In this episode, I'm joined by Certified Speaking Professional David Newman, author of Do it! Selling, Do it! Speaking, and Do it! Marketing. He has just published a new book titled Market Eminence. In our chat we get into the real commercial challenges speakers face today: obscurity, relevance, perceived expertise and why some speakers get three times the fee despite not being three times better.

David breaks down why visibility, respect and brand preference matter more than ever, how to stop paying "obscurity tax", and why your language, responsiveness and reinvention cycles shape your long-term bookability.

We also talk borrowed voice, freak flags, repelling the wrong clients, how to think instead of how-to do, and why speakers need to help bookers see around corners. It's a practical, no-nonsense conversation about becoming the obvious, safest choice in your market. A must-listen for anyone serious about being booked, rebooked and valued properly.

From transforming Porsche and BMW to rowing across oceans, Kevin Gaskell has led a life packed with achievement. In this episode, he shares how he turned his boardroom experience into a thriving speaking career. Kevin talks about finding his niche, building his team, staying energised, and crafting stories that audiences remember. He also reveals the importance of preparation, humility, and humour in delivering real value to clients. A must-listen for anyone who wants to build a world-class speaking business grounded in authenticity, professionalism, and passion.

In this inspiring episode, I'm joined by Dr. Laura Penn, international keynote speaker, four-time TEDx speaker, and founder of the Leadership Speaking School in Switzerland. Laura believes that speaking is a performing art, one that requires craft, discipline, and heart. She shares how the world's best speakers approach their work like artists, creating every talk with intention and soul.

From building rituals around preparation to rehearsing like a dancer or musician, Laura lifts the curtain on what it takes to deliver a talk that connects deeply with your audience. If you've ever wondered how to turn your presentations into performances that truly come alive, this one's for you.

What really makes a speaker bookable today? In this conversation with Monique Sar, President of BNC Speakers, we dive behind the scenes of how a boutique bureau works and what event organisers are really looking for. Monique shares why the gap between personal branding and content strategy can hold speakers back, and how building a strong online presence supports bureau representation and live bookings.

We also discuss the role of relationships, how to make yourself more memorable, and the importance of solving problems rather than just delivering a talk. Monique explains the bureau's perspective on marketing, ROI, and outcomes, and why clarity of message is crucial if you want to break into the US market.

Packed with practical takeaways, this episode is essential listening for any speaker who wants to understand how bureaus think, what clients want, and how to position yourself for long-term success.

This week on Speaking Business Podcast I'm joined by David Avrin, one of the most in-demand customer experience speakers on the circuit. David shares how he went from theatre and radio to building a global speaking business, why "good enough no longer is," and what it really takes to become ridiculously easy to do business with. We talk about the shift from marketing to customer experience, how speakers can raise their fees, the danger of being passive, and why speaking is not the business—getting the gigs is. Packed with practical advice and straight-talking insights, this is an episode that every speaker who wants more bookings (and bigger fees) needs to hear.

What do Ellen, the Oscars, and your next keynote have in common? According to Emmy Award-winning comedy writer Beth Sherman, plenty. In this episode, Beth shares what years in TV comedy taught her about connection, timing, and truth, and how those same tools help speakers win over audiences and get booked again and again. We talk about moving from Hollywood to the UK stage, how to use humour without losing credibility, and why being funny isn't about punchlines - it's about being real. If you're ready to add more impact (and laughter) to your talks, this is one not to miss.

What does it take to stay relevant, speak with heart, and connect deeply with your audience? In this episode, Felicity Ashley shares her journey from serious illness to becoming a sought-after speaker on resilience and wellbeing. We talk about how she keeps her message fresh, the power of honesty on stage, and why speaking isn't about being the hero—it's about being human. She also explains how her background in marketing gives her an edge and how her book, Stronger Than the Storm, helped shape her brand and her business. A powerful reminder that connection trumps performance, and real stories stick.

In this episode of the Speaking Business podcast, I'm joined by Marlo Clarke — a former international rugby player turned global speaker. Marlo's journey from Barbados to the stage isn't just inspiring, it's instructive.

Instead of jumping straight into speaking, he spent a year travelling through 13 countries, asking people from all walks of life a simple but powerful question: What does a fulfilling life and career mean to you?

That curiosity became the foundation of his talks — and his business.

We talk about how Marlo builds tailored keynotes from scratch, why listening always comes before speaking, and how being easy to work with gets him booked again and again. You'll also hear his take on purpose, failure, storytelling, and what it really takes to build a sustainable speaking career without shortcuts or hype.

If you're looking for clarity, relevance, and a reminder that speakers succeed by solving real problems — this episode is for you.

This week I’m joined by the dynamic duo behind Oratore Speakers, Steven Piessens and Magali De Reu. Steven, a speaker strategist based in sunny Malaga, and Magali, a branding and AI expert from Antwerp, share how they’ve built a thriving speaker ecosystem in under a year—spanning over 5,500 speakers across Europe, the US, and the UK.

We talk about what really builds a speaker business (hint: it’s not more time tweaking slides), how AI is quietly reshaping how speakers work, and the biggest blind spots holding speakers back from being booked. We also dive into their six-month Rising Speakers programme, what makes a brand story land, and why clarity beats charisma every time.

If you’ve ever felt stuck between wanting impact and chasing stages, this one’s for you.

And this is the link promised in our chat for the Speaker Strategy Wheel: https://www.oratore-speakers.com/speaker-strategy-wheel

When Sha Nacino answered a question at a speaker convention in Singapore, she had no idea her 30-second response would change everything. That moment led to global speaking invitations, virtual summits with tens of thousands of attendees, and a spot on Global Gurus' Top 30 Motivational Speakers list, alongside Tony Robbins and Simon Sinek.

In this conversation, Sha shares how she built a truly international speaking business from the Philippines, why leading with service (not sales) opens more doors, and how one idea from a webinar turned into a $20,000 leadership programme. We talk about visibility, trust, systems, and Sha's unique way of making the complex simple, whether it's for HR professionals or C-suite leaders.

It's a joyful, practical episode full of insights for speakers who want to be booked, trusted, and remembered.