73. Feel the Fear and Speak Anyway: Stage Fright Solutions for Quiet Achievers with Guest Mahlena-Rae Johnson

The Quiet Warrior Podcast with Serena Low

Do you freeze up at the thought of public speaking?
Feel like your quiet personality doesn’t “fit” on stage?
You’re not alone—and you don’t have to change who you are to be heard.

In this episode of The Quiet Warrior Podcast, I’m joined by speaker, comedian, and six-time author Mahlena-Rae Johnson, who calls herself the “Professor X for introverted CEOs with stage fright.”
With warmth, humor, and deep wisdom, Mahlena shares how introverts can embrace their own rhythm, speak with impact, and feel safe being seen—without performing or pretending.

We talk about:
– Why stage fright isn’t something to “cure”—and what to do instead
– The hidden power of preparation (and why introverts often overprepare)
– How to manage nerves, relate to your audience, and recover afterward
– What being a “Quiet Warrior” looks like in a world obsessed with visibility
– Mahlena’s 3-part framework from her book Speak Anyway (Relax • Relate • Release)

Whether you're a quiet achiever navigating leadership or an introvert dreaming of sharing your story, this episode is your permission slip to speak in a way that honors you.

Connect with Mahlena-Rae Johnson:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/mahlena
Book: https://mahlenaspeaks.blogspot.com/2023/11/speak-an.html

Resources mentioned:

Gay Hendricks, The Big Leap | Conscious Luck | Your Big Leap Year

Call to action:
If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review, rate the show, and share it with someone who needs a little courage to speak anyway.

This episode was edited by Aura House Productions

Chapters

1. Introducing Melaina Rae Johnson (00:00:00)

2. Finding safety and centeredness as an introvert (00:04:13)

3. Why people want quiet people to speak up (00:10:20)

4. Understanding and overcoming stage fright (00:16:57)

5. Finding your zone of genius (00:23:25)

6. Being a Quiet Warrior in today's world (00:33:19)

7. Final thoughts on embracing authenticity (00:43:55)