Speaking Your Brand: Public Speaking for Women
It's time to escape the expert trap and become an in-demand speaker and thought leader through compelling and memorable business presentations, keynotes, workshops, and TEDx talks. If you want to LEVEL UP your public speaking to get MORE and BETTER, including PAID, speaking engagements, you've come to the right place! Thousands of women entrepreneurs and leaders have learned from Speaking Your Brand and now you can too through our episodes that will help you with storytelling, audience engagement, building confidence, handling nerves, pitching to speak, getting paid, and more. Listen in as Carol Cox, entrepreneur, speaker, and TV Democratic political analyst, interviews and coaches purpose-driven women to shape their brands, grow their companies, and become recognized as thought leaders in their field.
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389: Empowering Women in the Age of AI with Denise Musselwhite
04/22/2024
389: Empowering Women in the Age of AI with Denise Musselwhite
We're continuing the series we've been doing this month all around inspiring you to use your voice, no matter what your topic or your industry. If you've been listening to this podcast for a while, you know that I've been really excited about artificial intelligence and ChatGPT and all of the ways AI can help us both personally and professionally. For this episode, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Denise Musselwhite, a technology maven with a rich background in IT and a heart set on women's empowerment in tech. Here's why you absolutely can't miss this episode: Discover Denise's Unique Journey: From growing up in her father's repair shop to becoming one of the few Latina CIOs, Denise shares her inspiring journey into the tech world, highlighting the blend of nature, nurture, and curiosity that fueled her career. AI as a Force for Good: We delve deep into the realm of Artificial Intelligence, exploring its potential as a collaborative partner in our professional lives. Denise opens up about her personal projects, including the "Kindness Beacon," and how AI can be harnessed to empower women and underrepresented professionals in technology. Leadership and the Leap into Entrepreneurship: Denise talks about her transition from a high-powered tech role to founding Tech and Thrive, sharing insights on the challenges and joys of nurturing leadership within the tech industry, especially for women. The Ethical and Inclusive Future of AI: We tackle the critical discussions surrounding AI, from ethical considerations to ensuring women's voices are integral in shaping the future of technology. Mentorship, Inclusion, and Empowerment: Denise emphasizes the importance of mentorship, the role of women in technology organizations, and how she's working to create more inclusive spaces in the tech world. Denise's story is a testament to the power of perseverance, innovation, and the crucial role of women in shaping the future of tech. Join us as we explore the intersection of technology and empowerment, and get inspired to harness AI in your professional journey. Show notes at Denise’s website: AI Resources: The Kindness Beacon GPT (requires a paid subscription to ChatGPT4): Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at Enroll in our Thought Leader Academy: Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = Denise Musselwhite (guest) = Related Podcast Episodes:
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388: What Makes a Stand-Out Conference Speaking Proposal and Presentation with Cathy McPhillips
04/15/2024
388: What Makes a Stand-Out Conference Speaking Proposal and Presentation with Cathy McPhillips
Many conferences get hundreds of speaker submissions. How can you make yours stand out so it gets selected? Then, once you do get selected, how do you make sure you deliver an engaging presentation at the conference? That’s what I talk about with my guest Cathy McPhillips, who is Chief Growth Officer at the Marketing AI Institute. Along with the virtual events they host year-round, they also host an in-person conference called MAICON, which I spoke at in 2023. I invited Cathy on the show to share with us: Her background and what brought her to the Marketing AI Institute How Cathy and the team select speakers for MAICON and their other events What they look for in speaker submissions What makes a great speaker at their events (based on audience feedback) Tips she has for the listeners who want to speak at conferences >What they’re doing at the Marketing AI Institute and you can get involved About My Guest: Cathy McPhillips is Chief Growth Officer at the Marketing AI Institute, overseeing marketing, growth, and customer experience, including MAICON and AI Academy for Marketers. Previously, Cathy led marketing at Content Marketing Institute and Content Marketing World, managed community growth for Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry campaign, and owned her own strategic digital marketing business. She started her career at two Cleveland advertising agencies. Cathy was an Ohio University Jerry L. Sloan Visiting Professional in Public Relations, is a Folio: Top Women in Media, and a MarTechExec Woman You Need to Know in Martech. Show notes at Marketing AI Institute: The Artificial Intelligence Show podcast: Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = Cathy McPhillips (guest) = Related Podcast Episodes:
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387: Escaping the Ivory Tower: Stepping into Thought Leadership for Greater Impact with Laura McGuire, EdD
04/08/2024
387: Escaping the Ivory Tower: Stepping into Thought Leadership for Greater Impact with Laura McGuire, EdD
