Speaker Driven Business

 Want to get booked to speak? Then stop being beige. In this episode, legendary media executive Maz Farrelly delivers a masterclass in how to be unforgettable in a world of noise. Drawing on a career that includes producing for Big Brother , X Factor , and Dancing With the Stars (with content viewed over 8 billion times), Maz unpacks exactly what it takes to make people lean in — not scroll past....

You don’t need more polish. What you need is a mic, a deadline, and a room full of decision-makers. In this episode, Jacqueline drops a firestorm of real talk about the unspoken habits holding back emerging and aspiring speakers, even the wildly talented ones. This is not another “find your why” pep talk. It’s a step-by-step dissection of why your calendar is collecting dust while your Google Driv...

You don’t need another course. You need to stop waiting for permission and start speaking like the world’s already listening. What happens when a PhD scientist, AI enthusiast, and unapologetic feminist collides with the speaking world? You get Dr. Nici Sweaney, a woman on a mission to make sure AI doesn’t just serve the privileged few.  In this episode, she breaks down why now is a once-in-hi...

Before you chase new leads, listen to this: Your goldmine is already in your books. Being great at what you do means nothing if your clients only remember one thing you offer. It’s time to stop leaving revenue on the table and start building the kind of client visibility that multiplies your income without chasing new leads. Let’s talk about being the best-kept secret in your own business and why...

If you’re still hoping to get picked instead of building a speaking business that books itself, this episode will flip everything you thought you knew about the mic. In this episode, we dive into what it really means to be an audience activator. Jacqueline chats with go-to pro emcee Quinn Conyers who redefines the entire event flow, shapes energy, builds rapport, and sets the tone from minute one...

Most speakers wait for clarity, confidence, or the perfect moment. But the best ones, just start climbing. If you’re showing up but still feel stuck, this one’s for you. In this episode, Jacqueline Brooker delivers a powerful wake-up call: getting visible is not the finish line, it’s just the beginning. She reveals why the speakers you admire didn’t just show up once, they kept showing up, doing t...

 Most emerging speakers waste years trying to follow someone else’s blueprint. This conversation is your permission to scrap the script and build something that actually fits you . In this episode, futurist and global keynote speaker Michael McQueen drops insight after insight on what it really takes to build staying power in the speaking business. He peels back the curtain on reinvention, releva...

Feeling stuck on the sidelines of the speaking world? Here's why, and how to finally steal the spotlight. In this episode, Jacqueline Brooker rips the covers off the real reason most emerging and aspiring speakers are stuck spinning their wheels: they’re either invisible, or visible but forgettable.  She shares a powerful new model, a simple but brutally honest continuum, that shows you exact...

This is your sign to stop chasing perfect and start owning your story. Real impact begins when you speak from the heart, not the script. Join us for a raw, inspiring, and insightful conversation that’ll make you rethink what's actually possible.  Sean Swarner isn’t just a cancer survivor turned adventurer. He’s a master at turning setbacks into superpowers. From conquering Everest with one lu...

You can have the right message, the right heart, and the right energy. But if your language triggers resistance instead of resonance, you’ll stay overlooked and underpaid. You’re done before you even start.  In this solo episode, Jacqueline dives into the psychology of communication – the hidden power of language, what it really takes to become a paid, booked, and referable speaker, and why i...

Your voice has power. Here’s how to shape it into a message the world remembers.  Today Jacqueline Brooker chats with the brilliant Lisa McInnes-Smith, a global speaking powerhouse, Hall of Fame inductee, and genuine Aussie legend. Lisa takes us behind the scenes of her extraordinary journey, from humble beginnings touring rural schools to captivating thousands on international stages. Discov...

The clarity of your message isn’t the problem.  If you’re struggling to get booked, land clients, or gain traction, here’s the truth: it’s not because your message isn’t clear enough. It’s because it’s not close enough. Too many experts are stuck selling what they know instead of speaking to what their audience desperately needs to hear . And in 2025, if your message doesn’t immediately hit t...

Most speakers unknowingly sabotage their impact by recycling tired, overused stories, metaphors, and quotes. You might think your favorite story is powerful—but if your audience has heard it a hundred times before, you're just another forgettable voice in the noise. In this episode, I break down why clichés kill engagement and how to replace them with fresh, unforgettable storytelling that captiva...

