If you’ve been googling “where to find speaking gigs” trying to land more opportunities by pitching every event you come across, it’s probably feeling...exhausting.

And if you’re still hoping there’s a magical list that’ll land you a dozen dream stages overnight — I’ve got to be honest, that’s not how it works.

In this episode of The Ramble Refinery, I’ll show you why that approach rarely gets you what you’re actually after — and what to do instead.  

I’ve talked about this before on the show, but it’s time for a fresh take. A lot has changed, and I want you focused on what actually works now and not on the stuff that’s wasting your time.

You’ll hear:

• Why business owners are approaching speaking opportunities backwards 
• The two types of speaking business models (and why you need to know which one you're in)
• The importance of aligned stages, and why quality beats quantity when it comes to speaking 
• Where to look for the best opportunities  

My favorite pitching strategy that doesn’t feel clunky 

If you’re using speaking to grow your business whether it’s to attract more clients, build credibility, or get in front of the right people — this episode will help you rethink your approach so you’re spending energy on the right kinds of opportunities that will get you results (and not burning out chasing the wrong ones).

EPISODE  SHOW NOTES👇

https://heathersager.com/episode237

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Ever given a talk, walked off the stage, felt the rush of "HECK YES I nailed that!"—and then bam, hours later, you’re deep in the land of second-guessing and spiraling, you start replaying everything that went wrong? 

In this episode of The Ramble Refinery, we’re talking about that weird emotional dip that hits right after a big visibility moment—the one no one warns you about. It’s more common than you think, especially when you’re pushing your edge and stepping into bigger rooms.

You’ll hear:

• Why this spiral shows up (even when the talk goes great)
• The real reason high-achievers beat themselves up after visibility
• 5 things to do right after a talk to move through the spiral
• How to make each speaking moment build momentum (instead of just moving on)

If you’ve ever done something brave—only to pick it apart later—this quickie is your reminder: self-critique isn’t the problem. Getting stuck there is. Let’s fix that.

EPISODE  SHOW NOTES👇
https://heathersager.com/episode236

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📣 WORK WITH HEATHER  → https://heathersager.com/

📧  Get the Hint of Heather NEWSLETTER → https://heathersager.com/newsletter

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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heathermsager/
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Being the "go-to" isn’t about being the best at what you do. It’s about being the one people recommend and reach out to without hesitation.

In this episode of The Ramble Refinery, I’m breaking down the real difference between being an expert—and becoming the one people actually think of when the moment counts.

You’ll hear:

• Why most experts stay overlooked (and what sets the go-to’s apart)
• A spicy take on why trying too hard actually pushes people away
• What makes someone referable (hint: it’s not more content or credentials)
• How to show up in a way that actually sticks with people
• The mindset and messaging shifts that make you easier to talk about

If you’re tired of feeling like the best-kept secret—and ready for your name to come up first—this episode will get you thinking differently about how you lead your brand.

EPISODE  SHOW NOTES👇
https://heathersager.com/episode235

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📣 WORK WITH HEATHER  → https://heathersager.com/

📧  Get the Hint of Heather NEWSLETTER → https://heathersager.com/newsletter

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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heathermsager/
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If this episode hit home, I'd be so grateful if you took a second to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It helps more people find the show.  Thanks for tuning in to the Hint of Hustle podcast! See you next week!

Your audience doesn’t need more tips, templates, or content. If information were enough, they’d already have what they want.

What they actually need is leadership—and that starts with how you show up.

In this episode of The Ramble Refinery, we’re talking about what leadership really looks like inside a personal brand. Not the curated version—the kind that shows up when launches flop, timelines shift, or things feel… off.

You’ll hear:

• The hard truth about why people aren’t paying attention (and no, it’s not the algorithm)
• How leadership shows up in your content—not just your backend decisions
• What radical responsibility looks like (without spiraling into shame)
• A cringeworthy story of failed leadership communication
• What it actually means to empower your audience to believe in themselves

If you’re building a brand around your voice and ideas, this episode will challenge you to step up—not just as a business owner, but as a leader your audience is actually waiting for.

EPISODE  SHOW NOTES👇
https://heathersager.com/episode234

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📣 WORK WITH HEATHER  → https://heathersager.com/

📧  Get the Hint of Heather NEWSLETTER → https://heathersager.com/newsletter

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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heathermsager/
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There’s this weird thing that happens when smart, articulate business owners get asked to speak:

They start sounding… weird.

They say stuff like, “What if I told you…”
They parrot lines from mentors they admire.
They stiffen up, overthink, and suddenly sound like a motivational quote generator instead of a real human.

In this episode, I’m sharing where that habit comes from (spoiler: it’s not confidence—it’s ego), why it’s a sign you haven’t fully nailed your speaker identity, and what to do when your “authentic voice” vanishes under pressure.

We’ll talk about:
🎤 The “Parrot Effect” and why it sneaks in when you’re trying to be impressive

🎤 Why scripting makes you feel safe—but also makes you sound like someone else

🎤 How to try things on and find your signature speaker style without cringing

🎤 A behind-the-scenes story from my pageant days (and the hideous dress that changed everything)

This one’s not about being a better speaker.  

It’s about noticing when you’re not actually being you.

EPISODE  SHOW NOTES👇
https://heathersager.com/episode233

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📣 WORK WITH HEATHER  → https://heathersager.com/

📧  Get the Hint of Heather NEWSLETTER → https://heathersager.com/newsletter

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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heathermsager/
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If this episode hit home, I'd be so grateful if you took a second to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It helps more people find the show.  Thanks for tuning in to the Hint of Hustle podcast! See you next week!

