Stop Waiting to Feel Ready: Micro-Actions to Build True Confidence with Nikki Langman
Nikki Langman · July 31, 2026
Interview with Nikki Langman
Podcast: She Talks Confidence Podcast
July 31, 2026 · 32 min
Welcome to the She Talks Confidence Podcast, where we dive deep into the real challenges and triumphs that shape women’s confidence at work, in relationships, and in life.
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About Nikki Langman
International Speaker | Award-Winning Author | Emotional Intelligence Master Practitioner | Founder of UNBRICKABLE®
200+ keynotes Delivered across five countries4 universities Spoken at Yale, Harvard, NYU and ColumbiaAward-winning author How to Be a BADASSMaster Practitioner Emotional intelligence
Nikki Langman is an award-winning author, Ivy League speaker, emotional intelligence master practitioner and creator of UNBRICKABLE™, an experiential programme helping leaders, educators and organisations recognise distress, disengagement and cultural breakdown before they become crisis points.
With more than 25 years in corporate HR, learning and development, leadership training and emotional intelligence, Nikki brings a rare combination of commercial fluency, lived experience and deep human insight. She is the bestselling author of How to Be a BADASS, has delivered more than 200 keynotes across five countries, and has spoken at leading institutions including Yale, Harvard, NYU and Columbia.
Nikki’s work challenges the idea that organisations simply need more mental health awareness. Her belief is that the real problem is timing. Too many workplaces wait until people are already burnt out, disengaged or in crisis before they intervene. Through emotional intelligence, psychological safety, trust-building and LEGO® Serious Play®, Nikki helps leaders create proactive cultures where people can speak honestly, address difficult issues earlier and build the resilience needed to perform under pressure.
Her signature UNBRICKABLE™ programme, launched at Yale School of Medicine in May 2025, uses metaphor, play and emotional intelligence to create safe spaces for conversations people often struggle to articulate.
About this episode
In today’s powerful episode, host Tony Dufresne, PhD, sits down with international speaker, author of "How to Be a Badass," and creator of the Unbrickable program—Nikki Langman. Nikki unpacks her journey from corporate perfectionist to unshakeable confidence advocate, sharing candidly about the trap of waiting for perfection, the danger of the word "fine," and how taking messy, imperfect action changes everything.
Three Big Takeaways:
Ban the Word "Fine": When high-achieving women say they are "fine," it usually masks profound stress and the pressure to meet impossible societal superhero expectations.
Embrace Being a Beginner: You will never feel completely ready to step up; embracing awkward, imperfect action is the only way to build real self-trust.
Vulnerability as a Catalyst: True connection, psychological safety, and leadership strength require dropping the masks and sharing your authentic story.
Connect with Nikki Langman:
Website: https://www.nikkilangman.com
LinkedIn: Nikki Langman
Book: Find "How to Be a Badass" at https://www.bookshop.org
Connect with the Host:
Website: https://www.theconfidencedoc.com
Email: tony@theconfidencedoc.com
Timestamps:
00:00 - Start
02:00 - Struggling with societal expectations
06:09 - Personal struggle and recovery journey
09:12 - Discussing vulnerability and trust
10:22 - Challenges of Vulnerability in Business
13:30 - Corporate culture and gender dynamics
17:06 - Setting healthy work boundaries
23:11 - Time management and work-life balance
26:14 - Discussing support from trusted friends
30:01 - Building a supportive community
31:08 - Contact info and coaching options
Guest: Nikki Langman
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