

The Ramble Refinery with Heather Sager
Heather Sager
You can’t spell message without mess—because big ideas don’t show up fully formed. They start rough, unrefined, and a little all over the place. But that’s not a problem, it’s part of the process.The best speakers, thought leaders, and business owners don’t wait for the perfect message—they refine it by showing up, sharing, and shaping their ideas in real time.That’s what The Ramble Refinery is all about.Welcome to the place where we normalize the messy middle of speaking, marketing, and business growth. Whether you’re leading workshops, speaking on stages, or showing up on podcasts, your voice isn’t just a marketing tool—it’s your most valuable business asset.Hosted by Heather Sager, a speaking coach and business strategist who helps experts get their ideas out of their heads and into the world, this podcast dives into the raw, unpolished side of refining your message, using your voice, and growing your impact.Because every great message starts as a mess—so get ready to ramble.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Mar 2, 2023 • 49min
188. The Results Of Practicing Your Signature Talk In Public Over 200 Times With Liz Wilcox
Liz Wilcox is the Fresh Princess of Email and a keynote speaker, a former client of mine who built her signature talk in my program.She’s got a big vision in mind, but she’s flexible about how she’s going to get there. Right now, Liz focuses on building towards that future one talk at a time. Because each talk she gives is an opportunity to connect with another person, build a new relationship and share her expertise to people who need it.Over the last 12 months, Liz has spoken on over 100 stages, and as she says, “Baby, I’m taking over the internet!”. It’s true. Liz has used her talks to share her framework for making email marketing fun (and profitable) and as a result has added hundreds of people to her email marketing membership.So, if you’ve ever wondered what speaking can do for your business, or you’ve had doubts that a signature talk can be used over and over again…this is the episode for you. In this episode, Liz shares: The atypical launch results that illuminated her gift for email marketing and made her realize she had a message people needed to hearWhy she decided speaking was the best way to make a bigger impact How her personal circumstances gave her no choice but to push past ‘head junk’ and speak even when though she still breaks out in a rashHer thoughts on why talent will only get you so far and how Michael Jordan inspired her to get disciplined with her speaking practiceThe simple ways she tweaks her signature talk and Why her signature talk is still relevant over three years later EPISODE SHOW NOTES👇https://heathersager.com/episode188/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.

Feb 23, 2023 • 55min
187. Hot Take: I Failed, Publicly and Here’s What I Learned
In August, I merged my speaker coaching business with Emily Hall’s presentation design agency… and last week we announced our decision to untangle ourselves back to separate companies. I won’t try to hide it – it’s been an emotionally difficult few weeks, but we’re both super optimistic (and still BFFs). In this episode, I'm getting real, raw and vulnerable as I share with my the behind the scenes that lead to this decision, what I’ve learned along the way and a message to remind you that when you learn to change and adapt with purpose, you’ll become even stronger.Episode Highlights:Elephant in the room: let’s talk about my business failure highlight reel (Ugh! I can't help but cringe at the memory)Messy conversations in business—learn how you can courageously lean into this and serve you wellUntangling my business partnership— why we’re going back to solo entitiesA peak at what’s to come in this now solo chapter of The Speaker Co, including the WHY behind my new program, Signature Talk AcceleratorEPISODE SHOW NOTES👇https://heathersager.com/episode187/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.

Feb 16, 2023 • 45min
186. Sound Polished & Professional When You Speak
The way you communicate impacts how others perceive you and your business.When you sound polished and professional, you’re seen as knowledgeable, trustworthy and confident – which establishes your credibility and helps you attract new clients.And poor communication skills are COSTLY because when others don’t understand what you do and how you can help them, they certainly won’t buy from you. That’s why raising your level of awareness and being intentional on how you communicate with your words, with your tone and with your body language is critical– and that’s what this episode is all about.Today I deep dive on the common mistakes I see so many entrepreneurs making when trying to elevate the level of polish and professionalism with how they speak and more importantly, how to correct it. I also share some power tips + activities you can do (plus a heck of a lot more!) that will help you raise your level of confidence to create a bigger impact on your business.In this episode, you’ll learn:Why communication skills are paramount in your businessFormality vs Professionalism: two terms that are often used interchangeablyThe Power of PracticeUnderstanding polish and professionalism and how it boils down to three communication buckets (and the mistakes that happen when you elevate your polish and professionalism) Plus power tips + game-changer activity(you're gonna hate and love me for this!) you can do to become a better communicatorEPISODE SHOW NOTES👇https://heathersager.com/episode186/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.

