The Speaker Lab Podcast

The Speaker Lab
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Want to learn how to get booked and paid to speak — consistently? The Speaker Lab podcast features business tactics, speaking tips, and insider strategies from TSL CEO Dan Irvin, The Speaker Lab coaches, and some of the world's most successful speakers. You'll learn how to find speaking gigs, build relationships in your industry, negotiate higher speaker fees, and grow your speaking business. Every week, this podcast will give you key insights and practical advice from speakers who have been there and done that and can help you take the next step in your speaking journey. Whether you’re just getting started as a paid speaker or you’re a veteran speaker looking to build and grow your business, The Speaker Lab Podcast is here for you!

  1. 3D AGO

    How Erick Rheam Booked A $900,000 Speaking Engagement

    "If you can get one paid gig, you can build an empire off that." Welcome back to The Speaker Lab Podcast! In this episode, Dan Irvin (the newly minted TSL CEO and new host of the TSL podcast!) sits down with Erick Rheam — The Speaker Lab's own resident speaker and lead coach — to unpack one of the most remarkable client stories we've ever told: how Erick turned a single speaking relationship into a three-year, $900,000 contract. But here's the thing — the $900,000 didn't come from being the best speaker in the room. It came from being the most intentional. Erick breaks down a 12-year journey that started with a chance conversation at a vendor booth, a coaching nudge to lean into his niche, and a decision to consistently deliver more value than any client expected. His story is a masterclass in how speakers who think like business owners — not performers — build something that lasts. Whether you just landed your first $1,000 gig or you're wondering how to turn a great client relationship into something bigger, this episode is packed with practical wisdom you can use right now. You'll learn: How Erick stumbled into speaking from the utility industry — and why that "detour" made him millionsWhy leaning into your existing niche (instead of running from it) is one of the fastest paths to credibilityThe counterintuitive reason Erick gave away content rights early on — and how it paid off over a decade laterHow to build talks your audience actually wants by listening first and pitching secondThe role Speaker Lab coaching played as a critical inflection point in Erick's careerHow a simple exit interview after every gig opened the door to consulting, workshops, and eventually that $900K contractWhy $900,000 had much less to do with what Erick did on stage — and everything to do with what he did around itThe four things Erick would tell his younger self: niche, audience problem, system, and coachingHow Erick closed $68,000 in gigs in a single week — prospecting just one hour a dayWhat to focus on when you land your first $1K–$5K gig so you don't miss the opportunity right in front of youAnd much, much more! "I think I'm an average speaker at best, maybe above average. I do alright. However, I'm organized, and I follow a system. And the system is not that hard. It's duplicatable. It's scalable." -- Ready to build your own predictable speaking business? Click the link below to claim your free Speaker Business Assessment — a real diagnostic review of your audience, niche, pipeline, and revenue model. No pitch, just clarity. 👉 Get Your Free Speaker Business Assessment See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    46 min

  2. MAR 25

    A New Chapter For TSL + The Future of the Speaking Industry with Dan Irvin

    "So you can speak to it from a very professional level of here's what I'm seeing right now, grassroots, I'm in it, I'm doing the thing. And that's what makes this transition of you taking over and leading TSL really, really exciting. Because again, you're on the front lines, you're doing the thing." WE'RE BACK. Welcome to a very special episode of The Speaker Lab podcast! Today, Grant Baldwin is here to share a massive update about the future of TSL and talk about the future of the speaking industry. After more than a decade building The Speaker Lab into one of the most trusted resources for aspiring professional speakers, Grant is passing the baton — and today, he's here to talk about it with the person taking the reins: Dan Irvin. Dan isn't new to the TSL world. He's been with the company for over five years, has hosted hundreds of webinars, and personally enrolled nearly 500 students into the program. But more than that, he's a full time professional speaker himself (who is right now in a stretch of doing ten paid gigs in ten weeks!). He knows this world from the inside out, both as a coach and as someone actively speaking to dozens of audiences every year. But what's important isn't just the future of TSL — it's also the future of the speaking industry as a whole. Dan and Grant believe that right now is an incredible opportunity for paid speakers, and they're here to tell you why — and how you can take advantage. In this conversation, Grant and Dan get candid about the transition, reflect on what's made The Speaker Lab work, and tackle the question many speakers are asking right now: what does AI actually mean for this industry? You’ll learn: Why Grant Baldwin is passing the reins of The Speaker Lab after 10+ years — and who's taking overHow Dan Irvin went from corporate COO to full-time speakerWhy Dan believes speaking is AI-proof — and the 3 reasons human speakers can't be replacedHow AI is changing the speaking business (efficiency tools, not stage replacement)Why information alone won't grow your speaking career — and what actually willHow to design your speaking business around your own life and goalsA sneak peek at a $900,000 speaking partnership story coming in the next episodeAnd much, much more! "The Speaker Lab honestly changed my life. It changed my family's life. We want to continue to be that impact for other individuals and other families. And we know that when we really serve speakers well, they can go out and have a massive impact on audiences all over the place." Episode Resources Calculate Your Speaking Fee (And Join The Email List)Join The Speaker Lab Community on FacebookSubscribe on Apple PodcastsSubscribe on SpotifySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    31 min

