The Speaker Lab Podcast

“One thing that will make you better suited towards being able to deal with that is if you have a resilient mindset to know that whatever you’re going through, what is the lesson I’m going to get out of it and how is it going to make me better? Where is the positive growth going to come from here?” Tiran Jackson’s story is a masterclass in turning heartbreak into hope and challenge into fuel. If y...

“Client communication just doesn’t cut it anymore. In 2025 we have so many generations working together, we want to rush right to the product, but we have to learn how to use these people first communication skills.” Jason Raitz is proof that success as a speaker isn’t about overnight wins or waiting for an opportunity to knock—it’s about grit, clarity, and a relentless focus on serving others. St...

“Ultimately, you don’t need to have any certification. You need to have some level of experience where you can speak authentically and congruent. It’s gotta be congruent with how you feel about your knowledge.” Clinton Young knows what it’s like to hit rock bottom—and how to turn that experience into fuel for an inspiring speaking career. After losing his business and confidence during the 2008 fi...

“When we’re intentional about pursuing our dreams, that’s when we can see things more clearly. Because most of the time we get so busy in the everyday that we don’t take time for those things. And those things are not just going to happen, right?” Amy Burton, a once-high school Spanish and theater teacher turned powerhouse speaker, is redefining the classroom experience for educators everywhere. B...

Travel Hacks Every Speaker Should Know with Chris Hutchins “If you don’t want to play the sign up bonus game, optimize where you’re spending but always be getting more than 2x on everything.” Navigating the world of travel optimization can feel overwhelming, but our guest this week, Chris Hutchins, is here to break it all down. Chris, host of the All the Hacks podcast, is a master of the travel ha...

“Knowing who you are as an individual on the spiritual side of life helps guide you to who you are created to be.” One of the coolest parts of TSL is watching our coaches work 1:1 with students and helping them find the clarity and confidence they need to take their speaking businesses to the next level. And today, you’re going to get to see that process in action. We're back with another live coa...

“The speaking industry is one that has been around for generations…And it has survived wars, depressions, recessions, 9/11, pandemics, and it’s not going anywhere.” Navigating the speaking industry can seem daunting with its ever-shifting trends and economic uncertainties. So this week, drawing from his extensive experience in the field, Shawn Hanks offers his seasoned perspective on how speakers...

“If you are thinking about doing something long term, test it internally, be an intrapreneur, right? Go create something amazing for your company and see if you enjoy doing it.” Jenny Wood's transition from a high-flying Google executive to an influential public speaker is nothing short of inspiring. After spending eighteen years at Google, Jenny chose to follow her passion for public speaking, re...

“We use visual tools and common language, so we share tools as if they’re mirrors so that the mirror does the heavy lifting and you get self awareness through looking at the mirror.” Navigating the world of speaking and building a unique brand can be daunting in the early stages of your career. So this week on The Speaker Lab Podcast , Jeremie Kubicek joins Grant Baldwin to shed light on the strat...

“I knew it was important for me as I built my business to develop markers of credibility, and that would make everything easier. Like the wind is at your back when you have enough credentials that people can say, ‘I'll listen to her.’” In this episode of The Speaker Lab Podcast, host Grant Baldwin is joined by Dorie Clark to talk about an important topic for every speaker — establishing yours...

“You have to regularly find things where the challenge exceeds the skill set." In this week’s episode of  The Speaker Lab Podcast , speaker and author Jon Acuff joins Grant to talk about the challenge of maintaining excellence as a speaker and the importance of continually pushing yourself beyond your comfort zones. Jon also took the time to break down his successful speaking model, primarily...

“Most successful or thought leadership businesses are extremely simple. They sell one thing at the front end, maybe a couple things on the back end…but they’re experts in X, Y, and Z.” In this episode of The Speaker Lab podcast, we explore the importance of keeping things simple and intentional in the ever-changing world of speaking and entrepreneurship. Grant Baldwin sits down with Taylorr Payne,...

