The Speaker Lab Podcast

In this engaging conversation, Harris III, an award-winning illusionist and entrepreneur, discusses his journey from being a child magician to a transformative speaker. He emphasizes the importance of pursuing meaning over money and critiques superficial entertainment. Harris reveals the challenges of shifting his identity while maintaining authenticity and how storytelling can significantly impact corporate culture. His insights on building a personal brand and the importance of long-term relationships in event settings provide valuable lessons on balancing personal fulfillment with professional growth.

"All those little intangibles that are so nuanced, the great storytellers can put themselves physically and emotionally back in the story and bring you with them, and then somehow bring it back to you.” If you’ve ever felt like your life isn’t interesting enough for the stage, Katie Quesada is here to change your mind. On this episode of The Speaker Lab, Katie and Grant Baldwin unpack what really makes stories memorable. Instead of rehashing a list of personal events, Katie encourages speakers to choose moments that spark connection. For example, she doesn’t just share about living in an RV; she asks audiences, “Have you ever craved simplicity?” Suddenly, everyone relates.Her simple storytelling framework uses the Three Cs:Context: Set the scene, but skip the extra details. Give just enough info so listeners can picture what’s happening.Conflict: Don’t shy away from what was hard or scary. This is where real connection happens.Conclusion: Don’t just wrap up with your own win. End on shared values, so the audience sees themselves in the story.Katie’s practical advice is to test stories at dinner parties, coffee shops, or wherever you chat with friends. Notice what gets a reaction, and refine as you go. She recommends keeping a running note of story ideas and even using AI tools like ChatGPT to help organize and edit your thoughts. And when it comes to humor, focus on levity. You don’t need punchlines; just offer moments for your audience to breathe and relate. You don’t need a dramatic life event. Look for everyday moments that mean something, keep your stories concise, and always connect back to your listener!You’ll learn:Creating shared meaning with the audienceDifferences between personal stories, borrowed anecdotes, and historical narrativesCutting unnecessary details from your speakingBalancing struggles with authenticityMoving from moments to meaningEmotional resonance as the driver of behavioral changePracticing energy, expressiveness, and nuanced deliveryAnd much, much more!“Authenticity is going to be what cuts the noise of becoming a stereotype, especially in the speaking space.”Episode ResourcesKatie’s WebsiteGet Free Speaker ResourcesBook a Call with The Speaker LabCalculate Your Speaking FeeJoin The Speaker Lab Community on FacebookSubscribe on Apple PodcastsSubscribe on SpotifySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Brian Lord, a seasoned talent agent from Premier Speakers Bureau, shares invaluable insights for aspiring and established speakers. He introduces the 'speakers matrix', emphasizing the importance of understanding your market position. Networking strategically with peers can lead to valuable referrals. Brian stresses the need for authenticity in a rapidly changing industry, particularly amidst AI trends. He also highlights the significance of building meaningful relationships offstage to enhance future bookings and reinforces the idea that continual improvement is key to success.

In this engaging conversation, guest Erick Rheam, a seasoned professional speaker, shares insights from his journey in building a sustainable speaking career. He outlines the five levels of a speaking career, discussing the challenges and triumphs at each stage. Erick emphasizes the importance of intentional routines, clear priorities, and strategic rest to avoid burnout. Listeners gain practical advice on how to maintain ambition without losing vision, making this a must-listen for anyone aiming to make a lasting impact in the speaking industry.

Neen James, an experienced keynote speaker, consultant, and author of "Exceptional Experiences," shares her insights on creating unforgettable audience experiences. She emphasizes the importance of intentional focus and nurturing authentic relationships. The conversation covers the BDA framework for preparation and follow-up, the significance of being exceptional on stage, and practical steps for event success. Neen also discusses customizing content, building long-term relationships, and the importance of treating event planners like rock stars.

Lance Cibik, a former senior vice president in finance, now inspires as a professional speaker and author. He shares how he transitioned from corporate life to embrace speaking full-time, driven by a desire to use his personal experiences with adversity. Topics include the pivotal moments that led to his career shift, the importance of audience engagement, and techniques for effective outreach. Lance emphasizes treating speaking like a business and highlights how personal stories can resonate, turning pain into impactful lessons for others.

In this engaging discussion, leadership expert Marcy Grossman and networking specialist Michael Foreman share tips for elevating their speaking careers. Marcy emphasizes the need for clarity while balancing her diverse services, advocating for consistent outreach. Michael reveals how to tap into existing relationships to secure new gigs. Both guests receive coaching on revitalizing their pipelines by treating free gigs like paid ones, and the importance of nurturing their networks to turn one opportunity into many. Get ready for some actionable insights!

