As someone who spends a lot of time improvising with jazz bands, I've noticed something: The best speakers often do the same thing. Thinking on your feet isn't about being fast—it’s about presence. Just like jazz, it's the ability to stay grounded, respond in real time, and still land your message that sets you apart.

But what happens when you falter? Maybe you freeze, rush your words, or walk away from a meeting thinking, "Why didn’t I say that better?" It’s common—especially in high-stakes environments like presentations to senior leaders or pitching to potential clients. Your voice tightens, and you lose connection with your ideas.

So, how do you handle spontaneous speaking like a pro? The unexpected key: Jazz.

Struggling with forgetting words mid-speech? You're not alone—and more importantly, it's a problem you can overcome. In our latest blog post, we reveal powerful techniques used by elite professionals to stay calm and confident during presentations. Whether it's through mindfulness, storytelling, or structured improvisation, you'll learn how to turn moments of forgetfulness into opportunities for genuine connection with your audience. Ready to take control of your public speaking? Dive in and discover how to never go blank again!

Ever wonder why some people can speak in public without breaking a sweat while others are paralyzed by fear? The secret often lies in something called psychological flexibility, a key concept in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).

The trepidation tied to public speaking is rooted in a complex blend of psychological and situational factors. Psychologically, many individuals’ fear stems from ingrained negative self-perceptions or past negative experiences that continue to echo in their minds (Li, 2020; Breakey, 2005). These can manifest as haunting reminders of moments when their words didn’t flow as planned or when their message didn’t resonate as intended, nurturing a persistent dread of recurrence.

In this blog, we will delve deeper into these key causes, explore how they interconnect to amplify public speaking anxiety and discuss strategies to navigate and mitigate this fear, aiming to empower you to speak with confidence and clarity.

The Role of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy 

Let's cut to the chase: speaking in front of people is scary for a lot of us. Traditional tips? Not always helpful. What if we told you about a different approach? Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is all about embracing those jitters, not fighting them, and focusing on what really matters to you. Sounds refreshing, right? Dive into how ACT could be the key to turning your public speaking fear into something you can handle with confidence.

Let's talk about glossophobia, which occurs when the prospect of speaking in front of others sends shivers down your spine. Consider this: you're about to speak, and your palms start sweating, your heart is racing, and you'd rather be anywhere but here. Sound familiar? Well, you are not alone. It turns out that approximately 75% of us experience this fear at some point.

Have you ever encountered someone who's a captivating speaker on stage but stumbles when it comes to one-on-one conversations? This challenge is more common than you might think, and it often stems from a fear of being an imposter or facing unexpected questions.

Phone anxiety, also called telephobia, is a type of SAD (Social Anxiety Disorder). You don't have to have a SAD to hate making phone calls, but the two often go together.

Your ability to effectively express yourself can make or break your chances of achieving your goals and standing out from the crowd. 

People who are good communicators tend to advance in the company and earn more money, as well as develop stronger relationships with coworkers, clients, and other stakeholders.

As a Voice Coach, I’m constantly meeting singers and speakers who are not breathing correctly!

In fact, most of us breathe incorrectly… we raise our upper body/our shoulders when we inhale and drop down again when we exhale. This can cause all sorts of problems, including anxiety, shortness of breath and unnecessary tension.