Speak English with Confidence | More Than Words

Epizodai

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  (3 min) Your English Mistakes Sound Worse to You Than to Anyone Else | with Lauren Martin 02.10.2026 2min

  Have you ever stopped yourself halfway through a sentence in a meeting because you weren't sure the grammar was right? In this short clip from a longer conversation, I'm joined by Lauren Martin, a language expert and copywriter who runs Simply Copy and helps language teachers, coaches and schools with their marketing, to talk about why so many capable professionals freeze when speaking English at work. We talk about how grammar-heavy schooling leaves people so worried about getting every sentence perfect that they won't open up at all, and how quieting the inner critic and accepting that mistakes are fine is what actually helps you overcome English anxiety. Lauren also makes a point I loved, that people want confidence for what it unlocks, getting on at work and connecting with people, and the fear of making mistakes in English is what's standing in the way. And those little slips you're so worried about? They're far louder in your head than in the mind of the person listening. This is Speak English with Confidence, previously 'From Lost to the River', a weekly show about language, identity, and what it really takes to speak with confidence. More conversations, coaching options, and my new book 'More Than Words: Essays on Language, Identity, and the Courage to Speak' at procoachenglish.com. Find Lauren: Instagram: @simplycopy_co LinkedIn: Lauren Martin Website: https://simplycopyco.com/ Connect with me on Substack: https://substack.com/@thecouragetospeak
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  (6 min) Stop Comparing Your English to Everyone Else's | Verónica Vitale on Speaking English with Confidence 30.09.2026 5min

  Most people who have studied English for years still measure themselves against the colleague who lived in California, or against native speakers, and come away feeling they will never be good enough. Add the "fluent in six weeks" promises all over social media, and speaking English confidently starts to feel like a race you can't win. In this short clip, I talk with English teacher Verónica Vitale, founder of Vital English, about why comparing yourself to others is never a fair comparison and how to build English confidence at your own pace. Veronica shares her perspective on the pressure created by unrealistic fluency timelines, why real learning happens long after the lesson ends, and how podcasts, films and content you already enjoy help your English click over time. This extract is taken from a longer conversation, where we switch between Spanish and English. Click HERE to watch it on YouTube with subtitles.  This is Speak English with Confidence, previously 'From Lost to the River', a weekly show about language, identity, and what it really takes to speak with confidence. More conversations, coaching options, and my new book 'More Than Words: Essays on Language, Identity, and the Courage to Speak' at procoachenglish.com. Find Verónica: Instagram: @vitalenglishorg TikTok: @veronicavitale01 YouTube: Verónica Vitale Connect with me on Substack: https://substack.com/@thecouragetospeak
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  (6 min) You Know English. So Why Can’t You Speak It Confidently? 09.01.2026 6min

  You already know English. So why does something stop you the moment it matters? In this six-minute conversation, I'm joined by master coach Peter Freeth to talk about what's actually happening when you freeze - the inner critic, the fear of embarrassment, the perfectionism that feels like it's protecting you. Because it is. That's the problem. This is Speak English with Confidence, previously 'From Lost to the River', a weekly show about language, identity, and what it really takes to speak with confidence. More conversations, coaching options, and my new book More Than Words: Essays on Language, Identity, and the Courage to Speak at procoachenglish.com.
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  (4 min) Why Years of English Classes Still Leave You Frozen in Meetings | with Nines López 19.12.2025 3min

  You've studied English for years. You know the grammar. So why does speaking it at work still feel so hard? In this four-minute conversation, finance manager Nines López talks about what English learning got wrong - too much grammar, not enough real conversation - and what actually helps professionals stop freezing and start speaking with confidence. Note: this episode is conducted in Spanish. This is Speak English with Confidence, previously 'From Lost to the River', a weekly show about language, identity, and what it really takes to speak with confidence. More conversations, coaching options, and my new book More Than Words: Essays on Language, Identity, and the Courage to Speak at procoachenglish.com.
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  (7 min) Why Fluency Beats Perfection - A Language Coach on Fear, Blocking, and Speaking with Confidence | with Nacho Fernández 10.12.2025 6min

  You understand more than you speak. You freeze in meetings. You know the grammar but can't get the words out in the moment. In this seven-minute conversation, language coach Nacho Fernández - who works with CEOs and senior professionals on exactly this - talks about what actually unlocks speaking confidence. The shift from grammar to communication. The fear of judgement. Why correction and criticism are completely different things. And what happens when you finally drop the block. Note: this episode is conducted in Spanish. This is Speak English with Confidence, previously 'From Lost to the River', a weekly show about language, identity, and what it really takes to speak with confidence. More conversations, coaching options, and my new book More Than Words: Essays on Language, Identity, and the Courage to Speak at procoachenglish.com.
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  (8 min) Exam English vs Real English: Why Certificates Don’t Make You a Confident Speaker 05.12.2025 8min

  Many Spanish professionals have the certificates — B1, B2, even C1 — but still struggle to speak English confidently in real conversations. Why? Because the system teaches you to pass exams, not to communicate. In this episode of Speak English with Confidence, previously 'From Lost to the River', English teacher Alba Guerrero González returns to unpack the difference between Exam English and Real English. We explore how 'titulitis', external pressure, and exam‑oriented learning create a generation of learners who feel confident on paper but insecure when speaking. Alba explains why major exams like selectividad still ignore speaking, and how that shapes your confidence years later in meetings, interviews, and high‑stakes situations. If you’ve ever wondered why you overthink when speaking English, apologise too much, or hesitate even with a strong level, this conversation reveals the emotional roots of that insecurity — and how to rebuild confidence through a connection‑over‑perfection mindset. This episode gives you one clear benefit: a practical way to start speaking more naturally without waiting to feel “ready.” Follow Alba on Instagram and TikTok for daily English tips and speaking strategies. If this episode resonates, you’ll find more conversations, coaching options, and my new book More Than Words: Essays on Language, Identity, and the Courage to Speak at procoachenglish.com. Connect with me on Substack.   
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  (2 min) It’s Not Your English: Why People Don’t Understand You (Even When You Speak Well) 19.11.2025 2min

  Many people speak English well, yet still panic when someone says, “Sorry, could you repeat that?” In this short episode of Speak English with Confidence, previously 'From Lost to the River', I explain why these moments often have nothing to do with your English level. You’ll learn the hidden variables in communication that affect understanding: background noise, distractions in the listener’s mind, technical issues on video calls, and the simple fact that people are often in their own head. When someone doesn’t understand you, it’s usually because they weren’t fully present, not because your English was wrong. This episode will help you stop overthinking, stop blaming yourself, and speak with more confidence in meetings, presentations, and real‑time conversations. If this resonates, you’ll find more conversations, coaching options, and my new book More Than Words: Essays on Language, Identity, and the Courage to Speak at procoachenglish.com. Connect with me on Substack. 
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  (7 min) What Happens to Your Confidence When Someone Looks Confused | with Daniele Ponzo 12.11.2025 7min

  You're mid-sentence and someone's face changes. Suddenly everything you know disappears. In this seven-minute conversation, language coach, author and podcast host Daniele Ponzo talks about exactly that moment -- and what it taught him about confidence, imperfection, and what communication is actually for. His story of being sent to fix a client problem in Barcelona, in his third language, is worth the listen alone. Daniele works with IT professionals on English confidence and hosts The Non-Native Leader podcast. His book Easy English for IT is on Amazon. Note: this episode is conducted in Spanish. Listen to the full conversation in English here on Apple Podcasts. And here on Spotify. And watch it with subtitles here on YouTube.  This is Speak English with Confidence, previously 'From Lost to the River', a weekly show about language, identity, and what it really takes to speak with confidence. More conversations, coaching options, and my new book More Than Words: Essays on Language, Identity, and the Courage to Speak at procoachenglish.com. Connect with me on Substack. 
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  (3 min) Why Perfectionism is Killing Your English Confidence | with Daniele Ponzo 10.11.2025 3min

  Most people who freeze when speaking English have already done everything they were supposed to do. The classes, the grammar, the certification. And it still wasn't enough. In this three-minute clip, language coach and author Daniele Ponzo talks about the moment he realised perfectionism was the problem, not the solution - and what actually shifted when he stopped trying to sound perfect and started trying to connect. His observation that even native speakers constantly mishear each other and ask for repeats is the kind of thing that quietly rewires how you think about your own mistakes. Daniele works with IT professionals on English confidence and hosts The Non-Native Leader podcast. His book Easy English for IT is on Amazon at danieleponzo.com. This is Speak English with Confidence, previously 'From Lost to the River', a weekly show about language, identity, and what it really takes to speak with confidence. More conversations, coaching options, and my new book More Than Words: Essays on Language, Identity, and the Courage to Speak at procoachenglish.com. Connect with me on Substack.
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  (49 min) The Psychology Behind Real English Confidence with Daniele Ponzo 08.11.2025 49min

