

Speak Your Mind Unapologetically Podcast
For People Leaders Leading Bold Conversations | Ivna Curi
Speak Your Mind Unapologetically is the leadership communication podcast for people leaders — managers, directors, and VPs — who want to speak up, lead bold conversations, and influence outcomes that matter.
Whether you're addressing conflict, delivering feedback, leading meetings, or navigating difficult conversations, this podcast gives you practical strategies to:
👉🏼 Communicate with clarity, confidence, and conviction=
👉🏼 Influence decisions and build trust across functions
👉🏼 Speak up under pressure — without sounding aggressive or backing down
👉🏼 Encourage your team to share ideas, concerns, and feedback
👉🏼 Tackle conflict, disagreement, and misalignment early and effectively
You'll hear insights, frameworks, and stories from real workplaces — all designed to help you grow your leadership impact through communication.
🎙 With 400+ episodes, the Speak Your Mind Unapologetically Podcast is trusted by people leaders across Fortune 500s, healthcare, tech, startups, and global organizations.
ABOUT THE HOST
Ivna Curi is a Fortune 500 speaker, TEDx speaker, and host of the Speak Your Mind Unapologetically Podcast. She's a Forbes contributor, author of Unapologetic Voice, and founder of the Assertive Way Institute. A former corporate leader with an MBA from INSEAD and over 20,000 leaders trained, Ivna brings global experience and real-world strategies that help leaders drive results through bold communication.
ABOUT THE COMPANY
Assertive Way Institute helps organizations empower people leaders to lead bold conversations, influence outcomes, and build courageous speak-up cultures. Our workshops and talks help people leaders become confident, clear communicators — and turn workplace communication into a competitive advantage.
Whether you're addressing conflict, delivering feedback, leading meetings, or navigating difficult conversations, this podcast gives you practical strategies to:
👉🏼 Communicate with clarity, confidence, and conviction=
👉🏼 Influence decisions and build trust across functions
👉🏼 Speak up under pressure — without sounding aggressive or backing down
👉🏼 Encourage your team to share ideas, concerns, and feedback
👉🏼 Tackle conflict, disagreement, and misalignment early and effectively
You'll hear insights, frameworks, and stories from real workplaces — all designed to help you grow your leadership impact through communication.
🎙 With 400+ episodes, the Speak Your Mind Unapologetically Podcast is trusted by people leaders across Fortune 500s, healthcare, tech, startups, and global organizations.
ABOUT THE HOST
Ivna Curi is a Fortune 500 speaker, TEDx speaker, and host of the Speak Your Mind Unapologetically Podcast. She's a Forbes contributor, author of Unapologetic Voice, and founder of the Assertive Way Institute. A former corporate leader with an MBA from INSEAD and over 20,000 leaders trained, Ivna brings global experience and real-world strategies that help leaders drive results through bold communication.
