The Keynote Curators Podcast

Seth Dechtman - The Keynote Curators
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Nov 13, 2025 • 41min

145. Leadership Lessons from Times of Crisis with Robert J. Darling

As we near the 25th anniversary of 9/11, Lt. Col. Robert J. Darling, USMC (Ret.) shares how he dealt with this crisis, taking us inside the White House bunker that day—with playbooks any leader can use.🇺🇸 It was the day a country became a neighborhood. It’s a conversation about unity under pressure, calm in chaos, and how to turn hard days into durable readiness.🇺🇸 American resilience, up close. The day a country of millions behaved like a neighborhood—and why that spirit still scales.✈️ From Beirut ’83 to the Marines. How crisis shapes calling—and the mindset it takes to serve when it counts.💼 Inside the White House bunker. Minute-by-minute decisions on 9/11; translating uncertainty into decisive action.📞 Crisis communication that works. “Known / Unknown / Next” to align teams when facts are incomplete.🗂️ Preparedness beats hindsight. Practical plans for organizations and families—before the next hard day.🔧 Flash Emergency Management. Robert’s new venture to help businesses build resilience and continuity—so operations bend, not break.🤝 Enduring values. Unity, service, and showing up for each other—beyond headlines or politics.Agendas call for leadership under pressure, crisis readiness, or culture that holds when things get loud. If you want yours anchored in the spirit of unity, Robert will exceed the bar.🎙️ Listen now and hear how Robert turns a once-in-a-generation crisis into frameworks any leader can use right away.🎤 Check out Robert’s profile here: thekeynotecurators.com/speaker/book-robert-j-darling/The dates everyone wants will go first. Get your hold in before Robert’s calendar fills up. DM me with your date, city, audience, and goals to get started.💡 Programming a resilience block? Explore more leaders at thekeynotecurators.com📞 Ready to Deliver Impact? Book a 15-minute discovery call📩 Email: info@thekeynotecurators.com#DeliveringImpact #NeverForget #September11 #CrisisLeadership #Resilience #DecisionMaking #Communication #Preparedness #Leadership #EventPlanners #MeetingPlanners #TheKeynoteCurators #Podcast
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Nov 6, 2025 • 41min

144. Balancing Your Energy for Success with Erin King

Most talks chase clicks. This one measures energy—and shows you how to manage it.From panic-attack to playbook, keynote speaker Erin King breaks down why your only real unfair advantage (in an AI world) is your energy—intuition, empathy, creativity, adaptability—and how to deploy it on purpose.Why this delivers impact for event & meeting planners:✅ Energy > Time: Treat energy like a budget you manage, not a vibe you hope for.✅ 5 Energy Types: Kinetic, responsive, generative, synergistic & more—each with a fastest path to power.✅ Subtract to Perform: Remove the blocks (doing too much, quitting too early, dodging clarity).✅ Close the Loops: Decisions & commitments left open drain the room—clarity returns capacity.✅ Leader’s Edge: Energy management is a leadership skill, not a wellness perk.🎙️ Listen now on all platforms.🎤 Booking an energy-first keynote or workshop? DM “ERIN KING” for availability or view her profile here: View Profile💡 Programming an energy management block? Explore more speakers who turn energy into outcomes: thekeynotecurators.com📞 Ready to elevate the room’s energy? Book a 15-minute discovery call📩 Prefer email? Let’s talk energy that converts: info@thekeynotecurators.com#Energy #Leadership #PeakPerformance #AudienceExperience #EventProfs #MeetingPlanners #KeynoteSpeakers #DeliveringImpact #TheKeynoteCurators
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Oct 30, 2025 • 35min

143. Navigating Life's Challenges with Purpose, with Marc Koehler

Most leadership talks inspire. This one operationalizes purpose.From the control room of a U.S. nuclear submarine to the boardrooms of turnaround companies, Marc Koehler has learned that clarity and preparation—not charisma—keep teams alive and aligned.In this episode, Marc shares how elite leaders simplify complexity, act with courage, and keep both mission and morale on course.Why this delivers impact for event & meeting planners:✅ North Star + 90-Day Plans: Balance long-term purpose with short-term precision 🌟✅ Train Before the Storm: Build readiness, not reactivity 💡✅ The 40/70 Rule: Decide faster, lead bolder 🎯✅ Values → Decisions: When values are clear, actions align ⚖️✅ One-Page Mission: A “code word” your whole team can rally behind 🧭✅ Family Mission Statement: Bringing purpose home 🏡🎙️ Listen now to hear how Marc turns submarine discipline into a framework any leader can use right now to advance right away.🎤 Booking a purpose-driven leadership keynote? DM “MARC KOEHLER” for availability or visit his profile: View Profile💡 Programming a leadership-alignment block? Explore more speakers at thekeynotecurators.com.📞 Ready to Deliver Impact? Book a 15-minute discovery call📩 Email us: info@thekeynotecurators.com#DeliveringImpact #Leadership #Purpose #Keynote #KeynoteSpeaker #LeadWithPurpose #DecisionMaking #TeamAlignment #EventPlanners #MeetingPlanners #TheKeynoteCurators #Podcast
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Oct 23, 2025 • 33min