“It’s your vision that influences which way you go. Because you’ve already thought about it ahead of time.” In this episode of The Speaker Lab podcast, Erick Rheam joins us to talk about what it takes to navigate the chaotic and often overwhelming journey of being a speaker and entrepreneur. You've probably heard Erick on the show before, but today he's sharing a different side of things with cand...

“[AI is] a really great way to flex your creative muscle, but also not have to stress if you’re not strong enough at certain things.” Being on stage is one of the most fun and most rewarding parts of being a professional, paid speaker — but as all experienced speakers know, what happens on stage is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to building a successful speaking business. This week on T...

“Speed in this game is so important. It is typically the first speaker to reach back out…you have a really good chance of winning that business if you are the first.” Navigating the intricate world of professional speaking requires not just talent but also a keen understanding of the business side of things. In this insightful episode, Grant Baldwin welcomes back his good friend Brandon Edmonson,...

“ The biggest mistake that I see speakers make is that they think that if you just go on stage, and you do a good job speaking, the spinoff business will magically present itself. ” Being on stage is pretty much always the most fun and most rewarding part of being a professional paid speaker — but as all experienced speakers know, what happens on stage is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes...

“ The show must go on baby. You gotta keep going man. Never know what’s gonna happen when you’re doing it live with no net, you never know.” Being a professional speaker means navigating some of the craziest and most unpredictable moments imaginable. This week, Shane Sams joins Grant on the show to recount some of his funniest and most challenging moments on the speaking trail.  You never kno...

“ Whenever someone comes up and says ‘Hey, why am I not getting booked to speak?’, my first question is 'how many professionals did you call today?'" One of the best parts about being a speaker is that YOU get to decide what your speaking career looks like. Your story is unique, and the value you bring to your audience is something only you can deliver. This week, Ryan Vet joins us on the show to...

“ All that matters is that you show up, and that you’re consistently doing it, because if you do it on a regular basis… you’re going to get better at it. ” "How do I find and book more paid speaking gigs quickly?"  "I'm just starting out, what should I prioritize right now?" Here at TSL, we hear those two questions from speakers more than anything else. Whether you've never gotten paid to spe...

“You can’t need to be liked if you’re in a leadership position, and I’d say the same if you’re in a speaking position, cause you will say things that people don’t agree with, and that’s okay.” As a speaker, very few things matter more than establishing your credibility and expertise. This week, communication expert Jenni Field joins us to talk about how to build your credibility and become a leade...

“ When you have an idea, you should capture that idea and put it somewhere, because you’re basically training your brain that ideas are important and I value them.” Finding your own brand of creativity and being unique can feel like a struggle in the beginning stages of your career. This week, Kyle Scheele joins us to share some tips on that topic drawn from his own journey of using his crazy idea...

“ People get excited about different. How can you be explained & summed up in one sentence? How can you be the only in your industry? ” Finding what makes you unique in this industry is no easy journey, but our guest this week knows all too well why being different is your greatest asset. Jesse Cole is the proud owner of the Savannah Bananas, an exhibition baseball team that ESPN called "the g...

“One of the easiest ways to demonstrate your value in the sales conversation is to not try to sell yourself, it’s to show them you understand the puzzle they’re trying to solve. If you can show somebody that you understand their puzzle, they'll trust you with a solution." One of the most challenging things that all speakers face — at all stages of their speaking career — is overcoming fear of...

“I might not be world class ever, ever, but I’m definitely gonna be way better than I was on my own, and without the reps.” Josh Shipp has had a brilliant career providing knowledge to thousands of people. Today, he joins us to talk about the hard work of making it as a speaker, how to find your strengths, and what you should know at the start of your journey. Josh has frequently worked in the edu...

“That type of belief is what carries you through when everybody else is dropping like flies. When you know for a fact this is what you’re made for, then there’s nothing else you can do.”  The journey to professional speaking is not always a simple one, and our guest this week knows this all too well. Ken Hartley spent over 20 years serving as a worship pastor (and also worked as a magician!)...