#89 Confidence from the Courtroom to the Boardroom - Stuttering and Leadership with Mike Liben

On stage at the school assembly, second-grade Mike got stuck for 30 seconds saying the Pledge of Allegiance. Every eye on him. Then: a rush. Not relief—an actual high. "I got through it. I did it." Today Mike Liben is CEO of Chai Travel, leading meetings, closing deals, and proving substance beats style every time. When the Brooklyn DA suggested Mike avoid the courtroom, Mike was resolute: "I'll say what I need to say. And they'll listen." He took the harder path—and it made him stronger. Judges started requesting him. Not despite his stutter. Because of what he brought. Every leader can learn from Mike: The best communicators aren't the smoothest talkers. They're the most prepared. Whether you stutter or not, this proves speaking with confidence comes from knowing what you have to say matters more than how you say it. IN THIS EPISODE: Why preparation and substance beat smooth delivery every time (courtroom lessons for every leader) The "rush" after doing hard things - and what it teaches about building confidence How to navigate difficult conversations when the stakes are high Barry Liben's intensity - how the same force that was sometimes tough for young Mike also became his model for resilience Why judges preferred Mike in court (hint: it wasn't his fluency!) What Mike learned about leadership from watching his father refuse to let physical limitations win How stuttering built the empathy that makes Mike a better CEO The business principles behind Chai Travel's success What every professional can learn about speaking with confidence in meetings, presentations, and executive conversations   ABOUT OUR GUEST: Mike Liben is CEO of Chai Travel, a family-founded travel agency built on the legacy of his father, Barry Liben. Before entering the travel industry, Mike spent 11 years as a prosecuting attorney in the Brooklyn District Attorney's office, specializing in domestic violence cases. Despite stuttering since childhood, Mike chose the courtroom over desk work - and became the prosecutor judges requested. Mike lives with his wife and children, carrying forward his father's philosophy of treating everyone like family.   TIMESTAMPS  0:00 Mike's obsession with substance over style 1:21 Welcome to TranscendingX 2:06 What doesn't show up on Mike's resume 5:26 On stage at the school assembly: The Pledge of Allegiance moment 8:02 The "rush" after hard moments—building confidence through action 9:42 Doing hard things builds the capacity for leadership 10:01 The worst advice: "Stomp your foot while stuttering" 10:49 "Did you forget your name?"—what people still get wrong 13:15 The complicated father-son dynamic 16:25 Barry's frustration: "I want my money back" 17:14 What changed: Seeing the stuttering community 19:39 Barry's mobility challenges: Modeling relentless determination 22:41 Bar mitzvah speech: When fluency went "off the rails" 27:03 "I think I'm done with therapy"—choosing his own path 31:50 Growing up in Barry Liben's shadow 32:02 Why Mike chose to become an attorney despite stuttering 33:48 Courtroom lesson: The best attorneys are the most prepared 35:23 The DA's suggestion: "Maybe avoid the courtroom" 36:13 Mike's resolute response: "I'll say what I need to say. And they'll listen." 38:47 First court appearances: The harder path made him stronger 39:31 Judges started requesting Mike—substance won over style 39:50 Transitioning from prosecutor to entrepreneur 40:21 Barry Liben: Self-made travel industry force 42:06 Starting Chai Travel: Following Barry's example 42:48 Barry's credo: Treat everyone like family (top to bottom) 45:06 The turbulence analogy: When to push through vs. when to reroute 46:51 Leading as CEO: How communication challenges show up (and don't) 49:35 Empathy from experience: Why understanding challenges makes you a better leader 57:00 The myth: Communication challenges don't have to disqualify you from leadership 57:57 Let substance guide your decisions, not style 58:42 Mike's billboard: "Substance is what matters" ABOUT THE HOST Uri Schneider, M.A. CCC -SLP is co-founder and leader at Schneider Speech; creator and host of Transcending X; and former faculty at the University of California, Riverside School of Medicine. SEE ALL SHOW NOTES http://www.transcendingx.com/podcast LEARN MORE at http://www.transcendingx.com and http://www.schneiderspeech.com