Speak English with Confidence | More Than Words

Richard Marshall | Pro Coach English
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Speak English with Confidence | More Than Words (previously 'From Lost to the River') is a podcast for people whose English is fine but who still don't feel confident using it. You've spent years studying, practicing, maybe even living in English, and yet something closes down when it matters. Meetings. Calls. Conversations with people you don't know. You overthink what you're about to say, you freeze, and you come away frustrated, wondering why you can't just speak. The problem isn't your English. It's your relationship with it. Confidence coach and author Richard Marshall talks with professionals, coaches, and real speakers about what actually gets in the way: fear of making mistakes, perfectionism, imposter syndrome, the pressure to be perfect rather than just communicate. Honest conversations with people who've been exactly where you are, showing what it looks and sounds like when things finally change. More conversations, coaching options, and the book More Than Words: Essays on Language, Identity, and the Courage to Speak at procoachenglish.com.

  1. Jan 9

    (6 min) You Know English. So Why Can’t You Speak It Confidently?

    You already know English. So why does something stop you the moment it matters? In this six-minute conversation, I'm joined by master coach Peter Freeth to talk about what's actually happening when you freeze - the inner critic, the fear of embarrassment, the perfectionism that feels like it's protecting you. Because it is. That's the problem. This is More Than Words, previously 'From Lost to the River', a weekly show about language, identity, and what it really takes to speak with confidence. More conversations, coaching options, and my new book More Than Words: Essays on Language, Identity, and the Courage to Speak at procoachenglish.com.

    6 min

  2. 12/19/2025

    (4 min) Why Years of English Classes Still Leave You Frozen in Meetings | with Nines López

    You've studied English for years. You know the grammar. So why does speaking it at work still feel so hard? In this four-minute conversation, finance manager Nines López talks about what English learning got wrong - too much grammar, not enough real conversation - and what actually helps professionals stop freezing and start speaking with confidence. Note: this episode is conducted in Spanish. This is More Than Words, previously 'From Lost to the River', a weekly show about language, identity, and what it really takes to speak with confidence. More conversations, coaching options, and my new book More Than Words: Essays on Language, Identity, and the Courage to Speak at procoachenglish.com.

    4 min

  3. 12/10/2025

    (7 min) Why Fluency Beats Perfection - A Language Coach on Fear, Blocking, and Speaking with Confidence | with Nacho Fernández

    You understand more than you speak. You freeze in meetings. You know the grammar but can't get the words out in the moment. In this seven-minute conversation, language coach Nacho Fernández - who works with CEOs and senior professionals on exactly this - talks about what actually unlocks speaking confidence. The shift from grammar to communication. The fear of judgement. Why correction and criticism are completely different things. And what happens when you finally drop the block. Note: this episode is conducted in Spanish. This is More Than Words, previously 'From Lost to the River', a weekly show about language, identity, and what it really takes to speak with confidence. More conversations, coaching options, and my new book More Than Words: Essays on Language, Identity, and the Courage to Speak at procoachenglish.com.

    7 min

  4. 12/05/2025

    (8 min) Exam English vs Real English: Why Certificates Don’t Make You a Confident Speaker

    Many Spanish professionals have the certificates — B1, B2, even C1 — but still struggle to speak English confidently in real conversations. Why? Because the system teaches you to pass exams, not to communicate. In this episode of More Than Words 'From Lost To The River', English teacher Alba Guerrero González returns to unpack the difference between Exam English and Real English. We explore how 'titulitis', external pressure, and exam‑oriented learning create a generation of learners who feel confident on paper but insecure when speaking. Alba explains why major exams like selectividad still ignore speaking, and how that shapes your confidence years later in meetings, interviews, and high‑stakes situations. If you’ve ever wondered why you overthink when speaking English, apologise too much, or hesitate even with a strong level, this conversation reveals the emotional roots of that insecurity — and how to rebuild confidence through a connection‑over‑perfection mindset. This episode gives you one clear benefit: a practical way to start speaking more naturally without waiting to feel “ready.” Follow Alba on Instagram and TikTok for daily English tips and speaking strategies. If this episode resonated, you’ll find more conversations, coaching options, and my new book More Than Words: Essays on Language, Identity, and the Courage to Speak at procoachenglish.com.

    8 min

  5. 11/19/2025

    (2 min) It’s Not Your English: Why People Don’t Understand You (Even When You Speak Well)

    Many people speak English well, yet still panic when someone says, “Sorry, could you repeat that?” In this short episode of More Than Words 'From Lost To The River', I explain why these moments often have nothing to do with your English level. You’ll learn the hidden variables in communication that affect understanding: background noise, distractions in the listener’s mind, technical issues on video calls, and the simple fact that people are often in their own head. When someone doesn’t understand you, it’s usually because they weren’t fully present, not because your English was wrong. This episode will help you stop overthinking, stop blaming yourself, and speak with more confidence in meetings, presentations, and real‑time conversations. If this resonates, you’ll find more conversations, coaching options, and my new book More Than Words: Essays on Language, Identity, and the Courage to Speak at procoachenglish.com.

