Confidence Within

Whether you're presenting an idea to senior leadership, interviewing for a promotion, leading a team, or growing a business, you're selling something every day. The problem? Most people think influence means persuading, convincing, or pushing their agenda. But what if the most effective way to influence others is to stop selling altogether? In this episode of the Confidence Within podcast, I sit d...

Do you ever feel overwhelmed, mentally scattered, or like your focus disappears right when you need it most? In high-pressure environments, it's not just your skills that matter. It's your ability to manage your mind. And yet, most of us were never taught how to actually do that. In this episode of the Confidence Within podcast, I sit down with Dr. Gregory Obert , clinical psychologist and founder...

Do you hesitate to speak up in meetings? Say "yes" when you really want to say "no"? Or worry that being assertive might make you seem rude or too direct? If so, this episode is for you. We're talking about how to be more assertive when you speak, without being aggressive, confrontational, or losing your sense of empathy. I'll walk you through what assertive communication actually is (and what it...

Are you doing all the "right" things but still feel unfulfilled? You're not alone. This week on the Confidence Within podcast, I'm joined by Katie Rössler , licensed therapist, coach, and author, to help us unpack what true fulfillment really looks like—and how to create it in our lives and relationships. With over 15 years of experience helping high achievers and couples around the world, Katie s...

Is it truly possible to overcome public speaking anxiety for good? In this episode, I answer one of the most common questions I receive: Can you really conquer your fear of public speaking? Spoiler alert: The answer is YES! I share my personal story of how I went from being terrified to speak in meetings to feeling completely at ease on stage, in front of cameras, and in any public speaking situat...

Have you ever found yourself in a tense workplace situation, unsure of how to respond to conflict or strong emotions? Managing emotions—both yours and others'—is a critical skill in today's professional world. In this episode, I sit down with John Faisandier , an emotional intelligence expert and founder of Thriving Under Fire (TUF) . With a fascinating background that spans from serving as a Cath...

Struggling with how to introduce yourself in meetings, networking events, or social situations? You're not alone! In this episode of Confidence Within , I break down the secret to crafting a powerful, memorable introduction—so you can confidently share who you are and what you do without the stress or awkwardness. You'll learn: ✔️ Why your introduction isn't just about what you do ✔️ The two words...

In this episode, I sit down with Adunola Adeshola , career strategist, speaker, and founder of employeeREDEFINED, to discuss what it takes to transition from feeling stuck in your career to landing a job you truly love. Adunola has helped professionals secure positions at top companies like Google, Spotify, and LinkedIn, and her advice has been featured in Forbes, The New York Times, and Bloomberg...

In this episode, I'm answering a question from one of my listeners: "Hi Victoria, I've been struggling with public speaking anxiety, and I think it's causing me to use a lot of filler words when I speak. How can I reduce or eliminate filler words?" This is such a great question, and I know so many of you deal with the same thing. So today, I'm sharing everything you need to know about filler words...

In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Ali Casiano, User Experience Researcher at Amazon Web Services and Founder of 'Growing Your EQ,' to tackle one of the most common barriers to success: self-doubt. Ali is a bilingual learning and development leader and a doctoral candidate in leadership with a passion for emotional intelligence and fostering inclusive, high-performing teams. She shares he...

In this episode of The Confidence Within Podcast , I'm answering a powerful question from a listener: "Why, after so many years of learning, practicing, and even joining programs like Toastmasters, am I still struggling with public speaking anxiety?"   If you've been asking yourself this same question, wondering why all your efforts haven't led to the confidence you're craving, this episode is for...

Welcome to this empowering episode where we're joined by Fiona Dwyer, an accomplished journalist, TV presenter, and PR coach with over 30 years of experience. Fiona has dedicated her career to telling stories—first as a journalist, and now as a mentor helping business owners and professionals elevate their brands to premium levels. In this episode, Fiona shares her incredible journey from the news...

