“Content is still important, but content is much more of a commodity. So the premise has to be that we’ve got to create something…It has to include conversation, it has to include community, it has to include the idea that there’s going to be something that’s analog that happens.”

In this week’s episode of The Speaker Lab, Grant Baldwin chats with Brad Lomenick about what truly makes speakers memorable. Brad’s big takeaway is that being great to work with matters even more than being the most dynamic person on stage.

Brad shares that self-awareness is key: know your strengths, get feedback, and focus on the type of events where you shine. He also highlights the importance of personal touches like connecting with organizers, knowing your audience, and showing genuine kindness.

Ultimately, it’s the offstage moments and relationships you build that lead to lasting success. Want to get booked again and again? Prioritize being a good human, not just a good speaker!

You’ll learn:

• The value of feedback in improving as a communicator
• Pursuing growth without losing sight of strengths
• How to elicit helpful criticism
• The difference between different types of feedback
• Navigating the challenge of competing with digital content
• Building community and trust as a speaker
• Tips for making big rooms feel “smaller”
• The long-term effect of how speakers treat people off-stage
• And much, much more!

“Sometimes our own personal emotions are not the best indicator because we look at [our talk] and go, oh, I crushed it, and the audience looks at it and goes, good intentions.” 

Episode Resources

• Brad’s Website
• 2 Day Booked and Paid Bootcamp
• 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.

“...hustle and hard work might get you past a certain project or deadline, but then habits will help you last over the long haul, right? So build a business that doesn’t ultimately break you over time.”

What does it take to build a speaking business and a life that lasts? In this week’s episode of The Speaker Lab, host Grant Baldwin sits down with his longtime friend Chris Ducker, who just released his new book, The Long-Haul Leader. Together, they dig into the real strategies behind sustainable success, steering clear of the non-stop hustle that risks burnout.

Chris shares candid insights from his entrepreneurial journey and research, emphasizing that while hustle is required in the early days, you can’t stay in high gear forever. Instead, he champions the power of habits, boundaries, and honest self-care, arguing that protecting your energy is more important than squeezing every last minute from your calendar.

The episode is packed with valuable advice: how to recognize burnout before it hits, why recovery is a competitive edge, and how to make sure your business supports your life, not the other way around. If you’ve ever wondered how to chase big goals without losing yourself along the way, don’t miss this conversation, and check out Chris’s new book for even more practical wisdom on becoming a true long-haul leader!

You’ll learn:

• Building lasting habits over perpetual hustle
• Redefining success to include health, relationships, and joy
• Navigating the nature of starting a business
• Aligning business priorities to support personal well-being
• Big-picture thinking without neglecting current obligations
• About Chris’ new book The Long-Haul Leader
• Reframing self-care as strategic, not selfish
• Distinguishing between busy seasons and burnout
• The importance of adaptability
• And much, much more!

“What you have to understand is that success, even initially, should not cost you your health, it shouldn’t cost you your family, it shouldn’t cost you your relationships or your joy of the work that you’re doing.”

Episode Resources

• Chris’ Website
• The Long-Haul Leader Book
• 2 Day Booked and Paid Bootcamp
• 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.

“A photo in general is not going to win you business, but bad photos are going to lose you your business all the time because it absolutely crushes.”

Ever dread getting new headshots or wonder if your photos help your speaking business? On this episode of The Speaker Lab, Grant Baldwin chats with photographer John DeMato about what matters when it comes to imagery and visual storytelling for speakers.

John’s best advice is that your branding photos aren’t for you; they’re for your audience. Every image should invite people into your world and show how you help them, building trust and credibility. This means going beyond stiff portraits and staged shots. John stresses having a strategy: your photos should tell the story of who you serve, how you solve problems, and what working with you looks like. Think candid behind-the-scenes moments, action shots, and authentic glimpses of your process, not just you on stage with a mic.

Additionally, John advises focusing on natural, in-the-moment photos rather than stiff posing. And while iPhone snaps work for everyday social posts, invest in professionally captured images for your website or speaker kit. Bring outfits you’d wear on stage, choose simple backgrounds, and use natural light to keep things genuine. Most importantly, if your brand changes, refresh your photo library!

