In this episode of Wisdom Journey, host Wisdom Okonkwo sits down with Victoria Noethling—corporate leader turned speaking coach and podcast host—to unpack the art of confident, engaging on-camera and live presentations. Vicky shares forty years of experience from Fortune 500 programs, Toastmasters leadership, and Olympic Torch Relay storytelling to help creators conquer speaking fears, craft compelling stories, and connect authentically with any audience.
About Our Guest:
Victoria Noethling is a trainer, coach, and speaker who spent 17 years as a project manager on multi-year Fortune 500 programs. A Toastmaster since 1998 (including service as International Region Advisor), she carried the Olympic Torch in 1996 and has co-authored six collaborative books. Since retiring from the corporate world in 2018, Vicky has launched online courses, masterminds, and the Find Your Leadership Confidence podcast, empowering entrepreneurs to lead with courage, compassion, and charisma.
What You’ll Learn:
The root causes of public-speaking anxiety—and how to reframe mistakes as opportunities for connection
Techniques to warm up your voice, speak from your diaphragm, and tame high-pitched or nasal resonance
Simple body-language hacks: making “eye contact” on camera, using external mics and lighting, and adding authentic smiles
Story-driven presentation structure: three key points, memorable anecdotes, and audience-focused delivery
When (and when not) to use scripts or teleprompters—and how to read naturally if you do
Live-stream best practices: preparation, pacing, authenticity, and turning on-the-fly flubs into viral moments
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction & read-aloud content tip
01:55 The number-one fear in public speaking
04:00 Lessons from carrying the Olympic Torch
06:14 Recovering from an onstage fall and owning the moment
08:28 Why we hate our recorded voices—and how to improve them
11:22 Using AI to refine your script and find your authentic tone
15:36 Body-language mastery: camera eye contact & lighting setup
18:29 Scripts vs. talking points: structuring stories for impact
22:20 Live-streaming strategies: authenticity & handling mistakes
24:50 Vocal warm-ups, breathing, and pre-show rituals
27:03 Most embarrassing on-stage moment—and why it became memorable
30:14 Rapid-fire speaking hacks & idolizing Oprah’s authenticity
33:01 How to work with Victoria: coaching packages & free setup checkup
Resources & Links:
Find Your Leadership Confidence Podcast & Coaching:
https://findyourleadershipconfidence.com
Connect with Victoria:
LinkedIn: Victoria Noethling
Instagram: @VickyNoethling
Facebook: Victoria Noethling
Buy Me a Coffee:
https://buymeacoffee.com/WisdomHQ
Stay Connected:
If you found today’s episode helpful, please subscribe, leave a review, and share with a fellow creator who needs a confidence boost.
