The Speaker Lab Podcast

“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.

Tiran Jackson, a resilient speaker, shares his inspiring journey from a promising engineering career to overcoming tragic loss. He emphasizes the power of a resilient mindset, teaching that every challenge can foster growth. Tiran's story highlights his transition from grief to purpose, detailing his determination to serve others through his experiences. He discusses the importance of consistent effort and meaningful connection with audiences, encouraging aspiring speakers to embrace their unique narratives and recognize the potential for transformation in adversity.

Jason Raitz, a speaker and communication expert, founded Speak With People to help leaders communicate effectively. He shares his journey from a pastor to a full-time speaker, revealing the struggles of imposter syndrome and income instability. Jason emphasizes the importance of niching down and truly listening to an audience, particularly in the financial sector. He encourages perseverance in public speaking and stresses that real impact comes from meaningful communication and understanding others, not just delivering a message.

“Ultimately, you don’t need to have any certification. You need to have some level of experience where you can speak authentically and congruent. It’s gotta be congruent with how you feel about your knowledge.”Clinton Young knows what it’s like to hit rock bottom—and how to turn that experience into fuel for an inspiring speaking career. After losing his business and confidence during the 2008 financial crisis, everything shifted thanks to a tough-love moment at a seminar and a game-changing podcast episode. Now, as a sought-after speaker and coach, Clinton helps others build clarity, confidence, and the systems they need to get booked and paid to speak.Clinton’s secret sauce? It’s all about systems—the thing that separates hobby speakers from true professionals. Instead of trying to talk to everyone about everything, he challenges speakers to focus on what they’re great at (credibility), what fires them up (excitability), and where the real opportunities are (profitability). The biggest thing that holds most people back? Imposter syndrome. Clinton’s quick to remind us that even the best feel uncertain sometimes, but the key is taking action anyway—and shifting the focus from your own nerves to the people you’re there to serve.Success in speaking isn’t about waiting for gigs to magically appear—you’ve got to have a clear system, a focused message, and the drive to keep showing up. Clinton’s story is proof that when you ditch the “someday” mindset and get serious about building the right framework, you can turn speaking into a real, thriving career—no matter where you’re starting from.You’ll learn:The importance of systems in speakingOvercoming limiting beliefs and imposter syndromeManaging nerves and the psychological side of speakingHow to identify audiences and topicsA framework for finding your nicheUnderstanding and establishing credibilityBuilding relationships with event organizersHow to stand out among other speakersAnd much, much more!“And by far, in my opinion, the biggest thing that stops people is ourselves. It’s our own limiting beliefs around, “Can we get paid?”Episode ResourcesClinton’s Website2 Day Booked & 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.