You’ll learn:

• The purpose and power of speaker photos
• Definition of visual storytelling for speakers
• Strategic approaches to speaker branding
• Common mistakes speakers make with photography
• Building authenticity and comfort in photos
• Dealing with skepticism
• Capturing genuine “magic moments”
• And much, much more!

“[Branding] photos aren’t for you, they’re for them. They’re for the people that you serve.”

Episode Resources

• John’s Website
• 2 Day Booked and Paid Bootcamp
• 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 your heart is genuinely how do I care about people by doing what I love to do, if that’s the driver of it, I don’t see how you can not end up in a place that is rewarding, fulfilling, and doing something that makes the world a better place.”

Ever wonder if your story is worth sharing or how to even start turning your experience into a book, speech, or brand? In this episode of The Speaker Lab, Grant Baldwin chats with Bill Blankschaen, founder of Story Builders, for an honest look at what makes a story truly impactful.

Bill’s approach is all about clarity and service. He urges aspiring speakers and authors to ask what the one thing they want their audiences to remember. If they’re unsure about that, their message probably needs fine-tuning. Importantly, Bill reminds us that while your story is about you, it’s meant for others. The value lies in helping your audience solve real problems or see themselves in your journey.

Grant and Bill also unpack practical tips and frameworks for how to test if your story is more than a personal anecdote, why defining your audience is crucial, and how to avoid overwhelm from too many tempting opportunities. If you’ve struggled with self-doubt or aren’t sure where to start, this episode is a pep talk and a toolkit rolled into one. Listen in for real-world advice on making your story stick and building an authentic platform around it!

You’ll learn:

• Storytelling and its role in thought leadership
• Evaluating the value and viability of your story
• The SPEAK framework
• Sustaining passion behind your message
• Connecting through reliability, not novelty
• Adding value rather than outdoing competition
• Developing intellectual property from foundational ideas
• Choosing the right medium for your message
• The role of mindset in success
• And much, much more!

“Your story may be about you, but your story ultimately isn’t for you, it needs to serve a greater purpose to help more people.”

Episode Resources

• Bill’s Website
• 2 Day Booked and Paid Bootcamp
• 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.

“The mistake I’m seeing a lot of companies make is they’re racing to shove it into a product where they’re trying to drive costs down before the leaders making the call have become AI-driven leaders.”

Feeling overwhelmed by AI and unsure how it fits into your speaking business? In this value-packed episode of The Speaker Lab, Grant Baldwin chats with Geoff Woods, author of The AI-Driven Leader, for a refreshingly practical look at embracing technology without losing your human edge.

Geoff shares how speakers should treat AI as a tool, focusing on using it to drive real results and streamline the work that matters most. He introduces straightforward frameworks, like his CRIT method (Context, Role, Interview, Task), to help you get more out of AI, whether you’re prepping your next keynote or brainstorming business strategy.

What shines through is the focus on human strengths and meaningful connections. Rather than fearing that AI will make us obsolete, Geoff sees it as a chance for speakers to elevate their unique value and creativity, freeing up more time for what only humans do best.

The best strategy for implementing AI is to start small, use it to enhance, not replace, your skills, and keep your conversations, follow-ups, and business development rooted in authenticity. Give the episode a listen and learn how to turn today’s technology into tomorrow’s new opportunities!

You’ll learn:

• The role of AI for speakers and entrepreneurs
• Three core business areas impacted by AI
• Utilizing AI for high-impact, strategic decisions
• Using AI as a “thought partner, not a thought leader
• Leveraging AI for analyzing
• How technology changes the skill sets for jobs
• Importance of adaptability and learning over fear of change
• And much, much more!

“I have a very simple framework for communicating with AI called CRIT: Context, Role, Interview, and Task.”

Episode Resources

• Geoff’s Website
• 2 Day Booked and Paid Bootcamp
• 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.

“The act of you and I exchanging contact information raises the standard that there is going to be a follow up…You want to make that connection and set the expectation right then and there.”

Ever left a conference buzzing, only to watch that excitement fizzle when it comes to follow-up? This live coaching session from The Speaker Lab pulls back the curtain on how pros turn event momentum into real speaking business.

Facilitator Erick Rheam teams up with speakers Bridget Quigg and Shannon GaNun for a candid conversation about what works and what doesn’t in post-event follow-up. Bridget shares her frustration when promising leads go silent, and Erick offers simple, practical advice: always exchange contact info in person, set clear expectations for next steps, and don’t rely on LinkedIn or mass attendee lists. Real business starts with real, personal connections.

Shannon’s question on breaking into corporate gigs leads to another golden nugget: you don’t need a hard pitch. Just mention that you’re available for future engagements. Those off-the-cuff invitations can turn warm applause into future bookings.

Above all, this episode is a reminder that success as a speaker lies in small tweaks, human conversations, and showing up consistently. Don’t overcomplicate it, be approachable, follow up promptly, and seize opportunities. Listen in and learn how to make every gig and every follow-up count.

You’ll learn:

• Using a consistent methodology various length talks
• Authentic, conversational human interactions on stage
• Overcoming fear of forgetting points during live presentations
• Leaning into your professional background and network for focus areas
• Effective follow-up strategies after events
• Turning custom items into repeatable assets
• On-stage call-to-action practices
• The SPARK framework (Statistic, Picture, Anecdote, Real-life story)
• The importance of practicing
• And much, much more!
• 
  

"I believe everybody was created for a unique purpose. And until we learn how to communicate clearly, concisely and confidently, we’ll never be able to fulfill that purpose.”

Episode Resources

• Erick’s Website
• Bridget’s Website
• Shannon’s Website
• 2 Day Booked and Paid Bootcamp
• 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 know there's a lot of benefits to automation, but when it came to [outreach], I felt it was very important for me to send personalized emails to each person in my network to tell them what I was doing and ask if I could help."

If you’ve ever considered leaving a stable corporate career to pursue something more meaningful, Tania Will Jeppesen’s story is essential listening. On this week’s episode of The Speaker Lab podcast, host Grant Baldwin sits down with Tania—a former operations and HR leader who took the leap from a secure job and steady paycheck to launch her own consulting business, “The Prepared Leader.” It’s an episode full of practical advice and heartfelt honesty for anyone wrestling with the tension between comfort and calling.

After nearly two decades in the trenches of supply chain and operations, Tania recognized a gap: frontline managers were often overlooked in leadership development. Driven by a blend of professional experience, a supportive family, and her own faith, she finally acted on a decade-old dream. Tania brings listeners behind the scenes of that decision—sharing candidly about the fears of risk, being the main earner, and modeling courage for her daughters.

What makes Tania’s journey so relatable is her willingness to focus on what she can control: hard work, authenticity, and showing up for others. Rather than trying to appeal to everyone, she leans into her unique strengths, guided by a clear framework and her deep understanding of her niche. Through every challenge, she keeps her priorities in check—aiming for both business impact and quality time at home.

Whether you’re dreaming of your own entrepreneurial leap or just searching for courage to act, Tania’s story is a timely reminder that the most meaningful success is building a life (and business) that’s truly yours.

You’ll learn:

• Weighing risk aversion against entrepreneurship dreams
• Decision-making and positive-outcome mindsets
• Helping organizations level up frontline leaders
• Consulting as a viable career-path
• Initial networking steps
• Incorporating family into the entrepreneurial journey
• Market validation through direct-network outreach
• Leveraging industry knowledge
• And much, much more!

"I really wanted to go into [consulting] with a mindset of not what's the worst that could happen, but what's the best that could happen if I do this?"

Episode Resources

• Tania’s Website
• 2 Day Booked and Paid Bootcamp
• 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 was trying to figure out what’s my lane that I need to be saying yes to? And what are the things I would have to say no to so that I can say yes to the better things?”

Kent Chevalier’s speaking journey is anything but conventional. In this week’s episode of The Speaker Lab podcast, Grant Baldwin sits down with Kent, a longtime pastor turned Pittsburgh Steelers chaplain—who’s built his career at the intersection of faith, leadership, and personal courage.

Kent opens up about transitioning from preaching in churches to mentoring professional athletes, and how the toughest challenge wasn’t the change of audience, it was learning to truly value his craft. Like many who come from service-driven backgrounds, Kent faced the uncomfortable work of charging for his expertise, despite years spent speaking for free. He shares honestly about wrestling with guilt, setting boundaries, and deciding that his time spent away from his wife and daughters needed to be respected and compensated.

