Speak English with Confidence | More Than Words

Speak English with Confidence | More Than Words (previously 'From Lost to the River') is a podcast for people whose English is fine but who still don't feel confident using it. You've spent years studying, practicing, maybe even living in English, and yet something closes down when it matters. Meetings. Calls. Conversations with people you don't know. You overthink what you're about to say, you freeze, and you come away frustrated, wondering why you can't just speak.

The problem isn't your English. It's your relationship with it.

Confidence coach and author Richard Marshall talks with professionals, coaches, and real speakers about what actually gets in the way: fear of making mistakes, perfectionism, imposter syndrome, the pressure to be perfect rather than just communicate. Honest conversations with people who've been exactly where you are, showing what it looks and sounds like when things finally change.

More conversations, coaching options, and the book More Than Words: Essays on Language, Identity, and the Courage to Speak at procoachenglish.com.

Episodes

Apr 25, 2025

4 min

Visit my website for more info: procoachenglish.com. I’ll never forget the day the Amazon delivery guy asked, “¿Quieres ver mi carne?” 😮 Fresh in Spain and still learning Spanish, I thought he wanted to see… my meat!
What followed was a hilarious mix-up that taught me a big lesson: mistakes aren’t just inevitable, they’re essential for growth.
In this episode, I share how embracing language mistakes (and even awkward, funny ones) can help you break free from perfectionism. When you focus on real communication instead of flawless grammar, your confidence skyrockets. I explain practical strategies to loosen your inner critic, build English fluency, and shift from self-doubt to action.
Follow me on LinkedIn for daily confidence tips. 
Watch 'From Lost To The River' with subtitles here on YouTube. 
If you're ready for personalised support then you can reach out and book a call with me here via this link.
Start building your English confidence today! Explore mindset strategies, coaching insights, and free guides here:
Command the Room in English
Top 10 English Challenges For Spanish Speakers & How To Fix Them
#EnglishConfidence #BusinessEnglish #SpanishExecutives
es

Apr 25, 2025

3 min

Visit my website for more info: procoachenglish.com. Here is a funny story from my early days in Spain when my basic Spanish skills led to a hilarious mix-up at the butcher's! It’s a lighthearted reminder that making mistakes is a natural part of learning and often leads to the best memories.
Watch it with subtitles here on YouTube
What You’ll Learn in This Episode: I share how everyday language mishaps (like mispronouncing the word for chicken) can teach you more than any textbook ever could. I explain how embracing mistakes, staying curious, and focusing on real communication helps you build confidence when speaking another language.
Learn practical strategies to overcome perfectionism, handle social embarrassment, and turn funny failures into rapid progress.
Follow me on LinkedIn for daily confidence tips. 
Watch 'From Lost To The River' with subtitles here on YouTube. 
If you're ready for personalised support then you can reach out and book a call with me here via this link.
Start building your English confidence today! Explore mindset strategies, coaching insights, and free guides here:
Command the Room in English
Top 10 English Challenges For Spanish Speakers & How To Fix Them
#EnglishConfidence #BusinessEnglish #SpanishExecutives

Mar 31, 2025

5 min

Most Spanish professionals already know English — but speaking it confidently is another story. Perfectionism, fear of mistakes, and the pressure to “sound correct” can make even simple conversations feel stressful.
In this short episode of More Than Words 'From Lost To The River', I talk with English teacher Alba Guerrero González about why fluency matters more than perfection and how to overcome the fear of speaking English. We explore the real reasons Spanish learners hold themselves back, why mistakes are essential for growth, and how to build English confidence through connection instead of correctness.
Follow Alba on Instagram and TikTok for practical English tips and everyday speaking strategies.
If this episode resonated, you’ll find more conversations, coaching options, and my new book More Than Words: Essays on Language, Identity, and the Courage to Speak at procoachenglish.com.

Mar 26, 2025

10 min

Visit my website for more info: procoachenglish.com. In this deeply personal ‘off-camera’ conversation with Sarah Smit, I share how the pandemic forced me to rethink my path. How my frustrations with Spain brought out a darker, more negative side of my personality. And how transforming this negativity has shaped me, allowing me to ultimately find my purpose: helping others break free from their fears of communicating in English. From stand-up comedy to language coaching, this is a story of growth, resilience, and transformation.
Follow me on LinkedIn for daily confidence tips. 
Watch 'From Lost To The River' with subtitles here on YouTube. 
If you're ready for personalised support then you can reach out and book a call with me here via this link.
Start building your English confidence today! Explore mindset strategies, coaching insights, and free guides here:
Command the Room in English
Top 10 English Challenges For Spanish Speakers & How To Fix Them
#EnglishConfidence #BusinessEnglish #SpanishExecutives
 

Mar 23, 2025

8 min

Visit my website for more info: procoachenglish.com. Here’s an extract from my conversation with Sarah Smit, a polyglot and language expert who knows firsthand what it takes to go from zero to fluent, because she did just that while living in the Netherlands for over a decade. We discuss the mindset shifts that truly build confidence in a second language and how my empathy for my clients’ experiences forms the foundation of my coaching. Follow me on LinkedIn for insights!
Watch 'From Lost To The River' with subtitles here on YouTube. 
If you're ready for personalised support then you can reach out and book a call with me here via this link.
Start building your English confidence today! Explore mindset strategies, coaching insights, and free guides here:
Command the Room in English
Top 10 English Challenges For Spanish Speakers & How To Fix Them
#EnglishConfidence #BusinessEnglish #SpanishExecutives

