Speaking with Confidence with Cat Matson: communication coaching for humble leaders
- Episodes
- 218
- Released
- every two weeks
- Latest episode
- Nov 6, 2026
About the podcast
If you ramble, lose your words or struggle to make yourself heard, this podcast is for you. This show is for humble leaders - public servants, corporate hippies & business owners - who want to speak up and be heard without sounding pushy or arrogant. I’m Cat Matson and I coach people to speak with authenticity and impact in ALL settings. Whether you want to lead your team better, host webinars, speak impactfully when put on the spot or start speaking on stage, this podcast will teach you how to collect your thoughts and confidently communicate with humility, authenticity, authority and impact.
Episodes 218
209 - How To Pitch, Simply
Whatever you’re pitching … 💥 yourself💥 your startup💥 your business💥 an idea or projectThe simpler your pitch, the better the chances of getting a ‘yes’.However, in an effort to sound impressive, we tend to …
Show notes
Whatever you’re pitching …
💥 yourself
💥 your startup
💥 your business
💥 an idea or projectThe simpler your pitch, the better the chances of getting a ‘yes’.
However, in an effort to sound impressive, we tend to overcomplicate our pitches, jamming in too much information, using technical jargon or drowning your listeners in excruitiating detail.
Listen in to hear:
the ‘real’ purpose of a pitch (hint, it’s not to convert), which can take a lot of pressure of those few minutes of pitching
my recommended format for any kind of pitch
my trick for converting technical details into benefits your listener understands
why you want to use everyday language that your audience can repeat
how pitching is actually simpler than you think
Got a question about pitching? Ask away and I'll answer in an upcoming episode. Ask wherever you're listening, or DM me on Instagram (@catmatson).
Stop Rambling with my masterclass bundle. All the details: https://www.impactfulpresenters.com/courses/how-to-stop-rambling
208 - The Magic Connection Between Consistency & Confidence
As a self-diagnosed neurodiverse, big-picture thinker, who bounces between ideas and projects, I tell myself I’m not consistent.I further tell myself that consistency is a key ingredient to ‘success’ and so, it …
Show notes
As a self-diagnosed neurodiverse, big-picture thinker, who bounces between ideas and projects, I tell myself I’m not consistent.
I further tell myself that consistency is a key ingredient to ‘success’ and so, it follows, that if I’m not consistent I can’t be successful.
The thing is, I have evidence that proves I AM consistent. I have a 606 day streak on insight timer, and an 88% consistency rating on my health app.
So, in this week’s episode I’m sharing what I think is the link between consistency and confidence, and how I’m ‘hacking’ my apparent love of streaks to develop consistency, and confidence, in other areas of my life.
Listen in to hear:
The role of consistency in building confidence
How I use small rituals to develop self-trust
The impact of tracking habits on confidence
How to practice speaking skills daily
The importance of self-awareness in confidence building
The connection between confidence and communication skills
Got a question or comment? Leave it right where you’re listening or find me on instagram - @catmatson
Want my new juicy bundle of resources? Discover why you ramble and the antidote, stop umming and ahhing and get my Clear Communication Playbook. Find out more here
207 - How To Get Your Confidence Back
You can’t speak with confidence if you’ve ‘lost’ your professional confidence … and I’ve had too many conversations lately about ‘how to get your confidence back’ to ignore.So in this episode I’m chatting about …
Show notes
You can’t speak with confidence if you’ve ‘lost’ your professional confidence … and I’ve had too many conversations lately about ‘how to get your confidence back’ to ignore.
So in this episode I’m chatting about the times that I’ve lost my professional confidence, and some techniques I use to get it back.
Listen in to hear:
What’s caused me to lose my confidence at different times of my professional life, both as a business owner as well as when I was working in local government
My ‘talking to myself’ technique for countering negative internal dialogue
An end-of-day ritual that can help reorient your mind from ‘what sucks’ to ‘what’s working’
The importance of proactively interacting with others for validation and feedback
A reminder that it’s perfectly human to lose confidence and it doesn’t mean you’re broken
Once you’ve listened, I’d love to know your thoughts. Let me know what this conversation sparked for you either right where you’re listening or over on instagram - @catmatson
Want my juicy new bundle of resources? Stop rambling and get my Clear Communication Playbook. Find out more here
206 - How To Become 'Work Famous' with Leanne Hughes
Most people shy away from the thought of being noticed, let alone ‘famous’.But if you want to make a difference, grow a business, make an impact or even just get promoted, a bit of ‘work fame’ might be just …
Show notes
Most people shy away from the thought of being noticed, let alone ‘famous’.
