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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
  • From Invisible to Influential: Mastering Clarity, Collaboration, and Public Speaking

    From Invisible to Influential: Mastering Clarity, Collaboration, and Public Speaking
    Apr 30 2026
    Are you tired of working hard but still finding yourself overlooked, misunderstood, or stuck in conflict at work? In today’s episode, I tackle the question: What if the real reason you're not getting the recognition or opportunities you deserve isn’t about how hard you’re working, but about the way you communicate? I’m Tim Newman, a recovering college professor turned communication coach, and your guide on the Speaking with Confidence podcast. In this episode, I break down the exact three-part formula I use with my clients to transform invisible, frustrated professionals into clear, connected, and unstoppable communicators. It’s not just a list of tips, it's a step-by-step system where every part is necessary, and missing any one piece makes the whole thing fall apart. It’s just you and me exploring what it truly means to become a successful, respected communicator. I’ll share the actionable steps that have helped my clients move from being overlooked to being valued, and from being anxious in the spotlight to becoming confident, effective public speakers. Here’s what we cover in today’s episode: Why the root of your career problems is more likely a communication issue than a lack of effort or expertise, and why that’s actually good news The myth that sounding articulate or having a big vocabulary means you’re a good communicator and why real communication starts with clarity above all else The importance of the “eighth grade rule” explaining your ideas so simply that even an eighth grader would understand, making your message unmissable at work A deep dive into collaboration and why true teamwork isn’t about being agreeable or avoiding conflict, but about handling friction with empathy and courage The “velvet brick” framework: being soft on the person but hard on the problem so you can tackle tough issues without sacrificing relationships How poor communication in small, one-on-one conversations can snowball into big project failures and blown deadlines down the line The misconception that public speaking is an innate talent, and why it’s actually about having applied confidence in your message and your collaborative skills A personal story about how reframing the audience as collaborators rather than judges can eliminate stage fright and boost your influence Why you can’t cheat the system by skipping steps each skill builds on the last, and only by mastering the sequence do you unlock real career leverage A challenge for the week: Identify one conversation and apply the eighth grade rule—deliberately choose clarity, and see how it transforms your results By the end of this episode, you’ll not only have a practical formula for communication success, but you’ll understand why each part matters and how to put it all together for dramatic results in your work and beyond. Don’t forget to visit speakingwithconfidencepodcast.com to grab your free eBook on the top 21 challenges for public speakers and learn about the Formula for Public Speaking course. Your voice really does have the power to change the world. Let's unlock it together. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    11 mins
  • 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. Connect with Hufsa: Website: https://hufsaahmad.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hufsaahmad/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hufsaahmad YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@hufsa-ahmad 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
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