Claim the Stage: A Podcast About Public Speaking and Speaking Up

Want to join a public speaking club and improve your speaking skills? Check out a Speaker Sisterhood club right here. Guests are free anytime.

Learn more about Speaker Sisterhood and our clubs.

Wondering if it's too late to get started as a professional speaker? Today's episode is for you! Maria Romano is the founder of True Love Knots. She started her business in her 50s after her husband, Frank, passed away. She got back into the dating world and discovered it was dramatically different. Today she coaches people on how to be successful at dating and found her passion. Maria is also a professional speaker and performs wedding ceremonies, baptisms, and end-of-life celebrations. She is the author of Going from Just One to Plus One which hit #1 on the Amazon bestseller lists.

On today's episode, Maria shares her three best pieces of advice for women who want to start a speaking business later in life. She says building a community of coaches and supporters, clarifying your message, and just getting started were key to her success. Listen in as she shares her story and more!

Get Maria's online course, Become a Rockstar Officiant here. Check out her book here.

Register for Speaking School for Women, my signature six-week course to turn you into a paid speaker. Registration closes April 6th!

Have you been dreaming about speaking on bigger stages, taking your expertise to more audiences, and getting paid for your expertise? If you're wondering if you're ready for this step, this episode will help you decide. Learn the five secrets to becoming a paid speaker and then check out my new course, Speaking School for Women, launching next week. Sign up for our mailing list at speakersisterhood.com or get on the waiting list by contacting us!

Sign up for our free webinar on March 30th: Build Your Brand Through Speaking here.

Transform your public speaking with my 60 Minute Public Speaking Makeover here.

Want one of the last three seats in Speaker Sisterhood Express? Get registered here. 

Transform your public speaking with my 60 Minute Public Speaking Makeover here.

Get Amanda's free training: The Three Pillars of Visibility

Check out Amanda's live two day event: Pitch School Live

More about Amanda:

After more than a decade in the New York City public relations world, Amanda Berlin now uses her pitch powers for good. She helps entrepreneurs step into their presence, create a story that inspires others, and spread their message in the media. Amanda and her clients have been featured in all types of media — from Business Insider to Entrepreneur on Fire and from WNYW Fox 5 to Bustle.com. She's the host of The Empowered Publicity Podcast and loves arming soul-powered business owners with the ideas and skill-set they need to go from hidden industry gem to recognizable trusted expert. Amanda has created a library of template guides and trainings and works one on one with clients to guide them to strategic story-telling and media relations based on her 12 years of experience guiding strategy for major brands in the corporate world. Amanda and her clients have been featured in all types of media — from Business Insider to Entrepreneur on Fire and from WNYW Fox 5 to Bustle.com. She's the host of The Empowered Publicity Podcast and loves arming soul-powered business owners with the ideas and skill-set they need to go from hidden industry gem to recognizable trusted expert. Amanda has spoken on the topics of visibility, publicity, and entrepreneurship at BizChix Live, Style Collective Raleigh and New York City, Body Local, Hoboken Entrepreneur Group, and more.

Do you consider yourself to be a pretty good public speaker? Maybe even a great speaker? It's possible you're getting the job done, but there's always room for improvement. As you'll hear in part four of our four part series with Speaker Sisterhood club leaders and members, today's guest came to our clubs to make small tweaks with an eye on big changes. My guest today is Kathy Vines, a Certified Professional Organizer, owner of Clever Girl Organizing, and certified coach (CTACC) and professional resume writer through Kathy Vines Coaching. On today's show, Kathy describes her desire to go from being a trainer to being a more inspirational speaker through the use of storytelling and audience engagement techniques. She got the chance to test these new skills in her Speaker Sisterhood club before showing up in front of her audience and saw the difference right away. If you want to take your skills to the next level, listen to today's episode and take a look at our new program, Speaker Sisterhood Express. This is our new six-month, accelerated public speaking training program launching next month. Registration closes today at 5pm ET and more information can be found here. 

More about Kathy:

Kathy Vines has been a solopreneur times two since 2013.

She is a Certified Professional Organizer and the owner of Clever Girl Organizing, based in Melrose, MA. She works with people to help untangle their relationship to stuff and create the systems to conquer the chaos around them, and these days, she does it all virtually.

Kathy is also a certified coach (CTACC) and professional resume writer through Kathy Vines Coaching. She helps Gen X and Older Millennials with their career strategy, LinkedIn presence, and resumes as they navigate what comes next for them in their professional life.

She’s been bringing her ideas to audiences from the stage and the zoom screen for years. She is the author of the book, “Clever Girl’s Guide to Living with Less: Break Free from Your Stuff, Even When Your Head and Heart Get in the Way”. She has appeared regularly in Better Homes and Gardens, Real Simple, the Boston Globe and the Washington Post. She even appeared in a segment about fridge organization on “Inside Edition.” That video has been viewed on YouTube over 2.5 million, though she has no idea why.

