540. The Psychology Behind Your Fear of Speaking English: Conversation with Kara Loewentheil

20 Oct 2026 · 29 min
The InFluency Podcast

20 Oct 2026 · 29 min

0:00

In this interview, host Hadar Shemesh talks with Kara Lowenthal, a former women’s‑rights lawyer turned master‑certified life coach, author of the New York Times bestseller Take Back Your Brain and host of the Unfuck Your Brain podcast. Lowenthal explains why many self‑help books fail to combine insight with actionable steps, and she outlines her own journey from a high‑achieving legal career to coaching women on thought work. Central to the conversation are the concepts of the “brain gap” – the clash between pre‑conscious, socially‑imposed beliefs (about gender, accent, fluency) and newer conscious aspirations – and the “Thought Ladder,” a practical, incremental method for rewiring thoughts. They discuss how fear of speaking (rooted in the amygdala’s threat response) and shame (especially in women) sabotage language learning and confidence. Lowenthal offers concrete tools: setting alarms, post‑it reminders, using self‑compassion phrases like “how human of me,” and repeatedly practicing new thoughts to build stronger neural pathways. The dialogue emphasizes that fluency is not just linguistic skill but also a behavioral and cognitive practice that must be continuously maintained. The episode concludes with Lowenthal’s contact information for her book, podcast, and social media.

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