Influential Introvert: Communication Coaching for Professionals with Performance Anxiety
Self-Improvement
About
The Influential Introvert: A podcast for professionals with performance anxiety. If you’re a business owner or leader who wants to speak confidently in front of a room, online, and in social situations without becoming a sweaty, stressed out mess, follow this show. Learn the essential verbal and non-verbal skills necessary to elevate your presence and charisma and capture people’s attention. Equally important, you’ll learn to manage your mind and body so you feel less anxious and more confident speaking up, being decisive, and connecting with others.
Episodes
- Is Being Late Rude? Cultures Disagree on What Time Is and How to Use It
Do you ever feel like people are too blunt – or not direct enough? Do you live by the clock, or are you free with your schedule? Do you like to cut to the chase and get to work, or do you need to warm up first? These are not just individua…
- Jantelagen: What a Swedish Flatmate Taught Me about Fitting In versus Standing Out
There's an unwritten rule in Swedish culture called the Law of Jante: Don't think you're special. Don't stand out. Blend in. It’s the opposite of American individualism – and both sides have a shadow. In this episode, I explore what a Swed…
- The Wrong Way to Listen
Turns out there’s not just one way to listen – there are four, at least according to the authors of Adaptive Listening: How to Cultivate Trust and Traction at Work . In this episode, I share when to use each level of listening, plus the qu…
- Happy People Fall in Love with Strangers More
Love isn't what most people think it is. It’s not a bond between partners or family, according to Dr. Barbara Fredrickson – it’s a micro-moment of positivity that resonates in your body when you connect with someone, even with strangers. A…
- Don't Quit. Try This.
The hardest part of starting something new is feeling like you're failing. Before you quit, try the three ideas in this episode to help you get through this "conscious incompetence" phase. You'll learn how to build lasting confidence, and…
- Mind Reading Isn't a Sign of Love
Have you ever thought: “If they really loved me, they’d just know without me having to say it.” But expecting someone to intuit your needs isn’t romantic – it’s magical thinking. In this episode, I talk about why unspoken expectations lead…
- I Cried During a Knitting Lesson
I cried in my first knitting class and I didn’t know why – it’s not like I’m emotionally invested in making potholders out of yarn. In this episode, I explore the quiet pressure we put on ourselves without realizing it, and how we can give…
- Feel More at Ease When All Eyes are on You
My guest today, Sunalie, is a warm and gifted journalist – and also a former client of mine. During our time together, she had so many meaningful wins. Hearing about the specific shifts she made will help you strengthen your own confidence…
- Virtuous Procrastination: When ‘Doing Good’ Becomes an Avoidance Tactic
Are you procrastinating more than you think you are? In this episode, I’m talking about virtuous procrastination – the act of avoiding discomfort, uncertainty, or purposeful risk by busying yourself with work that appears responsible, gene…
- Your Comfort Addiction is Costing You
Comfort can quietly cost you the life you really want. When we play it too safe in the name of avoiding unpleasant thoughts or feelings, we drift away from our values and the things that bring meaning, energy, and connection. The Stoics of…
- Get to the Point
We often have something meaningful to say – but the way we say it can get in the way. We overload our listener with backstory, hoping to make them understand, and end up muddying the message instead. In this episode, I explore why this hap…
- Cut Carrie Some Slack: Stoic Musings on Sex and the City
Carrie Bradshaw used to feel relatable. Now we accuse her of being unhinged. But maybe that says more about us than it does about her. Read the article . *** I’m your host, Sarah Mikutel, a communication and mindset coach . My work is abou…
- The Ultimate Comeback: How to Respond to Insults
We’ve all had those moments where an insult or offhand comment sticks in our head. Hours later, we’re still replaying it, wishing we’d come up with the perfect comeback. But what if the strongest response isn’t a clever line at all? In thi…
- You've Changed. Let's Honor That.
