The Keynote Curators Podcast

Chris Barton is a master of disruptive thinking to drive game-changing innovation. And he loves taking selfies with his audiences, too. 🔊 The mastermind behind everyone’s favorite music app that allows their phone to “name that tune,” Chris is the founder and creator of Shazam, an entrepreneur, inventor, and tech investor who holds 12 patents and played key roles in the early days of Google and Dropbox. ⭐️ We recently sat down to talk about his journey, from his early years as a child with a learning disability to a blossoming entrepreneur with big ideas and little appetite for rejection. 🤔 How excited is Chris about AI’s potential to change the world? How is he using AI to save lives today? What are the five key aspects of the mindset of an innovator? How did Shazam work before it was an app? Tune in to find out. 🤝 A believer that game-changing innovations don’t start from taking risks or creativity but from mindset – starting from zero –– Chris enjoys taking his audiences through a cinematic journey on stage, sharing stories about the vulnerability, uncertainty, and financial hurdles he faced as an early entrepreneur. Disruptive startups use ⁠Chris Barton’s thinking to reshape the future and his insights will inspire you, too. Get smarter by this podcast episode – and let's work together to bring his energy to your next conference! ⬇️ #podcast #innovation #music #technology #shazam #entrepreneurship #entrepreneur #entrepreneurmindset #entrepreneurialmindset #mindset #artificialintelligence #chatgpt #bestmotivationalspeakers #motivationalkeynotespeaker #inspirationalkeynotespeaker #keynotespeaker #eventplanner #meetingplanner #eventplanning

Ken Schmidt knows a thing or two about making a memorable brand impression. As the former head of communications for the iconic brand Harley-Davidson, he earned praise for helping the company recover from a dismal place in its business history through a change of mindset and by turning customers into advocates. Don't miss my in-depth conversation with Ken Schmidt, customer loyalty and leadership expert, former head of communications for the Harley-Davidson Motor Company, and author of the bestselling business book Make Some Noise: The Unconventional Road to Dominance. Described as a premium-fueled, top motivational speaker and consultant serving the world's highest-revving businesses (and those stuck in neutral), Ken talks about the keys to becoming a memorable brand in a fast-paced, impersonal world, where it takes more than just an excellent product to grow a business and stop the scroll online. Whether you're a Fortune 100 executive or an entrepreneur running a small business, brand loyalty doesn't come without a shift in creative thinking and an emotional connection with your audience. At the end of the day, your customers should REMEMBER why they're with you so they will choose to REPEAT that experience and become your brand ambassador. Tune in to discover the three strategic questions you should ask yourself to stand out in the crowd and earn brand loyalty. And if you want to bring Ken Schmidt to your next event, reach out to me, and let's make it happen!

Glenna Fulks is on an upward trajectory when it comes to creating tailored unforgettable experiences for clients. As the owner of Kite Meeting Management, she’s whisked clients away by Venetian gondola and designed spectacular dinners in the Palace of Versailles. Constantly pursuing perfection, Glenna applies her 25 years of industry experience to expert hands-on planning, operational over-site, and strategic event management. Having planned events of every shape and size worldwide, she prides herself on delivering personal service, fresh, clever ideas, and a formidable array of skills to each client. We sat down recently to talk shop. Glenna offers her unique perspectives on challenges and opportunities facing meeting and event professionals today and tomorrow, from pandemic disruptions and artificial intelligence to corporate social responsibility and the importance of impactful keynote speakers. #events #liveevents #pursuitofperfection #eventplanner #meetingplanner #eventprofessional #meetingprofessional #eventplanning #meetingplanning #incentives #incentiveplanning #meetingmanagement #keynotespeaker

