The Ramble Refinery with Heather Sager

You already know AI is everywhere right now — but here’s what no one’s really saying:When business owners start outsourcing their thinking to AI, their actual ideas suffer.In this episode, I’m calling out the creative atrophy that happens when you stop flexing your own brainpower. Think about it: we’ve already outsourced our memory to Google Maps and our friends’ birthdays to Facebook. But your IDEAS? That’s your last line of defense as a thought leader.I share:Why defaulting to AI before you think is a dangerous gameThe difference between using AI to support vs. sabotage your creativityWhat Socrates warned us about (that’s actually still true)The real reason your content might feel a little… offIf you’re in the business of ideas — speaking, teaching, coaching, or leading — you can’t afford to lose your creative edge. This episode will help you reclaim it.🎧 Listen now and let your brain do what it was built to do: THINK.EPISODE  SHOW NOTES👇https://heathersager.com/episode245P.S. If you're tired of AI making everyone sound the same and want to develop your own unique voice and message — that’s exactly what I help people do. Check out my Spotlight Session if you want to work on your speaking topics.  Fair warning: I’m not the cheapest, but I’m damn good at what I do. 😉Send us a textSupport the show🔗 Grab the latest FREE resources: https://heathersager.com/start 🔗 Browse all episode shownotes: https://heathersager.com/blog 📣 The Signature Talk Accelerator starts September 8 → click here to get on the waitlist. Nail your message, hone your story and create a magnetic talk that grows your business from any stage. 👋 CONNECT WITH HEATHER:Work with Heather: https://www.heathersager.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theheathersager/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/HeatherSagerIf you’re loving this episode, please take a moment to rate & review the show. This helps me get this message to more people so they too can ditch the hustle 24/7 life.

“Heather, how in the world do I book more stages?!" It’s the #1 most asked question I get from you all. You see the advice everywhere—research, send a million cold pitches, fill out every speaker application you can find. But what if that whole approach just feels…exhausting and not quite right for you? So what if you didn’t have to cold pitch… and could still land stages?Well, that was the question I set to answer for myself years ago when I realized that pitching was not my jam.And today I’m pulling back the curtain on exactly how I do it. You’ll hear:Why cold pitching doesn't align with how I’m wired (and might not work for you either)The difference between transactional and transformational relationships The two types of speaking business models (hint: knowing yours matters)My “Warm ‘Em Up” strategy — how I turn cold contacts into warm relationships and hot opportunities (think: dating for your biz)How to nurture these connections and build a sustainable ecosystem of referrals and invitesThis episode is a real, no-BS look at how I’ve built my speaking career by focusing on real connections. My hope? It gives you permission to stop following “shoulds” and start building a speaking strategy that's 100% YOU. EPISODE  SHOW NOTES👇https://heathersager.com/episode244Send us a textSupport the show🔗 Grab the latest FREE resources: https://heathersager.com/start 🔗 Browse all episode shownotes: https://heathersager.com/blog 📣 The Signature Talk Accelerator starts September 8 → click here to get on the waitlist. Nail your message, hone your story and create a magnetic talk that grows your business from any stage. 👋 CONNECT WITH HEATHER:Work with Heather: https://www.heathersager.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theheathersager/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/HeatherSagerIf you’re loving this episode, please take a moment to rate & review the show. This helps me get this message to more people so they too can ditch the hustle 24/7 life.

Ever feel like you’re dropping pure fire—sharing your best, most advanced stuff—and all you get back is…polite nods?Your audience tells you that you’re brilliant, they loved your talk and that your stuff is amazing…but then they don’t actually do anything with it.So what’s the deal?In this week episode of The Ramble Refinery, I’m breaking down the #1 reason your ideas aren’t sticking—and the simple shift to fix to help your audience actually take action. It's the difference between being interesting and being irresistible.We’re talking about how to stop sounding like you’re on “chapter 6” of your story (when your audience hasn’t even read chapters 1–5 yet), and how to add the one thing most speakers and content creators skip: context.I’ll walk you through a super simple framework I use with clients called WIM—short for Why It Matters—and how to use it to make your message more relevant, clear, and sticky.You’ll hear:Why starting with your most advanced advice is actually pushing people away.What your audience really means when they say they love your stuff but still don’t take action (aka still don't buy).How to take your topic (using a funny, made-up example about cold plunging!) and make it directly relevant to your audience's current problems, world, and desires.The WIM Framework: My simple 3-part formula (Why This? Why You? Why Now?) to make your message impossible to ignore.This one’s short, super practical, and honestly—it could change the way you show up in your next talk, podcast, or post. Tune in to this episode and let’s turn those polite nods into a resounding “Hell yeah, how do I work with you?!”EPISODE  SHOW NOTES👇https://heathersager.com/episode243Send us a textSupport the show🔗 Grab the latest FREE resources: https://heathersager.com/start 🔗 Browse all episode shownotes: https://heathersager.com/blog 📣 The Signature Talk Accelerator starts September 8 → click here to get on the waitlist. Nail your message, hone your story and create a magnetic talk that grows your business from any stage. 👋 CONNECT WITH HEATHER:Work with Heather: https://www.heathersager.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theheathersager/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/HeatherSagerIf you’re loving this episode, please take a moment to rate & review the show. This helps me get this message to more people so they too can ditch the hustle 24/7 life.

