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In this episode of the Speaking Business Podcast, Maria is joined by Simone Vincenzi, sales consultant, speaker, co-founder of GTeX and co-founder of the Speaker Awards. Simone shares how he built his speaking career by creating his own stages when none were available, starting with weekly events that became his training ground. He talks candidly about how necessity has shaped his business model, from live events to webinars, and why webinars are one of the closest things a speaker can get to a live speaking gig. You'll hear why webinars are not just a marketing tactic but a core speaking asset, how they differ from stage presentations, and how speakers can use them to generate clients, build community, and secure paid speaking engagements. Simone also explains how he uses webinars as a showcase for event organisers, the tools he relies on, and why simplicity, pace and preparation matter more than production. This episode is packed with practical insight for speakers who want more control, flexibility and commercial return from their speaking business. Connect with Simone on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simone-vincenzi/ Website: https://gtex.org.uk/ Free Webinar Training: https://growingtogetherexponentiallyltd.webinargeek.com/get-clients-with-webinars-2?cst=website Webinar Conversion Kit - Create your webinar presentation: https://webinarconversionkit.com/

Most speakers focus on what to say and how to say it. But what about the state you're in when you say it? Jayne Storey has spent decades working with elite performers—Olympians, Formula 1 drivers, senior leaders operating under intense pressure. What she's learned might surprise you: peak performance doesn't come from pushing harder. It comes from getting quiet. In this conversation, Jayne shares why flow is something you receive, not achieve, and how a simple daily practice can change the way you show up on stage. We talk about her journey from painfully shy to speaking in front of rooms full of CEOs, the 11-year-old tennis players who see the ball in slow motion, and what happened when she calmed her nerves in front of 300 police officers—right there on stage. If you've ever felt like you're fighting yourself before you speak, this one's for you.

In this episode, I sit down with the wonderful Freddie Ravel, the internationally acclaimed keynote maestro who has performed with icons like Madonna, Prince, Carlos Santana and Earth, Wind & Fire. Freddie blends music with leadership, communication and human connection in a way that few can. He shares how his multicultural musical upbringing, his time with legends, and his long-standing practice of building bridges through music now shape his global work as a speaker. We explore why listening is the hidden superpower, how music can dissolve cultural friction in international teams, and why human intelligence matters more than ever in an AI-driven world. Freddie talks us through how he prepares for deeply customised keynotes, the importance of addressing dissonance rather than skipping over it, and how speakers can bring more personality into their own performances. Whether you're a speaker, a leader, or someone fascinated by the link between human behaviour and rhythm, this conversation is rich with ideas you can apply immediately.

In this episode, I'm joined by Certified Speaking Professional David Newman, author of Do it! Selling, Do it! Speaking, and Do it! Marketing.  He has just published a new book titled Market Eminence.  In our chat we get into the real commercial challenges speakers face today: obscurity, relevance, perceived expertise and why some speakers get three times the fee despite not being three times better. David breaks down why visibility, respect and brand preference matter more than ever, how to stop paying "obscurity tax", and why your language, responsiveness and reinvention cycles shape your long-term bookability. We also talk borrowed voice, freak flags, repelling the wrong clients, how to think instead of how-to do, and why speakers need to help bookers see around corners. It's a practical, no-nonsense conversation about becoming the obvious, safest choice in your market. A must-listen for anyone serious about being booked, rebooked and valued properly.  

From transforming Porsche and BMW to rowing across oceans, Kevin Gaskell has led a life packed with achievement. In this episode, he shares how he turned his boardroom experience into a thriving speaking career. Kevin talks about finding his niche, building his team, staying energised, and crafting stories that audiences remember. He also reveals the importance of preparation, humility, and humour in delivering real value to clients. A must-listen for anyone who wants to build a world-class speaking business grounded in authenticity, professionalism, and passion.

In this inspiring episode, I'm joined by Dr. Laura Penn, international keynote speaker, four-time TEDx speaker, and founder of the Leadership Speaking School in Switzerland. Laura believes that speaking is a performing art, one that requires craft, discipline, and heart. She shares how the world's best speakers approach their work like artists, creating every talk with intention and soul. From building rituals around preparation to rehearsing like a dancer or musician, Laura lifts the curtain on what it takes to deliver a talk that connects deeply with your audience. If you've ever wondered how to turn your presentations into performances that truly come alive, this one's for you.

What really makes a speaker bookable today? In this conversation with Monique Sar, President of BNC Speakers, we dive behind the scenes of how a boutique bureau works and what event organisers are really looking for. Monique shares why the gap between personal branding and content strategy can hold speakers back, and how building a strong online presence supports bureau representation and live bookings. We also discuss the role of relationships, how to make yourself more memorable, and the importance of solving problems rather than just delivering a talk. Monique explains the bureau's perspective on marketing, ROI, and outcomes, and why clarity of message is crucial if you want to break into the US market. Packed with practical takeaways, this episode is essential listening for any speaker who wants to understand how bureaus think, what clients want, and how to position yourself for long-term success.