Rob Lawless is a man on a mission who believes the journey, not the destination, delivers genuine fulfillment. After graduating summa cum laude from Penn State University in 2013 and enjoying a brief career with consulting and software firms, he set off to meet 10,000 new people and spend at least one hour getting to know their story. What started as a project in 2015 has blossomed into more than 5,500 new friendships. Wanting to live life purposefully and believing that every human interaction can change a life, Rob set out to create 10,000 intentional relationships. As he shares, we increase our sense of belonging, expand our perspectives, and open the door to new opportunities through exposure to people outside of our circles. Listen in as he shares his philosophy about human curiosity and connection and explains how to use the simple ‘FORD’ framework when meeting someone new. A remarkable storyteller and motivational speaker who has delivered inspiring keynotes to companies including Amazon, Shell, KPMG, and MPI, Rob reveals what influences our perception of the world, why intentional connection matters, and how you can create belonging through understanding each other’s backstories. #humanconnection #networking #relationships #connection #powerofconnection #intentionalrelationships #storyteller #communication #engagement #perspective #curiosity #belonging #robs10kfriends #peopleperson #personaldevelopment #professionaldevelopment #motivationalspeaker #inspirationalspeaker #keynotespeaker #eventplanner #meetingplanner #eventplanning

Labor shortages, the real ROI of in-person events, advancing technologies, and their effects on jobs – Geoff Colvin taps into these topics and more during our podcast this week. Don’t miss this fascinating conversation with Senior Editor-at-Large Geoff Colvin, the voice of experience for four decades at Fortune. He’s covered economic, political, technological, and competitive forces that disrupt business, taking those insights on the road to audiences from every industry, educating them on how to confront disruption and use it as a means toward growth. A brilliant panel moderator, emcee, and interviewer whose subjects have included Madeleine Albright, Ben Bernanke, and Bill Gates, Geoff is one of business journalism’s sharpest and most respected commentators on topics ranging from leadership, human performance, and globalization to competition, the economy, and the infotech revolution. Whether your company is looking to create value in new ways, invest in human interaction, or keep pace with change, Geoff Colvin delivers timely advice to knowledge-hungry audiences and shares fascinating stories about companies like Candy Crush and Chipotle that have proven how profitable adaptability and innovation can be. #strategy #innovation #voiceofexperience #thoughtleader #optimism #leadership #humanperformance #competition #infotech #AI #financialexpert #economicoutlook #globaleconomy #useconomy #insights #keynotespeaker #emcee #commentator #panelmoderator #eventplanner #meetingplanner #eventplanning

From her days as a naval intelligence officer to her role as one of today’s most influential economists, Dr. Mary Kelly has carved out an impressive career in leadership. Listen to my conversation with high-energy keynote speaker Mary Kelly, leadership speaker, US Naval Officer and Commander (Ret.), author, Ph.D., and business professor, as she shares how her Navy experiences during the first and second Gulf Wars and 9-11 help others excel and lead teams through crisis, challenge, and change. For over 25 years, she has taught and trained more than 40,000 military and civilian personnel. The author of more than 10 books on business growth, leadership, and today’s economy, Mary has worked with hundreds of organizations and companies to help audiences navigate successfully through change and crisis, succession planning, and economic uncertainty. Her insights as a  leader are inspiring year-round, but especially so during this month of celebration. #WomensMonth #empoweredwomen #womenleaders #womeninleadership #leadership #militaryleadership #leadingthroughcrisis #leadingthroughchange #disruption #management #business #businessleadership #motivationalspeaker #inspirationalspeaker #keynote #keynotespeaker #events #eventmanagement #eventplanner #meetingplanner

Christine Brennan is no stranger to breaking barriers on a predominantly male playing field. She'll also tell you that her secret to success is "working harder than everyone else." A true trailblazer for young girls and women everywhere, Christine was the first woman sportswriter at The Miami Herald in 1981, the first woman to cover Washington's NFL team as a staff writer at The Washington Post in 1985, and the first president of the Association for Women in Sports Media (AWSM). Listen to my conversation with this award-winning journalist, national sports columnist and commentator, bestselling author, and unwavering advocate of Title IX, which forever changed the landscape for girls and women in sports. A nationally known speaker, Christine has been a leading voice on some of the most controversial and important issues in sports over the past four decades. Never afraid to take a stand on an issue in sports, she was named one of the country's top 10 sports columnists three times by the Associated Press Sports Editors and was the winner of the prestigious Red Smith Award in 2020 for her "major contributions to sports journalism." Christine will capture your attention, offering narratives that helped define her career, including the Russian judging scandal at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi and the Russian doping scandal at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. She also shares insights about the essential life lessons young girls learn from participation in sports. #womensmonth #womenleaders #breakingbarriers #sportsjournalist #womeninsports #girlsinsports #womeninsports #titleIX #inspirationalspeaker #keynotespeaker #eventplanner #meetingplanner #eventplanning #professionalwomen #futureleaders

