Performance Pep Talk

No more allowing stage fright, negative thought spirals, and self-doubt to run the show. Performance Pep Talk is your go-to tool if you’re a performer, actor, singer, or speaker who wants to feel centered and confident walking onstage. Hosted by mental performance coach Sophie Adickes (M.A. Psych, M.M., ICF ACC), each 10-minute episode blends psychology and practical tools to help you calm nerves, quiet imposter syndrome, and reshape your self-talk pre-performance. Because resilience, confidence, and self-belief aren’t personality traits, they’re skills you can train.

Performance Pep Talk is a arts podcast hosted by Sophie Adickes, with 28 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Sophie Adickes hosts Performance Pep Talk, a arts show with 28 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  Episode #28

  Social Media Comparison for Artists: Escape the Spiral

  Aug 19, 20268 minS1

  You're feeling good after a great audition or lesson and then you open your phone and see someone from your program just booked a huge role. Suddenly, you're spiraling, wondering if you'll ever get there. In this episode, Sophie breaks down the psychology of upward comparison and the spotlight effect: why social media comparison hits so hard, and why so many performers hesitate to post their own work out of fear of judgment. Plus, a guided reset for the next time you're triggered by someone else's highlight reel, or afraid to share your own work online. This is the perfect episode for actors, singers, and musicians ready to stop letting a post decide how they feel about their talent. Want to take your mental prep to the next level? Grab your FREE GUIDE to building a science-backed pre-performance routine ⁠HERE⁠ . Connect with me! ⁠On Instagram⁠ ⁠On my Website⁠

  ListenShow Notes
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  Episode #27

  Handling Rejection: A Performer's Guide (Ep. 27)

  Aug 12, 20268 minS1

  Rejection hurts no matter what level you are as a performer. But it's not just the "no" that gets you; it's the anticipation before you even walk in the room, scanning faces for signs you're about to be rejected. In this episode, Sophie breaks down the psychology of rejection sensitivity and three truths to hold onto before, during, and after every audition, plus a guided grounding exercise for the moments right before you walk into the room. This is a great episode for actors, singers, and musicians ready to stop letting the fear of "no" make it difficult to enjoy the audition or stay present in the room. Want to level up your Pre-Show Routine? Grab your FREE GUIDE to building a science-backed pre-performance routine ⁠HERE⁠ . Connect with me! ⁠On Instagram⁠ ⁠On my Website⁠

  ListenShow Notes
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  Episode #25

  When You're Feeling Behind as an Artist: Managing Imposter Syndrome

  Aug 5, 202610 minS1

  That feeling of "I should be further along by now" is something most actors, singers, and musicians have experienced. But where does this feeling actually come from? In this episode, Sophie unpacks the psychology behind why so many performers carry the pressure of an internalized timeline and shares helpful reflections to help you catch yourself before you spiral into self-doubt. Great when you're stuck in a cycle of comparison, self-doubt, or worry that you'll never be good enough. Listen to Episode 22 : Imposter Syndrome as a Performer: Why You Feel like a Fraud and What You Can Do About It Grab your FREE GUIDE to building a science-backed pre-performance routine ⁠HERE⁠ . Connect with me! ⁠On Instagram⁠ ⁠On my Website⁠

  ListenShow Notes
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  Episode #25

  Stop Fighting your Nerves: Why Nerves aren't your Enemy (Ep. 25)

  Jul 29, 20268 minS1

  Every singer, musician, or performer has had the thought, "Don't be nervous." Hoping that by willing their nerves away, they will suddenly disappear. Unfortunately, the science proves otherwise, and suppression can actually make the nerves even MORE intense. So what can we do instead? In this episode, we break down how to embrace the nerves instead of fighting them, and walk you through a pre-show mindset reset that will redirect your focus and channel that extra energy in a positive direction. Want to level up your pre-show ritual? Grab your FREE GUIDE to building a science-backed pre-performance routine ⁠HERE⁠ . Connect with me! ⁠On Instagram⁠ ⁠On my Website⁠

  ListenShow Notes
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  Episode #23

  Performance Anxiety in Your Body: Why You Feel Physically Nervous And How to Release It (Ep. 23)

  Jul 15, 20268 minS1

  Feeling physically nervous before a performance is one of the most annoying things a performer can experience. All that work only to be sabotaged by your body. Sound familiar? In this episode of Performance Pep Talk, Sophie breaks down exactly why performance anxiety shows up so intensely in the body, why telling yourself to calm down rarely works, and what you can actually do about it right before you walk into the room. Drawing on neuroscience research on the fight or flight response, amygdala activation, and nervous system regulation , we walk through the specific tension sites that affect performers most and give you a practical, body-based tool sequence to release that tension, metabolize the adrenaline, and bring your rational brain back online before you perform. 🎧 Perfect for: singers, actors, musicians, and any performer who has ever felt like their body was working against them right before they needed it most. Grab your FREE GUIDE to building a science-backed pre-performance routine ⁠HERE⁠ . Connect with me! ⁠On Instagram⁠ ⁠On my Website⁠

  ListenShow Notes

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