This week on Speaking Business Podcast I'm joined by David Avrin, one of the most in-demand customer experience speakers on the circuit. David shares how he went from theatre and radio to building a global speaking business, why "good enough no longer is," and what it really takes to become ridiculously easy to do business with. We talk about the shift from marketing to customer experience, how speakers can raise their fees, the danger of being passive, and why speaking is not the business—getting the gigs is. Packed with practical advice and straight-talking insights, this is an episode that every speaker who wants more bookings (and bigger fees) needs to hear.

What do Ellen, the Oscars, and your next keynote have in common? According to Emmy Award-winning comedy writer Beth Sherman, plenty. In this episode, Beth shares what years in TV comedy taught her about connection, timing, and truth, and how those same tools help speakers win over audiences and get booked again and again. We talk about moving from Hollywood to the UK stage, how to use humour without losing credibility, and why being funny isn't about punchlines - it's about being real. If you're ready to add more impact (and laughter) to your talks, this is one not to miss.

What does it take to stay relevant, speak with heart, and connect deeply with your audience? In this episode, Felicity Ashley shares her journey from serious illness to becoming a sought-after speaker on resilience and wellbeing. We talk about how she keeps her message fresh, the power of honesty on stage, and why speaking isn't about being the hero—it's about being human. She also explains how her background in marketing gives her an edge and how her book, Stronger Than the Storm, helped shape her brand and her business. A powerful reminder that connection trumps performance, and real stories stick.

In this episode of the Speaking Business podcast, I'm joined by Marlo Clarke — a former international rugby player turned global speaker. Marlo's journey from Barbados to the stage isn't just inspiring, it's instructive. Instead of jumping straight into speaking, he spent a year travelling through 13 countries, asking people from all walks of life a simple but powerful question: What does a fulfilling life and career mean to you? That curiosity became the foundation of his talks — and his business. We talk about how Marlo builds tailored keynotes from scratch, why listening always comes before speaking, and how being easy to work with gets him booked again and again. You'll also hear his take on purpose, failure, storytelling, and what it really takes to build a sustainable speaking career without shortcuts or hype. If you're looking for clarity, relevance, and a reminder that speakers succeed by solving real problems — this episode is for you.

When Sha Nacino answered a question at a speaker convention in Singapore, she had no idea her 30-second response would change everything. That moment led to global speaking invitations, virtual summits with tens of thousands of attendees, and a spot on Global Gurus' Top 30 Motivational Speakers list, alongside Tony Robbins and Simon Sinek. In this conversation, Sha shares how she built a truly international speaking business from the Philippines, why leading with service (not sales) opens more doors, and how one idea from a webinar turned into a $20,000 leadership programme. We talk about visibility, trust, systems, and Sha's unique way of making the complex simple, whether it's for HR professionals or C-suite leaders. It's a joyful, practical episode full of insights for speakers who want to be booked, trusted, and remembered.

This week I'm joined by Kay Korsh, former celebrity stylist turned speaker style strategist. After 20 years dressing A-listers and working with luxury brands, Kay now helps professional speakers align their wardrobe with their message. We talk about what speakers get wrong with their style, why being fashionable isn't the goal, and how your wardrobe can either build or break audience trust. Kay explains why digitising your wardrobe is a game-changer, how mindful consumption applies to speakers, and what you should consider before buying one more jacket. If you want to feel confident on stage and look like the fee you're charging, this one's for you. Kay has shared some useful links: LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kay-korsh/   Colour Quiz for Professional Speakers: https://kkorsh.outgrow.us/speakers-colourtest   Ultimate step-by-step guide to looking great on stage: https://outfit.mindoverfashion.com/look-great-on-stage-as-a-professional-speaker  

This week I'm joined by leadership communication expert and bestselling author Mark Leruste. Known for helping thousands of leaders at Google, Nike, and the Premier League tell better stories, Mark shares why most speakers are focusing on the wrong thing. It's not your bio that gets you booked—it's how you connect. We talk about building a "vending machine" of stories, how to introduce yourself so people lean in (not glaze over), and why being a little imperfect in public can make you more powerful. If you're ready to tell a better story, this one's for you.

In this episode of the Speaking Business Podcast, I'm joined by the unstoppable Brad Burton, award-winning entrepreneur, bestselling author, and top motivational business speaker. Brad built a multimillion-pound national company from scratch and has no time for excuses. We talk about his extraordinary journey from a council estate to the stage, how he created the UK's largest joined-up business network, and the power of showing up as your full, unfiltered self. Brad shares the lessons he's learned from thousands of speaking engagements, the importance of resilience, and why being memorable is more valuable than being liked. If you're serious about building a speaking business, no excuses, this episode is for you.