Path To The Main Stage Podcast

Learn how to heal and avoid speaker burnout. On this episode of Path to the Main Stage, Li Hayes welcomes burnout expert and keynote speaker Cait Donovan, who unpacks the hidden dangers of burnout—how it sabotages your mind and career—and delivers practical, science-backed strategies to reclaim your focus and effectiveness. Discover why burnout is more than a mindset issue, how small acts like &qu...

Discover how the government could pay you  more and faster  than you ever thought possible! In this eye-opening episode, Li Hayes teams up with government contracting insider Tony Chatman to bust the biggest myths about working with government agencies as a professional speaker. From unlocking secret hacks for landing contracts to breaking down step-by-step how to get started, this conversation is...

Learn what event planners really want. In this eye-opening episode of Path to the Main Stage, Li Hayes sits down with veteran event planner and Club Ichi co-founder Liz Lathan to separate the myths from the realities of booking speaking gigs in the business events world. From unraveling the many roles of event professionals to understanding why celebrity name-dropping often doesn’t drive registrat...

Learn how to skyrocket your revenue by selling from the stage!  In this eye-opening episode, Steve Hopper reveals why offering value to your audience doesn't stop with your speech—and why failing to make an offer is a missed opportunity for both you and your listeners. Li Hayes dives deep with Steve Hopper on practical strategies for selling from the stage, building irresistible offers, levera...

What if your flashy speaker reel is actually costing you bookings? In this episode of “Path to the Main Stage,” Li Hayes sits down with Brittanny Kreutzer, partner at Speaker Exchange Agency and board member of the newly named GSIA, for an unfiltered look into what makes speakers irresistible—or instantly forgettable—to bureaus and clients. Discover the real insider criteria bureaus use to select...

What if the secret to giving unforgettable talks isn’t perfect slides or endless practice—but jumping into freezing water at 6am and talking to stuffed animals? In this eye-opening episode, Li Hayes sits down with Darren Virassammy, TEDx speaker with over a million views, to reveal unconventional but powerful strategies any speaker can use to master the stage. From harnessing the power of nature t...

Are you sabotaging your speaking career by chasing every new opportunity? Discover why adopting a “hedgehog” mindset—rather than the cunning but scattered fox—is the secret to long-term success on stage. In this high-impact season four kickoff, Li Hayes reveals a surprisingly simple framework inspired by Jim Collins’ Good to Great, then gives a rapid-fire teaser of the transformative topics coming...

Perfect your pitch and boldly own the stage! Learn how to step into boldness, pitch yourself with impact, and build a speaker brand that gets remembered. In this high-energy episode, Li Hayes sits down with pitch expert and 13-time national champion Precious L. Williams, the Killer Pitchmaster herself, who lays out exactly what it takes to stand out—whether you’re pitching your next big talk or el...

Level up your speaking journey with actionable advice on finding your niche, embracing the grind, and connecting with any audience! Learn how to navigate the early stages of your professional speaking career as Todd Bertsch joins co-host Li Hayes for an honest and motivating conversation. Discover the importance of focusing on a single niche, why getting "reps" matters far more than getting paid e...

What if the secret to a thriving speaking career isn’t just being the star of the show—but actually being the life of the party holding it all together? In this episode of the Path to the Main Stage Podcast, host Li Hayes welcomes the dynamic Rob Ferre—professional MC, keynote speaker, game show host, and DJ—who reveals how embracing the role of MC can open new doors, elevate events, and leverage...

Learn how to make yourself a bookable speaker—and land more gigs! Join Li Hayes as she interviews international speakers bureau veteran Maria Franzoni, who shares the essential strategies and mindset for emerging speakers ready to take their speaking careers to new heights. In this practical and encouraging episode, you’ll discover the secrets behind “The Bookability Formula,” including how to pic...

Learn proven ways to market your book with confidence and build a lasting audience. In this episode, Li Hayes welcomes back bestselling author and editor AJ Harper, who shares the exact steps that successful authors use to move books—from pre-writing to post-launch. Discover when and how to start your marketing, why your network and author community matter, how pre-orders and bonuses drive momentu...

Sell More Books and Build Real Author Success! In this practical and encouraging episode, Li Hayes connects with bestselling author and editor AJ Harper for a deep dive on book marketing for speakers and authors. You’ll discover the most effective ways to market your book, build authentic relationships, and grow your audience—all while creating real and lasting impact. This episode is a practical...

Learn how to bring humor and improv to any stage! Unlock the secrets to engaging your audience, no matter your topic, and elevate your speaking game by blending performance skills and comedic elements. Li Hayes sits down with improv and comedy veteran Pat Dwyer, who shares practical strategies for turning even the most serious subject matter into an interactive, memorable experience. Discover how...

Get more stages by being more courageous! Learn how to challenge your inner dialogue as a speaker, refine your keynotes for greater impact, and connect powerfully with any audience. In this inspiring conversation, Li Hayes welcomes Owen Fitzpatrick—psychologist, thought leader, and speaker—who shares practical insights on the psychology of belief, maintaining humility and confidence, and continuou...

What if the secret to skyrocketing your speaking career isn’t just talent or passion—but the systems, strategies, and relentless hustle behind the scenes? In this episode of Path to the Main Stage, Li Hayes sits down with the dynamic Lamar Tyler—the powerhouse CEO of Tyler New Media and mastermind behind the Traffic Sales & Profit conferences, which routinely draw crowds of over 1,000. Lamar r...

Imagine losing $24,000 to a PR scam - but then turning that setback into millions of views and national recognition! Christina shares the jaw-dropping story of how a freak accident in Canada sparked her first entrepreneurial journey—prompting her to create a medical boot fashion line from scratch. But when a "PR expert" took her money and disappeared, Christina found herself forced to ma...

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...