How to Trust Yourself: Overcome Imposter Syndrome, Feel Confident, and Let Yourself Be Seen

This week, I’m bringing you inside a corner of my work that I don’t usually share publicly — my visibility membership, Seen & Safe.Seen & Safe is where sensitive creatives, coaches, and entrepreneurs come when they want to be visible, but also want to feel safe while doing it. We meet twice a month for nervous-system-safe visibility coaching, and between sessions we stay connected inside a private Slack community.It’s a space where people ask the honest questions, name the fears they usually hide, and practice being seen in real time.In today’s episode, I’m sharing a handful of the voice notes I recently sent inside our Slack channel — anonymized, of course — paired with the questions that inspired them.You’ll hear coaching around:How to find your authentic story when fear feels louder than your voiceWhat motivates creativity when you’re no longer running on survival-mode urgencyHow to hold boundaries (like session time) from a place of care, not guiltWhat it means to “hold the vision” when life throws a curveballWhy visibility aftercare is normal — and how to build capacity for it over timeThese are the kinds of conversations that unfold inside Seen & Safe all the time — slow, real, compassionate, nuanced, and deeply human. My hope is that you hear something today that helps you feel less alone in your own visibility journey.Seen & Safe opens for enrollment again in January.If you want to be the first to know when doors open, join the waitlist here:👉 annaholtzman.com/seenandsafeThanks for listening, and for being part of this work. If this episode resonates, share it with someone who might need it.

In this episode, Anna sits down with Laylee Emadi—educator, speaker, podcaster, and founder of the Creative Educator Conference—to talk about building a values-driven business rooted in authenticity, service, and real community.A former high school teacher turned multi-passionate entrepreneur, Laylee shares how she transitioned into coaching creatives, and how her love for education continues to shape the way she supports others. Together, they explore how to lead with heart in a world that often pushes polish and performance.Inside this conversation:Why community is central to Laylee’s work—and how it fuels connection and longevity in businessHow to break free from the “shoulds” and build a business that reflects your actual selfThe visibility blocks so many creatives face (like imposter syndrome and fear of taking up space)—and how to work through themClient transformation stories that show what’s possible when you lead with clarity, integrity, and courageLaylee’s powerful reminder that you’re allowed to do business differently—and that service is more powerful than egoWhether you're building a business, stepping into leadership, or just trying to find your voice in a noisy world, this episode is a breath of fresh air and a call back to what really matters. Connect with Laylee:🔗 Website: https://layleeemadi.com📸 Instagram: @laylee_emadi🎧Podcast: The Laylee Emadi PodcastConnect with Anna:🔗 Website: https://www.annaholtzman.com📸 Instagram: @anna_holtzman📩 Email: [email protected]

What if your business didn’t have to be built on burnout?In this heart-centered episode, I sit down with Molly Balint—business mentor, speaker, Instagram nerd, and founder of the SOFT Business Movement—to explore what it means to lead and grow from a place of gentleness, sustainability, and soul.Molly’s journey into entrepreneurship began nearly 20 years ago as a blogger and photographer documenting life on a fixer-upper farmhouse with four young daughters. Since then, she’s worked as a social media strategist for a major global parenting brand, been featured in national magazines, and most importantly—built a mentorship practice helping women uncover their meaningful work without hardening themselves to do it.If you’re a sensitive soul longing to turn your passion into a business—or scale the one you already have—this episode will remind you that soft is the new strong.✨ In this episode, we explore:What a “SOFT business” really is—and how it supports your nervous systemWhy ambition doesn’t have to mean overexertionThe most common struggles Molly sees in her clients—and how she helps them move throughHow Molly’s own business has evolved through the seasons of motherhood, creativity, and leadershipEncouragement for sensitive creatives who feel called to something more but don’t know where to startThis conversation is a balm if you’re tired of being told to hustle harder. Molly brings a gentle, grounded presence—and shows us that impact doesn’t have to come at the cost of integrity or wellbeing. 🧡 Connect with Molly:Website: www.mollybalint.comInstagram: @molly.balintJoin her Prep School community: https://www.skool.com/prepschool/about 🌿 Want to work with me?Explore 1:1 coaching or join my newsletter for sensitive creatives, coaches, and entrepreneurs ready to take up space without selling their soul:👉 www.annaholtzman.com👉 @anna_holtzman on Instagram📩 Email: [email protected]

The “messy middle” is the part most of us want to skip—after the rush of a new beginning and long before the satisfying finish. In this solo episode, I share why this season is not a mistake, how it shows up in creative work, business, and relationships, and what actually helps you stay with it instead of self-isolating or burning it all down.I tell two behind-the-scenes stories:Subway Dreams: the indie documentary I stopped promoting after a harsh review—plus the counter-example of a director who kept iterating, resubmitting, and ultimately premiered at Tribeca.Marriage in real life: what it looked like to stay through a rocky, high-conflict period with my now-husband—and the specific supports that got us through.You’ll hear:What the messy middle is (and why it feels like tangled spaghetti)Why the instinct to self-isolate makes it harder—and what to do insteadHow to use pacing, breaks, and co-regulation so you don’t crash and torch the projectWhy holding a clear vision and finding pleasure now keeps you movingThe mindset reframe: care more about connection than “saving face”Try this:Get support (coach or buddy up)Pace yourself and take real breaksKeep your vision close—and let yourself enjoy the process nowWhen fear of “how it looks” spikes, return to connection (clients, audience, partner, community, self)Work with meIf you’re in your own messy middle and want steady support—nervous-system-safe, compassionate, and practical—I offer 1:1 coaching and a small group space.Website: www.annaholtzman.comEmail: [email protected]: @anna_holtzmanThanks for listening—and for staying with your process. You’re not behind; you’re in it.

If you’ve ever felt nervous about being seen, unsure how to talk about your work, or stuck trying to grow your business without burning out — this episode will shift your mindset around visibility, connection, and what’s actually possible when you speak up.This week, Anna is joined by Beth Nydick — a former TV producer turned visibility strategist and business mentor who helps entrepreneurs, coaches, and experts turn podcast interviews into paying clients. She’s the behind-the-scenes force behind some of the most successful media presences in the online business world — and she’s here to help you stop “just showing up” and start strategically showing out.In this powerful and down-to-earth conversation, we explore:✨ Why podcast guesting is one of the most underutilized sales tools in the online space✨ How to turn visibility into revenue without sounding like a walking sales pitch✨ The difference between “being visible” and actually making your presence count✨ How to stop shrinking, start asking for what you want, and take up space with confidence✨ Why rising together beats hustling alone — and how media strategy can be rooted in generosity, not egoWhether you’re new to podcast guesting or dreaming of your first mic moment, Beth will leave you feeling lit up, encouraged, and ready to own your voice. Connect with Beth Nydick:🌐 Website: www.bethnydick.com📸 Instagram: @bethnydick (DM her the word “Anna” for a free gift!)🎙️ Free $10k Checklist: https://courses.bethnydick.com/10kchecklist Connect with Anna:🌐 www.annaholtzman.com📸 Instagram: @anna_holtzman📬 Email: [email protected]