Final Episode of the Spring Refresh Series After a little break from the podcast (because life + business, you know how it goes), I’m back— and bringing you a personal reflection and an honest convo to wrap up the Spring Refresh Series. In this episode, I’m sharing a behind-the-scenes peek at what’s been going on in my brain (and life ) — the pace changes, the unexpected clarity, and the messy in-between where decisions don’t come easy. We talk about the illusion of slowing down, the pressure to make the “right” next move, and why sometimes you just need to say things out loud to figure out what’s true.You’ll hear:The challenges of navigating business decisionsHow external processing is helping me move forwardThe difference between being stuck vs. simply recalibratingA lesson from the book I’m reading and how it snapped me out of perfection modeA quick update on the return of the Signature Talk Accelerator (it’s coming!)If you’ve been second-guessing the changes you’ve made or feeling like you should be “further along” by now — this one’s for you. It’s honest, a little rambly (in the best way), and hopefully a helpful reminder that clarity doesn’t always come from planning, it comes from doing.P.S. If you missed the earlier episodes in the Spring Refresh Series, go back and listen! Each one offers a different lens on what it really looks like to evolve your business *without burning it all down*🔥 We’re also gearing up for the next round of the Signature Talk Accelerator — so if you’re ready to get your message clear and create a talk you actually want to give— click HERE to get on the waitlist. EPISODE  SHOW NOTES👇https://heathersager.com/episode242Send us a textSupport the show🔗 Grab the latest FREE resources: https://heathersager.com/start 🔗 Browse all episode shownotes: https://heathersager.com/blog 📣 The Signature Talk Accelerator starts September 8 → click here to get on the waitlist. Nail your message, hone your story and create a magnetic talk that grows your business from any stage. 👋 CONNECT WITH HEATHER:Work with Heather: https://www.heathersager.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theheathersager/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/HeatherSagerIf you’re loving this episode, please take a moment to rate & review the show. This helps me get this message to more people so they too can ditch the hustle 24/7 life.

Episode 4 of the Spring Refresh SeriesYou already know when it’s time to make a change. But what if the way you’re deciding is the real problem?In this episode of The Ramble Refinery, I’m joined by my client and friend Rebecca Vigelius, a former VP turned copywriter turned certified neurosomatic intelligence practitioner and stress coach. We dive into the untold truth behind her bold business pivot—one that was less about courage and more about capacity.This isn’t just another “follow your passion” rebrand story. It’s a grounded, inside-out conversation about how stress—especially the kind we don’t realize we’re carrying—can hijack our clarity, our creativity, and our momentum.We talk about:Why Rebecca actually left her copywriting agency (hint: it wasn’t just burnout)How a tech disaster forced her hand—and revealed her next-level directionThe sneaky ways stress shows up in decision-making (even when you “feel fine”)What capacity really means—and how to create more of it without blowing up your lifeWhy emotional regulation is the real secret weapon behind calm, confident evolutionWe also unpack what it means to grow from clarity—not pressure—and how to make space for better decisions, better messaging, and a better version of your work.Whether you’re in a pivot, considering a new offer, or just feeling overloaded by ideas—you’ll walk away from this episode feeling seen, validated, and maybe even a little unbothered.Mentioned in this episode:Rebecca’s free tool: The Unbothered Entrepreneur BlueprintMy no-social-media moment (and why it gave me mental clarity I didn’t know I needed)P.S. If you’ve been feeling the pull to evolve—this one’s for you. And if you’re trying to make decisions from a place of “I just need this to work,” this convo might just save you from recreating the same problems with a different name.EPISODE  SHOW NOTES👇https://heathersager.com/episode241Send us a textSupport the show🔗 Grab the latest FREE resources: https://heathersager.com/start 🔗 Browse all episode shownotes: https://heathersager.com/blog 📣 The Signature Talk Accelerator starts September 8 → click here to get on the waitlist. Nail your message, hone your story and create a magnetic talk that grows your business from any stage. 👋 CONNECT WITH HEATHER:Work with Heather: https://www.heathersager.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theheathersager/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/HeatherSagerIf you’re loving this episode, please take a moment to rate & review the show. This helps me get this message to more people so they too can ditch the hustle 24/7 life.