Feb 9, 2023 • 53min
185. 4 Strategies That Will Amplify Your Results from Stages in 2023
Stages are the BEST way in 2023 to accelerate your authority, build trust and generate HOT leads who want to pay you (not just download your free stuff).Now, does that mean that you should chase all of these stages and say YES to every opportunity? Heck no. While booking more stages could get you bigger results— the reality is it’s what you DO with those opportunities that matters most. So the question is — what do YOU do when you have the mic?In this episode, I dive into how you can show up intentionally and serve your audience well. Plus my fav strategies that I see as the biggest opportunity for 2023. You’ll learn:Redefining what a stage is and why it’s so critical to double down and create your own stage this yearThe different phases of the buyer’s journey and how it circles back to creating your own stage opportunitiesHow do you make the most of your on stage momentsPlus 4 strategies that can help you reimagine your mic moments in 2023EPISODE SHOW NOTES👇https://heathersager.com/episode185/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.

Feb 2, 2023 • 49min
184. Courage & Confidence: How Kristine Richer Built Her Business Under the Stars
Putting the work upfront allowed this guest to create a business that fueled her passion.Meet my friend, mastermind buddy and award-winning photographer, Kristine Richer. She made the leap to full time online teaching in 2020 and has now taught thousands of students how to create stunning images of the Milky Way. The one in the sky, not the candy bar ;)In this episode, Kristine shares how she hustled through her twenties to establish her career to now running a business that literally fuels her creative gifts.I think you’ll find this to be a truly inspiring episode, so let’s jump in! In this episode, Kristine shares;How she develop her expertise and why did she pivot into online businessDoing launches in her business and innovating this (if you hate live launching—you gotta listen to what she said!)Putting in the hard work to create the life and the business that she wanted— discover Kristine’s secret recipe for what she embraces both from an attitude and skill perspective Her relationship with the word hustle, how it evolved—learn her advice for other business owners who are trying to navigate a season of hustleHow to get more confident and comfortable in putting yourself out there and finally take that courageous leapEPISODE SHOW NOTES👇https://heathersager.com/episode184/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.

Jan 26, 2023 • 40min
183. Visibility & Vulnerability: How Much to Share as a Personal Brand
You know you need to be more visible in your business, but does that mean you need to be vulnerable too? According to the definition of the word – YES.Vulnerability is about exposing yourself to potential harm, physically or emotionally, and when you’re a personal brand who puts themselves out there– online or on stage, that’s inherently VULNERABLE.So if you’ve ever asked yourself questions like: How much of my story should I share? Did I over share? Should I be more vulnerable?How much is too much to share? What should I NOT be sharing with my audience? Here’s a glimpse of what you’re going to learn in this episode…What is vulnerability and how it can help you build high quality relationships with your audienceHow to show the real you while maintaining professional Tangible tactics to be more strategic when sharing vulnerable stories My 3-H “Should I Share This” Assessment that I use to filter my sharesPlus tips on how to tell case studies or tell story of other peopleMy intention for this episode is to help you reframe your perspective on what vulnerability means for your personal brand– online or onstage. So that you can feel confident with what you choose to share (and be okay with what you choose NOT to).EPISODE SHOW NOTES👇https://heathersager.com/episode183/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.