In this inspiring episode of the Confidence Within podcast, I welcome my client, Timothy McLean—author, certified life coach, retired Army Major, and Department of Defense senior leader—who shares his incredible journey of overcoming imposter syndrome and public speaking anxiety. Timothy reveals how my coaching program,  Brilliant Speakers Academy® , helped him transform from a hesitant speaker to...

Ever been caught off guard and needed to speak without preparation? Whether it's a sudden question in a meeting, a surprise toast at a wedding, or an unexpected interview question, impromptu speaking is a valuable skill. Unfortunately, it's also everyone's biggest fear. So, if you struggle with speaking on the spot, you're not alone! In this episode of the Confidence Within podcast, I'm sharing so...

Are you struggling to feel aligned with your career or personal life? Battling burnout or imposter syndrome? Join us in this rejuvenating episode of Confidence Within podcast as we explore how to find alignment in your life with Master Certified Alignment Coach, Santana Inniss.   After months of feeling burnt out and misaligned with her career, Santana finally asked herself this life-changing ques...

In this episode of the Confidence Within podcast, Arturo shares his journey of overcoming the fear of public speaking, and the transformation he underwent is truly inspiring. Arturo opens up about his struggles with public speaking, the anxiety he experienced in professional and personal settings, and the missed opportunities in his career due to his fear. But once he joined my Brilliant Speakers...

What is one of the scariest things about public speaking? To most people, it's making a mistake in front of an audience. We've all experienced it. You might be recording a live video, or speaking in a Zoom meeting, or presenting on stage. Everything is going ok. You're in the flow, and then it happens… ...You say something wrong or you do something wrong, and there you are with everyone watching,...

This episode is a must-listen for high-level professionals and entrepreneurs who want to conquer their fear of public speaking and learn to present with confidence and authority. Let's have a moment of honesty. Have you ever started a presentation with an apology for how bad you are at public speaking? How many times have you done that? I've been there and made the same mistake. One of the most si...

Still struggling with public speaking? Mark your calendar for something special!  If you've been following me for a while, you know that traditional speaking programs  just don't work. At best, they might teach you a few "hacks" to  act  more confident (while still feeling miserable inside).  At worst, you'll learn techniques that seem helpful, but really  increase  your anxiety.  It's time to sto...

Is the fear of public speaking holding you back? Has public speaking anxiety kept you from going after a job, starting a business, or getting a promotion?   In today's episode of the Confidence Within podcast, I share the details of how my life has changed once I built unshakable inner confidence – obliterating my public speaking fear in the process.   I never lacked confidence in my professional...

Do you struggle with handling unsolicited criticism? Whether a coworker criticizes you or someone leaves a negative comment on your online post, criticism hurts. I'm not here to tell you otherwise. But there are methods to deal with unsolicited criticism constructively. In this episode of the Confidence Within podcast, I share three questions to ask yourself when dealing with unsolicited criticism...

Have you already tried overcoming a fear of public speaking an failed? Whether you enrolled in public speaking courses, listened to podcasts, watched videos, or read books on public speaking confidence, you still have a public speaking anxiety.   In this episode of the Confidence Within podcast, I share the four reasons why everything you've tried so far hasn't worked for you. I also share what ha...

If someone were to ask you if you're destined to be a confident and assertive speaker, what would you say? Would you provide reasons why fearless public speaking is not in your future? What if I told you that there's a path to confidence in your public speaking skills?   In this episode of the Confidence Within podcast, I share the details backing up my assertion that anyone – anyone - can conquer...

Have you ever experienced the frustration of presenting to a group of people who seemed disengaged? Or witnessed a presenter struggle to engage a disinterested audience? It's an unfortunate but common occurrence that can leave you and your audience feeling frustrated.   In this episode of the Confidence Within podcast, I share a vital question that many overlook when it comes to understanding thei...

Have you ever dreamed of the thrill of victory on the grandest stage of all? Join us in this inspiring episode of the Confidence Within podcast as we delve into the remarkable fencing career of three-time Olympic épée fencer, Courtney Hurley. From her early start in fencing at the age of 5 to her historic bronze medal win at the London Olympics alongside her sister Kelley, Courtney's story is one...