Underneath it all is a message familiar to anyone striving to turn passion into a profession: fulfillment comes from betting on yourself, even when the path feels risky. Whether he’s backstage at an NFL game or leading a business seminar, Kent’s mantra of “do it afraid” holds true. If you need a push to embrace your own next leap, Kent’s story will remind you that your purpose is bigger than any one season, and your gifts are worth every bit of what you ask!

You’ll learn:

• Kent’s role as a Pittsburgh Steelers chaplain
• Preaching new content as opposed to reusing talks
• Navigating which opportunities to accept and decline
• Challenges of charging for speaking
• Target audiences and adjusting approach based on event context
• Importance of expert positioning and business fundamentals
• And much, much more!

“I love encouraging people to embrace fear and to jump because comfort is really a robber. It’s a thief.”

Episode Resources

• Kent’s Website
• 2 Day Booked and Paid Bootcamp
• 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 feel guilty to charge [money] for what I love to do…one woman said, ‘They should pay you because it’s your gift, you shouldn’t feel guilty about it.’”

Few stories capture the grit and transformation behind a speaking business like Stephanie Dauphin’s journey. This week, Grant Baldwin chats with Stephanie on The Speaker Lab podcast about investing over a decade in her craft—often speaking for free, wrangling self-doubt, and struggling with the idea that meaningful, joyful work can (and should) be well-paid.

Her turning point wasn’t just learning how to market herself or build a keynote. It was doing the mindset work: identifying and letting go of limiting beliefs around money, motherhood, and self-worth, many rooted in her upbringing. Stephanie is honest about the messy process, the fear of charging what you’re worth, and the inner resistance that can sabotage your best opportunities.

What shines through is her hard-earned wisdom: fulfillment comes from embracing your gifts, serving others, and having the courage to genuinely value yourself. Stephanie’s story is proof that your passion deserves to be your profession—and that the most important shift is believing you’re worth every bit of it. If you’re doubting what’s possible, let Stephanie’s journey remind you that building your dream starts with betting on yourself, even when the path forward is unclear.

You’ll learn:

• How authority can be a speaker’s asset
• The challenges of remote work and its effect on workplace relationships
• Issues around charging for speaking engagements
• Strategies for overcoming mindset obstacles
• Stephanie’s experience with The Speaker Lab
• About building a mailing list and using content to generate referrals
• The importance of designing a speaking career around family needs
• Step for self-development
• And much, much more!

“More and more people are working remotely, and it has a big effect on team cohesion.”

Episode Resources

• Stephanie’s Website
• 2 Day Booked and Paid Bootcamp
• 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 are speaking and you’re in front of people and you give them the momentum to look at life from a different perspective or do something they don’t have the courage to do, you could help change people’s lives.”

Podcasts are full of powerhouse moments, but few stories capture the grit, honesty, and resolve it takes to truly make an impact the way Stacey Chillemi’s does. On this episode of The Speaker Lab, Stacey sits down with Grant Baldwin and peels back the curtain on her journey—from overcoming epilepsy and setbacks in the corporate world to building a thriving career as a speaker, bestselling author, and podcast host.

Stacey talks openly about the uphill climb, the self-doubt, the setbacks, and the reality that success is never an overnight story. For Stacey, building a speaking business meant reaching out to anyone who would listen, stubbornly persevering through rejection, and finding conviction in her own lived experience—even when the path forward felt unclear.

This episode is a masterclass in resilient action. Stacey lays it out straight that your story is enough, but confidence comes from doing the work consistently. She reminds us that fulfillment isn’t about chasing perfection but about putting yourself out there, showing up with empathy, and taking the first step, even when you’re not sure what comes next. If you’re someone waiting for the “right time” to chase your dream or if you need a nudge to believe your story matters, let Stacey’s hard-won wisdom and relentless optimism show you what’s possible when you bet on yourself!

You’ll learn:

• The unrealistic expectation of overnight success
• How Stacey helps others by sharing her story
• How difficulties impacted Stacey’s career path
• The power speaking has on creating emotional impact
• Advice for when your story doesn’t feel “big enough”
• Challenges of narrowing broad experiences into a focused message
• The value of cold outreach
• And much, much more!

“I had self doubt and I had to work on building confidence in myself, and anytime I saw that I made some mistakes, I had to tweak it, and fix it, and just keep moving forward.”

Episode Resources

• Stacey’s Website
• 2 Day Booked and Paid Bootcamp
• 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.