Ever wonder how some leaders always seem to be in the right room at the right time—leading the charge during pivotal moments?

In this episode, we speak with Michael Cerda—startup veteran, former MySpace and Facebook exec, and author of Build Something—about navigating career pivots, influencing without authority, and building culture from the middle out. If you're a leader or specifically a product manager struggling to find your voice or get buy-in, this is for you.

By the end of today’s conversation you’ll know:

🎯How to communicate with cross-functional teams when you have no formal authority.

✍🏻The true power of writing as a leadership tool for introverts

🔑The overlooked signals that reveal whether someone’s a true culture fit—or just saying the right things.

To chat with Laura to see if her Executive Presence Mastery System is right for you click here.

If you want practical, battle-tested insight into becoming a more confident and strategic leader, hit play now.

To lead with more confidence, clarity, and connection—especially when stakes are high and it's a pressure cooker, get your copy of my Executive Presence Self-Assessment here. My compliments. It goes through the 10 qualities that make up executive presence that are essential for success as a senior executive.

For more information visit www.speakupwithlaura.com. Our Speak Up podcast episodes come out every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday early in the morning

About our guest:

Michael Cerdá is a veteran product and technology leader who has served as Chief Product Officer and executive at several of the world’s most influential companies. As VP of Product for Disney Streaming, he helped launch Disney+ to over 100 million subscribers.

Previously, he was Chief Project Officer at Goldman Sachs’ Marcus division, Chief Experience Officer at Live Nation/Ticketmaster, and Director of Product at Facebook. He has also founded multiple venture-backed startups and holds two technology patents.

His new book, Build Something: Building Products, Business & Culture – A Journey of Hard-Won Lessons and Impactful Outcomes (Feb. 20, 2025), reveals the untold true stories behind some of the most transformative technologies of our time. Learn more at www.build-something.com.

In Speak Up communication and executive presence coaching, high performing leaders and executives learn to enhance their influence and confidence, refining their communication style to increase visibility and effectiveness in promotion opportunities.

By honing communication skills and fostering a trusted advisor mindset, aspiring executives cultivate...

Have you ever walked into a high-stakes meeting, heart racing, knowing it’s your moment to shine… only to freeze?

If you’ve ever frozen in a high-stakes meeting or felt like a shadow of your true self around senior leaders, you’re not alone. This episode reveals the real reason introverts shut down under pressure — and how to break the cycle for good.

To chat with Laura to see if her Executive Presence Mastery System is right for you click here.

By the end of today’s episode you’ll know:

🤖The reasons behind your "robot mode" in high-stakes meetings, recognizing it’s a learned response, not a fixed trait

🥶 How freezing up in key moments can stall your career by limiting visibility and opportunities

🔥A framework to leverage your natural strengths, like introvert qualities, to stay authentic and influential, plus a clear next step to build executive presence

Listen now to reclaim your confidence, boost visibility, and show up powerfully in every leadership conversation.

If you’re tired of freezing in high-stakes meetings, of watching opportunities pass you by because you’re not showing up as your best self… and if you’re ready to finally show up as your authentic, confident self—whether you’re with your peers or the CEO—I’ve got something for you.

That’s why I created the Executive Presence Mastery System, a 90-day intensive designed for directors and senior managers who are done letting “robot mode” hold them back. This program helps you diagnose exactly why you’re freezing up and gives you the step-by-step techniques to stay grounded and influential in any room.

Here’s what to do next: Look up in the show notes and click the first link you see, or visit speakupwithlaura.com. Book a strategy call with me, and we’ll pinpoint what’s triggering your freeze response and map out a plan to help you show up as the leader you’re meant to be.

For more information visit www.speakupwithlaura.com. Our Speak Up podcast episodes come out every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday early in the morning.

In Speak Up communication and executive presence coaching, high performing leaders and executives learn to enhance their influence and confidence, refining their communication style to increase visibility and effectiveness in promotion opportunities.

By honing communication skills and fostering a trusted advisor mindset, aspiring executives cultivate mastery in public speaking and beat imposter syndrome. Your leadership becomes more strategic and inspiring.

Do you ever feel like your thoughts are brilliant—but when you speak, they just don’t land especially with executive audiences?

If you’re a high-performing introvert, you’ve likely struggled with expressing yourself clearly in meetings or talks—especially when the room favors louder voices. In this episode, we reveal how introvert actor Chris Pine mastered the art of articulation using three simple but powerful practices that you can easily adopt.

By the end of today’s episode you’ll know:

🪝What it means to be articulate and why that matters

🚀3 super simple introvert-friendly practices to be more articulate

🧲How using Laura’s Wacky Word Leadership Theory adds more pizazz to your communication

To chat with Laura to see if her Executive Presence Mastery System is right for you click here.

Hit play now to unlock three introvert-friendly techniques inspired by Chris Pine that will instantly boost your clarity, charisma, and confidence when you speak.

If you find yourself over-preparing for every meeting or talk—but when the moment comes, your words still fall flat, and it’s leaving you frustrated and unheard—yet what you really want is to express yourself with crisp, vivid language that inspires action…that’s why I created the Executive Presence Mastery System.

It helps high-performing introverts like you build natural clarity and charisma without sounding fake or robotic. Look up in these show notes, click that first link, or visit speakupwithlaura.com to book a call. I’d love to show you how to make your voice resonate powerfully.

For more information visit www.speakupwithlaura.com. Our Speak Up podcast episodes come out every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday early in the morning.

In Speak Up communication and executive presence coaching, high performing leaders and executives learn to enhance their influence and confidence, refining their communication style to increase visibility and effectiveness in promotion opportunities.

By honing communication skills and fostering a trusted advisor mindset, aspiring executives cultivate mastery in public speaking and beat imposter syndrome. Your leadership becomes more strategic and inspiring.

Have you ever felt like one wrong move could destroy everything you've worked for — your reputation, your income, your identity?

In this episode, we unpack what it really means to experience public shame and professional cancellation — and how to come out stronger, wiser, and more aligned. Whether you're navigating a leadership setback, recovering from failure, or quietly carrying the weight of "not enough," this is the mindset shift you've been waiting for.

By the end of today’s conversation with Julie Condliffe you’ll know:

💡How to pivot when your professional path is no longer available

🧠The difference between reacting and reframing after a crisis

👉Gain visibility without compromising your values or authenticity

To chat with Laura to see if her Executive Presence Mastery System is right for you click here.

Press play to hear Julie Condiffe’s raw, powerful breakdown of what it takes to turn public shame into personal power — and walk away unbreakable.

FREE GIFT!! Download my The Practical Guide to Effective Communication here (it retails for $9.99 on Amazon!) and read chapter 4 all about choosing your mindset!! Everything else follows from mindset leading to your voice being heard and respected in meetings, gaining more influence, and understanding better how to reach key stakeholders.

For more information visit www.speakupwithlaura.com. Our Speak Up podcast episodes come out every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday early in the morning

About our guest:

There was a time Julie Condiffe was breaking barriers in law—a Black woman attorney, bestselling author, mentor, and voice for the voiceless.

But then the storm came. Including a digital smear campaign, false accusations, and Investigations. The headlines were loud. But her truth? Buried beneath the noise.

Her career paused. Her name dragged through the mud. She lost clients, income, and even the person she thought she was. But she found something far more powerful: Clarity. Courage. Calling

Unbreakable is her fifth bestselling book, and most personal yet. She’s not just a storyteller, she’s a story strategist—someone who helps others find language for pain they never dared to name.

If you have a story you’re scared to tell, Julie will help you find the words, the power, and the platform to speak it—with boldness, not shame.

In Speak Up communication and executive presence coaching, high performing leaders and executives learn to enhance their influence and confidence, refining their communication style to increase visibility and effectiveness in promotion opportunities.

By honing communication skills and fostering a trusted advisor mindset, aspiring executives cultivate mastery in public speaking and beat imposter syndrome. Your leadership becomes more strategic and inspiring.

Are you unknowingly sabotaging your credibility by falling into this communication trap?

In this episode, communication expert Laura Camacho reveals how overexplaining—especially in meetings—can make you seem immature or insecure, even when you’re the most prepared person in the room.

If you're a high-performing introvert or social introvert aiming for executive presence, this is a must-listen.

By the end of today’s episode you’ll know:

2️⃣ The two main forms of overexplaining that derail your message and credibility

😱Surprising research linking overexplaining to social anxiety and perceived incompetence

🎯Practical, real-time techniques to stop overexplaining and sound more confident instantly

To chat with Lara to see if her Executive Presence Mastery System is right for you click here.

Press play now to master the art of concise, high-impact communication and elevate your executive presence today.

If you want a complimentary Clear Point of View cheatsheet mentioned send an email with POV in the subject line to hello@speakupwithlaura.com.

For more information visit www.speakupwithlaura.com. Our Speak Up podcast episodes come out every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday early in the morning.

In Speak Up communication and executive presence coaching, high performing leaders and executives learn to enhance their influence and confidence, refining their communication style to increase visibility and effectiveness in promotion opportunities.

By honing communication skills and fostering a trusted advisor mindset, aspiring executives cultivate mastery in public speaking and beat imposter syndrome. Your leadership becomes more strategic and inspiring.

Have you ever frozen during a big meeting, feeling like your brilliant ideas are stuck in your head while extroverts steal the show?

You’re not alone. Today, we’re diving into a game-changer leadership hack inspired by Scott Adams’ persuasion magic.

If you’re a high-performing introvert with brilliant ideas but struggle to get noticed in a room full of extroverts, this episode gives you a toolkit to flip that dynamic. Inspired by Scott Adams’ persuasion playbook, we’re reframing how you speak so people actually listen.

