In this episode of The Sean Trace Show, I sit down with Miriam Katz, a public speaking coach, improv performer, actor, and creator of the Ex Appeal podcast, to unpack what actually makes someone compelling when they speak.
We get into why “polished” can sound robotic, how humor pulls you into deeper truth instead of avoiding it, and why the real unlock is learning to talk the way you talk to your friends. Miriam shares how improv builds trust in yourself, not by making you funnier but by removing the blocks that keep your natural personality hidden, and why so many professionals struggle because they are chasing perfection instead of presence. I also talk about how teaching kids gave me the most brutal, most useful feedback on communication, why I use play and jokes to lead my team better, and how anxiety can be reframed as energy you can bring to the audience instead of something you need to hide.
We close with practical mindset shifts for interviews and presentations, and Miriam breaks down how preparation and playfulness can work together to help you show up confident, human, and real.
