What to do about stage fright?

What to do about stage fright?

Update: 2025-08-04
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What’s more terrifying than spidersor heights? For many professionals, it’s public speaking.

In the latest episode of myCommunication Psychology podcast, we tackle the roots of stage frightand explore what actually works to overcome it — according to science.

🚩 Why do we feel speech anxiety, even when we’re prepared?
🧠 What role does temperament play?
🛠️ And how can you train your mind and body to thriveon stage instead of freeze?

Featuring insights fromcommunication psychology, neuroscience, and practical techniques forprofessionals, trainers, and leaders.

🎧 Listen now — and learn how to turn fear into focus.

#PublicSpeaking #StageFright#CommunicationPsychology #Podcast #Leadership #EmotionalIntelligence

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Recommended reading:

Ayres, J. (1997). Explainingcommunication apprehension: A communication competence perspective. In J.A. Daly, J. C. McCroskey, J. Ayres, T. Hopf, & D. M. Ayres (Eds.), Avoidingcommunication: Shyness, reticence, and communication apprehension (2nd ed.,pp. 55–88). Hampton Press.

Beatty, M. J., McCroskey, J. C.,& Heisel, A. D. (1998). Communication apprehension as atemperament-based construct. Communication Monographs, 65(2),197–219. https://doi.org/10.1080/03637759809376447

Bodie, G. D. (2010). A racingheart, rattling knees, and ruminative thoughts: Defining, explaining, andtreating public speaking anxiety. Communication Education, 59(1),70–105. https://doi.org/10.1080/03634520903443849

Dwyer, K. K., & Davidson, M. M.(2012). Is public speaking really more feared than death? CommunicationResearch Reports, 29(2), 99–107. https://doi.org/10.1080/08824096.2012.667772

Stein, M. B., Walker, J. R., &Forde, D. R. (1996). Public-speaking fears in a community sample:Prevalence, impact on functioning, and diagnostic classification. Archivesof General Psychiatry, 53(2), 169–174. https://doi.org/10.1001/archpsyc.1996.01830020093010

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What to do about stage fright?

What to do about stage fright?

Gerhard Ohrband, MA in Psychology (University of Hamburg/Germany)