Mar 8, 2025

19 min

Visit my website for more info: procoachenglish.com. Today, I’m speaking with my client, Miguel Ángel Carrasco Delgado, COO of PRG (Toys R Us & Prenatal), who has nearly 40 years of experience working with top brands like Sephora. He shares how he overcame the fear of making mistakes and built confidence in using English for business. We explore the key mindset shifts that boosted his confidence, along with practical tips for Spanish professionals looking to speak English more confidently.
Watch 'From Lost To The River' with subtitles here on YouTube. 
If you're ready for personalised support then you can reach out and book a call with me here via this link.
Start building your English confidence today! Explore mindset strategies, coaching insights, and free guides here:
Command the Room in English
Top 10 English Challenges For Spanish Speakers & How To Fix Them
#EnglishConfidence #BusinessEnglish #SpanishExecutives

Feb 25, 2025

14 min

Visit my website for more info: procoachenglish.com. Struggling with your accent? You’re not alone. In this episode, we break down why perfection is overrated and how real communication is the main objective. Hear insights from Alberto Rodríguez on the Spanish-English pronunciation clash and why confidence matters more than flawless speech. Follow me on Linkedin for more English confidence tips!
Watch 'From Lost To The River' with subtitles here on YouTube. 
If you're ready for personalised support then you can reach out and book a call with me here via this link.
Start building your English confidence today! Explore mindset strategies, coaching insights, and free guides here:
Command the Room in English
Top 10 English Challenges For Spanish Speakers & How To Fix Them
#EnglishConfidence #BusinessEnglish #SpanishExecutives

Dec 11, 2024

2 min

Visit my website for more info: procoachenglish.com. In this episode, I talk about how perfectionism can stop us from improving in a new language. I’ll share my personal journey of accepting my accent and occasional mistakes in Spanish, and how this mindset shift can help you embrace your unique voice in English.
When you accept your English as it is today, you’ll feel more confident, speak up more, and improve faster. Even us native speakers don’t speak perfect (by the book) English!
Watch 'From Lost To The River' with subtitles here on YouTube. 
If you're ready for personalised support then you can reach out and book a call with me here via this link.
Start building your English confidence today! Explore mindset strategies, coaching insights, and free guides here:
Command the Room in English
Top 10 English Challenges For Spanish Speakers & How To Fix Them
#EnglishConfidence #BusinessEnglish #SpanishExecutives

Dec 11, 2024

4 min

Many people speak English far better than they think, yet still feel a wave of fear the moment someone doesn’t understand them. In this short episode of More Than Words ‘From Lost To The River’, I explore how fear creates stories in our mind that feel true even when they’re not.
You’ll hear the acronym F.E.A.R — False Evidence Appearing Real — and how it shapes the way we interpret other people’s reactions. A distracted listener, a noisy room, a moment of stress… we often turn these neutral situations into “proof” that our English isn’t good enough, even though nothing has changed about our ability.
This episode helps you reset your perspective, breathe, and recognise when your mind is inventing a problem that isn’t really there. It’s a simple reminder that your English doesn’t suddenly disappear just because someone asks you to repeat yourself.
If this resonates, you’ll find more conversations, coaching options, and my new book More Than Words: Essays on Language, Identity, and the Courage to Speak at procoachenglish.com.
Losing the fear will help you speak up, and from there you’ll improve. Here are a couple of free speaking clubs to get you started:
Speaking Club - Practice Speaking English online for FREE
Intercambio de idiomas en España | Encuentra compañeros de intercambio de idiomas con Tandem

Dec 10, 2024

3 min

Visit my website for more info: procoachenglish.com. En este extracto del primer capítulo, abordo la lucha de sentir que "no eres lo suficientemente bueno" ("not good enough") al hablar inglés y por qué es hora de cambiar esa mentalidad. A continuación, algunos puntos claves que aprenderás:
Tu nivel de inglés es mejor de lo que piensas.
La comunicación es más importante que la perfección.
El impacto de establecer metas poco realistas como "hablar como un nativo".
Lecciones de mi propia experiencia aprendiendo español.
¡TÚ PUEDES LOGRARLO! Con pequeños pasos y un cambio de mentalidad, alcanzarás resultados sorprendentes. Poco a poco.
__________________________________________________________________________
In this short and motivational extract from the opening episode, I talk about the common struggle of feeling "not good enough" when speaking English and why it’s time to let that go. Here’s what you’ll take away:
Why your English level is already better than you think.
How focusing on communication over perfection leads to real progress.
The psychological impact of aiming for unrealistic goals like "speaking like a native."
My own personal journey of struggling with Spanish and the lessons I’ve learned along the way.
This episode is a reminder that YOU CAN DO THIS. By shifting your mindset and immersing yourself in English, even in small ways, you’ll see incredible results...poco a poco.
🌟 Conéctate conmigo en LinkedIn / Let’s connect on: LinkedIn
💬 ¿Tienes preguntas o temas? Have a question or a topic you’d like me to cover? Drop me a message via LinkedIn or email me at richard@procoachenglish.com, I’d love to hear from you!
Ojo....Communication is what matters most! Tú Puedes!
Download your FREE interactive PODCAST GUIDE  here subscribepage.io/podcasts
Read my latest ARTICLE HERE
Listen to the full episode on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, & on YouTube with automatic subtitles.
Check out 'The Amazon Story' here on YouTube!
And of course the famous 'Chicken Story' is now available on YouTube, enjoy!
Un abrazo fuerte, 
Richard!
 
 

Copyright 2024 All rights reserved.

Podcast Powered By Podbean

Version: 20241125