What does it take to find your voice when fear takes over?

In this episode of Radiant Voices, Jeremy de Tolly is joined by Toastmaster and speaker Mathew Makoni, who shares his journey from freezing on stage to becoming a grounded, confident communicator.

Together, they explore the relationship between anxiety and excitement, the power of preparation, and how to speak with presence rather than perfection. Matthew offers practical insights on building a strong foundation in public speaking, while also reflecting on the deeper, more personal process of learning to trust your voice.

This is a gentle, honest conversation for anyone who has ever felt nervous, stuck, or unsure when speaking and is ready to begin again.

Visit Mat’s website for more information about his work, key note and bookings: https://mathewmakoni.co.za/

You will learn:

• What to do when you freeze while speaking
• Anxiety vs. excitement: understanding your body’s response
• Why preparation creates confidence (and how to do it well)
• The role of practice, repetition, and structure
• How to use technology for growth without losing confidence
• Speaking with intention: body language, presence, and awareness
• The balance between spontaneity and preparation

If you’d like to explore this work further:

→ Free resources and guides

https://www.jeremydetolly.com/resources

→ Private coaching with Jeremy

Personalized support to help you move through vocal anxiety and speak with clarity and confidence.

https://www.jeremydetolly.com/coaching

Stay connected

→ Subscribe on YouTube to watch future video episodes https://www.youtube.com/@JeremydeTolly

→ Join the newsletter for reflections, tools, and updates

https://www.jeremydetolly.com/newsletter-subscribe

Follow Jeremy:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremydetolly/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremydetolly/

Chapters:

00:00 Welcome and introduction

02:20 A Toastmaster’s journey

03:00 Understanding nervousness in public speaking

04:57 The difference between anxiety and excitement

07:24 A journey from living in Zimbabwe to thriving in South Africa

09:26 Family influence on communication

11:18 The moment Mat froze on stage

14:25 Overcoming public speaking anxiety

16:03 The importance of a strong foundation

22:10 The story about the rich salesman and the 10 scrolls

22:27 The journey of public speaking - Adding value to your voice

26:00 Public speaking preparation - Follow these steps of success!

31:25 The importance of body language

34:14 Embracing your public speaking journey

38:32 The power of speech writing and structure

42:10 Spontaneous vs prepared speaking

44:00 A technique for over-speakers and ramblers

45:27 Engaging with your audience

46:32 Embracing visibility in the digital age

51:15 Final thoughts