Podcast
From Workshop Leader to National Conference Speaker: Corrin McCloskey’s Thought Leadership Journey: Podcast Ep. 480
If you love facilitating workshops and trainings, but you know there’s something more you want to say, this episode is for you. My guest is Corrin McCloskey, a healthcare executive, speaker, writer, and facilitator who has made the leap from being a fabulous facilitator into a true thought leader. Corrin joined us in Thought Leader…
Read More3 Ways AI Can Hurt Your Public Speaking, and 3 Ways It Can Help with Carol Cox: Podcast Ep. 479
I love using AI, and I use it almost every day. But when it comes to thought leadership, talks, and presentations, I’ve also seen how easy it is for AI to pull us into a new version of the Expert Trap. In this episode, I’m sharing three things to be careful about when using…
Read MoreThe Expert Trap: Why Great Speakers Don’t Become Thought Leaders with Carol Cox: Podcast Ep. 478
Have you ever given a talk that people loved in the moment but nothing happened afterward? The audience took notes. They told you how valuable your presentation was. But you didn’t get the next speaking invitation, new clients, or bigger opportunities. In this episode, I explain what I call the Expert Trap: the place where…
Read MoreWant More Speaking Gigs? Stop Relying on Applications Alone: Podcast Ep. 476
You may be closer to your next speaking opportunity than you think. With so many people submitting speaker applications and using AI to generate proposals, standing out has become harder than ever. But there’s one thing AI can’t replicate: genuine relationships. In this episode, Diane Diaz and I talk about why some of the best…
Read MoreFrom Personal Story to Thought Leadership: A Framework for Speakers with Erin Mark: Podcast Ep. 475
What if the stories you’ve dismissed as “not important enough” are actually the ones your audience needs most? Erin Mark and I explore why storytelling is the bridge between expertise and transformation and why audiences connect far more deeply with emotion, struggle, and humanity than with information alone. Erin shares how she took her…
Read MoreThe Business of Speaking: Negotiating Fees, Building Relationships, and Getting Referrals with Teri DeLucca, PhD: Podcast Ep. 474
In this episode, I sit down with Teri DeLucca for a candid conversation about what really happens behind the scenes in the speaking industry, from getting your first speaking engagements to negotiating fees, navigating “pay-to-play” conferences, and building the confidence to take bigger stages. Teri shares how she went from feeling intimidated and unsure if…
Read MoreHow Kim Foster Got 1.5M Views on Her YouTube Video (And What It Means for Your Visibility) with Dr. Kim Foster: Podcast Ep. 473
I love when I stumble across someone I know doing something big—and that’s exactly what happened with today’s guest. I spotted one of our Thought Leader Academy grads Kim Foster on YouTube…with a video that had over 1.5 million views. Naturally, I wanted to know how she did it! In this episode, Kim and I…
Read MoreMotivational Speaking with Substance: Live Signature Talks from Our Thought Leader Academy Grads: Podcast Ep. 472
What makes a motivational talk actually stick, long after the applause? In this audio from our Back Stage with Speaking Your Brand live show, you’ll experience powerful, real-time signature talks from three of our recent Thought Leader Academy grads Kimberly Brock, Susana Alvarez, and Teresa Phillips. Each blends personal story, practical frameworks, and a clear…
Read MoreTurning Real-Life Challenges into Thought Leadership: Live Signature Talks from Our Thought Leader Academy Grads: Podcast Ep. 471
What separates a good talk from a true thought leadership talk? It’s not just the story; it’s what you do with it. In this audio from our Back Stage with Speaking Your Brand live show, you’ll hear powerful 10-minute signature talks from two of our recent Thought Leader Academy grads Heather Beebe and Lauren Yankoff,…
Read MoreSpeaker Scams, Shortcuts, and What Actually Works to Build Your Speaking with Carol Cox and Diane Diaz: Podcast Ep. 470
We’re pulling back the curtain on the speaker industry. If you’ve been scrolling lately, you’ve probably seen the promises: guaranteed TEDx talks, booked-out speaking calendars, five-figure fees overnight. It’s tempting. It’s also where a lot of people get burned. We share the biggest red flags we’re seeing—from “guaranteed” results to high-pressure sales tactics—and why…
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