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Influential Introvert: Communication Coaching for Professionals with Performance Anxiety

by Communication & Mindset Coach Sarah Mikutel

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.

Publisher-supplied feed metadata · PodParley refreshed Oct 17, 2026 · Source feed

Episodes

  1. What Dolly Parton Can Teach Introverts

    Dolly never got defensive, never needed the last word, and knew exactly who she was. Based on how she lived her life, she seems like the type of person to ask: “What's the right thing to do?” Now I'm using “What would Dolly do?” as the question to guide my life – I may even tattoo this! Here are...

  2. 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 individual preferences – they are cultural norms. In this episode…

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  3. 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 Swedish flatmate, living in Italy, and years of coaching have...

  4. 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 question you should always ask yourself before opening your...

  5. 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. And the research is clear: The more of these moments you...

  6. 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 how to recognize the progress you're already making. Read...

  7. 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 to disappointment, the shift you need to make for real...

  8. 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 ourselves more grace. Read the transcript *** I’m your...

  9. 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 and communication skills – including how to feel more at...

  10. 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, generous, and good. Volunteering. Overcommitting....

  11. 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 offer a way back through intentional action, self-inquiry…

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  12. 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 happens and how a small shift in how we speak can make a big...

  13. 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 about helping people like you share your voice, strengthen your...

  14. 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 this episode, I explore what the Stoics – and even a…

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  15. 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 share your voice, strengthen your relationships, and have...

  16. 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 “perfect” to “done,” and revisit how the concept of...

  17. 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, it’s harmful. In this episode, I explore the difference...

  18. 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 of likability, the concept of “Love 2.0,” and why the...

  19. 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. If you’ve been rushing from one goal to the next, this is...

  20. 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 kind that comes from gratitude, good character, and being...

  21. 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, and build real confidence – one imperfect step at a time.…

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  22. 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, punishment, and being right. We’ll walk through a real-world...

  23. 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, brooding, misunderstood character. The fabulously wealthy,...

  24. 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 go blank or start rambling when someone puts you on the...

  25. 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 opportunities for personal growth and stronger…

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  26. 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 ethically communicate your intentions. Of course, I’ll be weaving…

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  27. 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 this makes them worse. The thought of public speaking brings...

  28. 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 can! Today you’ll learn how to stop negatively comparing...

  29. 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 layers of motivations and desires that drive our actions and...

  30. 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 confidence and strength. Book a consult to discuss your…

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  31. 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 reflecting on our own points of view, assuming what others...

  32. 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 listening -- and how I successfully navigated the situation.…

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  33. 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 that honor that sacrifice? We can do better. On this…

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  34. 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 unhelpful ways. And this often means staying quiet. We’re not...

  35. 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 between introverts and extroverts where the word ‘cool’…

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  36. 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 situations without becoming a sweaty, blushing mess with a…

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  37. 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 to capture listener feedback in this episode. *** Hiya…

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  38. 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 the listener-support model. This is when you invite your...

  39. 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 to monetize. And on a recent episode you heard my guest...

  40. 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 marketing agency. Jeremy looked into the data of what was and...

  41. 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 interview? I will dive into that in this episode. Plus share...

  42. 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 host Sarah Mikutel, podcast launch consultant at your…

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  43. 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 an interview episode. Don’t worry about writing anything...

  44. 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 Without Borders, a show for peacefully ambitious people…

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  45. 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 media. So if you’re trying to grow your audience, should...

  46. 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 Step is going bi-weekly because I'm developing a new podcast...

  47. 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 motivation? Last year, ABC Audio Studios in Australia, came out…

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  48. 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 statistics. Show notes at sarahmikutel.com *** Hello. I’m Sarah,...

  49. 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 host. *** Hello. I’m Sarah, your host and founder of Podcast...

  50. 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 podcast interviews. These questions can also be found in a new…

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ABOUT THIS SHOW

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.

HOSTED BY

Communication & Mindset Coach Sarah Mikutel

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does Influential Introvert: Communication Coaching for Professionals with Performance Anxiety have?

Influential Introvert: Communication Coaching for Professionals with Performance Anxiety currently has 128 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.

What is Influential Introvert: Communication Coaching for Professionals with Performance Anxiety 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...

How often does Influential Introvert: Communication Coaching for Professionals with Performance Anxiety release new episodes?

Influential Introvert: Communication Coaching for Professionals with Performance Anxiety publishes regularly with 128 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.

Where can I listen to Influential Introvert: Communication Coaching for Professionals with Performance Anxiety?

You can listen to Influential Introvert: Communication Coaching for Professionals with Performance Anxiety on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.

Who hosts Influential Introvert: Communication Coaching for Professionals with Performance Anxiety?

Influential Introvert: Communication Coaching for Professionals with Performance Anxiety is created and hosted by Communication & Mindset Coach Sarah Mikutel.
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