“Sometimes in today’s society, there’s a pressure to do entrepreneurship the right way. Others have the Instagram businesses that everybody makes look good, but I think everyone has their own particular situation and scenarios.”

Welcome to another episode of The Speaker Lab Podcast! In this episode, host Grant Baldwin welcomes speaker and author Velera Wilson, a remarkable leader who candidly shares her journey from corporate executive to building a thriving full-time speaking business.

Velera opens up about the pivotal moments that led her to pursue her passion, from years of speaking in executive roles and nonprofit associations, to leaping into an unexpected corporate layoff. She discusses the behind-the-scenes reality: building her “off ramp” while juggling executive responsibilities, the importance of being selective with dream-sharing, and developing the grit to keep moving forward despite doubts and dry spells.

Through her story, Velera reveals practical strategies for anyone considering a similar path: how to parlay your existing skills and network into new opportunities, why having a book is helpful but not essential to get booked, and the necessity of treating speaking like a business. She also emphasizes the need for community, highlighting the crucial role The Speaker Lab played in providing mentorship, camaraderie, and real-world advice about the unpredictable cycles of this industry.

Whether you’re a seasoned speaker or just contemplating your first paid gig, this episode is packed with actionable wisdom on marketing yourself, managing your mindset, and designing a transition that fits your life and goals!

You’ll learn:

• Managing hesitation from financial insecurity
• Analyzing the value of writing a book versus focusing on speaking gigs
• Financial considerations of books versus paid speaking engagements
• How books are “nice to have” for credibility, but not a “must-have”
• Business development tactics: LinkedIn and email outreach
• The importance of daily effort versus waiting passively
• Being intentional with “chunking” time to balance demands
• Building a strategic off-ramp versus jumping into entrepreneurship
• And much, much more!

“I work for a company, but I am my own brand. I’m an individual…I take that with me [when I leave].”

Episode Resources

• Velera’s Website
• Get Free Speaker Resources
• Book a Call with The Speaker Lab
• Calculate Your Speaking Fee
• Join The Speaker Lab Community on Facebook
• Subscribe on Apple Podcasts
• Subscribe on Spotify

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

“There’s a huge amount of progress that comes from pitching yourself and putting information out there and having discovery calls and doing events and speaking at events and fielding questions and posting on social media and seeing what people want.”

Welcome to another episode of The Speaker Lab Podcast! Today, host Grant Baldwin welcomes Shannon GaNun, a former communications professional, college professor, and now a thriving full-time speaker who’s built an inspiring business around helping others communicate with purpose and confidence.

In this conversation, Shannon takes us through her remarkable journey, starting from her roots in a small Wisconsin town, through her early career on Capitol Hill, and onto the classroom at Georgia Southern University. She shares how her lifelong passion for effective communication eventually led her to pitch herself, land gigs, and build programs that empower leaders at corporations and associations to strengthen their impact through better speaking skills.

This episode dives deep into the realities of launching a speaking business later in life, the challenges of making a mid-career pivot, and the process of turning decades of both work and life experience into a valuable, marketable service. Shannon gets candid about overcoming imposter syndrome, learning the business side of speaking through The Speaker Lab, and tackling the not-so-glamorous parts.

If you’re someone who wonders if you’re “special enough” to be on stage, or if you’ve wrestled with questions of timing, self-doubt, or financial security in pursuing your passion, you’ll walk away with encouragement to start where you are, leverage your experience, and take that next step!

You’ll learn:

• Starting before you’re 100% ready
• Transitioning from learning to pitching, discovery calls, and social media outreach
• Recognizing value in communication versus sharing it on stage
• Overcoming fears or doubts about speaking in front of groups
• The misconception that speakers need unique backgrounds
• Solving a specific problem for a specific audience
• Packaging expertise into a sellable product
• And much, much more!

“Everybody, even though we’re all kind of ordinary, normal, what I consider middle class Americans, we all have a unique experience and so we can take what we have experienced and teach others.”

Episode Resources

• Shannon’s Website
• Get Free Speaker Resources
• Book a Call with The Speaker Lab
• Calculate Your Speaking Fee
• Join The Speaker Lab Community on Facebook
• Subscribe on Apple Podcasts
• Subscribe on Spotify

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

“If you’re consistent, you may miss the event with that event planner this round, but you’re going to get it the next round, and you’re going to get the next round too because you’re going to stay on top.”