Episode 3 of the Spring Refresh SeriesWhat if refreshing your business isn’t about changing everything — but simply making room for more of what you’re being called to do?In this episode of The Ramble Refinery, I’m sitting down with brand designer and strategist Kristina Bleiler of Gem Creative Co. to unpack what it really looks like to expand your service-based business without walking away from what’s already working.Kristina didn’t blow up her brand design studio. Instead, she added a whole new layer to it — a DIY branding course for solopreneurs who want to become their own creative directors.Here’s the twist: Kristina once believed that branding had to be done-for-you to be effective. Like many experts, she thought DIY design couldn’t hold a candle to professional work. But over time, she challenged her own belief — flipped it upside down, actually — and built a program that now serves an entirely different group of buyers she once thought she couldn’t help.You’ll hear:Why changing your stance doesn’t mean abandoning your expertiseHow Kristina created her DIY program without ditching her high-end branding clientsWhat she had to learn (and unlearn) to go from expert designer to brand educatorThe subtle difference between coaching and consulting—and why she identifies as a brand tutorHow to follow your curiosity and serve new audiences without losing your core identityIf you’ve ever felt pulled toward a new offer, format, or audience—but questioned whether it fits inside what you’ve already built—Kristina’s story is the gentle nudge to explore what’s possible. This one’s a must-listen if you’re asking yourself: Can I really do both?EPISODE  SHOW NOTES👇https://heathersager.com/episode240Send us a textSupport the show🔗 Grab the latest FREE resources: https://heathersager.com/start 🔗 Browse all episode shownotes: https://heathersager.com/blog 📣 The Signature Talk Accelerator starts September 8 → click here to get on the waitlist. Nail your message, hone your story and create a magnetic talk that grows your business from any stage. 👋 CONNECT WITH HEATHER:Work with Heather: https://www.heathersager.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theheathersager/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/HeatherSagerIf you’re loving this episode, please take a moment to rate & review the show. This helps me get this message to more people so they too can ditch the hustle 24/7 life.

Episode 2 of the Spring Refresh SeriesThis week's episode of The Ramble Refinery is your permission slip to pivot boldly and follow your curiosity.I pulled one of my fave throwback interviews with the brilliant Ellen Yin, founder of Cubicle to CEO out of the vault—and it could not be more relevant for anyone feeling a little burn-it-all-down-but-make-it-strategic about their business.You’ll hear:What it really means to pivot with purpose (hint: it’s not about starting from scratch)How Ellen went from six-figure clients to $500 courses—and scaled it in 90 daysThe power of sharing your business numbers publicly (and how it builds trust)Behind-the-scenes of building a media brand that runs on content and connectionBalancing hustle and rest—and how to know which season you’re inWhy starting over doesn’t actually mean starting overWhether you’re navigating changes in your biz or secretly dreaming about a refresh, you’ll love Ellen’s refreshingly real take. EPISODE  SHOW NOTES👇https://heathersager.com/episode239Send us a textSupport the show🔗 Grab the latest FREE resources: https://heathersager.com/start 🔗 Browse all episode shownotes: https://heathersager.com/blog 📣 The Signature Talk Accelerator starts September 8 → click here to get on the waitlist. Nail your message, hone your story and create a magnetic talk that grows your business from any stage. 👋 CONNECT WITH HEATHER:Work with Heather: https://www.heathersager.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theheathersager/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/HeatherSagerIf you’re loving this episode, please take a moment to rate & review the show. This helps me get this message to more people so they too can ditch the hustle 24/7 life.

