The Expert's Journey: Helping Speakers & Authors Succeed!

Talk To Us Directly Your book is finished... now what? Most authors treat publishing as the finish line, but it's actually the starting gun. In this episode, Brad Hauck and Dixie Carlton unpack why a book alone rarely builds a business, and what you need to plan before you write a single word to make your book work for you long after launch. In this episode, you'll discover: Why most aut...

Talk To Us Directly Brad and Dixie unpack what it really takes to quit your job and become a professional speaker. Wanting the stage is one thing. Building a business that pays is another. They cover the hidden costs, uneven income, pressure to keep getting booked, and why most speakers need more than keynote fees. The real question is not whether you want to speak. It is whether you have proven d...

Talk To Us Directly This episode challenges the belief that authority comes from posting more, arguing that “content” fills feeds while “contribution” changes how people think and act.  Dixie and Brad discuss the exhaustion of constant posting, declining engagement, shifting algorithms, and growing audience fatigue with AI-generated “slop,” noting that many popular influencers lack depth and don’t...

Talk To Us Directly Most expert content disappears within 48 hours, buried under the next scroll — and the algorithm never sends it to anyone twice. In this episode, Brad Hauck explains how treating YouTube as a search engine rather than a social feed helps expert speakers and authors build a content library that attracts ideal prospects, builds trust, and drives book sales, courses, and mentoring...

Talk To Us Directly Why Fake Experts Win Online (and How Real Pros Can Compete Ethically) In this episode of The Expert’s Journey, Brad and Dixie explore why fake experts often draw bigger online audiences than genuine professionals, arguing that confidence, certainty, and strong marketing frequently outperform real experience.  They discuss how gurus hide incompetence through short-form content,...

Talk To Us Directly This episode explores whether conferences will increasingly value workshops over traditional keynotes as audiences seek outcomes, not just inspiration, in a world where AI and online content make ideas cheap and abundant.  Brad and Dixie discuss shifting attendee expectations, the emerging “key shop” format that blends presentation with real-time action, and how event design (s...

Talk To Us Directly This episode of Expert’s Journey explores the “expertise trap,” arguing that many experts don’t need better marketing so much as better translation of their knowledge into clear, simple value for beginners.  Brad and Dixie discuss how jargon, frameworks, and the “curse of knowledge” can widen the gap between what experts want to explain and what audiences need to hear, causing...

Talk To Us Directly In this episode of The Expert’s Journey, Dixie and Brad unpack where to draw the line between making ideas clear and thinning them into something shallow. They discuss how experts can lose objectivity, either oversimplifying to be understood or overcomplicating to satisfy ego, and argue that strong communication removes confusion without removing meaning.  The conversation cove...

Talk To Us Directly In this Experts Journey podcast episode, Dixie and Brad explore what true influence looks like by asking what your industry would lose if you stopped speaking, writing, or publishing. They discuss the difference between being visible and being valuable, the importance of purpose, legacy, and uniqueness, and why challenging your industry and taking a clear stand can create cut-t...

Talk To Us Directly Brad and Dixie explore who really decides what becomes a “big idea,” contrasting merit with visibility, repetition, timing, and the zeitgeist. They discuss how adoption often takes years despite “overnight success” narratives, using examples like WhatsApp, Slack, QR codes (boosted by pandemic needs and phone camera scanning), and the persistence of PowerPoint due to standards a...

Talk To Us Directly In this Experts Journey Podcast episode, Dixie and Brad explore what an “AI version of you” can look like, from a trained assistant or public chatbot to an AI video clone, and why the key question is whether you should use it.  We explain how AI can help you produce high volumes of content by training an assistant on your writing and edits, then pairing it with tools like HeyGe...

Talk To Us Directly In this Experts Journey podcast episode, Brad and Dixie discuss how events in the Middle East are already affecting travel for speakers and authors through flight cancellations, higher airfares, reduced routes, and rising fuel costs, and what that could mean for conferences and bookings through 2026–2027.  They compare potential knock-on effects to COVID-era supply chain disrup...

