The Speaker Lab

The Speaker Lab

Grant Baldwin

Grant Baldwin provides insights into the Art and Business of Professional Speaking

36 minutes 49 seconds

How to Find What Makes You Different with Jesse Cole of the Savannah Bananas
“People get excited about different. How can you be explained & summed up in one sentence? How can you be the only in your industry?”
Finding what makes you unique in this industry is no easy journey, but our guest this week knows all too well why being different is your greatest asset. Jesse Cole is the proud owner of the Savannah Bananas, an exhibition baseball team that ESPN called "the greatest show in sports."
Jesse is best known for his iconic yellow suit and the fun he brings across the world with the Bananas, but beyond that, he's a well known and highly sought after speaker. Jesse is here to share how he found success in his life and career simply by being his genuine self — and how you can do the same.
Jesse also talks about how to approach branding, marketing, and promoting yourself — and why sometimes you just have to put yourself out there. You might fail, but the only way to succeed is just to keep swinging for the fences. This is a fascinating episode with tons of solid advice for speakers at every stage of their career — don't miss this one!
You’ll learn:
- How to appreciate & embrace what makes you distinct
- Why empathy should be one of your biggest tools
- The value of genuine entertainment
- Why trial and error is beneficial to your brand
- How small bets start everything
- And so much more!
“If I can share, and hopefully inspire people, that gives me a ton of energy”

Episode Resources:
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
17 December 2024, 9:30 am
40 minutes 3 seconds

How to Know Exactly What To Say To Book More Paid Gigs with Phil M. Jones
“One of the easiest ways to demonstrate your value in the sales conversation is to not try to sell yourself, it’s to show them you understand the puzzle they’re trying to solve. If you can show somebody that you understand their puzzle, they'll trust you with a solution."
One of the most challenging things that all speakers face — at all stages of their speaking career — is overcoming fear of rejection. If you're a new speaker, you might be surprised that even veteran speakers still struggle with things like confidence and beating imposter syndrome. Constantly having to pitch yourself and establish your value is never easy, no matter how many times you do it.
So, how do you overcome all of that and feel confident in who you are, the value you bring, and the fee you charge? This week's guest has some great advice on that. Phil M. Jones is a world-class speaker (and friend of the podcast) who teaches people how to know Exactly What To Say in all areas of life. This week, Phil is breaking down how to build your confidence and master tough conversations without feeling personally rejected or passed over.
Phil also talks about why you need to vet potential gigs just as much as they vet you as a potential speaker — after all, speaking is a two-sided business. From start to finish, this episode is a masterclass in learning how to embrace uncertainty and maintain your confidence as you navigate hard conversations and negotiations. No matter where you are in your speaking journey, you're going to want to hear this.
You’ll learn:
- Why you should thoughtfully pick your gigs
- The difference between arrogance and conviction
- How to overcome self doubt
- How to cater your talks to each business
- What 4 things event planners find the most valuable
- Why it's a good thing to lose gigs
- And much, much more!
“You have to work like your life depends on the money, and play like you don’t need it.”
Episode Resources:
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
10 December 2024, 9:30 am
44 minutes 19 seconds

How to Find Your Strengths As A Speaker with Josh Shipp
“I might not be world class ever, ever, but I’m definitely gonna be way better than I was on my own, and without the reps.”
Josh Shipp has had a brilliant career providing knowledge to thousands of people. Today, he joins us to talk about the hard work of making it as a speaker, how to find your strengths, and what you should know at the start of your journey.
Josh has frequently worked in the education space with parents, teachers, and students. In fact, he even founded a company dedicated to this training called Youth Speaker University. Josh is here to talk about how to break into this space and why what you do matters on and off stage.
Josh also has some great insights to share about drawing inspiration, the great thing about individualism, and learning from your failures. Thoughtfully targeting your niche and your goals is something you have to learn, and Josh is here to walk you through it.
You’ll learn:
- The common denominator of successful speakers
- Why endurance & self reflection matters
- How there are negatives and positives with innovation
- What you can learn from criticism
- How to identify your main topic to speak about
- And so much more!
“You can learn a ton from those 3 out of 4 that don’t book you.”
Episode Resources:
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
3 December 2024, 9:30 am
39 minutes 44 seconds