Episode 1 of the Spring Refresh SeriesEver feel like blowing up your entire business? Same.But before you start rewriting your offers, scrapping your website, or launching into a full rebrand, this episode is your gut check.In the first episode of the Spring Refresh Series (happening the entire month of May), I’m walking you through one of the most common (and misunderstood) urges business owners face: the need to burn it all down. I’ll share why that urge shows up, what it might really be trying to tell you — and how to pause long enough to ask better questions.You’ll hear:The difference between feelings and facts when something feels “off”How to avoid blowing up something that actually just needs a tweakThe 5 business “seasons” I see clients navigating — and how to tell which one you’re inWhat to do when your business no longer fits, but you’re not sure what to changeLet’s rethink the impulse — and make sure your next move is the right one.EPISODE  SHOW NOTES👇https://heathersager.com/episode238Send us a textSupport the show🔗 Grab the latest FREE resources: https://heathersager.com/start 🔗 Browse all episode shownotes: https://heathersager.com/blog 📣 The Signature Talk Accelerator starts September 8 → click here to get on the waitlist. Nail your message, hone your story and create a magnetic talk that grows your business from any stage. 👋 CONNECT WITH HEATHER:Work with Heather: https://www.heathersager.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theheathersager/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/HeatherSagerIf you’re loving this episode, please take a moment to rate & review the show. This helps me get this message to more people so they too can ditch the hustle 24/7 life.

If you’ve been googling “where to find speaking gigs” trying to land more opportunities by pitching every event you come across, it’s probably feeling...exhausting. And if you’re still hoping there’s a magical list that’ll land you a dozen dream stages overnight — I’ve got to be honest, that’s not how it works. In this episode of The Ramble Refinery, I’ll show you why that approach rarely gets you what you’re actually after — and what to do instead.  I’ve talked about this before on the show, but it’s time for a fresh take. A lot has changed, and I want you focused on what actually works now and not on the stuff that’s wasting your time.You’ll hear:Why business owners are approaching speaking opportunities backwards The two types of speaking business models (and why you need to know which one you're in)The importance of aligned stages, and why quality beats quantity when it comes to speaking Where to look for the best opportunities  My favorite pitching strategy that doesn’t feel clunky If you’re using speaking to grow your business whether it’s to attract more clients, build credibility, or get in front of the right people — this episode will help you rethink your approach so you’re spending energy on the right kinds of opportunities that will get you results (and not burning out chasing the wrong ones).EPISODE  SHOW NOTES👇https://heathersager.com/episode237Send us a textSupport the show🔗 Grab the latest FREE resources: https://heathersager.com/start 🔗 Browse all episode shownotes: https://heathersager.com/blog 📣 The Signature Talk Accelerator starts September 8 → click here to get on the waitlist. Nail your message, hone your story and create a magnetic talk that grows your business from any stage. 👋 CONNECT WITH HEATHER:Work with Heather: https://www.heathersager.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theheathersager/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/HeatherSagerIf you’re loving this episode, please take a moment to rate & review the show. This helps me get this message to more people so they too can ditch the hustle 24/7 life.

Ever given a talk, walked off the stage, felt the rush of "HECK YES I nailed that!"—and then bam, hours later, you’re deep in the land of second-guessing and spiraling, you start replaying everything that went wrong?  In this episode of The Ramble Refinery, we’re talking about that weird emotional dip that hits right after a big visibility moment—the one no one warns you about. It’s more common than you think, especially when you’re pushing your edge and stepping into bigger rooms.You’ll hear:Why this spiral shows up (even when the talk goes great)The real reason high-achievers beat themselves up after visibility5 things to do right after a talk to move through the spiralHow to make each speaking moment build momentum (instead of just moving on)If you’ve ever done something brave—only to pick it apart later—this quickie is your reminder: self-critique isn’t the problem. Getting stuck there is. Let’s fix that.EPISODE  SHOW NOTES👇https://heathersager.com/episode236Send us a textSupport the show🔗 Grab the latest FREE resources: https://heathersager.com/start 🔗 Browse all episode shownotes: https://heathersager.com/blog 📣 The Signature Talk Accelerator starts September 8 → click here to get on the waitlist. Nail your message, hone your story and create a magnetic talk that grows your business from any stage. 👋 CONNECT WITH HEATHER:Work with Heather: https://www.heathersager.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theheathersager/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/HeatherSagerIf you’re loving this episode, please take a moment to rate & review the show. This helps me get this message to more people so they too can ditch the hustle 24/7 life.