Passion Struck Episode 530 Summary: Nasheen Chen on How to Embrace Your Unique Voice

Hosted by John R. Miles

Introduction

In Episode 530 of Passion Struck, host John R. Miles welcomes Nasheen Chen, a dynamic public speaking coach whose multifaceted career journey serves as an inspiring testament to the power of authenticity and intentionality. This episode delves deep into Nasheen’s transformation from a Fortune 50 manager and award-winning filmmaker to a sought-after public speaking coach, offering listeners valuable insights into embracing their unique voices and overcoming obstacles in communication.

Nasheen Chen's Background and Journey

Nasheen Chen’s path to becoming a public speaking coach was anything but linear. With a rich background that includes being the top-ranked manager at Procter & Gamble, an award-winning filmmaker, and an improv performer in New York City, Nasheen exemplifies the essence of a "portfolio career." Reflecting on her diverse experiences, Nasheen shares, “I was always the person who looked at things as experiments...I combined all of those things and then realized that public speaking was the one thing that was tying all these diverse experiences together” (11:56).

Despite her external success, Nasheen often felt disconnected from her roles, labeling herself an imposter despite her accomplishments. A pivotal moment came when her husband encouraged her to monetize her passion for public speaking, prompting her to pivot her career fully in 2022. This decision not only aligned her professional life with her personal passions but also empowered her to shape her destiny independently.

Embracing Authenticity in Public Speaking

A central theme of the conversation revolves around authenticity in communication. Nasheen emphasizes that true authenticity doesn’t mean being monotonous or unprepared. Instead, it involves intentionally amplifying parts of one’s personality to connect deeply with the audience. She explains, “It's about figuring out which parts of your personality to amplify on camera or on stage and then playing that role, stepping into those shoes” (33:43).

John expands on this by highlighting the delicate balance between authenticity and performance, noting that impactful communication requires both genuine expression and strategic presentation. Nasheen concurs, stating, “It's always in the service of the audience...you have to make sure that what you’re expressing resonates with them” (35:35).

Overcoming Obstacles in Communication

One of the most substantial barriers to effective public speaking is self-belief. Nasheen discusses how negative self-talk and the "fight, flight, or freeze" response can undermine confidence. She advises, “Challenging those thoughts, that’s the first thing that you can do to break that cycle” (25:49). By addressing internal doubts and managing physiological responses, individuals can foster genuine confidence.

Additionally, Nasheen touches upon the importance of vulnerability in storytelling. She encourages speakers to share defining moments and personal struggles to create a deeper connection with their audience. “You want to show people that you have confidence in yourself and that you really believe in what you're talking about,” Nasheen explains (37:37).

The Out and Out Framework

Nasheen introduces her proprietary Out and Out framework, a three-step process designed to help individuals become more impactful speakers:

1. Outward Perception: Assessing how others perceive you as a communicator through self-evaluations and anonymous peer feedback. Nasheen states, “We do a self evaluation of your own communication skills and an anonymous peer feedback process” (47:04).

2. Inner Confidence: Addressing internal beliefs and negative self-talk that hinder authentic expression. This step involves aligning inner confidence with outward performance.

3. Outward Performance: Refining performative aspects such as body language, voice projection, and energy levels to ensure that the speaker's delivery enhances their message. Nasheen emphasizes, “You need to know as a speaker what to do so that you create that perception intentionally” (37:37).

This framework not only builds confidence from within but also ensures that the speaker’s delivery methods effectively convey their message to the audience.

Practical Tips and Advice

Throughout the episode, Nasheen offers actionable strategies for enhancing public speaking skills:

• Structured Practice: Instead of practicing in front of a mirror, Nasheen recommends recording oneself and reviewing the footage to improve performance objectively. “Recording yourself and watching yourself back is essential,” she advises (42:03).

• Story Banking: Developing a repertoire of personal stories that illustrate key lessons or experiences can make a speaker’s narrative more engaging and relatable. Nasheen outlines a two-step process: brainstorming impactful moments and extracting meaningful lessons from them (30:44).

• Role Separation: Nasheen draws a parallel between public speaking and filmmaking, suggesting that speakers adopt roles like scriptwriter, actor, and director separately to enhance focus and performance. “If you can separate those roles... that’s how you’ll perform really well in the moment” (42:03).

• Personalizing Communication: Tailoring one’s communication style to fit the audience while maintaining authenticity ensures that messages are both clear and impactful. “Understanding which aspect of your personality to showcase... is crucial” (53:36).

Conclusion and Takeaways

The conversation between John R. Miles and Nasheen Chen underscores the transformative power of embracing one’s unique voice through intentional and authentic communication. Key takeaways include:

• Aligning Inner and Outer Confidence: Building genuine self-belief is foundational to effective public speaking.

• Intentional Performance: Deliberately refining delivery methods enhances message retention and audience engagement.

• Authenticity Through Strategic Amplification: Highlighting specific personality traits tailored to the audience fosters deeper connections without sacrificing authenticity.

Nasheen’s journey from feeling like an imposter to confidently shaping her career serves as a powerful reminder that embracing and refining one’s unique voice can lead to profound personal and professional fulfillment.

Notable Quotes

• Nasheen Chen on Defining Roles: “I help people become the best speakers they can be. That probably means more to someone versus me saying I'm a public speaking coach.” (50:49)

• On Authenticity vs. Performance: “You have to make sure that what you’re expressing resonates with [the audience].” (35:35)

• Overcoming Self-Doubt: “Challenging those thoughts, that’s the first thing that you can do to break that cycle.” (25:49)

• Intentional Speaking: “Being an intentional speaker means taking a little bit of time to structure your thoughts, getting rid of filler words, being very mindful of who you're speaking with...” (24:11)

Final Thoughts

Nasheen Chen’s insights provide a roadmap for anyone looking to enhance their communication skills, whether for public speaking, professional presentations, or personal interactions. By focusing on both inner confidence and deliberate performance techniques, listeners can learn to communicate more effectively and authentically, ultimately making a lasting impact in their respective fields.

For more resources and to connect with Nasheen Chen, visit her website Speaking Coach.

This summary captures the essence of Episode 530, highlighting Nasheen Chen's expertise and the valuable lessons shared. Whether you're an aspiring speaker or simply looking to improve your communication skills, this episode offers actionable strategies to embrace and amplify your unique voice.