Speaker Movement

“I’ll wait until I feel confident… then I’ll apply to speak.” It sounds responsible. It sounds self-aware. And it’s one of the most common public speaking myths out there. In this episode of the Public Speaking Myths Series , we’re unpacking the belief that confidence has to come before action—and how that mindset quietly keeps people stuck on the sidelines. We’ll explore: The myth that says you n...

“Only famous people get booked to speak on stages.” It’s one of the most limiting public speaking myths—and one that quietly convinces so many capable speakers that stages are for other people , not them. In this episode of the Public Speaking Myths Series , I’m unpacking where this belief comes from, why it’s misleading, and how it kept me doubting myself— even before my very first in-person spea...

“I need to have something brand new to say.” It’s one of the most paralyzing public speaking myths—and one that keeps so many smart, experienced people from ever pitching themselves or saying yes to speaking opportunities. In this episode of the Public Speaking Myths Series , we’re dismantling the belief that you need a completely original idea in order to get booked to speak. We’ll talk about: Th...

It’s one of the most common public speaking myths I hear—especially from values-driven speakers, coaches, and creatives who genuinely care about impact. In this episode of the Public Speaking Myths Series , we’re unpacking the belief that visibility is a selfish act and reframing what it actually means to be seen, heard, and paid for your work. We’ll explore: The public speaking myth that keeps so...

Unpaid speaking gigs don’t have to be a hard no—or a fast track to burnout. In this behind-the-scenes episode, I’m sharing how I’ve strategically said yes to unpaid speaking opportunities and turned them into real sales and long-term relationships for my business—without relying on pressure, awkward pitches, or overworking myself. You’ll hear: When it does make sense to say yes to an unpaid speaki...

Getting booked again isn’t about having more slides—it’s about how your presentation feels, flows, and sticks with the people in the room. In this behind-the-scenes episode, I’m breaking down the presentation hack that helped me land another speaking gig—and why small creative choices inside your talk can make you far more memorable to event hosts and decision-makers. We’ll cover: Why presentation...

Your first paid workshop doesn’t come from feeling “ready.” It comes from learning how to position and trust your experience—even before you see yourself as a speaker. In this behind-the-scenes episode, I’m sharing the full story of my first-ever paid workshop—how I landed it and the strategy I was using before I had a long speaking resume. We’ll cover: My first ever paid workshop + how I landed i...

Everyone talks about going after big media features—but what if the opportunities with the smallest reach are actually the ones that convert? In this behind-the-scenes episode, I’m breaking down how a “low-reach” media feature turned into a client referral in just 11 days, and why I said yes to the opportunity even when the numbers didn’t look impressive on paper. You’ll hear: Leverage opportuniti...

Inside today's episode, we dive into: The paid workshop that led to more speaking engagements How these opportunities led to new clients The key to turning one speaking gig into multiple (free and paid) opportunities Enjoyed the show? Make sure you rate and review us wherever you get your podcasts. WORK WITH STEPH 🎤 Speaker Era — https://stephwharton.com/⁠waitlist CONNECT WITH STEPH 💖 Free C...

Inside today's episode, we dive into: The reputation that attracted a speaking gig out of the blue Pick the perfect topic for an event that doesn’t compete with other speakers 400 email list subscribers from one event A speaking gig that plants seeds for future opportunities and sales Enjoyed the show? Make sure you rate and review us wherever you get your podcasts. WORK WITH STEPH 🎤 Speaker...

Inside today's episode, we dive into: How I booked a podcast interview without pitching myself Public speaking turned into 12 new clients Why this interview worked so well and brought money into my business The revenue breakdown between private coaching, group programs, and low-ticket sales Enjoyed the show? Make sure you rate and review us wherever you get your podcasts. WORK WITH STEPH 🎤 Sp...

Inside today's episode, we dive into: The reason behind the re-brand and why I'm letting go of "whole damn vibe" Where the Speaker Movement began 6 years ago What this movement is now all about—representation AND something I've never mentioned publicly before What to expect from the podcast + the brand going forward An invitation to join the SPEAKER ERA waitlist + free experience this January 2026...

