

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

Mar 30, 2022 • 1h 9min
Training How To Be Assertive Without Being Rude, Aggressive, Or A Jerk
Find out how to be assertive at work without being pushy, aggressive, rude, or a jerk in this introductory training. ✔️ What are doormat problems? ✔️ How can assertiveness help you? ✔️ What does assertiveness mean? ✔️ When should you be assertive? ✔️ What is your communication type? ✔️ What is the assertive mindset? ✔️ How to adopt an assertive body language? ✔️ What are assertive expressions and language? ✔️ How to manage your negative emotions? ✔️ How to use curiosity to gain more clarity and be more assertive? ✔️ How to express yourself with confidence ✔️ How to avoid weak language ✔️ How to express yourself in assertive situations 👉🏼 Sign up for Assertive Way Newsletter for valuable tips on how to speak up and be more assertive without being aggressive or rude.

Mar 30, 2022 • 25min
6 Big Differences In How Women And Men Speak Up At Work
The challenge for women is not only the man-centric more aggressive and competitive company cultures, but also the double-bind dilemma when women do take charge according to research done by Catalyst. Here are 6 key differences between how men and women communicate in the workplace that do not favor women in these men-centric work cultures, and tips on how to overcome them without losing your feminine strengths. 👉🏼 Podcast episode: top 10 daily challenges women face at work. 👉🏼Podcast episode: Ladies, 10 Credibility Killer Mistakes That Undermine You At Work (and what to do instead). 👉🏼 Get the full show notes here. 👉🏼 Get access to a free crash course on how to be assertive without being rude. 👉🏼 Sign up for Assertive Way Newsletter for valuable tips on how to speak up and be more assertive without being aggressive or rude.

Mar 29, 2022 • 20min
50 Eye-Opening Ways To Speak Up For Yourself
Speaking up doesn't only happen when someone is treating you poorly. Speaking up happens every time you speak with someone with a clear purpose. Here are 50 opportunities to speak up at work that will bring you closer to your dreams, to your desired lifestyle, and success. 👉🏼 Get the full show notes here. 👉🏼 Get access to a free crash course on how to be assertive without being rude. 👉🏼 Sign up for Assertive Way Newsletter for valuable tips on how to speak up and be more assertive without being aggressive or rude.

Mar 25, 2022 • 30min
The 8 Things No One Told You About How To Protect Your Hard-Earned Money (Part 2)
Find out why not speaking up is hurting your financial wellness, and what to do about it. This is a two-part series with a total of 16 powerful ways for you to protect your money by being more assertive. In this episode, you'll get 8 ways, and another 8 in the previous episode. In this episode, you'll discover: ✔️ 2 things to ask your accountant or financial advisor before you decide to work with them, even if they get upset. ✔️ Important non-taboo money conversations to have with colleagues, friends and family. ✔️ Why you shouldn't give away your financial decision rights. ✔️ 8 things you need to be informed about to make good financial decisions. ✔️ Debunking the stories you tell yourself to not prioritize your money. ✔️ The real reason why some people still make donations when they are broke. ✔️ Why talking to your spouse about money, even if they don't want to, is still worth it. ✔️ Why having your own financial goals can help you protect your money. 👉🏼 Get the full show notes here. 👉🏼 Get access to a free crash course on how to be assertive without being rude. 👉🏼 Sign up for Assertive Way Newsletter for valuable tips on how to speak up and be more assertive without being aggressive or rude. 👉🏼Listen to part 1 of "The 8 Things No One Told You About How To Protect Your Hard-Earned Money"

Mar 24, 2022 • 36min
The 8 Things No One Told You About How To Protect Your Hard-Earned Money (Part 1)
Find out why not speaking up is killing your money, and what to do about it. This is a two-part series with a total of 16 powerful ways for you to be more assertive with your money. In this episode, you'll get 8 ways, and another 8 in the next episode. In this episode, you'll discover: ✔️ Excuses you tell yourself to not take charge of your money ✔️ Why employment benefits are usually not used and what to do. ✔️ One powerful reason why you have to negotiate your compensation when you get a new job, even if it feels pushy. ✔️ Don't ask your boss for a raise, do this instead. ✔️ Why you need a financial team and who should be in it. ✔️ 4 ways that the irresistible loan, credit card, nice financial advisor extract eat up all your savings and what conversations to have. ✔️ Why you need to negotiate terms and conditions. ✔️ The truth about why you feel scared of asking stupid financial questions. ✔️ What bankers and advisors are not telling you: they are not fiduciary! 👉🏼 Get the full show notes here. 👉🏼 Get access to a free crash course on how to be assertive without being rude. 👉🏼 Sign up for Assertive Way Newsletter for valuable tips on how to speak up and be more assertive without being aggressive or rude. 👉🏼Listen here to the second episode with anther 8 speaking up tips for your financial wellness.

Mar 9, 2022 • 27min
Top 10 Daily Challenges Women Face At Work
Let's face it, women face many disadvantages at work: Male-favoring workplace cultures Dominating and aggressive male personalities Gender bias and gender pay gap Double-bind effect Glass ceiling Limited childcare support Sexual harassment Discriminated when pregnant or with children Automatically assumed to be less committed than men Limited sponsorship Women are often talked over, interrupted, passed over for promotions, dismissed, discredited, labeled, undermined, excluded for important meetings and projects, ignored, and given vague and non-helpful feedback and explanations. But what is not talked about as much are the daily hurdles that women have that halts their career growth, consumes their energy, and damages their confidence. Here are 10 of the top everyday challenges real women have to deal in the workplace and a simple yet powerful tool that any woman can use to help overcome them. Not Taken Seriously Perceived As Too Difficult Or Too Aggressive Constantly Questioned Told They Are Too Outspoken Or "Bitchy" Not Treated As An Equal Negative Spotlight Feel Forced To Be Inauthentic Bro Culture Misfit Loneliness No Work-Life Balance Get the full episode show notes here: https://assertiveway.com/41-2/ In my Assertive Way newsletter, I give weekly tips and inspiration to help you master empathetic assertiveness, be heard, get taken seriously, get your point across and claim your voice to claim your life. Click here to sign up for the free Assertive Way newsletter or click here to get started with a crash course on how to be assertive without being rude.

Feb 28, 2022 • 18min
8 Questions To Find Out If Your Email Is Angry
Have you ever written an email or letter to someone who you were frustrated with? It's tempting to send a scathing message to someone to prove them wrong or to express how miserable they made your life, because it feels really good to express yourself. However, when the main goal of a letter or email is to vent off frustration and to prove yourself right to the other person, then that is an angry letter or email. Angry messages are not assertive. They don't address problems, they don't improve the relationships, they don't change other people's behaviors, and they won't make you feel better. They also cause more friction and don't get others to empathize with your situation. A Chinese proverb says "Never write a letter while you are angry" especially if you don't want to have regrets later. Angry letters are great if written and left unsent. They help you better cope with frustration, name your negative emotions, and release them. Here are 8 questions to help you identify if you wrote an angry letter that will make the problem worse. And 4 things to avoid saying when you are angry at someone. Get the full episode notes here. Get started now with a crash course on how to be more assertive without being rude, aggressive, or a jerk by clicking here. Sign up for our newsletter to get more free training, tips, and resources like this in your inbox every week: https://www.assertiveway.com/newsletter Or watch the video version of this episode: https://youtu.be/dSTAR42jdVs Frustrated that people don't take you seriously? We'll help you. It is time to be heard, be respected, and get recognized. And never be fearful when you speak up again. Visit our website here to speak up without being rude.

Feb 28, 2022 • 16min
[039] 5 Better Ways To Say Good Job
Are most of your compliments a "great job" or "well done?" Those are shortcut compliments, the least effective form of positive feedback. They are vague and don't provide any insight as to what you liked and why you liked it. They are also ineffective to change behavior because the compliment receivers will not know what behavior led to the compliment. Limitation 1 – Did you know that many people don't believe or agree with the compliments they receive? If they don't believe in your compliment, they will distrust you more instead of feeling more connected and motivated. Limitation 2 – The second limitation of "good job" is that it doesn't work when complimenting more senior people like your boss or mentor. "Good job" and "well done" inherently imply that you are judging the other person's actions. Limitation 3 – The third limitation of "good job" is that it limits your ability to share positive feedback, which is important for nurturing positive relationships. It has a very narrow scope and is usually used for people who excelled or won something, which means it excludes most people from getting a compliment. Here are 5 better ways to say "good job" or "well done" that work for anyone. These compliments are more thoughtful, effective, and impactful. You can also include more than one in a single compliment for even more impact. Get the full episode notes here. Get started now with a crash course on how to be more assertive without being rude, aggressive, or a jerk by clicking here. Sign up for our newsletter to get more free training, tips, and resources like this in your inbox every week: https://www.assertiveway.com/newsletter Or watch the video version of this episode: https://youtu.be/dSTAR42jdVs Frustrated that people don't take you seriously? We'll help you. It is time to be heard, be respected, and get recognized. And never be fearful when you speak up again. Visit our website here to speak up without being rude.

Feb 28, 2022 • 19min
[038] 12 Questions To Know When To Ignore Criticism and Judgment
Not all judgement is created equal. You can't get rid of others judgment of you, but you can police the access doors to your inner sanctuary. Here are 12 questions to help you know when to not take judgment and criticism seriously: Will their judgement matter 3 years from now? Can their judgement cause you any real harm? Does the judgement have any significant meaning for you? Are they actually judging you? Do you admire and respect them? Are they well intentioned? Are they knowledgeable enough? Do they understand your perspective? Do you agree with their expectation of you? Do you want feedback on that topic now? Is the way they are delivering judgment serving you? What does someone that you actually admire and respect think of you? For the episode notes, click here. Get started now with a crash course on how to be more assertive without being rude, aggressive, or a jerk by clicking here. Sign up for our newsletter to get more free training, tips, and resources like this in your inbox every week: https://www.assertiveway.com/newsletter Or watch the video version of this episode: https://youtu.be/dSTAR42jdVs Frustrated that people don't take you seriously? We'll help you. It is time to be heard, be respected, and get recognized. And never be fearful when you speak up again. Visit our website here to speak up without being rude.

Feb 28, 2022 • 14min
[037] Are You Introverted, Shy, Anxious, Or Passive? How To Tell The Difference
Do you know the difference between introvert, shyness, passive behavior, and social anxiety? Many people confuse those terms and use them interchangeably. It took me a long to understand the difference. It is useful to understand what each one means so that you can focus on what you need the most. Introversion is about your energy. Shyness is fear of people's judgement. Social anxiety is extreme shy. Passive is not speaking up for what you need, want, and believe. Overcoming social anxiety is liberating, overcoming shyness is joyful; overcoming passivity gives you control. You can be mellow, soft-spoken, and assertive like the Dalai Lama. Shy leaders may struggle to get buy In, inspire confidence in others, and protect their people. Introverted leaders can be exceptional like Warren Buffet, Albert Einstein, Gandhi, Elon Musk, Bill Gates, Rosa Parks. Passive leaders may struggle to protect others, give constructive feedback, maintain team morale, secure resources, earn respect, and get buy in. If people describe you as nice, people-pleaser, obedient, doormat, hesitant, shy, selfless, submissive, then you may act passively. Get the full episode notes at: https://assertiveway.com/are-you-introverted-shy-anxious-or-passive-how-to-tell/ Want more? Get started now with a crash course on how to be more assertive without being rude, aggressive, or a jerk by clicking here. Sign up for our newsletter to get more free training, tips, and resources like this in your inbox every week: https://www.assertiveway.com/newsletter Or watch the video version of this episode: https://youtu.be/dSTAR42jdVs Frustrated that people don't take you seriously? We'll help you. It is time to be heard, be respected, and get recognized. And never be fearful when you speak up again. Visit our website here to speak up without being rude.


