Captivate the Mic: Master Public Speaking & Video, Build Confidence and Boost Visibility

Master Public Speaking Under Pressure | Elaine Williams | Captivate the Mic

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2404090/fan_mail/new] Even though I grew up performing, singing, dancing, and doing theater, the very first time I stood up to speak as myself at a Toastmasters meeting—without a script or a character to hide behind—my brain went completely blank. My heart pounded, I started sweating, and I completely choked in under 30 seconds. In this special solo episode of Captivate the Mic, I'm pulling back the curtain on my own journey from freezing up on stage to doing stand-up comedy and helping C-suite executives command the room. Speaking well under pressure is a completely different animal than regular conversation, and true confidence comes from the inside out. Key Takeaways: * Character vs. Self: Speaking as a character with a script is vastly different from standing up and sharing your authentic voice as a human being. * Practice in Front of People: Skip the mirror. Mirror practice makes you hyper-self-conscious. True growth happens when you practice in front of real eyes. * Ride the Ride: Every audience is a unique experience. Give up the need to control the outcome, stay anchored in your purpose, and be willing to ride the ups and downs. * Connect with Your Why: When your focus shifts from "How do I look?" to "How can I make an impact?", your nerves naturally settle. Elaine Willaims' Bio An award-winning comedic speaker, international best-selling author, and podcast host, Elaine Williams is a premier video and speaker coach who transforms clients from "awkward to awesome" on camera and stage. As the founder of Captivate the Crowd, she combines her certified coaching background with over 40 years of professional experience across theater, film, TV, and stand-up comedy—including credits with Saturday Night Live, America’s Got Talent, and HBO—to train executives, entrepreneurs, and speakers to confidently command the room. Her clients have accelerated from complete camera avoidance to launching successful YouTube channels, embarking on international book tours, and speaking for organizations like NASA. A highly sought-after speaker who has delivered keynotes at military bases and prestigious universities nationwide, Elaine holds a BA in Drama with honors from UT Austin and draws on her extensive training in leadership, performance, and visibility to empower leaders to step out of the wings, take imperfect action, and own their spotlight.  Connect with your Host, Elaine Williams: Check out Captivate the Mic Podcast on Elaine's YouTube Channel [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdaDOA8vF64MYJovKthm0sw] Check out the Captivate the Crowd Website [https://www.CaptivatetheCrowd.com] Follow Elaine on Social- LinkedIn [https://www.Linkedin.com/in/CaptivatetheCrowd/], Instagram [https://www.Linkedin.com/in/CaptivatetheCrowd/], Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/ElaineWilliamsCaptivate/], TikTok [ https://www.tiktok.com/elainecaptivatecrowd] Want to schedule a free chat with Elaine? Click here to book a zoom date [ https://zoomwelaine.com/meet]!

Healing Core Wounds & Finding Authenticity | Ira Israel | Captivate the Mic

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2404090/fan_mail/new] Are you tired of making the same mistakes in your life or business over and over again, but you just can't seem to find your blind spots? Trust me, you are not alone. Today on Captivate the Mic, I am bringing you an absolute mind-expanding conversation with the brilliant psychotherapist, best-selling author, and master storyteller, Ira Israel. Ira has an unbelievable backstory. After a near-fatal car accident in 1985 left him with massive physical trauma, he spent decades relentlessly searching for the meaning of life. He spent eight years studying philosophy in Paris, eight years studying Eastern spirituality in Thailand and India, and another eight years studying deep psychology. When he brings all that aggregated knowledge into a room, breakthroughs happen fast. In this episode, we tackle the raw truth behind why relationships and marriages are so hard in our modern world, how our early childhood core wounds dictate our current behavior, and why we naturally default to meaning-making machines. We even dive into some hilarious, star-studded stories involving Landmark Forum breakdowns and accidentally sitting next to Madonna in a New York Kabbalah class! If you are ready to face your blind spots without judgment and show up authentically, you need to listen to this. Key Takeaways: - The Core Wound Reality: Why your deepest childhood emotional wound will stay with you your whole life, and how to turn it from a victim narrative into your personal purpose. - Why Modern Relationships Fail: A look at attachment theory and how our cultural obsession with power, independence, and "fixing" things actively blocks intimacy. - The Landmark Revelation: How changing the language you use to describe your personal tragedies alters the baseline of your actual reality. - Overcoming Intellectual Control: Why high-powered, brilliant people often suck at building intimate partnerships, and how to cultivate genuine wonder instead. - The Power of Everyday Impact: How small, intentional acts of loving human connection—like a hand on a shoulder—can literally save a person's life. Guest Intro: Ira Israel is a licensed psychotherapist, licensed professional clinical counselor, author of How to Survive Your Childhood Now That You’re an Adult, and creator of the best-selling video series Yoga for Depression and Anxiety. He holds graduate degrees in philosophy, psychology, and religious studies, and spent years teaching mindfulness and meditation at the legendary Esalen Institute. Connect with Ira Israel: Website: https://iraisrael.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ira-israel-449364/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iraisraelofficial/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ira.israel.5 Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@iraisraelofficial Connect with your Host, Elaine Williams: Check out Captivate the Mic Podcast on Elaine's YouTube Channel [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdaDOA8vF64MYJovKthm0sw] Check out the Captivate the Crowd Website [https://www.CaptivatetheCrowd.com] Follow Elaine on Social- LinkedIn [https://www.Linkedin.com/in/CaptivatetheCrowd/], Instagram [https://www.Linkedin.com/in/CaptivatetheCrowd/], Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/ElaineWilliamsCaptivate/], TikTok [ https://www.tiktok.com/elainecaptivatecrowd] Want to schedule a free chat with Elaine? Click here to book a zoom date [ https://zoomwelaine.com/meet]!

