Welcome to this episode of the Engaging Marketeer podcast, where host Darren Jamieson dives deep into the world of public speaking with the dynamic and inspiring Susanna Lähteelä.
Originally from Finland and now based in the Czech Republic, Susanna is a renowned public speaker and speaking coach who helps individuals overcome their fears, build confidence, and transform into powerful communicators. In this candid and insightful conversation, Susanna shares her personal journey, the challenges she’s faced, and her top tips for those looking to excel in public speaking.
Below, we’ll see what Susanna has to say..
Darren: On this week’s Engaging Marketeer podcast, I am speaking with public speaker and speaking coach, Susanna Lähteelä from Finland. Susanna now lives in the Czech Republic, and she teaches people how to get their stories out when they go onto a stage or they just want to overcome something in their life that gets them more outward-facing, more happy to speak in front of people, and shows them the techniques and the skills they need just to be better versions of themselves.
Obviously, we are both speakers, so this is going to be quite an engaging conversation. Susanna, you’re a public speaker and a trainer for people who want to talk. One of the biggest fear factors for people is public speaking. What’s been your experience with people that you’ve helped in terms of fear for getting up and talking in front of others?
Susanna: Great question, yes, I do help people, and yes, glossophobia is one of the most common fears in the world, hence why I’m in a good industry! But when it comes to the people I’ve helped, the main issue isn’t really being on the stage; it’s more about confidence and the lack of confidence that we have when it comes to being in front of people. We fear being judged. That’s the number one thing that people say when they come to me for coaching. It’s always about the fear of being judged, whether it’s from a past experience or some sort of trauma.
Darren: You’ve mentioned you’ve had some experiences yourself with trauma or judgment. Can you tell us more about that?
Susanna: Absolutely. I grew up in Finland, a culture where people are generally introverted, shy, and quiet. But I was always extroverted, loud, and different from the cultural norm. Growing up, I didn’t realize this difference, but it led to me being bullied all through my school years. I was bullied for my looks, my size, my loudness, and my confidence. It took a toll on my self-esteem. I fought back for years, but eventually, I got exhausted and started to conform to the culture rather than staying true to myself, which was a huge mistake. It led to a series of wrong relationships, depression, and other challenges. But, in the end, I’m glad I went through it because it made me who I am today, and it helps me connect deeply with my clients who face similar struggles.
Darren: That’s a very personal story, Susanna. Do you find it’s common that people who want to get better at public speaking have had similar experiences that knocked their confidence?
Susanna: It’s about 50/50. Half of the people I coach can immediately identify a past experience that has hurt them, like I did. The other half aren’t aware of what’s holding them back, which makes it more challenging but also more rewarding to coach them. When someone isn’t aware of their issues, we need to break it down and find out what actually made them who they are. I had a client recently, a very confident person in front of an audience, but inside he was dying. It was a relationship trauma from his past. We forget these things; we push them so far back in our minds that we don’t realize they’re still affecting us years later. Self-reflection is so important in public speaking because unless you’re vulnerable with yourself, you’ll never be truly authentic with your audience.
Darren: You mentioned the importance of mindset in overcoming public speaking fears. Can anyone become a confident speaker, and how long does it typically take?
Susanna: Yes, absolutely anyone can become a confident speaker. How long it takes depends on whether you’re willing to hire a coach or prefer to go it alone. If you’re not hiring a coach, it will take longer, but you can join organisations like Toastmasters, which is global. Toastmasters helped me overcome my fear of public speaking, and it was a long journey. It’s not just about showing up; you have to put in the hard work, give speech after speech, push yourself out of your comfort zone. It’s like sports—you have to train and build your skills gradually. It’s not easy, but with the right mindset, anyone can do it.
Darren: You’ve achieved so much already, but how do you transition from speaking in a supportive environment like Toastmasters to getting paid to speak for businesses?
Susanna: My first gigs came from winning speaking competitions in Toastmasters. That visibility helped me get noticed, and people started to reach out to me for events. After that, it’s about hard work and perseverance. You have to be willing to reach out to organisers, ask if they need speakers, and not let your ego get in the way. It’s a competitive industry, but if you’re humble, confident, and willing to do the work, you can build a successful career. When you start getting speaking gigs, film them, create a reel, and use that for marketing yourself. It’s all about being visible and showcasing what you can do.
Darren: Speaking of marketing, what kind of marketing materials do aspiring public speakers need to be getting out there?
Susanna: First, get comfortable in front of the camera. Record yourself daily, even if it’s just everyday situations, to get used to it. When you start creating marketing material, authenticity is key. Start by being a guest on podcasts, like this one, and sharing your energy and story. That’s public speaking too, just through a camera. It’s important to showcase your confidence, energy, and how you articulate. You can also create short clips or videos with tips related to your niche. LinkedIn has been the most successful platform for me, and I’m trying to build a presence on TikTok as well, which is a work in progress. Consistency is important, and you have to put yourself out there regularly.
Darren: That’s great advice. What tip would you give to someone who is just starting and wants to improve their public speaking?
Susanna: I would say join Toastmasters. It’s a nonprofit organization that’s been instrumental in my journey. It provides a supportive environment where you can learn and grow. Find a club where you feel comfortable, and start from there. It’s about finding the right community and getting the right support.
Darren: This has been fantastic, Susanna. If someone listening wants to get in touch with you, what’s the best way to reach out?
Susanna: LinkedIn is the best way to reach me. I’m most active there, and I have an open calendar link on my profile if you want to book a free consultation. I’m happy to chat with anyone interested in improving their public speaking or just looking for some guidance. My coaching is quite straightforward and can be brutal, so I only work with people who are serious about making a change. But I’m always open to helping where I can.
Darren: Thank you so much, Susanna, for joining us on The Engaging Marketeer podcast. Your insights and energy have been truly inspiring, and I’m sure our listeners have gained a lot from this conversation. If you’re listening and want to follow up with Susanna, you can find the links to her LinkedIn profile and calendar below this episode. Thank you for tuning in, and we’ll see you in the next episode!
Connect with Susanna:
Website: https://susannalahteela.coach/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fifersusanna
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@susannalahteela?app=desktop
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanna-lahteela
About your host:
Darren has worked within digital marketing since the last century, and was the first in-house web designer for video games retailer GAME in the UK, known as Electronics Boutique in the States. After co-founding his own agency, Engage Web, in 2009, Darren has worked with clients around the world, including Australia, Canada and the USA.
iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/engaging-marketeer/id1612454837
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darrenjamieson/
Engaging Marketeer: https://engagingmarketeer.com
Engage Web: https://www.engageweb.co.uk
