Credibility is linked to believing in yourself and trusting your life experiences.

Are you one of those people who get the jitters before speaking in front of a crowd? Do butterflies swarm your stomach, and does your heart race when all eyes are on you?

In my classes at Columbus State Community College and Ohio University, I explain how these three Cs—confidence, credibility, and composure—interchange and support one another to create stability, grace, and poise when communicating.

Here are a few takeaways from the episode:

Confidence:

This starts from within. It’s closely linked to self-esteem and strengthened every time you push past mistakes and learn from your experiences. Criticism? Remember, opinions are just perspectives, not ultimate truths.

Credibility:

Authenticity is your superpower. The more you believe in your message, skills, and the wisdom you’ve gained from life’s experiences, the more others will trust what you share.

Composure:

Staying calm stems from knowing your worth and the value you bring. Nervousness can be channeled positively through self-talk, focusing less on what others might think and more on sharing your message clearly and confidently.

Treat the audience as if you’re speaking to one person. Focus on delivering your message to that individual, and watch your composure soar.

Ready to challenge yourself and grow in these three areas?

Lillian Zarzar is an international speaker, author and coach who specializes in helping you to overcome the barriers that block you from self-expression.

Lillian believes that the ability to communicate effectively is the foundation of personal growth. Without it, you can neither express what you want nor can you offer others your wisdom.

Lillian's desire is to help you tap into your wisdom and follow your purposeful course. With belief and dedication, you enhance your personal growth, you engage with others meaningfully, and you embark on your road to self-mastery.

Connect with Lillian Zarzar

lillian@lillianzarzar.com

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Copyright 2026 Lillian Zarzar

I sit down with Rachel Brooks, the inspiring author of Chasing Perfection and creator of the Confident Woman newsletter. Rachel opens up about her deeply personal journey—sharing how she hit rock bottom while chasing impossible standards, and the turning point that led her to true healing and self-love.

Together, Rachel and I explore the challenges of facing our fears, the importance of going within, and how to quiet our inner critic so we can live with more presence and authenticity. Rachel speaks honestly about the devastating losses she’s endured, including the tragic death of her father, and how those experiences shaped her capacity for forgiveness, compassion, and personal growth.

This conversation is filled with practical wisdom for anyone who has felt the pressure to perform or who’s seeking a path back to themselves. I hope our discussion encourages you to pause, reflect, and realize the power you hold to rewrite your own story.

Moments

00:00 "When Enough Is Enough"

04:25 Face Your Fears

08:48 "Just Be: Embracing Existence"

10:49 "Reflecting on Purpose and Identity"

14:24 "Purpose Beyond People-Pleasing"

17:33 Brother's Loss, Father's Tragedy

21:03 "Embrace, Process, and Grow"

24:06 "Healing Journey of Self-Reflection"

26:35 "Question Norms, Embrace Awareness"

Here are my favorite takeaways:

Pause and Surrender

True transformation begins when you hit your breaking point and allow yourself time to rest, pause, and surrender. Sometimes, as Rachel Brooks shared, stopping and reflecting are the only ways forward.

Face Your Fears—Reframe Your Narrative

“The thing you fear the most loses power when you turn and face it.” Rachel recommends reframing negative self-talk by challenging old stories and consciously rewriting your narrative—turning “I am not enough” into powerfully affirmative “I am” statements.

Presence and Self-Compassion are Keys to Healing

Cultivating presence (through breathing, meditation, and acceptance) will help quiet your fears and increase clarity. Healing isn’t just about moving beyond trauma, but also about embracing self-love and the understanding that you’re not alone.

Connect with Lillian Zarzar

lillian@lillianzarzar.com

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Lillian Zarzar is an international speaker, author and coach who specializes in helping you to overcome the barriers that block you from self-expression.

Lillian believes that the ability to communicate effectively is the foundation of personal growth. Without it, you can neither express what you want nor can you offer others your wisdom.

Lillian's desire is to help you tap into your wisdom and follow your purposeful course. With belief and dedication, you enhance your personal growth, you engage with others meaningfully, and you embark on your road to self-mastery.

Copyright 2026 Lillian Zarzar

Hey everyone, it’s Lillian Zarzar here! Thank you so much for your support through an incredible first season of the podcast. As we wrap up 2025 and head into the new year, I am thrilled to announce that we’re kicking off January with an inspiring interview with Rachel Brooks. Plus, I’ll be bringing on even more amazing guests, all here to share their wisdom and help you make 2026 your best year yet. Thank you for listening and get ready for a season full of growth, insight, and inspiration!