But if you want to make a difference, grow a business, make an impact or even just get promoted, a bit of ‘work fame’ might be just what you need.
Leanne Hughes has written the book she wishes she had 10 years ago, providing a real look at how everyday people become ‘work famous’ and in doing so, make a bigger impact in their world (without being a diva).
Listen in to our discussion to hear:
Why ‘good work’ no longer speaks for itself and why you need to toot your own horn a bit more
Why, while humility and fame seem to be mutually exclusive, humble leaders can become ‘work famous’
Practical, easy to implement, tactics you can use today to build your profile
Why AI is making it even more important for us to develop our professional reputation
Why developing your ‘work fame’ is actually an act of service, not arrogance or selfishness
You can get a copy of Leanne’s book, Work Fame, here
Follow Leanne on Instagram here:
205 - Speaking Up When It's Risky
How do we find the courage, or the skill, to speak up for issues we feel strongly about when there is a real risk of consequences?That’s exactly what I’m exploring in this episode.I’ve recently decided to focus …
Show notes
How do we find the courage, or the skill, to speak up for issues we feel strongly about when there is a real risk of consequences?
That’s exactly what I’m exploring in this episode.
I’ve recently decided to focus my ‘change the world’ energies into one cause - housing affordability - and in doing so I’ve had to confront my concerns about negative consequences.
Being seen as ‘political’.
Being seen as a left-wing hippie (proud to be one, if I’m honest).
Potentially losing work because of my views.
There can be real risks that need to be managed when we speak up, so I’m sharing the process, the thinking, that I’m using to feel ‘safe enough’ to speak up.
Listen in to hear:
Why ‘feel the fear and do it anyway’ is shitty advice
How I’m both amplifying others’ voices as well as speaking up myself
How I assess the risk of speaking up, and then manage those risks (not eliminate them)
Why being mindful of, and speaking into, nuance and complexity is important
How to NOT get caught up in well-meaning but not productive moral outrage and righteous indignation
How I’m ‘practising’ in lower risk environments
Why I’m choosing housing affordability out of all the other causes I care about
Other episodes mentioned:
174 - How Personal Is Too Personal
170 - How To Make A Difference Over The Long Term
171 - Managing Conflict & Disagreements -
You can follow and DM me on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/catmatson/
And you can get into a deeper discussion on substack - https://catmatson.substack.com/
204 - How To Speak With Authority Without Sounding Demanding
If you overthink or second guess how you're going to express yourself in team meetings, this episode is for you.In our reluctance to NOT appear 'bossy' we sometimes overthink our messages, try to facilitate a …
Show notes
If you overthink or second guess how you're going to express yourself in team meetings, this episode is for you.
In our reluctance to NOT appear 'bossy' we sometimes overthink our messages, try to facilitate a discussion when really, our recommendation is appropriate and prioritise consensus over getting things done.
Inspired by a real conversation in my Communicate with Impact program, in this episode I'm sharing some practical and mindset tips to help you say what you want to say, with authority and credibility, without sounding pushy, bossy without feeling awkwardly assertive.
Listen in to hear:
- Mindset shifts for confident recommendations
- How to own your expertise in meetings
- Language hacks to soften any potential harshness
- Moving from asking for permission to making direct recommendations
- The impact of imposter syndrome on speaking up
Other episodes mentioned: # 7 - Why Me? Overcoming 'I'm Not Good Enough'
Get my FREE How To Stop Rambling Masterclass
203 - The Lost Art of Casual Conversations (and the cost to our relationships)
I've become very present, recently, to how our work-from-home, online world, is reducing our casual conversations.And with that, we're losing the key human skills of building relationships through …
Show notes
I've become very present, recently, to how our work-from-home, online world, is reducing our casual conversations.
