Have you ever attended a keynote that truly wowed you—one that stood out, engaged the audience, and provided an unforgettable experience?

Let’s face it, most keynotes do the job, but very few deliver that multidimensional magic.

In today’s episode, I sit down with Julia Korn, the founder and CEO of The Authenticity Guide and a recent client. 

We worked closely together to create her new keynote, from the content to the magic touches that made it a 10 out of 10.

How did she do it? That’s what we’re diving into!

We explore:

• The step-by-step process Julia used to land her keynote slot a year in advance (hint: proactive pitching matters!).

• Why the concept of a Personal Board of Directors became the winning topic that resonated with her audience.

• How Julia and I worked together to create a keynote that went beyond content to deliver an experience, including interactive elements like a creative game show featuring Oprah, Yoda, and even Martha Stewart and Snoop Dogg!

• The importance of storytelling and vulnerability, including how Julia captivated her audience with her personal story of a career demotion—and even laid flat on the stage to drive her point home.

 

We also discuss the work that goes into crafting a stellar keynote:

• Balancing humor, audience engagement, and actionable takeaways.

• Collaborating with AV teams to nail the technical elements.

• Hiring a videographer to capture powerful moments for future sizzle reels.

 

Julia shares the audience’s reactions, from laughter to tears, and how her keynote set a transformative tone for the rest of the conference.

She also provides valuable tips for speakers who want to make a lasting impact, whether they’re on a keynote stage or pitching their next big speaking opportunity.

 

About My Guest: Julia Korn is the founder and CEO of The Authenticity Guide, an executive coaching company focused on empowering ambitious leaders to find success without sacrificing joy. Julia is a self-described recovering perfectionist. She has been named a Business Insider Most Innovative Coach and she is also a Contributor to Forbes. She has been featured on BBC World News, Fox Business News, and more. Her recent TEDx talk, Break Up With “Should” In Your Career was named a TED Editors Pick of the year. In 2024, she launched the first of its kind community just for female emerging leaders, called The Emerging Leader Collective. Her greatest creation of all, however, is her two-year-old daughter. 

 

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/422/ 

Julia’s website: https://www.theauthenticityguide.com/ 

Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/

Attend our 1-day speaking workshop in Orlando: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/workshop/ 

Check out our coaching programs: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/work-with-us/coaching/

Join us in London for our B.O.L.D. Brand Intensive Retreat in Summer 2025: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/london/ 

 

Connect on LinkedIn:

• Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox

• Julia Korn (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliakorn/ 

Related Podcast Episodes:

• Episode 393: The Kind of Speakers that Get the Best Feedback and Referrals

• Episode 392: Why I No Longer "Teach from the Stage"

• Episode 345: Elevate Your Audience Engagement Skills with These Proven Strategies with Katie Anderson