Public Speaking in the Wild
Build speaking confidence by climbing a ladder of increasingly real audiences
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Time to result
- ~weeks to results
- Steps
- 5
- Confidence
- 98%
Public Speaking in the Wild is a graduated exposure method for turning presentation knowledge into real confidence. The learner first writes a seven-to-ten-minute narrative with emotional appeal, then improves it through low-pressure feedback on structure, intonation, and filler words. Instead of jumping directly to a high-stakes stage, the speaker climbs an audience ladder. Price's students began by speaking to cats, moved to residents in an assisted-living facility, practiced at a bookstore, and finally performed at an open-mic night for strangers in New York City. Each step adds social unpredictability while preserving a sense of fun. The sequence develops delivery, confidence, and the ability to redirect when an audience interrupts or takes the exchange somewhere unexpected.
Origin
MacKenzie Price described an Alpha School workshop that moved fifth graders from AI-assisted rehearsal to cats, community audiences, and a New York open-mic night.
Core principles
- 01Confidence grows through graduated exposure, not explanation alone.
- 02Begin with an audience that feels safe enough to make practice playful.
- 03Use feedback before raising the social stakes.
- 04Finish with an audience that has no obligation to praise the speaker.
- 05Real environments teach adaptation skills that rehearsal cannot simulate.
How to run it
- 1
Craft the narrative
Write a seven-to-ten-minute story with a clear point and emotional appeal. Build the material before focusing on performance polish.
Watch out Exposure practice cannot rescue a talk with no coherent narrative.
- 2
Collect private feedback
Practice in a low-pressure setting and use a coach or tool to identify filler words, weak structure, flat intonation, and unclear moments.
Pro tip Automated feedback can make early repetition feel less intimidating.
- 3
Choose the safest live audience
Deliver the talk to an audience that feels playful and nonjudgmental. The goal is to cross from rehearsal into live delivery without overwhelming fear.
Pro tip Price used cats as the first audience for her students.
- 4
Raise unpredictability gradually
Move through audiences that introduce conversation, questions, distraction, and unfamiliar faces. Practice redirecting while retaining the talk's core thread.
Watch out Do not increase the stakes so quickly that the learner avoids the next repetition.
- 5
Perform for strangers
Complete the ladder with a genuinely public audience that is not made up of family or obligated supporters. Use its reaction as real-world feedback.
Pro tip Choose a venue where a short story naturally fits, such as an open mic or community event.
In the wild
Fifth graders developed talks, received AI feedback, spoke at a humane society, presented at an assisted-living facility and a bookstore, then flew to New York City for an open-mic night with strangers. Each audience raised the level of social pressure and unpredictability.
→ Nervous students reached a real public stage through manageable, enjoyable increments rather than one intimidating leap.
Common mistakes
Jumping straight to the hardest room
An abrupt high-stakes performance can reinforce fear. Build a ladder whose next audience feels challenging but achievable.
Practicing only in private
Private rehearsal improves delivery but cannot teach the speaker to handle live reactions and redirection.
Using only friendly applause
Family and close supporters may praise regardless of quality. End with an audience whose response provides more honest feedback.
Is it for you?
Best for
Students, new presenters, and anxious speakers who need a structured bridge from private rehearsal to public performance.
Not ideal for
Experienced speakers who already perform comfortably and mainly need advanced content or stagecraft coaching.
From the transcript
“come up with like a compelling 7 to 10 minute narrative uh you know that has an emotional appeal.”
“Then we take the kids to the humane society and they gave their talks in front of cats.”
“you can take a kid who maybe is a little nervous about getting up in front of an audience and you stairstep their progress and…”
From the episode
Alpha School: A New Approach To Education - MacKenzie Price - #981
MacKenzie Price