EP15: If You Struggle With Talking About Yourself

The Confrontationalist With Danielle Gibson

“If you don’t talk about yourself, if you don’t let other people understand your perspective or the way you see the world—your ideas—then how can they know, and how can they learn? How can they broaden their own horizons?” says storyteller and producer Lisa Weiss, pointing to the unique connection we create when we’re willing to share our true selves.

Lisa joins Danielle Gibson in this episode to talk about why opening up about ourselves feels so hard for so many people. They unpack the fears and assumptions that often hold us back from sharing our stories, including self-judgment, fear of criticism, and the feeling that maybe what we have to say isn’t worth hearing. Is it possible that by staying silent, we’re not only limiting ourselves but keeping others from seeing things in new ways?

Lisa also shares her personal journey, from silence to finding her voice, and offers insights into why small steps toward vulnerability can lead to big changes in how we connect with others. Together, Lisa and Danielle make the case for curiosity—both in asking questions and in allowing ourselves to be curious about how our own stories might matter more than we think. This episode is an invitation to think about what might happen if we trusted our voices just a little bit more.

Quotes

• “We sometimes overthink what we’re saying. And we don’t trust ourselves. And I think self-trust is fundamental to this process.” (03:21 | Lisa Weiss)
• “A person who takes the time to ask a question is interested in you and in the discussion. A clarifying question is an invitation to continue the conversation and an opportunity, rather than a reason to feel defensive.” (08:20 | Lisa Weiss)
• “If you have a hard time talking about yourself, it’s good to get comfortable with the discomfort of having questions asked of you and starting to answer them.” (11:32 | Lisa Weiss)
• “If you don’t talk about yourself, if you don’t let other people understand your perspective or the way you see the world—your ideas—then how can they know, and how can they learn? How can they broaden their own horizons? If you’re too afraid to share what you think, to share what you know, to say what’s on your mind, what you believe, then they can’t grow. So, actually, you are cheating other people of a deeper understanding of your humanity.” (24:16 | Lisa Weiss)
• “The secret of life is to put yourself in the right lighting. For some, it’s a Broadway spotlight; for others, a lamplit desk. Use your natural powers of persistence, concentration, and insight to do work you love and work that matters. Solve problems. Make art. Think deeply. When you’re talking about yourself, it doesn’t have to be on a Broadway stage; it can be at a lamplit desk.” (26:53 | Lisa Weiss)

**This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical, legal or financial advice.

Connect with Lisa Weiss:

storybeatstudio.com

objectdiaries.com

For more resources and information about Confrontation, check out www.theconfrontationalist.com.

Schedule a FREE 30-minute consultation with Danielle here: https://www.theconfrontationalist.com/contact

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IG @the_confrontationalist

LinkedIn @danielle-gibson-5243692/

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