In this vibrant and wide-ranging episode of Limitless, host Tracy Poizner sits down with internationally acclaimed executive coach and TED mainstage speaker coach Gina Barnett to explore the power of embodied communication. From the body-mind connection to subconscious physical habits, Gina unpacks how deeply our presence, performance, and influence are shaped by unconscious muscle memory, trauma, and self-perception—and how we can change all of it.
Drawing on her book Play the Part and her decades of experience in acting, voice, leadership, and communication coaching, Gina shares practical tools and deeply insightful stories of helping high-profile leaders transform how they show up—by transforming how they inhabit their own bodies. This is a masterclass in embodied potential, authentic expression, and true confidence.
Behind the scenes at TED: what it takes to prepare a world-class talk
How your body shapes your thoughts—and your thoughts shape your body
Releasing subconscious blocks through physical movement
Why “muscle memory” isn’t just about sports or dance—it’s emotional
Communication as a full-body experience, not just a voice
How physicality unlocks empathy and multi-dimensional presence
The mirror exercise and “copy someone’s walk” as transformational tools
Cultural biases, nervous system patterns, and performance anxiety
Why play is essential to personal and professional growth
The neuroscience of early trauma, safety, and behavioral patterns
Posture, breath, and voice as instruments of leadership
“You never learn anything while you're talking. The key is listening—with your whole body.”
“Play isn’t frivolous—it’s how we learn, how we connect, and how we grow.”
“Communication is not just what you say. It’s how you breathe, stand, and move.”
Gina Barnett is an executive communication coach, speaker, and author of Play the Part: Master Body Signals to Connect and Communicate for Business Success. As the speaker coach for the mainstage TED Conference since 2011, she has helped hundreds of world-class leaders, scientists, and visionaries embody their message with clarity, authenticity, and power. She has consulted with leaders in finance, tech, arts, and public service globally, and is known for her human-first approach to transformation and communication.
Connect with Gina Barnett:
🌐 Website – Barnett International
📘 Play the Part – Available now wherever books are sold
💼 LinkedIn: Gina Barnett
Limitless, hosted by Tracy Poizner, explores human potential at the edge of consciousness, culture, and creativity. Join thought leaders, scientists, healers, and rebels pushing past old paradigms into a limitless future.
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💌 Subscribe to Limitless on Apple, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app.
Produced by Neil Haley | Music by Danny Colomby
Connect with Tracy for High-Impact Concierge Coaching to transform your professional & personal life: tracy@tracypoizner.com
🌟 Topics Covered:🔊 Notable Quotes:👤 About Gina Barnett:🎙️ About the Podcast:🛠️ Production Notes:✨ Work with Tracy:
