“When you understand going into [speaking] that it’s going to suck for a while, it’s going to take longer than you think and it’s going to be harder than you think. When you know those things up front, when you meet them, you can anticipate it.”

Stepping onto the stage as a speaker is about more than nailing your performance—it’s about persistence, honesty, and the courage to start before you feel ready. On this week’s The Speaker Lab episode, Chase Livingston opens up about his journey from theater hopeful to youth motivational speaker, sharing the hard truth: real progress takes both time and tenacity.

Chase doesn’t shy away from discussing the realities of building a speaking career, sharing candidly about the slow start, the necessary unpaid gigs, and the doubts that come with venturing into this path. He highlights the importance of steady action—sending countless emails, making connections, and learning when to charge for his expertise.

His message is clear: Know the cost, be ready to persevere, and lead with authenticity. If you’re waiting until everything is perfect before you step forward, Chase’s story proves that consistent action is what moves you from dreaming to doing. For anyone looking for proof that their story matters and that hard work pays off, tune in to Chase’s journey!

You’ll learn:

• The importance of anticipating obstacles
• Criteria for selecting paid vs. free gigs
• Using discernment and open communication in negotiations
• Benefits of building reciprocal relationships
• Overcoming comparison and frustration
• Gaining confidence through small wins
• The importance of consistency
• And much, much more!

“Why did I hype [speaking] up in my head? It’s hard work, but it’s easier than I was making it…You get to make the rules, which is the coolest thing about this career path.”

Episode Resources

• Chase’s Website
• 2 Day Booked and Paid Bootcamp
• Get Free Speaker Resources
• Book a Call with The Speaker Lab
• Calculate Your Speaking Fee
• Join The Speaker Lab Community on Facebook
• Subscribe on Apple Podcasts
• Subscribe on Spotify

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

“I got to the point where if I was going to [be a speaker] I have to be serious about it and I’m going to have to invest in myself. I had to get to the ‘I’m worth it’ mindset, and The Speaker Lab [helped me with that].”

Making an impact as a speaker isn’t just about your time on stage—it’s about the courage to own your story and use it to help others. This week, teen resilience speaker, Kimberly Clark, shares her powerful journey from addiction and trauma to inspiring change in the lives of young people. What sets Kimberly apart isn’t just her willingness to be real and raw—it's her focus on turning pain into practical solutions for the teens she serves. Rather than settling for telling her story for free, she learned to recognize her true value, invest in her own growth, and help her audience move from inspiration to action. Her message? People aren’t just looking for a story—they want help navigating their own challenges.

Kimberly gets honest about the hurdles every speaker faces, from self-doubt to the emotions that come with pricing your expertise. Through relentless learning, seeking mentorship, and redefining her approach, she’s built a speaking business rooted in authentic connection and actionable takeaways. For anyone wondering if their story is enough, Kimberly is proof that leadership starts with authenticity and the courage to ask for your worth. If you want your message to create lasting change, Kimberly’s journey is all the inspiration—and practical advice—you need to start!

You’ll learn:

• Methods for finding gigs: cold and warm outreach, word-of-mouth
• Balancing a speaking career with a day job
• Kimberly’s personal story and inspiration for speaking
• Perseverance when results are lacking
• The empowering aspects of authorship
• Getting past inhibiting mindsets and investing in yourself
• Overcoming fear and gaining confidence as a speaker
• The importance of mentorship and the business side of speaking
• And much, much more!

“I thought telling my story was enough, but people aren’t paying you to tell your story. People want thought leadership. People want you to solve their problems…so I had to figure out what’s in my story that’s valuable and marketable.”

Episode Resources

• Kimberly’s Website
• 2 Day Booked and Paid Bootcamp
• Get Free Speaker Resources
• Book a Call with The Speaker Lab
• Calculate Your Speaking Fee
• Join The Speaker Lab Community on Facebook
• Subscribe on Apple Podcasts
• Subscribe on Spotify

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

“The hardest thing about building a community is making sure that you’ve tapped into a transition that people have and are navigating so that they actually want to build relationships with each other.”

As a speaker, building your authority goes beyond what you say on stage, it’s all about how you connect with your audience afterward. This week, Gina Bianchini, founder and CEO of Mighty Networks, joins us to reveal why community-building is the next essential step in growing your influence and credibility. With a passion for transforming one-time talks into ongoing relationships, Gina shares practical ways to move your audience from passive listeners to active participants, showing that genuine engagement starts when you help people connect with each other and not just with your content.

Additionally, Gina gets real about the challenges of staying inspired in the middle of burnout and business setbacks, offering refreshing advice on reinventing your approach and leading with purpose. Gina believes that the true mark of a leader isn’t just expertise, it’s creating spaces where others can grow, learn, and thrive together. If you’re ready to expand your impact beyond the stage, you’ll want to hear Gina’s honest insight and proven strategies to turn your message into a movement!