Welcome to The Ramble Refinery! 

After a year-long hiatus, the podcast is back—but with a whole new vibe. In this kickoff episode, I’m sharing the messy, real story behind the rebrand, why I almost launched seven different shows, and what finally clicked.

We’re talking about:
 🎤 The truth about refining your message in real time (instead of waiting for perfect)
 🎤 Why second-guessing your ideas is actually part of the process
 🎤 What you can expect from The Ramble Refinery moving forward

If you’ve ever wrestled with what to say, how to say it, or if it’s even good enough to share—you're going to love this next chapter.

Because every great message starts as a mess—so let’s ramble.

Send me a note

📣 WORK WITH HEATHER  → https://heathersager.com/

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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heathermsager/
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Ok real talk— I almost didn't hit publish on this episode. After I finished recording I had serious “wait— I can’t publish that trainwreck of a ramble” thoughts.

But lately, I’ve been craving far more rambles and far less polish.

And if that’s you too— then hit play, because this one might just be what you need to hear.

Today we’re talking about hustle and why I will proudly continue to make it part of my life (why should we all should stop feeling guilty for working our tails off from time to time).  It's all about working with intention, and finding a flow that fuels you instead of draining you.

In this episode, we’ll talk about:

• My relationship with the word “hustle” and why I think it is necessary
• How I got my business off the ground in the first two years 
• The key difference between hustling and being busy
• Why being intentional is the new hustle
• The importance of hitting pause in your business 

EPISODE  SHOW NOTES👇
https://heathersager.com/episode231

Send me a note

📣 WORK WITH HEATHER  → https://heathersager.com/

📧  Get the Hint of Heather NEWSLETTER → https://heathersager.com/newsletter

Connect on Social:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theheathersager/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heathermsager/
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If this episode hit home, I'd be so grateful if you took a second to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It helps more people find the show.  Thanks for tuning in to the Hint of Hustle podcast! See you next week!

Ever wondered how to tailor your message when you have multiple audiences? Or how to change up what you talk about for different groups?  In today's episode, I've got the answers you've been searching for. Get ready to level up your speaking game and leave every audience feeling like you are speaking to JUST them.

Hint: Grab your notepad because this episode is packed with actionable tips, Spicy Sager rants, and captivating stories you won't want to miss.

Here's a sneak peek at what's in store:

• the secret to choosing the perfect topic for diverse audiences.
• why crafting one signature talk trumps constantly creating new presentations.
• the pitfalls of constantly reinventing the wheel
• five key areas to customize in your talk make it resonate

Plus, insider tips on the questions you should ask the host before stepping on stage to ensure your content is a home run.

EPISODE  SHOW NOTES👇
https://heathersager.com/episode230

Send me a note

📣 WORK WITH HEATHER  → https://heathersager.com/

📧  Get the Hint of Heather NEWSLETTER → https://heathersager.com/newsletter

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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heathermsager/
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I’m typically a plain spoken word kinda gal, but today we’re getting fancy. The word?  Extemporaneous. The meaning? Spoken or done without preparation. Said another way — speaking “off the cuff”.

As someone who makes money teaching others how to intentionally structure a message, it would be easy to dismiss the power of this word.

But the truth is— extemporaneous speaking is one of the most powerful skills you must develop as a business owner. And today’s episode will get you started 

Here’s a sneak peek at some of the topics we cover:

• The power of extemporaneous speaking and why you should make this a priority
• What happens when you just focused on getting every words right and missed to see the bigger picture→ Heather spills the beans on her own cringe-worthy experience
• The challenge most business owner face when it comes to extemporaneous speaking (aka speaking of the cuff)
• How understanding the overall structure of your talk (vs knowing the language sequence) can make a huge difference for you as a speaker
• Exciting changes coming up with our training program→ we know what you need to amplify your message + get the results

EPISODE  SHOW NOTES👇
https://heathersager.com/episode229

Send me a note

📣 WORK WITH HEATHER  → https://heathersager.com/

📧  Get the Hint of Heather NEWSLETTER → https://heathersager.com/newsletter

Connect on Social:
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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heathermsager/
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I’m wired for goal setting. Chasing that next mountain top of ambition is in my DNA. But when the ball dropped into 2024 and everyone else was hunkering down, massive year on the wall calendars and color coded post-its in hand, I felt ZERO ambition for planning.

But what I did feel was a desire to get quiet and reconnect with something I didn’t know I needed which led to an entirely new way (for me) of goal setting.

So in today’s episode I’m sharing with you my G.O.O.D Plan for the year (along with a pretty epic story)  . I hope this episode gives you the space you need to gut check your goals and live out 2024 at your best.

Tune in and hear:

• Why changing your goals isn’t a bad thing
• What to ask yourself to ensure your goals are truly YOURS
• How to set your baseline for showing up at your best
• What exactly is the G.O.O.D Plan? 
• Plus my EPIC birth story that will leave you with laughing tears

EPISODE SHOW NOTES👇
https://heathersager.com/episode228

Send me a note

📣 WORK WITH HEATHER  → https://heathersager.com/

📧  Get the Hint of Heather NEWSLETTER → https://heathersager.com/newsletter

Connect on Social:
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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heathermsager/
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SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW

If this episode hit home, I'd be so grateful if you took a second to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It helps more people find the show.  Thanks for tuning in to the Hint of Hustle podcast! See you next week!