Shane Sams, a seasoned professional speaker, shares his wild journey through the unpredictable world of public speaking. He recounts hilarious moments, like surprise pets joining him on stage and napping audience members, illustrating the need for quick thinking and humor. Shane also opens up about battling burnout while on the road, emphasizing the importance of personal boundaries. This lively conversation is packed with insights on maintaining composure and the camaraderie among speakers navigating chaos.
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question_answer ANECDOTE
The Sugar Glider Surprise
During Shane Sams's second paid speaking event, a woman on the front row unzipped her pocket.
A sugar glider emerged and she proceeded to feed it, all while Sams continued his talk.
question_answer ANECDOTE
The Napping Attendee
A woman in a motorized recliner attended Sams's seminar and reclined fully mid-talk.
She then pulled out a blanket and proceeded to take an hour-long nap, prompting Sams to redirect the audience's attention.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Controlling the Narrative
The audience doesn't know your planned material, so anything you say or do is perceived as correct.
Maintain the illusion of seamlessness, even when things go wrong, and the audience will follow your lead.
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“The show must go on baby. You gotta keep going man. Never know what’s gonna happen when you’re doing it live with no net, you never know.”
Being a professional speaker means navigating some of the craziest and most unpredictable moments imaginable. This week, Shane Sams joins Grant on the show to recount some of his funniest and most challenging moments on the speaking trail.
You never know what you're going to encounter when you're walking into a speaking gig, but the best speakers know how to roll with the punches and "be a pro" even when things go completely off the rails. Shane and Grant have some great advice on how to handle the unexpected and chaotic moments, all learned from their own experiences over the years.
Shane also opens up about his struggles with his health and how he learned to deal with burnout. Balancing your health with the exhausting lifestyle of living on the road can be a challenge for any speaker, but finding your own boundaries and thresholds is incredibly important.
This lighthearted and engaging conversation is something you don't want to miss. From flying squirrels to napping audience members, you'll hear some incredible war stories from Shane and Grant this week that will make you laugh and teach you how to navigate your own challenging moments in the future.
You’ll learn:
How to navigate the hard moments on stage
Why composure & humor are your best tools
What honest communication can do for your relationships
The importance of prioritizing your mental & physical health
Why you should learn from the pros
And much, much more!
“You gotta say the words whether anyone is paying attention or not.”
The Speaker Lab Podcast