In this episode of Be Truly Heard, coach and voice expert Anne Leatherland explores what it truly means to move “from strength to strategy” as a woman in business. Building on the series theme of Taking Up Space, Anne delves into the two essential types of strength - inner strength and vocal strength - and how combining these can help you communicate with authority, warmth and authenticity.

Anne discusses how inner strength is the quiet self-belief that helps you stand your ground, even when your voice shakes or you feel uncertain. Vocal strength, meanwhile, is about control, presence and stamina - using your voice effectively so it carries both authority and warmth. Drawing on her experience as a voice trainer and coach, Anne shares practical advice for women in business who want to be truly heard, including how to use vocal variety, show up in your values, and reflect on your impact.

Key Takeaways

Inner strength is the foundation of self-belief and persistence, helping you speak up even when it feels challenging.

Vocal strength is about control, presence and stamina, allowing your voice to carry authority and warmth.

Strategy is the intentional use of your strengths to achieve your desired outcomes - choosing how you want to come across and what impression you want to leave.

Use vocal variety (pace, pauses, tone) to highlight key points and engage your audience.

Show up in your values - align your words, voice and self for authentic communication.

Reflect on your impact and use feedback constructively to improve for next time.

Best Moments

“Inner strength doesn’t always feel like boldness or certainty. Often it shows up more as persistence, quiet courage, that decision to keep going or to speak when you’d normally stay silent.”

“Vocal strength isn’t just about being loud… it’s about having control, presence and stamina.”

“Strategy, after all, is about choice. That’s when you stop simply reacting to situations and instead begin to choose how you want to come across.”

“Strength is not just about holding your ground. It’s about recognising what’s already within you, developing the skills that allow your voice to flourish, and then choosing to use those strengths with intention.”

About the Host

With over 28 years’ experience, Anne Leatherland helps clients develop vocal confidence and personal growth. Her holistic approach bridges science, education and the performing arts, supporting women to be truly heard in business.

Find out more: https://anneleatherland.co.uk/

In this episode of Be Truly Heard, coach and voice expert Anne Leatherland welcomes PR strategist Carrie Eddins, also known as the Blondpreneur, for a candid conversation about visibility, authority and the art of pitching yourself in ways that feel authentic and values led. Carrie shares her journey from struggling entrepreneur to PR expert, revealing how embracing media opportunities transformed her business and confidence.

Together, Anne and Carrie explore the importance of “reading the room” before “leading the room” and why understanding your audience is crucial for becoming a bookable guest. Carrie offers practical advice for women in business who want to be seen and heard, including the need to simplify your message for mainstream audiences and the value of storytelling in building genuine connections.

The discussion also delves into the challenges women face around judgement and self-critique, referencing the authority gap and the impact of societal expectations. Carrie encourages listeners to advocate for themselves, embrace their unique stories, and take courageous steps towards greater visibility - even when confidence feels elusive.

Key Takeaways

Visibility in business is about more than expertise; it’s about understanding and connecting with your audience.

“Reading the room” is essential - do your research, tailor your pitch, and show you understand the needs of each media outlet.

Women often hold back due to fear of judgement, but self-advocacy and authenticity are powerful tools for overcoming these barriers.

Storytelling and simplicity are vital - share real experiences and avoid jargon to resonate with a wider audience.

The B2B and trade press offer overlooked opportunities for sharing specialist knowledge and attracting meaningful work.

Confidence grows through action; courage is the first step to being truly heard.

Best Moments

“You’ve got to be able to read the room to lead the room.”

“If you can read the room, you can lead the room anywhere.”

“It’s about really backing yourself, no matter how you perform in the media.”

“Sometimes telling these stories, even though they were painful for us at the time, helps us connect with our audience.”

“Confidence is a very movable thing… if we’re waiting for it, it will never happen.”

