The Quiet Warrior Podcast with Serena Low

106. Competent to Captivating: Presence, Influence & the Courage to Be Yourself (with John Ball)

In this thoughtful and deeply grounded conversation, Serena is joined by John Ball, keynote speaker, presentation coach, and host of the Present Influence Podcast, to explore what it means to be impactful — especially for introverts and quiet achievers.John shares his unconventional journey from flight attendant to professional speaker, and how discovering coaching, communication, and improv reshaped not only his career, but his sense of self. Together, Serena and John unpack the myth that confident speaking is about performance or extroversion, and instead reveal why presence, authenticity, and self-trust are the real foundations of influence.In this episode, we explore:Why so many introverts feel most energised by quiet, nature, and solitudeThe surprising link between improvisation and confidenceWhat “presence” really means when speaking or leadingWhy confidence comes from experience — not personalityThe importance of embracing the learning curve (and the dip)How humour and lightness create connection, even for serious thinkersThe difference between influence and persuasionWhy authenticity isn’t oversharing — it’s self-ownershipHow to build influence without pretending to be extrovertedWhat quiet achievers need to remember when stepping into visibilityMemorable Quote“The best speakers aren’t trying to impress — they’re trying to connect. Influence comes from being real, not from performing.”— John BallKey Takeaways for Quiet AchieversYou don’t need to be loud to be impactful — presence speaks louder than volumeConfidence grows through practice, not perfectionBeing authentic doesn’t mean sharing everything — it means being grounded in who you areInfluence is built through warmth, clarity, and self-trustThe audience is usually rooting for you more than you thinkGrowth requires patience — and compassion for yourself along the wayAbout John BallJohn Ball is a keynote speaker, presentation coach, and host of the Present Influence Podcast. He helps speakers, coaches, and leaders move from competent to captivating by developing confidence, presence, and authentic communication.Learn more about John and his work at:https://presentinfluence.comEnjoyed the Episode?If this conversation resonated with you:Leave a 5-star review to help more introverts discover the podcastShare it with someone who’s finding their voiceSubscribe to The Visible Introvert Newsletter at https://serenalow.com.auThis episode was edited by Aura House Productions

105. Rise Above the Script: Self-Sabotage, Identity, and Rewriting Your Inner Narrative with Dr Albert Bramante

In this deeply thoughtful conversation, Serena is joined by Albert Bramante, a veteran talent agent, psychologist, and author of Rise Above the Script. With more than two decades in the entertainment industry and a PhD in psychology, Albert brings a rare blend of practical wisdom and psychological insight into how self-sabotage, trauma, and unconscious “scripts” shape our lives.Together, Serena and Albert explore how the stories we unconsciously inherit—often from childhood—can quietly dictate our behaviour, confidence, and sense of worth. While Albert’s work focuses on actors and performing artists, his insights resonate far beyond the stage, especially for introverts and quiet achievers navigating visibility, leadership, and self-belief.This episode is a powerful invitation to slow down, notice the inner narratives running our lives on autopilot, and begin the courageous work of rewriting them—with compassion rather than force.In this episode, we explore:What self-sabotage really looks like—and why it’s often unconsciousHow introverts and highly sensitive people can thrive in visible, high-pressure rolesThe concept of “scripts”: where they come from and how they shape identityWhy procrastination can be a trauma response, not a character flawThe link between generational trauma, identity, and self-doubtHow actors—and non-actors—can embody a new identity, not just think itWhy change requires being comfortable with discomfortThe role of accountability, coaching, and emotional clearing in real transformationHow to expand your comfort zone gently, without abandoning yourselfWhat to remember:“You can change the script at any time. The moment you realise it’s a script—and not ‘just the way things are’—you take your power back.”Connect with Albert Bramante:http://www.albertbramante.com/Support The Quiet Warrior Podcast:If this conversation resonated with you, please leave a five-star rating or review—it helps The Quiet Warrior Podcast reach more introverts and quiet achievers around the world.Find fellow introverts to network with:For resources, reflections, and community, join The Visible Introvert community at serenalow.com.au.Are you a podcaster looking for quality guests for your podcast?I’ve been using Podmatch since mid-2025 and it’s been the best use of my introvert time and energy.Instead of manually sourcing potential guests one by one, I receive pre-vetted high-quality matches daily from Podmatch.Here’s my affiliate link to explore if Podmatch is right for you.This episode was edited by Aura House Productions

