The Speaker Lab Podcast

"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 dreamsDecision-making and positive-outcome mindsetsHelping organizations level up frontline leadersConsulting as a viable career-pathInitial networking stepsIncorporating family into the entrepreneurial journeyMarket validation through direct-network outreachLeveraging industry knowledgeAnd 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 ResourcesTania’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.

“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 chaplainPreaching new content as opposed to reusing talksNavigating which opportunities to accept and declineChallenges of charging for speakingTarget audiences and adjusting approach based on event contextImportance of expert positioning and business fundamentalsAnd much, much more!“I love encouraging people to embrace fear and to jump because comfort is really a robber. It’s a thief.”Episode ResourcesKent’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.

“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 assetThe challenges of remote work and its effect on workplace relationshipsIssues around charging for speaking engagementsStrategies for overcoming mindset obstaclesStephanie’s experience with The Speaker LabAbout building a mailing list and using content to generate referralsThe importance of designing a speaking career around family needsStep for self-developmentAnd much, much more!“More and more people are working remotely, and it has a big effect on team cohesion.”Episode ResourcesStephanie’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 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 successHow Stacey helps others by sharing her storyHow difficulties impacted Stacey’s career pathThe power speaking has on creating emotional impactAdvice for when your story doesn’t feel “big enough”Challenges of narrowing broad experiences into a focused messageThe value of cold outreachAnd 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 ResourcesStacey’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.

Chase Livingston, a youth motivational speaker with a background in theater, shares his inspiring journey from stage hopes to impactful speaking. He candidly discusses the inevitable struggles of starting out, emphasizing that patience and persistence are crucial. Listeners will find valuable insights on navigating paid versus unpaid gigs and the importance of professional relationships in the industry. Chase's story underscores that embracing imperfection and taking consistent action is key to transforming dreams into reality.

In this engaging conversation, Kimberly Clark, a teen resilience speaker and emotional intelligence expert, shares her transformative journey from addiction to empowerment. She emphasizes the importance of owning your story and using it to help others navigate their own challenges. Kimberly discusses the hurdles speakers face, including self-doubt and recognizing their value. With practical insights, she explains how investing in oneself can lead to meaningful connections and actionable change for teens. Her powerful message encourages authenticity and the courage to demand one's worth.

In this engaging discussion, Gina Bianchini, Founder and CEO of Mighty Networks, shares her insights on transforming speakers into community builders. She emphasizes that genuine audience engagement goes beyond the stage, focusing on fostering ongoing relationships. Gina tackles challenges like burnout and offers refreshing advice on leading with purpose. She highlights the importance of connecting audiences, whether through online platforms or in-person events, turning passive listeners into active participants and showing how communities can enhance personal and professional growth.

Daniel Harkavy, Founder and CEO of Building Champions with nearly 30 years in coaching, dives into the journey of turning speaking failures into business success. He shares his rocky first speaking gig and how it fueled his desire to connect authentically, emphasizing that speaking can ignite growth. Daniel advocates for embracing uniqueness, overcoming imposter syndrome, and the powerful role of speaking in lead generation for coaches. He inspires listeners to balance their speaking and coaching endeavors for greater impact.

Clint Pulver, a professional speaker, drummer, and storyteller, shares his insights on what sets speakers apart in a competitive industry. He emphasizes the importance of creating memorable, interactive experiences rather than standard keynotes. Clint encourages speakers to embrace their unique traits and integrate elements like drumming and storytelling into their presentations. He discusses the balance of content and entertainment, likening effective speaking to a Broadway performance, ultimately inspiring others to craft their own path in the speaking world.

Brittany Hodak, a sought-after speaker and author of 'Creating Super Fans,' shares her journey from marketing for music icons to inspiring businesses to foster loyalty. She highlights the importance of understanding customer experience and intentionally curating a speaking career that aligns with personal values. Brittany stresses learning to say no to distractions while balancing her family life with a demanding schedule. Her insights on building authentic connections and refining a distinct message make for an engaging discussion on successful speaking.