In this episode of the Meet Your Inspiration Podcast, hosts Rich and Meri welcome Beth Turner, communication coach and founder of Conversations Unlimited, who shares her remarkable journey from being the first in her family to attend university to becoming an international keynote speaker. Her unconventional path takes her from becoming vice-captain of her university's all-male boxing club through a career-ending back injury at 21, pivoting from fitness instruction to retail management at John Lewis, where she revolutionised, the people function for 1,200 staff over 15 years.The conversation explores the art of authentic communication, with Beth revealing how great speakers are created, not born, and that "to speak is to serve." She shares powerful insights on navigating difficult conversations, building trust through genuine connection, and the importance of challenging our self-limiting narratives. Beth emphasises that leadership isn't about titles but about how we make others feel, and that prioritising people creates a ripple effect that transforms businesses and lives.• Great speakers are created through practice and service to their audience, not natural talent• Early life setbacks, like her back surgery at 21, can redirect us toward our true calling• Leadership exists at every level - it's about impact, not position or title• The best communicators make complex things simple and put people first• Difficult conversations become easier when addressed early with genuine care• Our self-talk shapes our reality - challenge limiting beliefs with "social proof" of past successes• Authentic communication requires vulnerability and genuine curiosity about others• Digital communication lacks context - voice and face-to-face connection matter more than ever• Improving adult communication skills creates positive ripple effects for the next generation• Stepping out of comfort zones and embracing discomfort signals meaningful growth00:00 - An Unpredictable Journey02:21 - The Importance of Difficult Conversations05:35 - From Geography Student to Fitness Instructor10:41 - A Career-Changing Back Injury13:23 - A New Path in Retail with John Lewis15:51 - 15 Years in Human Resources19:30 - The Biggest Challenge in Managing People22:39 - The 'People, Customer, Profit' Philosophy24:22 - Why I Left the Corporate World28:00 - The Art of Seeing Through Another's Lens34:14 - Challenging Your Self-Talk Story36:12 - Overcoming Networking Anxiety37:23 - The Key to Difficult Conversations41:00 - A Coaching Framework: Help, Heard, or Hugged?42:03 - Applying Coaching to Public Speaking43:47 - Are Great Speakers Born or Made?48:03 - The Power of Passionate Storytelling53:20 - A Speaker's Journey: From Small Groups to Global Stages56:09 - The Core of Authentic Communication01:02:09 - The Accidental Start of a Coaching Business01:04:20 - Reframing Nerves as Excitement01:07:34 - Putting Fear into Perspective01:08:52 - Practical Techniques for Stage Presence01:11:40 - The Power of the Pause in Public Speaking01:12:52 - Critiquing Text-Heavy Presentations01:15:14 - The Entrepreneurial Journey: Setbacks and Challenges01:18:26 - A Passion for Coaching Communication in Kids01:20:19 - Pivoting the Business to Impact Adults01:22:38 - The Impact of Lockdown on Business and Networking01:23:38 - Explaining How Zoom Networking Functions01:24:56 - The Importance of In-Person Connection01:27:17 - The Modern Decline of Face-to-Face Communication01:28:41 - The Dangers of Text: Read in the Mood of the Reader01:30:53 - Adapting Communication Across Generations01:34:44 - Choosing the Right Channel for Important Conversations01:38:01 - Final Thoughts on the Art of Communication
To contact Beth Turner:beth@conversationsunlimited.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/beth-turner-communication-coach/ Support us on Buy Me a Coffee:https://buymeacoffee.com/meetyourinspiration
