Episodes

What if your biggest business breakthrough wasn’t hiding in your competitors’ strategies, but in your clients’ feedback? Lyrik Fryer, co-founder of WorkPlay Branding, joins us to talk about what it really takes to build an innovative business that stan...

When most business owners think about growth, they usually think about marketing. They think about social media, speaking engagements, email funnels, paid ads, podcasts, partnerships, and networking. Rarely does a book make the top of the list. But what if a book isn’t just a book? vWhat if it’s a lead-generation tool, a client nurturing tool, a training resource, a credibility builder, and a scalable business asset all rolled into one? For many educators, coaches, consultants, speakers, and c...

What if the most effective sales strategy isn’t pitching harder, but building trust first? In this episode, I’m breaking down three different ways speakers and educators can sell from the stage, including the method I personally use to consistently gen...

It’s no secret that the real magic of a conference doesn’t just happen on stage, but also in the coffee line, late-night lobby chats, and the brave conversations in between. Today, we’re joined by Dawn Richardson to recap the 2026 Creative Educator Con...

Sometimes the most aligned thing you can do in business is pause. The Creative Educator Conference is just weeks away, and I need to give it my full attention. Instead of stretching myself thin, I’m taking a brief hiatus from new podcast episodes over the next couple of months. Listen in as I share how this decision directly reflects what I teach about preventing burnout and prioritizing what matters most. If you’re a longtime listener, thank you for being here. If you’re new, welcome—this is a...

How do you make networking not feel gross? In this episode, I chat with my friend and Creative Educator Conference alum Angelica Pompy about the art of intentional relationship building at live events. If you’ve been at an event with Angelica, you know she has networking down to a science! Angelica shares how she’s used small, intentional moves (like post-event video DMs and setting clear event intentions) to land speaking gigs, workshop collabs, and even sponsorship deals. Her strategies are r...

As a long-time podcast host (and even longer-time podcast guest), I can respect the work that goes into creating a show and hosting interviews. Recently, the trust in this process was broken by hosts that simply didn’t value my time or honor the systems of podcasting. In today’s episode, I sit down with my own podcast producer, Haylee Gaffin, to explore the responsibilities of podcast hosts and what guests should expect as they prepare for interviews. Plus, in honor of this conversation, she’s ...

Ever wonder what really goes into setting intentional, aligned goals as a creative entrepreneur? In this episode, I’m giving you a transparent look behind the scenes at how I’m approaching 2026. We’ll take through what worked in 2025 and the challenges I’m not dragging into the new year. Listen in as I share my personal reflection process, emotional and data-based audits, and the tangible plans I’m most excited about for the year ahead. I also share some vulnerable updates: hiring a new coach, ...

If you’ve ever wondered whether your voice is really valuable enough to be paid for, consider this episode your wake-up call. Tomasha Suber shares a behind-the-scenes insight that most speakers wish they had when starting out.

Instagram growth without the gimmicks? Yes, please. In this episode, Shannon McKinstrie brings a refreshing perspective to marketing, ditching the “hot take” culture and helping people show up online in ways that feel human, ethical, and effective. We dive into what types of posts convert, how to overcome content paralysis, and why the “rules” of Instagram might be total BS. This episode is brought to you by Enji: You don’t need another complicated content calendar or overwhelming marketing too...

A safe space is necessary, but a brave space changes everything. In this snack-sized episode, I’m sharing a powerful moment from a conversation I had with Christina Olivarez inside the Sought-After Speaker System. Christina breaks down why it’s not enough to just create safety, but you have to create courage. Her event goes beyond inspiration and becomes an economic force where women invest in themselves and each other. We talk about reclaiming space, leading unapologetically, and how visibilit...

Retreat hosts aren’t just booking a speaker, they’re inviting you into the most intimate room they’ve built. That changes everything. In this final episode of our speaker selection series, I’m pulling together my favorite clips from interviews with incredible retreat hosts inside my course, the Sought-After Speaker System. This time, we’re zeroing in on retreats: what makes them different, how selection works, and what hosts truly value in a speaker. Listen in as Tomasha Suber, Frances Ledgewo...

