Scared to Speak Up? How Childhood Fear Shapes Your Voice in Midlife
In this solo episode of The Underlayer, host David Young explores how childhood fear, especially around visibility and public speaking, quietly shapes our lives well into midlife.
David shares personal stories from growing up as the quiet kid in the back of the classroom, including a painful public speaking experience at age 14 that influenced how he used (or avoided) his voice for decades.
Through reflection and storytelling, this episode explores a powerful realization:
The thing that terrified you as a kid may be what you’re meant to heal as an adult.
If you’re a mid-life professional who looks successful on the outside but struggles with fear, anxiety, or self-expression on the inside, this conversation will help you see fear differently, not as something to eliminate, but as information pointing you forward.
Topics covered:
- Childhood fear and adult behavior
- Public speaking anxiety and fear of visibility
- Personal growth and finding your voice
- Why fear evolves instead of disappearing
- How storytelling helps us heal and move forward
This episode is the foundation of David’s keynote, The Fear That Formed Me, and an invitation to stop letting fear quietly run the show.
The Underlayer YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/@the_under_layer
The Underlayer Podcast Website: https://www.theunderlayerpodcast.com/
David's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-young-mba-indy/