About the Guest

Carrie Eddins is a PR strategist known for her inclusive and holistic approach to helping trailblazing business owners, especially women, gain visibility in the media. Her work focuses on empowering clients to pitch themselves authentically and build authority through storytelling and connection.

Find out more: Connect with Carrie via her website and social channels.

About the Host

With over 28 years’ experience, Anne Leatherland helps clients develop vocal confidence and personal growth. Her holistic approach bridges science, education and the performing arts, supporting women to be truly heard in business.

Find out more: ​​https://anneleatherland.co.uk/

In this episode of Be Truly Heard, coach and voice expert Anne Leatherland explores the subtle ways women “shrink” their voices, speaking more softly, holding back in meetings, choosing minimising language – and how that quietly erodes impact at work. She unpacks where this habit comes from (early conditioning, gender expectations, fear of being judged), then shares practical mindset, body and visualisation tools to help you take up more vocal space without needing to be loud or “pushy”.

She walks you through noticing when you retreat, experimenting with speaking earlier in “low-stakes” situations, shifting the thoughts that sit behind your sound, and using simple visualisations to retrain your nervous system so that being heard feels safe, not scary. The episode is a reminder that while shrinking may once have felt like self-protection, it no longer serves you if you want to be remembered, respected, and truly heard in business.

Key Takeaways

Shrinking shows up in your body and your sound. Rounded shoulders, shallow breath and small posture lead to a quieter, tentative voice that makes it easier for others to overlook you.

Awareness is the first step to change. Start noticing when you lower your volume, delay speaking, or soften ideas with words like “just” and “sorry”; jot patterns down for a week.

Practise speaking sooner in “low-stakes” spaces. In your next meeting or call, aim to contribute early with something simple like, “I’d like to add to that point,” to build the “muscle” of showing up.

Use your body to signal ‘I belong here’. Before you speak, roll your shoulders back, gently lift your chest and feel your feet on the floor; your voice will usually sound clearer and steadier.

Change the thought, change the voice. Catch inner scripts like “What if I’m wrong?” and reframe them into “My point of view adds value” or “I’m sharing something important,” then repeat until they feel believable.

Best Moments

“When your voice shrinks, so does your impact.”

“Shrinking isn’t just metaphorical; your body contracts, your breath becomes shallow and your voice can feel trapped.”

“Staying silent rarely serves us in business.”

“Changing the habit means changing the thought – the voice follows the mind.”

“Shrinking may once have felt safe, but it no longer serves you if you want to be truly heard.”

About the host

With over 28 years’ voice-teaching experience, Anne Leatherland helps clients progress quickly and achieve goals with confidence. Bridging science, education and the performing arts, she is a science graduate, qualified teacher and singing teacher with advanced training in voice practice, vocal habilitation and life coaching. As the only Vocal Process Associate Trainer, Anne mentors and trains other voice teachers. Her holistic, collaborative approach nurtures every aspect of the voice alongside personal growth.

Find out more: ​​https://anneleatherland.co.uk/

In this episode of Be Truly Heard, Anne Leatherland is joined by speaker coach and sobriety mentor Gill McKay to explore what it really means to feel “comfortable in your own skin” and to speak from a place of congruence rather than coping. Gill shares how decades of high-functioning drinking, family pressure and a constantly activated nervous system left her out of alignment with who she really was, and how choosing alcohol freedom brought back self-respect, aliveness and a voice she could stand behind. She talks about the surprising stigma of sobriety, the hidden shame and bias around alcohol, and why giving language to taboo experiences can make others feel less alone.

Key Takeaways

What looked like “winding down” with a bottle of wine was actually keeping Gill’s nervous system flooded with stress chemistry. She had normalised living in fight/flight/freeze/fawn, all while juggling work, children and caring responsibilities. Removing alcohol allowed her nervous system to settle so she could move from merely functioning to genuinely living.

