The Speaker Lab

The Speaker Lab

Grant Baldwin

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

48 minutes 16 seconds

How to Navigate The Craziest Moments As A Speaker with Shane Sams
“The show must go on baby. You gotta keep going man. Never know what’s gonna happen when you’re doing it live with no net, you never know.”
Being a professional speaker means navigating some of the craziest and most unpredictable moments imaginable. This week, Shane Sams joins Grant on the show to recount some of his funniest and most challenging moments on the speaking trail.
You never know what you're going to encounter when you're walking into a speaking gig, but the best speakers know how to roll with the punches and "be a pro" even when things go completely off the rails. Shane and Grant have some great advice on how to handle the unexpected and chaotic moments, all learned from their own experiences over the years.
Shane also opens up about his struggles with his health and how he learned to deal with burnout. Balancing your health with the exhausting lifestyle of living on the road can be a challenge for any speaker, but finding your own boundaries and thresholds is incredibly important.
This lighthearted and engaging conversation is something you don't want to miss. From flying squirrels to napping audience members, you'll hear some incredible war stories from Shane and Grant this week that will make you laugh and teach you how to navigate your own challenging moments in the future.
You’ll learn:
- How to navigate the hard moments on stage
- Why composure & humor are your best tools
- What honest communication can do for your relationships
- The importance of prioritizing your mental & physical health
- Why you should learn from the pros
- And much, much more!
“You gotta say the words whether anyone is paying attention or not.”

Episode Resources:
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
21 January 2025, 9:30 am
41 minutes 6 seconds

How to Build The Perfect Speaking Career For You with Ryan Vet
“Whenever someone comes up and says ‘Hey, why am I not getting booked to speak?’, my first question is 'how many professionals did you call today?'"
One of the best parts about being a speaker is that YOU get to decide what your speaking career looks like. Your story is unique, and the value you bring to your audience is something only you can deliver. This week, Ryan Vet joins us on the show to talk about how he found his way to a speaking career that was perfect for his strengths and passions.
Ryan got his start as a speaker when he was still in high school, and he hasn't looked back since. And while everyone often thinks of paid speaking as being primarily keynotes, Ryan points out that the majority of paid gigs are often other formats. For his part, Ryan fell in love with training and found it incredibly fulfilling to help people immediately make changes in their lives and companies. During this episode, he shares some practical advice on how to find the path that is right for you — along with some horror stories and funny moments from his new book, Speak Goodr.
This is a solid episode that will encourage you to take the next (or first!) step in your speaking journey!
You’ll learn:
- How to be clear about your message
- Why you should embrace who you are as a speaker
- How to be thoughtful when it comes to your business
- What benefits come from watching your game tapes
- Why you need to figure out your ideal persona
- And much, much more!
“You have to solve a problem with what you sell.”

Episode Resources:
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
14 January 2025, 9:30 am
40 minutes 25 seconds

The 4 Pillars of Success to Get Booked & Paid to Speak™ in 90 Days with Erick Rheam
“All that matters is that you show up, and that you’re consistently doing it, because if you do it on a regular basis… you’re going to get better at it.”
"How do I find and book more paid speaking gigs quickly?"
"I'm just starting out, what should I prioritize right now?"
Here at TSL, we hear those two questions from speakers more than anything else. Whether you've never gotten paid to speak or you've been speaking for years, there's a good chance you're looking for more paid gigs. And if you're like most business owners, you don't have a lot of time to invest in building a new business without seeing some results.
This week, Erick Rheam is here to break down the four pillars of success that you can use to jumpstart your speaking business and start booking paid gigs in as little as 90 days or less. Erick breaks down what really matters if you want to be a successful speaker, including long-term goals, testing the market, your CRM, efficiency, accountability partners and consistency. Finally, Erick gives you some practical ways to evaluate where you stand in your speaking career.
This episode is a simple, practical roadmap to launching a speaking business and getting paid gigs in a short period of time — no matter how much speaking experience you have right now. If you don't make time for any other podcast episode this month, make sure you listen to this one. We'll see you out on the speaking trail!
You’ll learn:
- How to evaluate the next steps for you as a speaker
- The easiest way to prospect gigs
- A game changer towards your growth
- Why you need to build off your momentum
- Why you should never push off your daily tasks
- How a “power hour” works
- And much, much more!
“If you want to be a successful speaker, you have to be consistent.”
Episode Resources:
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
7 January 2025, 9:30 am
35 minutes 23 seconds

How to Become a Leader People Will Follow with Jenni Field
“You can’t need to be liked if you’re in a leadership position, and I’d say the same if you’re in a speaking position, cause you will say things that people don’t agree with, and that’s okay.”
As a speaker, very few things matter more than establishing your credibility and expertise. This week, communication expert Jenni Field joins us to talk about how to build your credibility and become a leader that people will follow. Jenni is a firm believer in the importance of establishing your expertise and building your credibility, and she's here with some practical tips on how to make that happen.
Jenni found a void in the industry she knows best and figured out how to fill it. During this episode, she'll detail the expertise, research, and likability needed to make you genuinely needed for gigs. Jenni talks about how audiences can sense you care or not and how to work with your viewers so that your effort can be seen on stage.
Jenni has been through hard moments of her own, like in the end of 2022 when her business was failing, and she no longer loved what she was doing. She will share some lessons she learned from the heavy moments, including how she pulled herself out of that rut and pushed herself into a better space mentally and financially. Jenni took the time to know herself and what works for her, and she'll talk about how you can do that for yourself as well.
You’ll learn:
- How to channel your passion effectively
- The most important steps to build your speaking career
- What likability means for you
- Why finding your purpose is key
- How to grow by trying new things
- And so much more!
“People won’t ask you to speak unless you’ve got something to say.”

Episode Resources:
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
31 December 2024, 9:30 am
42 minutes 2 seconds

How to Believe in Your Creativity with Kyle Scheele
“When you have an idea, you should capture that idea and put it somewhere, because you’re basically training your brain that ideas are important and I value them.”
Finding your own brand of creativity and being unique can feel like a struggle in the beginning stages of your career. This week, Kyle Scheele joins us to share some tips on that topic drawn from his own journey of using his crazy ideas to stand out.
Kyle started his career early in life when he landed a t-shirt line through Urban Outfitters across the USA and Canada. Over the course of his speaking career, Kyle has gone viral on TikTok multiple times, spoken to both youth audiences and corporate events, and over time switched paths from primarily speaking in the education space to working with larger corporate events. He believes his approachability, understandable advice, and genuine entertainment have taken him to the next level, and he's here to tell you how to develop those things for yourself.
However, at every stage of his career (like most speakers), Kyle has had his doubts about the risks he took. During this episode, Kyle talks about how he overcame those fears by knowing and believing that he had talking points that worked. Trial and error can be difficult to embrace, but it's a key part of learning how to grow as a world-renowned speaker. This is a great episode with a lot of practical lessons for speakers — both new and veteran alike.
You’ll learn:
- How to find where your story intersects with the market
- Why you need to question assumptions
- The importance of honest feedback
- Why you should lean on the content in your speech that works
- How to act on your ideas
- And much, much more!
“To be human is to be creative.”
Episode Resources:
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
24 December 2024, 9:30 am
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
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