  3. JAN 20

    Building Your Off Ramp: From Corporate to Full-Time Speaking with Velera Wilson

    “Sometimes in today’s society, there’s a pressure to do entrepreneurship the right way. Others have the Instagram businesses that everybody makes look good, but I think everyone has their own particular situation and scenarios.” Welcome to another episode of The Speaker Lab Podcast! In this episode, host Grant Baldwin welcomes speaker and author Velera Wilson, a remarkable leader who candidly shares her journey from corporate executive to building a thriving full-time speaking business. Velera opens up about the pivotal moments that led her to pursue her passion, from years of speaking in executive roles and nonprofit associations, to leaping into an unexpected corporate layoff. She discusses the behind-the-scenes reality: building her “off ramp” while juggling executive responsibilities, the importance of being selective with dream-sharing, and developing the grit to keep moving forward despite doubts and dry spells. Through her story, Velera reveals practical strategies for anyone considering a similar path: how to parlay your existing skills and network into new opportunities, why having a book is helpful but not essential to get booked, and the necessity of treating speaking like a business. She also emphasizes the need for community, highlighting the crucial role The Speaker Lab played in providing mentorship, camaraderie, and real-world advice about the unpredictable cycles of this industry. Whether you’re a seasoned speaker or just contemplating your first paid gig, this episode is packed with actionable wisdom on marketing yourself, managing your mindset, and designing a transition that fits your life and goals! You’ll learn: Managing hesitation from financial insecurityAnalyzing the value of writing a book versus focusing on speaking gigsFinancial considerations of books versus paid speaking engagementsHow books are “nice to have” for credibility, but not a “must-have”Business development tactics: LinkedIn and email outreachThe importance of daily effort versus waiting passivelyBeing intentional with “chunking” time to balance demandsBuilding a strategic off-ramp versus jumping into entrepreneurshipAnd much, much more! “I work for a company, but I am my own brand. I’m an individual…I take that with me [when I leave].” Episode Resources Velera’s WebsiteGet Free Speaker ResourcesBook a Call with The Speaker LabCalculate Your Speaking FeeJoin The Speaker Lab Community on FacebookSubscribe on Apple PodcastsSubscribe on SpotifySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    39 min

  4. JAN 13

    Forging a Path to Purpose-Driven Speaking with Shannon GaNun

    “There’s a huge amount of progress that comes from pitching yourself and putting information out there and having discovery calls and doing events and speaking at events and fielding questions and posting on social media and seeing what people want.” Welcome to another episode of The Speaker Lab Podcast! Today, host Grant Baldwin welcomes Shannon GaNun, a former communications professional, college professor, and now a thriving full-time speaker who’s built an inspiring business around helping others communicate with purpose and confidence. In this conversation, Shannon takes us through her remarkable journey, starting from her roots in a small Wisconsin town, through her early career on Capitol Hill, and onto the classroom at Georgia Southern University. She shares how her lifelong passion for effective communication eventually led her to pitch herself, land gigs, and build programs that empower leaders at corporations and associations to strengthen their impact through better speaking skills. This episode dives deep into the realities of launching a speaking business later in life, the challenges of making a mid-career pivot, and the process of turning decades of both work and life experience into a valuable, marketable service. Shannon gets candid about overcoming imposter syndrome, learning the business side of speaking through The Speaker Lab, and tackling the not-so-glamorous parts. If you’re someone who wonders if you’re “special enough” to be on stage, or if you’ve wrestled with questions of timing, self-doubt, or financial security in pursuing your passion, you’ll walk away with encouragement to start where you are, leverage your experience, and take that next step! You’ll learn: Starting before you’re 100% readyTransitioning from learning to pitching, discovery calls, and social media outreachRecognizing value in communication versus sharing it on stageOvercoming fears or doubts about speaking in front of groupsThe misconception that speakers need unique backgroundsSolving a specific problem for a specific audiencePackaging expertise into a sellable productAnd much, much more! “Everybody, even though we’re all kind of ordinary, normal, what I consider middle class Americans, we all have a unique experience and so we can take what we have experienced and teach others.” Episode Resources Shannon’s WebsiteGet Free Speaker ResourcesBook a Call with The Speaker LabCalculate Your Speaking FeeJoin The Speaker Lab Community on FacebookSubscribe on Apple PodcastsSubscribe on SpotifySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    40 min

