

Overcome Fear and Speak with Impact with Maureen McCowen
In this episode of The Social Media Takeaway, I sat down with Maureen McCowen, public speaking coach and founder of Soft Skills Success. We talked about how the fear of speaking up, whether in meetings, presentations or even casual conversations holds back far too many professionals. Maureen shared real client stories, practical strategies, and mindset shifts that help people go from staying silent to speaking with confidence and clarity.
If you're a coach, business owner, or professional who avoids public speaking (or dreads it!), this episode is a must-listen.
You’ll learn:
✅ Why fear of speaking is more common than you think
✅ How staying silent could be stalling your career
✅ Simple strategies to start building your speaking confidence
✅ The key difference between sharing a story and making it relevant
✅ How to present with more impact online and in-person
SHOW CHAPTERS
00:00 Speak Without Fear
00:18 Introduction and Guest Welcome
01:18 The Fear of Public Speaking
03:05 Practical Steps to Build Confidence
05:32 The Importance of Preparation
06:13 Set Your Intentions and Don’t Look For Perfection
08:22 Change How You Speak To Yourself
10:53 Common Mistakes in Presentations
12:04 Effective Presentation Skills
16:35 Handling Technical Difficulties
19:04 The Difference Between Presenting In-Person and Online
23:45 The Power Of Storytelling
28:21 Final Takeaways and Free Gift!
🎁 And if you’re stuck with your storytelling, Maureen has a free download full of storytelling prompts. Grab it HERE!
If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe to my podcast because more like this is on the way!
If you'd like to book a call to see how I can support you head over to my website here. www.sellonsocialmedia.academy/hello
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