I Quit for Real Money: From Theater Kid to Pricing Genius | Erin B. Haag | Captivate the Mic

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2404090/fan_mail/new] What do Broadway showstoppers and massive business profit margins have in common? A lot more than you think! In this episode of Captivate the Mic, I am sitting down with the brilliant, beautiful, and absolute powerhouse entrepreneur Erin B. Haag. Erin grew up deep in the legendary New York theater scene—her dad was the technical director at the iconic Public Theater, and she was running lines with legends like Kevin Kline and working on star-studded productions in Central Park. But after a sharp wake-up call in conservatory, she walked away from the stage and built a massive career as a pricing and profitability strategist. We break down how the fierce work ethic, high stakes, and deep psychological insights of the theater world translate perfectly into running a wildly successful business. If you are a female entrepreneur who avoids looking at your numbers, feels shame around your pricing, or struggles to understand your financial data, this episode is a breath of fresh air. Erin explains how she built and sold a Pilates studio for 40x her investment, built another company with an 82% recurring revenue model, and why she is now building an AI-powered pricing software to help you confidently scale. Key Takeaways: * Music is Math: Why an artistic or creative background is actually your secret weapon for understanding numbers and data. * The Audition Truth: The powerful moment Erin realized she didn't want her financial destiny left to whether or not a room full of people liked her. * Enforced Survival: How changing a business from transactional packages to a recurring subscription or membership model changes everything. * Get On Board with AI: Why elite business networks are dropping spreadsheets and leaning into artificial intelligence to package services. * Passion and Profit: Overcoming the false narrative that purpose-driven businesses cannot be highly profitable. Guest Intro: Erin B. Haag is the creator of Pricing Overhaul®, a proven method helping entrepreneurs shift their money mindset, restructure pricing for profitability, and pay themselves abundantly. With over 20 years of pricing strategy experience, she works with global corporations and small businesses to increase profit with ease. Erin founded Pricing Overhaul® Academy, certifying coaches to use her method with their clients, and she is also the bestselling author of Give Yourself a Raise: The Mindset and Math You Need to Get to Your First Million. Off the clock, Erin is a mom of 2 who enjoys travel, wine, and cheese. Connect with Erin: * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pricingoverhaul/ [https://www.facebook.com/pricingoverhaul/] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pricingoverhaul/ [https://www.instagram.com/pricingoverhaul/] * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erin-b-haag-25a8406 [https://www.linkedin.com/in/erin-b-haag-25a8406] * Website: https://pricingoverhaul.com/ [https://pricingoverhaul.com/] Connect with your Host, Elaine Williams: Check out Captivate the Mic Podcast on Elaine's YouTube Channel [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdaDOA8vF64MYJovKthm0sw] Check out the Captivate the Crowd Website [https://www.CaptivatetheCrowd.com] Follow Elaine on Social- LinkedIn [https://www.Linkedin.com/in/CaptivatetheCrowd/], Instagram [https://www.Linkedin.com/in/CaptivatetheCrowd/], Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/ElaineWilliamsCaptivate/], TikTok [ https://www.tiktok.com/elainecaptivatecrowd] Want to schedule a free chat with Elaine? Click here to book a zoom date [ https://zoomwelaine.com/meet]!

