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

“I feel guilty to charge [money] for what I love to do…one woman said, ‘They should pay you because it’s your gift, you shouldn’t feel guilty about it.’”Few stories capture the grit and transformation behind a speaking business like Stephanie Dauphin’s journey. This week, Grant Baldwin chats with Stephanie on The Speaker Lab podcast about investing over a decade in her craft—often speaking for free, wrangling self-doubt, and struggling with the idea that meaningful, joyful work can (and should) be well-paid.Her turning point wasn’t just learning how to market herself or build a keynote. It was doing the mindset work: identifying and letting go of limiting beliefs around money, motherhood, and self-worth, many rooted in her upbringing. Stephanie is honest about the messy process, the fear of charging what you’re worth, and the inner resistance that can sabotage your best opportunities.What shines through is her hard-earned wisdom: fulfillment comes from embracing your gifts, serving others, and having the cour

“When you are speaking and you’re in front of people and you give them the momentum to look at life from a different perspective or do something they don’t have the courage to do, you could help change people’s lives.”Podcasts are full of powerhouse moments, but few stories capture the grit, honesty, and resolve it takes to truly make an impact the way Stacey Chillemi’s does. On this episode of The Speaker Lab, Stacey sits down with Grant Baldwin and peels back the curtain on her journey—from overcoming epilepsy and setbacks in the corporate world to building a thriving career as a speaker, bestselling author, and podcast host.Stacey talks openly about the uphill climb, the self-doubt, the setbacks, and the reality that success is never an overnight story. For Stacey, building a speaking business meant reaching out to anyone who would listen, stubbornly persevering through rejection, and finding conviction in her own lived experience—even when the path forward felt unclear.This episode is a masterclass in res

“When you understand going into [speaking] that it’s going to suck for a while, it’s going to take longer than you think and it’s going to be harder than you think. When you know those things up front, when you meet them, you can anticipate it.”Stepping onto the stage as a speaker is about more than nailing your performance—it’s about persistence, honesty, and the courage to start before you feel ready. On this week’s The Speaker Lab episode, Chase Livingston opens up about his journey from theater hopeful to youth motivational speaker, sharing the hard truth: real progress takes both time and tenacity.Chase doesn’t shy away from discussing the realities of building a speaking career, sharing candidly about the slow start, the necessary unpaid gigs, and the doubts that come with venturing into this path. He highlights the importance of steady action—sending countless emails, making connections, and learning when to charge for his expertise.His message is clear: Know the cost, be ready to persevere, and lead w

“I got to the point where if I was going to [be a speaker] I have to be serious about it and I’m going to have to invest in myself. I had to get to the ‘I’m worth it’ mindset, and The Speaker Lab [helped me with that].”Making an impact as a speaker isn’t just about your time on stage—it’s about the courage to own your story and use it to help others. This week, teen resilience speaker, Kimberly Clark, shares her powerful journey from addiction and trauma to inspiring change in the lives of young people. What sets Kimberly apart isn’t just her willingness to be real and raw—it's her focus on turning pain into practical solutions for the teens she serves. Rather than settling for telling her story for free, she learned to recognize her true value, invest in her own growth, and help her audience move from inspiration to action. Her message? People aren’t just looking for a story—they want help navigating their own challenges.Kimberly gets honest about the hurdles every speaker faces, from self-doubt to the emoti

“The hardest thing about building a community is making sure that you’ve tapped into a transition that people have and are navigating so that they actually want to build relationships with each other.”As a speaker, building your authority goes beyond what you say on stage, it’s all about how you connect with your audience afterward. This week, Gina Bianchini, founder and CEO of Mighty Networks, joins us to reveal why community-building is the next essential step in growing your influence and credibility. With a passion for transforming one-time talks into ongoing relationships, Gina shares practical ways to move your audience from passive listeners to active participants, showing that genuine engagement starts when you help people connect with each other and not just with your content.Additionally, Gina gets real about the challenges of staying inspired in the middle of burnout and business setbacks, offering refreshing advice on reinventing your approach and leading with purpose. Gina believes that the true

“If you impact one leader and that leader shows up better, then that leader engages better with his or her team. And then if that’s a good experience and it’s consistent, then those teammates do the same for their team. And all of a sudden you’re cascading down.”One of the best things about being a speaker? You get to write your own story—and Daniel Harkavy’s is proof that the path isn’t always smooth, but it’s definitely worth it. In this episode, Daniel opens up about his rocky first speaking gig, however instead of quitting, he uses that failure as fuel. As a result, speaking became the key to growing his coaching business—not just for applause, but to make real connections and lasting impact.Daniel reminds us that success on stage isn’t about being perfect, it’s about leaning into your strengths, learning from the mess-ups, and using your unique voice to serve others. Speaking doesn’t have to be your end game—sometimes it’s the launchpad for something even bigger. His big takeaway is to embrace what makes

“The goal is to become reassuringly expensive to some extent because what you’re able to charge as a speaker is directly correlated to the insurance policy that you can provide for that event.”One of the best parts about being a speaker is that you get to decide what your speaking career looks like. Your story is unique—and only you can deliver the kind of value your audience needs. This week, Clint Pulver joins the show to remind us that success on stage is about more than a great keynote. Clint’s become an in-demand speaker by leaning into what makes him truly different—combining research, storytelling, and full-on showmanship to create real experiences for his audiences.From hauling drum kits in a rental car as a young speaker to now orchestrating jaw-dropping interactive moments, Clint proves that your wild ideas are often your most valuable assets. He encourages speakers to go beyond the standard and design memorable experiences—think Broadway-level performance, not just another lecture. The big lesson?

“What does it feel like to be a customer of your business? How are you treating your customers? How are you making them want to not just come back, but tell their friends?”Brittany Hodak’s story reminds us that a truly fulfilling speaking career comes from real clarity and intentionality, not chasing every gig or opportunity that comes along. She didn’t set out to become a speaker—her journey began with launching a marketing agency for some of music’s biggest names, which eventually led to media attention, a Shark Tank appearance, and eventually speaking invitations. Only after saying yes a few times did Brittany realize the demand—and value—for her insights on creating “superfans” through customer experience.However, Brittany’s growth wasn’t from one big break. It stemmed from consistently refining her message, learning to say no (even to well-paid opportunities), and protecting her priorities—especially bedtime routines with her two young kids. Instead of chasing every opportunity, Brittany focused rel

“One thing that will make you better suited towards being able to deal with that is if you have a resilient mindset to know that whatever you’re going through, what is the lesson I’m going to get out of it and how is it going to make me better? Where is the positive growth going to come from here?”Tiran Jackson’s story is a masterclass in turning heartbreak into hope and challenge into fuel. If you think a speaking career is about big breaks or spotlight moments, Tiran is living proof that the real work happens in the trenches of adversity. What began as a thriving engineering career was turned upside down by a tragic accident that took his wife’s life and left Tiran fighting for his own. In the aftermath, he didn’t set out to be a speaker, but the realization that his journey through loss, resilience, and rebuilding could help others, sparked something new.For months, Tiran focused on tiny, consistent steps: showing up for grueling physical therapy, supporting his son through grief, and speaking at small gat

“Client communication just doesn’t cut it anymore. In 2025 we have so many generations working together, we want to rush right to the product, but we have to learn how to use these people first communication skills.”Jason Raitz is proof that success as a speaker isn’t about overnight wins or waiting for an opportunity to knock—it’s about grit, clarity, and a relentless focus on serving others. Starting from a childhood love of the stage (and a knack for bribing friends with cookies), Jason spent years speaking in churches and schools before finally stepping into the corporate world, but this pivot didn’t come easy.For years, Jason juggled ministry with speaking gigs, sometimes feeling invisible and fighting off imposter syndrome—especially when the dream career didn’t materialize quickly. The breakthrough came when he stopped trying to speak to everyone and niched down, listening deeply to the needs of his new audience: financial professionals. That decision, plus hours of research and talking with industry l

“Ultimately, you don’t need to have any certification. You need to have some level of experience where you can speak authentically and congruent. It’s gotta be congruent with how you feel about your knowledge.”Clinton Young knows what it’s like to hit rock bottom—and how to turn that experience into fuel for an inspiring speaking career. After losing his business and confidence during the 2008 financial crisis, everything shifted thanks to a tough-love moment at a seminar and a game-changing podcast episode. Now, as a sought-after speaker and coach, Clinton helps others build clarity, confidence, and the systems they need to get booked and paid to speak.Clinton’s secret sauce? It’s all about systems—the thing that separates hobby speakers from true professionals. Instead of trying to talk to everyone about everything, he challenges speakers to focus on what they’re great at (credibility), what fires them up (excitability), and where the real opportunities are (profitability). The biggest thing that holds most

“When we’re intentional about pursuing our dreams, that’s when we can see things more clearly. Because most of the time we get so busy in the everyday that we don’t take time for those things. And those things are not just going to happen, right?”Amy Burton, a once-high school Spanish and theater teacher turned powerhouse speaker, is redefining the classroom experience for educators everywhere. Broadcasting from the chilly terrains of Alaska, Amy is here to offer her inspirational journey from the classroom to the stage. Having successfully transitioned from homeschooling her neurodivergent children to running not one, but two impactful businesses, Amy shares how her inherent love for those "aha moments" in teaching guided her to a career in speaking. In this episode, Amy dives into the nitty-gritty of translating her passion into practical impact, highlighting how she uses her expertise to coach educators on reducing stress and conflict in classrooms through understanding the brain's workings.Join us as

Travel Hacks Every Speaker Should Know with Chris Hutchins“If you don’t want to play the sign up bonus game, optimize where you’re spending but always be getting more than 2x on everything.”Navigating the world of travel optimization can feel overwhelming, but our guest this week, Chris Hutchins, is here to break it all down. Chris, host of the All the Hacks podcast, is a master of the travel hacking world and joins us to share his insights on making the most of your travel experiences, especially as a frequent speaker. Chris dives into the importance of loyalty when it comes to earning coveted airline miles and hotel upgrades. By picking a favorite and sticking with it, you can unlock perks that make travel more enjoyable and often less expensive. Additionally, he discusses the evolution of earning points through credit card spend and how it's shifted the landscape of travel rewards, making it more accessible for those who play the game strategically.Whether it’s snagging an elusive flight upgrade or sc

“Knowing who you are as an individual on the spiritual side of life helps guide you to who you are created to be.”One of the coolest parts of TSL is watching our coaches work 1:1 with students and helping them find the clarity and confidence they need to take their speaking businesses to the next level. And today, you’re going to get to see that process in action.We're back with another live coaching episode with Erick Rheam! This week, Erick is helping two former TSL students, Bryan Marvel and Jill Christensen, work through real problems they're facing in their speaking businesses.Bryan, a pastor and faith-based speaker, discusses his journey of balancing pastoral duties with speaking engagements. Embarking on a speaking career can often feel challenging, especially when you're trying to find your unique voice amidst diverse audience expectations. Bryan's focus on spiritual identity has led him to explore innovative ways to expand his reach, such as targeting midweek speaking opportunities and tapping i

“The speaking industry is one that has been around for generations…And it has survived wars, depressions, recessions, 9/11, pandemics, and it’s not going anywhere.”Navigating the speaking industry can seem daunting with its ever-shifting trends and economic uncertainties. So this week, drawing from his extensive experience in the field, Shawn Hanks offers his seasoned perspective on how speakers can thrive amidst these changes.Shawn discusses the current optimism in the event market despite past economic caution as a result of the pandemic. Event planners are investing wisely in speakers who offer real strategic solutions, not just entertainment. This reinforces the importance of aligning speaking content with what organizations seek. The episode also highlights the enduring value of live events. While virtual events gained traction, they haven't supplanted the critical face-to-face human interaction that live gatherings offer.Additionally, Shawn advises speakers to balance staying current with trends like AI

“If you are thinking about doing something long term, test it internally, be an intrapreneur, right? Go create something amazing for your company and see if you enjoy doing it.”Jenny Wood's transition from a high-flying Google executive to an influential public speaker is nothing short of inspiring. After spending eighteen years at Google, Jenny chose to follow her passion for public speaking, resulting in a story of passion, relentless improvement, and the power of authenticity. She joins us today to share her experiences, the nitty-gritty of making it as a speaker, and the wisdom she’s garnered along the way.One crucial element of Jenny’s approach is her dedication to constantly improving her craft. By working with a keynote consultant and continuously analyzing her presentations, she shows that learning and adapting are key to success in speaking. Jenny is also candid about dealing with imposter syndrome and the challenges of leaving a secure job, demonstrating that courage is essential when facing the unk

“We use visual tools and common language, so we share tools as if they’re mirrors so that the mirror does the heavy lifting and you get self awareness through looking at the mirror.”Navigating the world of speaking and building a unique brand can be daunting in the early stages of your career. So this week on The Speaker Lab Podcast, Jeremie Kubicek joins Grant Baldwin to shed light on the strategic integration of speaking into a broader mission. Jeremie's journey into the content space began with a strong focus on vision, aiming not just for individual fame, but for a transformative impact on leadership culture worldwide.Throughout the episode, Jeremie highlights the importance of aligning speaking with your overarching vision and mission. He discusses the unique business model he's built, which involves seven hundred coaches and consultants speaking on his content, enabling a scalable impact without the sole reliance on his personal speaking engagements. This model fosters long-term partnerships and creates

“I knew it was important for me as I built my business to develop markers of credibility, and that would make everything easier. Like the wind is at your back when you have enough credentials that people can say, ‘I'll listen to her.’”In this episode of The Speaker Lab Podcast, host Grant Baldwin is joined by Dorie Clark to talk about an important topic for every speaker — establishing yourself as a thought leader. Dorie breaks down how she manages the tension between choosing a niche and maintaining her broader interests, as well as her primary strategy of letting the market decide for her.The episode also explores the three pillars of thought leadership, as outlined by Dorie: content creation, social proof, and networking. Dorie shares her experiences with building social proof, including the rigorous process of cold pitching to prestigious business schools and publications, a key step on her journey to gaining credibility and establishing authority.Grant and Dorie also discuss the importance of balanc

“You have to regularly find things where the challenge exceeds the skill set."In this week’s episode of The Speaker Lab Podcast, speaker and author Jon Acuff joins Grant to talk about the challenge of maintaining excellence as a speaker and the importance of continually pushing yourself beyond your comfort zones.Jon also took the time to break down his successful speaking model, primarily focusing on keynotes and the occasional longer training engagements. There are pros and cons to every speaking business model, and Jon talks through what has worked well for him over his extensive speaking career. Additionally, Jon talks about making a transition from solopreneur to business owner and how he brought in a partner and president to scale his business and reach a larger audience. This transition was driven by Jon's desire to take his business to another level, prevent boredom, and not hide from potential growth.Moreover, Grant and Jon also discuss the challenges of being honest with yourself about stre

“Most successful or thought leadership businesses are extremely simple. They sell one thing at the front end, maybe a couple things on the back end…but they’re experts in X, Y, and Z.”In this episode of The Speaker Lab podcast, we explore the importance of keeping things simple and intentional in the ever-changing world of speaking and entrepreneurship. Grant Baldwin sits down with Taylorr Payne, co-founder of SpeakerFlow, for an engaging discussion on building a thriving speaking business by focusing on simplicity, clarity, and defining success on your terms.Taylorr opens up about his evolution as an entrepreneur, sharing how he transitioned from chasing endless opportunities to honing in on the fundamentals that truly matter. Whether it’s mastering the art of selling one core product, cutting through the distracting noise of shiny new technologies, or resisting the temptations of comparison, Taylorr emphasizes the transformative power of simplifying your business approach.Throughout the conversation, Taylor