Amplify with Jess Ekstrom

Jess Ekstrom
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Mar 18, 2025 • 26min

Become a Better Speaker with These Small Changes, with Lindsay Boccardo

Public speaking can feel overwhelming, but small changes can make a huge impact. In this episode of Amplify with Jess Ekstrom, Jess sits down with keynote speaker and generational workforce expert Lindsay Boccardo to break down the subtle shifts that can take your speaking from good to great.Lindsay shares practical insights on how to engage your audience, bring the right level of energy, and avoid sounding like a phony game show host. They discuss how to turn up the dial on your presence in an authentic way, why confidence comes from preparation, and how even minor tweaks in gestures and posture can make a difference.If you’ve ever struggled with how to sound engaging without feeling like you’re putting on a performance, this episode is for you!What You’ll Learn in This Episode:The difference between a “spotlight speaker” and a “lighthouse speaker”How to boost your presence without overdoing itWhy watching yourself on video can improve your speaking skillsThe surprising impact of hydration on your stage presenceHow to handle disengaged audience members without losing confidenceWhether you're stepping onto a keynote stage or leading a team meeting, these tips will help you show up with confidence, clarity, and authenticity.Resources & Links:Follow Lindsay Boccardo: https://www.lindsayboccardo.com/Learn more about Mic Drop Club: https://micdropworkshop.com/club/Watch the full LinkedIn Live: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/jess-ekstrom-speaker-author_with-ai-front-and-center-soft-skills-are-activity-7289699709328240641-xaH9Rate & Review: Enjoying Amplify with Jess? Rate us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and leave a review to help more people discover the show!Follow Jess on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jess-ekstrom-speaker-author/ - to stay up to date with her LinkedIn Live series, where these episodes originate.Amplify with Jess is produced by Walk West and brought to you by Mic Drop Workshop.
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Nov 13, 2024 • 30min

The Viral Speech that Launched Kelsey O'Connor's Speaking Career

Kelsey O'Connor was a D1 student-athlete at North Carolina State University until she suffered a traumatic brain injury that abruptly ended her athletic career. Her journey of recovery and overcoming immense was the basis of her commencement address that went viral on TikTok and Facebook with over 40M (million) views. In our season 3 finale, Kelsey tells her story and how it led her to become a sought-after public speaker---Kelsey O'Connor's Speech: https://www.kelseyoconnor.net/videos/v/beyondperformanceLife Beyond Labels Podcast: https://sportsepreneur.com/welcome-life-beyond-labels-podcast/---Rate Amplify on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and leave a review for Jess Ekstrom.Amplify with Jess is produced by Earfluence, and brought to you by Mic Drop Workshop
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Nov 11, 2024 • 11min

Why You DON'T Get That Dopamine Hit When You Cross the Finish Line

I recently read a study on dopamine that completely changed how I look at my work and life.It initially shocked me, but then I realized why it makes sense.----Rate Amplify on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and leave a review for Jess Ekstrom.Amplify with Jess is produced by Earfluence and brought to you by Mic Drop Workshop.
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Nov 6, 2024 • 45min

Balancing Personal Ambitions with Family Dynamics, with Dr. John Delony

As a speaker, you always want to reach the point of high-flying careers that take you worldwide, but that also means taking you away from your family. This raises the question, "Can speakers really have it all?"Can we prioritize our careers, marriages, partnerships, and kids at the same time?Today, Dr. John Delony gives us his tips.---Dr. John Delony is a mental health expert who offers guidance on relationships, anxiety, and wellness.Dr. John Delony Show: https://www.youtube.com/@TheDrJohnDelonyShowFollow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/johndelony/---Rate Amplify on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and leave a review for Jess Ekstrom.Amplify with Jess is produced by Earfluence, and brought to you by Mic Drop Workshop
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Nov 4, 2024 • 7min

How are You Measuring Your Progress?