104. How Idealistic Women Can Lead Authentically in Imperfect Systems — with Dr. Jodi Vandenberg-Daves

Today on The Quiet Warrior Podcast, I’m joined by Dr. Jodi Vandenberg-Daves — leadership strategist, consultant, coach, facilitator, historian, and author of Leading with Courage: A Career-Long Guide for Idealistic Women. With more than 25 years in higher education and nonprofit leadership, Jodi brings both scholarship and lived wisdom to the conversation.This episode is a gentle but powerful exploration of leadership for introverted, values-driven women — especially those working inside imperfect systems. Jodi shares how her own career journey moved from the pursuit of knowledge to the pursuit of connection, what she learned about navigating large groups as an introvert, and why values-driven leadership is essential for creating inclusive, compassionate workplaces.Together, we explore:How introverts can thrive in leadership by honouring their energy, creating boundaries, and trusting the processContext awareness as a powerful (and often overlooked) leadership strength — especially for women and women of colourWhy idealistic women need a different kind of leadership guidance than what mainstream corporate literature offersThe emotional agility and relational intelligence women bring to organisational lifeHow values-based decisions become catalysts for courage, clarity, and career directionThe importance of intergenerational wisdom, and why Boomers, Millennials, and Gen Z have more to learn from each other than we thinkJodi also shares remarkable stories from her book, including moments when women took a stand for their values — sometimes at the cost of their job — and how these choices shaped their leadership identities.One Thing Jodi Wants You to Remember“Standing up for your values — even in small moments — is what builds the courage to make bigger, life-changing decisions later on.”Resources & LinksGet Jodi’s Book: Leading with Courage: A Career-Long Guide for Idealistic WomenLearn more about Jodi’s work:Dr. Jodi Vandenberg-Daves | JVD Consulting LLCJoin The Visible Introvert Community for resources to help you thrive as an introvert: serenalow.com.auIf You Enjoyed This Episode…Please leave a 5-star rating and review to help us reach more introverts, quiet achievers, and idealistic leaders around the world.This episode was edited by Aura House Productions

103: How AI Empowers Dyslexic and Introverted Minds – with Russell Van Brocklen

Dyslexia touches as many as 15–20% of learners, yet most families still hear “wait and see.” Russell Van Brocklen flips that script. As the Dyslexia Professor, he translates structured-literacy methods—proven most effective for struggling readers—into bite-size actions parents can use tonight. What if the way you think—often seen as a challenge—was actually your greatest productivity advantage?In this episode of The Quiet Warrior Podcast, I speak with Russell Van Brocklen, an entrepreneur and advocate for dyslexic and neurodivergent thinkers. Russell shares his personal journey of navigating education and business as a dyslexic, and how he discovered that the very traits that once made him feel “different” are the ones driving his creativity, problem-solving, and entrepreneurial success.We dive into how artificial intelligence (AI) can transform the way introverts, dyslexics, and deep thinkers approach productivity—making work not only more efficient, but more aligned with their natural strengths. Russell offers practical examples of using AI to simplify complex tasks, manage energy, and create space for high-impact work.If you’ve ever felt like the traditional way of working wasn’t designed for you, this conversation will inspire you to work with your brain, not against it.In this episode, we discuss:Russell’s journey from academic struggles to entrepreneurial success as a dyslexic Why dyslexia is not a weakness, but a different way of processing information The surprising parallels between introverted productivity and dyslexic problem-solving How AI can act as an “external brain” for planning, writing, and decision-making Specific AI tools that help neurodivergent and introverted thinkers thrive How to design a workday around your energy patterns, not just your to-do list The mindset shift from “overcoming limitations” to “leveraging unique strengths” Whether you’re dyslexic, introverted, or simply looking to improve productivity in a way that feels sustainable and authentic, this episode offers fresh, empowering insights.Connect with Russell Van Brocklen:Website: https://dyslexiaclasses.com/Book reference:Overcoming Dyslexia, Sally Shaywitz M.D.Postwar Japan as HistoryEnjoying The Quiet Warrior Podcast?Subscribe, rate, and leave a 5-star review to help more quiet leaders and neurodivergent thinkers find their voice.Subscribe to The Visible Introvert newsletter for exclusive insights, reflections, and resources at https://serenalow.com.auThis episode was edited by Aura House Productions

102. Plant Wisdom for Introverts: How Nature Teaches Self-Trust, Boundaries & Authentic Living with Tigrilla Gardenia

Serena speaks with Tigrilla Gardenia — nature-inspired mentor, certified life coach, and host of the Reconnect with Plant Wisdom Podcast. Tigrilla shares how her extraordinary journey into plant intelligence reshaped her understanding of identity, purpose, and what it truly means to thrive as an introvert.Together, they explore:Tigrilla’s extraordinary journey into plant consciousnessHow plant neurobiology and ecosystem thinking help us understand ourselvesWhy introverted traits are powerful when viewed in contextThe freedom that comes from self-advocacy and honouring your needsHow to thrive without labels, shame, or pressure to be someone you’re notPractical ways leaders can create spaces where introverts flourishTigrilla’s message for introverts: “There is nothing wrong with you. Every trait you have is a superpower—you just need to know where it fits in your ecosystem.”Connect with Tigrilla: tigrillagardenia.comhttps://www.facebook.com/tigrillagardenia/https://www.instagram.com/tigrillagardenia/For more resources on becoming quietly visible, join The Visible Introvert Community: serenalow.com.au.If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review so more introverts and quiet achievers can discover the show!This episode was edited by Aura House Productions