Copyright 2026 Lillian Zarzar

Connect with Lillian Zarzar

lillian@lillianzarzar.com

LinkedIn

Facebook

Lillian Zarzar is an international speaker, author and coach who specializes in helping you to overcome the barriers that block you from self-expression.

Lillian believes that the ability to communicate effectively is the foundation of personal growth. Without it, you can neither express what you want nor can you offer others your wisdom.

Lillian's desire is to help you tap into your wisdom and follow your purposeful course. With belief and dedication, you enhance your personal growth, you engage with others meaningfully, and you embark on your road to self-mastery.

What are the potential consequences of using terms like "do better" or "improve" without specifics?

How often have you heard (or said), “You need to do better” or “You have to improve your performance”?

It’s easy to assume others will understand what we mean, but as I discuss, vague language just breeds confusion. Clarity is everything, both for being understood and holding each other accountable.

Here are 3 key takeaways:

• Be Specific: Instead of using general terms like “improve” or “do better,” clearly outline what needs to be done. Specific, actionable steps lead to real progress.
• Check for Understanding: After giving instructions or feedback, ask the other person to repeat what you asked in their own words. This ensures your message was received as you intended.
• Write It Down: Provide numbered steps or written instructions. This makes expectations concrete and easier to follow, keeping everyone on the same page.

How do you make your requests and feedback clear? I’d love to hear your experiences!

Lillian Zarzar is an international speaker, author and coach who specializes in helping you to overcome the barriers that block you from self-expression.

Lillian believes that the ability to communicate effectively is the foundation of personal growth. Without it, you can neither express what you want nor can you offer others your wisdom.

Lillian's desire is to help you tap into your wisdom and follow your purposeful course. With belief and dedication, you enhance your personal growth, you engage with others meaningfully, and you embark on your road to self-mastery.

Connect with Lillian Zarzar

lillian@lillianzarzar.com

LinkedIn

Facebook

Copyright 2026 Lillian Zarzar

What personal values do you think most clearly define you?

From the moment you’re born, so many labels are placed upon you—your name, your gender, your family, even down to the time and place of your birth. But are you only your physical traits or the roles you play in life? Or are you shaped by your interests, your relationships, your experiences, and your values?

In the episode, I reflect on how we are all complex beings, constantly evolving and redefining ourselves as we grow and interact with the world. We’re influenced by our families, our careers, our hobbies, and the communities we join. Even our health and the challenges we overcome become part of our identity.

But here’s the most powerful takeaway: You are the architect of your own life. With every choice, lesson, and action, you are designing and defining who you are. Your definition is dynamic, enriched by what you value and whom you connect with.

Lillian Zarzar is an international speaker, author and coach who specializes in helping you to overcome the barriers that block you from self-expression.

Lillian believes that the ability to communicate effectively is the foundation of personal growth. Without it, you can neither express what you want nor can you offer others your wisdom.

Lillian's desire is to help you tap into your wisdom and follow your purposeful course. With belief and dedication, you enhance your personal growth, you engage with others meaningfully, and you embark on your road to self-mastery.

Connect with Lillian Zarzar

lillian@lillianzarzar.com

LinkedIn

Facebook

Copyright 2026 Lillian Zarzar

What steps are you taking toward fulfilling your calling if your current position does not support it?

Here are a few takeaways I share in the episode:

• A career goes beyond just holding a job. It’s a long-term commitment where you continually build skills and grow within a particular field. It comes from what I call an “internal locus of control." It's your dedication and drive to pursue your chosen discipline.
• A calling, meanwhile, is even deeper. It comes from a place of purpose and alignment with your true mission in life. Sometimes you discover your calling after you’ve already started on your career path, but it’s that persistent nudge you can’t ignore, urging you toward what truly fulfills you.
• Contribution is at the heart of everything. Whether you see yourself in a job, a career, or a calling, you play a vital role in your organization, community, and beyond. Your impact can be measurable and linear, or long-lasting and far-reaching, depending on the path you choose.

Reflective Questions for You:

• How does your current position support your career ambitions?
• Do you feel a calling in your work?
• What unique contribution are you making right now?

What’s Next? As you move through your day, I encourage you to reflect honestly on where you are and where you want to go. Are you living your dream, or is there something more you want to strive for?

Lillian Zarzar is an international speaker, author and coach who specializes in helping you to overcome the barriers that block you from self-expression.

Lillian believes that the ability to communicate effectively is the foundation of personal growth. Without it, you can neither express what you want nor can you offer others your wisdom.