Gill was shocked to find she felt more shame as a sober woman than as a drinker, thanks to comments like “Oh, go on, just have one” and “You weren’t that bad.” She also uncovered her own hidden biases in thoughts like “I only drank wine, not vodka,” which quietly positioned other drinkers as “worse”. Examining these stories is part of healing shame.

Subjects like shame, secrecy, lying and addiction are often experienced in silence. By naming her own experience in her TEDx talk and in her work, Gill helps others realise it isn’t “just me”. Sharing your story in the spirit of helping can turn something painful into a point of connection and support.

Many experts have something important to say but get stuck when event applications ask for a speaker reel, professional photos and testimonials they don’t yet have. Speak and Shine was created precisely to break this loop: an immersive day where women can craft a talk, speak on a real stage, be photographed and filmed, and leave with assets that reflect their true authority.

Best Moments

“I knew that my congruence and alignment had returned when I started to like myself again… I could wake up in the morning just feeling me and feeling really happy being me.”

“I’d normalised the fight and flight and freeze and fawn under the auspices of drinking. I’d normalised that as a way to live, and it’s no way to live.”

“If I’m feeling shame and I’m sitting in my shame feeling really lonely, then surely by sharing my voice I will be helping others.”

“We wanted to provide a really safe, loving, very held environment for women who had something to say… so they could step into their own voice and share their message.”

About the Guest

Gill is a powerful speaker, mentor and educator who helps individuals and teams live and work in

true alignment. Her mission is rooted in empathy, inclusion and curiosity, guiding people to own

their voice and embrace their worth. Through her work as a sobriety coach and speaker coach, she

supports women in rediscovering who they are beyond alcohol and empowers them to share their

voice with confidence. Her TEDx talk, The Surprising Stigma of Sobriety, has inspired over 250,000

viewers worldwide.

Find out more: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gillmckay/

About the host

With over 28 years’ voice-teaching experience, Anne Leatherland helps clients progress quickly and achieve goals with confidence. Bridging science, education and the performing arts, she is a science graduate, qualified teacher and singing teacher with advanced...

In this episode of Be Truly Heard, Anne Leatherland shines a light on everyday vocal habits that can make women sound smaller than they are and shows how tiny, safe shifts can help you “take up space” with your voice. She unpacks four common patterns: shrinking your voice, rising inflection, apologising/minimising, and disconnecting voice from self, then guides short, do-along exercises to build a sound that’s grounded, confident and fully you. These habits aren’t your fault (they’re shaped by years of conditioning), but changing them is your responsibility if you want to be taken seriously and heard.

Key Takeaways

Shrinking your voice makes people tune out. Use supported breath and a clear, energised call (“here/hey”) so power comes from the body, not the throat. Shoulders soft; ribs widen on the in-breath.

Replace rising inflection with a natural downward ending to signal certainty (without dropping volume or intent). Try: “I know what I’m talking about” with the pitch gently falling.

Cut the softeners: swap “I just wanted to add…” for “I’d like to add…”. Removing words like “just” and “sorry” stops you sounding tentative.

Reconnect voice and self: speak from what you truly value. A simple practice: hand on chest, deep breath, “This matters. This is worthwhile.” adds authentic energy that carries.

These habits are culturally learned, but shifting them is how you claim space: finish sentences with conviction, speak without apology, and let your voice fill the room.

Weekly challenge: choose one habit you recognise, practise the matching exercise, and notice how others respond when you allow more vocal space.

Best Moments

“While your voice is a natural part of you, many of the habits that you’ve picked up… can keep you sounding smaller than you really are.”

“When you keep your voice small… people literally can’t hear you or they tune you out.”

“The downward ending signals confidence, even though nothing else has changed.”

“Start small. Catch one word like ‘just’ and practise leaving it out.”

“When you reconnect voice, breath and self… your sound carries truth.”