Talk To Us Directly In this episode of the Experts Journey podcast, Brad and Dixie unpack imposter syndrome as it shows up for speakers, authors, and anyone in the spotlight, including the fear of being “found out,” comparing yourself to seasoned pros, and worrying you can’t answer every question.  They explain that you don’t need to know everything—just more than your audience—and that your “next...

Talk To Us Directly Brad and Dixie recap attending the Global Speakers Summit in Cairns, Australia, highlighting why conferences and speaking associations matter for speakers and authors: the travel and airport conversations that deepen connections, the reunions and new friendships formed, and the unique relief of being “one of the crowd” rather than the featured speaker.  Brad shares presenting a...

Talk To Us Directly In this episode, Brad and Dixie unpack slide dependency and how to make slides support your talk instead of propping it up. You’ll hear practical guidance on balancing minimalist visuals with the right level of detail, when to blank the screen to pull attention back to you, and why too much text turns your presentation into an email.  They compare approaches for story-driven vs...

Talk To Us Directly JOIN US IN CAIRNS, AUSTRALIA (12.3.26) https://tinyurl.com/cairnsworkshop In this episode, you’ll hear why compilation (anthology) books can deliver big impact when they’re curated like a conference agenda—multiple experts, one theme, and practical takeaways.  Brad and Dixie discuss the new release “Connect, Lead, Succeed” (book two in the series), featuring insights from 16 in...

Talk To Us Directly You have products or services that still bring in revenue—but they may no longer match where you’re headed. In this episode, we explore how to make the hard call between steady income and clear direction, including how legacy offers can dilute your funnel, confuse your market, and anchor your positioning to who you used to be.  You’ll hear practical ways to decide whether to ke...

Talk To Us Directly In this episode, we look at the critical importance of story selection over storytelling techniques. Hosts Dixie and Brad discuss how the most meaningful and impactful stories can transform audience perception and inspire action.  They share insights on how to recognize stories that resonate, the practice and stagecraft involved in effective storytelling, and how to use persona...

Talk To Us Directly Welcome to The Expert's Journey Podcast! In this milestone episode, host Brad and guest Dixie dig deep into the question every expert needs to ask: "What is your brand actually known for right now?" Together, they unpack why your reputation is determined by the market—not just your intentions—and explore the real gap between what you think you’re known for and wh...

Talk To Us Directly In this episode, Brad and Dixie tackle a thought-provoking question: Are you giving away so much value that people never need to hire you? Join them as they discuss the balance between being helpful and maintaining your authority. L earn about the hidden costs of over-sharing, strategies for what to give away and what to hold back, and practical tips for turning free value into...

Talk To Us Directly In this episode, we explore strategies to boost your book sales for the new year. Join Brad and Dixie as they discuss how to improve your book's online presence, optimize Amazon listings, and increase your chances of getting more reviews.  Learn the importance of selecting the right marketplace, updating book descriptions, and leveraging Amazon ads. Tune in to gain insight...

Talk To Us Directly In this episode of Experts Journey, hosts Brad Hauck and Dixie Carlton discuss the essential elements critical collateral for speakers and authors need to focus on to kickstart 2026 effectively.  They discuss the importance of having a strong lead magnet, a well-developed landing page, and an updated speaker one-sheet. The discussion emphasizes the significance of evolving your...

Talk To Us Directly In this episode of 'The Experts Journey,' hosts Brad and Dixie reflect on the highs and achievements of 2025, discussing past experiences and future plans. They highlight the milestones of their podcast, now at 46 episodes, and ongoing projects like their 'Conference in a Book' series. They discuss their personal routines over the holiday season, the benefit...

Talk To Us Directly In this episode, hosts Dixie Carlton and Brad Hauck dive deep into the intricacies of setting up effective subscription models. They discuss the importance of delivering ongoing value, pricing strategies, and software options.  The conversation also covers planning with the end goal in mind, growing a subscriber base, and how to avoid common pitfalls. Whether you're a spea...

Talk To Us Directly In this episode, we look into the responsible use of AI tools for speakers and authors. While AI can help write faster, polish ideas, and draft content quickly, it raises critical ethical questions about retaining authenticity and personal voice.  Dixie and Brad discuss strategies to ensure AI-generated content remains true to the creator's style and doesn’t mislead audien...