“Finding your voice” might sound like a personal development cliché, but for speakers and leaders, it’s the secret weapon that too many overlook.

As a speaker your voice is your most important tool and mastering how to use it to its fullest effect is one of the most impactful things you can do.

This isn’t just about sounding ‘nice’, your voice is also a signal to your audience about your confidence, clarity, and credibility (…or lack of!).

My guest, Bailey Massey, is a speech therapist turned voice and dialect coach who’s helped everyone from actors to execs find their vocal power — without losing their authenticity.

She's worked with clients who felt like their accent was holding them back, leaders struggling to be taken seriously, and speakers who were unintentionally sabotaging their message with vocal habits they didn’t even know they had.

Bailey brings a refreshing, practical approach to voice work, and in this conversation, she breaks down what makes a voice sound trustworthy, what you should do about fixing your accent, and why developing your voice might be the missing link between your expertise and the impact you want to have.

If you want to communicate the best version of yourself — whether on stage, in a meeting, or on video — listen up as there’s gems in this episode for you.

What You’ll Discover:

• Why all powerful communication starts with the breath
• The biggest myths around having an accent as a speaker
• How your voice affects how trustworthy, approachable, and confident you seem
• How to make the shift from monotone to engaging without sounding forced, or fake.
• Tips for vocal projection that protect your voice and energise your audience
• Why many voices sound flat on Zoom — and the mental trick that can help you overcome this.
• How to build vocal confidence
• Where to start if you would like to develop your voice
• Bailey’s favourite success stories from clients who found their voice and changed their life

Enjoy!

If you'd like to watch the video of the episode, you can do that here:

All things Bailey:

Website: https://baileymasseyglobal.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/baileymassey/

Books & Resources*:

All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr

Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir

Speaking Resources:

Grab Your From Blank Page to Stage Guide and Nail the Topic for a Client Winning Talk

Want to get better at finding and sharing your stories then check out our FREE Five Day Snackable Story Challenge

Thanks for listening!

To share your thoughts:

• Share this show on X, Facebook or LinkedIn.

To help the show out:

• Leave an honest review at https://www.ratethispodcast.com/tsc Your ratings and reviews really help get the word out and I read each one.
  
• Subscribe on iTunes.

*(please note if you use my link I get a small commission, but this does not affect your payment)

In this quick tip episode, I’m lifting the lid on how a speaking judge thinks and giving you the good, the bad and the ugly based on judging 55 speaker award entries … in one sitting (yes, I needed snacks!)

I was honoured to be a judge for the Speaker Awards again this year, covering Best Storyteller and Best TEDx categories — and I want to share what I saw behind the scenes, to help you sharpen your own speaking game.

This isn’t just fluff, it’s truth. You’re gonna’ walk away with tips to help you avoid the mistakes and amplify the magic in your own talks.

In this episode, I cover:

• What made the top entries stand out from the crowd
• The subtle (and not-so-subtle) issues that cost speakers points
• Why “telling” isn’t the same as storytelling
• How to avoid the ‘audiobook trap’
• The role of character, voice, and relevance in a standout speech
• What infuriated me as a judge - don’t do this!

Whether you’re entering awards, prepping for a keynote, a TEDx, or just want to up your storytelling game — this episode is packed with golden nuggets.

Enjoy!

If you'd like to watch the video of the episode, you can do that here:

Leave a rating or review for The Speaking Club

(Take a photo of your review, email it to me at sarah@saraharcher.co.uk and get a free e-copy of my book Cracking Speech Mate - How to Use Humour to Make You an Amazing Speaker!)

Books:

Grab your copy of Straight to the Top - How to Create and Deliver a Killer Elevator Pitch

Grab your copy of Cracking Speech Mate - How to Add Humour to Make You An Amazing Speaker

Resources:

FREE NEW GUIDE - From Blank Page to Stage

https://www.saraharcher.co.uk

Thanks for listening!

To share your thoughts:

• leave a comment below.
• Share this show on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn.

To help the show out:

• Leave an honest review at https://www.ratethispodcast.com/tsc – I read and appreciate every single one
• Subscribe on iTunes

The business world is changing fast. AI is reshaping how customers search, buy, and connect — but most companies are still stuck in old habits, missing the human magic that actually builds loyalty.

At the same time, too many businesses are confusing efficiency with excellence. They’re chasing five-star reviews that may not mean what they think they do, and ticking boxes while their customers quietly drift away.

My guest today, Steven Van Belleghem, has spent over a decade helping companies level up their customer experience — and he’s here to show you how to stay relevant when "good" just doesn’t cut it anymore.

Steven is a bestselling author, global keynote speaker, and trusted advisor to brands that want to balance tech innovation with human connection.

He’s also walked the talk on over 1,000 stages around the world, and has a refreshingly honest take on what it takes to create moments that matter — both in business and on stage.

If you want to future-proof your brand, wow your customers, and connect with audiences in a way that gets remembered and rewarded… this episode is for you.

What you’ll discover:

• What’s broken in how most companies connect with customers today (and how to fix it)
• What it really means to be "great" in a world where "good" is everywhere
• Why customer experience inflation is giving companies a dangerous false sense of security
• What today’s customers want beyond just product and service – and how to give it to them
• Real-world examples of brands balancing digital convenience with human warmth
• How Steven built a global speaking career from a research job (and a Microsoft invite!)
• The surprising key to building lasting audience connection from the stage
• Whether AI, apps, or interactivity belong in live talks (and Steven's refreshingly honest take)
• Why you don't need to be flawless on stage to be unforgettable
• The #1 mindset shift that will help you speak with heart, not just polish

Enjoy!

If you'd like to watch the interview on YouTube, you can do that here>>

All things Steven:

Website: https://www.stevenvanbelleghem.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevenvanbelleghem/

Books & Resources*:

The Offer You Can’t Refuse by Steven Van Belleghem

Speaking Resources:

Grab Your From Blank Page to Stage Guide and Nail the Topic for a Client Winning Talk

Want to get better at finding and sharing your stories then check out our FREE Five Day Snackable Story Challenge

Thanks for listening!

To share your thoughts:

• Share this show on X, Facebook or LinkedIn.

To help the show out:

• Leave an honest review at https://www.ratethispodcast.com/tsc Your ratings and reviews really help get the word out and I read each one.
• Subscribe on iTunes.

*(please note if you use my link I get a small commission, but this does not affect your payment)