Mic Drop Mindset

Perform Your Best on Any Stage: How Public Speakers Boost Energy and Minimize Stress

Host Jenn SpinGo frames speaking as a performance that requires intentional energy management so speakers can deliver their message effectively. Drawing on her health coaching background and over a decade on stages, she asks listeners to identify when they gain energy (during content creation, travel, entering the room, the first minutes on stage, after applause, or post-event connections) and what drains it (travel logistics, dietary needs, tech and AV issues, inconsistent communication, attire decisions, missing props or books, difficult audience members, and family guilt from travel). 

She offers two speaker profiles—“Nervous Nellie,” who benefits from grounding practices and “Slow Samuel,” who needs activation through movement. She also emphasizes post-talk decompression and clarifying event expectations, plus planning around seasonal speaking cycles and personal energy rhythms to build a sustainable speaking business.

Which speaker profile are you? Email me at [email protected] with your response.

00:00 Speaking Is a Performance- Boost Energy On and Off Stage

01:34 Why Energy Matters

02:14 Speaker Life Reality Check

03:14 Where You Get Energy

06:59 What Drains You

07:36 Logistics And People Stressors

13:07 Pre Talk Energy Types

13:28 Nervous Nellie Grounding

14:36 Slow Samuel Warm Up

15:59 After Stage Decompress

17:05 Speaking Season Planning

18:37 Personal Energy Cycles

21:01 Sustainable Speaker Wrap Up

Liked this episode? Please submit a review on your favorite listening platform. All reviewers have a chance to be coached in the studio with me in Minneapolis (virtual option also available). 

Email [email protected] to be considered for coaching with subject line "podcast review".

Have a question or suggestion for a future episode topic? Email me [email protected].

Ready to deliver mic drop moments in your next presentation? Schedule a call to learn more about coaching www.calendly.com/jennchat

Looking to book a speaker for your corporate or association event on topics including leadership and communication? View my programs at www.jennspingo.com

Tailor, Don’t Customize: How to Adapt Your Signature Talk for Any Client

Host Jenn explains how speakers can tailor a signature talk to each client without creating entirely custom content. She distinguishes customizing (exclusive new material that can be time-consuming and risky) from tailoring (tweaking specific elements while keeping the core speech consistent), recommending an 80/20 approach: memorize and keep consistent the opening, closing, and “call to adventure”/signature bit, while tailoring stories, examples, case studies, and audience-specific language. 

She outlines how to tailor through pre-event calls or research by learning audience needs, venue and seating considerations, event themes, key attendees’ perspectives, timing/seasonality, local references, and sensitive circumstances. 

Day-of tailoring includes understanding agenda placement, calling back to other speakers, managing tech checks and timing, and doing meet-and-greets to boost interaction and relevance.

Resources Mentioned:

Speaking Opportunities beyond the Keynote Speech https://www.buzzsprout.com/2593278/episodes/19632806

Jim Cathcart on the Payoffs of Speech Customization https://nsaspeaker.org/the-payoffs-of-speech-customization/

Jon Acuff posts regular helpful content on LinkedIn 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonacuff/

02:23 Why Custom Hurts

03:13 Core Speech Framework

04:23 Signature Bit Example

05:43 80 20 Reliability

07:32 Pre Event Tailoring

10:18 Tailor Time Place

14:20 Sensitive Topics Boundaries

15:34 Tailoring Day Of

18:12 Wrap Up And Subscribe

Liked this episode? Please submit a review on your favorite listening platform. All reviewers have a chance to be coached in the studio with me in Minneapolis (virtual option also available). 

Email [email protected] to be considered for coaching with subject line "podcast review".

Have a question or suggestion for a future episode topic? Email me [email protected].

Ready to deliver mic drop moments in your next presentation? Schedule a call to learn more about coaching www.calendly.com/jennchat

Looking to book a speaker for your corporate or association event on topics including leadership and communication? View my programs at www.jennspingo.com

Why Speakers Quit: Behind the Scenes of a Speaker Business Episode 23

Jenn shares what happens behind the scenes in her speaking business, inspired by speakers Fredrik Haren and John Coyle, and notes the less glamorous realities of being “always on,” frequent rejection, and socially exhausting meet-and-greets. 

