Why does your brain malfunction for public Speaking? Because it’s ‘scary’? Nope. Because you have a ‘disorder’? Nope. Because of your ‘primal nervous system’? Yes!

Our brain is “wired stupid” for Public Speaking — it’s a common neurobiological nuisance - hack it with CBT!

When we face an audience, our threat response often overreacts, triggering over the top pesky primal fight-or-flight symptoms.. Your brain floods your body with adrenaline, oxygen, and cortisol as if you were facing a physical threat - before rational reasoning even gets a look-in. The result? Racing heart, shaky voice, and a frazzled mind — totally unnecessary and unhelpful for delivering a presentation.

It doesn’t have to stay that way. Public speaking anxiety is the most common form of social phobia — but it is completely manageable with CBT! Build the cognitive, emotional, and behavioral skills to handle the task competently. Imagine that?

This episode, based on a top CBT workbook by Veronica Walsh, is fun, fast, and engaging — giving you practical, proven skills to understand and manage public speaking anxiety:

CBT helps you to:

• Shift your perception: See speaking as a ‘task’, and maybe even an opportunity, rather than a terrifying threat
• Learn the ‘Messenger Mindset’ - the ‘Hugh Grant Rom-Com Defense’ - and the ‘Politicians Strategy’
• Evaluate your resources with your rational brain.
• Understand and harness adrenaline: Use the natural surge of energy to feel “buzzed and pumped” instead of freaked out
• Change behaviour: Show up and build the skill over time, rather than avoiding or self-sabotaging
• Focus on the message: You’re just the messenger of the information - make the value of what you’re communicating more important than ego or self-judgment — it’s not about you!

By interrupting automatic reactions — cognitive, physical, and emotional — with CBT, you can transform your performance and regulate your nervous system. Science is beautiful — and you have the power to change your mind, mood, and delivery. Change your life with this tool box. Dive in!

Access more CBT resources — handouts, workbooks, audios, and videos:

• Blog & free CBT resource guides: iVeronicaWalsh.wordpress.com
• CBT practice (Ireland): CBTandFeelingGood.com