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

When it comes to building a successful and sustainable speaking business, so much of what really matters doesn’t happen on the stage. Veronica Romney, the Dream Team Architect, joins us for Episode 419 of The Speaker Lab Podcast to peel back the layers of scaling a business and taking it to the next level. As a fractional chief of staff for several businesses, Veronica helps take seven-figure companies to eight all while addressing their core functions and leadership.Veronica addresses direct ROI vs. the value an individual can bring to your team and unpacks the mystery of when to bring on additional team members and how to do it effectively. She also takes a deep dive into the challenge that speakers face when it comes to the “leaky” mechanics that often exist behind the stage. She shares the options that exist for speakers to create opportunities for success, how to package the value they offer, and why it’s important to build a team that can market your zone of genius. Veronica offers endless ins

Sharing in the excitement of our students' success is a privilege for our team at the Speaker Lab! Our Director of Student Success, Maryalice Goldsmith, is taking the mic for our Student Highlight series so you can hear directly from our students about their experiences and what they want you to know about growing your speaking business.On Episode 418, Marcene Sonnek joins us Maryalice to share her journey to the stage. Marcene is on a mission to help others embrace positive communication to increase work satisfaction and improve their professional environments. She came to The Speaker Lab as a brand new speaker, but quickly channeled her life experience to become an effective and powerful communicator.During this conversation, Marcene shared how her personal experiences translated into her opportunity to make an impact in corporate settings. She unpacks the impact of mindset, perspective, mission, and listening. Marcene’s unique experience and the fact that she’s newer to the industry make this conversation

Chris Ducker is an entrepreneur extraordinaire who has coined the term “Youprenuer” and is on a mission to help others build successful personal brands that build thriving businesses. His wealth of experience and knowledge make him an expert in brand development, and for Episode 417 of The Speaker Lab Podcast he’s back to give us the inside scoop.Chris shares insights on building reputation, finding a solid network, building a team around you, and why mindset always matters. We’ll also discuss the risk of burnout, how to prioritize while trying to grow, and what it looks like to build something that wholeheartedly represents you. Chris has a passion for coming alongside others who are ready to level-up and take the leap into building something that can stand the test of time.Join us for a candid conversation on the sales and marketing side of finding success in your niche of the speaking industry. Chris shares what has worked for him, what didn’t, and how you can use his experience to build an

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to sit down with some of our coaches and take a deep dive into some of the hottest topics for speakers? Wonder no more! Our Coaches Corner series gives you actionable advice and practical insights from our coaches that you can use right now to grow your speaking business.For Episode 416 of The Speaker Lab Podcast our Director of Student Success, Maryalice Goldsmith, and our Elite Concierge, Katie Campbell, are continuing the conversation from Episode 414 (Check it out!) and taking a closer look at how to maximize coaching and get out of your own way! During their first episode together, they reviewed marketable assets that every speaker needs, and intertwined into each of those was the support that a coach can provide through the process. This week, Maryalice and Katie are back with a closer look at the benefit of coaching and how it can help you take things to the next level.Maryalice and Katie highlight the grit and courage it takes to take on speaking full-

Have you ever experienced burnout? Nour Khatib has — and she's here to tell you how to overcome it.As an ER doctor that walked through the global pandemic with colleagues and patients, Nour has seen first-hand the toll of burnout. You’d be surprised to learn that she’s a medical school dropout who experienced her burnout as a young student that pivoted to earning a business degree. It was here that she found her passion for speaking yet she continued to feel as though something was still missing. Her unique and incredible journey brought her to where she is today and she’s sharing all the ins and outs!Nour wants to help others address their “missing piece” so they can live out their passion through lived experience, education, and a keen ability to avoid and manage feelings of burnout. She’s got incredible insight to share on how she’s helping others identify the red flags of burnout in their careers and how her mindset became her mission to impact others. Nour’s story will inspire you to overcome burnout and

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to sit down with some of our coaches and take a deep dive into some of the hottest topics for speakers? Wonder no more! Our Coaches Corner series gives you actionable advice and practical insights from our coaches that you can use right now to grow your speaking business.For Episode 414, our Director of Student Success, Maryalice Goldsmith, and our Elite Concierge, Katie Campbell, are taking a deep dive into the key assets every successful speaker should have!Aside from the more obvious fundamentals, there are marketable assets essential to creating your presence and setting you apart. Together they’re highlighting the value of a strategic online presence and the part it plays in telling your story, sharing your brand, and highlighting your voice. They’ll also unpack the power of coaching and the courage it takes to step up and step out when things like imposter syndrome creep in.Katie highlights some of the common mistakes made in website and demo reel d

Sharing in the excitement of our student’s success is a privilege for our team at the Speaker Lab! Our Director of Student Success, Maryalice Goldsmith, is taking the mic for our Student Highlight series so you can hear directly from our students about their experiences and what they want you to know about growing your speaking business.Deepika Sandhu has an incredible story to share about listening to your intuition and chasing after your dreams. Deepika’s “ah-hah” moment came after publishing her first book and realizing how badly she wanted to do an in-person book tour — in the middle of a global pandemic!Her deep desire to keep connecting with her audience and witness the “ah-hah” moments of others became the driver for a new season in her career. During this episode, Deepika shares more about her book and her personal journey of finding what she wanted to change about her life in a way to be her most authentic self. Not only is Deepika living it, but she’s also now helping others translate their own work

Since finishing a program with The Speaker Lab in 2017, Jake Thompson has had the "pedal to the metal” when it comes to building his brand and speaking career. His momentum and commitment to seizing growth opportunities have allowed him to triple his income and bring incredible value to his audience. Referrals, consulting opportunities, and a passion for the problem he solves brought him to some incredible stages that left him rubbing shoulders with individuals who have transformed the trajectory of his career.During Episode 412, Jake shares about a new role serving as a fractional executive and how it has challenged him to level up and take the right risks. Jake’s unique journey allows him to bring a ton of insight to our conversation, reminding you to invest in yourself, embrace the “grind” and do it all while still being focused. Jake’s story is incredibly unique and a reminder that opportunity is out there, but you have to have the right mindset to make it work for you!Here's what you’ll learn from this e

If you've been in the speaking business for long, you know that it's not easy! Building a successful and sustainable speaking business is a grind. It takes a lot of sweat equity, patience, and intentionality to make it in this industry, but if you put in the work, there are some incredible opportunities for growth in every season.This week, Erick Rheam is back to share practical advice on how to navigate the grind of building your business. Erick introduces the idea of a "power hour," shares how to navigate the good and bad days, and reminds us that even though every day will not be our best, consistency matters!As someone who has built a highly successful speaking business, Erick navigates the ins and outs of the speaking industry every day. No matter where you are in your speaking journey, you'll benefit from Erick's experience and passion for equipping others to find their success on the stage. This is a conversation you won’t want to miss!Here's what you’ll learn from this episode:Why it’s possible to hav

We’re living in a world that continues to change post-pandemic — and speakers have to continue adjusting to stay relevant! There are more opportunities now than ever for speakers, but you have to be intentional and have a clear plan to build a sustainable speaking business.This week, David Avrin joins us to share some great advice and a little tough love that will help you build your speaking business and not just get gigs.David has a background in marketing and decades of experience in the speaking industry, and he's here to help you understand what it takes right now to get booked and paid to speak. David unpacks ways to beat imposter syndrome, what it looks like to inspire your audience, and why systems and processes matter more than giving a perfect performance.David will bring you back to your "why" and show you how to turn your passion into sustainable success. If you're booking speaking gigs but haven't taken the leap to build a business — or haven't made it a priority — this episode is for you! You'll

