I'm not a great speaker, still a work in process, but definitely improved. I know podiums are "bad" but I admit that I sometimes use them as "revervoirs of stength". I never get behind them, but I lean against them sometimes when listening to a question. And if walking back and forth in front of one, I sometimes lightly place my hand on it, convincing myself that that touch will keep me literally falling on my face. And I talk with my hands naturally, so I'm fine with the hand gestures. But I still hold a paper clip and press on it while listening to questions to help me concentrate. I don't process verbal info as well/quickly as I process written info, so I've convinced myself that playing with that paper clip relaxes me to the point that I can concentrate on what's being said/asked.