  Why does the professional who runs meetings brilliantly in their own language go quiet the moment the conversation switches to English? In this conversation, I'm joined by Daniele Ponzo, Italian language coach, author of Easy English for IT and host of The Non-Native Leader Podcast, who spent 13 years in Ireland building a career in a language he'd only ever studied at school. We talk about the red-pen perfectionism he carried into his first job, the day he stood at a friend's funeral with no idea what to say in English, and the moment he noticed native speakers asking each other "sorry, what?" all day long and realised it had never been about him. Daniele also shares what he learned from colleagues with shaky grammar who went on to lead international teams, and why adults need to fall off the bike a few times, the way children do, before the ego stops telling them they should already sound perfect. This is Speak English with Confidence, previously 'From Lost to the River', a weekly show about language, identity, and what it really takes to speak with confidence. More conversations, coaching options, and my new book More Than Words: Essays on Language, Identity, and the Courage to Speak at procoachenglish.com. Find DanieleWebsite: danieleponzo.comLinkedIn: Daniele PonzoHis book: Easy English for IT on AmazonHis podcast: The Non-Native Leader on YouTube More from meWatch this episode with subtitles on YouTubeConnect on Substack: Richard Marshall | Substack
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  (8 min) Positivity & The Sexiest Accent in the World! 04.06.2025 7min

  Do you ever get so busy checking every word that you lose track of what you actually wanted to say? In this eight-minute episode, I share how I used to stress over my Spanish, convinced it was never good enough, and what changed when I started treating language as a tool for getting my message across. I talk about why perfectionism keeps so many capable people quiet, how to stay focused on your objective in a meeting or presentation, and how a little visualisation beforehand can help you act in the moment. There's also a word on accents, which are something to be proud of, and on why real connection with people will always count for more than flawless grammar. This is Speak English with Confidence, previously 'From Lost to the River', a weekly show about language, identity, and what it really takes to speak with confidence. More conversations, coaching options, and my new book More Than Words: Essays on Language, Identity, and the Courage to Speak at procoachenglish.com. Connect with me on Substack.
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  (30 min) De “Me da Vergüenza Hablar” a Expresarte con Confianza 02.05.2025 30min

  What happens when the coach who spends his days telling people to speak without fear has to do it himself, in his second language? In this conversation, recorded entirely in Spanish, I'm joined by Nacho Fernández, a Spanish language coach, to talk about the mental blocks that hold learners back, from fear of getting it wrong to the perfectionism that keeps you silent. We look at how coaching, passive listening and speaking from day one can help you build real confidence quickly. And you get to hear me doing exactly what I ask of my clients: speaking my second language, mistakes and all, and getting the message across anyway. This is Speak English with Confidence, previously 'From Lost to the River', a weekly show about language, identity, and what it really takes to speak with confidence. More conversations, coaching options, and my new book More Than Words: Essays on Language, Identity, and the Courage to Speak at procoachenglish.com. Connect with me on Substack.    
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  (4 min) Learning a Language | One Mistake at a Time 25.04.2025 4min

  Have you ever made a mistake in another language so awkward you wanted the ground to swallow you up? In this four-minute episode, I tell the story of the day, fresh in Spain and still finding my feet in Spanish, an Amazon delivery driver asked me "¿Quieres ver mi carne?" and I thought he was offering to show me his meat 😮 That mix-up taught me something I now build my whole approach around: the mistakes we dread are the very thing that helps us grow. I talk about how laughing at the awkward moments loosens the grip of your inner critic, why real communication will always get you further than flawless grammar, and how to move from self-doubt to simply having a go. This episode will help you stop overthinking, stop blaming yourself, and speak with more confidence in meetings, presentations, and real‑time conversations. If this resonates, you’ll find more conversations, coaching options, and my new book More Than Words: Essays on Language, Identity, and the Courage to Speak at procoachenglish.com. Connect with me on Substack.  Watch with subtitles on YouTube
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  (3 min) The Chicken Story 25.04.2025 3min

  Is there a word in your second language you still avoid saying, just in case it comes out wrong? In this episode, I take you back to my early days in Spain and a trip to the butcher's, where one slightly mispronounced word for chicken turned an ordinary order into something very different, and very memorable. I talk about why the mix-ups that make us cringe at the time often teach us more than any textbook, how staying curious takes the sting out of social embarrassment, and why focusing on getting your message across does far more for your confidence than chasing perfect pronunciation. This is Speak English with Confidence, previously 'From Lost to the River', a weekly show about language, identity, and what it really takes to speak with confidence. More conversations, coaching options, and my new book More Than Words: Essays on Language, Identity, and the Courage to Speak at procoachenglish.com. Watch this episode with subtitles on YouTube Connect with me on Substack
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  (6 min) How to Speak English with Confidence | with Alba Guerrero 31.03.2025 5min

