If you’ve ever left a conversation thinking, well, that went sideways faster than I expected, this episode is for you.
My guest Jen Mueller has spent years in sports broadcasting. On live TV, in locker rooms full of egos with just seconds to nail the interview. One misstep and the whole thing blows up.
Her first NFL locker room? The Dallas Cowboys in the late 90s. They yelled in her face, made it clear she wasn’t welcome and she had to decide every single day if showing up was worth it.
I bet most of you, at some point in time have felt something similar, whether in the parking lot outside your office, getting ready to start the Zoom meeting or growing into a new, more prominent role at work.
Hell, maybe even when it’s your turn to lead the discussion at Book Club.
So what does confidence look like when plans change mid-sentence and you have to get the job done anyway? Jen shares an approach is precise out of necessity because in broadcasting, conversations are measured in seconds not minutes.
Clarity isn’t just helpful, it’s an act of respect. And that precision translates directly to business: how you set up your team, how you give feedback that actually lands and how you stop saying “great job” like it actually means something.
You really need to listen in yourself, but I will tell you one bit that stuck with me and that’s when Jen talks about athletes saying, “I’m just a football player—what do I have to say?” and how she reassures them that’s exactly what she wants them to talk about.
That reminder—that you already have the answers—hits just as hard in a conference room as it does on camera.
What else we get into:
After 25 years in locker rooms, Jen Mueller knows what it takes to show up, speak up, and lead with confidence. As an Emmy Award–winning producer and veteran sports broadcaster, Jen brings a front-row perspective on effective communication—having spent nearly two decades on the Seattle Mariners broadcast team and entering her 17th season as the Seahawks sideline reporter. Known for her humor, energy, and practical insights, Jen delivers strategies that help professionals build influence, tackle tough conversations, and lead with clarity. Learn more about and connect with Jen at talksportytome.com.
