Episode Details

You know your work is excellent. You've earned your seat at the table. So why does your voice tighten the moment you stand to speak in front of senior leadership? This episode is for the high-achiever whose delivery doesn't yet match the level they're stepping into.

Liza Jacob, a speaking coach and audiobook narrator, joins Avik to unpack what's actually happening when capable people sound smaller than they are, and what to do about it. You'll walk away with a clearer understanding of vocal habits versus skill, the role your body plays in your voice, and a simple practice you can use before your next high-stakes presentation.

Liza Jacob is a speaking coach and professional voice actor who came to communication coaching through her work as an audiobook narrator. She helps rising corporate leaders close the gap between how capable they are and how capable they sound, so their delivery matches the level they're genuinely stepping into.

• Polished speakers aren't born, they're built. What looks like natural talent is almost always learned, practised, and coachable over time.
• The gap between expertise and delivery isn't a confidence problem alone. Often it's a set of bad vocal habits (uptick, sing-song cadence, "presenter voice") quietly built over years.
• Hearing yourself back is the first real shift. A short recording reveals patterns no amount of mental rehearsal can.
• Your body is your instrument. Posture, breath, shoulder tension, and even mic placement shape how grounded and authoritative you sound.
• Before a high-stakes moment, relax the body first. Loosen shoulders, sit or stand up tall but not tight, and trust your outline instead of over-rehearsing.
• Imagine you're talking to a friend with a cup of tea. The conversational version of you is almost always the one the room actually wants to hear.

Website: https://www.commupgrade.com/  (mentioned in episode) Email: via the contact form on her website

Personal website: https://www.lizajacob.com/ 

[00:00] Cold Open: The Quiet Gap High-Achievers Never Talk About

[02:30] Welcome & Why Your Voice Stops Sounding Like You

[06:50] The Real Difference Between a Skill and a Bad Habit

[11:30] Why Capable People Still Get Stuck in "Presenter Voice"

[15:50] The Body Knows Before the Words Do: Posture, Breath & Mic

[20:45] What to Do Right Before You Walk Into the Room

[25:30] How to Connect with Liza & Closing Reflections

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