Sharing in the excitement of our student's success is a privilege for our team at the Speaker Lab! Our Director of Student Success, Maryalice Goldsmith, is taking the mic for our Student Highlight series so you can hear directly from our students about their experiences and what they want you to know about growing your speaking business.For Episode 409 we’re sitting down with Jason Dietrich. Jason recently went through The Speaker Lab program and is eager to share his experience and journey to the stage! Believe it or not, Jason's love of speaking stemmed from an experience he had as a senior in college. From there he felt he’d found his calling, and the rest is history!When Jason was ready to invest in himself and grow his speaking business, he jumped in headfirst at The Speaker Lab and worked to find his niche and further define his message. He boldly resigned from his teaching position and decided to dive deep into speaking full-time.Jason has great tips and tricks that have worked for him as he is on this

Have you seen the ongoing buzz about Web3, NFTs, virtual reality, and cryptocurrency? What exactly are these things, and what do they mean for your speaking business?This week, we're taking a deep dive into these concepts with Terry Brock. Together we’ll address your questions and concerns and discuss what all of this means for the future when it comes to entrepreneurial success and how to leverage these options for growth.While these topics might seem unfamiliar, there’s a lot to consider so we can grasp the ramifications for our businesses, audience, and the community we’re building. Amidst all these cutting-edge options, Terry reminds us that one thing will always remain vital to speaking success — a commitment to the problem that we’re solving as speakers for our audience.The foundation and fundamentals for speakers will never change, but the method of delivery and experience for our audience might! It may seem overwhelming, or even confusing to comprehend — and that's okay! Terry offers a simple introduc

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to sit down with some of our coaches and take a deep dive into some of the hottest topics for speakers? Wonder no more! Our Coaches Corner series gives you actionable advice and practical insights from our coaches that you can use right now to grow your speaking business.On Episode 406, Maryalice Goldsmith and Nanette Hitchcock took a deep dive into finding your why and how that step is the key to finding success in your speaking business. This week, Maryalice and Nanette are back to take a closer look at the vision and strategy needed to make a successful speaking business.Your message alone will not lead to sustainable success — your entire business has to be aligned with your overall vision and strategy if you want to succeed as a speaker. You may be surprised to find out that strategy can change, but the destination may remain the same. It takes intentionality, prioritization, and a vision to bring your business to life and support your why.Maryalice

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to sit down with some of our coaches and take a deep dive into some of the hottest topics for speakers? Wonder no more! Our Coaches Corner series gives you actionable advice and practical insights from our coaches that you can use right now to grow your speaking business.This week, Maryalice Goldsmith and Nanette Hitchcock discuss why your why matters and how finding that why is the key to your speaking success.Your message matters and it needs to be defined with clarity – but how?! Maryalice and Nanette explain the purposeful path to finding your “why” and give you practical steps you can take to get started.Have you found yourself stuck in the weeds and overthinking the pieces of your message? That’s okay! You can’t lose your “why” because with it, you’ll lose what drives the passion behind the problem you’re solving for your audience. It takes hard work, but this episode will give you some starting points to get you going in the right direction.Here’s

Are we facing a recession? What does that mean for your speaking business? We’re answering these questions and more during Episode 405 of The Speaker Lab Podcast. The one and only Erick Rheam is guiding our conversation with strategies you can use in these uncertain times to recession-proof your speaking business.During this episode, we’ll talk about how to lead your business through a recession with confidence rather than fear, why you must invest in marketing and yourself, and why you have to take the leap and go virtual. Speakers have had to pivot on a moment’s notice over the last two years, and uncertain economic times are no different. Erick will talk about where you need to flex and when standing firm is okay. Whether you are just beginning to build your business or you’ve been at this for a while, this episode will equip you for what’s next. Erick’s experience, expertise, and transparency will provide practical steps to recession-proof your speaking business — no matter what happen

