You don’t need to be fearless to be confident.

You just need to be ready.

If you’ve ever imagined yourself standing on stage, heart racing, palms sweaty, brain shouting “run!” you’re not alone. The truth is, even the most experienced speakers get nervous or have that little swarm of butterflies before speaking. The difference is, they’ve learned how to channel those nerves into positive energy and purpose.

Confidence isn’t something you wait for. It’s something you build. And like any skill, it grows through intention, repetition, and the right guidance.

Whether you’re stepping onto a stage for the first time or upping the ante by stepping into a bigger spotlight, these five shifts will help you go from timid to triumphant and speak with a presence that feels authentic, grounded, and powerful.

1. Shift Your Story: From Self-Doubt to Self-Belief

Confidence begins in the mind. Before you can own the stage, you must own your story. You know, the one you tell yourself.

When fe...

Have you ever felt a pang of anxiety at the thought of speaking in front of a crowd? 

Maybe you’ve replayed a bit of advice that made it sound even scarier like “Don’t mess up,” “Stand perfectly still,” or “Fake it till you make it.” If you’re nodding right now, trust me, you’re in good company.

Public speaking has a way of shining a light on all our insecurities. But it’s also one of the most powerful tools you’ll ever use to connect, inspire, and lead. When done with authenticity and intention, it becomes less about “performing” and more about sharing something meaningful: your story, your lessons, your voice.

So today, we are going to do a little public speaking myth-busting. 

Below are some of the most common misconceptions about speaking in public and the truths that will help you step on stage with confidence.

Myth 1: Public Speaking is an Innate Talent

Reality: Nope. It’s a skill that you can absolutely learn.

Sure, some people seem to have a natural ease on stage, but he...

If you’ve ever sat through a long presentation where the speaker droned on without a hint of levity, you know how quickly attention drifts. 

Now think about the last time a speaker made you laugh. Not with an over-the-top comedy routine, but with a clever story, a witty aside, or a playful observation. Chances are you leaned in, felt more connected, and remembered their message long after.

That’s the power of humor in public speaking. When used with intention, humor is more than entertainment; it’s a bridge that creates connection, builds trust, and reinforces your message.

Why Humor Works

Research in psychology and communication indicate that humor has been shown to:

• Increase attention and retention: Laughter creates a positive emotional experience that helps audiences remember what you said.
• Build relatability: Humor signals “I get you” and closes the gap between speaker and audience.
• Reduce stress and tension: A light moment lowers defenses, making listeners more open to yo...

Not too long ago, “commanding the room” meant walking confidently onto a stage, feeling the energy of the audience, and making eye contact across rows of chairs. These days, many of us find ourselves facing a different kind of room: a virtual one. Instead of a stage, it’s a desk chair and fake background. Instead of applause, it’s muted microphones and turned-off cameras. And instead of eye contact, it’s staring into the soul of your webcam.

But here’s the truth: whether you’re giving a keynote, leading a meeting, or teaching an online workshop, your ability to captivate your audience hasn’t disappeared, it just looks different. With the right approach, you can be just as dynamic, engaging, and memorable online as you are in person.

Here are my top tips for commanding the virtual room and leaving your audience glad they logged in. And you might even get them to keep their cameras on!

1. Start Strong and Set the Tone

The first few minutes of a virtual talk are make-or-break. I...

When it comes to business, we spend a lot of time chasing the latest tools, tech, and trends. But here’s a hot take: the one skill that will make or break your business isn’t hiding in an app or a new software subscription. It’s as old as humanity itself.

It’s storytelling.

I know, I know—sounds too simple, right? But let’s get real. People don’t want to just buy a product anymore. They want to buy into a story. They want to know the human behind the brand, the values behind the mission, the “why” behind the work.

And if you’re not telling that story? You’re leaving money, connection, and impact on the table.

Why Storytelling Wins in Business

Here’s what I’ve learned across boardrooms, classrooms, and even the military: communication is never just about information. It’s about meaning. Data can tell me what you do. A story tells me why it matters.