Jan 19, 2023 • 49min
182. Curiosity, Pivoting & The Pep Talk You Didn’t Know You Needed with Ellen Yin
Evolution is a natural part of our lives, and our entrepreneurship is no exception. Building a brand is a process of iteration—and today’s guest, founder & host of Cubicle to CEO® Ellen Yin, has much to say on the matter.Ditching her 9 to 5, with zero back up plan, she’s been making things work swimmingly ever since. But was it profitable from the get go? How many times did she pivot? What were the skills that helped her breakthrough to her next level?Tune in and get ready to be inspired by her story of courageously creating her own path through curiosity, tenacity and bold moves. This episode is EVERYTHING you needed to hear today, packed with beautiful insights and valuable tips, so let’s jump to it.In this episode, Ellen shares:How she has evolved and pivoted her business (more than once) and the lessons she’s learned along the wayThe childhood trait she still uses as an entrepreneur (and is a superpower today)How to navigate the path when you're called to go in a different direction (ie. change industries, niches or careers)Why fostering deep connections is essential in building your businessIf she had the chance, what she’d do differently in her business building journeyHer relationship to the word hustle andWhat rest looks like for her in this season. EPISODE SHOW NOTES👇https://heathersager.com/episode182/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.

Jan 19, 2023 • 48min
181. The 4 Business Pillars That Allow Me to Only Need a Hint of Hustle
If you listen to any episode, let THIS be the one!The law of the vital few says that 80% of your results come from 20% of your efforts, the question is: where are you spending your time?After spending 15 years hustling my way up the corporate ladder I developed a work style based on busy work – which I brought into my business. In this first official episode of Hint of Hustle, I’ll share with you the real story of how I ditched overwhelm and intentionally designed a business that fits my life, not over runs it. You’ll learn why hustle is absolutely necessary in season. Episode Highlights:The first business model I chose and why I quickly ditched itThe #1 thing I did right early on in my business How tension and rest work together to create bigger resultsThe shift I made to eliminate guilt around time offWhat you can expect each week moving forward :)EPISODE SHOW NOTES👇https://heathersager.com/episode181/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.

Dec 20, 2022 • 1h 5min
180. The Final Episode: My 2022 Wrap + What's Next
Another year of wins and lessons learned, and my goodness, was it a year of BIG THINGS! From launching a new company, new programs AND our first event, we have a LOT to talk about. Join me in this week’s episode for a candid, unscripted and very cheeky recap from my year. Tune in to the full episode and listen to my special announcement at the end. :)Episode Highlights:The launch model that surprised the heck out of me in 2022 (and became my favorite!)What really motivated me to say YES to a partnership and new companyMy top 5 lessons learned after a CRAP ton of doingGood at a lot of things? What to watch out for so it doesn’t screw your plans How I dealt with self-doubt when making decisionsWhy I’m ENDING the Heather Sager Show, and what’s next :) EPISODE SHOW NOTES👇https://heathersager.com/episode180/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.

Dec 13, 2022 • 51min
179. My Top 10 Pro Tips for Attending Events & Conferences
Events are back—and there’s nothing that compares to the energy in a room filled with creative, ambitious and like-minded people. It’s my love language in business (and that’s saying a LOT as an introvert!)When deciding whether or not to attend an event, most people focus on the question “what will I learn?”, but today I want to encourage you to think differently about investing your time, money and energy by attending events. I’m sharing with you 5 event attending perspective shifts to calculate your ROI, plus my top 10 pro tips to help you get the most out of them. These are the things I learned from 20 years of managing and attending events. I hope that this conversation is meeting you at just the right time and gets you excited to put some of these things in action in 2023.In this episode, you’ll learn:Why event content is the last consideration for whether or not you attendHow to overcome the “I’m awkward and don’t know how to talk to people” momentWhat ROI actually looks like as an entrepreneur attending conferencesThe accessibility factor you might be missing and how to foster inclusionWhat to do when you don’t feel like you belong at an eventMy 10 Pro Tips on Attending Events and Conferences EPISODE SHOW NOTES👇https://heathersager.com/episode179/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.