You’ll learn:

• Supporting your business vs. representing yourself as a speaker
• Gina’s criteria for accepting speaking engagements
• The overload and overwhelm faced by today’s audiences
• Online vs. in-person community support
• Why speakers should build community
• The three primary values of communities
• Turning your audience into a community
• The current uses of AI by creators
• And much, much more!

“A community is the single most effective way to navigate a rapidly changing world.”

Episode Resources

• Gina’s Website
• 2 Day Booked and Paid Bootcamp
• Get Free Speaker Resources
• Book a Call with The Speaker Lab
• Calculate Your Speaking Fee
• Join The Speaker Lab Community on Facebook
• Subscribe on Apple Podcasts
• Subscribe on Spotify

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

“If you impact one leader and that leader shows up better, then that leader engages better with his or her team. And then if that’s a good experience and it’s consistent, then those teammates do the same for their team. And all of a sudden you’re cascading down.”

One of the best things about being a speaker? You get to write your own story—and Daniel Harkavy’s is proof that the path isn’t always smooth, but it’s definitely worth it. In this episode, Daniel opens up about his rocky first speaking gig, however instead of quitting, he uses that failure as fuel. As a result, speaking became the key to growing his coaching business—not just for applause, but to make real connections and lasting impact.

Daniel reminds us that success on stage isn’t about being perfect, it’s about leaning into your strengths, learning from the mess-ups, and using your unique voice to serve others. Speaking doesn’t have to be your end game—sometimes it’s the launchpad for something even bigger. His big takeaway is to embrace what makes you different, seek out opportunities to serve, and don’t let imposter syndrome hold you back. There’s no single way to build a speaking business—so create one that excites you while opening doors for others, too.

You’ll learn:

• Overcoming imposter syndrome in speaking
• The role of speaking in business growth
• Speaking as a lead generation tool
• Balancing speaking and coaching
• How to determine the “right audience”
• Scaling a coaching/speaking business
• Modernizing speaking business structures
• And much, much more!

“Build a life plan and then a schedule that enables you to flourish and rejuvenate so that when you go out on the road, you are the best version of yourself.”

Episode Resources

• Daniel’s Website
• 2 Day Booked and Paid Bootcamp
• Get Free Speaker Resources
• Book a Call with The Speaker Lab
• Calculate Your Speaking Fee
• Join The Speaker Lab Community on Facebook
• Subscribe on Apple Podcasts
• Subscribe on Spotify

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

“The goal is to become reassuringly expensive to some extent because what you’re able to charge as a speaker is directly correlated to the insurance policy that you can provide for that event.”

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 only you can deliver the kind of value your audience needs. This week, Clint Pulver joins the show to remind us that success on stage is about more than a great keynote. Clint’s become an in-demand speaker by leaning into what makes him truly different—combining research, storytelling, and full-on showmanship to create real experiences for his audiences.

From hauling drum kits in a rental car as a young speaker to now orchestrating jaw-dropping interactive moments, Clint proves that your wild ideas are often your most valuable assets. He encourages speakers to go beyond the standard and design memorable experiences—think Broadway-level performance, not just another lecture. The big lesson? Embrace everything that makes you, you.

Whether it’s drumming, magic, humor, or a signature story, don’t be afraid to bring it to the stage. There’s no single path to a successful speaking career, so create one that fits your strengths and passions. Ready to take the next step? Let Clint’s story encourage you to get creative and build a speaking business on your terms. Your best work—and your audience—are waiting!

You’ll learn:

• Moving beyond standard keynote speeches
• Creating interactive experiences versus keynote speeches
• Establishing a brand around memorable experiences
• The four reasons speakers get booked: celebrity, expertise, entertainment, and inspiration
• Ensuring showmanship doesn’t overshadow content
• Balancing entertainment (40%) with content (60%)
• How marketing and positioning affect audience expectations
• And much, much more!

“It’s about great storytelling, but it’s about creating that ultimate wow factor at the end where people walk out of there going I have no idea how that happened.”

Episode Resources

• Clint’s Website
• 2 Day Booked and Paid Bootcamp
• Get Free Speaker Resources
• Book a Call with The Speaker Lab
• Calculate Your Speaking Fee
• Join The Speaker Lab Community on Facebook
• Subscribe on Apple Podcasts
• Subscribe on Spotify

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

“What does it feel like to be a customer of your business? How are you treating your customers? How are you making them want to not just come back, but tell their friends?”

Brittany Hodak’s story reminds us that a truly fulfilling speaking career comes from real clarity and intentionality, not chasing every gig or opportunity that comes along. She didn’t set out to become a speaker—her journey began with launching a marketing agency for some of music’s biggest names, which eventually led to media attention, a Shark Tank appearance, and eventually speaking invitations. Only after saying yes a few times did Brittany realize the demand—and value—for her insights on creating “superfans” through customer experience.