And with that, we're losing the key human skills of building relationships through conversations.
In this episode I'm 'working out loud' on this 'trend' ...
Listen in to hear:
- my 'evidence' for this diminishing human skill of conversations and connection
- why relationships are a key part of a successful (meaningful, satisfying) career or business
- how conversations - imperfect, flawed, unscripted - are the building blocks to relationships
- why I think we need to consciously create time to build relationships - and not just through asynschronous text and voice notes, or social media comments
I would love to know what you think. Leave a comment below.
I'd also love to answer your questions in a future episode - leave them below DM me on instagram
And if you'd like to better understand why you ramble, and how to manage it, you want my FREE How To Stop Rambling Masterclass
202 - Why I Ramble, And How I Don't (when I don't want to)
It will probably suprise you to learn that, despite being a communication and speaking coach, my natural tendency is to ramble.In fact, it was my rambling, and my deep frustration that I wasn't making sense to …
Show notes
It will probably suprise you to learn that, despite being a communication and speaking coach, my natural tendency is to ramble.
In fact, it was my rambling, and my deep frustration that I wasn't making sense to my colleagues (despite my intelligence and experience) that inspired me to start my business and podcast.
So in this episode I want to share what I now understand to be the causes of my rambling, and how I manage it so I can be an impactful communicator, without stifling my thought process or my personality.
Listen in to hear:
- how it was reading about split-brain experiements that was the 'a-ha' for me about what I now understand is verbal processing
- the gorgeous experience with a friend that had me realise that verbal processing wasn't necessarily normal (who knew?!?!)
- the reasons why verbal processing works for different neurodivergent minds (and what rings true for me)
- how I signal to my listeners, when I can, that I am 'thinking out loud', so I can still 'think' but they don't have to follow the (crazy-to-them) details
- why feeling like I need to defend my position will also cause me to ramble, differently to the verbal processing style
- how I'm learning to trust my contribution without third party credibility
- and how, when rambling really isn't ok, I manage to collect my thoughts and land them to move my listener closer to where I want the to be
Also mentioned in this episode.
- My FREE SpeakEASY Community Call, Friday 3 July. Click here for details
- My IMPACTFUL newsletter - subscribe to be the first to know of future SpeakEASYs and other events
- The book: 'Who's In Charge? Free Will and the Science of the Brain' by Michael Gazzinaga
Want to ask a question? Let me know what resonated? Instagram is the best place to do that, or, if you're listening on Spotify, simply comment here!
201 - Breathing Space for Greater Impact
What happens when you take a few deep breaths?You feel better. Every time.Well, your messages need breathing space, both at a micro-level as well as at a macro-level, and that's what I'm talking about today.As …
Show notes
What happens when you take a few deep breaths?
You feel better. Every time.
Well, your messages need breathing space, both at a micro-level as well as at a macro-level, and that's what I'm talking about today.
As I click over into the next century(!) of this podcast with episode 201, I'm changing the pace and style (a smidge) of these podcasts.
Listen in to hear:
- how the algorithm-obsessed rule of 'consistency' does not mean frequency (even though we've conflated the two)
- why any good message needs space around it to breathe and to be received
- how I'm approaching visibility and 'findability' while pushing back on the notion of volume
- why I think less really is more
- my thinking on more 'working out loud' episodes rather than 'teaching' episodes
Mentioned In This Episode
Episode 200! (it's the episode before this one!)
How To Stop Rambling Masterclass - it's free and it's on-demand. Get it here
200 - Lessons in speaking, podcasting & imposter syndrome!
A milestone episode, the 200th, deserves a celebration! 🥳To do just that, in this episode I’m answering a series of listener questions about speaking, podcasting and speaking highlights, as well as sharing what …
Show notes
A milestone episode, the 200th, deserves a celebration! 🥳
To do just that, in this episode I’m answering a series of listener questions about speaking, podcasting and speaking highlights, as well as sharing what I’ve learned, and what’s coming next, for the Speaking with Confidence with Cat Matson podcast.