Lillian's desire is to help you tap into your wisdom and follow your purposeful course. With belief and dedication, you enhance your personal growth, you engage with others meaningfully, and you embark on your road to self-mastery.

Connect with Lillian Zarzar

lillian@lillianzarzar.com

LinkedIn

Facebook

Copyright 2026 Lillian Zarzar

I want to talk about a fear that so many of us share. The fear of saying the wrong thing, whether it's while giving a toast, speaking up in a meeting, or addressing a large audience.

I share some practical tips on how I’ve learned to conquer those nerves and speak with confidence by following three key steps: prepare, practice, and perform.

We’re all public speakers in our own way, and most of the time, our worries about making mistakes come more from our own thoughts than anyone else’s expectations.

By focusing on the importance of our message and allowing ourselves a little grace for those inevitable moments of imperfection, we can make a meaningful connection with any audience.

Here are my insights and encouragement to help make your next “say a few words” moment a little easier and a lot more impactful!

Here are my top 3 takeaways:

• Prepare, Practice, Perform: Build confidence by identifying your three key points, practicing them, and delivering with energy and sincerity.
• Everyone Listens Differently: Remember, you’re really speaking to each individual, not a monolithic audience. Nobody knows what you were "supposed" to say, so be authentic.
• Mistakes Are Fleeting: Said the wrong thing? Keep going. Every conversation is a chance to clarify your message, so don’t dwell on perfection.

Connect with Lillian Zarzar

lillian@lillianzarzar.com

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Facebook

Lillian Zarzar is an international speaker, author and coach who specializes in helping you to overcome the barriers that block you from self-expression.

Lillian believes that the ability to communicate effectively is the foundation of personal growth. Without it, you can neither express what you want nor can you offer others your wisdom.

Lillian's desire is to help you tap into your wisdom and follow your purposeful course. With belief and dedication, you enhance your personal growth, you engage with others meaningfully, and you embark on your road to self-mastery.

Copyright 2026 Lillian Zarzar

Mastering Communication: Jim Canterucci on Change Leadership and Driving Effective Workplace Conversations

If you’re looking to sharpen your communication skills, understand the value of coaching, or simply become a more effective leader in your personal and professional life, you won’t want to miss this conversation!

I’m thrilled to share a conversation with my dear friend and colleague of over 30 years, Jim Canterucci, immediate past president of the National Speakers Association of Ohio and the president and CEO of Transition Management Advisors. Jim has devoted his career to helping organizations lead change through the power of communication, and his insights have been invaluable, not just to me, but to countless business leaders.

In this episode, Jim and I talk about the true nature of effective communication. Why it’s so much more than just talking, and how it lies at the heart of great leadership and genuine connection. We discuss the struggles leaders face in conveying their vision, the importance of critical thinking behind the words we use, and the new challenges we all encounter in today’s fast-paced, technology-driven world.

Jim also gives us a preview of his upcoming keynote for the Communication Mastery Conference at the Integrated Education Center in Dublin, OH, sharing practical strategies that anyone in business can use to move beyond routine conversations and actually inspire change.

A few points that really resonates:

Communication is More Than Just Talking

As Jim shares, being able to talk isn’t the same as being able to communicate effectively. True communication requires empathy, clarity, and tailoring the message for the listener—not just “speaking in headlines” and hoping for understanding.

Leadership = Communication

Whether you’re managing a $25 million change initiative or just announcing a parking lot update, leaders must communicate with context and intention. Jim emphasizes that leading change is less about managing and more about guiding people through clear, consistent messaging.

Practice and Self-Awareness Make the Difference

Even the best communicators, like professional speakers, work at their craft daily. Practicing critical thinking, soliciting feedback, and sometimes working with a coach are key to continuous improvement (even Tiger Woods has a coach!).

Moments

00:00 Introducing Jim Canterucci: Communication Expert

04:25 "Change Leadership in Action"

07:47 Effective Leadership Communication Essentials

12:49 Degrading Communication Through Gibberish

16:40 Encouraging Detailed Expression

18:26 "The Power of Asking Questions"

20:38 "Encouraging Critical Thinking Anew"

26:17 Enhancing Everyday Communication Techniques

28:13 Enhancing Communication for Business Success

32:25 "Value of Communication Coaching"

Connect with Lillian Zarzar

lillian@lillianzarzar.com

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Lillian Zarzar is an international speaker, author and coach who specializes in helping you to overcome the barriers that block you from self-expression.

Lillian believes that the ability to communicate effectively is the...