E103: Victoria Patenaude knows why you struggle with accent anxiety

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In this episode, I'm speaking with Victoria Patenaude, a communications coach who helps immigrants find their voice. Literally.

For most immigrants, especially the non-native English speakers, they think the reason they struggle to express themselves clearly is due to a limited vocabulary, poor grammar, or a bad accent. Well, Victoria thinks otherwise.

And she's not just talking as a coach, she has the lived experience. Victoria grew up constantly code-switching between Polish, Greek, and English cultural contexts. By her twenties, she was what she calls “a very careful person.”

That hypervigilance followed her through university and through moves between Quebec and the United States. Even as a successful professional with advanced degrees, she still carried the emotional burden of never feeling quite confident in her communication.

Her breakthrough came when she realized confidence isn't something you earn through perfect pronunciation. It's a choice you can make right now, regardless of your skill level.

Now she helps other immigrants break free from the same patterns.

In this conversation, Victoria and I chat about a teenage years embarrassment that led years of anxiety whenever she tried to speak French. We also explore:

* How we pass on our immigration-induced anxiety to our kids

* The science behind her method of coaching

* Practical tips you can try out for building language confidence

* And why we need to stop assuming negative intent when we have cultural misunderstandings

Official Links

✅ Connect with Victoria Patenaude on LinkedIn

✅ Work with Victoria on your communication skills

✅ Check out her TEDx talk on Why We’re Connected To The Internet, But Not Each Other

One Ask

If you found this story helpful, please forward or share it to one immigrant out there.

Join us as we explore the bitter-sweet world of the immigrant.

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