The Confidence Shortcut with Niki Sterner

Big news—Jesse Jensen’s debut book, Throw Your Hat Over The Fence, launches on Amazon this Thursday, August 28th! 

In this week’s episode of The Confidence Shortcut, Jesse shares the life philosophy behind the book—a simple but powerful commitment mechanism that can propel you toward your biggest dreams.

What if the secret to achieving your dreams isn't waiting until you feel confident, but taking action that forces you to move ...

What would life look like if you stopped dimming your light to make others comfortable? Jeovana Davis knows this journey intimately. As a creative consultant, intuitive strategist, and performer who radiates authenticity, Jeovana has navigated the challenging path from people-pleasing to soul-centered expression.

"I'm super passionate about being vulnerable," Jeovana shares early in our conversation. Unlike ...

What happens when life knocks you down with a diagnosis you never expected? For Pam Sandrock, a breast cancer diagnosis at 37 became the catalyst for a complete transformation in how she approached life, decision-making, and personal boundaries.

Pam shares her powerful journey from devastation to empowerment, revealing how cancer forced her to confront mortality and reimagine her priorities. "I made a commitment to live long an...

Jodie Bentley, powerhouse coach in the entertainment world, shares how she transformed from a struggling actor to helping thousands of creatives pursue their dreams through strategic branding and self-confidence techniques.

• Jodie has coached over 2,300 actors across 17 countries since 2008, helping them book major gigs and build thriving careers
• Breaking through limiting beliefs is crucial; Jodie struggled with fee...

Comedian Simon Huebner shares how he transformed his Asperger's diagnosis into comedy gold through developing quick comebacks, studying other comedians, and taking action before feeling ready. He reveals the mindset practices and habits that helped him overcome social anxiety and build authentic confidence on and off stage.

• Started comedy through YouTube algorithms that led him down a rabbit hole of stand-up perform...

Former ballet dancer Faye Laroux shares her journey from perfectionism to authenticity through her Three Bodies methodology, helping sensitive, purpose-driven people embody healing and confidence. Through personal stories of trauma and transformation, Faye reveals how aligning our physical, emotional, and spiritual bodies can unlock our most authentic expression and highest potential.

• From professional ballet at 17 with ...

What if confidence is something you uncover through surrender? Julie Kendall, an award-winning actress who left corporate America to pursue her creative dreams, reveals how letting go opened doors she never imagined.

"This is our one shot in this body. Why not go for it as far as you possibly can?" Julie's philosophy has guided her through bold moves like packing her car and moving to Atlanta with no safety ...

Ever wonder how some creatives seem to make massive progress while you're still waiting to feel "ready"? This conversation with Izzy Stevens blows the lid off that myth. As an award-winning director, Netflix trilogy lead, and founder of Indie Spunk, Izzy has mastered the art of taking bold action before confidence arrives.

"Walk in like you belong there," Izzy advises about entering intimidating sp...

What happens when you've spent decades building a successful career only to realize it's not the life you want? Micah Caldwell faced this question head-on when, after nearly twenty years as a high-powered telecommunications lawyer in Washington DC, she hit a breaking point. Managing multi-billion-dollar government programs during the pandemic had pushed her to her limits, and when asked to rebuild an entire program from s...

Ever felt stuck waiting to feel ready before taking that big leap? Niki Sterner discovered the secret isn't waiting for confidence to arrive—it's taking courageous action first and letting confidence follow.

The Confidence Shortcut revolves around three essential pillars: mindset, path, and action. When these elements align, transformation happens faster than you might believe possible. Niki vulnerably shares how...

Redefining confidence might be the key that unlocks your potential. While many of us believe confidence means feeling certain we'll excel, host Niki Sterner offers a liberating alternative: true confidence is simply believing you can take action when you say you will. This perspective shift removes the paralysis of perfectionism and opens the door to real growth.

Niki shares her remarkable journey from hesitation to a...

When was the last time you let fear of failure stop you from pursuing something important? This candid conversation dives deep into the paralyzing effects of a fixed mindset and reveals how believing "if I'm bad at something, that's my forever thing" can keep us stuck for decades.

Through vulnerable storytelling, we explore a transformative approach to rediscovering and pursuing long-buried dreams. The ...

Super grateful to my conversation partner and dear friend, Micah Caldwell. She’ll be joining me on a future episode, and her story is one you won’t want to miss. @micahonmic

Most of us have it backwards. We wait for confidence to arrive before taking action, but what if that's precisely why we stay stuck? In this intimate and powerful episode, I reveal my personal turning point that came from a simple question from my acting co...

Niki Sterner shares her personal journey from feeling stuck and uncertain to finding true confidence through action rather than endless preparation. After years of playing small despite extensive training, she discovered that the key obstacle wasn't external factors but her mindset.

• Suffered from a health crisis caused by breast implants and mold exposure that created a limbic system injury
• Discovered Dynamic ...

Hey there! Welcome to The Confidence Shortcut podcast. I’m your host, Niki Sterner. I’m a mom, a wife, an actor, comedian, and a writer. But for years, I avoided the stage, turned down opportunities, and told myself I wasn’t ready. Just one more class or online program. But eventually, I got sick of playing small. So in 2024, I went on a Courage Quest, facing everything that scared me, and along the way, I figured out a shortcut to...