I talk quite a bit on this podcast about "the expert trap" and how so many of us get stuck teaching and training and don't step into thought leadership. This applies not only to those of us who are entrepreneurs, but of course to all the academics out there as well (hand raised!). This episode is a treasure trove of insights for anyone passionate about making a difference through their work, particularly in academia or any field where expertise is a given, but thought leadership can make an even bigger impact. My guest is Laura McGuire, EdD, a social scientist, educator, and entrepreneur whose journey and work exemplify transformative thought leadership. Laura's story is not just inspiring; it's a call to action for all of us to think bigger and challenge the status quo in our respective fields. Laura and I talk about: The Expert Trap vs. Thought Leadership: Learn how professionals in academia, science, and other fields can transcend the confines of being labeled merely as experts to embrace the mantle of thought leadership, encouraging broader thinking and solutions to societal challenges. Laura's Inspirational Journey: From surviving domestic violence and navigating the challenges of early motherhood as a high school dropout to achieving a doctorate in education and becoming a beacon of change in the fields of educational leadership, sexual health education, misconduct prevention, and trauma-informed care. Addressing Systemic Issues: An in-depth look at how Laura's work is influencing industries and creating safer, more inclusive environments through training in trauma-informed care, restorative practices, and survivor support strategies. Overcoming Challenges: Laura shares their experiences of working in a climate of increasing legislative restrictions in Florida, reflecting on the implications for educators, advocates, and the communities they serve. The Power of Personal Storytelling: Discover the potency of integrating personal narratives into academic and professional discourse to connect more deeply with audiences and drive home the importance of the work being done. Breaking Free from the Expert Trap: Laura and I discuss practical strategies for academics and professionals to step into roles of thought leadership, including leveraging social media, understanding market rates for speaking engagements, and fostering a mindset geared towards impactful change. About My Guest: Dr. Laura McGuire (they/them or she/her) is an internationally recognized consultant, survivor, researcher, seminarian, and author of the book Creating Cultures of Consent (Rowman & Littlefield, 2021) and The Sexual Misconduct Prevention Guidebook: Consent and Conduct for Higher Education Campuses (Fielding University Press, 2022). They were named as one of the 2022 Champions of Pride by The Advocate magazine and are regularly featured in media outlets for their expertise and approachability. Dr. McGuire is a certified full-spectrum doula, professional teacher, certified sexual health educator, and vinyasa yoga instructor. Show notes at Laura’s website: Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at Enroll in our Thought Leader Academy: Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = Dr. Laura McGuire (guest) =
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386: The Power of the Performing Arts to Find and Use Your Voice with Theresa Smith-Levin
04/01/2024
386: The Power of the Performing Arts to Find and Use Your Voice with Theresa Smith-Levin
A couple of months ago, I attended an event to honor non-profits. What was really cool was that each non-profit had 2-½ minutes to share their story. When my guest Theresa Smith-Levin, founder of Central Florida Vocal Arts, shared her story, I was instantly inspired and I knew I had to have her on the podcast. Our conversation is a testament to the power of storytelling, vulnerability, and community in fostering personal and collective growth. Theresa's work with Central Florida Vocal Arts is not just about singing; it's about creating a space where young people can grow into their authentic selves and learn to navigate the world with empathy and confidence. Whether you're an artist, a public speaker, or someone looking to make a difference in your community, Theresa's insights offer valuable lessons on the transformative power of using your voice. Join us for this inspiring conversation and discover how you, too, can impact the world through the arts, performance, speaking, and beyond. Here are some highlights you won't want to miss: Theresa shares her personal journey from finding solace and expression in singing and the arts during her childhood, to pursuing music education and vocal performance, and ultimately founding a nonprofit organization to fill a gap in the performing arts community in Central Florida. Discover the profound impact of the arts on young people, as Theresa explains how singing and performance can serve as powerful tools for emotional processing, developing empathy, and building confidence. Theresa and I delve into the importance of vulnerability, both in the arts and in life, sharing stories of transformation and the courage to use one's voice for advocacy and change. We explore the similarities between performing arts and public speaking, including overcoming fears, the importance of being present, and engaging with your audience to create a meaningful exchange. Show notes at Central Florida Vocal Arts: Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at Enroll in our Thought Leader Academy: Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = Theresa Smith-Levin (guest) = Related Podcast Episodes:
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385: Leading with Story in Your Talks [Roundtable]
03/27/2024
385: Leading with Story in Your Talks [Roundtable]
You know how powerful storytelling is in your presentations and talks. How can you go about integrating your stories in a way that truly connects you to your audiences? There is no *one way* to integrate stories into your talks. Your story can be central to your talk or it can be a supporting element. You can play with the timeline of the story - start in the middle and then come back to the beginning later or start at the end. In this episode, our lead speaking coach Diane Diaz hosts three of our clients who were at our recent 3-day in-person speaking retreat, Darci Foshay, Dani Einsohn, and Teri Reuter, for a roundtable discussion on what they learned and insights they have for you as speakers. They talk about: Why they decided to attend our in-person retreat How they use storytelling in their talks Using the stage and body movement as part of active storytelling What it was like to practice with us and then get filmed This audio is from a live broadcast we did on March 25, 2024. You can watch the video at . Show notes at Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at Enroll in our Thought Leader Academy: Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = Diane Diaz = Darci Foshay = Dani Einsohn = Teri Reuter = Related Podcast Episodes:
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384: Claiming the Identity of a Thought Leader with Neha Pathak, MD
03/25/2024
384: Claiming the Identity of a Thought Leader with Neha Pathak, MD