Listen in to hear:
The most popular episode of all time
The common mistakes people make when they start working on their speaking skills
The ‘thing’ that keeps coming up, over and over again, in my coaching work
The number one insight I’ve gained, as in, the ONE THING that is most impactful when communicating
What surprises me the most about this podcast and this work
My speaking highlight (and no, it’s not the biggest stage I’ve spoken on)
How I record these episodes without a script and keep my voice calm and inviting
Why I think speaking in THE MOST valuable skill you can have
What I’ll be sharing in episodes 201, onwards
Also mentioned in this episode:
The most popular episode of all time - How To Get The Right Words To Come Out
https://open.spotify.com/episode/6zvje5YEEpFaEejTa9TFay?si=0c4f43ba393841d2
The interview with Denise Duffield-Thomas
https://open.spotify.com/episode/4Yfa9VK2Hf0r7Dj50W07v1?si=9J3n_ebUQD2hCH58z2kBzg
The interview with Dr Martine Rothblatt
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gp5w47HjLKM
My newsletter, Impactful, on substack (best way to hear about the cool stuff coming up)
https://catmatson.substack.com/
Instagram - where you can chat with me about anything ☺️
https://www.instagram.com/catmatson/
199 - Making It Simply Obvious
Nothing is obvious to the uninformed ... yet so often when we communicate we assume that our audience knows what we're talking about. I've been reading award entries this week and so many of them don't make it …
Show notes
Nothing is obvious to the uninformed ... yet so often when we communicate we assume that our audience knows what we're talking about.
I've been reading award entries this week and so many of them don't make it obvious what they do. It's a lost opportunity for them to make an impression and to make an impact with the judging panel.
It's not just award entries where this happens though:
- describing your business
- describing your role in government
- introducing yourself at networking functions
In this episode I explain how to make it simply obvious to your audience.
Listen in to hear:
- why nothing is obvious to the uninformed
- how to think about what you do so you can describe it in a way that lands
- how thinking in 'sesame street terms' might help you simplify your message
- how being cute, jargonistic or extra clever doesn't help
- my simple framework for explaining what you do, simply
To learn more about my Earn The Right Framework, listen to
Episode 7 - Why Me? Overcoming I'm Not Good Enough
Help me celebrate 200 episodes. Leave a question or a toast below or, head over to instagram and leave your question or toast there
Subscribe to my juicy almost-weekly newsletter to be the first in the know about my upcoming Masterclasses, events and 'work out loud' with me
197 - Trusting Yourself To Say The Right Thing
How often have you NOT spoken up because you don’t trust yourself to say the ‘right’ thing?I was recently asked these 2 questions:How do you build the confidence in knowing what to say? How do you trust …
Show notes
How often have you NOT spoken up because you don’t trust yourself to say the ‘right’ thing?
I was recently asked these 2 questions:
- How do you build the confidence in knowing what to say? How do you trust yourself to provide the right content?
- How do you develop the confidence to trust your intuition?
And I thought answering them would make for a delicious discussion.
Listen in to hear:
How I determined what is the ‘right’ thing to say (as a recovering over-thinker and self-doubter)
How to listen to your audience in a way that tells you what they want to know
How to strengthen your intuition in an age of AI and ‘should’ messaging
The ways to practice trusting your intuition to strength it
Why feedback and interaction is the best way to determine if you’re ‘saying the right thing’ (which requires practice and risk)
>> I would LOVE your help to celebrate 200 episodes of Speaking with Confidence with Cat Matson. If you’re listening on a platform that allows comments, leave a ‘toast’ for the podcast that I can read out on the show, or ask me a question I can answer on episode 200!
If you can't leave comments on your podcast app, head over to this pinned post on Instagram and leave your toast, or ask your question, there.
>> Want more ideas on strengthening your intuition?
Listen to this interview with Chenae Carey
Episode 123 - Intuitive Business with Chenae Carey
Want to dive deeper into each podcast, work out loud with me and be the first to know of my events? Subscribe to my substack newsletter, Impactful, here https://catmatson.substack.com/
196 - Where Does Your Confidence Come From?
Where does your confidence come from?Is it authority?Is it something else?That was a question I was asked recently and I’m answering it in this week’s podcast.A listener asked:>> When you stand up as a public …
Show notes
Where does your confidence come from?
Is it authority?
Is it something else?
