Podcast Ep. 17: Can Introverts Be Pro Speakers? with Val Nelson

val-nelson-introvert-claimthestage-podcast-speakersisterhoodVal Nelson is an introvert and former wallflower who absolutely cringed at the idea of speaking in front of a room. She now actually likes public speaking, in small doses. She has faced her fear of self-employment and speaking up, and now enjoys having a thriving, soulful business as a life coach. Her specialty is helping introverts bring their gifts to the world and keep breathing along the way. No extrovert mask required. In this episode, we cover the real differences between being an introvert, an extrovert, and an ambivert, tell the truth about whether or not introverts make good public speakers, discuss how introverts can get over their fear of being on stage, and Val shares how to go about becoming a well-known speaker in your field. We also cover the downsides of speaking for introverts, what Val has learned about herself as an introvert speaker, and common misconceptions. As an introvert myself, I learned a ton from Val in this packed full episode and I’m sure you will, too. Enjoy!


Angela Lussier is the founder of the Speaker Sisterhood and also an award-winning speaker, three-time author, and two-time TEDx presenter. She is the host of Claim the Stage, a public speaking podcast for courageous women. Her motto: Stop waiting. Start creating.