If you’ve ever felt like your topic or message may be overwhelming to your audience or the issue you want to address is a really big one and you’re not sure how your audience is going to relate to it or know how to take action, you’re going to appreciate this conversation. My guest is Dr. Neha Pathak, a physician and lead medical editor at WebMD, who graduated from our Thought Leader Academy last fall. Neha and I talk about: Her roles as a primary care physician, lead medical editor at WebMD, and host of WebMD’s podcast How she came to her signature talk topic and thought leadership message The different ways that thought leadership develops The benefits of giving your audience an acronym (framework) The power of storytelling for any topic and any audience and how learning this has influenced Neha’s writing Claiming the identity as a thought leader and what that means Her speaking experiences and insights (especially for those of you who may be procrastinators!) About My Guest: Neha Pathak, MD, FACP, DipABLM, is lead medical editor at WebMD and is board certified in both internal medicine and lifestyle medicine. She's on the medical team responsible for ensuring the accuracy of health information on WebMD and reports on topics related to lifestyle and environmental impacts on health. Pathak is a graduate of Harvard University and Weill Medical College of Cornell University. She completed her certificate in climate change and health communication from Yale School of Public Health. She lives in Atlanta with her husband and children. About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at . Links: Show notes at Neha hosts WebMD’s podcast “Health Discovered”: Neha’s article: Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at Enroll in our Thought Leader Academy: Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = Dr. Neha Pathak (guest) = Related Podcast Episodes:
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383: Using Their Voices: Live Signature Talks from Our Thought Leader Academy Grads [Part 2]
03/21/2024
383: Using Their Voices: Live Signature Talks from Our Thought Leader Academy Grads [Part 2]
You heard half of our latest Thought Leader Academy grads deliver a 10-minute section of their signature talk last week on episode 381, now you get to hear the other three. In this episode, our lead speaking coach Diane Diaz hosts Maria Flynn, Karen Williams, and Brigette Serfaty, PharmD. You’ll hear how they’ve incorporated their thought leadership message, storytelling, humor, and their frameworks into their talks. We also have a roundtable discussion about what they’ve learned from being in the Thought Leader Academy and what’s next for them as speakers and thought leaders. This audio is from a live broadcast we did on March 19, 2024. You can watch the video at . Show notes at Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at Enroll in our Thought Leader Academy: Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = Diane Diaz = Karen Williams = Brigette Serfaty, PharmD = Maria Flynn = Related Podcast Episodes:
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382: 3 Signs You're Stuck in the Expert Trap with Your Public Speaking
03/18/2024
382: 3 Signs You're Stuck in the Expert Trap with Your Public Speaking
I know you want to grow your business and brand and have a bigger impact as a thought leader. But, as high-achieving women, there are beliefs we have that get us stuck in the expert trap. We believe that we need to teach/train to provide value; that training content is what our audience wants; and our identity is tied to seeing ourselves as the expert. These beliefs are what can hold you back from thought leadership and the impact and income you want to make. The problem is that your presentations and content are undifferentiated and lack emotional resonance. In this episode, I share 3 signs you’re stuck in the expert trap and how to get out. Links: Show notes at Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at Enroll in our Thought Leader Academy: Connect with me on LinkedIn: Related Podcast Episodes:
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381: Using Their Voices: Live Signature Talks from Our Thought Leader Academy Grads [Part 1]
03/14/2024
381: Using Their Voices: Live Signature Talks from Our Thought Leader Academy Grads [Part 1]
Want to know what it’s like to create a signature talk with us? There’s no better way than to hear our Thought Leader Academy grads deliver a 10-minute section of their talks! You’ll hear how they’ve incorporated storytelling and their frameworks into their talks. We’ll also have a roundtable discussion about what they’ve learned from being in the Thought Leader Academy and what’s next for them as speakers and thought leaders. In this episode, I’m joined by Sandy Robinson, M.Ed., Yewande Fadojutimi, M.D., and Joanne Lane, Ed.D. This audio is from a live broadcast we did on March 12, 2024. You can watch the video at . Show notes at Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at Enroll in our Thought Leader Academy: Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = Sandy Robinson, M.Ed. = Yewande Fadojutimi, M.D. = Joanne Lane, Ed.D. = Related Podcast Episodes:
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380: Building Your Speaker Brand Separate From Your Corporate Identity with Sandy Robinson
03/11/2024
380: Building Your Speaker Brand Separate From Your Corporate Identity with Sandy Robinson
The power of women’s voices doesn’t just relate to women who own and run their own businesses; it’s also for women who work in corporate spaces. Building your personal brand and speaker brand separate from your corporate identity can give you a voice and mission that has a greater impact beyond the day-to-day work you do in your job. In this episode, our lead speaking coach Diane Diaz talks with one of our Thought Leader Academy clients, Sandy Robinson. Sandy works in revenue operations and she’s carved a niche for herself by building a personal and speaker brand distinct from her corporate identity. Diane and Sandy talk about: How Sandy began her speaking journey (it’s a fun story!) and how that has informed her speaking today Why she decided to look for a speaking coach and what led her to join the Thought Leader Academy What sparked her interest in sharing a more personal message with audiences and how and why she’s building her personal and speaker brand separate from her corporate work Her experience and takeaways from the Thought Leader Academy and our in-person speaking retreat How she felt doing the improv exercises at the retreat and what she’s going to do with that knowledge (hint: her sales teams might be surprised!) The way she’s integrated