Connect with Carmen Sederino Website: illuminatedstory.com LinkedIn: Carmen Sederino YouTube: Illuminated Story Instagram: @illuminatedstory Free Masterclass: Beyond the Keynote Masterclass Connect with Steve Foran Website: gratitudeatwork.ca LinkedIn: Steve Foran Book: Surviving to Thriving: The 10 Laws of Grateful Leadership Steve Foran: From Engineer to Gratitude CEO, Building a Business on What the World Was Ignoring Episode Description Carmen Sederino sits down with Steve Foran, CSP, CEO of Gratitude at Work and author of Surviving to Thriving: The 10 Laws of Grateful Leadership. A lifelong Halifax resident, Steve spent 13 years as an electrical engineer before founding a gratitude-focused speaking business in 2006, when the topic drew far more raised eyebrows than corporate budgets. Steve shares the science behind grateful leadership, why our brains are wired toward a "surviving" mindset, and how a deliberate gratitude practice shifts individual wellbeing and team culture. He gets candid about building a speaking career from a $700 first fee to $10,000 keynotes, and the theatrical craft that makes a message land. Key Moments Steve got an F for refusing to stand up and teach in Grade 11 history class. The same person now speaks to thousands for $10,000 a keynote. His first client was a church, one month after launching in November 2006. His first $700 fee came from a construction company where the pizza for 50 staff cost more than he charged. Steve explains the "unrelenting force": our brains are wired to pull us toward survival mode, and gratitude is the intentional counter-practice. Grateful people sleep better, exercise more, live longer, and are less likely to gossip or ostracise colleagues. Steve shares the science, then says don't wait for research to be complete before acting. His fee progression: $700, $1,000, $2,500, $4,000, six years at that level, then $6,000, $7,500, and $10,000 this year. Carmen and Steve swap notes on theatrical craft: miming a trolley across stage, voicing his mother mid-story, and why slowing to one word at a time is its own form of theatre. Quotes to Remember "The practice of gratitude is not going to eliminate the hyper-focus on the negative. But by introducing being very intentional with a gratitude practice, you push it down and go, okay, there's crap out there, but look at all the good in the world." "Speaking and the mastery of speaking is a journey. It's not a destination. It's a place where it's always good to have a community of people that are able to support you." Steve's Journey Steve Foran grew up the oldest of five in Halifax, Nova Scotia. He studied electrical engineering, spent 13 years at a provincial power utility, then moved into business development at a post-secondary college. During his MBA he researched the link between gratitude and generosity, and that became the foundation. He launched Gratitude at Work in November 2006, built his public speaking career through corporate clients, and has grown into a recognised keynote speaker and author on grateful leadership. Advice for Speakers Build a community around your growth as a public speaker. Keynote speaking mastery has no finish line, and the right people alongside you accelerate what experience alone takes years to teach. Start a gratitude practice as the foundation for resilience. Open your keynote in the story: no good mornings, no thank-yous, just the scene. Free Resource Beyond the Keynote Masterclass About the Host Carmen Sederino is the founder of Illuminated Story, transforming high-stakes presentations into unforgettable performances. With a background in theatre and corporate leadership, she helps leaders create impactful, memorable speaking experiences. Disclaimer The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the guests and host, and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Illuminated Story.