From Worship Pastor to Full-Time Speaker with Ken Hartley
“That type of belief is what carries you through when everybody else is dropping like flies. When you know for a fact this is what you’re made for, then there’s nothing else you can do.”
The journey to professional speaking is not always a simple one, and our guest this week knows this all too well. Ken Hartley spent over 20 years serving as a worship pastor (and also worked as a magician!) on the way to becoming a full-time professional speaker. This week, Ken is here to break down how he found his new career in speaking and made the leap of faith that led to this point.
With a background in ministry, music, and magic, Ken was no stranger to the stage. However, making the switch to speaking wasn't an easy one. He found himself struggling with the commitment both financially and personally to take the leap, but was encouraged and supported by many family members. In fact, his mom gave him the money to get the training, and 19 months later, he got a gig paying the same amount as the kind gift he was given.
It can be difficult to overcome self-doubt, and fear, but Ken will discuss how he worked through those moments, and learned to trust himself and his talent. Plus, his participation in The Speaker Lab as a student shaped the way he works in the business for the better. Each opportunity or gig has led him to new spin offs, and he is the perfect person to learn why showing up for yourself and committing can help you grow for the better.
You’ll learn:
- The secret to taking risks
- Where to find the right resources for you
- How to overcome imposter syndrome
- Why you should consider The Speaker Lab for training
- How to build momentum in your business
- And so much more!
“The only way to get good on stage is to be on stage.”

Episode Resources:
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
26 November 2024, 9:30 am
40 minutes

How to Build A Content-Driven Speaking Business with Nathan Barry
“I think of the definition of a creator as someone who sets out to make original work, to educate, inspire, or entertain other people.”
There are plenty of simple ways to grow as a speaker, but becoming a creator is one of the easiest ways to expand your speaking business and book more paid gigs!
The term "creator" is used frequently (and sometimes negatively), but here's the reality: if you're a speaker, you are already creating content. The next step is to learn how to use and repurpose that content across multiple platforms and channels to grow your audience and build your brand.
This week, we're chatting with someone who has helped millions of people create and share their content — Nathan Barry. Nathan is the creator of Kit (formerly known as ConvertKit), the world's largest email-first operating system for creators.
Nathan is here to talk about how to build an audience through creating compelling and engaging content, as well as some practical tips on how to grow, automate, and segment your email list. Ultimately, building a content-driven speaking business can be a huge win for you and your speaking career, and Nathan is breaking down exactly how to do that.
You’ll learn:
- The difference (and value) of automation & segmentation.
- How owning an email audience can help land gigs
- Why building an email list can only benefit you
- How to cater your content to each individual
- Why you still need to create an impressive demo video
- Why your interests matter to your audience
- And so much more!
“Don’t try to do everything.”

Episode Resources:
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
19 November 2024, 9:30 am
43 minutes 10 seconds

How to Succeed As An Entrepreneur with Jack Galloway
“It’s very important that the message bearer who’s up there selling that idea cares very, very deeply about it, and they would give it just as much energy if there were 5 people in the room, as if there were 5,000 people in the room.”
Running your own business is extremely challenging, but doing what you love can make it a bit easier. This week, Jack Galloway joined us on the show to talk about the importance of concentrating on what you care about. Jack got his start working with Dave Ramsey for over 22 years, where he received a behind-the-scenes look into how to build a team from the ground up.
Throughout his time at Ramsey Solutions, Jack learned countless lessons about running a business, including the significance of criticism, why simplicity matters, the wisdom that comes with repetition, and much, much more!
Jack has a ton of wisdom and advice to share, and I know you'll get a lot out of this episode.
You’ll learn:
- The importance of listening to your audience’s needs
- Why practice makes perfect
- How to be successful as a “solo-preneur”
- To surround yourself with good workers and friends
- What can make or break a small business
- And much more!
"Focus on keeping the main thing, the main thing”

Episode Resources:
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
12 November 2024, 10:30 am
40 minutes 3 seconds

How to Have A Showtime Mindset with Dustin Portillo
“Don’t conform to your environment. Everyone else does it, but you need to take that path, that uniqueness that is you, because there is no one like you.”
As a former circus clown (yes, an actual circus clown), Dustin Portillo knows a thing or two about showtime. And now as a professional speaker, Dustin has taken that mindset and applied it to delivering value for audiences everywhere.
This week, Dustin is here to share the lessons he learned from his wide-ranging career and give you some practical tips on things like mastering stage presence, keeping audiences engaged, and what it takes to leave a corporate job to become a full time speaker.
We'll spend time walking through his 5 important principles and why determining what's important to you, really matters. Dustin also talks about some of the most scary moments you can have in the industry and how they can propel you to bigger & better things.
You’ll learn:
- The importance of knowing your audience
- Why your value is more than a job title
- How to always have a "showtime mindset"
- How being relatable can help you excel as a speaker
- How to embrace the value of growth
- And much more!
"Don’t knock on a wall expecting a door to open”

