The Speaker Lab Podcast

“I feel like I've always been Reggie's administrative assistant with our life. So it was kind of a natural transition just to slide into that.” - Patrice Wright This week, Grant sat down with not 1, but 2 lovely guests to chat about building a speaking business with your spouse! You may remember Dr. Reggie Wright from Episode 471 last fall, but this week, we’re hearing from him AND his better half, Patrice.“My first year as a full time speaker, I wanted her to resign. I wanted her to retire the first year and come on board as my COO. And that was a little bit of some tension there, because she wanted to kind of wait and see how things would play out, and that kind of put some stress and strain on things." - Reggie Wright Grant, Reggie, and Patrice get into: 00:00 Where does the story of Reggie and Patrice start?04:31 What’s your history of supporting each other in your marriage?06:24 When did you start using help to scale your business?10:56 What point made sense to put more time and energy into the speaking side of things?14:59 Where was the tension in the decision of Patrice still holding down a full-time job?16:36 How did Patrice know it was time to make the jump?20:57 What habits/thought patterns/routines do you instill to focus on your family and marriage first?24:37 What are some examples of setting boundaries around your time?27:01 How do you balance work and rest and each other’s work ethics?31:10 Reggie’s reflection on the growth process to build a business like he has34:15 What should you think about before picking a support system?“I would not be half of what I am right now if it wasn't for my wife." - Reggie Wright "Knowing my own worth and value and knowing what I bring to the table helps me to never feel less than or never feel like, you know, he's up here and I'm down here. We're on an equal playing field." - Patrice WrightEpisode Resources: Connect with ReggieGet 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.

Erick Rheam discusses the importance of expertise alignment in the speaking industry, focusing on relationships for client ROI, offering virtual services, and message tweaking for longevity. Emphasizes value creation, industry expertise leveraging, and income stream balancing.

"The hardest part is just getting started, actually, because a lot of people say, well, yeah, I've got to make it perfect. I've got to do all these slides and presentations, curriculum, all this documentation. The best thing to do is just get started."This week, Grant sat down with Michael Patellis, the cofounder of Copecart, to talk about developing a course as a speaker.“A lot of people, they require that discipline of being able to follow a script and follow a syllabus of, okay, I have to do this thing this week, next week, etc. And then there's others that their courses are almost independent study. So a lot of it depends on the market segment that you're in and how detailed your course is and what the skill set is.”This week, Grant and Michael get into:00:00 Why should speakers consider courses as part of their business?05:19 How to think about ROI on your course?08:29 What kind of structure should you put for your course? 10:40 What do you recommend in terms of how your course is laid out? 16:00 How do people usually market a course?19:05 What other marketing opportunities are there?20:12 What kind of payout are creators looking at? 24:51 What leads to a successful course?Episode Resources: Connect with MichaelCheck out CopecartGet 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.

"People buy from you when they feel understood, not when they understand you."This week, Grant’s sitting down with TSL alumna Missy West to talk about her unlikely journey to public speaking and how her speaking career has taken off over the last few years.If you're wondering if you can overcome your fear of being on stage and be successful as a brand new speaker, this episode is for you! “I made six figures in my first full year of speaking”In this episode, Grant and Missy get into: 03:18 How Missy overcame fear and seized opportunities through resilience.06:20 Why encouragement matters as you chase goals.12:01 Missy didn’t want to become a speaker, here’s why13:54 How to overcome self-doubt and criticism18:18 Why you need a resilience team19:54 What a resilience team does22:25 What happened once you started speaking27:35 How did you transition from hobby to potential career30:09 What came next in terms of pursuing this as a career34:13 What do you think is the difference between successful and unsuccessful speakers36:58 What’s a great example of networking as a speaker40:05 How do you invest in relationships to grow your business"My resilience team reminded me, no, this is just a different stage. And everything that you've accomplished happened because you leaned into those tough moments when you were scared and you showed up anyway."Episode Resources:Missy's WebsiteMissy's LinkedInOrca LeadershipGet 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.

