What if courage has to come before confidence, not after?
In this episode of Her Unshakeable Confidence, Simone and Olivia sit down with Stephanie Richardson, a public speaking and executive coach, certified world class speaking coach, and international best-selling author of The Power of Coaching, Volume 2. A former licensed professional counselor with a master’s in psychology, Stephanie brings a rare mix of clinical training and real world grit to the conversation, sharing why comfort keeps more people stuck than fear does, how to take your next best step instead of waiting to see the whole staircase, and why reframing a negative thought with real evidence can change the story you tell yourself.
✅ Actionable Takeaways
Start Small: Take small, low-stakes risks. Confidence comes from reps, not from waiting until you feel ready.
Find Your Next Best Step: You don’t need the whole staircase mapped out. Just identify the one next step you’re willing to take.
Jump and Build Your Wings on the Way Down: You can learn as you go. Waiting to know everything before you move only keeps you stuck.
Surround Yourself with People Moving Forward: The people around you shape what feels normal. Seek out relationships that push you, not just ones that feel comfortable.
Catch and Reframe the Story: When a negative thought shows up, name it, flip it to the opposite, and back it up with real evidence.
⏱️ Chapters
01:19 – How Stephanie’s Coaching Business Began
02:33 – Counseling vs Coaching: The Rearview Mirror and the Windshield
06:35 – Coaching vs Therapy: How to Know When It’s Time for a Change
12:48 – Small Risks and Finding Your Next Best Step
17:10 – Surrounding Yourself with the Right People
22:22 – Catching and Reframing Negative Thoughts
24:36 – Understanding DISC and Communication Styles
28:10 – The Best Advice from a Woman in Her Life
29:24 – Closing Thoughts and Where to Find Stephanie
✨ About Stephanie Richardson
Stephanie Richardson is a public speaking and executive coach, a certified world class speaking coach, and international best-selling author of The Power of Coaching, Volume 2. She holds a master’s in psychology and spent years as a licensed professional counselor before moving into coaching and speaking.
While building her clinical career, Stephanie was also a single mom growing a direct sales organization that has since grown to nearly sixteen hundred members. She works with people who feel anxious about public speaking as well as business owners and executives who need help shaping a clear, engaging message, whether for a webinar, sales presentation, board meeting, or keynote.
Stephanie is also a certified DISC consultant and a John Maxwell certified coach, using both tools to help individuals, couples, and companies communicate more effectively.
Connect with Stephanie Richardson:
Website: stephanierichardsonuyp.com
Instagram: @coachstephanierichardson
LinkedIn: Stephanie Richardson
Book: The Power of Coaching, Volume 2
👉 💬 Connect with Us
Don’t forget to subscribe to Her Unshakeable Confidence for more empowering stories and actionable insights. Leave us a review, share your favorite moments, and tag us on social media!
✨ Take our new QUIZ and discover what’s really holding you back and how to break free.
Get Free AUDIOBOOK
Order Simone’s New Book
REAL Confidence A Simple Guide to Go from Unsure to Unshakeable
📖 Order Simone’s The Extraordinary UnOrdinary You Book
👉 Connect with Simone Knego:
- Instagram: @simoneknego
- Facebook: @speakersimoneknego
- LinkedIn: simoneknego
- Website: www.simoneknego.com
- Book a free call with Simone
👉 Connect with Olivia Knego:
- Instagram: @oliviaknego
- LinkedIn: oliviaknego
Looking for more?
Visit Our Etsy Shop: theunshakeablestudio
Check out our inspirational mugs, shirts, and more at The Unshakeable Studio. These items are filled with gratitude and designed to inspire personal transformation in one’s life.
Listen to Episode on:
