#173 Confidence isn’t given. Its practised, chosen, claimed with Lauren Currie
“Confidence is the first step of protest. And whether that is a protest where you make a sign and you go and stand outside down the street, or whether it's a protest when you're in a doctor's surgery room and the doctor's not listening to you, or whether it's a protest at the school gates because your kid's teacher's not taking your kid's needs seriously. Confidence is the first step of that self-advocacy and we need that so much right now because the tactics that our governments are using is fear. Fear divides people. Fear keeps people small, and fear takes your confidence away.”
When does a moment of frustration lead to a movement that helps people to be more confident? In this episode, Lauren Currie, an artist, entrepreneur, and founder of Upfront shares how it all started, and where it’s all heading. From confronting systemic sexism on conference stages to the evolution of her business, how we can follow our path and take on the barriers that we come across.
We dig into why confidence is not a personality trait but a practice, how “small protests” can reshape culture, and what happens when you step into (and own) your creative identity as an artist, leader, and author. If you’re looking for inspiration to start or to keep going on your own change journey, this conversation will inspire you to take the first step.
Lauren’s Change Toolkit:
Soundtracks: Anything by Taylor Swift. “Everyone Supports Women” by Sophia Isella
Book: We Need Your Art: Stop Messing Around and Make Something by Amie McNee
“You get to decide. You make the rules, you’re in charge. People forget how much agency they have, especially if you’ve been trained to put everyone else’s needs above your own. Really sit with that: you get to choose.”
About Lauren
Lauren Currie is an artist, entrepreneur, author, and founder of Lauren Currie is one of the most sought-after speakers on confidence, women’s leadership and cultural change, known for combining honesty, humour and clarity in a way that leaves audiences thinking differently long after the event ends.
From global companies to grassroots communities, Lauren’s talks challenge the invisible rules that hold people back and offer practical, emotionally intelligent tools for building confidence, visibility and influence.
Website: https://upfrontglobal.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_laurencurrie_/
Produced by winteraudio.co.uk
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