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

“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

“It’s your vision that influences which way you go. Because you’ve already thought about it ahead of time.”In this episode of The Speaker Lab podcast, Erick Rheam joins us to talk about what it takes to navigate the chaotic and often overwhelming journey of being a speaker and entrepreneur. You've probably heard Erick on the show before, but today he's sharing a different side of things with candid advice drawn from his own rock-bottom moment and the life-changing principles he discovered to rise above the chaos.Erick's journey is a compelling blend of personal and professional growth, underscored by moments of introspection and dramatic change. From his early struggles in 2005—marked by personal and professional setbacks—to discovering his 'why' and taming the inner beast, Erick provides a riveting narrative that is both inspiring and practical for anyone looking to succeed in the speaking industry. He touches on the importance of living with clarity, leveraging encouragement, and mastering human dynamics, a

“[AI is] a really great way to flex your creative muscle, but also not have to stress if you’re not strong enough at certain things.”Being on stage is one of the most fun and most rewarding parts of being a professional, paid speaker — but as all experienced speakers know, what happens on stage is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to building a successful speaking business. This week on The Speaker Lab Podcast, Grant Baldwin chats with Brittany Richmond-Roberts about her journey as a teen mental health speaker. From navigating the youth market to leveraging social media and AI, Brittany shares her strategies for moving the business forward, even when it feels like trudging through mud.Grant and Brittany dive into how she got started in speaking, the importance of finding the right audience, and why she stays clear of gigs that don’t align with her message. They discuss the power of being a female speaker in a male-dominated field and how Brittany has used that to her advantage. Brittany also highlight

“Speed in this game is so important. It is typically the first speaker to reach back out…you have a really good chance of winning that business if you are the first.”Navigating the intricate world of professional speaking requires not just talent but also a keen understanding of the business side of things. In this insightful episode, Grant Baldwin welcomes back his good friend Brandon Edmonson, Sales Director for Premier Speakers Bureau, for his fourth appearance on the podcast. Whether you're a seasoned speaker or just starting out, Brandon's expertise in the industry offers invaluable tips and strategies that can elevate your speaking career.Brandon dives deep into the nitty-gritty of booking speaking gigs, sharing why it's critical to ask, "Who did you have last year?" This key question can unlock a wealth of information, from budget constraints to event expectations. Brandon emphasizes the importance of speed in the speaking business, urging speakers to respond quickly to inquiries to set a positive tone

“The biggest mistake that I see speakers make is that they think that if you just go on stage, and you do a good job speaking, the spinoff business will magically present itself.”Being on stage is pretty much always the most fun and most rewarding part of being a professional paid speaker — but as all experienced speakers know, what happens on stage is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to building a successful speaking business. This week, Arel Moodie joins the show to break down how to find more paid gigs in your chosen niche through what Arel calls "spinoff business." Arel and Grant talk about how to build a solid reputation, nurture relationships, and leverage connections to turn one speaking gig into two or three more. Arel goes into detail about his challenges while starting out as a speaker and what tools he used to break into the industry and get past the toughest part: getting his first gig. Finally, Arel talks about a tool called Talkadot that speakers can use to expand their reach

“The show must go on baby. You gotta keep going man. Never know what’s gonna happen when you’re doing it live with no net, you never know.”Being a professional speaker means navigating some of the craziest and most unpredictable moments imaginable. This week, Shane Sams joins Grant on the show to recount some of his funniest and most challenging moments on the speaking trail. You never know what you're going to encounter when you're walking into a speaking gig, but the best speakers know how to roll with the punches and "be a pro" even when things go completely off the rails. Shane and Grant have some great advice on how to handle the unexpected and chaotic moments, all learned from their own experiences over the years.Shane also opens up about his struggles with his health and how he learned to deal with burnout. Balancing your health with the exhausting lifestyle of living on the road can be a challenge for any speaker, but finding your own boundaries and thresholds is incredibly important. This l

“Whenever someone comes up and says ‘Hey, why am I not getting booked to speak?’, my first question is 'how many professionals did you call today?'"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 the value you bring to your audience is something only you can deliver. This week, Ryan Vet joins us on the show to talk about how he found his way to a speaking career that was perfect for his strengths and passions. Ryan got his start as a speaker when he was still in high school, and he hasn't looked back since. And while everyone often thinks of paid speaking as being primarily keynotes, Ryan points out that the majority of paid gigs are often other formats. For his part, Ryan fell in love with training and found it incredibly fulfilling to help people immediately make changes in their lives and companies. During this episode, he shares some practical advice on how to find the path that is right for you — along with some ho

“All that matters is that you show up, and that you’re consistently doing it, because if you do it on a regular basis… you’re going to get better at it.”"How do I find and book more paid speaking gigs quickly?" "I'm just starting out, what should I prioritize right now?"Here at TSL, we hear those two questions from speakers more than anything else. Whether you've never gotten paid to speak or you've been speaking for years, there's a good chance you're looking for more paid gigs. And if you're like most business owners, you don't have a lot of time to invest in building a new business without seeing some results. This week, Erick Rheam is here to break down the four pillars of success that you can use to jumpstart your speaking business and start booking paid gigs in as little as 90 days or less. Erick breaks down what really matters if you want to be a successful speaker, including long-term goals, testing the market, your CRM, efficiency, accountability partners and consistency. Finally, Erick giv