142. How Authenticity Shapes Our Conversations with Anthony Scaramucci

Authenticity isn’t a vibe. It’s a wise strategy for event planners looking to book impactful keynote speakers.Today's guest, Anthony Scaramucci, drops a masterclass in real talk: why audiences smell spin, how keynote speakers earn trust under pressure, and why the right words reshape behavior (and business).🎧 If you’re an event planner who cares about audience experience more than optics, this one’s for you.Why this episode delivers impact:✅ Authenticity over artifice: how to speak to people, not at them (audiences feel the difference)✅ Power of language: from FDR to Reagan, why the right words change behavior (and how to craft them)✅ Emotional control = trust: temperance + humility as the real leadership flex, especially on stage✅ Make conferences matter: create intimate rooms where deals + relationships actually happen✅ Stay the course: persistence and adaptability when recession headwinds hit🎤 Want an authenticity-under-pressure keynote speech that turns language into leadership? Hire keynote speaker Anthony Scaramucci for your next conference.💡 Building a leadership + communication block that lands on Monday? Explore more keynote speakers at thekeynotecurators.com.📞 Ready to Deliver Impact? Book a 15-minute discovery call with yours truly.📩 Or, email me: info@thekeynotecurators.com#Keynote #KeynoteSpeaker #KeynoteSpeakers #Leadership #Communication #Authenticity #EventPlanners #MeetingPlanners #DeliveringImpact #AudienceExperience #TheKeynoteCurators #TheKeynoteCuratorsPodcast
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Oct 16, 2025 • 41min

141. Overcome Adversity by Shifting Your Mindset, with Magie Cook

Most keynotes inspire you to face adversity.This one dares you to choose which side of your vision you want to feed.Dr. Magie Cook went from orphaned and homeless to building a salsa company from $800—and selling it for $231 million.This week on The Keynote Curators Podcast, Magie shares how event professionals can turn adversity into a practical playbook—one that helps events spark real change and inspires attendees to see the world in a brand new way.🎧 Listen now to our conversation (in English and Spanish!) and you'll learn:✅ Adversity → Advantage: Pain doesn’t have to shrink you; if you shift your mindset, it actually sharpens you.✅ Victim or Victor: Fear and joy can’t coexist, so feed the good wolf in you.✅ Purpose Pays: When you know your "why", you can face any adversity along the way.✅ Future Casting: Visualize the goals you want to achieve, then hit the shots you need to make (even if your eyes are closed!).✅ Success Isn’t Straight: The middle of your story might be messy, but that’s where growth happens.✅ No One Is Self-Made: Nobody makes it to the top alone, so remember the people who lifted you up along the way.🎤 Want a purpose-driven keynote that turns adversity into action? DM “MAGIE” for availability & fit, and check out her profile: View Profile💡 Building an adversity-to-action block? Explore more keynote speakers at thekeynotecurators.com.📞 Ready to Deliver Impact? Book a 15-minute discovery call📩 Email us: info@thekeynotecurators.com#Keynote #KeynoteSpeaker #KeynoteSpeakers #Adversity #Purpose #PersonalDevelopment #GrowthMindset #EventPlanners #MeetingPlanners #AudienceExperience #TheKeynoteCuratorsPodcast
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Oct 9, 2025 • 34min

140. Turning Adversity into Purpose with John O'Leary

Most talks motivate. This one rebuilds people.Burned over 100% of his body as a child, keynote speaker John O’Leary chose purpose over pain—and turned adversity into a playbook for life, leadership, and audience experience that lasts far beyond the hour.🎧 In today's podcast, John shares how family, choice, and community transform adversity into personal development and a true growth mindset for teams, leaders, and the humans behind the name badges.Why this delivers impact for event & meeting planners:✅ Victim or Victor? The 5-minute reframing that changes Monday✅ Resilience rituals your team can actually keep✅ Tough love → independent action (the “Mom lesson”)✅ Make kindness operational: back-of-house to front-of-room✅ Story → movement: John’s film Soul on Fire premieres tomorrow, Oct 10 → soulonfiremovie.com🎤 Booking a purpose-led keynote? DM “JOHN” for his availability & fit and check out his profile: View Profile💡 Programming an adversity-to-action block? Explore more keynote speakers at thekeynotecurators.com.📞 Ready to Deliver Impact? Book a 15-minute discovery call#DeliveringImpact #Keynote #KeynoteSpeaker #KeynoteSpeakers #Adversity #Purpose #PersonalDevelopment #GrowthMindset #EventPlanners #MeetingPlanners #AudienceExperience #TheKeynoteCurators #Podcast
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Oct 2, 2025 • 35min

