#86 How to Own Your Voice in High-Stakes Situations, With Mark Friedlich

Listen in for a masterclass in courage: not the absence of fear, but the refusal to let fear run the show.

Mark Friedlich grew up in a tenement apartment on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, the son of Holocaust survivors, sharing a bedroom and living with scarcity. Today, he speaks on global stages, testifies before Congress, and serves as Vice President of Government Affairs at a multinational corporation.

He also stutters, sometimes noticeably, always unapologetically.

In this raw, powerful conversation, Mark shares how he built a career at the highest levels of leadership without ever hiding his voice. He doesn’t minimize his fear. He prepares. He shows up. He speaks anyway.

If you’ve ever feared speaking up in a meeting, on a stage, or in a tough conversation, this episode will change how you see fear, confidence, and what it really means to own your voice.

In this episode on how to own your voice in high-stakes situations, you’ll discover:

• Why Mark never saw stuttering as an impediment, and what that mindset unlocked for him;
• The difference between fear that stops us and fear that sharpens us;
• How to own your voice in high-stakes situations, even if you stutter;
• How to respond with strength and grace when other people give you “the look”;
• How preparation, mindset, and choosing discomfort can be antidotes to holding back;
• Mark's memorable conversation with President Bill Clinton;
• And more.

AUDIO TIMESTAMPS
00:00 – Introduction to TranscendingX and the Power of Voice
01:17 – Meet Mark Friedlich: From Stuttering and Scarcity to Executive Leadership
04:14 – What It’s Like to Be a VP of Government Affairs in a Global Corporation
07:03 – How Preparation Builds Confidence in High-Stakes Situations
17:29 – Redefining Stuttering: From Weakness to Source of Strength
19:51 – Why Authenticity Creates Trust and Lasting Impact
21:02 – Owning Personal Identity and Evolving With Intention
22:33 – How to Handle Social Reactions and Stay Grounded
25:06 – Standing Up for Yourself with Clarity and Respect
25:56 – Understanding the Personal and Professional Cost of Speaking Up
29:00 – Strategic Preparation Tips for Confident Communication
33:51 – Final Reflections on Leadership, Courage, and Being Seen

ABOUT THE GUEST

Mark Friedlich, ESQ, CPA is Vice President of Government Affairs for a multinational software corporation, advising the Senate Finance Committee, House Ways and Means Committee, and multiple presidential administrations. With senior executive experience at PwC, Thomson Reuters, and Wolters Kluwer, he's recognized as a leading authority on tax, accounting, and economic policy. Mark serves on the IRS Board, AICPA, and HBR Advisory Council.

A person who stutters, Mark grew up on New York's Lower East Side with Holocaust survivor parents and transformed potential limitations into leadership strengths. From testifying before Congress to mentoring young professionals who stutter, Mark demonstrates that authentic leadership means owning every part of yourself.

Preparation is everything. Authenticity is non-negotiable. Every fear presents an opportunity.

QUOTES
“Put yourself in uncomfortable situations because that's the only way one will grow” - Mark Friedlich

“We can't control most situations. The only thing we are able to control is how we react.” - Mark Friedlich

“Whether you think you have a speech impediment or you don't think you have a speech impediment, you're right.” - Uri Schneider

ABOUT THE HOST
Uri Schneider, M.A. CCC -SLP is co-founder and leader at Schneider Speech; creator and host of Transcending Stuttering; and former faculty at the University of California, Riverside School of Medicine.

SEE ALL SHOW NOTES http://www.transcendingx.com/podcast


LEARN MORE at http://www.transcendingx.com and http://www.schneiderspeech.com