Funny Gets You Booked with Emmy Award-Winning Comedy Writer Beth Sherman
What do Ellen, the Oscars, and your next keynote have in common? According to Emmy Award-winning comedy writer Beth Sherman, plenty. In this episode, Beth shares what years in TV comedy taught her about connection, timing, and truth, and how those same tools help speakers win over audiences and get booked again and again. We talk about moving from Hollywood to the UK stage, how to use humour without losing credibility, and why being funny isn’t about punchlines - it’s about being real. If you're ready to add more impact (and laughter) to your talks, this is one not to miss.
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Relevance, Resilience and Real Connection with Felicity Ashley
What does it take to stay relevant, speak with heart, and connect deeply with your audience? In this episode, Felicity Ashley shares her journey from serious illness to becoming a sought-after speaker on resilience and wellbeing. We talk about how she keeps her message fresh, the power of honesty on stage, and why speaking isn't about being the hero—it's about being human. She also explains how her background in marketing gives her an edge and how her book, Stronger Than the Storm, helped shape her brand and her business. A powerful reminder that connection trumps performance, and real stories stick.
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Build a Speaking Business by asking better Questions with Marlo Clarke
In this episode of the Speaking Business podcast, I’m joined by Marlo Clarke — a former international rugby player turned global speaker. Marlo’s journey from Barbados to the stage isn’t just inspiring, it’s instructive. Instead of jumping straight into speaking, he spent a year travelling through 13 countries, asking people from all walks of life a simple but powerful question: What does a fulfilling life and career mean to you? That curiosity became the foundation of his talks — and his business. We talk about how Marlo builds tailored keynotes from scratch, why listening always comes before speaking, and how being easy to work with gets him booked again and again. You’ll also hear his take on purpose, failure, storytelling, and what it really takes to build a sustainable speaking career without shortcuts or hype. If you’re looking for clarity, relevance, and a reminder that speakers succeed by solving real problems — this episode is for you.
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From Busyness to Business: The Oratore Approach with Steven Piessens & Magali De Reu
This week I’m joined by the dynamic duo behind Oratore Speakers, Steven Piessens and Magali De Reu. Steven, a speaker strategist based in sunny Malaga, and Magali, a branding and AI expert from Antwerp, share how they’ve built a thriving speaker ecosystem in under a year—spanning over 5,500 speakers across Europe, the US, and the UK. We talk about what really builds a speaker business (hint: it’s not more time tweaking slides), how AI is quietly reshaping how speakers work, and the biggest blind spots holding speakers back from being booked. We also dive into their six-month Rising Speakers programme, what makes a brand story land, and why clarity beats charisma every time. If you’ve ever felt stuck between wanting impact and chasing stages, this one’s for you. And this is the link promised in our chat for the Speaker Strategy Wheel: https://www.oratore-speakers.com/speaker-strategy-wheel
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From the Philippines to the World Stage with Sha Nacino
When Sha Nacino answered a question at a speaker convention in Singapore, she had no idea her 30-second response would change everything. That moment led to global speaking invitations, virtual summits with tens of thousands of attendees, and a spot on Global Gurus’ Top 30 Motivational Speakers list, alongside Tony Robbins and Simon Sinek. In this conversation, Sha shares how she built a truly international speaking business from the Philippines, why leading with service (not sales) opens more doors, and how one idea from a webinar turned into a $20,000 leadership programme. We talk about visibility, trust, systems, and Sha’s unique way of making the complex simple, whether it’s for HR professionals or C-suite leaders. It’s a joyful, practical episode full of insights for speakers who want to be booked, trusted, and remembered.
Welcome to Speaking Business Podcast
Speaking Business Podcast is a practical no waffle no nonsense podcast packed with actionable advice for Speakers wanting to be more bookable and make more money.
Hosted by Maria Franzoni, the hidden influence behind the careers of hundreds of successful speakers and a recognised Speaking Industry expert. For 20 years she worked in and ran leading speaker bureaus, she knows why clients really book speakers - and why they don’t.
Topics covered in this podcast include how to:
• Position yourself in a competitive market
• Build your profile and market your services
• Get listed with Speaker Bureaus
• Charge higher fees
• Close more deals
• Grow your Speaking Business
If you are a speaker and would like help to get bureau ready go to www.SpeakingBusinessAcademy.com
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