In our culture, "Making it" usually means being an Oprah or Sara Blakely, appearing on a reality TV show, or discovering a scientific formula that lets you speak to your dog.Most of us (including me!) won't make it big time. But I still have something to offer that people find value in. And so do you.So, how do we measure our progress to maximize our potential and the value we give others?----Rate Amplify on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and leave a review for Jess Ekstrom.Amplify with Jess is produced by Earfluence and brought to you by Mic Drop Workshop.
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Oct 30, 2024 • 30min

How Fear of Inadequacy Can Lead to Becoming a World-Class Speaker with Therese Gopaul-Robinson

Therese Gopaul-Robinson knew it was time for a raise. She asked for a meeting, practiced her speech, and had her PowerPoint presentation ready to go. It was time to take the next step in her career.But she didn't get her raise in that meeting - she was let go instead.Today, Therese shares her journey to becoming a world-class keynote speaker, which was initially filled with rejection and fear of inadequacy but ultimately led to her finding her first gigs.---Therese Gopaul-Robinson is a Keynote Speaker and Healthcare Consultant who's obsessed with helping women in leadership.---Rate Amplify on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and leave a review for Jess Ekstrom.Amplify with Jess is produced by Earfluence, and brought to you by Mic Drop Workshop
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Oct 28, 2024 • 11min

Is Easy Access to Knowledge Harming Your Motivation?

Imagine you had an assistant that could fit in your pocket and tell you any information you desired. "How many stars are there in the galaxy? How do I make a sourdough starter? What does it mean when something uploads “to the cloud"?Well you do have that assistant - your phone.Having all that knowledge at our fingertips is convenient, but does this convenience stop us from acting like students, being beginners, and trusting ourselves?Perhaps access to all this information is a primary reason for killing our motivation.And that's what I'm digging into today.----Rate Amplify on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and leave a review for Jess Ekstrom.Amplify with Jess is produced by Earfluence and brought to you by Mic Drop Workshop.
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Oct 23, 2024 • 31min

Resilience, Imposter Syndrome and Becoming the Boss with Lindsey Epperly

Lindsey Epperly has grown her travel business from a one-woman operation to a team of 80 (!!). It has been on the Inc 5000 list of fastest-growing companies, and Lindsey seemingly has it all.And yet, even with her success, Lindsey still encounters imposter syndrome - especially when (despite the accolades) she feels like her business is failing. Through her experiences, she realized the common pitfall of equating self-worth with success, a challenge familiar to many high achievers in today's hustle culture. However, Lindsey's perspective shifted as she began to see imposter syndrome as a sign of stepping out of her comfort zone, using it as a motivational tool to turn obstacles into opportunities.And here's what she learned in the process.---Lindsey Epperly is the CEO of JetSet World Travel and host of Who Made You the Boss? Podcast.---Rate Amplify on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and leave a review for Jess Ekstrom.Amplify with Jess is produced by Earfluence, and brought to you by Mic Drop Workshop
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Oct 21, 2024 • 15min

Overcoming Anxiety in Public Speaking

Did you know that most folks are more scared of public speaking than they are of sharks? It’s crazy, but it also makes sense! Whether it’s Jaws or facing a live audience, your body reacts to nerves similarly—it’s just a biological thing.In this episode, I'm sharing tips on how to ease your nerves before a speaking engagement, whether on stage as a keynote address, in a meeting, or at a wedding.I’ll walk you through quick tricks, like using peppermint and box breathing to calm yourself in the moment, and why making eye contact is a game changer.So the next time you step on stage, you'll have the confidence to own it.Rate Amplify on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and leave a review for Jess Ekstrom.Amplify with Jess is produced by Earfluence, and brought to you by Mic Drop Workshop.
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Oct 16, 2024 • 30min

The Reality of Passive Income with LaShonda Brown

You know that passive income everyone raves about, where you wake up to find a couple thousand extra dollars in your bank account?Surprise! It turns out it's not as easy as it seems!Today’s guest, Lashonda Brown, a tech educator and founder of Bootstrap Biz Advice, explains that passive income takes years of hard work and system-building.So, what should you do, and how can YouTube help?---Rate Amplify on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and leave a review for Jess Ekstrom.Amplify with Jess is produced by Earfluence, and brought to you by Mic Drop Workshop

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