    2 min

  6. 11/12/2025

    (7 min) What Happens to Your Confidence When Someone Looks Confused | with Daniele Ponzo

    You're mid-sentence and someone's face changes. Suddenly everything you know disappears. In this seven-minute conversation, language coach, author and podcast host Daniele Ponzo talks about exactly that moment -- and what it taught him about confidence, imperfection, and what communication is actually for. His story of being sent to fix a client problem in Barcelona, in his third language, is worth the listen alone. Daniele works with IT professionals on English confidence and hosts The Non-Native Leader podcast. His book Easy English for IT is on Amazon. Note: this episode is conducted in Spanish. Listen to the full conversation in English here on Apple Podcasts. And here on Spotify. And watch it with subtitles here on YouTube.  This is More Than Words, previously 'From Lost to the River', a weekly show about language, identity, and what it really takes to speak with confidence. More conversations, coaching options, and my new book More Than Words: Essays on Language, Identity, and the Courage to Speak at procoachenglish.com.

    8 min

  7. 11/10/2025

    (3 min) Why Perfectionism is Killing Your English Confidence | with Daniele Ponzo

    Most people who freeze when speaking English have already done everything they were supposed to do. The classes, the grammar, the certification. And it still wasn't enough. In this three-minute clip, language coach and author Daniele Ponzo talks about the moment he realised perfectionism was the problem, not the solution - and what actually shifted when he stopped trying to sound perfect and started trying to connect. His observation that even native speakers constantly mishear each other and ask for repeats is the kind of thing that quietly rewires how you think about your own mistakes. Daniele works with IT professionals on English confidence and hosts The Non-Native Leader podcast. His book Easy English for IT is on Amazon at danieleponzo.com. This is More Than Words, previously 'From Lost to the River', a weekly show about language, identity, and what it really takes to speak with confidence. More conversations, coaching options, and my new book More Than Words: Essays on Language, Identity, and the Courage to Speak at procoachenglish.com.

    3 min

  8. 11/08/2025

    (49 min) The Psychology Behind Real English Confidence with Daniele Ponzo

    Visit my website for more info: procoachenglish.com. If you’re a driven Spanish professional who freezes in English or fears being judged, this episode is for you. Daniele Ponzo, former IT manager turned language coach and author, explains how to swap perfectionism for presence so you can speak naturally, be heard in meetings, and lead with confidence. Daniele and I explore the emotional side of language: why imposter syndrome, school-system conditioning and ego make otherwise capable professionals stay quiet, and how to change that. You’ll hear Daniele’s story from 13 years in IT to coaching, plus practical mindset shifts and simple techniques you can use today to build English confidence for executives and teams. Expect clear, benefit-first advice on business English, real workplace phrases, role-play strategies and the “handle-with-care” mindset that stops overthinking and helps you speak naturally in high-stakes situations. These are tools you can apply immediately to presentations, meetings and interviews. Learn more about Daniele and his coaching services on his website at  danieleponzo.com  Connect with us on LinkedIn: Daniele Ponzo & Richard Marshall Check out Daniele’s book 'Easy English for IT' here on Amazon.  And his podcast 'The Non-Native Leader' here on YouTube. Watch this episode of 'From Lost To The River' with subtitles here on YouTube.  If you're ready for personalised support then you can reach out and book a call with me here via this link. Start building your English confidence today! Explore mindset strategies, coaching insights, and free guides here: Command the Room in English Top 10 English Challenges For Spanish Speakers & How To Fix Them #EnglishConfidence #BusinessEnglish #SpanishExecutives

    49 min
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About

Speak English with Confidence | More Than Words (previously 'From Lost to the River') is a podcast for people whose English is fine but who still don't feel confident using it. You've spent years studying, practicing, maybe even living in English, and yet something closes down when it matters. Meetings. Calls. Conversations with people you don't know. You overthink what you're about to say, you freeze, and you come away frustrated, wondering why you can't just speak. The problem isn't your English. It's your relationship with it. Confidence coach and author Richard Marshall talks with professionals, coaches, and real speakers about what actually gets in the way: fear of making mistakes, perfectionism, imposter syndrome, the pressure to be perfect rather than just communicate. Honest conversations with people who've been exactly where you are, showing what it looks and sounds like when things finally change. More conversations, coaching options, and the book More Than Words: Essays on Language, Identity, and the Courage to Speak at procoachenglish.com.

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