Hosts: Skye Hughes, Amanda Marshall, and Will Masara
Topic: Building Courage, Communication, Clarity, and Connection in young people’s public speaking skills.
Fresh from maternity leave, Skye rejoins the original Podclass line-up to tackle a topic their businesses and classrooms rely on: public speaking. With 75% of people fearing it more than death, the hosts break down where that fear comes from, why it matters more than ever in a digital age, and how their 4 Cs framework can help anyone become a brave communicator.
Finding the Fear – and Facing It
The hosts swap personal stories about stage fright and early public speaking blunders (including a memorable mispronunciation that haunted Skye for years). They explore why school-based “look at the back wall” advice often makes things worse, and why reframing public speaking as speaking with rather than at people changes the game.
“Public speaking is just communication – if we can learn to do it in this way, it becomes an accessible tool anyone can add to their belt.” – Skye
The 4 Cs Framework for Brave Communication
1. Courage – Stepping into fear, not erasing it. Learn to regulate nerves, prepare thoroughly, and normalise imperfection as part of the process.
2. Communication – Mastering the use of voice, breath, and body. Vary tone, pacing, and body language to maintain presence and impact.
3. Clarity – Using vocal image and “word economy” to make ideas land with precision. Shorter, sharper delivery = better retention.
4. Connection – Building common ground and trust through eye contact, storytelling, and authentic engagement.
Why This Matters for Students
Public speaking is a 21st century learning skill linked to confidence, employability, and influence. The hosts stress that by teaching it early – with practical tools, not just theory – educators equip students with a life-long advantage.
“It’s not about becoming a perfect speaker. It’s about becoming a brave communicator.” – Amanda
Practical Strategies for Educators
Embed speaking practice in all subjects – Let students rehearse in low-stakes settings before high-pressure presentations.
Focus feedback beyond the script – Coach delivery, tone, and connection, not just written words.
Normalise imperfection – Encourage students to “show their human” to build relatability and resilience.
Teach the 4 Cs – Integrate courage, communication, clarity, and connection into lesson design.
Conclusion
From sweaty palms to confident keynotes, the path to public speaking success is built through skill, practice, and courage. When educators model and teach these elements, they create classrooms where every voice has the confidence to be heard.
Links:
Podclass: www.ylaaus.com/podclass
Youth Engagement Project (YEP): https://youthengagementproject.com/
YLAA: www.ylaaus.com