To move forward, sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is pause and take stock of how far you’ve come. Read the article . *** I’m your host, Sarah Mikutel, a communication and mindset coach . My work is about helping people like you…
- Keep Your Eye on the Prize
I finally became a British citizen after years of putting it off – not because I didn’t qualify, but because perfectionism kept slowing me down. In this episode, I share the real reason I delayed, what happened when I shifted my focus from…
- When ‘No Filter’ Is Just Lazy (and Sometimes Immoral)
Being blunt isn’t the same as being brave. In a culture that idolizes people who “say whatever they think,” we’ve started confusing impulsiveness for honesty, and arrogance for authenticity. But unfiltered speech isn’t just lazy. Sometimes…
- How to be Remembered
The Science of Connection: Building Bonds Through Small Acts of Love In this episode, I share a brief moment with my nephew that opened up a bigger question: How do we create the kind of presence that people remember? I explore the science…
- Make It Stick: A Simple Way to Savor Your Wins
What if the real key to growth isn’t pushing harder, but celebrating more? In this episode, I’m sharing why savoring your wins matters – how it rewires your brain, reinforces your identity, and helps you live in alignment with your values.…
- Pursuit of Happiness: What It Really Means
What did the Founding Fathers actually mean when they talked about “the pursuit of happiness” – and how can we apply that wisdom to our lives today? This episode is about what real happiness looks like – not the fireworks version, but the…
- It’s Supposed to Suck Right Now
Struggling to start something new because you're afraid of looking foolish? This episode is your permission slip to begin. You’ll learn how Stoic philosophy and growth mindset can help you move through discomfort, let go of perfectionism,…
- Why You'd Rather Lose Than Be Treated Unfairly
What do abandoned mansions in Bucharest have to do with dirty dishes and emotional resentment? In this episode, I explore how our desire for fairness can lead us to self-sabotage — and how Stoic justice asks us to think beyond pride, punis…
- The Truth about Mr. Darcy + Nonviolent Communication Tips for Conflict Resolution
Mr. Darcy has been on my mind this week. Not because he’s the fantasy of so many women, but because I finally read Pride and Prejudice , and discovered something shocking (to me) about him. I’d always thought of Mr. Darcy as this tall, bro…
- How to Combat Speaking Anxiety with Stoicism: Stoicon 2024 Talk
Last week, I gave one of the lightning talks at Stoicon 2024. The topic: How to Combat Speaking Anxiety with Stoicism. Want to see the video? Head to my Substack 👉 Citizens of the World Thanks for listening ❤️ sarahmikutel.com Do you ever…
- Conflict: 4 Stoic Solutions for Managing Difficult Conversations
Why do we get angry? How can we challenge our immediate reactions? And what's the best way to articulate our feelings without passive aggression or a blow-up? In this episode, you'll learn four Stoic tips to turn potential conflicts into o…
- 4 Best Tips to Communicate with Intent and Impact (Stoic style)
Our intentions don’t always line up with our outcomes, and misunderstandings lead to anger, sadness, frustration, and conflict. In this episode, I’ll talk about intent vs impact, which is more important, and how to effectively and ethicall…
- Overcome Your Fear of Public Speaking with Stoic Psychology
Introvert Emergency Kit Click here if you're ready to become a less anxious, more charismatic public speaker . When it comes to public speaking, what exactly are you afraid of? Most people I talk to don’t explore their fears at all – and t…
- How to Stop (Negative) Self-Comparison and Increase Your Confidence
We often hear how negative self-comparisons can be, especially when it comes to social media. But what if we could use comparison as a force for good? A tool to help us grow and flourish at work and in our personal lives? Great news, we ca…
- Communicating Better With the Enneagram
To be an effective communicator, you need to learn how other people think and what motivates them. In this episode, you'll learn how to use the Enneagram typology to do just that. Discover the nine core personality types and uncover the la…
- When People Interrupt You, Do This
Do you fly into a fit of rage when people interrupt you? Maybe not externally, but quietly in your head? This episode is for you, my fellow introvert. Learn why people interrupt and how to respond to interruptions from a place of confidenc…
- How to Manage Your Mind
Most of our suffering comes from thoughts that we let run wild in our brains. We spend a lot of time each day rehashing different conversations and situations in our mind, and we think that we’re just reviewing facts. But we’re not. We’re…
- When People Take Advantage: How to Stop Avoiding Awkward Situations
When you feel like you're being taken advantage of, do you speak up, or stay quiet and grumble to yourself later? In this episode, I share a personal story about when someone tried taking me to the cleaners -- you'll get the pun after list…
- Stoic Leadership: Lessons from the Greatest Generation
It's nearly the anniversary of D-Day, the largest air, sea, and land operation in the history of war. On D-Day alone, Nazis killed nearly 4,500 Allied troops and injured many more. In one day. And I keep asking myself: Are we living lives…
- Body Awareness: Your First Step toward Emotional Resilience
Where do emotions come from? What are emotions? Most of us don’t give this much thought. We live as if we’re at the mercy of our emotions. We live in fear of them. Anxiety and anger and stress. We try to deny them or indulge in them in unh…
- Why Does Public Speaking Feel So Terrifying for Introverts?
