How to Get Over Your Fear of Public Speaking

How to Get Over Your Fear of Public Speaking


January 2, 2020
Glossophobia—or the fear of public speaking—is one of the most commonly shared phobias, affecting a majority of the population. There's something about getting up in front of people—whether it’s a group of 10 or 10,000—that many of us dread. But this fear is not insurmountable; there are a wide range of useful tricks and tips to learn how to overcome your fear of public speaking and enhance your delivery style. Here are a few of our suggestions for audiobooks to help you conquer your anxieties and prepare for a speech that will have you seeming calm, collected, and confident.
Product List
    • The Official TED Guide to Public Speaking
    • By: Chris Anderson
    • Narrated by: Chris Anderson, Tom Rielly, Kelly Stoetzel
    • Length: 7 hrs and 31 mins
    • Release date: 05-03-16
    • Language: English
    • 4.5 out of 5 stars 3,283 ratings
    • TED Talks are one of the most famous, widely shared forms of spoken-word entertainment in the 21st century. They're highly informative, passionate speeches on a wide variety of subjects by experts and enthusiasts all over the world. So it’s safe to say that TED’s insights on public speaking are sure to be incredibly valuable. TED’s head curator, Chris Anderson, pairs with other TED execs, Tom Rielly and Kelly Stoetzel, to share tips on how to deliver an impassioned speech that will captivate your audience—while also discussing a few favorite TED Talks along the way.
    • By: Dale Carnegie
    • Narrated by: Sean Pratt
    • Length: 15 hrs and 28 mins
    • Release date: 04-19-16
    • Language: English
    • 4.5 out of 5 stars 288 ratings
    • While TED Talks may be the notable form of public speaking these days, Dale Carnegie, author of the legendary self-dev classic How to Win Friends and Influence People, is among history’s most celebrated names when it comes to getting up in front of an audience. Public Speaking for Success was first published in 1926, but as the audiobook version makes clear, Carnegie's best ways to practice public speaking still hold true today. Audie-nominated narrator Sean Pratt skillfully guides listeners through each of Carnegie’s exercises on diction, self-assuredness, vocal technique, and gesticulations.
    • The 9 Public Speaking Secrets of the World's Top Minds
    • By: Carmine Gallo
    • Narrated by: Carmine Gallo
    • Length: 7 hrs and 42 mins
    • Release date: 03-04-14
    • Language: English
    • 4.5 out of 5 stars 3,443 ratings
    • Carmine Gallo, a public speaking coach, has interviewed dozens of TED Talk presenters and people who work in the fields of psychology, communications, and neuroscience. The result is this author-narrated listen that breaks down hundreds of TED speeches and condenses the findings into nine secrets that make for amazing public speaking. With this title, you’ll be able to harness your passions and talents into communicating effectively and confidently.
    • How to Destroy Social Anxiety, Develop Self-Confidence, Improve Your Persuasion Skills, and Become a Master Presenter (Practical Emotional Intelligence)
    • By: James W. Williams
    • Narrated by: Sam Slydell
    • Series: Communication Skills Training, Book 2
    • Length: 3 hrs and 13 mins
    • Release date: 09-10-19
    • Language: English
    • 4.5 out of 5 stars 166 ratings
    • In this listen, you’ll discover the root cause of your fear of public speaking and learn valuable tips on how to master your nerves, build confidence, and even become a professional public speaker. Sam Slydell embodies the results of applying such skills as he lends a crisp, authoritative delivery to Williams’s master guide on overcoming anxiety and optimizing your voice, pitch, tone, and body language.
    • 7 steps to Confident and Authentic Public Speaking
    • By: Robin Kermode
    • Narrated by: Robin Kermode
    • Length: 4 hrs and 16 mins
    • Release date: 07-25-14
    • Language: English
    • 4.5 out of 5 stars 562 ratings
    • In this author-narrated listen, Robin Kermode shares his own theories behind the fear of public speaking. In his sharp English accent, he examines many aspects of spoken communication and offers insight into how to find your confidence when presenting in front of an audience, how to channel more of your private self into your public appearance, and how to speak authentically so people will listen.
    • Learn How to Speak Effectively in Public, Get Over Your Anxiety and Deliver Your Message Effectively
    • By: Mike Mitchell
    • Narrated by: Casey Bassett
    • Length: 23 mins
    • Release date: 02-06-19
    • Language: English
    • 4 out of 5 stars 104 ratings
    • Author Mike Mitchell knows that public speaking isn’t something that comes naturally to most people—it is a skill that has to be practiced and honed. Casey Bassett relays the author’s helpful hints for tightening your public speaking skills with conviction, highlighting both pitfalls that should be avoided and the essential elements of public speaking, along with quotes from great and effective public speakers.
    • Maximum Confidence
    • By: Craig Beck
    • Narrated by: Craig Beck
    • Length: 28 mins
    • Release date: 01-12-15
    • Language: English
    • 4.5 out of 5 stars 32 ratings
    • Don’t let your fears get in the way of nailing your presentation, whether it’s a toast at a wedding or a speech for work. Learn how to calm your nerves before public speaking, make your points clearly, display confident body language, and more. This author-narrated listen is further enhanced by its author’s own performance abilities—Beck has a strong, yet tranquil voice to help you relax before a speaking engagement.


Liberty Hardy is a Book Riot senior contributing editor, co-host of All the Books, and a Book of the Month judge.
She resides in Maine with her cats, Millay, Farrokh, and Zevon.





Sign Up for Our Monthly Self Dev Newsletter

Love Self Dev Listens?

Subscribe to our self dev newsletter for a monthly
look at new listens, editors’ picks, and more.