a topic she's passionate about into her professional work to support other women and build her personal and speaker brand About Our Guest: Sandy Robinson is Senior Vice President of Revenue Operations and Enablement at Patra with over 20 years under her belt in making sales teams shine and operations run smoothly, thanks to her knack for turning numbers and innovative ideas into real growth. She's led Revenue Operations and Enablement at big-name SaaS companies including Web.com, SupplyFrame and Nymbus, steering them toward success and now plays a key role at Patra, where she's all about pushing boundaries and setting the stage for exciting new products. Sandy's not just about the bottom line, though; she's passionate about mentoring young women, sharing her journey to inspire others. With a mix of street smarts from MIT and NYIT, a master's in Education for Global Training, and even a 2nd Degree Black Belt in Kenpo Karate, Sandy's blend of brains, heart, and kick-butt attitude makes her a force to be reckoned with in the tech world and beyond. Sandy’s website: Show notes at Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at Enroll in our Thought Leader Academy: Watch Sandy and our other TLA grads deliver a section of their signature talks: Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = Diane Diaz = Sandy Robinson (guest) = Related Podcast Episodes:
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379: How to Develop Stage Presence and Build Confidence as a Speaker [Roundtable]
03/07/2024
379: How to Develop Stage Presence and Build Confidence as a Speaker [Roundtable]
We held our in-person speaking intensive last week in Orlando and it was so much fun! Over three days, the women who attended worked on their speaking segments, practiced them on our stage with our coaching and feedback, and then had their segments professionally filmed on the final day. Oh, and there were dance parties and improv exercises throughout! I’ve invited three of our clients who were there, Shannon Bumgarner, Lei Comerford, and Denise Musselwhite, for a roundtable discussion on what they learned and insights they have for you as speakers. We talk about: Why they decided to attend our in-person retreat What they learned about developing stage presence Speaking as a performance (no matter what your topic is!) Their newfound love of improv The power of using our I.D.E.A.L. storytelling ingredients Feeling confident *not* using notes or a script The impact of practicing on our stage and getting feedback at our in-person retreat This audio is from a live broadcast we did on March 5, 2024. You can watch the video at . Show notes at Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at Enroll in our Thought Leader Academy: Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = Shannon Bumgarner = Lei Comerford = Denise Musselwhite = Related Podcast Episodes:
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378: Changing the Story I Had Been Telling Myself about My 2016 TEDx Talk
03/04/2024
378: Changing the Story I Had Been Telling Myself about My 2016 TEDx Talk
What’s an early memory of using your voice? That's the question we kicked off our recent 3-day in-person client retreat with - and the women’s answers were incredibly powerful. March is Women’s History Month and March 8th is International Women’s Day (#IWD2024), so this episode is about the power of women’s voices and stories to change the world. From young women activists like Malala Yousafzai and Greta Thunberg to pro-choice women who are running for office to women like YOU who are out there sharing your messages, ideas, and stories, women are making a positive difference in their industries and communities. In this episode, I talk about: The history-changing importance of women getting together to share their stories and experiences The self-doubts that too often hold us back from using our voices Why we need feminism more than ever My recent realization of the story I had been telling myself vs. the bigger story of what happened when I delivered my TEDx talk about women and power in 2016 Show notes at Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at Enroll in our Thought Leader Academy: Connect with me on LinkedIn: Mentioned: Emily’s List: New York Times’ opinion column: Carol Gilligan: Related Podcast Episodes:
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377: What 7 Years of Podcasting Has Taught Me about Personal Branding and Thought Leadership
02/26/2024
377: What 7 Years of Podcasting Has Taught Me about Personal Branding and Thought Leadership
This week is the 7-year anniversary of the Speaking Your Brand podcast! Thank you for being a listener, for sending me emails when an episode particularly resonates with you, and for sharing the podcast with others. Podcasting every week for the past seven years has taught me a lot. I'm incredibly grateful to all the women who’ve been guests for sharing their stories and wisdom with all of us. Podcasting has also been hard at times: boredom, burnout, too many ideas, no new ideas. I’ve been through all these feelings at different points. In this episode, I share with you: 3 big lessons you can use whether you have a podcast or not How podcasting, especially creating all of the solo episodes, has shaped my thought leadership and strengthened my personal brand The book I’m working on and how the topic and ideas have come directly from the podcast Why having a regular content creation channel can be helpful to you as you develop your own thought leadership Links: Show notes at Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at Enroll in our Thought Leader Academy: Connect with me on LinkedIn: Related Podcast Episodes:
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376: Use the Secrets of Comedy for Better Storytelling and Delivery in Your Talks
02/19/2024
376: Use the Secrets of Comedy for Better Storytelling and Delivery in Your Talks
Integrating humor into your talks can seem daunting or even unimportant, but it's an essential element to use to connect with your audience. Recently, Diane Diaz, our lead speaking coach, delivered a 5-minute stand-up comedy set live on stage (!). You don’t have to add jokes or stand-up routines to your presentations. But, you can learn from the secrets of comedy to improve your storytelling and delivery. Diane and I talk about her experience and what you can take away from it for your speaking, including: What makes something funny Her process of writing the comedy set The need for a single clear throughline How she practiced the set by chunking it Storytelling and audience engagement The importance of timing, pausing, and vocal variation Doing a comedy set vs. improv Hopefully you’ll be inspired to try something new too! Links: Show notes at Video of Diane’s stand-up comedy set: Resources: and Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at Enroll in our Thought Leader Academy:
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375: How to Use AI to Amplify Your Superpowers and Prepare You to Show Up Anywhere with Stacey Hines
02/12/2024
375: How to Use AI to Amplify Your Superpowers and Prepare You to Show Up Anywhere with Stacey Hines
Get ready for a fun and energizing conversation! Have you ever thought of using AI tools like ChatGPT to *amplify* what you’re already good at? How about having ChatGPT coach you on how to prepare to show up in *any* room? These case studies are just two of the ones that my guest Stacey Hines and I talk about. Like me, Stacey has a background in IT, so we are both passionate about how technology like AI can be used. You’re going to be laughing as she tells the story of a board room she showed up in 10 years ago and what happened. Storytelling is definitely Stacey’s superpower! After we geek out about AI, I ask Stacey to share her tips as a speaker and as a panel moderator, which are really good! About My Guest: Stacey Hines is an author, speaker, executive and CEO/founder of Epic Transformation. She is a Caribbean tech sector leader with global leadership experience in public, private and non-profit sectors. Her commitment to women in leadership and the technology industry is evidenced in her numerous awards, most recently including the Woman of Impact award from the High Commission of Canada on International Women's Day 2023. She was also appointed as the first Jamaican IT Fellow by the Chartered Institute of IT Professionals of the UK (BCS) in 2022, selected as the second female president of the Jamaica Computer Society in its 47-year history and selected as one of the Top 50 Caribbean Women in Tech in 2021. She hosts The Balanced Lady Boss Show podcast. Links: Show notes at Stacey’s website: (aired Jan. 29, 2024) Register for our Business of Speaking workshop live on Zoom on February 22: Enroll in our Thought Leader Academy: Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = Stacey Hines (guest) =
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374: Using Your Voice to Create Change in Yourself and Your Industry with Karen Williams
02/05/2024
374: Using Your Voice to Create Change in Yourself and Your Industry with Karen Williams
Join us for a powerful conversation with Karen Williams, also known as the Black Visual Queen. Karen, a skilled photo director, sat down with our lead speaking coach, Diane Diaz, to talk about her journey from corporate life to entrepreneurship, her advocacy for more diversity in the photography industry, and her experience in crafting her impactful keynote talk during a one-on-one VIP Day. Spoiler alert, her talk went great! In this episode, Karen and Diane talk about: Why and how Karen made the shift from corporate professional to entrepreneur The events that shaped Karen’s perspectives on her work and herself and the actions she took as a result The challenges she faced as a black woman in the photo industry and her path to empowering herself and others Making the decision to use her voice to champion her own work and bring more diversity to her industry Why she decided to work with Diane on her keynote talk and the outcome of her speaking engagement About Our Guest: Karen Williams is a dedicated mentor to aspiring photographers, advocating for equitable access to information within the industry. With more than 10 years of experience in photography, Karen is a visual creative director, keynote speaker, and founder of Black Visual Queen, a photography consulting firm. An industry insider, she’s had a hand in visual stories for iconic brands like Netflix, Masterclass, Square, Wired, AARP, and San Francisco. In her free time, she loves marathon training and all things pop culture. Karen lives in Los Angeles, California. Links: Show notes at Karen’s website: Register for our Business of Speaking workshop live on Zoom on February 22: Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at Get your own VIP Day to create your signature talk by enrolling in our Thought Leader Academy: Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = Diane Diaz = Karen Williams (guest) =
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373: From Free to Fee: How to Get an ROI from Speaking [Level Up Your Speaking Series]
01/29/2024
373: From Free to Fee: How to Get an ROI from Speaking [Level Up Your Speaking Series]
You love speaking, so you’re happy to say “yes!” when someone invites you to speak. It feels great connecting with the audience and hearing how much they enjoyed your presentation. Yet, are you getting an ROI from it? Are you generating leads and/or getting paid directly to speak? I’ve been speaking throughout my career, in various industries, from small workshops to big stages. Early on, I didn’t even think about getting paid, so I never asked. I also wasn’t that good at getting leads and clients from the speaking engagements I was doing. Then, I realized what I was missing and techniques I could use. In this episode, I share with you: 3 ways to increase leads from your presentations What to do even when conferences say “no selling from the stage” The one thing to do that is GOLD 3 things to do to get paid to speak Why many speakers don’t charge or don’t charge enough Examples to inspire you Download example feedback form (no opt-in needed): Register for our Business of Speaking workshop live on Zoom on February 22: Show notes at This episode is the last of our
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372: Handle Tech Glitches, Q&A Conference Sessions, and Panels with Confidence [Level Up Your Speaking Series]
01/22/2024
372: Handle Tech Glitches, Q&A Conference Sessions, and Panels with Confidence [Level Up Your Speaking Series]