That was a question I was asked recently and I’m answering it in this week’s podcast.
A listener asked:
>> When you stand up as a public speaker, how do you build your confidence? Through authority, or something else? And, if authority, is it internal or external authority?
What a question!
Listen in to hear my exploration, including:
When external authority is important in building your confidence
How to build your internal authority
How to recognise the authority that others ascribe to you
Why using my ‘brag bag stories’ is a powerful way to build your confidence around your authority
Why the conversations you have repeatedly are often a source of fabulous authority (even if it seems too obvious to you).
>> I would LOVE your help to celebrate 200 episodes of Speaking with Confidence with Cat Matson. If you’re listening on a platform that allows comments, leave a ‘toast’ for the podcast that I can read out on the show, or ask me a question I can answer on episode 200!
If your podcast app doesn't let you leave comments, then ask your question or make a toast on this instagram post.
>> Want to know more about brag bag stories and establishing your authority?
Listen to episode 143 - How To Establish Credibility without sounding braggy - https://open.spotify.com/episode/7C2ap7T1cPRJUjkeOkcZoJ?si=mTF_fmvARqGXUD3rKHYU_g
And want to dive deeper into each podcast, work out loud with me and be the first to know of my events? Subscribe to my substack newsletter, Impactful, here https://catmatson.substack.com/
Speaking with Impact Day 7 | Bringing it all together
SPECIAL EVENTThis week, from 20 April, 2026, I am hosting the 7 day Speaking with Impact Practice Series.Each day's practice video / podcast will be shared here.To get all the extras, including the opportunity …
Show notes
SPECIAL EVENT
This week, from 20 April, 2026, I am hosting the 7 day Speaking with Impact Practice Series.
Each day's practice video / podcast will be shared here.
To get all the extras, including the opportunity to get your questions answered, and the TWO live coaching calls, join here
Speaking with Impact Practice Series Day 6 | Bragging without sounding arrogant
SPECIAL EVENTThis week, from 20 April, 2026, I am hosting the 7 day Speaking with Impact Practice Series.Each day's practice video / podcast will be shared here.To get all the extras, including the opportunity …
Show notes
SPECIAL EVENT
This week, from 20 April, 2026, I am hosting the 7 day Speaking with Impact Practice Series.
Each day's practice video / podcast will be shared here.
To get all the extras, including the opportunity to get your questions answered, and the TWO live coaching calls, join here
Speaking with Impact Practice Series Day 5 | Overcoming "I'm not good enough"
SPECIAL EVENTThis week, from 20 April, 2026, I am hosting the 7 day Speaking with Impact Practice Series.Each day's practice video / podcast will be shared here.To get all the extras, including the opportunity …
Show notes
SPECIAL EVENT
This week, from 20 April, 2026, I am hosting the 7 day Speaking with Impact Practice Series.
Each day's practice video / podcast will be shared here.
To get all the extras, including the opportunity to get your questions answered, and the TWO live coaching calls, join here
Speaking with Impact Practice Series Day 4 | Managing Nerves
SPECIAL EVENTThis week, from 20 April, 2026, I am hosting the 7 day Speaking with Impact Practice Series.Each day's practice video / podcast will be shared here.To get all the extras, including the opportunity …
Show notes
SPECIAL EVENT
This week, from 20 April, 2026, I am hosting the 7 day Speaking with Impact Practice Series.
Each day's practice video / podcast will be shared here.
To get all the extras, including the opportunity to get your questions answered, and the TWO live coaching calls, join here
Speaking with Impact Practice Series Day 3 | Collecting Your Thoughts
SPECIAL EVENTThis week, from 20 April, 2026, I am hosting the 7 day Speaking with Impact Practice Series.Each day's practice video / podcast will be shared here.To get all the extras, including the opportunity …
Show notes
SPECIAL EVENT
This week, from 20 April, 2026, I am hosting the 7 day Speaking with Impact Practice Series.
Each day's practice video / podcast will be shared here.