However, Brittany’s growth wasn’t from one big break. It stemmed from consistently refining her message, learning to say no (even to well-paid opportunities), and protecting her priorities—especially bedtime routines with her two young kids. Instead of chasing every opportunity, Brittany focused relentlessly on her message: helping organizations build loyal customers. By sticking to her lane, turning down distractions, and showing up with real, tested insights, she’s built a thriving speaking business on her own terms. What can we learn from Brittany? Success isn’t about being everywhere or everything. It’s about knowing who you serve, being consistent, and building your work around what matters most!

You’ll learn:

• Balancing a speaking career and family life
• Focusing on customer experience and creating superfans
• Determining the right number of speaking engagements
• Evolving your speaking niche and messaging
• Developing signature keynotes and customization
• Using humor and engagement in presentations
• Productizing knowledge
• And much, much more!

“You have to stay on one path if you want to be known for that.”

Episode Resources

• Brittany’s Website
• 2 Day Booked and Paid Bootcamp
• Get Free Speaker Resources
• Book a Call with The Speaker Lab
• Calculate Your Speaking Fee
• Join The Speaker Lab Community on Facebook
• Subscribe on Apple Podcasts
• Subscribe on Spotify

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

“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 you think a speaking career is about big breaks or spotlight moments, Tiran is living proof that the real work happens in the trenches of adversity. What began as a thriving engineering career was turned upside down by a tragic accident that took his wife’s life and left Tiran fighting for his own. In the aftermath, he didn’t set out to be a speaker, but the realization that his journey through loss, resilience, and rebuilding could help others, sparked something new.

For months, Tiran focused on tiny, consistent steps: showing up for grueling physical therapy, supporting his son through grief, and speaking at small gatherings, but each moment, and every bit of hard-won progress, mattered. His breakthrough wasn’t about having the “best” story, but about building the discipline to show up, refine his message, and deeply serve his audience.

Today, Tiran speaks to leadership teams, NFL athletes, and faith communities on resilience and using adversity for growth. His business didn’t happen overnight—it grew as he learned to share his story with intention, listen to the needs of his audience, and put in the work of outreach and relationship-building. The lesson? Success as a speaker isn’t about being the loudest or most dramatic voice—it’s about being willing to show up, be real, adapt, and encourage others no matter how tough it gets.

You’ll learn:

• Using adversity for growth
• Resilience in challenging situations
• The role of a strong support system
• Growing confidence and recognition of potential
• The importance of process, audience outreach, and message refinement
• Customizing talks for various audiences
• The value of building long-term relationships
• Knowing one’s value
• The realities of building a business
• And much, much more!

“If you’re not good at something, the best thing you can do is have a process for improvement.”

Episode Resources

• Tiran’s Website
• 2 Day Booked and Paid Bootcamp
• Get Free Speaker Resources
• Book a Call with The Speaker Lab
• Calculate Your Speaking Fee
• Join The Speaker Lab Community on Facebook
• Subscribe on Apple Podcasts
• Subscribe on Spotify

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

“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. Starting from a childhood love of the stage (and a knack for bribing friends with cookies), Jason spent years speaking in churches and schools before finally stepping into the corporate world, but this pivot didn’t come easy.

For years, Jason juggled ministry with speaking gigs, sometimes feeling invisible and fighting off imposter syndrome—especially when the dream career didn’t materialize quickly. The breakthrough came when he stopped trying to speak to everyone and niched down, listening deeply to the needs of his new audience: financial professionals. That decision, plus hours of research and talking with industry leaders, turned Speak with People from an idea into a respected business.

Jason’s message is simple but necessary: real impact happens when you communicate with people, not at them. His journey is a masterclass in perseverance—reminding us it’s not about being the loudest voice in the room, but being the one willing to listen, adapt, and keep going even when it’s tough.

You’ll learn:

• Running a business with a nonprofit mindset
• Niching down and focusing on a specific market
• Differentiating companies from personal brands
• Difficulties in breaking into the church speaking circuit
• How financial necessity is a driving factor in career decisions
• The challenges of adapting messages and delivery
• The importance of being a health communicator
• Adapting content creation and sales approaches
• And much, much more!

“I want to teach people how to be a healthy communicator, to be able to speak from a place of health on the inside. Because if your inner world is chaos, what comes out of your mouth is not going to be great.”

Episode Resources

• Jason’s Website
• 2 Day Booked & Paid Bootcamp
• Get Free Speaker Resources
• Book a Call with The Speaker Lab
• Calculate Your Speaking Fee
• Join The Speaker Lab Community on Facebook
• Subscribe on Apple Podcasts
• Subscribe on Spotify

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.