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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
  • 7 Subtle Habits That Make You Look Unconfident in Meetings and Conversations

    7 Subtle Habits That Make You Look Unconfident in Meetings and Conversations
    Apr 16 2026
    Have you ever wondered why, despite doing everything right, being considerate, polite, and following all the unspoken rules you still feel overlooked in meetings or conversations? In this episode of Speaking with Confidence, we’re diving into the seven subtle "safe habits" that might be sabotaging your presence and making you come across as less confident than you truly are. I’m Tim Newman, a recovering college professor turned communication coach, and I’m here to guide you through the small shifts that turn good communicators into truly compelling ones. Today’s topic grew out of my work with interns, new grads, and young professionals who, without realizing it, train the people around them to see them as unsure or not quite ready to take up space in the room. These aren’t glaring mistakes that most wouldn’t even recognize as confidence killers. But they are quiet habits that slowly erode your authority and can make you feel and look like an imposter. In this episode, we’ll unpack the seven most common habits that keep talented people playing small. You’ll hear why polite apologies, upspeak, or the nervous nod aren’t keeping the peace; they’re quietly holding you back. I’ll walk through why these behaviors backfire, what they communicate to your colleagues or audience, and practical ways to break out of them without swinging to the opposite extreme of arrogance or aggression. Here’s what I cover in this episode: Why apologizing before speaking (with “sorry to bother you,” “quick question,” or “does that make sense?”) weakens your message, and how a simple confident pause has greater impact The damage caused by upspeak and “the expert facade,” and how to use clear, simple language that establishes real authority The body language of submission including the invisible man posture and the nervous nod and how to physically take up space to signal confidence Why over-editing your thoughts or waiting for the perfect moment keeps your contributions invisible, and how to use “the three second rule” to build confidence in real time The psychological effect these habits have on listeners, and how breaking even just one can immediately shift how you’re perceived in any room How to choose just one habit to focus on this week for real, sustainable progress, instead of overwhelming yourself with total transformation Whether you see yourself playing small with language, posture, or silent self-editing, today’s episode will help you swap safety for real presence one habit at a time. Stick with me to the end for a simple challenge you can use in your next meeting, and remember: your voice has the power to change the world. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    14 mins
  • Saying No with Confidence and Setting Strong Boundaries for Success

    Saying No with Confidence and Setting Strong Boundaries for Success
    Apr 13 2026
    What would happen if you stopped chasing productivity hacks and started embracing simplicity and discipline in your everyday life? In this episode of Speaking with Confidence, we dive deep into building habits that stick, mastering boundaries, and simplifying the way you work, communicate, and live. I had the pleasure of sitting down with Mark Struczewski, better known as Mister Productivity, a Houston-based productivity coach and host of the Mister Productivity podcast. With over 1,350 episodes and an unfiltered, real-world approach, Mark helps professionals conquer overwhelm and bring focus back into their days. After being fired from corporate America, Mark turned his setback into a thriving coaching practice, rooted in daily running discipline, his faith, and powerful, practical systems. Mark’s journey started unexpectedly, with a hurricane keeping him cooped up at home and an article inspiring him to try running one mile a day. Since then, Mark’s daily running habit has surpassed 3,000 consecutive days, a testament to the transformative power of consistent discipline. We explored how that kind of commitment spills over into every area of life, and why the basics matter more than ever, whether you’re running, building a career, or communicating with confidence. We dug into why so many people, especially young professionals, are constantly overwhelmed. Spoiler: It isn’t just about time management. Mark unpacks the role of FOMO, people-pleasing, lack of boundaries, and our addiction to technology. Together, we discuss how reclaiming focus and simplifying your approach can lead to more clarity and better results, both at work and at home. Here’s what we covered in this episode: Mark’s origin story and how a hurricane and Runner's World article launched an 8+ year daily running habit Why Mark’s daily discipline matters in fitness, work, and coaching The link between doing hard things and building confidence Why young professionals (and all generations) feel overwhelmed, and how FOMO and people-pleasing feed the cycle The importance of saying “no” and setting unbreakable boundaries Mark’s “get to the point” email and meeting philosophy, plus why more communication is rarely better How to command attention in person by putting the phone away and giving people your full presence Finding simplicity in a world that glorifies complexity and constant busyness The real impact of taking one day completely off for rest, reflection, and recharging Why being fired opened the door for Mark’s current calling, and how to view setbacks as setups for something new How podcasting improves communication and the importance of clarity, preparation, and growth The most impactful productivity principle you can apply right now taking mindful, technology-free micro breaks If you’re ready to stop making excuses, cut through the overwhelm, and communicate with real confidence, this episode is for you. Mark brings actionable wisdom, humor, and a no-nonsense approach that will get you thinking and moving toward a simpler, more productive life. Connect with Mark: Website: https://misterproductivity.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markstruczewski/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/misterproductivity/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MisterProductivity/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    56 mins
  • Why Every Leader Needs a Gen Z Mentor to Stay Relevant

    Why Every Leader Needs a Gen Z Mentor to Stay Relevant
    Apr 9 2026
    Are your youngest employees just difficult to manage or are they the exact mentors your leadership style needs to survive? In this episode of Speaking with Confidence, I break down why Gen Z isn’t simply shaking up the workplace; they may be the key to transforming brittle, outdated leadership models into resilient, high-trust teams. I’m Tim Newman, a communication coach, former college professor, and your guide on the journey toward showing up with confidence in every conversation that counts. Today, we’re tackling a challenge that countless managers face: connecting with and leading Gen Z employees. But instead of focusing on how to manage or mold them into old-school models, I invite you to flip the script. What happens when you let your youngest team members mentor you? Today I’m digging into some game-changing insights from leadership thinker Tim Elmore. We’ll explore why the modern workplace rewards leaders who are open to learning from every person in the room, not just those with long titles or corner offices. If you’ve ever felt like only “the badge” title, seniority, or status gives you credibility, get ready to challenge that mindset. We’ll talk about how Gen Z’s directness, digital intuition, and bridge-building communication can become your greatest asset. Here’s what you can expect from our conversation: How rigid, top-down leadership creates fragile teams and why the old hierarchy has officially collapsed 01:36 Why Gen Z’s demands for transparency and speed act as “sandpaper” for outdated leadership, ultimately making teams more adaptable 02:37 The crucial shift from “badge” confidence to “bridge” confidence and how curiosity, trust, and real connection fuel lasting influence 03:23 A breakdown of Tim Elmore’s “A LEG” framework (Ask, Listen, Empathize, Guide) for transforming feedback into real growth 03:38 Why Gen Z’s “epic” communication style (experiential, participatory, image-rich, connected) is actually a massive leadership advantage 04:47 How to use the “velvet brick” approach to build psychological safety and maintain high standards at the same time 08:21 Simple, practical ways to let Gen Z employees shine as mentors and how doing so sets a new standard for team culture 08:47 How public learning as a leader breaks down hierarchies and inspires your team to take more initiative 09:22 A quick homework assignment: one conversation to help you start building the bridge to the future 11:55 If you want to swap insecurity for resilience, defend your title less, and build true influence with your team, this episode is your roadmap. The future belongs to those who learn the fastest and the strongest leaders are the ones who aren’t afraid to be led. Let’s build progress, not perfection together. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    17 mins
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