Why does public speaking scare introverts so much? In this episode, you’ll learn: the science behind why public speaking feels so terrifying for introverts what introversion is whether we’re born with our personalities the key differences…
- Coming Soon...The Influential Introvert
Welcome to the Influential Introvert, which will be replacing Podcasting Step by Step in this feed. The Influential Introvert is for business owners and leaders who want to speak confidently in front of a room, online, and in social situat…
- Engagement: How to Easily Add Audio Clips from Your Listeners to Your Podcast
Looking to spice up your podcast format? Try adding audio clips from your listeners. It's a fun way to engage your audience and it's not as complicated as you might think. Speakpipe is a popular tool you can use but I talk about a free way…
- Paid Podcasts: Should You Create One?
In case you haven’t heard, both Apple and Spotify have rolled out podcast subscription programs, which would allow individual creators to get paid for their work. In a previous episode on how to make money with your podcast, I mentioned th…
- Referral Partnerships: Growing & Monetizing Your Podcast and Business Through Relationships
How do I grow my podcast? How do I make money with my podcast? Those are the most popular subjects when it comes to podcasting about podcasting. You’ve heard me say many times that creating a product or service of your own is the best way…
- What Most Podcasters Get Wrong About Marketing
Why do some podcasts grow while others do not? My guest today, Jeremy Enns, asked himself that question and is in a unique position to get an answer. He’s CEO & Storyteller In Chief of Counterweight Creative, a podcast strategy and marketi…
- Clubhouse for Podcasters: How to Connect with New Listeners & Find Guests for Your Show
As a podcaster, should you be on Clubhouse, the newish social media app that’s audio only? If so, how can you use Clubhouse to deepen your connection with your podcast audience , help new listeners discover you, and find great people to in…
- Remote Podcast Interviews: Camera On or Off?
Do you record your remote interviews with the camera on or off? On Podcasting Step by Step, I share what I do and why, plus who should keep their camera off and who should have it on (it has nothing to do with looks!) *** Hiya, I'm your ho…
- Podcasting in 2021: The Tools and Services I'm Using
As we close out the year, I thought this would be a good time to share with you the current podcast products and services that I’m using and will likely continue to use throughout 2021. In this episode, I talk through what I use to produce…
- Introducing LIVE Without Borders
** Note the original name of my new pod was Part of Something Greater, but I've since changed it to LIVE Without Borders* Well, hello there, fellow podcaster. I just experienced the joy and nervousness of launching a new podcast: LIVE With…
- Video Podcasting: Essential Tips & Tools to Get Started (and What Not to Waste Your Time On)
Have you thought about adding video to your podcast? You might know that YouTube is the second-largest search engine after Google -- people can’t get enough of video and consumption is only going up. There’s also a lot more video on social…
- How Often Do I Need to Publish Podcast Episodes to Gain a Following?
How often should you release podcast episodes if you want to build a following? Weekly, bi-weekly? Does it matter? In this episode, I break down the key criteria to consider when choosing your podcast frequency. P.S. Podcasting Step by Ste…
- Podcast Descriptions: How to Write an Excellent Episode Summary that Gets You Discovered
When you upload a podcast episode, are you filling out the podcast description ? If you are not, you are driving listeners away. They don't want to guess what you're about -- there are many other podcasts they can choose. Need more motivat…
- 2020 Podcast Stats You Need to Know from NPR & Edison Research
Wondering if now is a good time to start a podcast? NPR and Edison Research have just put out The Spoken Word Audio Report , which includes stats and stories you’ll definitely be interested in. Let's dive into some juicy podcast 2020 stati…
- Podcast Plagiarism: What to Do When Someone Copies Your Work
What do you do if a podcaster copies your content? You file a DMCA Takedown Notice. On this episode of Podcasting Step by Step, I walk you through the steps I took to get plagiarism of my work removed from the infringer's podcast media hos…
- Ask Better Interview Questions on Your Podcast with Pod Decks
What do you get for the podcaster who has everything? Pod Decks ! Travis Brown is a podcast editor, host of the podcast Podcast Therapy , and creator of Pod Decks, which are decks of cards with interesting questions to use during your podc…
- Podcast Audit: Simple Tweaks to Add More Sparkle to Your Show
With more than 1 million shows in Apple Podcasts, how can you make sure your show stands out? On Podcasting Step by Step, I talk you through my 5S framework for creating the kind of irresistible podcast that builds your brand, increases yo…