“Confidence.”
Even the way Suzanne Sena says the word—clearly enunciating each syllable—feels poised, determined and assured, as if self-belief alone unlocks the door to a fulfilling life, which, it so happens, Sena believes it does.
“Confidence is everything,” Sena said. “It’s powerful and contagious.”
And something, she noted, that the contemporary world needs now more than ever.
When the novel coronavirus infiltrated American society early last year, so much of life’s familiarities evaporated. Schools and offices closed. Typical face-to-face interactions turned virtual. Celebrations, from graduations to weddings, morphed.
The pandemic compelled doubt and anxiety. It spurred loneliness and instability. It left schedules consumed by social events, business functions and family gatherings blank. It challenged perspectives and futures. Sena, a polished broadcasting pro, felt it, too.
“It’s like the rug was pulled out from under all of us,” she said.
Prompted by that reality, Sena, an Emmy-nominated television host and former national news anchor, devoted much of her time during the pandemic to resurrecting, instilling and cultivating self-belief. Her podcast, “The Confidence Connection,” connects listeners to confidence-building strategies and motivational tales designed to stir souls and stimulate action amid unsettled times.
“If you believe in yourself, it leads you to try new things and feel you can do anything,” said Sena, currently working on a book to complement her podcast. “That’s an important message to share amid such uncertainty.”
Gathering confidence
Sena herself wasn’t always oozing confidence.
A metro Detroit native, Sena jokes that she initially attended MSU to spite her older brother, a University of Michigan alum. Though enrolling at MSU would become one of her life’s “most brilliant moves,” she nevertheless struggled to find her way as an undergraduate communications major contemplating a career in advertising or public relations. In fact, she only stumbled into broadcasting after a local news manager saw her playing a news anchor in a regional Chevy ad.
“That’s where I learned that a big part of being successful on camera was projecting confidence,” she said.
Willing to push her boundaries and convinced she had the tools to develop fresh skills, Sena tackled new professional opportunities. She inhabited the national desk at Fox News, covered Hollywood for E! and played a snarky television anchor on The Onion News Network television show.
“People told me to pick a direction, but I didn’t want to limit myself,” Sena said.
When the pandemic hit in March 2020, Sena, like many, struggled to accurately comprehend the virus’ unrelenting grip on society, the challenges and changes it would force. As the weeks unfolded and the future clouded, however, the Los Angeles-based Sena identified confidence and adaptability as counterpunches to the troubling times. She tossed herself into the creative process for a podcast that would activate those ever-important jabs. She researched guests, crafted interview questions, assembled the podcast’s format and discovered the show’s opening music, an upbeat tune aptly titled “Win the Day.”
“I was knee deep in all of it,” said Sena, who soon found optimism and energy overtaking heavy feelings caused by the pandemic.
Inspiring others
In May, Sena launched “The Confidence Connection,” committed to helping people see pathways to overcoming adversity and improving their lives. The podcast features interviews with extraordinary achievers—authors, entrepreneurs and entertainers among them.
“I like to help people get unstuck, so they can move on to be the people they want to be,” she said. “How important is that in today’s world?”
One guest, the rarely interviewed David Stapf, detailed his journey from unemployed teacher to the head of CBS Television Studios, an unexpected adventure fueled by honesty, humility and hard work. Another, Scarlett Lewis, discussed creating the Jesse Lewis Choose Love Movement, a nonprofit celebrating the life of her six-year-old son, who was killed in 2012’s Sandy Hook school shooting in Newtown, Connecticut. While navigating her own grief, Lewis designed an organization that helps youth become positive thinkers embracing courage, forgiveness, gratitude and compassion.
“In David’s case, he had the confidence that he could learn what he didn’t already know as he climbed the ladder to success, while Scarlett’s confidence that the world could be a better place has driven her to inspire the same in others,” Sena said.
Listeners responded in earnest, writing Sena notes and leaving online comments that used words like safe, reassuring and inspiring to describe “The Confidence Connection.”
“That confirmed this was needed,” said Sena, reminding us that confidence is not some intrinsic gift bestowed on a select few, but rather something anyone with a commitment to growth and adaptability can develop. “When you gather confidence, you’re prepared for opportunities before they arrive and also have the strength to confront whatever comes your way.”
From one podcaster to another, Russ White, MSU Today producer, talks about the impact of real, good conversations with Suzanne Sena. Listen to their conversation: