The Speaker Lab With Grant Baldwin // Public Speaking / Motivational Speaking / Entrepreneurship

“I’ve been a caterpillar. You know, what do caterpillars do? They collect, they eat, they stock up, they build up until they get a calling that says build yourself a chrysalis. And that [chrysalis], for me, was leaving public service.”Welcome back to The Speaker Lab podcast! Today’s episode features Marcy Grossman, whose career path took her from criminal psychologist, working in federal prisons, to Canadian ambassador in the United Arab Emirates, and now to the world of professional speaking. Host Grant Baldwin guides us through Marcy Grossman’s candid journey, revealing the authentic highs and lows behind building a business as a speaker.Less than a year ago, Marcy found herself in what she describes as the “dark valley of despair”—overwhelmed by anxiety, negative self-talk, and the fear that her stories wouldn’t matter. But instead of giving up, Marcy turned to The Speaker Lab podcast and program, discovering a supportive community, actionable frameworks, and the structure she needed to move forward. Grant

“Within an in demand topic, how are you going to differentiate? There are only X number of categories of movies out there, right? And so it’s not like you’re suddenly going to invent a new category of movie, but you do want, within that well trenched category, to be distinct.”Welcome back to The Speaker Lab podcast! In today’s episode, host Grant Baldwin is joined once again by youth speaker and entrepreneur, Josh Shipp, for a masterclass on how to build a seven-figure speaking business. If you’ve ever wondered what it really takes to reach and sustain that elusive seven-figure mark in the speaking industry, this conversation is for you!Drawing inspiration from his own career and his work as the founder of a successful speakers bureau for the youth and education space, Josh pulls back the curtain on the practical, often overlooked strategies that lead to lasting success. He and Grant dive deep into the six core offerings every speaker should consider—starting with the foundational work of perfecting your spee

“Once you have your go-to framework, your go-to model, and then as you innovate, few come up with new ideas, and instead of just doing away with the old one, it becomes a tool in your pocket. And you can keep building that toolbox as you go.”This week, host Grant Baldwin reconnects with his good friend, renowned speaker, author, and content strategist Melanie Deziel. If you've ever struggled to organize your ideas, wanted to stand out in the crowded speaking market, or wondered how successful speakers build frameworks that turn concepts into intellectual property, you're in the right place.Grant and Melanie explore the crucial role frameworks play in building a memorable and scalable speaking business. Melanie breaks down why frameworks matter, what separates a strong framework from a pile of raw ideas, and how you can start developing your own signature process or model. Using relatable analogies, the discussion centers around how having a clear structure not only makes your message more memorable but also a

“I started pursuing meaning instead of money. And I made way more money focusing on meaning and not thinking about money as much as I did when I was laser focused on making more money but living a life that was absent of meaning.”Welcome back to The Speaker Lab podcast! In today’s episode, host Grant Baldwin sits down with Harris III, an award-winning illusionist, speaker, author, and entrepreneur known for his unique blend of magic and impactful storytelling. Harris shares his journey from humble beginnings to building a career that’s not just about entertainment but inspiring meaningful change.Together, Grant and Harris dig deep into the art of connecting with audiences, the challenge of moving beyond labels like “Christian magician” or “entertainer,” and how Harris transitions his skills from performing magic to cultivating transformational experiences for organizations across the globe. They talk candidly about entrepreneurship, building a personal brand, and the difference between energizing a crowd and

"All those little intangibles that are so nuanced, the great storytellers can put themselves physically and emotionally back in the story and bring you with them, and then somehow bring it back to you.” If you’ve ever felt like your life isn’t interesting enough for the stage, Katie Quesada is here to change your mind. On this episode of The Speaker Lab, Katie and Grant Baldwin unpack what really makes stories memorable. Instead of rehashing a list of personal events, Katie encourages speakers to choose moments that spark connection. For example, she doesn’t just share about living in an RV; she asks audiences, “Have you ever craved simplicity?” Suddenly, everyone relates.Her simple storytelling framework uses the Three Cs:Context: Set the scene, but skip the extra details. Give just enough info so listeners can picture what’s happening.Conflict: Don’t shy away from what was hard or scary. This is where real connection happens.Conclusion: Don’t just wrap up with your own win. End on shared values, so the

