SpeakWell Studio Podcast

What makes an argument actually persuasive? It’s not sounding “smart,” it’s making your message easy to follow. In Episode 5 of the SpeakWell Studio Podcast, Dr. Stephanie Medden breaks down logos, the logic pillar of persuasion, in a practical, real-world way. You’ll learn why audiences resist when they can’t see your reasoning, how to avoid the most common “logic gaps,” and a simple structure yo...

In Episode 4 of the SpeakWell Studio Podcast , we continue our three-part series on Aristotle’s pillars of persuasion with a closer look at pathos and why moving an audience has less to do with big emotions and more to do with reading the room. Pathos is often misunderstood as emotional display or dramatic intensity. But effective persuasion isn’t about expressing how you feel. It’s about recogniz...

Why do we trust some speakers instantly while others struggle to gain credibility with their audience? In this episode, communication scholar and educator Stephanie Medden, Ph. D. breaks down Aristotle’s forms of proof—ethos, logos, and pathos—with a focus on ethos, or speaker credibility. Learn what actually builds trust with an audience, why credibility forms so quickly, and how ethical communic...

Authority isn’t about being louder—it’s about being clear. In this episode, Dr. Stephanie Medden explores why structure, planning, and reduced cognitive load create credibility and presence, and how having a clear communication plan helps speakers sound more confident without performing.

Speech anxiety is one of the most common communication challenges—and it has a name. In this episode of SpeakWell , Communication coach, teacher, and researcher Stephanie Medden, Ph. D. explains speech apprehension: why nervousness shows up when we speak, what communication research tells us about it, and why the goal is not to eliminate anxiety but to manage it. You’ll learn why your body reacts...

Welcome to SpeakWell, a podcast about communicating with clarity, confidence, and credibility. Hosted by Dr. Stephanie Medden, SpeakWell blends communication research with practical tools to help you manage nerves, speak with authority, and make your message land—at work and in life. Subscribe for short, focused episodes designed to help you master your message and strengthen your presence