Ever notice how one critical remark can overshadow all the praise you’ve received?

For years, I let one critical comment overshadow every compliment I received. In this episode of The Courageous Performer Podcast, I share how I stopped letting negative feedback crush my confidence and started using it to grow. I’ll walk you through the exact three steps I use to decide what to take on board—and what to let go—so I can perform with freedom and self-belief.

🎧 You’ll hear:

• Why our brains are wired to focus on criticism over praise

• How to separate your self-worth from your performance

• Real-life examples of turning harsh feedback into constructive growth

• Simple ways to quiet the inner critic after a comment stings

• The mindset shift that makes feedback feel less personal and more useful

By the end, you’ll know how to sift through criticism, keep the gems, and leave the rest behind—so you can keep showing up with courage and confidence.

This episode is for every performer who’s ever felt they had to earn their right to be seen. Whether you’re onstage, on camera, in the boardroom, or simply trying to show up as yourself - you’ll find something here for you.

👉 Book a free Backstage Review with me: Backstage Review

Let’s talk about how to let go of the fear and find the version of you that doesn’t need to be fixed - just given space to perform

💛 Like, subscribe, and share this with someone whose inner critic is ruining their life!

Do your inner voices whisper things like: “You’re not good enough.” “You’re going to mess this up.” “You’re too much… or maybe not enough?”

Welcome to the club. It’s noisy in here.

In this episode of The Courageous Performer Podcast, I share the story of how I spent decades trying to outperform my inner critic—and how that voice still managed to stop me singing for nearly 20 years. And it didn’t just affect my performances, it shaped how I saw myself everywhere.

I genuinely believed the answer was to try harder, work smarter, and be better. Turns out, I was making things worse not better, like trying to make it easier to climb a mountain by adding bricks to my rucksack.

🎧 You’ll hear:

The reason your inner critic gets so loud in the first place

Why self-criticism feels like a safety strategy (but actually backfires)

The uncomfortable but powerful first step to quietening the noise

And what happens when you stop protecting yourself, and start really performing

This episode is for every performer who’s ever felt they had to earn their right to be seen. Whether you’re onstage, on camera, in the boardroom, or simply trying to show up as yourself - you’ll find something here for you.

👉 Book a free Backstage Review with me: Backstage Review

Let’s talk about how to let go of the fear and find the version of you that doesn’t need to be fixed - just given space to perform

💛 Like, subscribe, and share this with someone whose inner critic is ruining their life!

Ever noticed how you can receive ten lovely compliments… and one slightly arched eyebrow… and somehow that’s the bit that sticks?

In this episode, I’m talking about the sneaky pull of external validation—the kind of feedback we long for but often don’t believe when we get it. I share what I’ve learned (often the hard way) about how needing a certain response from your audience, your peers, or even your loved ones can throw you off balance—and how things change when you start valuing your own opinion just a little bit more.

This one’s especially personal, as I reflect on grief, vulnerability, and the surprising ways old thought patterns can creep back in when life shakes you. It’s not about pretending you don’t care—it’s about learning how to care differently. And kindly.

So if you’ve ever twisted yourself into knots trying to please everyone, or felt lost when praise didn’t land the way it should have, this one’s for you. And if you’d like some practical tools to help let go of that need for praise and reconnect with your authentic performer self, join me on 8th May for my workshop: The Joy of Being a Fearless Performer.

Do you ever feel like the harder you try to control your performance, the more things seem to go wrong?

In this episode of The Courageous Performer Podcast, I explore why control isn’t the solution—it’s the problem.

I’ll share insights from a coaching session with a performer facing a high-stakes audition, unpack how the need for control creates tension and self-doubt, and show you what actually works: creating headspace. When you shift your approach to preparation, you gain the freedom to respond, adapt, and truly enjoy performing.

If this is something you’d like to explore further, I’m running my Free Your Voice Live event in April, where I’ll guide you through my step-by-step process to move from panic to presence—so you can perform with confidence, ease, and authenticity.

Tickets are £40 for the whole day, but early bird tickets are just £20—and they include access to my online course. You can find all the details here: Free Your Voice Live

Listen now and learn how to trust yourself, free your voice, and perform at your best.

We all feel embarrassed or vulnerable at times—even those of us who teach confidence for a living! In this episode, I share two personal stories that pushed me to confront my inner critic and navigate the uncomfortable feelings of self-doubt. Learn the tools I use to overcome embarrassment, fact-check fears, and embrace my imperfect, authentic self. If you’ve ever struggled to put yourself out there or felt like you had to be perfect, this episode is for you. Let’s explore why being real—not perfect—is the key to confidence and connection.

I’ll walk you through the tools I use to climb out of those moments, including:

• Sitting with uncomfortable feelings (instead of avoiding them)
• Telling yourself your “shitty story” to uncover and fact-check fears
• Showing kindness to yourself and reframing imperfections as strengths

Join me as I explore how these tools helped me turn vulnerability into connection and discover why authenticity always wins.

Connect with Hattie:

If you want to get in touch you can reach me here:

Website: www.findyourtruevoice.co.uk

Email: hattie@findyourtruevoice.co.uk

Handling criticism is tough for any performer, whether you're on stage or in the boardroom. In this episode of The Courageous Performer, I explore how to transform feedback - both external and internal - into a powerful tool for growth, rather than a source of self-doubt.

We’ll discuss:

• How to quiet that harsh inner critic that often holds us back.
• Three essential questions to ask yourself when facing feedback: Is it kind? Is it more about them than me? Do I agree with it?
• Practical tips for using feedback to improve without losing confidence or motivation.

Tune in if you're ready to make peace with feedback, build resilience, and step into every performance with greater self-assurance. This episode is perfect for singers, actors, public speakers, and anyone looking to find strength in vulnerability.

Connect with Hattie:

If you want to get in touch you can reach me here:

Website: www.findyourtruevoice.co.uk

Email: hattie@findyourtruevoice.co.uk

Do you feel like each performance is a pass-or-fail test of your worth? In this episode of The Courageous Performer Podcast, Hattie Voelcker explores why it’s so common for performers to tie their value to their achievements on stage—and how this mindset creates unnecessary pressure that can make performing a struggle rather than a joy.

Hattie dives into practical strategies to help you separate who you are from how well you perform, reducing performance anxiety and building resilience. Learn how to stop viewing every performance as a “make-or-break” moment, and start seeing it as an experience for growth, learning, and enjoyment.

Tune in for insights, stories, and tips that will help you create a healthier, more sustainable relationship with performing, whether you’re singing, acting, speaking, or dancing.

In this episode of The Courageous Performer Podcast, I share my Free Your Voice process, designed to help you feel confident, comfortable, and free on stage. I’ll walk you through the five essential steps to transform your mindset and approach, from understanding your performance’s purpose and audience to tackling your fears and building a plan. Plus, I have exciting news about my free 5-day challenge, starting on September 30th, where I’ll guide you through these steps in depth. Join me to unlock your true voice and perform with ease!

Register for the 5 DAY FREE YOUR VOICE CHALLENGE here: www.findyourtruevoice.co.uk/5DC

If you'd like some help achieving all you want with your performing, get in touch...

Connect with Hattie Voelcker:

• Website: www.findyourtruevoice.co.uk/

• Email: hattie@findyourtruevoice.co.uk