To get all the extras, including the opportunity to get your questions answered, and the TWO live coaching calls, join here
Speaking with Impact Practice Series Day 2 | Clarity of Message
SPECIAL EVENTThis week, from 20 April, 2026, I am hosting the 7 day Speaking with Impact Practice Series.Each day's practice video / podcast will be shared here.To get all the extras, including the opportunity …
Show notes
SPECIAL EVENT
This week, from 20 April, 2026, I am hosting the 7 day Speaking with Impact Practice Series.
Each day's practice video / podcast will be shared here.
To get all the extras, including the opportunity to get your questions answered, and the TWO live coaching calls, join here
Speaking with Impact Practice Series Day 1
SPECIAL EVENTThis week, from 20 April, 2026, I am hosting the 7 day Speaking with Impact Practice Series.Each day's practice video / podcast will be shared here.To get all the extras, including the opportunity …
Show notes
SPECIAL EVENT
This week, from 20 April, 2026, I am hosting the 7 day Speaking with Impact Practice Series.
Each day's practice video / podcast will be shared here.
To get all the extras, including the opportunity to get your questions answered, and the TWO live coaching calls, join here
195 - What Is My Authentic Voice Anyway?
Authenticity is important - I think we all accept that.But how do we find our authentic voice, anyway?You know that saying, we teach what we most need to learn? Well, it’s no accident that I bang on about …
Show notes
Authenticity is important - I think we all accept that.
But how do we find our authentic voice, anyway?
You know that saying, we teach what we most need to learn? Well, it’s no accident that I bang on about authenticity as much as I do … it’s something I’ve struggled, and struggle with.
So in this week’s episode I’m sharing my personal experience with authenticity, how I keep working to find my authentic voice and share some ‘from my real life’ experiences that might help you.
Listen in to hear:
Why authenticity is important in our current ‘connection desert’
How authenticity is actually your competitive edge in a world of AI-information which is really just the aggregate of everything that exists on the internet
The impact of ‘sponging’ off others on social media, and how that’s clouded my authenticity rather than clarified it
Why I think authenticity is created, discovered, through community and conversation, alongside self-reflection and presence
To hear more about my earn-the-right framework, that helps pull your red threads of goodness together, listen to one of my earliest episodes, episode 4, Imposter Syndrome, and How I Overcome It
Help me CELEBRATE 200 Episodes
Ask me a question, that I can answer on the 200th episode; and/or
Tell me why you listen, what you enjoy, what you learn … make a toast to the podcast
Either comment here, wherever you're listening or comment on the pinned post on instagram (or message me there)
https://www.instagram.com/catmatson/
Thank you for helping me celebrate such a big milestone!
194 - Does This Make Sense ? Is it really such a bad question to ask?
‘Does this make sense?’ - a simple 4 word sentence that some of my peers would suggest you should NEVER ask?Why?It’s suggested that asking this question can be eitherCondescending - suggesting your listener is …
Show notes
‘Does this make sense?’ - a simple 4 word sentence that some of my peers would suggest you should NEVER ask?
Why?
It’s suggested that asking this question can be either
Condescending - suggesting your listener is too stupid to understand whatever it is you’re explaining; or
Damaging your credibility - suggesting you’re questioning your communication effectiveness
I disagree, HARD, on both accounts.
I have been asking this question my entire facilitation and coaching career.
Listen in to hear:
Why I don’t think asking ‘does this make sense’ is either condescending or credibility damaging
Why I think it’s actually a useful question to ask to check for understanding before adding more info
How tonality, body language and even intention of the question has more to do with whether the query is condescending or
After listening, I’m genuinely curious … is this a blind spot of mine and do I sound condescending, or like I don’t know what I’m talking about?
Let me know in the comments or find me on instagram - https://www.instagram.com/catmatson/
Join the 7 day Speaking with Impact Practice Series here - https://www.impactfulpresenters.com/live-webinar/speaking-with-impact-7-day-practice-series-april/register
193 - Tired of Repeating Yourself? How to Be Heard Without Burning Out
Ever feel tired, no, EXHAUSTED? Saying the same thing over and over and over and over again, and being dismissed, not heard, not understood or just getting polite nods?If you’re striving to influence change, or …
Show notes
Ever feel tired, no, EXHAUSTED? Saying the same thing over and over and over and over again, and being dismissed, not heard, not understood or just getting polite nods?
