Path To The Main Stage Podcast

Are you tired of being told there’s a shortcut to a thriving speaking career—only to find out it’s really about the hustle and grind? In this energetic kickoff to Season Three of Path to the Main Stage, host Li Hayes pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to make it to bigger and better stages. Discover why you can’t skip the foundational steps—even if you wish someone could just “be your...

What if the secret to unforgettable keynote speaking—and deeper audience engagement—comes down to the spaces between your words? In this electrifying episode of Path to the Main Stage, Grammy-nominated musician and keynote maestro Freddie Ravel joins host Li Hayes to reveal the hidden rhythms of communication that elevate ordinary presentations into transformative experiences. You’ll discover why...

What if getting on a TEDx stage could skyrocket your speaking career—but only if you play by the secret rules and avoid the #1 mistake that dooms 80% of applicants before they even get noticed? In this eye-opening episode of Path to the Main Stage, host Li Hayes sits down with John Bates, founder of Executive Speaking Success and TEDx coach to astronauts, top executives, and bestselling authors. T...

Could an AI-powered booking system really score you 3 to 8 paid speaking gigs every single month—even if you don’t have a massive following? In this kickoff episode of Path to the Main Stage Season 2, host Li Hayes and the dynamic tech expert & speaker Ramon Ray pull back the curtain on the promises (and pitfalls) of AI in the world of professional speaking—and reveal why the secret to getting...

What if everything you believe about your worth as a speaker is wrong? Imagine learning that your standing ovations, glowing feedback, and pats on the back may not actually mean your keynote is truly great—or even commercially viable. On this episode of Path to the Main Stage , host Li Hayes sits down with legendary speaker, author, and founder of Heroic Public Speaking, Michael Port, to shatter s...

Are you sabotaging your speaking career by believing these common industry myths? In this solo episode of the Path to the Main Stage Podcast, Li Hayes flips the script on everything you thought you knew about becoming a successful professional speaker. From the truth about writing a book to the real impact of bestseller status, from website complexity to immediate email replies—prepare to have you...

What if your photos are the reason event planners are not booking you? In this episode of Path to the Main Stage, host Li Hayes pulls back the curtain on one of the most overlooked secrets to a thriving speaking career: your visual brand isn’t about you—it’s about them! Forget everything you thought you knew about headshots. Li sits down with acclaimed photographer John DeMato, whose images don’t...

What if the secret to landing more speaking gigs isn’t just perfecting your keynote—but joining the right community? In this power-packed episode of Path to the Main Stage, host Li Hayes sits down with rockstar keynote speaker, bestselling author, and past president of NSA NYC, Robyn Hatcher, to reveal the unexpected power of community over competition in the speaking world. Together, they pull ba...

What if landing your next speaking gig isn’t just about how you perform on stage, but about what’s happening behind the scenes in the decision-maker’s inbox? On this eye-opening episode of Path to the Main Stage, host Li Hayes welcomes Stephanie Love, Thryv’s Content & Training Manager, for a candid look into the speaker selection process—and what speakers consistently get wrong. Stephanie pul...

What if the secret to landing speaking gigs has nothing to do with your keynote—or your price tag? In this eye-opening episode of "Path to the Main Stage," host Li Hayes sits down with Pat Miller, founder of the Small Business Owners Community (SBOC) and a seasoned event planner who’s booked names like Mel Robbins, Jesse Cole, Marcus Lemonis, and Seth Godin. Pat lifts the curtain on what really ma...

Would you believe that “celebrity” is the #1 shortcut to getting paid speaking gigs—even before expertise or experience? In this eye-opening episode of Path to the Main Stage, host Li Hayes sits down with Mark Albert, a Peabody and Emmy-winning journalist turned media mastery expert, to spill the untold truths about how the media really works for speakers—and why most are doing it all wrong. You’l...

What if everything you think you know about speaker bureaus—and how to get on their radar—is wrong? In this eye-opening episode of Path to the Main Stage, host Li Hayes sits down with industry insider Ben Anshutz, President of Entertainment at Gotham Artists, to pull back the curtain on the real workings of speaker bureaus, agents, and how emerging speakers actually get booked. From the myths of e...

What if charging less makes you LOSE gigs? On this episode of the Path to the Main Stage podcast, host Li Hayes delivers a no-nonsense, pull-back-the-curtain masterclass on one of the biggest mysteries in the speaking industry: how much should you actually charge as a speaker? Whether you’re a total newcomer or you’re ready to reach for the elite stages (and paydays), Li breaks down the complex, u...

What if the fastest way to book more speaking gigs is not what you think? In this eye-opening episode of Path to the Main Stage, podcast powerhouse Lou Diamond pulls back the curtain on why podcasting—not just speaking from a stage—is the most powerful “connect-working” tool for today’s speakers and thought leaders. Whether you want to become a podcast guest, launch your own show, or finally figur...

What if the “big break” you think you need as a speaker is actually holding you back? On this episode of Path to the Main Stage, host Li Hayes sits down with Kevin O’Connor—longtime host of “This Old House” and a recognized TV personality who never set out to be in the spotlight. In a jaw-droppingly frank conversation, Kevin reveals why being represented by a major talent agency nearly ended his s...

What if the key to landing more speaking gigs wasn’t your expertise—but the very first line of your bio? In this episode of "Path to the Main Stage" podcast, host Li Hayes teams up with LinkedIn expert Donna Serdula to dramatically rethink what makes speakers stand out. From Li's jaw-dropping story of being "discovered" by the National Speakers Association just three weeks...

What if the one thing holding back your speaking career isn’t your stage presence—but your actual keynote? In this episode of the Path to the Main Stage podcast, your beliefs about what makes a world-class speech might get turned upside down. Legendary speaker coach John Bates joins host Li Hayes to pull back the curtain on how truly great (and highly paid) speakers craft their signature presentat...

What if we told you that your lack of social media presence could be the one thing keeping you off the stage of your dreams? On this episode of Path to the Main Stage, Li Hayes teams up with social media authority Amber Vilhauer for a revealing and actionable conversation that every aspiring (and seasoned) speaker needs to hear. Find out why event planners are secretly researching your social prof...

What if your brand is holding you back from the main stage—and you don’t even know it? In this episode of Path to the Main Stage, host Li Hayes teams up with branding powerhouse Ramon Ray, author of “Celebrity CEO,” for a deep (and sometimes hilarious) masterclass on what really makes a speaker's brand stand out—and sell out. They bust the biggest myths about branding (spoiler: your color palette...

What if the secret to landing more speaking gigs has nothing to do with your story—or even your message—but everything to do with how fast you reply to emails? In this eye-opening episode of Path to the Main Stage, host Li Hayes is joined by Olympic bobsledder, former NFL athlete, and powerhouse speaker Johnny Quinn, who pulls back the curtain on what really drives speaker bookings (hint: it’s not...

Professional speaking is one of the highest paying careers with the lowest barrier to entry - yet few succeed in ever making it to a main stage. Path to the Main Stage is here to pull back the curtain on the world of professional speaking. In this debut episode, host Li Hayes reveals the real secrets to breaking in, standing out, and lasting in an industry that’s both dazzling and daunting. Episod...

What if landing your next speaking gig wasn’t about who you know, but what you don’t know? Welcome to the very first episode of “Path to the Main Stage,” where host Li Hayes unveils the no-nonsense truths and essential tips every aspiring speaker needs to hear—but rarely does. Are you wondering whether you really need a speaker agent, what should actually be on your website, or how to confidently...