In this episode of The Speaker Lab Podcast, Erick Rheam, professional speaker and author, opens the doors to a behind-the-scenes coaching session as Connor Wentling and Michael Hidalgo join him to unpack the realities of building a speaking career from the ground up.

Connor shares his journey transitioning from free gigs to landing paid opportunities within the municipal association market. Despite finding traction, he’s faced with the anxiety and uncertainty that accompany a slower season, prompting a deep dive with Erick into sustaining momentum. They dig into the nitty-gritty of keeping the pipeline full, leveraging referrals, and making strategic tweaks based on feedback.

Michael, meanwhile, discusses the challenge of prospecting habits and mastering the art of following up with potential clients. Together with Erick, he explores tangible ways to stay in the game, even when faced with delays and rejections. Erick also shares insights about the power of consistency, the importance of tracking your outreach, and why even a “not interested” is a positive sign.

Throughout the conversation, you’ll hear actionable advice on everything from upgrading your presentation skills to maintaining discipline with prospecting “Power Hours,” and understanding why the speaking business takes patience and resilience. If you’re ready for some coaching wisdom and inspiring reminders to keep moving forward, this conversation is for you!

You’ll learn:

• The idea of an inflection point in every speaker’s career
• Importance of leveraging each gig for referrals
• Following up and tracking email opens and responses
• Using event surveys to gauge authentic feedback
• Rule of Three: pipeline should have three times the number of desired gigs
• The Power Hour method
• How to communicate with prospects post-event
• And much, much more!

“When it comes to speaking, there’s always an inflection point for every speaker’s journey. The problem is we don’t know what it is.”

Episode Resources

• Erick’s Website
• Get Free Speaker Resources
• Book a Call with The Speaker Lab
• Calculate Your Speaking Fee
• Join The Speaker Lab Community on Facebook
• Subscribe on Apple Podcasts
• Subscribe on Spotify

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

“One of the things that has helped me stay in ministry, and one of my keys that I share in my talk about burnout, is doing something new to refuel you. I’m still doing ministry thirty years later, but I find new ways to do it and that helps increase the fuel and the fire for me to do it.”

Welcome back to The Speaker Lab podcast! On today’s episode, host Grant Baldwin is joined by Arthur James, a seasoned pastor, educator, and speaker who’s been making a difference from the pulpit and the podium for nearly three decades.

In this conversation, Arthur opens up about his unique journey as a bivocational pastor, juggling roles in ministry, education, and business, while building his speaking career from the ground up. He reflects on crucial turning points, including the shift from viewing public speaking as a side hustle to embracing it as a purposeful business.

Together, Grant and Arthur dive into the realities of transitioning from full-time work in education and hospitality to full-time ministry and professional speaking, highlighting the challenges of balancing financial responsibility with a heart for serving others. Arthur reveals how discovering The Speaker Lab framework helped him gain clarity, structure, and momentum in growing his speaking business.

Whether you’re a pastor with a message to share, a speaker ready to make an impact, or simply someone searching for practical wisdom about building a business around your calling, you’ll find valuable lessons and encouragement in this episode. Listen in for a look at what it truly takes to turn your gifts as a communicator into a sustainable career!

You’ll learn:

• Definition and explanation of “bivocational pastor”
• Mental shift required to approach speaking as a business
• Tailoring messages for different contexts
• Research and outreach methods for finding speaking engagements
• The importance of personal relevance and passion for the topic
• Staying current and relevant in chosen speaking areas
• Adapting communication style based on audience familiarity
• Techniques for building trust and engagement with new groups
• And much, much more!

“One of the things that’s very critical that is taught in The Speaker Lab program is to look at your speaking as a business and not just as getting on a stage to do a speech.”

Episode Resources

• Arthur’s Website
• Get Free Speaker Resources
• Book a Call with The Speaker Lab
• Calculate Your Speaking Fee
• Join The Speaker Lab Community on Facebook
• Subscribe on Apple Podcasts
• Subscribe on Spotify

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

“I’m a big believer in consuming what you sell and practicing what you preach…it’s a useful step on the path to understanding what’s possible and for growing in the skill set of standing on stage in front of any number of people that makes your body react and become nervous.”

In this episode of The Speaker Lab Podcast, host Grant Baldwin sits down with Melanie Curtis, a world record-holding professional skydiver, seasoned coach, and sought-after keynote speaker. Their conversation explores Melanie’s unconventional career path, which began in the finance industry before she took the extraordinary leap into professional skydiving, amassing over twelve thousand jumps, and then eventually public speaking.

Melanie opens up about the challenges she faced along the way, including imposter syndrome, persistent anxiety, and the internal doubts that can hold back even the most driven professionals. She reflects on why each stage of her journey was essential and shares the turning points that nudged her toward treating public speaking as a serious business, rather than a side endeavor.

Throughout their discussion, you’ll hear advice on finding your target audience, building meaningful connections in both women-centric organizations and male-dominated industries, and leveraging storytelling to transform your message. Grant and Melanie also dig into the emotional side of entrepreneurship, the highs of big wins, the lows of self-doubt, and the importance of having a strong support network.

Whether you’re contemplating your first speech or looking to scale your speaking business, Melanie’s story will inspire you to trust your intuition, stay persistent, and redefine what’s possible for your own speaking journey!

You’ll learn:

• Using speaking for marketing a business
• Overcoming resistance, anxiety, and limiting beliefs
• The importance of high-level coaching and support systems
• How to practice speaking via Facebook/Instagram lives
• Gradual desensitization to rejection, visibility, and performance pressure
• To rely on support networks during discouraging times
• Designing personal boundaries for travel and gigs
• Distinguishing between type one and type two fun
• And much, much more!

“If I didn’t learn how to manage my fears, how to work with my fears and anxieties, my insecurities, I imagine I would have lived a really small life.”

Episode Resources

• Melanie’s Website
• Get Free Speaker Resources
• Book a Call with The Speaker Lab
• Calculate Your Speaking Fee
• Join The Speaker Lab Community on Facebook
• Subscribe on Apple Podcasts
• Subscribe on Spotify

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

“Make sure you actually believe you can follow your plan. Because if you don’t feel hopeful, then you’re never going to feel motivated, you’re never going to feel committed, and you’re never going to follow through.”

Welcome back to another episode of The Speaker Lab Podcast! Today, Grant Baldwin is joined by Adam Gilbert, the mastermind behind MyBodyTutor.com and DoneDaily.com, to discuss insights for anyone looking to build a thriving speaking business or simply create lasting change in their personal and professional life.

Adam opens up about the profound impact his father's health struggles had on his mission to help others transform their lives through nutrition, fitness, and productivity. With over eighteen years of experience and over ten thousand clients served, he’s learned that while most people know what they should do, there’s often a huge gap between knowledge and action. 

This episode breaks down the importance of “MPH”—mindset, psychology, and habits—and highlights practical frameworks anyone can use to move from dreaming to doing. You’ll learn why accountability is a game-changer, how starting small can build the momentum you need, and what it really takes to keep promises to yourself. Additionally, Adam explains how discomfort can be a compass for growth, why surrounding yourself with supportive people matters, and how to challenge assumptions that keep you stuck.

Whether you’re just starting and struggling to book your first gig or you’re a veteran looking to scale up, this conversation is loaded with implementable advice and motivating stories!

You’ll learn:

• Why consistency is hard for entrepreneurs and speakers
• The role and importance of accountability
• The parallels between health/fitness and entrepreneurship/speaking
• Why motivation is critical for sustained effort
• Breaking down MPH: Mindset, Psychology, Habits
• Reconciling assumptions about success
• Practical steps to develop self-confidence
• CPA: Clear objective, Plan, Actual belief in follow-through
• Building momentum through small wins
• And much, much more!

“There’s fear of failure, but there’s also fear of success, which is surprisingly very common but not often spoken about.”

Episode Resources

• Adam’s Website
• Get Free Speaker Resources
• Book a Call with The Speaker Lab
• Calculate Your Speaking Fee
• Join The Speaker Lab Community on Facebook
• Subscribe on Apple Podcasts
• Subscribe on Spotify

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

“When you go to these associations’ websites, they don’t have robust staff…it’s not hard to find them. You can directly engage with them and talk to them about an event that’s coming up. You can identify, ‘You have a fall conference coming up. I’d love to chat with you and see how I can best support you on that.’” 