Ghostwriting Secrets: How to Write Your Book Without the Burnout | Judy Lane-Boyer | Captivate the Mic

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2404090/fan_mail/new] Think you’re too busy to write that book? Think again. Ever feel like you’ve got a massive story inside you but zero time to actually sit down and type it out? I get it. We’re entrepreneurs, we’re caregivers, we’re running a million miles an hour. That’s why I brought the fabulous Judy Lane Boyer onto the show. Judy is a professional ghostwriter and former professional translator who specializes in helping busy, badass bosses get their brilliance out of their heads and onto the page. We dive deep into why strategy beats "passion" alone, how to stop marketing your book (spoiler: never), and the emotional hurdles that keep most people from ever starting. Key Takeaways: * The Ghostwriter's Role: It’s not about losing your voice; it’s about "downloading" your expertise into a marketable manuscript. * Strategy Over Luck: Why you need a clear goal and a target reader before you ever type "Chapter One." * Healing the Trigger: Judy shares a powerful story about using EMDR to handle client feedback and business growth. * The "Rewriting" Hack: A 20-minute exercise to shake loose your best ideas when you’re feeling stuck. Guest Intro:  Judy Lane-Boyer is a ghostwriter, book coach, and the founder of Audience Granted Ghostwriters—the culmination of her lifelong dream of becoming a writer. She helps therapists, coaches, and thought leaders turn their expertise into powerful, clearly structured books that leave a lasting impact. Judy’s deep understanding of the writing craft is backed by a decade of language translation experience, a massive 200-page research thesis, and a personal journey of using writing to find integration and meaning through her own mental health and late ADHD diagnosis. When she isn’t helping authors bring their stories to life, Judy lives in Austin, Texas, with her husband, Dave, and their dog, Pippin. You can usually find her exploring the Texas Hill Country, traveling to central Mexico or York, England, or enjoying a good cup of coffee with her community. Connect with Judy: * Website: www.audiencegranted.com [http://www.audiencegranted.com/] * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/judyelane [https://www.linkedin.com/in/judyelane] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/agghostwriter/ [https://www.instagram.com/agghostwriter/] Connect with your Host, Elaine Williams: Check out Captivate the Mic Podcast on Elaine's YouTube Channel [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdaDOA8vF64MYJovKthm0sw] Check out the Captivate the Crowd Website [https://www.CaptivatetheCrowd.com] Follow Elaine on Social- LinkedIn [https://www.Linkedin.com/in/CaptivatetheCrowd/], Instagram [https://www.Linkedin.com/in/CaptivatetheCrowd/], Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/ElaineWilliamsCaptivate/], TikTok [ https://www.tiktok.com/elainecaptivatecrowd] Want to schedule a free chat with Elaine? Click here to book a zoom date [ https://zoomwelaine.com/meet]!

We Tried Something Radical to Fix Loneliness | Hug in the Mail | Captivate the Mic

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2404090/fan_mail/new] What if connection didn’t have to be fast… or digital… or filtered? In this episode of Captivate the Mic, I sit down with two incredible humans, Gary Simmons and Linda Tai, to share something we’ve been quietly building—something that feels simple, but deeply needed. We talk about loneliness in a hyper-connected world…  Why scrolling isn’t the same as feeling seen…  And how a small, tangible act of kindness can shift someone’s entire day. This isn’t just about a project.  It’s about what happens when we choose connection on purpose. In this episode, we explore: *  Why modern connection still feels empty  *  The emotional power of physical, tangible communication  *  How small acts of kindness create ripple effects  *  The story behind “Hug in the Mail”  *  Why joy and pain can coexist—and how to choose both consciously Guest Spotlight: Garey Simmons & Linda Tighe In this episode, I’m joined by Garey Simmons and Linda Tighe — two incredible entrepreneurs, coaches, and longtime collaborators who are deeply committed to creating meaningful human connection in a fast-moving, digital world. Garey brings a reflective, heart-centered perspective rooted in personal growth, mindfulness, and creative expression. His work blends storytelling, spirituality, and real-life wisdom to help people reconnect with what truly matters. Linda is a powerful voice for intentional living and connection. With a deep appreciation for art, beauty, and human experience, she brings a grounded yet inspiring lens to how we show up for ourselves and others. Together, we dive into the heart behind their shared project — and why creating real, tangible moments of connection matters now more than ever. Connect with your Host, Elaine Williams: Check out Captivate the Mic Podcast on Elaine's YouTube Channel [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdaDOA8vF64MYJovKthm0sw] Check out the Captivate the Crowd Website [https://www.CaptivatetheCrowd.com] Follow Elaine on Social- LinkedIn [https://www.Linkedin.com/in/CaptivatetheCrowd/], Instagram [https://www.Linkedin.com/in/CaptivatetheCrowd/], Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/ElaineWilliamsCaptivate/], TikTok [ https://www.tiktok.com/elainecaptivatecrowd] Want to schedule a free chat with Elaine? Click here to book a zoom date [ https://zoomwelaine.com/meet]!