Think about it—your audience (whether it’s a customer, client, or your team) is constantly asking:

• Do I trust you?
• Do I see myself...

If I had a dollar for every time I sat in a meeting thinking, “Wow… this could have been done in an email,” I’d probably have my own private jet by now. Over the years, I’ve had a front-row seat to communication faux pas in just about every environment you can imagine: the classroom, the boardroom, and the war room (well, not really, but the military musician equivalent of a war room…). And let me tell you, there are certain truths that are universal when it comes to communication…at all levels.

Today you’re getting my (slightly) tongue-in-cheek (but also very real) take on what I’ve learned about communication at work.

1. Having the title of “manager” doesn’t automatically make you a good leader.

Don’t come for me on this. If you have been in the workplace for more than 5 minutes, you know just how true it is. Just because you have the title doesn’t mean your team looks at you and thinks, “Wow, what a visionary leader!” More often than not, they’re thinking, “Can this guy just stop...

We live in a world where polished perfection is often celebrated and low-key expected. Social media feeds are specifically curated, speeches are rehearsed to the millisecond, and leaders are expected to have all the answers. But here’s the truth I’ve learned both on stage and in real life: perfection doesn’t exist. But truth, relatability, and vulnerability do.

Vulnerability is one of those buzzwords we hear so much about but tend to misunderstand. Some people view it as weakness, others view it as a way to gain pity or even as a way to get things they feel they’re entitled to. But in storytelling vulnerability is one of the greatest tools you can bring to the stage. When you share not only your victories, but also your struggles, failures, and lessons learned along the way, your audience can see themselves in your story and they will listen.

Think about it. How often do we learn more from someone’s challenges than from their specially curated highlight reel? Vulnerability invites, e...

You have a story to tell. One that is layered with truth, emotion, grit, and growth. But let me ask you something: Are you writing for you, or are you writing for your audience?

Many of us sit down to write our next speech, presentation, or social content and think, “What do I want to say?” Don’t get me wrong, that is a good place to begin. But it can’t be the end of the process. If you stop there, your story might never reach the people who need it. Because they aren’t waiting around for you to just hurl words at them. They are silently wondering, “Why should I listen or care?”

I don’t say that to be harsh. I say that because I care about impact. Your story is valuable, but its value is only recognized when someone else sees themselves in it. When you shift your writing from what do I have to say to what do they need to hear, everything changes. 

This approach, writing with your audience in mind, is what I call audience-centered storytelling. It is not about bending your truth or s...

For far too long, cultural stereotypes have told our stories for us.

They've shaped the way others see us, and often, the way we see ourselves. But here’s the truth: stereotypes are incomplete stories. And the only way to rewrite them is to speak up and tell the full, real, complex, and beautiful versions of who we are.

As someone who works with women, BIPOC, and LGBTQ+ individuals to help them craft and share their personal stories with confidence, I’ve witnessed firsthand how powerful it is when someone decides to stop playing small, stop fitting into boxes, and start telling the truth on their terms.

Because there’s something incredibly radical about standing up and saying, “That’s not my story. Let me tell you who I really am.”

We’ve all experienced it: bias. Someone assuming something about you because of how you look, where you’re from, who you love, or what language you speak. Those assumptions often come from societal narratives that have been repeated for generations. Some...

Because someone out there needs what you have to say.

There is something transformative that happens the moment you choose to share your story. Whether you realize it or not, your lived experience carries weight. It holds truth. And when shared with courage, it becomes a catalyst for connection, empowerment, and even change.

Because the truth is that someone out there is waiting for your story to unlock their healing.

But why do you need a bigger audience? 

Listen, I’m not saying you have to go speak at an event with thousands of people on your first gig. But I am saying that if you are nervous about sharing your story or even getting started as a speaker, you need an audience that is bigger than your mirror, your best friend, and your cat.

Start with a local open mic night or sponsor a networking event. This is one of my favorite ways to get in front of a crowd of 30-50 people who can benefit from hearing what I have to say. This scenario usually affords you anywhere from 2-7 minut...