  Most Spanish professionals already know English. Speaking it confidently is another story. Perfectionism, fear of mistakes, and the pressure to "sound correct" can make even simple conversations feel stressful. In this six-minute conversation, I talk with English teacher Alba Guerrero González about why fluency matters more than perfection and how to overcome the fear of speaking English. We explore the real reasons Spanish learners hold themselves back, why mistakes are essential for growth, and how to build English confidence through connection instead of correctness. This is Speak English with Confidence, previously 'From Lost to the River', a weekly show about language, identity, and what it really takes to speak with confidence. More conversations, coaching options, and my new book More Than Words: Essays on Language, Identity, and the Courage to Speak at procoachenglish.com. Find AlbaInstagram: @albaenglishteacherTikTok: @albaenglishteacher Connect with me on substack: https://substack.com/@thecouragetospeak
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  (10 min) My Story | Fear, Frustration & Finding My Purpose 26.03.2025 10min

  Visit my website for more info: procoachenglish.com. In this deeply personal ‘off-camera’ conversation with Sarah Smit, I share how the pandemic forced me to rethink my path. How my frustrations with Spain brought out a darker, more negative side of my personality. And how transforming this negativity has shaped me, allowing me to ultimately find my purpose: helping others break free from their fears of communicating in English. From stand-up comedy to language coaching, this is a story of growth, resilience, and transformation. Follow me on LinkedIn for daily confidence tips.  Watch 'From Lost To The River' with subtitles here on YouTube.  If you're ready for personalised support then you can reach out and book a call with me here via this link. Start building your English confidence today! Explore mindset strategies, coaching insights, and free guides here: Command the Room in English Top 10 English Challenges For Spanish Speakers & How To Fix Them #EnglishConfidence #BusinessEnglish #SpanishExecutives  
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  (8 min) Deja de Buscar la Perfección | Una Charla en Inglés 23.03.2025 8min

  Visit my website for more info: procoachenglish.com. Here’s an extract from my conversation with Sarah Smit, a polyglot and language expert who knows firsthand what it takes to go from zero to fluent, because she did just that while living in the Netherlands for over a decade. We discuss the mindset shifts that truly build confidence in a second language and how my empathy for my clients’ experiences forms the foundation of my coaching. Follow me on LinkedIn for insights! Watch 'From Lost To The River' with subtitles here on YouTube.  If you're ready for personalised support then you can reach out and book a call with me here via this link. Start building your English confidence today! Explore mindset strategies, coaching insights, and free guides here: Command the Room in English Top 10 English Challenges For Spanish Speakers & How To Fix Them #EnglishConfidence #BusinessEnglish #SpanishExecutives
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  (20 min) Una Charla en español | The Spanish Mindset 08.03.2025 19min

  Visit my website for more info: procoachenglish.com. Today, I’m speaking with my client, Miguel Ángel Carrasco Delgado, COO of PRG (Toys R Us & Prenatal), who has nearly 40 years of experience working with top brands like Sephora. He shares how he overcame the fear of making mistakes and built confidence in using English for business. We explore the key mindset shifts that boosted his confidence, along with practical tips for Spanish professionals looking to speak English more confidently. Watch 'From Lost To The River' with subtitles here on YouTube.  If you're ready for personalised support then you can reach out and book a call with me here via this link. Start building your English confidence today! Explore mindset strategies, coaching insights, and free guides here: Command the Room in English Top 10 English Challenges For Spanish Speakers & How To Fix Them #EnglishConfidence #BusinessEnglish #SpanishExecutives
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  (14 min) Fluency Over Perfection | The Key to Speaking English 25.02.2025 14min

  Visit my website for more info: procoachenglish.com. Struggling with your accent? You’re not alone. In this episode, we break down why perfection is overrated and how real communication is the main objective. Hear insights from Alberto Rodríguez on the Spanish-English pronunciation clash and why confidence matters more than flawless speech. Follow me on Linkedin for more English confidence tips! Watch 'From Lost To The River' with subtitles here on YouTube.  If you're ready for personalised support then you can reach out and book a call with me here via this link. Start building your English confidence today! Explore mindset strategies, coaching insights, and free guides here: Command the Room in English Top 10 English Challenges For Spanish Speakers & How To Fix Them #EnglishConfidence #BusinessEnglish #SpanishExecutives
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  (2.5 min) ¿Eres Una Persona Perfeccionista? 11.12.2024 2min

  Visit my website for more info: procoachenglish.com. In this episode, I talk about how perfectionism can stop us from improving in a new language. I’ll share my personal journey of accepting my accent and occasional mistakes in Spanish, and how this mindset shift can help you embrace your unique voice in English. When you accept your English as it is today, you’ll feel more confident, speak up more, and improve faster. Even us native speakers don’t speak perfect (by the book) English! Watch 'From Lost To The River' with subtitles here on YouTube.  If you're ready for personalised support then you can reach out and book a call with me here via this link. Start building your English confidence today! Explore mindset strategies, coaching insights, and free guides here: Command the Room in English Top 10 English Challenges For Spanish Speakers & How To Fix Them #EnglishConfidence #BusinessEnglish #SpanishExecutives