Today we’re talking about how to handle when things go wrong or unexpected or when you can’t plan every last thing. The more you speak, something will go wrong or something will happen that you didn’t plan for. The A/V doesn’t work, so you have no slides to show. You get asked a question by an audience member during Q&A that stumps you. You’re on a panel and you feel like your responses just aren’t that great. We want to help you to not panic, not overthink, and to enjoy your speaking engagement no matter what happens that you may not have planned for. In this episode, you’ll hear: Our stories of when things went wrong Tips for making sure your slides and A/V work What to respond if someone asks you a question you don’t know the answer to What to do when someone hijacks the conversation with their “question” Your role as the leader in the room How to be a great panelist and a great panel moderator Why you should say ‘yes’ to being on a panel This episode is part of our Show notes at Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at Attend our in-person Client Retreat Speaking Intensive in February in Orlando: Enroll in our Thought Leader Academy:
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371: What to Include in Your Speaker Video Reel and Speaker Page [Level Up Your Speaking Series]
01/18/2024
371: What to Include in Your Speaker Video Reel and Speaker Page [Level Up Your Speaking Series]
We’re continuing our As you work to build your speaker brand and begin applying and pitching to speak at more events and conferences, there are two things that will be helpful for you to have - one is a speaker video reel and the other is a speaker page on your website. You want to make sure your speaker reel and your speaker page showcase you in the best light and attract event organizers to book you (and pay you!). In this episode, you’ll learn: Why you need a speaker video reel and how you can use it Tips for creating an effective speaker reel that helps you reach your speaking goals Specific things to include in your speaker reel so that it showcases you in the best possible light Why you need a speaking page on your website The key ingredients you should include on your speaker page One thing in particular to include on your speaker page that’s a bit controversial See examples of speaker reels and speaker pages on the show notes at If you want to get video of you speaking that you can use for your speaker reel and on your speaker page, then . You’ll go through exercises and trainings to help you be a stronger and more impactful speaker and you’ll get hands on feedback on your delivery, storytelling, stage presence, and more. On Day 3, you get professional filming of the speaking segments you’ve been practicing on our stage and you get an edited video for your speaker reel. Get all the details and apply today at . About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. This episode is hosted by our lead speaking coach, Diane Diaz. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at .
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370: Overcome Speaking Nerves & Anxiety: How to Develop Confidence on Stage [Level Up Your Speaking Series]
01/15/2024
370: Overcome Speaking Nerves & Anxiety: How to Develop Confidence on Stage [Level Up Your Speaking Series]
I’ve been there: Standing in front of an audience or being on live TV with my heart pounding, butterflies in my stomach, and my body a bundle of nerves. I’ve also had speaking engagements and TV appearances where I’ve felt in the flow and completely comfortable and confident. What made the difference? That’s what I’m going to share with you in this episode. It’s normal to feel nervous before you speak. What you want to do is learn how to channel those nerves and reduce outsized anxiety. In this episode, you’ll learn: 3 reasons you get nervous before a speaking engagement Why your body reacts the way it does A story of my worst speaking experience ever and what I learned from it What do in advance of your speaking engagement to lessen anxiety What to do right before you go on stage to channel your normal nerves This episode is part of our Want to develop your speaking skills, thought leadership, and signature talk? Check out our online coaching program the and our upcoming . Show notes at Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at Enroll in our Thought Leader Academy: Attend our in-person Client Retreat Speaking Intensive in February in Orlando: Connect with me on LinkedIn: Related Podcast Episodes:
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369: Liven Up Your Presentations with These 3 Techniques [Level Up Your Speaking Series]
01/11/2024
369: Liven Up Your Presentations with These 3 Techniques [Level Up Your Speaking Series]
Do you sometimes wonder if your presentations are boring? Perhaps you have dense material you need to get through (hello, academics and scientists!). Or perhaps you’re afraid everything’s already been said on your topic, so you don’t have anything new or interesting for your audience. I promise that you can make *any* topic interesting to your audience. In this episode, I share 3 things you can do at the foundational level to make your speaking engagements more compelling. I also share 3 advanced techniques that will leave your audiences on the edge of their seats. I’ve presented hundreds of times both in person and online and attendees consistently say that my presentations are excellent and engaging. No sleepy faces or eyes glued to phones in my sessions! What’s the secret? That’s what you’ll learn! This episode is part of our Show notes at Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at Enroll in our Thought Leader Academy: Attend our in-person Client Retreat Speaking Intensive in February in Orlando: Connect with me on LinkedIn: Related Podcast Episodes:
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368: Our Thought Leadership Comes from Who We Are and What We've Learned with Erica Hall [Level Up Your Speaking Series]
01/08/2024
368: Our Thought Leadership Comes from Who We Are and What We've Learned with Erica Hall [Level Up Your Speaking Series]
You’re going to love this episode with my guest and Thought Leader Academy grad Erica Hall! If you’ve ever felt like you shouldn’t show your real personality to your audiences or that people expect you to be a certain type of person, this conversation is going to be validating and revealing. Before we get to that part of the conversation, Erica shares her perspective on money mindset and money behaviors and the experiences that shaped her understanding of money. This is why *who* you are and what you’ve *learned* are essential elements of your thought leadership. We also dig into the power of frameworks and acronyms and Erica shares what she got out of being in the Thought Leader Academy. You’ll hear: Erica’s perspective on money mindset and money behaviors How experiences Erica had when she was younger shaped her understanding of money behavior and led to her thought leadership The importance of having a framework, such as an acronym, in your talks and presentations Erica’s experience in our Thought Leader Academy, especially how helpful it was to learn our framework and have a repeatable process to use going forward How an offhand comment I made about my Enneagram number in a group call helped Erica understand that she can lean into her natural personality and not have to be someone she’s not This episode is part of our Want to develop your speaking skills, thought leadership, and signature talk? Check out our online coaching program the and our upcoming . Links: Show notes at Erica’s website: Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = Erica Hall (guest) = Related Podcast Episodes:
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367: Steps for Creating Your Best Speaking and Visibility Plan for 2024 [Level Up Your Speaking Series]
01/04/2024
367: Steps for Creating Your Best Speaking and Visibility Plan for 2024 [Level Up Your Speaking Series]
As we embrace the excitement of a new year, it's the perfect time to strategize about your speaking journey. Are you wondering where to make your mark this year? Let's delve deeper because the art of creating a robust speaking and visibility plan transcends merely scouting for random events, conferences, and podcasts. Here’s what you’ll discover: Identify Your Speaking Goals: Understand the different goals you can pursue through public speaking and how these can empower your personal and professional growth. Use the 5 Whys Method: I'll share with you the transformative 5 Whys technique. It's a journey I've embarked on myself, and I’ll be opening up about how this approach helped me uncover the heart of my speaking objectives. The Importance of Local Groups: Learn how to connect with local groups and why focusing on a few, to begin with, can create more impactful connections and help you get known as a speaker. Choose the Right Conferences: We’ll walk you through how to select conferences that align with your message and how these platforms can elevate your speaking career. The Right Way to Pitch to be a Guest on Podcasts: Discover the pathways to becoming a guest on podcasts that resonate with your brand and message. Optimize Your LinkedIn for Speaking Opportunities: Tips on making your LinkedIn profile a beacon for speaking invitations. Want to develop your speaking skills, thought leadership, and signature talk? Check out our online coaching program the and our upcoming . Show notes at Michelle Warner’s Networking That Pays course: Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = Diane Diaz = Related Podcast Episodes:
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366: Trends in Public Speaking and Thought Leadership for 2024
01/01/2024
366: Trends in Public Speaking and Thought Leadership for 2024
Happy New Year! This is the 6th year in a row I’ve done a trends episode for the start of the year. Trends are like currents or waves of energy that move through our society and affect everything from business and politics and the economy to popular culture and media. As speakers, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders, these trends will impact our thought leadership, our content, and our marketing. In this episode, you’ll learn 3 trends I've identified that are shaping our world: Big changes in social media platforms as the premise of social media shifts from connection to entertainment and it becomes harder to tell what's real and what's not The continued rise and more ubiquitous usage of generative AI tools like ChatGPT plus images, video, and voice The internet as a whole is changing, becoming more fragmented and siloed, with network effects accruing to people and brands who already have large followings I also share specific action steps you can take: Develop a clear and distinct brand voice Imbue your content with soul Focus more on in-person experiences and events As a speaker, you are well positioned to connect with your audiences in a deeper and more human way. Want to develop your speaking skills, thought leadership, and signature talk? Check out our online coaching program the and our upcoming . Connect with me on LinkedIn: Show notes at Related Podcast Episodes: Mentioned: YouTube live stream with realistic AI avatar = by Charlie Warzel (The Atlantic) by Caroline Mimbs Nyce (The Atlantic) by Lestraundra Alfred (HubSpot) by Cal Newport
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365: Year In Review: What Worked, What Didn’t, What’s Next
12/26/2023
365: Year In Review: What Worked, What Didn’t, What’s Next
I’m taking you behind the scenes to share what worked, what didn’t, and what’s next for Speaking Your Brand in the areas of speaking, visibility, this podcast, and the business in general. I also reveal what I’ve learned from reading and watching Marie Kondo and how I’m applying that not only to my house (my holiday break project!) but also to Speaking Your Brand. With that in mind, in this episode, I share: 🎉 What we’re celebrating that went well this year ❌ Things we tried that did not go as well as we had wanted 💡 Larger lessons we’re taking from what worked and what didn’t 🎯 What we’re planning for 2024 I encourage you to use this template to reflect on and write down your own wins, experiments, lessons, and priorities. About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at . Links: Show notes at Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at Join our Thought Leader Academy: Attend our in-person Client Retreat Speaking Intensive in February in Orlando: Online workshop series: Connect with me on LinkedIn: Related Podcast Episodes:
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364: Your Stories and Experiences Shape Your Thought Leadership and Signature Talk with Samantha Irwin
12/21/2023
364: Your Stories and Experiences Shape Your Thought Leadership and Signature Talk with Samantha Irwin
If you think your stories and experiences from long ago aren’t relevant to what you do now, what you speak about, and your overall thought leadership message, this conversation will show how much our past experiences shape who we are and reflect what matters to us. Our lead speaking coach, Diane Diaz, sat down with Samantha Irwin, a recent graduate of our Thought Leader Academy and a seasoned entrepreneur with a fascinating journey. In this episode, you'll hear: Samantha's journey from teaching to entrepreneurship, and how these experiences shaped her thought leadership Her time in the Thought Leader Academy and how it helped her create a signature talk Samantha's recent talk crafted during her VIP Day and the positive feedback she received Samantha's innovative use of her customer service card decks in her presentations for lead generation Show notes at Samantha’s website: Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at Enroll in our Thought Leader Academy: Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = Diane Diaz = Samantha Irwin (guest) = Related Podcast Episodes:
