Ep 33: "Stop Performing, Start Believing" with Annelise McCarthy

What does it really take to stand out as a speaker in a noisy world?

The zesty and unapologetically real, Annelise McCarthy, founder of Her Speaking Coach, joins Jeff to explore what speaking with confidence really means.

From overcoming a childhood lisp to building a thriving global coaching business, Annelise shares powerful and counterintuitive lessons on communication, presence, and self-belief. This episode isn’t about tips and tricks, it’s about transforming the way you see yourself, so your voice carries the weight it deserves.

We dive into:

• Why being brilliant isn’t enough if you can’t communicate it memorably.
• The myth that you need to be “serious” to be taken seriously.
• How self-love becomes the ultimate speaking skill.
• The spotlight effect, and why nobody notices your mistakes as much as you do.
• The shift from performance to presence that changes everything.

Whether you’re a founder, leader, or simply someone who wants to use their voice more powerfully, this conversation will remind you: it’s never too late to claim your voice and step into the spotlight on your own terms.

🎧 Tune in and get ready to stop performing - and start connecting.

Chapters

00:00 Intro

01:40 Journey into Public Speaking

10:25 The Importance of Communication in the Age of AI

12:01 Memorable Moments in Speaking

18:05 The Impact of Empowering Voices

24:14 Self-Love and Communication

27:54 Embracing Anxiety as a Superpower

29:35 The Journey of Self-Discovery

31:27 The Impact of COVID on Personal Growth

34:08 The Mirror Moment: A Turning Point

36:40 Building a Relationship with Self-Love

38:07 The Power of Vulnerability in Storytelling

40:07 From Performance to Authenticity

44:14 Shifting Focus from Self to Audience

48:00 The Foundation of Compassion in Public Speaking

51:21 The Challenges of Entrepreneurship

Connect with Jeff Abracen on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffabracen/]

If you are or know a disruptive influencer who would make a great guest, we'd love to hear from you.

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Cover art by Daniel Devoy
Music by Stephen Voyce

©2024 The Disruptive Influence Podcast - Jeff Abracen