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“I would say that after I did my TED talk in August my life did change in some ways because I think it’s about changing the energy. You put yourself out there, you create new work, and you get seen by different people. You bring different energy to yourself and immediately I got a lot of people contacting me for new work or for different types of work.” Elia Nichols on the reaction to the recent release of her TEDx talk, The secret to looking more confident.

On this week’s podcast I joke that I had to invite Elia Nichols, public speaking and communication coach, TEDx Speaker, and actor back on the podcast so that we could finally sit down for a proper catch-up! I am so very happy that I did. In this heartfelt and wide-ranging conversation, I ask Elia about how things have been going since the recent release of her incredible TEDx talk, what she’s been up to lately, and what’s in store for the immediate future. But we like to mix it up here at the podcast, and at a certain point Elia interviews me. Together, we peel back the layers on the “secret” parts of life we don’t always talk about: from parenting and creative burnout, to rediscovering confidence, the importance of mentoring young people, building community, friendship, and redefining balance in an age of constant performance. Elia and I also delve into how parenting transforms our identity and the importance of of staying inspired and creative. Finally, at a certain point we even break out into song and I also spill the beans on my novel!

Elia Nichols Biography & Links

Elia Nichols is an American-born, Italy-based Public Speaking and Communication coach, TEDx Speaker, a 2x TEDx Speaking coach, and a film and TV actress. Her mindful, yet fun teaching techniques have helped thousands of people master the skill of charisma and break communication barriers. Elia teaches speakers and professionals in strategic business and leadership roles effective ways to perfect their presence and speaking skills onstage, in the courtroom, classroom, boardroom and onscreen. Her techniques incorporate elements of theatre, improvisation and comedy into teachings as she has found that this type of mindful and fun experiential learning leads to the most effective, transformational changes in her clients. Elia believes that charisma is a skill that can be learned and which, once mastered, has the potential to motivate, persuade, inspire, and advance business and personal interests. She has held high-level jobs in Public and External Relations as well as Learning and Development, which has given her insight into both the academic and business environments. In addition, she has been a professor of Public Speaking and Communication at renowned academic institutions such as the European University Institute, Syracuse University, the European School of Economics, Istituto Lorenzo de’Medici and the University of Texas at Austin. She has been a professional actress for 15 years and is best known for her starring role as Professor Tucker in the comedic TV series Maggie & Bianca Fashion Friends that airs nightly on the RAI Gulp channel in Italy and in 180 countries across the globe on Netflix. She also co-founded F.E.S.T.A. Theatre Company and produced and acted in many of its productions. Elia received her Bachelor of Arts in Theatre from Tulane University and her Masters of Fine Arts in Acting from the University of Texas at Austin.

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Podcast Producer: Andrew Niklas Curtis

Recorded @faminoresoundagency