What’s a characteristic that many of the most successful, influential people in the world have in common? Insatiable curiosity. For almost 40 years, Ron Insana has enjoyed a unique vantage point of – and an insatiable curiosity himself for ­– the economic and business world as a respected financial journalist, senior analyst and commentator for CNBC, former hedge fund manager, and bestselling author. As a journalist, he’s enjoyed a window into the thought process of some of the biggest business titans and most powerful world leaders and has been one of the most trusted sources of financial news and advice. Listen to my podcast with Ron Insana as he talks about his decorated career as a journalist and financial expert, the three speakers who most influenced his career as a keynote speaker today, and his thoughts on the current state of the global economy. Adaptability and patience will serve event professionals well as we continue into 2023. A fascinating storyteller who favors the Q&A portion of his keynotes, Ron translates market signals and political maneuvers into actionable information that his audiences can use to navigate change, protect what they have, and spot fresh opportunities. #financialexpert #economicoutlook #globaleconomy #USeconomy #insights #financialwellbeing #keynotespeaker #eventplanner #meetingplanner #eventplanning

“Once you commit to big goals and live with intention, life opens up with unending possibilities.” – Ben Nemtin Driving a Fiat across Italy. Playing basketball with President Obama. Delivering a baby. Earning a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records. To most, these seem like impossible undertakings. Especially fitting four grown men into a Fiat. Ben Nemtin and his three college friends did it though, along with 96 other seemingly implausible tasks on their ultimate bucket list of 100 things to do before you die. Don’t miss my inspiring and fascinating podcast with Ben Nemtin. Ranked 3rd Best Motivational Speaker in the World and World’s Top Organizational Culture Thought Leaders by Global Gurus in 2022, Ben has shared his message of radical possibility in major media, including The Oprah Winfrey Show, The Today Show, CNN, NBC, FOX, ABC, CBS, and more. An organizational culture expert, he’s also the best-selling author of What Do You Want to Do Before You Die? and star of the MTV show The Buried Life. While searching for purpose in college ten years ago, Ben Nemtin started on an epic journey with three college friends, armed with the world’s greatest bucket list of things they wanted to do before they died. Their quest has inspired millions of people worldwide to make the impossible possible. Listen in as Ben talks about letting go of regret, looking backward to propel forward, learning from mistakes, and taking chances. A remarkable master storyteller who has delivered over 500 keynotes to household brands and Fortune 100 companies, Ben will help you pave the way forward to personal and professional fulfillment, move you to cross things off your bucket list, and start living your best life. #bucketlist #livetheimpossible #failforward #noregrets #takechances #mindset #followyourdreams #ownyourlife #personaldevelopment #professionaldevelopment #motivationalspeaker #inspirationalspeaker #keynotespeaker #eventplanner #meetingplanner #eventplanning

Attention, event professionals! Don’t miss my interview with Jessie States, Vice President of Meeting Professionals International’s MPI Academy, as she offers a glimpse into her world and shares valuable insights about the future of events. In this ‘new normal’ world, where change is the only guarantee, Jessie shares her thoughts on reframing challenges as opportunities and reimagining what in-person experiences can be. Meetings of the future are never going to look like 2019 again. Shifting our focus toward the future is where it’s at. Whether exploring new ways to connect in an increasingly digital world, developing engagement opportunities to foster more meaningful connections, or looking at other industries for innovation inspiration, Jessie is always quenching her thirst for knowledge. Professionally, she leads and advances the association’s professional development strategy, developing and managing MPI’s diverse portfolio of educational products for its vast global community of meeting and event professionals. Get the inside scoop from a leading voice and trendsetter in the industry! #mpiacademy #mpi #meetingprofessionalsinternational #meetingprofessionals #successfulmeetings #professionaldevelopment #meetingsandevents #keynotespeaker #eventplanner #meetingplanner #events #eventmanagement