“When downselling, it’s really good to say, ‘Who is above me, and who is below me?’ And then also find out, looking laterally, who do you compete against? Who is within a similar fee range?...Who can I refer that might fit along that axis.”In this episode, Grant Baldwin teams up with industry insider Brian Lord of Premier Speakers Bureau for a conversation about what it takes to succeed as a speaker. Brian’s insight is simple: know your place in the market, nurture real relationships, and don’t underestimate the power of referrals.Brian shares his “speakers matrix” concept, challenging every speaker to map out who’s above, below, and alongside them in terms of fees and content. Why? Because networking up and down this axis isn’t just smart, it’s essential. Those connections bring in gigs you’d otherwise miss and make sure you’re not flying solo in the business.Brian’s biggest reminder is to not get lost in the latest trends. AI may be hot, but your authentic message and consistently fresh content are what kee

“You have to make sure you don’t lose the vision of what you started, because the team could begin and can take on a personality of its own. And if you don’t manage it, you can get off the vision of what brought you here.”What does it really take to build a thriving speaking business? In this week’s thought-provoking episode, Grant Baldwin sits down with Erick Rheam to explore the practical strategies and mindset shifts needed for true longevity in this industry.Erick, an established speaker with years of experience under his belt, opens up about his own journey: the early hustle, the inevitable challenges, and, most importantly, how he’s learned to balance ambition with sustainability. He and Grant get real about the myth of constant grind, explaining that putting in the hard work is necessary at the start, but staying stuck in overdrive isn’t the secret to lasting impact or happiness.Instead, this conversation dives deep into the habits and boundaries that separate career burnout from long-term success. Eri

“My job is to make [event planners] look like a rock star when I get off stage…I stand beside them so I can also have them hear the lovely things people are saying in line when people want to hug you and take their photo with you. And so what they need to see is [that I] was a good investment.”In this episode, Grant Baldwin connects with Neen James for an honest, energetic conversation on what it truly means to make an impact as a public speaker. Neen’s journey shines a spotlight on the power of intentional focus, where knowing exactly who you serve, and why, can transform not only your business but your ability to connect from the stage.As Neen shares, growing your speaking business is less about flashy tactics and more about consistent, meaningful action. She and Grant unravel the myth that you need a massive following or viral content to succeed. Instead, it’s about doubling down on the basics: nurturing authentic relationships within your network, following up with event planners, and always delivering va

“[I’m trying] to use stories so the audience can find themselves in the story as it relates to their life, but then extract the lessons learned, the principles to help, to overcome, to move through the process that’s executed, to use adversity as fuel for purpose.”This week, Grant Baldwin sits down with Lance Cibik, peeling back the curtain on what it really takes to build momentum and establish yourself in the world of public speaking. Lance’s background is a blend of experiences, not just as a speaker but as someone constantly evolving and adapting. Grant drives home the importance of clarity, knowing who you serve and how you help them, then communicating that message with confidence.Moreover, focus in your messaging is non-negotiable, but it’s not just about what you say; it’s about who you say it to. Both Grant and Lance highlight the necessity of consistent outreach. You can have all the passion in the world, but if your calendar isn’t full, it’s time to revisit your prospecting strategy. Move beyond wa

“The whole purpose of the Speaker Lab is we’re here to help speakers, to give them confidence, to get them out there and to translate their experiences, their stories into something that they can take out and get booked and paid to speak.”Building a thriving speaking business comes down to strategy, momentum, and the discipline to keep moving forward. In this episode of The Speaker Lab, Erick Rheam coaches Marcy Grossman and Michael Foreman through the real-life challenges all speakers face, whether it’s juggling multiple roles or breaking out of a booking rut.For Marcy, who blends speaking, consulting, mentoring, and more, the key is clarity. Erick assures her that it’s fine to wear many hats, as long as she stays focused on filling her pipeline and marketing her core message. No matter how diverse your brand, consistency in outreach is critical. Meanwhile, Michael is reminded that the secret to more gigs is leveraging past relationships.The bottom line in this episode is simple but powerful: keep prospectin

“I have a friend who used to call it putting the cookies on a lower shelf. And you want to say to the audience things that they can absolutely understand and they can take action on and that are not confusing.”What really sets the best speakers apart? This week on The Speaker Lab, host Grant Baldwin chats with Donald Miller, author, entrepreneur, and creator of the StoryBrand framework, about how to become the kind of speaker event planners and audiences remember.Donald’s golden rule? If you confuse, you lose. Rather than trying to sound smart or fancy, focus on making your message unmistakably clear. Simple, repeatable soundbites are the key to winning hearts and growing your impact. And instead of trying to be everything to everyone, Donald urges speakers to solve a specific problem. Dialing in on your area of expertise makes you the go-to choice and helps book more gigs, not fewer.In regard to feelings of imposter syndrome, speakers don’t need to know everything, just more than their audience. Donald remin

“When speakers communicate directly with the clients and leave me out of the communication, it can get fuzzy. And there have been times when that’s happened and logistical details have not occurred and it has cost somebody money.”Behind every outstanding speaking event is a world of logistics, relationships, and attention to detail that most audiences never see. On this week’s episode of The Speaker Lab, host Grant Baldwin chats with Lori Kennedy from Premier Speakers Bureau, an Advance Agent, who has mastered the art of making events run smoothly.Lori unpacks the critical steps that set the best speakers apart, from executing contracts and managing travel to handling last-minute changes with calm professionalism. Her candid stories from the field highlight the importance of flexibility, communication, and always having a Plan B.For speakers aiming to build strong, long-term relationships with event planners and bureaus, Lori emphasizes the power of simple habits like responding quickly to emails, keeping com

“Content is still important, but content is much more of a commodity. So the premise has to be that we’ve got to create something…It has to include conversation, it has to include community, it has to include the idea that there’s going to be something that’s analog that happens.”In this week’s episode of The Speaker Lab, Grant Baldwin chats with Brad Lomenick about what truly makes speakers memorable. Brad’s big takeaway is that being great to work with matters even more than being the most dynamic person on stage.Brad shares that self-awareness is key: know your strengths, get feedback, and focus on the type of events where you shine. He also highlights the importance of personal touches like connecting with organizers, knowing your audience, and showing genuine kindness.Ultimately, it’s the offstage moments and relationships you build that lead to lasting success. Want to get booked again and again? Prioritize being a good human, not just a good speaker!You’ll learn:The value of feedback in improving as a

“...hustle and hard work might get you past a certain project or deadline, but then habits will help you last over the long haul, right? So build a business that doesn’t ultimately break you over time.”What does it take to build a speaking business and a life that lasts? In this week’s episode of The Speaker Lab, host Grant Baldwin sits down with his longtime friend Chris Ducker, who just released his new book, The Long-Haul Leader. Together, they dig into the real strategies behind sustainable success, steering clear of the non-stop hustle that risks burnout.Chris shares candid insights from his entrepreneurial journey and research, emphasizing that while hustle is required in the early days, you can’t stay in high gear forever. Instead, he champions the power of habits, boundaries, and honest self-care, arguing that protecting your energy is more important than squeezing every last minute from your calendar.The episode is packed with valuable advice: how to recognize burnout before it hits, why recovery is

“A photo in general is not going to win you business, but bad photos are going to lose you your business all the time because it absolutely crushes.”Ever dread getting new headshots or wonder if your photos help your speaking business? On this episode of The Speaker Lab, Grant Baldwin chats with photographer John DeMato about what matters when it comes to imagery and visual storytelling for speakers.John’s best advice is that your branding photos aren’t for you; they’re for your audience. Every image should invite people into your world and show how you help them, building trust and credibility. This means going beyond stiff portraits and staged shots. John stresses having a strategy: your photos should tell the story of who you serve, how you solve problems, and what working with you looks like. Think candid behind-the-scenes moments, action shots, and authentic glimpses of your process, not just you on stage with a mic.Additionally, John advises focusing on natural, in-the-moment photos rather than stiff po