“Reframing my approach to public speaking was a game-changer once I recognized I was my own worst critic.”This week, Maryalice sat down with TSL coach Katherine Johnson to chat about all things authenticity on stage. If you think you’re being authentic on stage, this may be the wake-up call you didn’t know you needed! When it comes to presenting ourselves to an audience, we tend to think about the logistics, what we’re wearing, what we’re saying, etc., but we can forget about the intention and the science behind building trust and credibility with our audience. "If you think you have to prove you are, you're making it all about yourself, and that cuts connection. Like, if I could just say that you can feel that in your body, you have to find some ways to shift to connection."In this episode, Maryalice and Katherine get into: 03:50 Why actually connecting with the audience matters more than the words you say 08:49 Why aiming for connection will change the success you experience 12:19 How to set yourself up for success on the stage.15:34 What are a few ways we can improve connection and authenticity on stage?16:39 How does nervousness get in the way of our message?20:06 The impact of energy in our pre-stage routine. 25:43 How to overcome fear of criticism during talks.27:07 What it looks like to get comfortable with the fear and anxiety you might feel.33:14 How do you remove armor and promote connection?“Connection matters more than anything because you can actually say something. You could be a mediocre speaker. You could be an up-and-coming speaker. You can be pretty green. But if you know how to focus on connection with your audience, you're gonna do something special. You can continue to get better in terms of your content and some of your stagecraft, but if you know how to create that connection and be authentic from the stage, that does something powerful.”Episode Resources:Get 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.

Hal Elrod, creator of The Miracle Morning, discusses how impactful speakers don't need a sensational life story, but valuable knowledge. He shares his journey from his first paid gig to commanding high fees leveraging his book. The chapter also explores the importance of commitment and focus in building a successful speaking career.

Grant chats with storytelling expert Eva Daniel about the importance of early content development, adapting speeches, and setting goals for engaging keynotes. They discuss nailing timing, leveraging visuals, and being prepared for any occasion to become a great speaker.

We're so excited to announce the launch of our new podcast, Talk Speaker To Me! Talk Speaker to Me will bring you 10-15 minute episodes every Thursday filled to the brim with super practical, actionable advice. If this sounds like what you're looking for, search for Talk Speaker To Me on Apple, Spotify, and subscribe for weekly updates!P.S. Have no fear, The Speaker Lab Podcast isn't going anywhere. This is just a new way to bring you more content to help you book more gigs and grow your speaking business. --Welcome to our first episode of Talk Speaker To Me! In this episode, TSL facilitator and Speaker Erick Rheam walks you through exactly what his daily power hour looks like to build a long-term sustainable speaking business."I didn't have anything but a dream and a desire to be a speaker. I just went out and started prospecting on a consistent basis, and I made over $36,000 with no assets whatsoever."Erick's covering: What is a prospectHow often should your prospectWhat does a "power hour" look likeHow should you set up your tech stackWhat is the ideal amount of time between emails, and when should you just let it go"The key, though, is if I do this every day on a consistent basis, then it's like a machine, it's a methodology, and it starts to bear fruit if I do it on a consistent basis."Ready to learn a thing or two about managing your pipeline? Let's go!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

"I remember you kind of making this decision to turn The Speaker Lab into what it is today. You wanted to scale it, you wanted to grow it, make a bigger impact on people, and you really did, man." - Shane SamsToday we’re celebrating a massive milestone on The Speaker Lab Podcast, so, here’s the deal! We invited Grant's good friend Shane Sams to interview Grant about his speaking journey, how The Speaker Lab came into existence, and what it’s been like to podcast for oh, you know, almost a decade.As we celebrate this episode, we want to thank each and every one of you who have subscribed, listened to the show, and shared it with others over the years. We couldn't have published 500 episodes without your support. We're not going anywhere, either — stayed tuned for more exciting news ahead! In this conversation, you’ll get a peek behind the scenes as they discuss:00:00 What was your dream for this podcast when you started it? 05:36 Grant’s intro to podcasting and the start of the Speaker Lab dream.08:49 “But how do you actually book a gig?” 10:56 How Grant evaluated and then iterated his first course.13:34 Grant’s shift from speaker to teacher, to coach. 17:05 The early and long-standing speaking connections Grant made. 19:44 Grant reflects on the ripple effects of the impact speaking makes for people.23:55 How Grant transitioned from church work to Speaker Lab.28:04 The importance of creating deep relationships to grow your speaking career.31:41 Grant’s take on being genuine, helpful, and intentional when networking. 34:37 Shane’s personal experience with Grant’s above-average care for the people in his network. 36:32 A real story of learning from others and building great relationships that lead to growth.Episode Resources:Get 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.

