If I were to ask you your greatest fear in the world, statistics tell me that aside from death, most of you would likely answer public speaking. While the connection between public speaking and health isn’t necessarily in focus for all of us right away, what I hear behind the scenes at my practice is that powerful women (on big missions to change the world!) eventually butt up against the need to publicly speak. It scares them and induces anxiety, and they end up avoiding the next right step in their business.
So, it is my pleasure to introduce this week’s guest, Johanna Walker. She is a speaking coach and is known as the fear-blasting, storytelling maven for coaches, consultants, leaders, and change-makers. She’s the founder of Women Who Speak, a transformational speaker coaching program for female leaders, and she’s the co-founder and co-host of Boulder, Colorado’s popular bi-monthly story slam series, Truth Be Told.
In this incredibly insightful episode with Johanna, we speak all about gaining the confidence to connect to your story and share it with others in a public setting, getting comfortable with being “judged,” how to be authentically vulnerable, and how to leverage the power of storytelling as an entrepreneur.
Key Takeaways:
[1:43] About my guest for today, Johanna Walker.
[3:19] Welcoming Johanna to the podcast!
[4:15] Johanna’s powerful story.
[9:13] Where Johanna thinks the shared experience of women not wanting to speak up or struggling to share their voice comes from.
[10:30] The first step Johanna takes with women wanting to connect with their story and having the confidence to share it.
[11:48] The process Johanna uses to help others tap into their story.
[15:33] Confronting the fear of being judged while public speaking.
[18:41] When did Johanna really connect to your confidence?
[23:05] Has Johanna ever received judgmental feedback?
[24:39] Johanna takes us through the structure of effective storytelling.
[27:55] How to be, and seem, authentically vulnerable in your story.
[30:53] How to harness the power of storytelling and effectively leverage that as an entrepreneur.
[33:33] What makes a great speaker.
[36:28] What Johanna would like her legacy to be.
[37:06] How Johanna defines health.
[39:46] Johanna’s key performance indicators!
[43:23] Where to find Johanna online and her special gift for Entrepology listeners!
Mentioned in This Episode:
JohannaWalker.com/Entrepology (Visit for a coaching freebie!)
More About Johanna Walker
Johanna Walker is the fear-blasting, storytelling maven for coaches, consultants, leaders, and change-makers. She’s the founder of Women Who Speak, a transformational speaker coaching program for female leaders, and she’s the co-founder and co-host of Boulder, Colorado’s popular bi-monthly story slam series, Truth Be Told. In addition to her work as a speaker and coach, Johanna has written and performed solo theater pieces that she’s toured throughout the US and Canada. She holds an M.Ed. from Kent State University, an MFA from Naropa University, and is a certified WholeSpeak Public Speaking Coach.
Connect with my Guest:
Website: Johannawalker.com
Visit JohannaWalker.com/Entrepology for a coaching freebie!
Social Media: Instagram.com/JayWalk63
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ENTREPOLOGY PERFORMANCE LABS
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CALL TO ACTION
“It begins with being willing to walk towards the fear,” as Johanna says. Be willing to change your old story and consider the possibility that you have something to say that is of value. There is nothing too small or too big to share. Work on being physically present and connect to your body — and therefore, your stories. It all starts by taking that first step by being willing to show up for the discomfort! Remember to follow-up on The Entrepology Podcast Facebook page — because when you are accountable, you are helpable.
Tweetables:
“It begins with being willing to walk towards the fear.” — Johanna Walker
“One of the things that are so important to me about speaking and telling our stories is being connected to our bodies. … Our experiences [and stories] live in our bodies, so I work very physically.” — Johanna Walker
“It’s not about you; it’s about the connection. It’s about the person in the audience who’s hearing you and opening up their heart to you.” — Johanna Walker
“[With effective storytelling] the first thing is really knowing your context; knowing who you’re speaking to and knowing why you’re telling the story.” — Johanna Walker
“I think a great speaker is one who ‘shows up.’” — Johanna Walker
“I think being willing to show up for the discomfort is how we heal the discomfort.”
— Johanna Walker