“If your heart is genuinely how do I care about people by doing what I love to do, if that’s the driver of it, I don’t see how you can not end up in a place that is rewarding, fulfilling, and doing something that makes the world a better place.”Ever wonder if your story is worth sharing or how to even start turning your experience into a book, speech, or brand? In this episode of The Speaker Lab, Grant Baldwin chats with Bill Blankschaen, founder of Story Builders, for an honest look at what makes a story truly impactful.Bill’s approach is all about clarity and service. He urges aspiring speakers and authors to ask what the one thing they want their audiences to remember. If they’re unsure about that, their message probably needs fine-tuning. Importantly, Bill reminds us that while your story is about you, it’s meant for others. The value lies in helping your audience solve real problems or see themselves in your journey.Grant and Bill also unpack practical tips and frameworks for how to test if your story is

“The mistake I’m seeing a lot of companies make is they’re racing to shove it into a product where they’re trying to drive costs down before the leaders making the call have become AI-driven leaders.”Feeling overwhelmed by AI and unsure how it fits into your speaking business? In this value-packed episode of The Speaker Lab, Grant Baldwin chats with Geoff Woods, author of The AI-Driven Leader, for a refreshingly practical look at embracing technology without losing your human edge.Geoff shares how speakers should treat AI as a tool, focusing on using it to drive real results and streamline the work that matters most. He introduces straightforward frameworks, like his CRIT method (Context, Role, Interview, Task), to help you get more out of AI, whether you’re prepping your next keynote or brainstorming business strategy.What shines through is the focus on human strengths and meaningful connections. Rather than fearing that AI will make us obsolete, Geoff sees it as a chance for speakers to elevate their unique

“The act of you and I exchanging contact information raises the standard that there is going to be a follow up…You want to make that connection and set the expectation right then and there.”Ever left a conference buzzing, only to watch that excitement fizzle when it comes to follow-up? This live coaching session from The Speaker Lab pulls back the curtain on how pros turn event momentum into real speaking business.Facilitator Erick Rheam teams up with speakers Bridget Quigg and Shannon GaNun for a candid conversation about what works and what doesn’t in post-event follow-up. Bridget shares her frustration when promising leads go silent, and Erick offers simple, practical advice: always exchange contact info in person, set clear expectations for next steps, and don’t rely on LinkedIn or mass attendee lists. Real business starts with real, personal connections.Shannon’s question on breaking into corporate gigs leads to another golden nugget: you don’t need a hard pitch. Just mention that you’re available for fu

"I know there's a lot of benefits to automation, but when it came to [outreach], I felt it was very important for me to send personalized emails to each person in my network to tell them what I was doing and ask if I could help."If you’ve ever considered leaving a stable corporate career to pursue something more meaningful, Tania Will Jeppesen’s story is essential listening. On this week’s episode of The Speaker Lab podcast, host Grant Baldwin sits down with Tania—a former operations and HR leader who took the leap from a secure job and steady paycheck to launch her own consulting business, “The Prepared Leader.” It’s an episode full of practical advice and heartfelt honesty for anyone wrestling with the tension between comfort and calling.After nearly two decades in the trenches of supply chain and operations, Tania recognized a gap: frontline managers were often overlooked in leadership development. Driven by a blend of professional experience, a supportive family, and her own faith, she finally acted on a

“I was trying to figure out what’s my lane that I need to be saying yes to? And what are the things I would have to say no to so that I can say yes to the better things?”Kent Chevalier’s speaking journey is anything but conventional. In this week’s episode of The Speaker Lab podcast, Grant Baldwin sits down with Kent, a longtime pastor turned Pittsburgh Steelers chaplain—who’s built his career at the intersection of faith, leadership, and personal courage.Kent opens up about transitioning from preaching in churches to mentoring professional athletes, and how the toughest challenge wasn’t the change of audience, it was learning to truly value his craft. Like many who come from service-driven backgrounds, Kent faced the uncomfortable work of charging for his expertise, despite years spent speaking for free. He shares honestly about wrestling with guilt, setting boundaries, and deciding that his time spent away from his wife and daughters needed to be respected and compensated.Underneath it all is a message fami