Episodes

Do you know that feeling when you take on too much at once and feel like you’re spinning a million plates that could fall and break any second? Deirdre Van Nest knows this feeling all too well. The way to get out of this chaos is knowing when to say NO. With this in mind, we have made the hard decision of temporarily pausing the Crazy Good Talks podcast. In this episode, Deirdre explains why the Crazy Good Talks podcast is going on a short break. Deirdre discusses: Her new journey to create a l...

Humans have been using storytelling to communicate, pass on knowledge and connect for thousands of years. But, did you know that when you share your wisdom and stories, and package them in the right way, your stories actually become assets in your business? In this episode, Deirdre Van Nest has a conversation with John LoDuca, founder of Playbook Builder, to discuss the importance of storytelling, packaging your wisdom, and how thought leadership connects AND impacts us all. Deirdre and John dis...

A ‘Thought Leader’ has the ability to transform people, industries, and sometimes even the world. In order to be considered a thought leader you must voice (or pen) original ideas AND you must differentiate yourself through a unique process. In this episode, Deirdre Van Nest speaks with John LoDuca, founder of Playbook Builder, about how to capitalize on your wisdom and be viewed as a thought leader. Deirdre and John discuss: What exactly IS ‘Thought Leadership’? How to package your wisdom to s...

Remote work has opened up a whole new world of opportunities. But, there is still some resistance and fear from business owners who are not comfortable moving to this new way of working. The truth is if you’re not willing to provide at least some remote options, you will not be competitive when it comes to attracting and hiring top talent! In this episode, Deirdre Van Nest sits down with Andrea Schlapia, founder of Ironstone Consulting to discuss her top tips to embracing, creating and leading a...

Most people think their presentation starts when they take the stage, but it actually starts at your introduction. A Crazy Good introduction paves the way for you and is just as important as the presentation itself. Why? Your introduction needs to be compelling so your audience is primed and excited to hear what you have to say vs. looking at their phones or thinking about what’s on TiKTok! In this episode, Deirdre Van Nest breaks down her 4 step formula for writing Crazy Good introductions. Dei...

Just saying the word…Video. Strikes fear in hearts of even the most courageous advisors and entrepreneurs. In addition to hearing your inner critic tell you how bad you look and sound, if you’re not a video expert, filming, editing, and producing a video can be really intimidating! Plus, it’s easy to make mistakes. That’s why Deirdre asked Laura Garfield, the co-founder of Idea Decanter ,a video production company focused on helping advisors and entrepreneurs grow their business with video, to s...

Would you believe that the subject matter of a great story is almost irrelevant? What makes a story great and what can RUIN it… is all in the editing! Finding the right details in a story to capture the audience’s attention and relate to the presentation’s topic is much more important than having an action-packed story. In this episode, Deirdre Van Nest reveals the importance of editing and why a great story is not what you leave in but what you take out. Deirdre discusses: The number one editi...

Do you want to know the secret behind the success of Michael Kitces, one of the most sought-after speakers and thought leaders in his industry? Through consistency, practice, and following specific communication strategies, Michael has become the legend he is today. In this episode, Michael talks to Deirdre and reveals the strategies he uses to improve as a speaker, the most powerful medium to establish yourself as a thought leader (it’s not what you think!), and why if his whole business blew u...

Imagine if one presentation could change your life forever. That’s exactly what happened to Michael Kitces, one of the most sought after speakers and thought leaders in the financial services industry. But if you’re an entrepreneur, don’t tune out. This episode is for you too because even though Michael’s an advisor, at his core, he’s an entrepreneur and someone every business owner can learn from. In this episode, Deirdre Van Nest talks to Michael about: His journey from serving clients 1:1 to...

One of the biggest challenges a presenter has is grabbing the attention of your audience from the first words out of your mouth. In this episode of Crazy Good Talks®, Deirdre will teach you how to inspire your audience and hook them at the beginning of every presentation both virtually and in person. In this episode you will learn: Why you should skip the “unpleasant pleasantries” in your opening Techniques to open your next presentation with a bang Deirdre’s three go-to-ways to open a presenta...

What would you do if you could no longer speak? It’s unimaginable isn’t it? That’s the reality our guest Tim Schut is facing. In June of 2021, Tim was diagnosed with Primary Progressive Apraxia of Speech. This means he is progressively losing his ability to speak. He now uses optimism and courage to inspire others, reminding them just how sacred life is. In this poignant episode, Deirdre Van Nest talks to Tim about: His journey after diagnosis and how he remains optimistic How voice banking wil...

FACT: Your clients are INUNDATED with messages and attention spans are short. That’s why when you express yourself, you MUST take the time needed to create messages that are relevant and interesting. Messages that stand out, can make or break your client and audience engagement. In this episode of Crazy Good Talks®, Deirdre talks to Bill Cates, speaker, referral coach, and member of the Speaker Hall of Fame, about his latest book, “Radical Relevance”. They discuss ways to help financial professi...