Want to know what really happens after you hit submit on your speaker pitch? It’s easy to feel like your application disappears into a void, but today, we’re pulling back the curtain on the process that Conquer Live hosts take. I sat down with Jamie Fiscer and Heather Leicy to uncover what goes on behind the scenes when hosts choose speakers for their stages. Want to become the kind of speaker event hosts are excited to put on stage? My Sought-After Speaker System shows you how to craft irresis...

What do event hosts actually look for when they book speakers? I sat down with 10 powerhouse event hosts who not only curate stages, but often speak on them too, and asked exactly that. In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain to bring you their top 10 tips. These aren’t just theories; they’re what real decision-makers are looking for when they choose who gets the mic. If you’ve ever wondered how to make yourself more bookable, this episode is for you. Listen in as Jordan Gill, Elizabeth ...

It’s not just what you say on stage—it’s how you show up in the room. In this snack sized episode, Joanna Waterfall shares what really makes a speaker memorable from a host’s perspective. Spoiler: it’s not just a killer keynote.

Are unpaid speaking gigs worth it or a complete waste of your time? In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on a question that every industry educator and speaker eventually asks: “Should I take the stage if I’m not getting paid?

Ever wondered why some speakers get paid and others don’t? This episode spills the truth. In this honest, behind-the-scenes convo with Christina Olivarez, founder of Hustle + Socialize, we dig into what it really takes to build a sustainable event—especially when it comes to speaker pay. This is a raw and real look at how Christina balances value with budget, and what she’s learned the hard way about selecting speakers, funding through sponsorship, and what she expects from those who take her s...

Money talk is always juicy, especially when it comes to speaker fees. In this behind-the-scenes episode, I’m doing something different: I’ve interviewed multiple event hosts to get their real, unfiltered takes on how they approach speaker compensation. Whether you’ve ever wondered why some gigs are unpaid or what kind of value you can still gain without a check, this is your go-to listen. As part of my Sought After Speaker System course, these interviews offer a glimpse into the wide range of s...

If you’ve ever thought, “I just need more followers to get booked”—this one’s for you. Followers don’t equal stages. In this snack-size episode, I’m sharing a powerful moment from my full interview with Kristina Bartold of High Vibe Women,

If you’ve ever wondered what happens after you hit “send” on a speaker pitch, this is the episode you’ve been waiting for. In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on speaker selection with real, raw insights straight from event hosts themselves. As part of my Sought After Speaker System course, I interviewed multiple hosts about exactly what makes a pitch irresistible—and what makes them hit delete. You’ll hear from top event producers including Elizabeth Henson, Jordan Gill, Christina O...

You never know who’s watching and that’s exactly why showing up and sharing your expertise matters more than you think. In this snack-size episode pulled from my full interview with Frances Ledgewood, we explore how a casual conversation turned into bo...

What if I told you that setting up your email right now could make or break your Black Friday sales? Building a solid Black Friday email strategy isn’t just about flashy sales and countdown timers—it’s about groundwork: authentication, deliverability, segmentation, warming—and planning ahead. In this episode, Dawn Richardson of Flodesk joins us to share what you can do this week to ensure your emails land where they count and generate revenue for your Black Friday promotions. Start Prepping You...

If you’ve ever launched a course, membership, or product and wondered why your people aren’t engaging with the resources you worked so hard to create, this snack-size episode is for you. Pulled directly from a live Q&A inside the Educators Lounge, this conversation with Tayler Cusick-Hollman reveals what really goes on after the sale. During our call, Tayler highlighted that many of us are facing similar issues in the education space, where we struggle with onboarding, retention, and having to ...

Ever wonder how conference speakers actually get chosen? I’m pulling back the curtain with one of the most sought-after event hosts in the creative industry. In this episode, I’m joined by my friend Kellie Penn, founder of The Reset Conference, for a candid conversation about how speaker applications are reviewed, what makes someone stand out, and what instantly lands an application in the “no” pile. Kellie shares her exact selection process (yes, including the color-coded spreadsheets), the ro...