The Speaker Lab Podcast

• How to Create Exceptional Audience Experiences with Neen James

  “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 value tailored to your audience’s needs.The episode also digs into the art of strategic outreach. It’s not ideal to sit back and hope your inbox fills up. Take ownership of your calendar by making outreach a daily habit, revisiting those half-finished conversations, and gently reminding people how you can help. Overall, landing more speaking gigs comes down to intentional action, relationship-building, and refusing to overcomplicate the process. You’ll learn:How to stand out in a crowded fieldTurning clients and audiences into advocatesImportance of preparation before stepping on stageThe BDA Framework: Before, During, AfterDiscovering and leveraging your intellectual propertyBuilding early relationships with event staffCustomizing content for specific audiencesAcknowledging and celebrating the audience’s cultureOutsourcing non-core tasks to increase focusAnd much, much more!“Every speaker needs to think about how they can be exceptional? Because there’s plenty of average out there, but it’s exceptional that gets attention.”Episode ResourcesNeen’s Website2 Day Booked and Paid BootcampGet Free Speaker ResourcesBook a Call with The Speaker LabCalculate Your Speaking FeeJoin The Speaker Lab Community on FacebookSubscribe on Apple PodcastsSubscribe on SpotifySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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• Turning Adversity Into Purpose with Lance Cibik

  “[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 waiting for gigs to land in your inbox. Instead, get proactive by following up with past clients, checking in on leads, and never underestimate the value of your existing network.Don’t make the process of getting booked more complicated than it needs to be. Simple shifts like asking for referrals, sending thoughtful follow-ups, and refreshing your pitch can open doors you didn’t even know existed. Ultimately, landing speaking gigs isn’t about luck; it’s about showing up, nurturing relationships, and remembering that every “no” gets you closer to the next “yes.”You’ll learn:Speaking roles in corporate settings Using adversity as motivation and keynote themesTranslating personal experiences into audience-relevant lessonsA four-step process for overcoming adversityTreating speaking as a businessTaking messy action, gaining reps, and audience validationRedefining success and mentoring othersAnd much, much more!“If you find yourself in a situation where you’re looking around and saying how did I get here, I’m stuck, I don’t see the light at the end of the tunnel. How are you going to respond to that? Number one, be the change. It’s a mindset shift.”Episode ResourcesLance’s Website2 Day Booked and Paid BootcampGet Free Speaker ResourcesBook a Call with The Speaker LabCalculate Your Speaking FeeJoin The Speaker Lab Community on FacebookSubscribe on Apple PodcastsSubscribe on SpotifySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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• Mastering Your Speaking Pipeline: Live Coaching with Erick Rheam

  “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 prospecting, nurture your network, and never miss the chance to turn one gig into two. Even subtle tweaks in your approach can mean big results for your speaking business!You’ll learn:The philosophy of booking multiple gigsThe purpose of Speaker Lab’s coaching sessionsBalancing and marketing a multidimensional brand as a speakerStructuring a website for speakers with multiple servicesStrategies for reigniting a stalled speaking pipelineAnd much, much more!“Once you have clarity over this is where I want my business to go and this is the role speaking is going to play, then what you need to do is think about how many times you want to be on stage…you want to get the reps on the stage because the stage is what gives you the momentum. That fuels other things.”Episode ResourcesErick’s Website2 Day Booked and Paid BootcampMichael’s WebsiteMarcy’s WebsiteGet Free Speaker ResourcesBook a Call with The Speaker LabCalculate Your Speaking FeeJoin The Speaker Lab Community on FacebookSubscribe on Apple PodcastsSubscribe on SpotifySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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• Crafting Talks That Audiences Remember with Donald Miller

  “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 reminds speakers that they’re not the hero, they’re the guide, and if they can help their audience win, they’ll stand out for all the right reasons. Packed with wisdom you can put into action today, this episode is essential listening for anyone who wants to master both the art and business of getting booked—and remembered—as a speaker. Don’t miss it!You’ll learn:Following proven communication principles over improvisationHow the StoryBrand framework clarifies and structures messagingDefining your niche as a speakerEstablishing authority by knowing your subjectPositioning your audience as the heroPrioritizing clarity over cleverness in communicationUsing both speaking and writing to refine your contentAnd much, much more!“The more niched down you get, the more likely you are to be on stages.”Episode ResourcesDonald’s Website2 Day Booked and Paid BootcampGet Free Speaker ResourcesBook a Call with The Speaker LabCalculate Your Speaking FeeJoin The Speaker Lab Community on FacebookSubscribe on Apple PodcastsSubscribe on SpotifySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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• Mastering Speaking Logistics with Advance Agent Lori Kennedy

  “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 commitments, and always looping your team in on changes. She shares why being easy to work with is just as crucial as what you do on stage, and how thoughtful touches like thank-you notes or a quick text that you’ve arrived can make all the difference.Packed with actionable advice, this episode is a must-listen whether you’re just starting or looking to elevate your reputation. From pre-event preparation to making a lasting impression after the applause, Lori’s wisdom will help you become the kind of speaker event planners can’t wait to work with again!You’ll learn:The meaning and responsibilities of an advanced agentRisks associated with speakers handling logistics independentlyBest practices for booking travelRoles of agents in contract creation and executionTips for making event logistics smoother for everyone involvedThe importance of personalized connection before, during, and after eventsAnd much, much more!“I am doing logistics, or what we call advancing the event, and therefore the word advanced agent…and before you go to the venue, you have to have everything set up…and so advancing was always the part that happened before you arrived to make sure that they were ready when you arrived.”Episode ResourcesLori’s Website2 Day Booked and Paid BootcampGet Free Speaker ResourcesBook a Call with The Speaker LabCalculate Your Speaking FeeJoin The Speaker Lab Community on FacebookSubscribe on Apple PodcastsSubscribe on SpotifySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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