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363: Publishing a Best-Selling Book from Your Signature Talk and Thought Leadership with Cara Houser
12/18/2023
363: Publishing a Best-Selling Book from Your Signature Talk and Thought Leadership with Cara Houser
Speaking and books go hand in hand. Many authors are public speakers and many speakers have written books. What does it look like to take your thought leadership message and turn it into both a signature talk and a published book? That’s what we dig into with my guest and Thought Leader Academy grad Cara Houser. Cara recently published her best-selling book “Burned Out to Lit Up: Ditch the Grind and Reclaim Your Life” (I highly recommend it!). Cara and I talk about: Why she decided this was the topic for her thought leadership My perspective on why her book on burnout is different from others Cara’s thought leadership journey to refine her message Her writing process Building a book launch team and marketing the book to make it a bestseller If you’ve been wanting to write a book or you know that having a book is in your future, this episode is for you! Show notes at Get Cara’s book “Burned Out to Lit Up”: Enroll in our Thought Leader Academy:
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362: [Case Study] Attract More Clients with Your Lead Generation Signature Talk with Danielle Hayden
12/11/2023
362: [Case Study] Attract More Clients with Your Lead Generation Signature Talk with Danielle Hayden
Many speakers use public speaking as a way to build awareness for their business and attract leads and clients. Speaking is an excellent way to do this because you automatically have credibility and authority by standing in front of a group of people. However, an opportunity I see speakers miss is that they forgo thought leadership when they’re delivering presentations on behalf of their business to attract leads and clients. They believe they have to provide lots of information, tips, and facts in order to provide value to the audience and by extension get the people in the audience interested in purchasing their product or service. What I’ve found to be a better approach, in the presentations that I deliver and in the ones we help our clients with, is to help the audience see where they are truly getting stuck and show them how to think about things differently, which is the essence of thought leadership. My guest is Danielle Hayden, the founder and CEO of Kickstart Accounting, Inc., who has built an incredible business and team that works with women entrepreneurs to truly understand their numbers so they can make better business decisions. Danielle reached out to me in October because she wanted to create a new signature talk for lead generation - listen in to find out what happened! Danielle and I talk about: Why she wanted to create a new lead generation signature talk How I recognized her thought leadership angle during our VIP Day The process we went through to develop her new talk, including how she felt about adding more stories The results she got signing on new clients the first time she presented her new talk Show notes at
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361: An Insider's Guide on How to Get Selected for a TEDx Talk
12/04/2023
361: An Insider's Guide on How to Get Selected for a TEDx Talk
Do you have giving a TEDx talk on your list of goals? Many speakers do - and for good reason! Those 10-minute talks are a powerful way to share a message and give the audience a way to think about a topic differently. Being a TEDx speaker is also a credibility marker and an opportunity to get seen by more people. How do you land a TEDx talk? What should you include in your application? What are event organizers looking for? How do you shape your idea? That’s what we’re going to get into in this episode. I’ve worked with TEDx events to select speakers and I’ve coached TEDx speakers, so I’m giving you an inside look on how you can increase your chances of getting selected and delivering an outstanding talk. Links: Show notes at Search for TEDx events: Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at Enroll in our Thought Leader Academy: Apply for our 3-day in-person client retreat in February in Orlando: Connect on LinkedIn: Related Podcast Episodes:
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360: Achieve Bigger Things by Having Thought Partners in the Same Industry with Tenice Wehmeyer and Cherie Mylordis
11/27/2023
360: Achieve Bigger Things by Having Thought Partners in the Same Industry with Tenice Wehmeyer and Cherie Mylordis
There are always going to be other people who do what you do and talk on the same topic. Have you ever collaborated with someone who’s in your same industry, who does similar work? It may seem counter-productive to do this because they’re kind of competitors, after all. But what if you could change your perspective on this? Having a thought partner who’s in the same industry can be very beneficial, which you’ll hear in today’s episode. My guests are two women who met in our last year and have stayed connected ever since. They both work in the corporate leadership space, but with different approaches and types of clients. The three of us talk about: Why they decided to connect and stay in touch What it means to have a thought partner and how it has benefitted them How you can go about finding your own thought partner Having accountability in getting big things done Why they joined the Thought Leader Academy And more! About My Guests: Tenice Wehmeyer, PCC, founder of Wehmeyer Leadership Coaching, is dedicated to cultivating vulnerability-based trust and courage in leaders for brain-friendly collaboration. Cherie Mylordis is a business transformation expert, leadership coach and speaker. Links: Show notes at Tenice’s website: Cherie’s website: Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at Enroll in our Thought Leader Academy: Apply for our in-person client retreat speaking intensive in Orlando: Connect on LinkedIn: Carol Cox = Tenice Wehmeyer (guest) = Cherie Mylordis (guest) = Related Podcast Episodes:
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