We're just one episode away from the big one — #500! As we wrap up this series, we're bringing in the best speakers we know to share their #1 piece of advice for speakers who want to get to the next level. These speakers are the best of the best — combined, they've booked thousands of gigs and made tens of millions of dollars in speaking fees. If you're serious about growing your speaking business, this is an episode you don't want to miss. In just 25 minutes, you'll learn:How to serve the people who hired you wellWhy you can make more money off the stage than on itWhy consistency matters more than you might thinkWhy you need to commit to coaching How to consistently over-communicateHow to harness the power of authenticityAnd much, much more!Get your notes app ready because this episode is full of advice you'll want to remember!In this episode, you’ll hear from: Chris Ducker - Chris Ducker is a serial entrepreneur and author of the bestselling books, Virtual Freedom and more recently, Rise of the Youpreneur.Based in Cambridgeshire, Chris owns and operates several businesses, including the VA recruiting hub, Virtual Staff Finder and the personal brand education company, Youpreneur®. He is regarded as one of the top experts in the world on the subjects of virtual staffing and scaling an expert business. Chris has been a trusted international business coach, keynote speaker and podcaster since 2010 and currently spends most of his time mentoring successful entrepreneurs, as well as investing in and advising startup companies.Erick Rheam - Erick Rheam is a graduate of the United States Military Academy, West Point, New York. He spent five years as a Military Police Officer, nine years working for two municipally owned utilities, ten years in software efficiency sales, two years as the Director of Student Success for a professional speaking development company, and now he’s a full-time professional speaker and author. Erick travels the country helping men and women cut through the whirlwind, so they can rise above the chaos to discover their significance and live in peace.Jamie Nolan - Jaime serves as the CEO/President of the National Speakers Association, a membership-based not-for-profit focused on helping speakers, authors, trainers, coaches and consultants to Build a Better Business and Be a Better Speaker. Jaime has a Masters degree in Industrial-Organizational Psychology, and is also a 2015 graduate of the EO Global Entrepreneurial Master’s Program. She served as the President of the AMC Institute from 2012 – 2013, and was a member of the Board from 2005 – 2014. She also served on the Board of the Preeclampsia Foundation from 2016-2018. Jaime is a member of the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) and Associations North.Jon Acuff - Jon Acuff is the New York Times bestselling author of nine books, including Soundtracks, Your New Playlist, All It Takes is a Goal, and the Wall Street Journal #1 bestseller Finish: Give Yourself the Gift of Done. When he's not writing or recording his popular podcast, All It Takes Is a Goal, Acuff can be found on a stage as one of INC's Top 100 Leadership Speakers. He's spoken to hundreds of thousands of people at conferences, colleges, and companies around the world, including FedEx, Range Rover, Microsoft, Nokia, and Comedy Central. He lives outside of Nashville, Tennessee, with his wife and two daughters.Matt Matkovich - Matt is an ultra-marathon running, College Board recognized school counselor with a master's degree in school guidance and counseling. Matt and Phil of M&P Presentations LLC are a nationally known motivational speaking duo who are high-energy experts in cultivating confidence and promoting positivity. Their mission is to further develop self-confidence in others, model a healthy lifestyle, and consistently promote positivity through high energy presentations, social media, and their #TrainofPositivity short films. Phil Januszewski - Phil is a tattooed covered, Netflix baking-show flopping, high school chemistry and physics teacher with a master's degree in teaching leadership and positive education certification. Matt and Phil of M&P Presentations LLC are a nationally known motivational speaking duo who are high-energy experts in cultivating confidence and promoting positivity. Their mission is to further develop self-confidence in others, model a healthy lifestyle, and consistently promote positivity through high energy presentations, social media, and their #TrainofPositivity short films. Shep Hyken - Shep Hyken is a customer service and experience expert and the Chief Amazement Officer of Shepard Presentations. He is a New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestselling author and has been inducted into the National Speakers Association Hall of Fame for lifetime achievement in the speaking profession. Shep works with companies and organizations who want to build loyal relationships with their customers and employees. His articles have been read in hundreds of publications, and he is the author of "Amaze Every Customer Every Time," "Moments of Magic ," "The Loyal Customer," "The Cult of the Customer" and "The Amazement Revolution." He is also the creator of The Customer Focus program, which helps clients develop a customer service culture and loyalty mindset.Episode Resources: Get 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.