If you’re striving to influence change, or make an impact, it can often feel like you’re bashing your head against a brick wall, or yelling into the void.
If that’s true, this episode is for you. Having been there (many times), today I’m sharing both communication tips as well as energy and wellbeing tips to keep you showing up, speaking up and making your voice heard.
Listen in to hear:
How to stop blaming ‘them’ and change your approach for better outcomes
Why ‘seeking first to understood, then to be understood’ is a POWERFUL way to connect with your audience
A not-so-gentle reminder that influence takes time … and you’re unlikely to make a dent in the universe with just one conversation
How to use stories rather than data to help move your audience
How surrounding yourself with other like-minded people can be a powerful way to top up your mental wellbeing cup when it feels like you’re not making progress
My personal daily ritual for noticing the ‘wins’ and progress … so I can keep going
Join me for my upcoming Speaking with Impact 7 Day Practice Series. It starts 20 April and is completely FREE! Details here
Have a question you’d like to ask me? DM me on instagram
192 - Stop Over-Explaining! Tell Stoies Instead
If you’re prone to over-explaining yourself, you’re going to love this episode.Using stories to illustrate your point is a powerful way to land your message. The trick though is to not make your story too long …
Show notes
If you’re prone to over-explaining yourself, you’re going to love this episode.
Using stories to illustrate your point is a powerful way to land your message. The trick though is to not make your story too long, or a shaggy dog story, either.
Listen in to hear:
Why you might over explain yourself
How I changed from over explaining to using stories
How to tell stories that are based on your lived experience
How to ensure your stories don’t become too long, too detailed, or too irrelevant
My story of why I think we need more diverse voices contributing to the conversations that matter
Join me for my Storytelling SpeakEASY on Friday 27 March
Want to be the first to hear about the May round of Communicate with Impact? Sign up for my newsletter, here
Follow me (and ask me questions) on Instagram
191 - How To Have Conversations for Commercial Outcomes Without Being Salesy
Delivering commercial outcomes is one of the reasons we have conversations - whether it’s one-on-one or at scale through panels, keynotes, webinars or on podcasts. But so often we focus so much on giving value …
Show notes
Delivering commercial outcomes is one of the reasons we have conversations - whether it’s one-on-one or at scale through panels, keynotes, webinars or on podcasts. But so often we focus so much on giving value, we forget to actually move our listeners along the customer journey - towards a commercial outcome.
In this episode I’m sharing my thoughts on how to be of service, be friendly and build rapport AND drive commercial outcomes in all your conversations.
Listen in to hear:
The power of clarifying your strategic intent before any conversation
Why you want to consider your call to action before you start speaking
How to seed the next steps throughout your conversations and presentation
How to align speaking engagements, such as panels, conference presentations or even podcast guesting with your strategic goals
How to move your listener closer to a sales outcome, without being pushy or salesy
Join my Storytelling SpeakEASY on Friday 27 March - register now
As me questions about this episode on Instagram
Help more diverse voices be heard in the conversations that matter - subscribe, rate or follow this podcast, or leave a comment, a review or share.
190 - How To Develop Gravitas
Gravitas - we know it when we see it, but how do we develop it for ourselves?In this week’s episode I’m exploring what gravitas is, what it’s NOT and how you can develop it for yourself, NOW (without any more …
Show notes
Gravitas - we know it when we see it, but how do we develop it for ourselves?
In this week’s episode I’m exploring what gravitas is, what it’s NOT and how you can develop it for yourself, NOW (without any more experience, knowledge or expertise).
Listen in to hear:
The true essence of gravitas (and how you’re probably closer than you think to having it)
The things we do that undermine our gravitas, that you can fix more easily than you think
How to use stories from your past experiences to bring more gravitas and presence to your conversations
How my ‘brag bag’ framework can be used to develop gravitas (brag bag stories are the gift that keep on giving!)
How I embody gravitas without sounding braggy
SpeakEASY - Storytelling - register now for my free Storytelling SpeakEASY session to practice your gravitas-giving-brag-bag-stories
Got a question you’d like me to answer? Ask away on Instagram
And please, help me help more diverse voices to be heard in the conversations that matter. Subscribe, share, rate this podcast, or leave a review or comment.