139. How Purpose Drives Us Beyond Limits with Tez Steinberg

From adversity to purpose: a keynote speaker who rows across oceans. 🚣‍♂️Event planners and meeting planners: if you're in search of a keynote that elevates audience experience and sparks real personal development with your audience, Tez Steinberg is your blueprint for a growth mindset under impossible conditions.🎧 Listen in to this podcast episode as we cover:✅ Endurance through adversity: hear how Tez went from depression to rowing the Pacific—solo.✅ Overcoming limiting beliefs: don’t wait for fear to vanish—act with it.✅ Curiosity > comfort: following wonder led Tez to ocean rowing—and a mission.✅ Purpose scales teams: bigger-than-you goals attract allies and momentum.✅ Mantra you’ll steal: “You can quit—just not today.”✅ Real-world impact: funding river-barrier projects to fight ocean plastic.🎤 Booking a purpose-led keynote? DM “TEZ” for availability & fit, and check out his profile here: View Profile💡 Designing an adversity-to-action block? Explore more keynote speakers at thekeynotecurators.com.📞 Ready to Deliver Impact? Book a 15-minute discovery call📩 Contact us directly: info@thekeynotecurators.com#Keynote #KeynoteSpeaker #KeynoteSpeakers #Adversity #Purpose #PersonalDevelopment #GrowthMindset #EventPlanners #MeetingPlanners #AudienceExperience #TheKeynoteCurators #Podcast
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Sep 25, 2025 • 38min

138. Find Your Soul's Purpose for Success with Shelley Paxton

Stop "should-ing" all over your calendar. Keynote speaker Shelley Paxton—former Harley-Davidson CMO turned corporate rebel—walked away from a “dream job” after a nightmare made her choose soul over should.Now she helps leaders bring soul into the boardroom and design cultures where people actually thrive.🎧 In this episode of The Keynote Curators Podcast, listen in as Shelley shares:✅ Where she lands across leadership • culture • well-being✅ Why “I quit my job so you don’t have to” is a permission slip you can use✅ Boundaries over burnout • Values over validation • Pause over push✅ Why ripples of impact are the new ROI✅ Why success is a feeling, not a checklist—and how that changes events🎤 Want Shelley to bring “soul into the boardroom”—and help your audience choose boundaries over burnout? Visit her keynote speaker profile.💡 Programming a values-led, people-first event? Explore more speakers at thekeynotecurators.com.📞 Ready to lock your mainstage? Schedule a 15-minute discovery call here.#EventProfs #KeynoteSpeakers #Leadership #Culture #Wellbeing #Burnout #WorkplaceCulture #AudienceEngagement #TheKeynoteCurators #CorporateRebel
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Sep 18, 2025 • 37min

137. Using Humor to Inspire Your Audience with Scott Bloom

⚡️ Most events have content for the audience. The best ones bring them in and make them feel connected.Scott Bloom has spent decades proving that laughter isn’t fluff—it’s a business tool. He’s hosted shows for Fortune 500 brands like FedEx, Ford, PepsiCo, Pfizer, and IBM—turning cold rooms into connected ones, and curveballs into moments audiences remember.In this episode of The Keynote Curators Podcast, Scott shares:✅ Why laughter is the ultimate business language✅ How to keep events on track and unforgettable✅ Why you should always put the audience first✅ The difference between hiring an emcee and hiring the right one🎤 Want Scott to bring humor, polish, and unforgettable flow to your mainstage?DM “SCOTT” for availability and fit, or visit his keynote speaker profile: View Profile💡 Designing an audience-first, connection-driven event? Explore more speakers at thekeynotecurators.com.📞 Ready to lock your mainstage? Book a 15-minute discovery call#EventProfs #KeynoteSpeakers #Emcee #EventImpact #CorporateEvents #AudienceEngagement #TheKeynoteCurators #EventPlanning #Leadership
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Sep 11, 2025 • 39min

136. Mindset Shift to Enhance Your Critical Thinking Skills with Theresa Payton

🎙️ Adrenaline gets you through a moment. Mindset gets you through a career.This week on The Keynote Curators Podcast, I sit down with Theresa Payton—the first female White House CIO—on how rejection, imposter syndrome, and even the chase for adrenaline became fuel for her growth and leadership.Listen in as we chat about:✅ How objections and rejection as a girl shaped her mindset for the future.✅ Her experience with Imposter Syndrome in the White House.✅ Where and how she fills her adrenaline void.✅ Her take on AI and technology tools.👉 Listen in and discover how rejection, imposter syndrome, and adrenaline became fuel for leadership:🎤 Want Theresa to help your audience rethink digital resilience?DM “THERESA” for availability and fit, or visit her keynote speaker profile: View profile💡 Building a resilience-first, innovation-forward lineup? Explore more speakers at thekeynotecurators.com.📞 Ready to lock your mainstage? Book a 15-minute discovery call#EventProfs #KeynoteSpeakers #Cybersecurity #AI #DigitalLeadership #EventImpact #TheKeynoteCurators #Leadership #EventPlanning

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