You’ve recorded your ‘Why Story’. Now, how do you get people to see it? In this episode, Deirdre Van Nest speaks with Kalli Fedusenko, owner of Kalli Collective LLC. Kalli shares her top tips for promoting and getting more views for your “Why Story” video – or any video for that matter. You’ll learn: How to use the “Three P’s- Polish, Promote, Publish to get more eyes on your ‘Why Story’ video Why relying on organic views alone is a HUGE mistake How and why to use paid advertising Little known ...

It’s time to stop juggling all those balls. Having your own business or practice doesn’t have to be so stressful. You CAN create a self managing company. In this episode, Deirdre Van Nest speaks with Barron’s top 100 advisor Erin Botsford, CPF®, founder and chief executive officer at The Advisor Authority. Hear about Erin’s extraordinary business success story, how her company supports orphans in Africa and her strategies for creating a business that runs itself. Erin discusses: Why your busine...

Are you struggling to hold your audience’s attention and own the room every time you speak? If so, you might be making the most common delivery mistakes without realizing it. Let’s turn that around! In this episode, Deirdre Van Nest unpacks 13 mistakes that derail speakers of all experience levels from giving a Crazy Good Talk®! Not only that, but she shares how to make improvements right away — these are the major tips Deirdre has learned from helping thousands of professionals bring in busines...

You’d love to get paid for your professional speaking. But you’re not sure how to go from free-based to fee-based. Sound familiar? In this episode, Deirdre Van Nest tells all! Having gone from speaking for free to now earning a living from delivering her Crazy Good Talks®, Deirdre has proven tips to help you initiate and increase your fees over time. Deirdre discusses: How structure and practice will propel you to become a Crazy Good presenter and speaker Why she urges aspiring fee-based speake...

There are two emotions you can use to motivate and inspire your audience every time you speak. In this episode, Deirdre Van Nest talks with Sam Palazzolo, the managing director at Tip of the Spear Ventures and author of “The Influential Leader”. Sam shares his advice on harnessing the power of two emotions to build yourself as an authority figure to influence and persuade your audience through your messaging. Sam discusses: How to establish value creation through the power of questions Two t...

As a speaker, you’ve probably heard this advice: “Be vulnerable. It will help your audience connect with you.” But when does being vulnerable cross into TMI? After all, you want to engage your audience and Own the Room –– not clear it! In this episode, Deirdre Van Nest shares two ways to show vulnerability that builds trust, likeability, and connection with your audience. You will learn how to serve your audience with every story you tell (and avoid sharing too much information!). Deirdre discus...

During a virtual presentation, one of the most difficult tasks can be keeping the energy moving and your audience engaged throughout the entire presentation. It’s time to relieve yourself of “virtual fatigue”; keep your audience AND yourself energized during your next presentation! In part two of this mini-series, Deirdre Van Nest reveals the rest of her CETA formula. This formula is THE key to engaging your audience for your entire presentation. Using the CETA formula, will enable you to delive...

Energy and the internet can be a tough combo for any speaker. That’s why keeping the energy moving during your virtual presentations is THE key to engaging your audience. In this episode, Deirdre Van Nest reveals her go-to formula for getting and KEEPING an audience’s attention during virtual presentations. Use this formula so that YOU AND YOUR audience leave “the room” feeling energized. Deirdre discusses: How to make your webcam feel like an actual person and why that’s critical to your succe...

Are you struggling to create a clear brand message? One a 10-year old can understand? No matter how long you’ve been in business, messaging is tough! Especially if you’re not a professional marketer. In this episode, Deirdre Van Nest gets solutions from Casey Fuerst, the owner of Tic Tac Toe Marketing and a StoryBrand Certified Guide. Casey shares seven easy steps for clarifying your message so that more prospects engage with you. This will transform how you talk about who you are, what you do, ...

Do you have a book inside you that’s aching to get out? Of course you do! Well, you’re in luck because the Crazy Good Talks® Blueprint will give you the guidance and structure to write it. In this episode, Deirdre Van Nest is joined by Ross Marino CFP®, the founder and chief executive officer at Advisor2X. You will learn how Ross Marino CFP® used the Crazy Good Talks Blueprint to write his book. You will also discover how you can use the Crazy Good Talks® Blueprint to make an impact with your wo...

When you’re presenting, do you feel pressured to fill every space with words? A lot of professionals feel this way. They believe that if they pause, they’re giving the audience “nothing.” In this episode of Crazy Good Talks®, Deirdre Van Nest explains why the opposite is true. You will discover why taking a pause is the most powerful way to connect deeply with your audience. Plus, she shares four types of pauses for every speaker to master, when to use them, and how. Deirdre discusses: Four key...

What’s the difference between a good speaker and a Crazy Good Speaker? In this episode, Deirdre Van Nest shares four trade secrets that Crazy Good Speakers use to stand out and own the room every time they speak. Whether you’re a new speaker, seasoned speaker, or somewhere in between, these are tips you can use right away to make your next presentation Crazy Good! Deirdre discusses: How to avoid a speaker’s worst nightmare: Looking into the crowd and seeing a visibly bored audience –– people da...