To chat with Laura to see if her Executive Presence Mastery System is right for you click here.

By the end of today’s episode you’ll know:

🔥The leadership hack that transforms nervous energy into authentic executive presence

🛠️Loads of practical examples to sound more confident without changing who you are

🚀Four adjectives that describe magnetic communication to guide you

Tap play now to learn how one mental reframe can turn silence into strength and finally get your ideas the spotlight they deserve.

So if you’re the kind of person who has brilliant ideas but finds yourself invisible in the boardroom—and you’re tired of watching others get credit while you stay stuck—it’s time for a change.

You don’t need to fake extroversion; you just need the right reframes to tap into your quiet power. That’s why I created the Executive Presence Mastery System—to give high-performing introverts like you the tools and coaching to turn silence into strength.

Go to the show notes, click the first link, or visit www.speakupwithlaura.com to find a time that works for you. I’d love to help you reframe your way into the recognition and influence you’ve earned.

Scott Adams source links:

- Scott Adams, Reframe Your Brain: The User Interface for Happiness and Success (2023).

- Persuasion principles adapted from Adams’ insights on humor, storytelling, and optimism.

For more information visit www.speakupwithlaura.com. Our Speak Up podcast episodes come out every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday early in the morning.

In Speak Up communication and executive presence coaching, high performing leaders and executives learn to enhance their influence and confidence, refining their communication style to increase visibility and effectiveness in promotion opportunities.

By honing communication skills and fostering a trusted advisor mindset, aspiring executives cultivate mastery in public speaking and beat imposter syndrome. Your leadership becomes more strategic and inspiring.

In today’s episode you’ll discover how you are unintentionally giving away your power in everyday conversations and meetings at work.

Most professionals don’t realize they’re negotiating all the time — in meetings, budget discussions, team assignments, or advocating for their own performance. In this episode, negotiation expert and author Saad shares why most people fail to speak up effectively and how “being nice” can actually backfire in the workplace.

To chat with Laura to see if her Executive Presence Mastery System is right for you click here.

By the end of today’s episode you’ll know:

🚀The single biggest mindset shift to go from passive to powerful in professional conversations.

🏆How to be both assertive and empathetic without being aggressive or manipulative.

🧲Simple, actionable tactics to prepare for your next negotiation….aka your very next meeting.

If you’re tired of being overlooked in meetings or undervalued for your work, hit play now to start negotiating with confidence and clarity.

Knowing your own signature communication orientation is essential for authentic and confident executive presence. Discover here your own signature communication style (free assessment) so your voice can begin to be heard and respected in meetings, you gain more influence, and understand better how to reach key stakeholders.

For more information visit www.speakupwithlaura.com. Our Speak Up podcast episodes come out every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday early in the morning

About our guest:

Saad A. Saad is a negotiation consultant and lecturer at Columbia University.. In his new book, In the Lead, he outlines his strategies for how sales professionals can close deals faster, secure better margins, and win more business with science-backed negotiation strategies. He has special insight in helping introvert and ambivert high performers.

In Speak Up communication and executive presence coaching, high performing leaders and executives learn to enhance their influence and confidence, refining their communication style to increase visibility and effectiveness in promotion opportunities.

By honing communication skills and fostering a trusted advisor mindset, aspiring executives cultivate mastery in public speaking and beat imposter syndrome. Your leadership becomes more strategic and inspiring.

Is your data putting your audience to sleep—or inspiring executive action?

If you’ve ever poured hours into dashboards only to get polite nods and no real traction, this episode unpacks why even brilliant data isn’t enough. You’ll learn how shifting your mindset can turn your insights into influence—and get you noticed as a strategic leader, not just a technical expert.

By the end of this short episode, you’ll know:

😅Why the whole concept of data-driven decision-making is a farce

🧩What your executive stakeholders secretly want from you

🔥How to transform your data from sleep aid to “can’t sleep from thinking about it”

To chat with Laura to see if her Executive Presence Mastery System is right for you click here.

Listen now to uncover the subtle communication twist that transforms your data into influence—and you into the leader people remember.

FREE GIFT!! Download my The Practical Guide to Effective Communication here (retails for $9.99 on Amazon!) and read chapter 12 on advanced presentations.

Getting the emotional aspect of your presentation or message down means you are valued, heard and respected in meetings, gaining more influence, and understanding better how to reach key stakeholders. Chapter 12 is not about specific data-driven presentations but rather how to get the audience hooked on what you’re saying.

For more information visit www.speakupwithlaura.com. Our Speak Up podcast episodes come out every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday early in the morning.

In Speak Up communication and executive presence coaching, high performing leaders and executives learn to enhance their influence and confidence, refining their communication style to increase visibility and effectiveness in promotion opportunities.

By honing communication skills and fostering a trusted advisor mindset, aspiring executives cultivate mastery in public speaking and beat imposter syndrome. Your leadership becomes more strategic and inspiring.