How to Overcome Public Speaking Fear with Jordana Borensztajn
Most people do not want to fall in love with public speaking.
They simply want to survive their next presentation without freezing, forgetting their words or wishing the floor would swallow them whole.
But according to keynote speaker and communication expert Jordana Borensztajn, survival is only the starting point.
In this hilarious episode of the Hear Me Roar podcast, Jordana joins Kate Save and Tobi Skovron to explore how to overcome public speaking fear, manage presentation anxiety and communicate with genuine confidence.
It was insightful, unpredictable and bloody funny, with Tobi coming dangerously close to falling off his chair in fits of laughter.
Who Is Jordana Borensztajn?
Jordana Borensztajn is a keynote speaker, event MC, corporate humourist, mentalist, communication coach and body language expert.
Her career has taken her from News Corp journalism to stand-up comedy, radio, media, magic and mentalism. Each chapter has strengthened her understanding of how people communicate, connect and build trust.
Today, she combines those experiences to help leaders, professionals and organisations improve their presentation skills and communicate with greater confidence, warmth and impact.
Her insights have appeared in Fast Company, CEO World Magazine, The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, Herald Sun and Women’s Agenda. She is also a regular guest across 3AW, 6PR, 2GB and 4BC.
Having trained more than 2,500 leaders, Jordana has helped eliminate her fair share of boring presentations.
Why Brilliant People Fear Public Speaking
Being highly capable at your job does not automatically create public speaking confidence.
Many intelligent and accomplished people struggle when all eyes turn towards them. They overthink their words, become hyper-aware of their body language and focus more on avoiding mistakes than connecting with their audience.
Jordana’s approach moves beyond rigid formulas and presentation theory.
She uses humour, storytelling, coaching, play and the unexpected to help people become more natural and present. The goal is not to manufacture a polished corporate persona. It is to help people communicate as themselves, with greater clarity and confidence.
How to Overcome Public Speaking Fear
Overcoming presentation anxiety does not require eliminating every nerve.
It requires learning how to manage that energy and direct it towards serving the audience.
Jordana’s approach focuses on:
- Replacing perfection with genuine connection
- Using storytelling to make ideas memorable
- Understanding body language and presence
- Bringing personality into professional communication
- Using humour to reduce tension
- Focusing on the audience instead of personal judgement
- Practising in an engaging and supportive environment
Confidence grows through preparation, experience and learning to trust yourself in the moment.
Great Communication Builds Trust
The best public speakers do more than deliver information.
They build trust.
Strong communication begins with understanding the audience, showing appropriate vulnerability and creating a genuine human connection. People may forget the exact words used during a presentation, but they will remember how the speaker made them feel.
Body language, presence, timing and tone all matter. However, none can compensate for a speaker who is disconnected from their message or audience.
Real influence begins when performance gives way to connection.
Why Humour Improves Presentations
Humour is not simply about landing a punchline.
Used effectively, it breaks tension, builds rapport and makes important ideas easier to absorb. It gives the audience permission to relax while allowing the speaker’s personality to emerge.
Jordana demonstrates that professional communication does not need to be stiff, robotic or painfully predictable.
Sometimes the fastest way to command a room is to stop trying so hard to impress it.
Can Anyone Become a Confident Public Speaker?
Public speaking is not a natural ability reserved for charismatic people.
It is a skill that can be developed.
Through executive presentation coaching, corporate communication workshops and keynote speaking, Jordana helps people move from fearing judgement to creating connection.
With the right guidance, practice and mindset, the spotlight can become somewhere you choose to stand rather than somewhere you desperately try to escape.
Listen To The Hear Me Roar Podcast
This episode delivers practical lessons on public speaking confidence, presentation skills, storytelling, body language and building trust.
It also delivers plenty of laughter.
Join Jordana Borensztajn, Kate and Tobi for one of the funniest and most insightful Hear Me Roar conversations yet.
You may not fall in love with public speaking immediately, but you might stop treating your next presentation like a public execution.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I overcome my fear of public speaking?
Prepare thoroughly, practise regularly and focus on connecting with the audience rather than delivering a perfect performance. Confidence develops through repetition and experience.
What causes presentation anxiety?
Presentation anxiety is commonly driven by fear of judgement, making mistakes, forgetting information or losing control in front of an audience.
How does humour improve public speaking?
Humour can reduce tension, strengthen audience connection and make ideas more memorable. It should support the message rather than distract from it.
Why is body language important during a presentation?
Body language influences how confident, trustworthy and engaged a speaker appears. Posture, eye contact, facial expressions and movement all shape how an audience receives the message.
Who is Jordana Borensztajn?
Jordana Borensztajn is an Australian keynote speaker, event MC, corporate humourist, mentalist and communication expert who has trained more than 2,500 leaders.
Get ready to ROAR, Enjoy the Pod 🎧