304: Speak More Confidently and Calm Your Nerves with David Pope

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If you’ve ever cringed at the sound of your own voice during a Zoom call or playback, you’re not alone. But what if your voice was the key to getting promoted, speaking with more confidence, or finally being seen as a leader?

In this episode of The Mid-Career GPS Podcast, BBC-trained executive voice coach David Pope joins John Neral for a transformative conversation about how your voice impacts your leadership brand, career growth, and personal confidence.

With a client list that includes CEOs, TEDx speakers, and professionals worldwide, David breaks down the science behind vocal perception and how people make snap judgments about your competence and executive presence based on how you sound.

You’ll walk away with actionable strategies to sound more confident in interviews, meetings, and presentations—even if you're feeling nervous inside.

Tune in to learn:

• Why mid-career professionals must pay attention to their voice in today’s competitive job market
• The psychological impact of how we sound—and why it affects hiring and promotion decisions
• How to project authentic gravitas without faking a deeper or “stronger” voice
• The real reason we hate hearing ourselves recorded—and how to get over it
• How vocal variety, pace, and strategic pauses can dramatically increase your impact
• A practical voice training toolkit: posture, diaphragmatic breathing, pitch control, and articulation
• Why slowing down helps you own the room and lead with authority
• A powerful success story of a job seeker who used voice coaching to land her dream role
• How to build a “virtuous circle” of speaking confidence and positive feedback
• The deep connection between your voice, self-worth, and career clarity

Whether you're preparing for a big interview, looking to get promoted, or want to show up with more confidence in your current role, this episode gives you the tools to speak like the leader you already are.

Connect with David Pope

Free Public Speaking Bundle | LinkedIn |

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