Podcastophobia

How do you feel before you have to speak publicly in front of an audience? Do you get nervous? Clammy hands? Butterflies in the stomach? Tongue-tied? Dry mouth? Other nervous symptoms? For me, that's exactly how I feel when I podcast. For me, I much prefer to present to a live audience than through a radio or video medium.

I began to notice this concept in our class. I'm not one to be shy when participating in class, but the moment that Cole pulls out the microphone and turns it on, I instantly feel my cheeks flush and my words flee. I feel completely choked. The same symptoms have happened when I have been interviewed for television. I just don't understand why I have this phobia.

In an attempt to try to understand my reactions, I have been thinking about the potential causes. When I present, the communication is two-way. Even if I am using a transmission model, I still am receiving instantaneous feedback from my audience from their body language. When I podcast, I can't see my audience. I have no idea what they are thinking, and I feel my stuttering and nervous actions impact my ability to think clearly. Ultimately it's incredibly frustrating, but I guess that the only way to overcome your fears is to face them. I'll keep trying. "If at first you don't succeed, try, try again..."

Do you suffer from this disease?