  5. JAN 6

    Overcoming Speaker Slumps and Building Momentum: Live Coaching with Erick Rheam

    “If you’re consistent, you may miss the event with that event planner this round, but you’re going to get it the next round, and you’re going to get the next round too because you’re going to stay on top.” In this episode of The Speaker Lab Podcast, Erick Rheam, professional speaker and author, opens the doors to a behind-the-scenes coaching session as Connor Wentling and Michael Hidalgo join him to unpack the realities of building a speaking career from the ground up. Connor shares his journey transitioning from free gigs to landing paid opportunities within the municipal association market. Despite finding traction, he’s faced with the anxiety and uncertainty that accompany a slower season, prompting a deep dive with Erick into sustaining momentum. They dig into the nitty-gritty of keeping the pipeline full, leveraging referrals, and making strategic tweaks based on feedback. Michael, meanwhile, discusses the challenge of prospecting habits and mastering the art of following up with potential clients. Together with Erick, he explores tangible ways to stay in the game, even when faced with delays and rejections. Erick also shares insights about the power of consistency, the importance of tracking your outreach, and why even a “not interested” is a positive sign. Throughout the conversation, you’ll hear actionable advice on everything from upgrading your presentation skills to maintaining discipline with prospecting “Power Hours,” and understanding why the speaking business takes patience and resilience. If you’re ready for some coaching wisdom and inspiring reminders to keep moving forward, this conversation is for you! You’ll learn: The idea of an inflection point in every speaker’s careerImportance of leveraging each gig for referralsFollowing up and tracking email opens and responsesUsing event surveys to gauge authentic feedbackRule of Three: pipeline should have three times the number of desired gigsThe Power Hour methodHow to communicate with prospects post-eventAnd much, much more! “When it comes to speaking, there’s always an inflection point for every speaker’s journey. The problem is we don’t know what it is.” Episode Resources Erick’s WebsiteGet Free Speaker ResourcesBook a Call with The Speaker LabCalculate Your Speaking FeeJoin The Speaker Lab Community on FacebookSubscribe on Apple PodcastsSubscribe on SpotifySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    43 min

  6. 12/30/2025

    Avoiding Burnout in Speaking and Life with Arthur James

    “One of the things that has helped me stay in ministry, and one of my keys that I share in my talk about burnout, is doing something new to refuel you. I’m still doing ministry thirty years later, but I find new ways to do it and that helps increase the fuel and the fire for me to do it.” Welcome back to The Speaker Lab podcast! On today’s episode, host Grant Baldwin is joined by Arthur James, a seasoned pastor, educator, and speaker who’s been making a difference from the pulpit and the podium for nearly three decades. In this conversation, Arthur opens up about his unique journey as a bivocational pastor, juggling roles in ministry, education, and business, while building his speaking career from the ground up. He reflects on crucial turning points, including the shift from viewing public speaking as a side hustle to embracing it as a purposeful business. Together, Grant and Arthur dive into the realities of transitioning from full-time work in education and hospitality to full-time ministry and professional speaking, highlighting the challenges of balancing financial responsibility with a heart for serving others. Arthur reveals how discovering The Speaker Lab framework helped him gain clarity, structure, and momentum in growing his speaking business. Whether you’re a pastor with a message to share, a speaker ready to make an impact, or simply someone searching for practical wisdom about building a business around your calling, you’ll find valuable lessons and encouragement in this episode. Listen in for a look at what it truly takes to turn your gifts as a communicator into a sustainable career! You’ll learn: Definition and explanation of “bivocational pastor”Mental shift required to approach speaking as a businessTailoring messages for different contextsResearch and outreach methods for finding speaking engagementsThe importance of personal relevance and passion for the topicStaying current and relevant in chosen speaking areasAdapting communication style based on audience familiarityTechniques for building trust and engagement with new groupsAnd much, much more! “One of the things that’s very critical that is taught in The Speaker Lab program is to look at your speaking as a business and not just as getting on a stage to do a speech.” Episode Resources Arthur’s WebsiteGet Free Speaker ResourcesBook a Call with The Speaker LabCalculate Your Speaking FeeJoin The Speaker Lab Community on FacebookSubscribe on Apple PodcastsSubscribe on SpotifySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    38 min