ABOUT THE COMPANY
Assertive Way Institute helps organizations empower people leaders to lead bold conversations, influence outcomes, and build courageous speak-up cultures. Our workshops and talks help people leaders become confident, clear communicators — and turn workplace communication into a competitive advantage.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Dec 17, 2022 • 14min
3 Stress Lowering Holiday Conversations You Need To Prepare For
Most Americans feel stressed during the holidays, because of the pressures of gift exchanging, challenges of staying on diet, lack of time and money, unpleasant conversations. Could speaking your mind unapologetically be the solution to all that holiday stress? In this episode you'll discover how to: ✔️ Talk about stopping exchanging gifts with family and friends. ✔️ Easily decline eating too much food. ✔️ Escape unpleasant holiday conversations. Other Episodes You'll Like: How To Respond To A Nosy Intrusive Question You Don't Want To Answer: https://speakyourmindnow.libsyn.com/how-to-respond-to-a-nosy-intrusive-question-you-dont-want-to-answer 15 Assertive Rights That You Need To Protect: https://speakyourmindnow.libsyn.com/15-assertive-rights-that-you-need-to-protect Confidently Say No In A Respectful Way (In 7 Easy Steps): https://speakyourmindnow.libsyn.com/confidently-say-no-in-a-respectful-way-in-7-easy-steps Free Resources: Ask me your question for the next episode here: https://www.speakpipe.com/speakyourmindquestion Sign up for 10 Day free Assertive And Liked Challenge: https://assertiveway.aweb.page/beassertiveandliked Free resources: https://assertiveway.com/free/ Assertiveness free training: https://assertiveway.aweb.page/getahead Assertive Communication Newsletter: https://assertiveway.com/newsletter Talk or Workshop on Speaking Up With Assertive Communication Podcast page: https://assertiveway.com/podcast-speak-your-mind-unapologetically/ Contact me info@assertiveway.com Or via Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivna-curi-mba-67083b2/ About Assertive Way: Website: https://assertiveway.com Rate the podcast on apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/speak-your-mind-unapologetically-podcast/id1623647915

Dec 16, 2022 • 17min
10 Conflict And Confrontation Myths Debunked
Is conflict and confrontation bad? Should we try to avoid it? In this episode, you'll discover why we need to embrace conflict and confrontation, and: ✔️10 Conflict And Confrontation Myths Debunked MYTH 1 - Conflict & confrontation are bad. MYTH 2 - Conflict is caused by difficult, angry, trouble-making people. MYTH 3 - Conflict means there's a problem in the relationship. MYTH 4 - Time will fix problems without the need for confrontation. MYTH 5 - Confrontation is painful and stressful. MYTH 6 - Kind people don't confront others. MYTH 7 - Confrontation will hurt my relationships. MYTH 8 - I should only speak up if I have something nice to say. MYTH 9 - No conflict means peace. MYTH 10 - You shouldn't confront higher ups. Other Episodes You'll Like: Conflict with Courage, Curiosity & Compassion: Making a Difference in Your Life (With Dr. Debra Dupree): https://speakyourmindnow.libsyn.com/conflict-with-courage-curiosity-compassion-making-a-difference-in-your-life-with-dr-debra-dupree 6 Conflict Myths: Lies Teachers Like To Tell About Confrontation: https://speakyourmindnow.libsyn.com/029-6-conflict-myths-lies-teachers-like-to-tell-about-confrontation How To Get What You Want By Focusing On The Other Person's Needs (With Jay Sullivan): https://speakyourmindnow.libsyn.com/how-to-get-what-you-want-by-focusing-on-the-other-persons-needs-with-jay-sullivan Free Resources: Ask me your question for the next episode here: https://www.speakpipe.com/speakyourmindquestion Sign up for 10 Day free Assertive And Liked Challenge: https://assertiveway.aweb.page/beassertiveandliked Free resources: https://assertiveway.com/free/ Assertiveness free training: https://assertiveway.aweb.page/getahead Assertive Communication Newsletter: https://assertiveway.com/newsletter Talk or Workshop on Speaking Up With Assertive Communication Podcast page: https://assertiveway.com/podcast-speak-your-mind-unapologetically/ Contact me info@assertiveway.com Or via Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivna-curi-mba-67083b2/ About Assertive Way: Website: https://assertiveway.com Rate the podcast on apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/speak-your-mind-unapologetically-podcast/id1623647915

Dec 14, 2022 • 9min
How To Find Your Own Communication Personality With Experiential Learning
There are communication best practices to communicate effectively, but you can apply them with your unique personality. When you find your authentic communication personality, you'll feel more comfortable in your communication. In this episode, you'll discover: ✔️ How to use the 4 phases of experiential learning to find your communication personality. Other Episodes You'll Like: You Don't Have To Change Your Personality To Start To Be More Assertive: https://speakyourmindnow.libsyn.com/048-you-dont-have-to-change-your-personality-to-start-to-be-more-assertive Why You Need To Share Your Personal Stories Professionally (With Anna Ong): https://speakyourmindnow.libsyn.com/why-you-need-to-share-your-personal-stories-professionally-with-anna-ong Free Resources: Ask me your question for the next episode here: https://www.speakpipe.com/speakyourmindquestion Sign up for 10 Day free Assertive And Liked Challenge: https://assertiveway.aweb.page/beassertiveandliked Free resources: https://assertiveway.com/free/ Assertiveness free training: https://assertiveway.aweb.page/getahead Assertive Communication Newsletter: https://assertiveway.com/newsletter Talk or Workshop on Speaking Up With Assertive Communication Podcast page: https://assertiveway.com/podcast-speak-your-mind-unapologetically/ Contact me info@assertiveway.com Or via Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivna-curi-mba-67083b2/ About Assertive Way: Website: https://assertiveway.com Rate the podcast on apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/speak-your-mind-unapologetically-podcast/id1623647915

Dec 12, 2022 • 21min
How To Find Courage To Speak Up (4 Examples)
How can you find courage to speak up? In this episode you'll find out how these 4 people find the courage to speak up at work (there were previous guests on the podcast). Other episodes to boost your courage to speak up ✔️12 Questions To Know When To Ignore Criticism and Judgment https://speakyourmindnow.libsyn.com/12-questions-to-know-when-to-not-take-judgment-seriously ✔️Top Hack To Stop Worrying About What People Think Of You https://speakyourmindnow.libsyn.com/top-hack-to-stop-worrying-about-what-people-think-of-you ✔️8 Ways To Be more Confident With Perspective Taking https://speakyourmindnow.libsyn.com/8-ways-to-be-more-confident-with-perspective-taking ✔️6 Conflict Myths: Lies Teachers Like To Tell About Confrontation https://speakyourmindnow.libsyn.com/029-6-conflict-myths-lies-teachers-like-to-tell-about-confrontation ✔️5 Ways To Convince Yourself To Speak Up Even If You Are Fearful https://speakyourmindnow.libsyn.com/8-ways-to-convince-yourself-to-speak-up-even-if-you-are-fearful ✔️You Don't Have To Be Aggressive To Get Ahead https://speakyourmindnow.libsyn.com/you-dont-have-to-be-aggressive-to-get-ahead ✔️How To Find The Courage To Ask For What You Want Even If It Is Unreasonable https://speakyourmindnow.libsyn.com/the-most-selfish-and-unreasonable-request-ive-ever-made-to-my-boss ✔️4 Top Speaking Up Fears Debunked https://speakyourmindnow.libsyn.com/4-top-speaking-up-fears-debunked ✔️10 Secrets to Heart-Centered Assertive Communication https://speakyourmindnow.libsyn.com/10-secrets-to-heart-centered-assertive-communication Free Resources: Ask me your question for the next episode here: https://www.speakpipe.com/speakyourmindquestion Sign up for 10 Day free Assertive And Liked Challenge: https://assertiveway.aweb.page/beassertiveandliked Free resources: https://assertiveway.com/free/ Assertiveness free training: https://assertiveway.aweb.page/getahead Assertive Communication Newsletter: https://assertiveway.com/newsletter Talk or Workshop on Speaking Up With Assertive Communication Podcast page: https://assertiveway.com/podcast-speak-your-mind-unapologetically/ Contact me info@assertiveway.com Or via Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivna-curi-mba-67083b2/ About Assertive Way: Website: https://assertiveway.com Rate the podcast on apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/speak-your-mind-unapologetically-podcast/id1623647915

Dec 10, 2022 • 19min
Assertiveness Skills You Need At Your Job Level
Different job levels such as individual contributor, entry level manager, mid manager, and executive, require different assertiveness skills. In this episode, you'll discover what those skills are. Free Resources: Ask me your question for the next episode here: https://www.speakpipe.com/speakyourmindquestion Sign up for 10 Day free Assertive And Liked Challenge: https://assertiveway.aweb.page/beassertiveandliked Free resources: https://assertiveway.com/free/ Assertiveness free training: https://assertiveway.aweb.page/getahead Assertive Communication Newsletter: https://assertiveway.com/newsletter Talk or Workshop on Speaking Up With Assertive Communication Podcast page: https://assertiveway.com/podcast-speak-your-mind-unapologetically/ Contact me info@assertiveway.com Or via Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivna-curi-mba-67083b2/ About Assertive Way: Website: https://assertiveway.com Rate the podcast on apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/speak-your-mind-unapologetically-podcast/id1623647915

Dec 8, 2022 • 9min
Differences Between A Speak Up Life And A Non-Speak Up Life
Our attitude towards speaking up can make a huge difference in our work, career, and lives. In this episode, you'll discover what those key differences are so that you can see the possibilities and envision the new life when you embrace speaking up. Other Episodes You'll Like: 9 Ways To Help Others Save Face When You Speak Up: https://speakyourmindnow.libsyn.com/9-ways-to-help-others-save-face-when-you-speak-up 10 Steps To Be Both Assertive And Likable When You Speak Up: https://speakyourmindnow.libsyn.com/10-steps-to-be-both-assertive-and-likable-when-you-speak-up 18 Signs That You Are A People Pleaser: https://speakyourmindnow.libsyn.com/18-signs-that-you-are-a-people-pleaser 24 Speaking Up Opportunities That Successful People Always Grab: https://speakyourmindnow.libsyn.com/24-speaking-up-opportunities-that-successful-people-always-grab Free Resources: Ask me your question for the next episode here: https://www.speakpipe.com/speakyourmindquestion Sign up for 10 Day free Assertive And Liked Challenge: https://assertiveway.aweb.page/beassertiveandliked Free resources: https://assertiveway.com/free/ Assertiveness free training: https://assertiveway.aweb.page/getahead Assertive Communication Newsletter: https://assertiveway.com/newsletter Talk or Workshop on Speaking Up With Assertive Communication Podcast page: https://assertiveway.com/podcast-speak-your-mind-unapologetically/ Contact me info@assertiveway.com Or via Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivna-curi-mba-67083b2/ About Assertive Way: Website: https://assertiveway.com Rate the podcast on apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/speak-your-mind-unapologetically-podcast/id1623647915

Dec 7, 2022 • 9min
Top 5 Mistakes That Kind People Make With Empathy (And What To Do Instead)
Empathy is wonderful but misunderstood. And because it is misunderstood, it is often misused, which can be very inneffective when it comes to speaking up. In this episode, you'll discover: ✔️3 Things People Get Wrong About Empathy And The Right Way To Think about Empathy When You Speak Up ✔️Top 5 Mistakes That Kind People Make With Empathy and What To Do Instead Other Episodes You'll Like: How To Receive Feedback Gracefully (And What Not To Do): https://speakyourmindnow.libsyn.com/how-to-receive-feedback-gracefully-and-what-not-to-do 10 Steps To Be Both Assertive And Likable When You Speak Up: https://speakyourmindnow.libsyn.com/10-steps-to-be-both-assertive-and-likable-when-you-speak-up Important Assertiveness Skills You Need At Your Job Level: https://speakyourmindnow.libsyn.com/042-assertiveness-skills-you-need-at-your-job-level Free Resources: Ask me your question for the next episode here: https://www.speakpipe.com/speakyourmindquestion Sign up for 10 Day free Assertive And Liked Challenge: https://assertiveway.aweb.page/beassertiveandliked Free resources: https://assertiveway.com/free/ Assertiveness free training: https://assertiveway.aweb.page/getahead Assertive Communication Newsletter: https://assertiveway.com/newsletter Talk or Workshop on Speaking Up With Assertive Communication Podcast page: https://assertiveway.com/podcast-speak-your-mind-unapologetically/ Contact me info@assertiveway.com Or via Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivna-curi-mba-67083b2/ About Assertive Way: Website: https://assertiveway.com Rate the podcast on apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/speak-your-mind-unapologetically-podcast/id1623647915

