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Speaking in public ranks among our most common fears, yet it's a skill nearly everyone needs—whether delivering presentations, wedding toasts, or simply introducing yourself at meetings. The secret? Even professional speakers feel those butterflies.

Freda Ross, veteran journalist with decades behind the microphone at WBAP in Dallas-Fort Worth, and founder of Freda Ross Media Consulting, reveals that nervousness isn't weakness but rather energy you can harness.

The transformation from anxious to confident begins with thorough preparation. Freda recommends brainstorming all relevant points before identifying your three strongest messages. Write everything out longhand to extract every valuable thought. Those polished speakers who seem naturally gifted? They've actually practiced extensively—knowing exactly where to pause, breathe, make eye contact, and inject humor. Professional speakers appear effortlessly smooth because they've prepared; practicing the same speech dozens or hundreds of times before ever speaking a word to a live audience.

Remember this crucial mindset shift: if you've been invited to speak, it's because your knowledge is valued. Your audience isn't critiquing your performance but seeking information only you can provide. Embrace natural pauses instead of filling silence with "weasel words" like "you know." Having notes is perfectly acceptable—the goal isn't memorization but effective communication.

Whether preparing for a conference presentation or job interview, apply these strategies to transform nervous energy from liability to asset. The audience is rooting for your success. Ready to become a more confident speaker? Start with these proven techniques and turn fear into powerful connections.

For more tips, connect with Freda Ross at https://fredaross.wixsite.com/mediaconsulting

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The digital world has transformed how we celebrate our children's milestones, but are our back-to-school photo traditions putting kids at risk? This eye-opening conversation with Katia Gonzalez from Alliance for Children reveals the hidden dangers lurking behind those adorable first-day pictures shared across social media.

When we post photos featuring our children's full names, schools, teachers, and other personal details, we're creating a digital roadmap that potentially leads straight to them. While most parents focus on sharing these special moments with friends and family, they rarely consider who else might access this information or how it could be misused. Gonzalez explains that predators often use these details not for immediate physical threats but to build relationships with children online—"It's easier to do the more information that we know about a child."

What's particularly alarming is how tech-savvy today's children are from incredibly young ages. Even kindergartners navigate online spaces with surprising fluency, forming relationships and having conversations their parents or guardians might be completely unaware of. This digital generation gap means many adults simply don't understand the extent of their children's online activities or the associated risks.

Thankfully, there are simple ways to protect children while still celebrating these important milestones. Using only first names, ensuring social media profiles are private, being mindful of what's visible in photo backgrounds, and limiting identifiable details can significantly reduce risks while still allowing families to share special moments.

Alliance for Children has worked since 1992 to protect children in Tarrant County, offering valuable resources including digital safety education programs for children as young as kindergarten and training for adults who want to learn more about keeping kids safe online. Their most crucial advice resonates with powerful simplicity: "Not everybody is a person that we can trust."

Visit allianceforchildren.org to learn more about digital safety resources and discover how you can better protect the children in your life while navigating our increasingly connected world.

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