Finding Your Voice: Toby Myles & Karen Laos on Speaking with Confidence

Check Out These Highlights: What happens when early lessons about speaking up collide with cultural conditioning that tells you to stay quiet? In this episode, Karen Laos takes us back to a flea market at age six, where her dad taught her the power of asking for what you want. She reflects on the confusing mix of influences she grew up with a father who reinforced negotiation and a mother who modeled silence at home but leadership in the community, and how those experiences shaped her confidence. Karen shares the moment in a corporate boardroom when she realized she had been asking for permission instead of trusting her instincts, and how that breakthrough set her on a mission to help women overcome self‑doubt. We explore why cultural conditioning often leads women to put others’ needs first, the importance of specificity in networking, and how vulnerability can open doors to deeper connection. She also introduces her Confidence Cocktail framework, eight ingredients that build what she calls “powerhouse presence” and explains why communication is both a skill and a practice. From coaching executives to helping female founders pitch with influence, Karen shows how clarity, courage, and presence can transform not just your career, but your life. About Karen Laos: Karen Laos is a communication expert, executive advisor, and creator of The Confidence Cocktail™. She helps leaders, especially women, find their voice, trust their instincts, and communicate with clarity and courage.  Connect with Karen: 🌐 Website: https://karenlaos.com/ 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenlaos/ 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karenlaosofficial/ 📹Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEwQoTGdJX5eME0ccBKiKng/videos 🎁 Free Resource: 3 Strategies to Speak Up in Meetings Stalk Me Online! About Me: https://tobymyles.com/about/ Free Gift: The Nashville Method: 5-Day Storytelling Mini-Course Subscribe to Her Origin Story on your favorite platform. New episodes every week with real, raw stories about the moments that started it all. Episode Notes Footer:Her Origin Story is produced by Toby Myles Copywriting, and podcast editor Ilorah Dela CruzAll content © 2026 Toby Myles. All rights reserved.