Inside today's episode, we dive into: The public speaking myth that says you have to be an expert in your field in order for folks to want to listen to your talk Society has conditioned us into believing our worth is measured through perfection What being a strong public speaker is actually about Different ways you can add value as a public speaker without having to be the smartest person in t...

Inside today's episode, we dive into: The public speaking myth that says you aren’t cut out to be a speaker if you still get nervous The reality of nerves (I still get them every time after over a decade of public speaking) How I challenge my clients to put themselves in situations where they face their nerves The other truth you’re avoiding by focusing so much on your nerves Enjoyed the show?...

Inside today's episode, we dive into: The public speaking myth that says you have to memorize your whole talk in order to sound professional and be a good speaker That time I put so much pressure on myself to sound impactful that I read the full script line by line How to balance memorization and speaking off the cuff for great delivery Enjoyed the show? Subscribe + leave a comment! WORK WITH...

Inside today's episode, we dive into: The public speaking myth that says speaking is only for extroverts with big, magnetizing energy Hidden skills that make introverts the best public speakers Is it that you’re introverted or you haven’t uncovered ways to embrace public speaking that honour your energy, capacity, and personality? Ways to enter your speaker era beyond speaking on stages Enjoye...

Inside today's episode, we dive into: The public speaking myth that says your story isn’t unique to share on a stage Your lived experience, your unique perspective, and your story is needed now more than ever Curveball: What if the fact that your story isn’t unique is the whole freaking point? Enjoyed the show? Subscribe + leave a comment! WORK WITH STEPH 🎤 Visibility Tour Challenge ⁠⁠⁠— http...

Inside today's episode, we dive into: The public speaking myth that says you have to wait until you have a large audience to get booked to speak Validating your worth through external validation + an important perspective shift You’re already qualified to speak about your abuela’s empanadas Where having a large audience can come in handy in your public speaking career Use public speaking as th...

Inside today's episode, we dive into: The public speaking myth that says you’re not a real public speaker unless you’ve gotten paid to speak before Feeling like you’re not good enough to share your story and what’s on your mind Uncover a more natural way of creating content, speaking, and sharing stories Take stock of all the ways you have already embraced your speaker identity (that you weren...

Inside today's episode, we dive into: The public speaking myth that says you need to be polished and perfect in order to be a speaker The one thing that made me stand out as an immigrant (and made me feel awkward) How speaking Spanish became a way to connect with others and feel seen Owning the things that used to make me want to hide How one person’s imperfect-ness gives others permission to...

Inside today's episode, we dive into: A behind-the-scenes into what my business and life looked like for the month of May 2025 The 2 lows that made me feel like I was falling behind Creating a 5 month marketing plan all centered around amplifying other leaders in the online space Hosting a paid public speaking gig + booking new gigs for the following month How I managed to go on 21 adventures...

Inside today's episode, we dive into: Making the decision to create a speaker portfolio based on your needs 5 different types of portfolio pieces you can use as a public speaker Indirect ways to leverage your speaker identity 2 bonus tips to make pitching (and getting invited to speak) easier Where to get started and how to keep your portfolio simple yet effective Enjoyed the show? Subscribe +...

Inside today's episode, we dive into: Pitch yourself to land more public speaking engagements Build a brand as a public speaker to attract opportunities Two ways to network your way to the stage Grow your speaker portfolio to book even bigger speaking gigs Decide how to incorporate public speaking into your visibility strategy Enjoyed the show? Subscribe + leave a comment! WORK WITH STEPH 🎤 V...

Inside today's episode, we dive into: 3 benefits of prioritizing a visibility (top of funnel) strategy Different ways to become visible online How public speaking acts as a fun and sustainable visibility tool Enjoyed the show? Make sure you rate and review us wherever you get your podcasts. WORK WITH STEPH ⁠⁠Visibility Tour⁠⁠ —build your brand as a speaker and automate your visibility in 30 da...

Inside today's episode, we dive into: Reason not to use social media as your main marketing platform How I filled my micro-group coaching program—the Visibility Tour Challenge—without prioritizing a public launch on Instagram What I did during the launch instead after spending 3 full days scheduling the entire marketing campaign Enjoyed the show? Make sure you rate and review us wherever you g...