Dec 5, 2022 • 33min
How To Get What You Want By Focusing On The Other Person's Needs (With Jay Sullivan)
Can you serve yourself by serving others? Yes. If you're the kind of person that likes to serve other people's needs but find it hard to speak up for your own needs, you'll be delighted to know that you can use those skills of serving others for your own benefit if done in the right way. In this episode, Jay Sullivan, Partner, Exec|Comm who helps people improve their effectiveness at work and beyond by honing their communication skills, shares: ✔️ 4 questions that helps you eliminate assumptions about others. ✔️ Why saying "if you have any questions, let me know" isn't helpful and what to say instead. ✔️ 3 phases to get greater engagement from a group. ✔️ An important mindset to deal with difficult people. ✔️ Why focusing on the other person helps you get what you want. ✔️ How to stop overthinking in meetings and self-promoting. ✔️ A single shift to self-promote without being self-promotional. ✔️ How to not get anxious when speaking in front of others. ✔️ How to be vulnerable and definitive when talking to others. About Jay Sullivan Book "Simply Said: Communicating Better at Work and Beyond): https://www.exec-comm.com/product/simply-said/ Exec-Comm Public Programs: https://www.exec-comm.com/solutions_workshops/ Jay's Linkedin profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaysullivan62/ Exec-Comm Linkedin Profile: www.linkedin.com/company/execcomm/ Exec-Comm Facebook Profile: www.facebook.com/ExecComm Jay Sullivan is the former Managing Partner at Exec|Comm, and currently leads the firm's Law Firm Group. He is an award- winning author and columnist, and was an Adjunct Professor at Georgetown Law Center and Fordham University School of Law. His book, Simply Said: Communicating Better at Work and Beyond, was released by John Wiley & Sons in 2016, and has since been translated into Chinese, Korean, and Russian. As a contributing writer for Forbes.com, Jay brings relevant and timely advice on enhancing one's communication skills to the business community. Jay joined Exec|Comm after nine years as a practicing attorney. He received his J.D. from Fordham University in 1989. That year, Jay was named among the first class of Skadden Fellows by the Skadden Foundation. For two years he acted as in-house legal counsel at Covenant House, a crisis shelter for runaway and homeless teenagers. He then practiced corporate law for seven years on behalf of Lloyds of London. After graduating from Boston College in 1984, Jay spent two years in the Jesuit International Volunteer Corps teaching English. His book about that experience, Raising Gentle Men: Lives at the Orphanage Edge, was named the 2014 Best Book by a Small Publisher by the Catholic Press Association. Jay sits on the Board of Trustees of Salve Regina University. He and his wife, Mary, live in Pleasantville, New York, where they raised their four children. Jay plays squash weekly (and weakly, but with great enthusiasm). Other Episodes You'll Like How To Measure And Assess Psychological Safety (With Stephan Wiedner): https://speakyourmindnow.libsyn.com/how-to-measure-and-assess-psychological-safety-with-stephan-wiedner How To Communicate Value To Be Valued At Work (With PhD Nicole Tschierske): https://speakyourmindnow.libsyn.com/how-to-communicate-value-to-be-valued-at-work-with-phd-nicole-tschierske How To Get Difficult People To Collaborate With You And Prevent Conflict (with Patrick Aylward): https://speakyourmindnow.libsyn.com/how-to-get-difficult-people-to-collaborate-with-you-and-prevent-conflict-with-patrick-aylward How To Discover Your Values And Use Them To Set Boundaries At Work (With PhD Laura Eigel): https://speakyourmindnow.libsyn.com/how-to-discover-your-values-and-use-them-to-set-boundaries-at-work-with-phd-laura-eigel Free Resources Ask me your question for the next episode here: https://www.speakpipe.com/speakyourmindquestion Sign up for 10 Day free Assertive And Liked Challenge: https://assertiveway.aweb.page/beassertiveandliked Free resources: https://assertiveway.com/free/ Assertiveness free training: https://assertiveway.aweb.page/getahead Assertive Communication Newsletter: https://assertiveway.com/newsletter Talk or Workshop on Speaking Up With Assertive Communication Podcast page: https://assertiveway.com/podcast-speak-your-mind-unapologetically/ Contact me info@assertiveway.com Or via Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivna-curi-mba-67083b2/ About Assertive Way Website: https://assertiveway.com Rate the podcast on apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/speak-your-mind-unapologetically-podcast/id1623647915

Dec 3, 2022 • 45min
How To Get Adopted By Sponsors And Mentors (With Vanitha Ponnarasi)
How do you get people to want to support you and see you succeed at work? How do you shamelessly self-promote? In this episode, Vanitha Ponnarasi, Senior Director of Engineering at BuildASign.com, shares: ✔️ How to get sponsors and mentors to adopt you. ✔️ The secret ingredient that makes people really want to help when ask for help. ✔️ How to be more decisive. ✔️ An important mindset shift to cope with stress of worrying to much about the other person's feelings. ✔️ How to create the habit of self-promotion. Other Episodes You'll Enjoy: Who Is Grooming You For A Promotion? (With Gina Hope): https://speakyourmindnow.libsyn.com/who-is-grooming-you-for-a-promotion-with-gina-hope How To Gain Support In Meetings By Building Strategic Relationships (with Diana Dreyer): https://speakyourmindnow.libsyn.com/how-to-gain-support-in-meetings-by-building-strategic-relationships-with-diana-dreyer How You Can Assemble a Powerful Advisory Team To Support Your Career (with Sabeen Syed): https://speakyourmindnow.libsyn.com/how-you-can-assemble-a-powerful-advisory-team-to-support-your-career-with-sabeen-syed Free Resources: Ask me your question for the next episode here: https://www.speakpipe.com/speakyourmindquestion Sign up for 10 Day free Assertive And Liked Challenge: https://assertiveway.aweb.page/beassertiveandliked Free resources: https://assertiveway.com/free/ Assertiveness free training: https://assertiveway.aweb.page/getahead Assertive Communication Newsletter: https://assertiveway.com/newsletter Talk or Workshop on Speaking Up With Assertive Communication Podcast page: https://assertiveway.com/podcast-speak-your-mind-unapologetically/ Contact me info@assertiveway.com Or via Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivna-curi-mba-67083b2/ About Assertive Way: Website: https://assertiveway.com Rate the podcast on apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/speak-your-mind-unapologetically-podcast/id1623647915

Dec 2, 2022 • 9min
How Setting Strategic Boundaries With Allies Can Help You Fight Against Pushy Coworkers
Setting boundaries yourself is helpful. Setting boundaries with powerful allies is game-changing. But setting boundaries with many invasive coworkers can be daunting because you risk coming across as difficult and uncollaborative. That's where creating a joint strategic boundary with a powerful ally can help you. You'll have someone to back you up every time you get a pushback. In this episode you'll discover: ✔️ How allies can help you to create and sustain work boundaries. ✔️ One example of how it works. Other Episodes You'll Like: 3 Ways To Protect Yourself From Harsh Critics And Manipulators: https://speakyourmindnow.libsyn.com/3-ways-to-protect-yourself-from-harsh-critics-and-manipulators 15 Assertive Rights That You Need To Protect: https://speakyourmindnow.libsyn.com/15-assertive-rights-that-you-need-to-protect Confidently Say No In A Respectful Way (In 7 Easy Steps): https://speakyourmindnow.libsyn.com/confidently-say-no-in-a-respectful-way-in-7-easy-steps Free Resources: Ask me your question for the next episode here: https://www.speakpipe.com/speakyourmindquestion Sign up for 10 Day free Assertive And Liked Challenge: https://assertiveway.aweb.page/beassertiveandliked Free resources: https://assertiveway.com/free/ Assertiveness free training: https://assertiveway.aweb.page/getahead Assertive Communication Newsletter: https://assertiveway.com/newsletter Talk or Workshop on Speaking Up With Assertive Communication Podcast page: https://assertiveway.com/podcast-speak-your-mind-unapologetically/ Contact me info@assertiveway.com Or via Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivna-curi-mba-67083b2/ About Assertive Way: Website: https://assertiveway.com Rate the podcast on apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/speak-your-mind-unapologetically-podcast/id1623647915