“It is socially exhausting. You have to work in every room from the moment you arrive until you leave. You have to be “on” the whole time. And rejection abounds.” - quote from Coyle.

She outlines practical activities required to stay consistent, including continually seeking opportunities, posting on LinkedIn for visibility, podcasting and guesting, weekly email marketing, scheduling discovery and pre-event planning calls, networking, and reviewing analytics. 

On a monthly basis she batch-records content, maintains a “hot list” pipeline of short- and long-term speaking leads, and rehearses customized talks. 

Quarterly, she plans a promotional calendar and follows up on leads that may reopen later. She also describes delivery logistics (contracts, slides, payment, coordination), balancing speaking volume with family capacity, and the seasonal nature of speaking.

00:00 Why This Episode

01:15 Speaker Life Reality

03:48 Less Glamorous Work

05:11 Weekly Visibility Tasks

08:53 Calls Networking Data

11:29 Monthly Pipeline Rehearsal

14:13 Quarterly Planning Follow Up

16:59 Capacity Systems Seasons

19:53 Final Takeaways

Further reading:

Fredrik Haren https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/speaker-you-just-speak-right-well-yes-fredrik-haren/

John Coyle https://www.strategy-business.com/blog/What-its-really-like-to-be-a-public-speaker

Jason Connell https://jasonconnell.co/prospeaking/

Previous episodes mentioned:

Coaching with Michelle von Ruden https://www.buzzsprout.com/2593278/episodes/19424512

Rehearse like a $10K Speaker https://www.buzzsprout.com/2593278/episodes/18925127

Liked this episode? Please submit a review on your favorite listening platform. All reviewers have a chance to be coached in the studio with me in Minneapolis (virtual option also available). 

Email [email protected] to be considered for coaching with subject line "podcast review".

Have a question or suggestion for a future episode topic? Email me [email protected].

Ready to deliver mic drop moments in your next presentation? Schedule a call to learn more about coaching www.calendly.com/jennchat

Looking to book a speaker for your corporate or association event on topics including leadership and communication? View my programs at www.jennspingo.com

Speaking Opportunities Beyond the Keynote Speech

Building Your Speaking Suite (Keynotes, Breakouts, and Training)

Jenn expands on creating a speaking lifestyle by explaining how to build a suite of speaking programs beyond a single signature speech, comparing keynotes, breakout sessions, and corporate trainings. She describes keynotes (typically 20–60 minutes) as the “gold standard” focused on inspiration and motivation, often higher paid, and notes the growing popularity of fireside chats as a more interactive keynote-style format. Breakout sessions (60–90 minutes) are highly engaging, implementation-focused deep dives that are often unpaid but can offer backend monetization and may include resources like workbooks. Corporate training is a hands-on, facilitated immersion designed to change behavior and upskill teams over hours or days, requiring strong room-reading and activity leadership. She encourages aligning formats to goals, strengths (entertainment, education, engagement), capacity, travel preferences, and prospecting strategies.

Resources Mentioned:

Episode 16 What to Charge for your Speaking Fee https://www.buzzsprout.com/2593278/episodes/19255784

Elevate your Presentation with the 3 E's Guide

www.jennspingo.com/free-guide

00:00 Building Your Speaking Suite

00:29 Keynote Speaking Basics

02:58 Fireside Chats Explained

03:51 Breakout Sessions Deep Dive

05:52 Corporate Training That Changes Behavior

07:40 Choosing Your Best Format

09:02 The Three Es Self Assessment

10:50 Mixing Formats for Your Goals

12:14 Real World Speaking Examples

12:59 Booking Strategy and Prospecting

14:13 Wrap Up and Next Steps

Are you looking to help your leaders communicate better? In Building Trust and Influence through Speaking, Jenn explores how to help your leaders develop their authentic voice and create connection with their audience organically.

Send an email to [email protected] to with subject line "Keynote availability" to check dates.

Visit https://www.jennspingo.com for program details.

Liked this episode? Please submit a review on your favorite listening platform. All reviewers have a chance to be coached in the studio with me in Minneapolis (virtual option also available). 

Email [email protected] to be considered for coaching with subject line "podcast review".

Have a question or suggestion for a future episode topic? Email me [email protected].