About the host

With over 28 years’ voice-teaching experience, Anne Leatherland helps clients progress quickly and achieve goals with confidence. Bridging science, education and the performing arts, she is a science graduate, qualified teacher and singing teacher with advanced training in voice practice, vocal habilitation and life coaching. As the only Vocal Process Associate Trainer, Anne mentors and trains other voice teachers. Her holistic, collaborative approach nurtures every aspect of the voice alongside personal growth.

Find out more: ​​https://anneleatherland.co.uk/

In this episode of Be Truly Heard, Anne is joined by Wendy Garcarz to explore what it really means

for women over 50 to claim visibility, autonomy and impact. They discuss the hidden gender bias in

social media algorithms, the authority and voice gap that still holds women back, and how ageism

continues to sideline talented, experienced professionals.

Wendy shares her personal insights on silencing the inner critic, embracing lifelong learning, and

seeing midlife not as a decline but as a bold new adventure. This conversation is a rallying call for

women to speak up, share their ideas, and ensure their voices are truly heard.

Key Takeaways

Algorithmic bias is real and rising: women’s posts, especially those about women’s issues, are seeing sharp declines in reach and engagement, suggesting confirmation bias baked into platforms’ metadata and AI.

Visibility + ageism: women 50+ are routinely sidelined, from funding barriers (even opening business accounts) to being overlooked for promotions and mentoring roles, despite vast transferable skills and resilience.

Don’t shelve expertise: organisations are stronger and more sustainable when senior women are present; yet too many firms “bench” experienced women at 50+.

Tame the inner critic: notice whose voice it uses (it may mimic family) and respond with calm, child-friendly reframes. The subconscious reasoner formed around age seven needs reassurance, not combat.

Share one idea a day: a low-pressure practice to stop self-silencing and build everyday authority and visibility.

Lifelong learning is a posture: curiosity (“I don’t know, yet”) keeps your voice fresh and credible at any age.

Best Moments

“People think they’re looking through a window online, they’re looking through a mirror.”

“Why would you put that intelligence and resilience into mothballs?”

“You wouldn’t buy Ronaldo and keep him on the bench.” (on sidelining senior women)

“We don’t grow old; we get old when we stop growing.”

About the guest

Wendy Garcarz is the founder of Refirement, a bold movement that helps women redefine

retirement as a vibrant new beginning. With over 20 years’ experience as a strategist and futurist,

she empowers women over 50 to thrive with purpose, confidence and possibility. Alongside her

work, Wendy also writes gripping espionage thrillers under the pen name Wendy Charlton, weaving

powerful themes of resilience and ageing into her storytelling. Passionate about visibility and voice,

she challenges stereotypes and inspires women to embrace their next chapter with courage.

Find out more: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendy-garcarz-06b75b2/

About the host

With over 28 years’ voice-teaching experience, Anne Leatherland helps clients progress quickly and achieve goals with confidence. Bridging science, education and the performing arts, she is a science graduate, qualified teacher and singing teacher with advanced training in voice practice, vocal habilitation and life coaching. As the only Vocal Process Associate Trainer, Anne mentors and trains other voice teachers. Her holistic, collaborative approach nurtures every aspect of the voice alongside personal growth.

Find out more: ​​https://anneleatherland.co.uk/

In this episode of Be Truly Heard, Anne explores why a vocal warm-up matters, using the athlete analogy to highlight performance and injury prevention for speakers. She explains voice as a whole system of breath, abdominal support, larynx and focus, and how speaking raises adrenaline that benefits from light movement. Simple habit ideas make warm-ups easy to fit into mornings, anchored to the toothbrush, kettle or shower.

A short guided sequence covers breath reset, gentle Z or V voicing, tongue and jaw release, facial activation, crisp consonants, and an easy hum to wake range. Anne clarifies the difference between warming up and training, encourages tailoring to the task, and invites listeners to get in touch for personalised guidance.

Key Takeaways

Treat your voice like an athlete’s: warm up to avoid fatigue, improve performance and reduce risk.

Build a morning habit: stack vocal warm-ups onto existing routines (kettle note, fridge sticky, shower steam).

Breathe efficiently: long, leaky psh out-breath; let the lower tummy release to refill, no chest pushing.

Wake the folds gently with Z/V; add tongue circles, TH stretch, light jaw massage, “five wows”, then P-T-K / B-D-G bursts.

Glide pitch with puffed cheeks to ease range, keep effort low, and movements relaxed.

Safety first: don’t practise while driving/using machinery; be cautious with clicky jaws/teeth-grinding.

Warm-ups differ from training; tailor them to phone calls, Zoom or projecting to a room (with/without mic).

App tip: One Minute Voice Warm Up by Speech Tools/Vocal Process can keep you consistent.

Best Moments

“If you use your voice a lot… you are actually a professional voice user.”

“Using your voice is like running or any other sport.”

“A warm-up is there just to get the voice going.”

“By the way, if you’re listening to this in the car, don’t do this.”

About the host

With over 28 years’ voice-teaching experience, Anne Leatherland helps clients progress quickly and achieve goals with confidence. Bridging science, education and the performing arts, she is a science graduate, qualified teacher and singing teacher with advanced training in voice practice, vocal habilitation and life coaching. As the only Vocal Process Associate Trainer, Anne mentors and trains other voice teachers. Her holistic, collaborative approach nurtures every aspect of the voice alongside personal growth.

Find out more: ​​https://anneleatherland.co.uk/

Resources mentioned

Don’t forget that you can also now see this episode on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@vocalintuition3343

Be Truly Heard, Anne’s coaching for speaking with confidence and impact

subscribepage.io/zZFj3G

In this episode of Be Truly Heard, Anne Leatherland welcomes mentor Kath Cheng to reframe “midlife” as “midway”, a fresh chapter rather than a decline. They discuss why periods of uncertainty can be fertile ground for growth, how upbringing and beliefs can mute women’s voices, and practical ways to rebuild clarity and confidence. Expect a grounded, non-woo-woo chat about embracing the journey, taking sensible risks, and speaking up with purpose.

Key Takeaways

Reframe midlife as midway: a forward-looking stage with choices, not a static label or crisis.

Triggers (job changes, shifting family dynamics, redundancy) can create space to reassess values and direction.

Confidence grows by doing: imperfect action beats waiting to feel “ready.”

Take calculated risks: scary and exciting, not reckless.

Best Moments

“I’m not there to give them the answers.”

“It’s the journey that you’re on.”

“Get curious about what lights you up.”

“Scary but reasonable… scary but exciting.”

About the guest

Kath Cheng mentors women who are new to personal growth and ready to design their next chapter with clarity and confidence. She reframes midlife as Midway, a choice point that opens fresh purpose and possibility. Her work blends practical guidance with steady support so clients make real progress without perfection.

Kath created the Her Midway Activation Code, a short audio series that helps women reignite curiosity, decisiveness and courage. She is preparing a twelve-month mentorship experience for women seeking meaningful, lasting transformation.

About the host

With over 28 years’ voice-teaching experience, Anne Leatherland helps clients progress quickly and achieve goals with confidence. Bridging science, education and the performing arts, she is a science graduate, qualified teacher and singing teacher with advanced training in voice practice, vocal habilitation and life coaching. As the only Vocal Process Associate Trainer, Anne mentors and trains other voice teachers. Her holistic, collaborative approach nurtures every aspect of the voice alongside personal growth.

Find out more: ​​https://anneleatherland.co.uk/

Resources mentioned

Her Midway Activation Code, a free mini audio series by Kath: https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/form/ocYPz28lFVbJNwRaS9D6

Her Midway Mentorship Experience, twelve twelve-month programme waitlist

https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/form/cdZuZ5sb5gWUzvEuSBRd?ltclid=

Be Truly Heard, Anne’s coaching for speaking with confidence and impact

subscribepage.io/zZFj3G

Weekly Top Tips

To find out more, contact Anne here

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