When it comes to building your brand, Rory Vaden is the expert you want in your corner. He's committed to helping others identify the problem they solve and build a strategy for lasting success. Rory has a unique story of how he came to be an entrepreneur, found his place on the stage, and embraced the wisdom and insight of others so he could keep growing. As a college student, he found his niche in door-to-door sales. With a knack for developing principles of personal success and development, he soon found himself on the speaking stage and rubbing shoulders with mentors that would change the trajectory of his future. His mindset, experience, and intentionality have set Rory apart in the industry. If you want to learn how to build a brand that will set you apart, this episode is for you! Here’s what you’ll learn from this episode:The value of mentorshipThe difference between a good and great speakerHow to be intentional in networkingBuilding your sales team and structureWhy you have to “na

It’s time for the 40 Speaking Lessons from 400 Episodes finale!For Part 4 we’re bringing back 10 final lessons from former podcast guests. These speakers are not only the real deal, but their insight brings incredible value to the aspiring or “in the trenches” entrepreneur. Collectively these tips will raise the bar when it comes to the success and sustainability of your speaking business.As we wrap up this series, you won’t want to miss the final 10 lessons that will complete your list! As speakers, it’s essential to keep learning, growing, and asking questions in an effort to refine your craft and bring your best to the stage. These lessons will help do just that, and we’re thrilled to share them for Episode 403 of The Speaker Lab Podcast. Enjoy!Here are the final 10 lessons to help you become a better speaker:31. Lead with appreciation and interest to build relationships (Selena Soo, Ep. 178)32. How to use the “messy middle in speaking (Nancy Duarte, Ep. 262)33. Find a balance between being grateful and hu

It’s time to continue the rewind and our 40 Speaking Lessons from 400 Episodes series for Episode 402 of The Speaker Lab Podcast!For Part 3 we are looking back at 10 more incredible lessons from our very own podcast guests. Living out the lessons shared by these seasoned speakers will not only strengthen you as a speaker but take your business and vision for the future to the next level.It's time to add to your list from Episodes 400 and 401! As you set your goals and put in the sweat equity, these pillars of success will help guide your way! Whether you’re just starting, or need a refresh on what will set you apart in the industry, this episode is for you. Enjoy!Here are 10 (more!) key lessons to help you become a better speaker:21. Harness the power of the freedom compass (Michael Hyatt, Ep. 246)22. A strong personal brand will set you apart from the competition (Rick Clemons, Ep. 241)23. There’s no magic solution to get in front of event planners (Josh McGhee, Ep. 245)24. Why you have to lovingly punch y

We’re thrilled to continue the rewind and our 40 Speaking Lessons from 400 Episodes series for Episode 401 of The Speaker Lab Podcast!For Part 2 we are looking back at 10 more timeless tips from some of our very own podcast guests. What’s awesome about this next series of lessons is that while they were recorded at different times, together they provide a solid framework of guidance that will help you take your speaking business to the next level. Throughout this episode, you’ll hear clips from 10 different guests that have joined us over the years. Their insight is so valuable and their wisdom unmatched. They have been there and are passionate about helping you learn from their experiences!Pull out your notes from Episode 400 and get ready to add them to your list! No matter your niche, you’re in the right place for these timeless lessons that will help you become a better speaker and build an even stronger business. Enjoy!Here are 10 (more!) key lessons to help you become a better speaker:11. The best way t

After 400 episodes, it’s a time to celebrate!We’re doing a rewind and sharing 40 Speaking Lessons from 400 Episodes in this new series of The Speaker Lab Podcast.It’s a privilege to look at where we’ve been and what we’ve learned over the years. Week by week we’ll unpack some of the finest lessons learned through personal experience and conversations with our awesome guests.For Episode 400, our very own Grant Baldwin is joined by Director of Student Success, Maryalice Goldsmith to reveal the first 10 of 40 lessons. Each lesson is unique and applies to various components of building your speaking business. No one lesson is more important than the other, but rather together make up a collection of insight and wisdom from those who have gone before us in their own journey to the stage.Get out your notebook! Whether you’re new to the industry or ready for a refresh, these lessons will stand the test of time and help you take your speaking business to the next level.Here are 10 key lessons to help you become a bet