This week on The Speaker Lab podcast, host Grant Baldwin sits down with industry expert and regular guest Erick Rheam for a deep dive into one of the most powerful avenues for speakers: associations. If you've ever wondered what an association is, why they matter to your speaking business, or how to break into these lucrative networks, this episode is your roadmap.

Throughout their conversation, Erick and Grant peel back the layers, starting with a clear definition of associations and moving into the different types. You’ll hear why associations can be the “low-hanging fruit” for both new and seasoned speakers, offering paid opportunities and exposure to hundreds of decision makers at a time.

Additionally, the episode covers practical strategies for researching associations in your area, using both Google and ChatGPT to quickly uncover dozens of opportunities—plus tips on who to contact inside these organizations. You’ll also learn about Association Management Companies (AMCs) and Societies of Association Executives (SAEs), two insider gateways to getting in front of hundreds of associations through one well-placed showcase or breakout session.

If you’re nervous about reaching out or unsure about timing and how to build relationships, Erick shares actionable advice for playing the long game, planting seeds, and earning your way onto bigger stages. This episode is packed with simple tactics and inspiring stories that will help you get past the overwhelm, start building momentum, and unlock the massive potential of speaking for associations!

You’ll learn:

• Directories and resources for discovering associations
• Basic definition & purpose of an association
• Key characteristics of an association
• The types of associations: trade, professional, cause or mission-based, state & regional
• The benefits of being hired by associations
• Matching your speaking topic to association opportunities
• When and how to approach associations
• Using technology to identify relevant associations
• And much, much more!

“[Showcase events for speakers] are a great way in a forty-five minute to one hour talk to get in front of one hundred one one hundred and fifty decision makers that could potentially hire you.”

Episode Resources

• Erick’s Website
• Get Free Speaker Resources
• Book a Call with The Speaker Lab
• Calculate Your Speaking Fee
• Join The Speaker Lab Community on Facebook
• Subscribe on Apple Podcasts
• Subscribe on Spotify

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

“Everything [The Speaker Lab] does is very intentional drive, step driven, process driven, and it can fit whatever time that you can give it…So time is less relevant. Consistency is more relevant.”

Welcome back to The Speaker Lab podcast! In this episode, we’re diving deep into the realities of building a thriving speaking business while balancing a busy professional life. Our host, Erick Rheam, brings on Dr. Yvette E. Pearson, an engineer, executive in higher education, and passionate advocate for people-centered STEM organizations.

Dr. Pearson opens up about the unique challenges she faces as she transitions from speaking for free at conferences within her industry to establishing herself as a paid, professional speaker. She discusses the struggle of carving out time for business-building activities—like prospecting for speaking gigs—while balancing the demands of a full-time job and a consulting business. 

Throughout the conversation, Erick offers practical advice on how to break out of the “industry speaker” mold, set and negotiate fees with confidence, and implement consistent power hours. You’ll hear actionable strategies for navigating awkward money conversations, leveraging free speaking gigs for future opportunities, and building momentum that can transform your speaking business. Whether you’re just starting, looking to move from free to paid gigs, or searching for ways to fit speaking into an already busy life, the insights and encouragement in this episode are for you!

You’ll learn:

• How to break the cycle of free speaking gigs
• What defines an industry versus a professional speaker
• Strategies for handling payment conversations
• How to utilize contracts and exit interviews to set expectations
• When to refer other colleagues for a gig
• Following up with free clients for testimonials, referrals, etc.
• Tracking daily prospecting as a motivational tool
• And much, much more!

“...that’s your walkaway price. That’s number one. You have to have that in your mind, and you have to be prepared to actually walk away.”

Episode Resources

• Dr. Yvette’s Website
• Get Free Speaker Resources
• Book a Call with The Speaker Lab
• Calculate Your Speaking Fee
• Join The Speaker Lab Community on Facebook
• Subscribe on Apple Podcasts
• Subscribe on Spotify

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

“I’ve been a caterpillar. You know, what do caterpillars do? They collect, they eat, they stock up, they build up until they get a calling that says build yourself a chrysalis. And that [chrysalis], for me, was leaving public service.”