Most speakers get stuck inside their industry. They start with free gigs, move to paid opportunities within their niche, and then struggle to break out and command high fees beyond their known circles. Dr. Kevin J. Fleming lived this path—spending years as an expert speaker in education before stepping onto global stages and realising his message had far broader impact. In this episode, we unpack...

What does it really take to build a profitable speaking business?  In this episode, Jacqueline dives into the "yes, and" philosophy of speaking. She breaks down the two primary ways speakers make money: through speaking and from speaking.  The strategies she shares will help you build authority, drive revenue, and create a sustainable speaking career. Whether you’re just starting out or...

In this episode, Jacqueline Brooker sits down with Shasta Nelson, a thought leader on connection, three-time author, and sought-after keynote speaker, to unpack why friendships at work aren’t just a perk, they’re a necessity. Shasta is a keynote speaker, author, and leading expert on workplace connection. With three bestselling books and years of research on the power of friendship, she has helped...

Speakers who ignore AI will soon be speaking to empty rooms - and we don’t want that to be you   In this episode, we dive into the unexpected power plays AI unlocks, the five levels of AI adoption for speakers, the hidden Super Power for Speakers, and why your spoken-word content is still your greatest edge.  If you’re a speaker, trainer, or coach, this episode is your wake-up call....

What does it take to transform from a reluctant speaker into a Hall of Fame powerhouse? In this electrifying episode of Speaker Driven Business , Cy Wakeman, global thought leader and celebrated keynote and Hall of Fame speaker, pulls back the curtain on a truly unconventional rise to speaking greatness. Cy shares how she turned a groundbreaking discovery into a thriving career on the world’s bigg...

Great stories aren’t just entertaining. They’re transmissible, capable of being shared far beyond their original audience, and creating ripple effects that can inspire, connect, and transform.  In this episode, Jacqueline explores the mechanics of stories that transcend the stage, drawing from examples of keynote legends, movement starters, and even her own experiences. She dives into why som...

Welcome to the first episode of 2025, where we dive into a year’s worth of lessons from reviewing over 100 speech scripts (closer to 200, if we’re honest).  In this episode, Jacqueline shares invaluable insights from working with seasoned speakers, TED Talk hopefuls, and keynote rookies looking to level up. If you’re wondering what separates a speech that sticks from one that sinks, this epis...

Wonder isn’t just for children - and we’d love you to meet the man daring the world to rediscover it. In this episode, Jacqueline welcomes Peter Merrett, Australia's 2024 Keynote Speaker of the Year and the visionary behind The House of Wonderful.  Peter’s journey from chef to award-winning hotelier, to a global keynote sensation, is nothing short of awe-inspiring. It’s all about daring to em...

What if your life’s biggest failure played out on the world stage? Jacqueline Brooker lived it and this is your invitation to tune in for a masterclass in resilience! This conversation comes from an episode of The Other Side of Success podcast with Ella Lucas-Averett , where Jacqueline joins as a guest to share her remarkable story of resilience, failure, and self-belief. She takes us through her...

Wondering why your phone isn’t ringing off the hook? It’s pretty simple. Speaking isn’t your business — it’s your product, and you have to learn to sell it like a pro. In this episode, Jacqueline sits down with the magnetic and insightful David Avrin, CSP and global speaking expert. Together, they peel back the curtain on what really keeps speakers in the game and thriving.  From strategic pi...

Want your message to land with any audience? Discover how speaking to the psychographic transforms your talks into transformative experiences, deeper connections, and unstoppable growth. In this episode, Jacqueline dives into the art and science of speaking to the psychographic — the mindset and thought patterns that take you beyond traditional audience labels.  Start thinking beyond demograp...

Are you chasing stages — or building a speaking empire? Listen in! In this episode, Jacqueline sits down with the unstoppable Elizabeth McCormick, who traded her flight suit for the spotlight. From soaring the skies to owning the mic, Elizabeth shares her riveting journey of becoming a top motivational speaker. She spills the beans on her transition from military heroics to corporate stages, the h...