerful communication. The Speaking with Confidence podcast will help tackle the real challenges that hold you back, from conquering stage fright to crafting impactful storytelling and building effective communication habits. Every episode is designed to help you communicate effectively, strengthen your soft skills, and connect with any audience. With expert insights, practical strategies, and relatable examples, you’ll learn how to leave a lasting impression. Whether you're a professional preparing for a high-stakes presentation, a student navigating a public speaking class, or someone simply looking to enhance their interpersonal skills, this podcast has the tools to empower you, all with a bit of humor. Join us each week as we break down what it takes to inspire and influence through communication. It’s time to speak with confidence, captivate your audience, and make your voice heard! Want to be a guest on Speaking With Confidence? Send Tim Newman a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/timnewman© 2026 Speaking With Confidence Economics Management Management & Leadership Personal Development Personal Success
Episodes
  • Overcoming Public Speaking Anxiety and Building Real Confidence with Hufsah Ahmad

    Overcoming Public Speaking Anxiety and Building Real Confidence with Hufsah Ahmad
    Apr 27 2026
    Have you ever wondered why, no matter how hard you try, you can’t just “be confident” especially when your hands are shaking and your mind is racing? If so, you’re not alone, and you’re exactly who this episode is for. Today on Speaking with Confidence, we’re tackling the reality behind what it means to build, lose, and rebuild true confidence especially for those who’ve faced serious self-doubt, bullying, or lived experience with mental health challenges. I sat down with the remarkable Hufsa Ahmad licensed therapist, scientist, award-winning mental health advocate, behavioral health consultant, and two-time TEDx speaker. She’s uniquely known for blending science, clinical wisdom, and sharp humor, turning even life’s lowest points into stepping stones for growth and resilience. In this episode, Hufsah opens up about her journey from being a happy, curious child to enduring relentless bullying, depression, and defining periods of isolation. She shares how a suicide attempt as a child and ongoing battles with mental illness and the stigma attached eventually pushed her to hit rock bottom. From there, she didn’t just rebuild her confidence; she reframed her entire relationship with herself and those around her. Highlights from our conversation: How early life experiences and bullying shaped Hafsah’s self-image and how she turned the corner The gritty process of learning to care less about what others think, even in the face of online hate and real-world rejection The impact of social media on social confidence, and why stepping away transformed her focus and well-being The difference between “performing confidence” and actually feeling it, and how to spot the difference Why humor is a tool for healing, connection, and resilience and how anyone can start using it Tactics Hafsah uses to reframe negative self-talk and rewrite the narrative after setbacks The most common myths anxious speakers believe, and evidence-based ways to challenge them What crowd work and comedy taught her about real presence in public speaking Practical steps every anxious speaker should stop doing immediately and what to do instead The power of not taking things personally, and why audience reactions aren’t always about you If you’ve ever felt crushed by criticism, paralyzed by anxiety, or frustrated by the advice to “just be confident,” this episode will give you actionable wisdom, a few laughs, and a whole new way to think about resilience on and off the stage. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    59 mins
  • 5 Presentation Traps That Make Experts Look Unprepared

    5 Presentation Traps That Make Experts Look Unprepared
    Apr 23 2026
    Have you ever wondered if knowing too much about your subject could actually make you a less effective communicator? I know it sounds counterintuitive, but in this episode of Speaking With Confidence, I dive into why deep expertise might be your biggest liability when presenting and the one simple rule that can turn it all around. Hi, I’m Tim Newman, a recovering college professor turned communication coach, and in this episode, I share my journey from thinking that piling on credentials and information would make me the most persuasive person in the room to realizing that too much expertise can actually get in the way of real communication. I know firsthand how easy it is to fall into “the expert trap,” and today, I want to walk you through the five ways this shows up in our presentations, plus the practical fix that anyone can use immediately. It’s just me sharing hard-won experience and tools you can apply whether you’re presenting research, delivering a pitch, or leading a team meeting. We start by unpacking the subtle but powerful curse of knowledge, that cognitive bias that makes us forget what it felt like not to know our subject. From there, I break down the other traps that experts stumble into: overloading slides with data, defaulting to lecture mode, relying on jargon to “prove” credibility, and hiding behind an impenetrable expert persona that actually alienates your audience. We don’t just name the problems, we walk through fixes. I share my go-to strategies, like building presentations that map the audience’s journey rather than just dumping information, making every slide a clear, focused compass rather than a wall of text, and applying what I call the “Gen Z Intern Test” to ensure your language stays human and relatable. Most importantly, I reveal the eighth-grade rule: If a typical eighth grader can’t grasp your main point and its importance after just one hearing, you need to simplify it even further. Clear ideas are your greatest source of authority. Here’s what I cover in this episode: The real ways expertise can sabotage your communication and connection Understanding and overcoming the curse of knowledge Escaping the trap of data drowning and cluttered slides Breaking the lecture loop by building real exchanges with your audience Avoiding jargon overload and speaking so anyone can understand Letting go of the impenetrable expert persona and embracing authentic authority The “eighth grade rule” as your universal test for clarity Why preparing to connect is always more powerful than preparing to impress If you’re ready to move your presentations from impressive to impactful, and from credible to truly connected, this episode is packed with tools to get you there. Don’t forget to grab your free ebook at speakingwithconfidencepodcast.com, and I’ll see you next time as we keep building the soft skills that create real change. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    16 mins
  • The Hidden System Behind Confident Communication and Leadership Growth

    The Hidden System Behind Confident Communication and Leadership Growth
    Apr 20 2026
    What does it really take to move from simply having a message to building a message that truly lasts? That’s the question we answer in this episode of Speaking with Confidence. This week, we dig deep into the art and science behind powerful communication not just what you see on stage, but the systems, preparation, and intentionality that make those moments matter. I’m joined by Jared Cagle, Executive Vice President of Content at Maxwell Leadership. Jared is a master of helping communicators, authors, and thought leaders craft messages that create lasting impact. He’s been directly involved with the development, publishing, and global expansion of John Maxwell’s legendary leadership content, and he shares a behind-the-scenes look at what it really takes to influence at scale. In our conversation, Jared Cagle and I talk about the recent International Maxwell Conference, with Jared offering his highlights and lessons learned from running the show behind the curtain. We discuss the real meaning of connection and community, why the hallway conversations are sometimes more transformative than what happens on stage, and how being genuinely interested in others is foundational to meaningful leadership and influence. Here’s what we cover in this episode: Jared’s role at Maxwell Leadership and the intentional system behind crafting memorable messages Why community and connection matter more than just great content The power of being interested in others and making them feel valued Jared’s unique career journey from cold calls to leading content for a global brand Lessons from getting “in the room” with world-class leaders and how to add value The relationship between reading, writing, and effective speaking Practical advice on building messages that last and how the market determines message longevity The importance of making your message about the audience, not just yourself Confidence vs. preparedness: what the top speakers and leaders really feel before walking on stage How to contextualize your message for different audiences and make every moment of interaction count Why starting small and serving locally can create ripple effects of influence What’s next for Jared, the legacy work with John Maxwell, and how you can get involved with Maxwell Leadership Whether you’re an aspiring speaker, established leader, or someone passionate about communicating with more impact, this episode will give you actionable strategies and a fresh perspective on what it takes to build a message and a legacy that lasts. Connect with Jared: LinkedIn: https://www.instagram.com/jared_cagle/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jared_cagle/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    57 mins
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