Welcome back to The Speaker Lab podcast! Today’s episode features Marcy Grossman, whose career path took her from criminal psychologist, working in federal prisons, to Canadian ambassador in the United Arab Emirates, and now to the world of professional speaking. Host Grant Baldwin guides us through Marcy Grossman’s candid journey, revealing the authentic highs and lows behind building a business as a speaker.

Less than a year ago, Marcy found herself in what she describes as the “dark valley of despair”—overwhelmed by anxiety, negative self-talk, and the fear that her stories wouldn’t matter. But instead of giving up, Marcy turned to The Speaker Lab podcast and program, discovering a supportive community, actionable frameworks, and the structure she needed to move forward. Grant and Marcy dig deep into what it really takes to pivot into the speaking industry. You’ll hear how Marcy leveraged her hard-earned experience, learned to embrace the nerves and adrenaline of being on stage, and realized the key to success is trusting the process.

Additionally, the episode covers how speaking can fit into a broader consulting or coaching business, the challenges behind the scenes that most speakers face, and practical tips for building momentum, managing self-doubt, and packaging your unique story. If you’re a speaker in the making, this conversation will remind you that setbacks are part of the journey, and that the stage can be a place for anyone willing to put in the work!

You’ll learn:

• About Marcy’s career as a criminal psychologist
• Gaining confidence through repeated experience
• How to cope with self-doubt and feelings of failure
• To reframe setbacks and regain momentum
• Learning and implementing a booking pipeline
• How speaking is largely driven by business process
• Expanding your offerings beyond just speaking
• And much, much more!

“Many of the speakers I have met are people that have messages in their heart, and that’s why they’re unstoppable.”

Episode Resources

• Marcy’s Website
• Get Free Speaker Resources
• Book a Call with The Speaker Lab
• Calculate Your Speaking Fee
• Join The Speaker Lab Community on Facebook
• Subscribe on Apple Podcasts
• Subscribe on Spotify

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

“Within an in demand topic, how are you going to differentiate? There are only X number of categories of movies out there, right? And so it’s not like you’re suddenly going to invent a new category of movie, but you do want, within that well trenched category, to be distinct.”

Welcome back to The Speaker Lab podcast! In today’s episode, host Grant Baldwin is joined once again by youth speaker and entrepreneur, Josh Shipp, for a masterclass on how to build a seven-figure speaking business. If you’ve ever wondered what it really takes to reach and sustain that elusive seven-figure mark in the speaking industry, this conversation is for you!

Drawing inspiration from his own career and his work as the founder of a successful speakers bureau for the youth and education space, Josh pulls back the curtain on the practical, often overlooked strategies that lead to lasting success. He and Grant dive deep into the six core offerings every speaker should consider—starting with the foundational work of perfecting your speech, and then thoughtfully layering on merchandise, building an engaged online platform, writing a book, developing a course, and scaling through licensing.

You’ll hear candid reflections on why speaking alone can be both lucrative and limiting, the importance of focusing on quality before quantity, and how to know when it’s time to pursue additional streams of revenue. Josh offers clear benchmarks, practical income thresholds, and valuable insights into everything from setting realistic goals, leveraging audience feedback, and understanding the true costs and opportunities of each new offering.

Whether you’re trying to book more gigs, looking to expand with digital products, or simply want to avoid burnout while building a business you love, this episode outlines the unfiltered roadmap to becoming a seven-figure speaker!

You’ll learn:

• Focusing on substance over charisma
• The misconception that income must come from speaking alone
• Avoiding “shiny object syndrome”
• Building offers sequentially versus all at once
• Examples of different revenue pie charts
• Variables that influence your income model
• Why merch should come second in your sequence
• Utilizing other platforms like newsletters, podcasts, etc.
• The role of authoring a book as a speaker
• When to maximize a current offering or make a new one
• And much, much more!

“What I would advocate for, looking back on it with a bit of pattern recognition, is building these [avenues] deliberately step by step. That’s what’s going to help you get to a [seven-figure speaking business].”

Episode Resources

• Josh’s Website
• Get Free Speaker Resources
• Book a Call with The Speaker Lab
• Calculate Your Speaking Fee
• Join The Speaker Lab Community on Facebook
• Subscribe on Apple Podcasts
• Subscribe on Spotify

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.