When I was younger, I found it incredibly intimidating to

Host: The café was quiet, the evening light softly fading as the rain outside gently tapped against the windows. Inside, the ambiance was warm, the soft murmur of conversation mixing with the comforting rhythm of raindrops. Jack and Jeeny sat across from each other, the weight of their conversation settling in the space between them.

Jeeny, her fingers wrapped around her coffee cup, spoke first, her voice steady but carrying an undertone of reflection.

Jeeny: “I read something from Zoe Perry today. She said, ‘When I was younger, I found it incredibly intimidating to audition for anything. As I've gotten older and had more experience and gained more confidence in myself, I'm able to quiet some of those demons a little more successfully.’ What do you think about that?”

Jack: He leaned back, a slight smile forming on his lips. “That’s something everyone can relate to, right? The idea of being intimidated or insecure when you’re younger, especially in situations that make you vulnerable. Auditions, or any moment where you’re putting yourself out there—it can be terrifying. But as you get older, you learn to handle those nerves, quiet the voices of self-doubt. The real challenge is in growing that confidence.”

Host: The rain outside had softened, and the room seemed to settle into a quiet rhythm, the words between Jack and Jeeny deepening. Jeeny’s voice was calm, but there was an undercurrent of insight as she continued.

Jeeny: “Exactly. What I love about what Zoe Perry says is that confidence comes with experience, with growth. It’s not that the fear goes away, but we get better at managing it. We learn to quiet those inner voices that tell us we’re not enough, that we’re not capable. And that’s how we find our way forward—not by eliminating the fear, but by learning to move with it, despite it.”

Jack: “So, it’s not about eliminating the demons, but about understanding them and not letting them control you? The fear doesn’t disappear, but you gain the ability to deal with it more effectively over time.”

Jeeny: “Yes, exactly. It’s about embracing that fear and still taking the leap. The confidence Zoe Perry talks about isn’t about being free of fear, but about having the strength to act in spite of it. It’s the result of experience, of failing and succeeding and realizing that you are enough, no matter the outcome.”

Host: The rain outside had quieted to a mere murmur, the world beyond now blurred and distant, while the weight of their conversation settled in. Jeeny’s words hung in the air, like a soft realization.

Jack: “So, it’s about acceptance, then? Accepting that fear is a part of the process and learning to navigate it instead of trying to make it disappear?”

Jeeny: “Yes. It’s about trusting yourself enough to know that fear is just a part of the journey. The more you face it, the better you get at handling it. Confidence isn’t about being fearless—it’s about being brave in the face of fear, knowing that you can handle whatever comes your way.”

Host: The café seemed quieter now, the soft hum of the city fading as Jack and Jeeny sat in a shared understanding. Their conversation had unfolded into a realization that confidence wasn’t a state of fearlessness, but the ability to acknowledge and move through fear with strength and self-assurance. It was a quiet reminder that, over time, we can all learn to quiet the voices of doubt and trust ourselves, even in the most intimidating moments.