Ready to deliver mic drop moments in your next presentation? Schedule a call to learn more about coaching www.calendly.com/jennchat

Looking to book a speaker for your corporate or association event on topics including leadership and communication? View my programs at www.jennspingo.com

Finding the Right Speaking Markets with keynote speaker Tom Hicks

On Mic Drop Mindset, host Jenn interviews keynote speaker Tom Hicks about identifying target markets for his keynote on fear of failure, where he teaches audiences to juggle in 45–75 minutes to practice embracing failure in a safe, low-stakes way. 

They discuss logistical considerations like room setup (tables and space vs. auditorium seating), Tom’s preference to travel within a day’s drive from Iowa, his current speaking fee goal,, and his reliance on referrals while building a speaker reel. 

Tom shares that educators (K–12 staff/faculty and higher ed) and HR-related groups have resonated most, with most bookings originating from women. Jenn suggests expanding into associations, nonprofits and galas, corporate employee resource groups and women’s leadership groups, and chambers of commerce, plus improving follow-up and testimonial collection using tools like spreadsheets and Talkadot or Google Forms.

00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro

00:46 Tom’s Talk Overview

02:19 Room Setup and Logistics

04:32 Pricing Goals and Assets

05:18 Best Audiences So Far

07:34 Multiply What’s Working

11:57 New Markets to Target

15:19 Choosing Next 6 Months

16:48 Follow Up Systems

20:58 Mindset for Outreach

Resources mentioned:

Rejection Proof by Jia Jiang https://www.rejectiontherapy.com/book

Go for No by Andrea Waltz and Richard Fenton https://www.goforno.com/

Places to Find Speaking Engagements resource (organized by markets): Email me at [email protected]

Talkadot for audience feedback (affiliate): https://share.talkadot.com/jennespinosa-goswami

About Tom:

Tom Hicks is a keynote speaker and former college Dean who helps people transform fear of failure into fuel for growth by literally teaching them how to juggle. Inspired by a life-changing lesson that began with a gift of juggling balls from his grandmother, Tom has helped thousands of students, leaders, and teams build resilience, embrace mistakes, and rediscover the power of curiosity and play. 

Connect with Tom:

www.linkedin.com/in/hickstr

www.tom-hicks.com

Have a question or suggestion for a future episode topic? Email me [email protected].

Ready to deliver mic drop moments in your next presentation? Schedule a call to learn more about coaching www.calendly.com/jennchat

Looking to book a speaker for your corporate or association event on topics including leadership and communication? View my programs at www.jennspingo.com

Live Speaker Coaching: Refining Offers, Pricing, and Sales for an Email Marketing Business

On Mic Drop Mindset, host Jenn conducts a live, off-the-cuff coaching session with Sebastian Dziuk about clarifying his business model and offers as an email marketing specialist for experts and thought leaders. 

Sebastian explains his premium done-for-you lead magnet and automation services ($6,500 and $10,000) and a newer $497 “Email Revenue Roadmap” strategy blueprint, noting that many leads—often early-stage entrepreneurs from places like SCORE—aren’t ready to invest. 

They identify that the key issue isn’t creating more low-ticket offers but targeting clients who already believe in email marketing and have less time, emphasizing relationship-building through in-person paid events and word of mouth. 

Jenn recommends leading sales conversations with the highest-priced offer first, then stepping down if needed, and Sebastian commits to returning to foundational outreach and letting prospects decide on budget.

00:00 Live Coaching Setup

00:27 Sebastian Business Dilemma

03:00 Talks Framework Audience

04:32 Current Offers Pricing

07:27 Belief In Email

09:39 Find Right Buyers

13:27 Proof Case Studies

15:38 Ideal Client Profile

22:19 Sales Process Fit Calls

23:38 Back To Foundations

27:00 Start With Premium

30:47 Action Steps Wrap Up

31:37 Where To Find Sebastian

32:04 Final Outro

About Sebastian Dziuk

Sebastian Dziuk is an email marketing expert, entrepreneur, and U.S. Army veteran whose roots in military public affairs shaped a career built on strategic communication and organic growth. After navigating the fast-paced world of intrapreneurship at General Mills, Sebastian has built a reputation for turning complex ideas into messaging that moves people to buy.

As founder of Dziuk Studios LLC, Sebastian has helped dozens of experts and thought leaders turn online attention into sales using his signature AttractCycle™ framework.