“I have a friend who used to call it putting the cookies on a lower shelf. And you want to say to the audience things that they can absolutely understand and they can take action on and that are not confusing.”What really sets the best speakers apart? This week on The Speaker Lab, host Grant Baldwin chats with Donald Miller, author, entrepreneur, and creator of the StoryBrand framework, about how to become the kind of speaker event planners and audiences remember.Donald’s golden rule? If you confuse, you lose. Rather than trying to sound smart or fancy, focus on making your message unmistakably clear. Simple, repeatable soundbites are the key to winning hearts and growing your impact. And instead of trying to be everything to everyone, Donald urges speakers to solve a specific problem. Dialing in on your area of expertise makes you the go-to choice and helps book more gigs, not fewer.In regard to feelings of imposter syndrome, speakers don’t need to know everything, just more than their audience. Donald reminds speakers that they’re not the hero, they’re the guide, and if they can help their audience win, they’ll stand out for all the right reasons. Packed with wisdom you can put into action today, this episode is essential listening for anyone who wants to master both the art and business of getting booked—and remembered—as a speaker. Don’t miss it!You’ll learn:Following proven communication principles over improvisationHow the StoryBrand framework clarifies and structures messagingDefining your niche as a speakerEstablishing authority by knowing your subjectPositioning your audience as the heroPrioritizing clarity over cleverness in communicationUsing both speaking and writing to refine your contentAnd much, much more!“The more niched down you get, the more likely you are to be on stages.”Episode ResourcesDonald’s Website2 Day Booked and Paid BootcampGet Free Speaker ResourcesBook a Call with The Speaker LabCalculate Your Speaking FeeJoin The Speaker Lab Community on FacebookSubscribe on Apple PodcastsSubscribe on SpotifySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

“When speakers communicate directly with the clients and leave me out of the communication, it can get fuzzy. And there have been times when that’s happened and logistical details have not occurred and it has cost somebody money.”Behind every outstanding speaking event is a world of logistics, relationships, and attention to detail that most audiences never see. On this week’s episode of The Speaker Lab, host Grant Baldwin chats with Lori Kennedy from Premier Speakers Bureau, an Advance Agent, who has mastered the art of making events run smoothly.Lori unpacks the critical steps that set the best speakers apart, from executing contracts and managing travel to handling last-minute changes with calm professionalism. Her candid stories from the field highlight the importance of flexibility, communication, and always having a Plan B.For speakers aiming to build strong, long-term relationships with event planners and bureaus, Lori emphasizes the power of simple habits like responding quickly to emails, keeping commitments, and always looping your team in on changes. She shares why being easy to work with is just as crucial as what you do on stage, and how thoughtful touches like thank-you notes or a quick text that you’ve arrived can make all the difference.Packed with actionable advice, this episode is a must-listen whether you’re just starting or looking to elevate your reputation. From pre-event preparation to making a lasting impression after the applause, Lori’s wisdom will help you become the kind of speaker event planners can’t wait to work with again!You’ll learn:The meaning and responsibilities of an advanced agentRisks associated with speakers handling logistics independentlyBest practices for booking travelRoles of agents in contract creation and executionTips for making event logistics smoother for everyone involvedThe importance of personalized connection before, during, and after eventsAnd much, much more!“I am doing logistics, or what we call advancing the event, and therefore the word advanced agent…and before you go to the venue, you have to have everything set up…and so advancing was always the part that happened before you arrived to make sure that they were ready when you arrived.”Episode ResourcesLori’s Website2 Day Booked and Paid BootcampGet Free Speaker ResourcesBook a Call with The Speaker LabCalculate Your Speaking FeeJoin The Speaker Lab Community on FacebookSubscribe on Apple PodcastsSubscribe on SpotifySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

“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 communicatorPursuing growth without losing sight of strengthsHow to elicit helpful criticismThe difference between different types of feedbackNavigating the challenge of competing with digital contentBuilding community and trust as a speakerTips for making big rooms feel “smaller”The long-term effect of how speakers treat people off-stageAnd 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 ResourcesBrad’s Website2 Day Booked and Paid BootcampGet Free Speaker ResourcesBook a Call with The Speaker LabCalculate Your Speaking FeeJoin The Speaker Lab Community on FacebookSubscribe on Apple PodcastsSubscribe on SpotifySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.