  7. 12/23/2025

    Turning Fear into Fuel on Your Speaking Path with Melanie Curtis

    “I’m a big believer in consuming what you sell and practicing what you preach…it’s a useful step on the path to understanding what’s possible and for growing in the skill set of standing on stage in front of any number of people that makes your body react and become nervous.” In this episode of The Speaker Lab Podcast, host Grant Baldwin sits down with Melanie Curtis, a world record-holding professional skydiver, seasoned coach, and sought-after keynote speaker. Their conversation explores Melanie’s unconventional career path, which began in the finance industry before she took the extraordinary leap into professional skydiving, amassing over twelve thousand jumps, and then eventually public speaking. Melanie opens up about the challenges she faced along the way, including imposter syndrome, persistent anxiety, and the internal doubts that can hold back even the most driven professionals. She reflects on why each stage of her journey was essential and shares the turning points that nudged her toward treating public speaking as a serious business, rather than a side endeavor. Throughout their discussion, you’ll hear advice on finding your target audience, building meaningful connections in both women-centric organizations and male-dominated industries, and leveraging storytelling to transform your message. Grant and Melanie also dig into the emotional side of entrepreneurship, the highs of big wins, the lows of self-doubt, and the importance of having a strong support network. Whether you’re contemplating your first speech or looking to scale your speaking business, Melanie’s story will inspire you to trust your intuition, stay persistent, and redefine what’s possible for your own speaking journey! You’ll learn: Using speaking for marketing a businessOvercoming resistance, anxiety, and limiting beliefsThe importance of high-level coaching and support systemsHow to practice speaking via Facebook/Instagram livesGradual desensitization to rejection, visibility, and performance pressureTo rely on support networks during discouraging timesDesigning personal boundaries for travel and gigsDistinguishing between type one and type two funAnd much, much more! “If I didn’t learn how to manage my fears, how to work with my fears and anxieties, my insecurities, I imagine I would have lived a really small life.” Episode Resources Melanie’s WebsiteGet Free Speaker ResourcesBook a Call with The Speaker LabCalculate Your Speaking FeeJoin The Speaker Lab Community on FacebookSubscribe on Apple PodcastsSubscribe on SpotifySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    40 min

  8. 12/16/2025

    Why Accountability Is the Key to Building Consistent Habits with Adam Gilbert

    “Make sure you actually believe you can follow your plan. Because if you don’t feel hopeful, then you’re never going to feel motivated, you’re never going to feel committed, and you’re never going to follow through.” Welcome back to another episode of The Speaker Lab Podcast! Today, Grant Baldwin is joined by Adam Gilbert, the mastermind behind MyBodyTutor.com and DoneDaily.com, to discuss insights for anyone looking to build a thriving speaking business or simply create lasting change in their personal and professional life. Adam opens up about the profound impact his father's health struggles had on his mission to help others transform their lives through nutrition, fitness, and productivity. With over eighteen years of experience and over ten thousand clients served, he’s learned that while most people know what they should do, there’s often a huge gap between knowledge and action.  This episode breaks down the importance of “MPH”—mindset, psychology, and habits—and highlights practical frameworks anyone can use to move from dreaming to doing. You’ll learn why accountability is a game-changer, how starting small can build the momentum you need, and what it really takes to keep promises to yourself. Additionally, Adam explains how discomfort can be a compass for growth, why surrounding yourself with supportive people matters, and how to challenge assumptions that keep you stuck. Whether you’re just starting and struggling to book your first gig or you’re a veteran looking to scale up, this conversation is loaded with implementable advice and motivating stories! You’ll learn: Why consistency is hard for entrepreneurs and speakersThe role and importance of accountabilityThe parallels between health/fitness and entrepreneurship/speakingWhy motivation is critical for sustained effortBreaking down MPH: Mindset, Psychology, HabitsReconciling assumptions about successPractical steps to develop self-confidenceCPA: Clear objective, Plan, Actual belief in follow-throughBuilding momentum through small winsAnd much, much more! “There’s fear of failure, but there’s also fear of success, which is surprisingly very common but not often spoken about.” Episode Resources Adam’s WebsiteGet Free Speaker ResourcesBook a Call with The Speaker LabCalculate Your Speaking FeeJoin The Speaker Lab Community on FacebookSubscribe on Apple PodcastsSubscribe on SpotifySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    38 min
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4.8
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554 Ratings

About

Want to learn how to get booked and paid to speak — consistently? The Speaker Lab podcast features business tactics, speaking tips, and insider strategies from TSL CEO Dan Irvin, The Speaker Lab coaches, and some of the world's most successful speakers. You'll learn how to find speaking gigs, build relationships in your industry, negotiate higher speaker fees, and grow your speaking business. Every week, this podcast will give you key insights and practical advice from speakers who have been there and done that and can help you take the next step in your speaking journey. Whether you’re just getting started as a paid speaker or you’re a veteran speaker looking to build and grow your business, The Speaker Lab Podcast is here for you!

Information

  • Creator
    The Speaker Lab
  • Years Active
    2016 - 2026
  • Episodes
    627
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2022
  • Show Website
    The Speaker Lab Podcast

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