With a career built on the intersection of creativity and strategy, Sebastian works with his clients to build a sustainable, organic lead generation system.

Connect with Sebastian:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sebastiandziuk/

Website: https://dziukstudios.com/ 

Have a question or suggestion for a future episode topic? Email me [email protected].

Ready to deliver mic drop moments in your next presentation? Schedule a call to learn more about coaching www.calendly.com/jennchat

Looking to book a speaker for your corporate or association event on topics including leadership and communication? View my programs at www.jennspingo.com

Faith Based versus Secular Speaking: How to Choose your Best Audience

Host Jennspingo coaches speaker and burnout strategist Michelle Von Ruden on how to navigate speaking in both Christian and secular contexts without limiting opportunities. 

Michelle worries meeting planners may avoid her if they see faith-based content, especially as she rebrands her website and grows her faith-focused podcast, Why I Believe. 

They clarify that her core burnout talk stays the same while stories and references shift by audience, and note she has no evidence yet of lost bookings—only advice from experienced speakers. 

Jenn highlights that faith is central to Michelle’s values and identity and can’t be fully separated, encourages evaluating advice through values and outcomes, and discusses choosing audiences intentionally due to limited capacity. 

Michelle decides she wants a 50/50 mix of faith-based and secular engagements, prioritizes authenticity, and shares her themed weekly schedule for managing multiple business demands.

About Michelle:

Michelle Von Ruden is a speaker, burnout strategist, and host of the Why I Believe podcast. She helps high-achievers overcome burnout, perfectionism, and overwhelm so they can lead with greater resilience, clarity, and purpose.

Author of “3 Ways to Develop Your Resilience”, Michelle’s insights have been featured in Volume One – Women in Leadership 2024, the Maxwell Leadership Blog, and podcasts such as LeaderPass and Coachful Coaching. She holds a BS in Finance from Capella University and an MBA in Management & Leadership from the University of Kansas.

With more than 20 years of leadership, operations, finance, and entrepreneurial experience, Michelle combines practical strategies with real-world wisdom. She is a certified Maxwell Leadership Coach, Speaker, and Trainer, a DISC Behavioral Analysis Consultant, and a respected leader within Maxwell Leadership, Polka Dot Powerhouse, and One Woman.

Michelle has inspired audiences across the U.S. and Canada through keynotes, workshops, and leadership development programs.

Connect with Michelle:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/michellervonruden/ 

https://vonrudencc.com/speaking

00:00 Welcome and Introductions

00:26 The Faith and Speaking Dilemma

03:14 Customizing Stories for Audiences

04:36 Fear of Meeting Planner Pushback

05:40 Website and Branding Decisions

09:02 Filtering Advice Through Values

11:49 Faith as Core Identity

13:23 MVR Rebrand and Future Site Plan

15:03 Can You Mix Both Worlds

15:36 Defining Proof Points

16:36 Who You Serve Most

19:24 Choosing Faith or Secular

20:05 Owning Your Identity

21:39 Unmasking and Cancer Story

23:52 Money Values and Mix

25:46 How Top Speakers Scale

27:34 Weekly Focus System

28:16 Mic Drop and Connect

Have a question or suggestion for a future episode topic? Email me [email protected].

Ready to deliver mic drop moments in your next presentation? Schedule a call to learn more about coaching www.calendly.com/jennchat

Looking to book a speaker for your corporate or association event on topics including leadership and communication? View my programs at www.jennspingo.com

Speaking Business Models: Pay-to-Play, Keynotes, Visibility, Competitions, Corporate Training, and Hosting Events, oh my!

The episode of Mic Drop Mindset breaks down major speaking business models and how to choose a fit. Jenn Espinosa-Goswami reflects on early, unprofitable experiences relying on Facebook groups and virtual summits, then explains 6 different speaking business models to consider on your speaking journey. These 6 business models are

1) pay-to-play/sponsored stages 

2) the paid keynote/enterprise model 

3) visibility or “free dinner” speaking 

4) speaker competitions for “vicarious authority” 

5) corporate training

6) promoter speaking (with a cautionary disclaimer about those who may promise more than they can deliver)

Would you like my support with finding speaking opportunities for paid, visibility or corporate training? Join my masterclass on July 21 on Finding & Booking Speaking Engagements. This includes a deep dive using resources on where to start and who to connect with. These aren't your typical "free dinner" speaking!

Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/finding-and-booking-paid-speaking-engagements-tickets-1991070988926

00:00 Speaking Models Overview

00:33 Early Speaking Lessons

01:30 Pay To Play Stages

05:00 Keynote Enterprise Model

07:37 Visibility Free Dinner

09:21 Speaker Competitions

11:43 Corporate Training Path

14:13 Host Your Own Events

15:55 Recap And Final Advice

Have a question or suggestion for a future episode topic? Email me [email protected].

Ready to deliver mic drop moments in your next presentation? Schedule a call to learn more about coaching www.calendly.com/jennchat

Looking to book a speaker for your corporate or association event on topics including leadership and communication? View my programs at www.jennspingo.com

Worst Public Speaking Advice Ever (And What to Do Instead)

The episode reviews the worst public speaking advice that Jenn has heard and offers alternatives: don’t wait to perfect a fully written, filmed speech before seeking gigs because events book 6–8 months out and perfectionism can stall opportunities; avoid opening with a joke or forced audience-energy questions like “How are you today?”; reject the idea that anyone is simply a “natural,” since strong speakers practice and can appear natural through preparation; “speak from the heart” shouldn’t mean being unprepared, overly dramatic, or oversharing private details; two unusual tips are discussed—eating salty potato chips to calm nerves (shared as an industry myth and used with caution) and squeezing butt cheeks as a grounding/tension-release idea; and instead of only listening to your videos for feedback, review visuals without audio, then audio without visuals to improve both.

Thanks to Eva Rose Daniel for inspiring tip #6.

Resources mentioned: Episode 4 on Speechcraft https://www.buzzsprout.com/2593278/episodes/18781840

00:00 Worst Advice Intro

00:23 Perfection Before Gigs

01:38 Skip Jokes Opener

03:19 Nobody Is Natural

04:51 Speak From Heart Myth

06:40 Potato Chips Nerves

07:56 Squeeze Butt Cheeks

09:16 Better Video Feedback

10:35 Wrap Up And Next

Have a question or suggestion for a future episode topic? Email me [email protected].

Ready to deliver mic drop moments in your next presentation? Schedule a call to learn more about coaching www.calendly.com/jennchat

Looking to book a speaker for your corporate or association event on topics including leadership and communication? View my programs at www.jennspingo.com

How to Answer “What’s Your Speaking Fee?” and Get Paid What You’re Worth

The episode explains how speakers can confidently answer “What’s your speaking fee?” and avoid blurting out an unaligned number by using three approaches: replacement cost, honorarium/starter fee, and the “budge or barter” method to avoid. 

For replacement cost, speakers (especially coaches/consultants) can base fees on their hourly rate plus preparation, pre-event calls, and post-event follow-up, emphasizing they’re paid for delivering a problem-solving program, not just a 60-minute talk. 

For honorariums, speakers can ask early if there’s a budget, then negotiate other compensation like travel, books, video footage, attendee lists, sponsorship/table space, promotion, or discounted tickets, and invoice the full fee with discounts. 

The script shares typical fee ranges (emerging $0–$3,000; experienced/industry $3,000–$7,000; professional/celebrity $7,000–$100,000), suggests stating ranges, discusses whether to list fees on a website, and underscores saying no when it isn’t worth it.

00:00 The Speaking Fee Question

00:56 Avoiding the Bread Game

01:48 Replacement Cost Method

03:52 Prep Time and Add Ons

07:00 Lead with Value

07:37 Honorarium and Low Budget Gigs

09:09 Negotiating Non Cash Perks

11:06 Sponsorship and Tabling Example

14:02 Budge or Barter Pitfalls

15:25 Typical Fee Ranges

17:34 Using Ranges and Calculators

19:21 Posting Fees and Wrap Up

20:34 Final Thanks and Call to Action

Have a question or suggestion for a future episode topic? Email me [email protected].

Ready to deliver mic drop moments in your next presentation? Schedule a call to learn more about coaching www.calendly.com/jennchat

Looking to book a speaker for your corporate or association event on topics including leadership and communication? View my programs at www.jennspingo.com