One of my fondest memories is when my husband and I decided to embark on the ultimate Star Wars adventure: building our very own lightsabers at Savi’s Workshop in Galaxy’s Edge. Now, if you haven’t been to this magical corner of Disney’s Hollywood Studios, you’re missing out. The air is thick with excitement and dreams of every Jedi wannabe alive. My husband, being a huge Star Wars aficionado, had been talking about this experience for months. Even though I too am a self-proclaimed Star Wars nerd, I must admit that the idea of “building a pointy glow stick” seemed overrated.
The day finally arrived, and there we were, surrounded by enthusiastic children—and grown-ups who refused to surrender their childhood dreams. As the Gatherers led us through the process of selecting our kyber crystals and assembling the pieces, I felt a surprising connection to the idea of becoming a Jedi. But it was only when I ignited my lightsaber for the first time, bathing myself in a cool blue glow, that I realized—it wasn’t just about the weapon. It was about confidence, about stepping into a character larger than life itself.
Now, I know what you’re thinking: what does this have to do with public speaking classes? Well, much like a Jedi’s journey, finding confidence in your voice can feel like wielding a lightsaber for the first time. It’s thrilling, intimidating, and totally transformative. Public speaking classes are where you can learn to channel the same inner power as a Jedi, gaining the confidence you need to ignite the minds and hearts of your audiences.
I get it—public speaking can feel more like facing a Rancor than receiving a noble medal from Princess Leia. In my early days of venturing into internet marketing, I often found myself in scenarios where presenting ideas to others was vital. Truth be told, I was more of a tumble of nerves than a beacon of eloquence. The idea of speaking to a room full of people was daunting enough; doing it online added a whole new level of anxiety, where the echo of silence could implode a carefully curated marketing pitch in less than twelve parsecs.
That all changed when I enrolled in public speaking classes. Although I didn’t enter with a grand Star Wars-inspired vision, I quickly realized just how much these lessons mirrored the teachings of the Jedi. The instructors didn’t hand me a lightsaber, of course, but they armed me with something far more important: confidence.
The classes taught me to face my fear head-on. Like a young Padawan learning to control the Force, I learned to use my voice and presence, turning my once fragile pitches into compelling narratives. My public speaking classes brought out an extroverted version of myself I never knew existed—a version Harry Potter would conjure from a mirror, if he weren’t so busy.
It’s no surprise that both my husband and I, as big Star Wars fans, like to joke that we’re training to be Jedi Knights just by becoming proficient speakers. After all, owning the room is a bit like controlling the Force, isn’t it? I still remember one session where the instructor tasked us to deliver a short speech about a random object. As I picked up a bright-red apple—and not a hologram, disappointingly—I decided to tie it all back to the lessons from Star Wars. Suddenly, I was standing in front of a room of budding speakers, likening the balance of the Force to eating a balanced diet and watching my audience nod along, amused and engaged.
Through these classes, I discovered that humor is a powerful ally when trying to connect with people. It lightens the mood and bridges that awkward gap between the podium and your audience. Trust me, if I can make a room full of seasoned business folks laugh at a fruit analogy, anything is possible.
Being part of public speaking classes also hooked me up with a fantastic community. Much like the Rebel Alliance, it was a place where we shared triumphs, fears, and embarrassing missteps. If someone forgot their lines, we cheered like Ewoks at the Battle of Endor—any setback was viewed as just another step toward mastery.
While no Yoda was present to make us lift spaceships with our mind, the patient guidance of our mentors helped us to lift our spirits and elevate our delivery. Now, speaking in public isn’t about surviving the next mumble-free thirty minutes; it’s about thriving in the opportunity to share something meaningful.
Years have passed since those early sessions, and though my husband and I have returned from Galaxy’s Edge with more lightsabers than you’d think practical, the lessons of confidence and clarity imparted during those public speaking classes continue to echo. I’ve learned to speak with the clarity and conviction of Leia and to channel the wisdom of Yoda with sly humor. Even now, I encourage anyone who hesitates before making that first bound onto the stage—or into an intimidating Zoom room—to take the plunge with public speaking classes.
Just as the Force connects all living things, our words connect us as well. Luke Skywalker needed guidance to transform from a farm boy with too many dreams to a hero of the galaxy. Similarly, you might find yourself going from someone hesitant to say “hello” at a meeting, to the go-to storyteller in your peer group. The result: a powerful voice that turns dreams into inspiring speeches. So, why not harness your inner Jedi and discover just how confident you can truly be?