Episode Resources:
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
5 November 2024, 9:30 am
38 minutes 6 seconds

The Power of Purpose In Your Speaking Business with Jay Papasan
“You just have to trust that it will work out if you do the right thing. Surround yourself with great people.”
There’s no easy days when you’re an entrepreneur, but figuring out how you can divide and conquer for your business is really important. This week, Jay Papasan joins us to talk about how delegation is a powerful tool that frees you up to do what only you can do best.
Jay walks through what it looks like to have a core focus and motivation for your speaking business and how that can help you take your speaking career to the next level. There are a ton of practical tips in this episode on a wide range of topics, including how to juggle all of the responsibilities of running a business, how to grow personally and professionally, how to consistently deliver value for your audience, and so much more.
You’ll learn:
- The important difference between your personal brand and your business brand
- How to do what you enjoy so you can be at your best
- What growing your speaking business can look like realistically
- When to start leaning on other people to help grow your business
- How delivering consistent value will keep the work coming
- And much more!
“We want to be thought-leaders”

Episode Resources:
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
29 October 2024, 8:30 am
40 minutes 44 seconds

What To Do When Everything Goes Wrong with Jake Thompson
"You have to think of it from a relational standpoint, first and foremost, before anything else. And just understand, sometimes things happen, but I never want a client to be upset about paying me. I always want them to pay me and think, man, we got way more than we paid."
We talk a lot about the benefits of being a professional speaker, but there are always challenges in any business! This week, Jake Thompson is back on the show to talk about what to do when things don't go the way you planned.
Jake is breaking down how to handle things like travel issues, contract disputes, event delays, organizers who won't commit, and more — all pulled from his personal experiences in his speaking business over the past few years.
If you want to be a successful speaker in the long run, don't miss this episode!
You'll learn:
- Why you should never miss a gig, no matter what
- How to put yourself in the top category of speakers
- How to get event organizers off the fence
- What to do when your event gets rescheduled
- How to handle contract issues and disputes
- And much, much more!
"When you're amazing on stage and amazing offstage, it puts you in a completely different bracket."
Episode Resources:
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
22 October 2024, 9:30 am
27 minutes 45 seconds

What If My Topic Is A New Idea? + How to Start Selling Workshops (Live Coaching W/ Erick)
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 TSL students, Josie Ann Lee and Kenny Barnwell, work through real problems they're facing in their speaking businesses.
Josie Ann is trying to introduce a new idea through her talk to event organizers — but she's not sure how to sell an idea no one is familiar with. Kenny has established himself as the expert in his niche, and now he's ready to take things to the next level by scaling his business through workshops.
During this episode, you'll learn:
- How to get initial traction in your business
- How to refine your message through real world feedback
- Why you just have to get started without waiting for perfection
- The value of establishing yourself as the primary expert in your niche
- How workshops can accelerate your speaking income
- The most important things to know when adding a workshop to your business
- And much, much more!
Episode Resources:
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
15 October 2024, 9:30 am
39 minutes 32 seconds

How To Say What Your Audience Can't Unhear with Tamsen Webster
"Every time we make a decision, it is the conclusion of a story that we have built in our minds unconsciously about why that decision does or doesn't make sense."
One of the most rewarding parts of being a professional speaker is the feeling of making a difference — the idea that the message you have to share can create real change with your audience. But how do you actually make that happen?
Tamsen Webster knows a thing or two about creating an effective message. As the Idea Strategist one of only nine legacy-level TEDx events in the world who has worked for organizations like Harvard Medical School, Fidelity Investments, and Klaviyo, Tamsen has decades of experience in helping speakers develop their message.
This week, Tamsen is here to break down how aligning your message with the audience's existing beliefs and desires is the most effective way to create lasting change. If you're ready to make an impact from the stage, this is an episode you can't afford to miss!
You'll learn:
- How to simplify complex ideas
- Why storytelling is so powerful
- How to build the "compact case" for your message
- The 7 principles of creating lasting change
- How to harness the "curiosity curve" in your talk
- How to turn your basic idea into a finished speech
- And much, much more!
"Lots of people like to quote Maya Angelou — 'They're going to remember how you made them feel.' But wouldn't it be even better if they also remembered what you said in addition to what you made them feel?"
Episode Resources:
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
8 October 2024, 10:30 am
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