189 - Authentic Storytelling in an AI World
Gabrielle Dolan is a keynote speaker and author who teaches leaders the art and skill of strategic storytelling, teaching them to communicate more effectively with stories.In her recent book, Story …
Show notes
Gabrielle Dolan is a keynote speaker and author who teaches leaders the art and skill of strategic storytelling, teaching them to communicate more effectively with stories.
In her recent book, Story Intelligence. The Craft of Authentic Storytelling, Made Smarter with AI, Gabrielle explores how we can stay authentic while using AI to tell better stories to boost our credibility, lead change and make an impact.
Listen in to hear:
The core elements of effective storytelling and why storytelling is a skill that anyone can learn
Gabrielle’s concept of ‘story intelligence’, and how you can use storytelling to enhance leadership and your influence
The mistakes people make when it comes to finding, overlooking and telling their stories (not to mention, inauthentic fabrications)
How to use and balance AI tools with your authentic voice, and practical ways to use AI as a storytelling coach
Why authentic stories are increasingly important in world of declining trust
Register Now for my Storytelling SpeakEASY on March 27
-----Buy Gabrielle’s book, Story Intelligence. The Craft of Authentic Storytelling, Made Smarter with AI on Amazon or Booktopia
Connect with Gabrielle on LinkedIn
And please, help me help more diverse voices be heard in the conversations that matter. Subscribe to, follow or rate this podcast, leave a review or comment or simply share on social media.
188 - How to Speak Up in Meetings with Senior Leaders
A key form of professional influence is speaking up, and being heard, in meetings with senior leaders. That might be really daunting, or, you’ve struggled with knowing saying the right things to get people …
Show notes
A key form of professional influence is speaking up, and being heard, in meetings with senior leaders. That might be really daunting, or, you’ve struggled with knowing saying the right things to get people nodding in understanding.
Having been in this situation myself, and then sitting in senior leadership roles, I’ve seen and worked through these communication challenges from all angles, and I’m sharing my top tips for being heard in meetings with senior leaders.
Listen in to hear:
What senior leaders REALLY need when they’re receiving information by firehose from multiple sources
How to summarise your details into top-level information that adds value
Why focussing on the essence of what you want to say, rather than your words, will save you
Why getting upset that someone else repeats our idea and gets the credit is NOT necessarily a bad thing (even if it’s frustrating)
How to be seen as a meaningful contributor, and not just adding more noise
Want a FREE Confident Communication Coaching Session with me? Book here
(https://tidycal.com/cat-matson/confident-communication-coaching-session)
Other Episodes mentioned
177 - Sales Conversations That Feel Fabulous
https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/OThTmqIsMZb
Please help me equip more humble leaders with the confidence to contribute to the conversations that matter. Rate, review and follow this podcast, wherever you’re listening
Got a question? Ask away on instagram - https://www.instagram.com/catmatson/
187 - How To Be Concise Without Being Abrupt or Cold
If I had a dollar for every time someone told me they want to speak more concisely … Sure, there’s value in getting to the point, but concise isn’t as necessary as we think it is.And, if you are being concise …
Show notes
If I had a dollar for every time someone told me they want to speak more concisely …
Sure, there’s value in getting to the point, but concise isn’t as necessary as we think it is.
And, if you are being concise, how do you do it in a way that doesn’t come across as cold, abrupt or uncaring?
Listen in to hear
The distinction between concise and effective communication
How you can still get to the point without being abrupt
My ‘speak to your full stops’ technique for minimising the ramble
Why understanding where you’re listener is at is a powerful way to narrow your message
The extraordinary power of intentional communication
Want a FREE Confident Communication Coaching Session with me? Book here (https://tidycal.com/cat-matson/confident-communication-coaching-session)
Other Episodes mentioned
177 - Sales conversations that feel fabulous - https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/OThTmqIsMZb
Please help me equip more humble leaders with the confidence to contribute to the conversations that matter. Rate, review and follow this podcast, wherever you’re listening
Got a question? Ask away on instagram (https://www.instagram.com/catmatson/)
These are the latest 40 of 218 episodes. You’ll find older episodes in the podcast’s feed.
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