296: Mahlena-Rae Johnson on Why Women Fear the Stage (and How to Stop)

How to Overcome Stage Fright

I’ve recorded well over 300 podcast episodes at this point. I’ve had conversations with astronomers, bestselling authors, CEOs, and people who’ve survived unimaginable things.

It boggles my mind the number of brilliant, accomplished women who tell me they’re terrified to speak in public.

Not nervous. Not a little uncomfortable. Terrified.

And according to Professor Google’s highly flawed AI answer engine roughly 80% of women experience stage fright, compared to only 60% of men.

That’s not a small gap. That’s a massive, systemic problem that’s keeping women from stepping into leadership, from pitching their ideas, from showing up as the experts they already are.

So, that’s why I’m thrilled to share this chat with Mahlena-Rae Johnson, a speaker, comedian, 6-time author, and someone who literally calls herself “Professor X for Introverted EdTech CEOs with Stage Fright.”

Meet Mahlena-Rae Johnson

Mahlena-Rae Johnson has spent over 20 years teaching introverted leaders how to hone their public speaking superpower. She’s the author of six books, including Speak Anyway: A Public Speaking Guide for Introverted CEOs with Stage Fright.

Mahlena isn’t your ordinary speech coach. She’s not trying to turn introverts into extroverts. She’s not telling you to “fake it till you make it” or pretend you love being on stage.

Instead, she’s helping women recognize that the way we’re wired—introverted, thoughtful, strategic—is actually an advantage when it comes to public speaking.

Connect with Mahlena-Rae Johnson:

• LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/mahlena
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@mahlenaspeaks
• Book: Speak Anyway

What This Episode Is About

This episode digs into the uncomfortable truth about why women fear public speaking more than men do. Spoiler alert: it has nothing to do with competence and everything to do with the fact that women are judged before they even open their mouths.

Mahlena breaks down her “Relax, Relate, Release” framework for preparing, delivering, and recovering from presentations. She also shares a ridiculously simple challenge that will help you build confidence without requiring you to book a keynote speech tomorrow: the 30-second video.

If you’ve ever avoided speaking opportunities because you’re worried about what people will think, this conversation is for you.

🎧 Listen Now:

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Key Takeaways

The gender gap is real—and it starts before you even speak. Mahlena explained something that made me stop in my tracks: women aren’t just judged on what they say. They’re judged on what they’re wearing, how they style their hair, whether they’re “attractive enough” or “too distracting,” and whether their voice sounds authoritative or shrill. Men don’t deal with this the same way. So before you even deliver your presentation, you’re already fighting an uphill battle against societal expectations.

Introverts have a secret advantage on stage. Here’s the counterintuitive truth: introverts are often better speakers than extroverts. Why? Because introverts plan. They think before they speak. They focus on the message, not on performing. Mahlena pointed out that introverts don’t need the applause the way extroverts do—they just want to deliver valuable information and then get off the stage. That clarity of purpose is powerful.

The 30-second video challenge will change everything. If you’re terrified of public speaking, Mahlena has a low-stakes place to start: record a 30-second video for LinkedIn (or any platform) where you introduce yourself, explain what you do, and share who you help. That’s it. No fancy editing. No script. Just you, talking to the camera for 30 seconds. Do that, and you’ll realize you can do this. Then do it again. And again. Before you know it, speaking on camera (or on stage) won’t feel so scary.

Stage fright has physical symptoms—and you need a plan for them. Sweaty palms. Racing heart. Diarrhea (yes, we talked about it). Stage fright isn’t just mental—it’s physical. Mahlena emphasized the importance of planning for before, during, and after your presentation. Before: practice with people you trust. During: focus on the audience, not yourself. After: give yourself time to recover. Don’t schedule back-to-back meetings. Don’t expect to be “on” immediately afterward. Your body needs time to come down from the adrenaline.

Prefer to watch? Catch the full conversation on YouTube above.

Episode Highlights

• 02:30 — Why 75% of adults experience stage fright (and why that’s actually normal)
• 05:45 — The shocking gender gap: 80% of women vs. 60% of men have stage fright
• 08:20 — How women are judged on appearance before they even open their mouths
• 12:15 — Why Mahlena doesn’t compete on looks: “Here I am. This is what’s coming at you. Appreciate it or don’t.”
• 16:40 — The 30-second LinkedIn video challenge that builds confidence
• 19:25 — Body dysmorphia, perimenopause, and finding your voice anyway
• 24:10 — Physical symptoms of stage fright and how to manage them
• 28:45 — The “Relax, Relate, Release” framework for presentations
• 32:20 — Why you need recovery time after giving a speech
• 35:50 — Inside Mahlena’s book Speak Anyway (about a CEO named Jordan who forgets her place mid-speech)

Resources Mentioned

Speak Anyway: A Public Speaking Guide for Introverted CEOs with Stage Fright by Mahlena-Rae Johnson This isn’t your typical “rah-rah, you can do it!” public speaking book. Mahlena includes a parable about a CEO who has to take over a keynote at the last minute and completely blanks mid-speech. Spoiler: she’s honest with the audience about it, and it goes better than expected. If you’re an introvert who needs to speak professionally, this book is for you.

Toastmasters International Mahlena and I both agree: Toastmasters is one of the best places to practice public speaking in a low-stakes environment. The Table Topics section (where you speak for 2-3 minutes on a random topic) is particularly good for building confidence under time pressure.

Public Speaking Statistics Want the data behind the gender gap? This resource from Cross River Therapy breaks down the stats on stage fright, including why women experience it more than men.

Related Episodes You Might Love

Episode 167: Meridith Grundei on Public Speaking Public speaking coach Meridith Grundei talks about how her viral TikTok video about presentation hooks got 1.9 million views and booked her calendar solid. If you want to know how to open a presentation so people actually listen, start here.

Episode 177: Jennifer S. Wilkov on Empowering Women to Speak Up Jennifer S. Wilkov, CEO of Speak Up Women, breaks down the foundational recipe for clear communication: achieving 100% clarity on the specific message or action you’re pursuing. If you struggle with knowing what to say, this episode will help.

Episode 275: Fletcher Ellingson on Rewiring Fear Stories Fletcher Ellingson shares actionable strategies for rewiring fear stories by identifying limiting beliefs and adopting empowering mantras. If your stage fright is rooted in “I’m not good enough” or “What if I fail?”, Fletcher’s work will help you rewrite that narrative.

Your Turn

Here’s what I want you to do after listening to this episode:

Take Mahlena’s 30-second video challenge.

Record a 30-second video where you introduce yourself, explain what you do, and share who you help. Don’t overthink it. Don’t edit it to death. Just hit record.

Post it on LinkedIn. Or Instagram. Or YouTube. Just save it to your phone and watch it back.

The point isn’t perfection. The point is proving to yourself that you can do this.

And if you post it? Tag me (@gratitudegeek on Instagram or LinkedIn). I want to see it. I want to cheer you on. Because here’s the truth: you have something valuable to say, and the world needs to hear it.

What resonated most with you in this conversation? Drop a comment below or share your biggest takeaway on Instagram or LinkedIn—I’d love to continue the discussion.

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