Kathy loves creating clarity and aha moments for people, whether it is figuring out how they should spend the next 20 years of their career, or the best place to put their keys so they stop losing them, once and for all.

If you'd like to check out Jen's club, you can do so here. 

We also have a brand new program called Speaker Sisterhood Express and registration is open until February 24th! It's an accelerated public speaking training program you can participate in from the comfort of your own couch. New clubs are launching in March and they are limited to 10 women per club. Learn more about Speaker Sisterhood Express and register here.

More about my guest: Jennifer Cummings Hillery is a lawyer, an active volunteer in her community and a published writer.  As an attorney, Jennifer was recognized for her writing skills and oral advocacy. After taking a break from the legal world, Jennifer has found great fulfillment volunteering and serving on the boards of various not-for-profit organizations, political campaigns, and as an elected Town Meeting Member.  She was recently awarded an "Outstanding Service Award" from her Alma mater, Skidmore College.  Her community involvement has solidified her belief that anything is possible when committed, hardworking, thoughtful individuals come together to support a common goal.  She is honored that two of her Speaker Sisterhood club speeches are included in the Speaker Sisterhood compilation book, “Secrets of the Sisterhood: 45 Stories of Love, Truth and Power.”  Jennifer loves spending time with her family – husband, three children, two cats, and a dog – who constantly remind her of the joy that exists in all the little things in life.

I asked Liz to come on the show to share the benefits she's gained through her membership. I think you'll be surprised by some of them! If you've been thinking about checking out Speaker Sisterhood, now is a great time. We have a brand new program launching today called Speaker Sisterhood Express! It's an accelerated public speaking training program you can participate in from the comfort of your own couch. New clubs are launching in March and they are limited to 10 women per club. 

Learn more about Speaker Sisterhood Express and register here.

More about my guest: Liz Nania is the director and founder of OUT to Dance, an award-winning dance studio where adults learn salsa, swing, ballroom, wedding dance, and more; and where both LGBTQ and straight folks are warmly welcomed. Classes and private lessons are offered virtually on Zoom and in-person in Boston. Liz is also a lifelong visual artist. You can find her dance studio at OUTtoDance.com, and her art at LizNania.com.

Learn more about Speaker Sisterhood Express and get on the waiting list here.

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How do you connect the expertise you offer to asking for money as a speaker? What are the three things speakers should be thinking about if they want to make money and get paid to speak in 2022? These are the questions I ask today's guest, Danielle Hayden. Danielle is a reformed corporate CFO and co-owner of Kickstart Accounting, Inc. She is on a mission to help speakers understand their numbers so they can increase their profitability and take home pay. Danielle shares her three best tips for speakers when it comes to making money and your money story. 

We discuss: 

• the importance of knowing how much money you need to make in order to set your rates
• knowing what your money mindset is
• the value of getting comfortable with discomfort

Here are the podcasts and books she mentions:

Danielle's podcast: Entrepreneur Money Stories

Money Magic by Laurence Kotlikoff

The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel

You're a Bad Ass at Making Money by Jen Sincero

Get Danielle's 5 Day Video Bootcamp: 5 days to transform your financial fear to financial clarity

More about Danielle:

After spending 10+ years in the boardroom as a corporate finance officer, Danielle is now in her sweet spot as the owner of Kickstart Accounting, Inc. where she helps business owners with bookkeeping, financial analysis, and education and as the author of the Profit Planner book series. When Danielle isn’t crunching numbers on her clients’ behalf or crafting the next iteration of the Profit Planner, you can find her hanging with her two kids as she inspires them to lead their fullest lives or doing any, and almost every fitness-related activity ranging from Spartan races to pilates.

If you'd like to check out the Inc.com article I covered in today's show, read it here.

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View my new course, Public Speaking for Shy Creatives, and get one free month of Skillshare! Go here.

Want to improve your public speaking skills and check out a Speaker Sisterhood club as a guest? Your first meeting is free and all clubs are meeting online. Find the club that works for you here.

If you'd like to check out my new course, Public Speaking for Shy Creatives, and get one free month of Skillshare, go here.

Want to improve your public speaking skills and check out a Speaker Sisterhood club as a guest? Your first meeting is free and all clubs are meeting online. Find the club that works for you here.

If you'd like to check out my new course, Public Speaking for Shy Creatives, and get one free month of Skillshare, go here.

Want to improve your public speaking skills and check out a Speaker Sisterhood club as a guest? Your first meeting is free and all clubs are meeting online. Find the club that works for you here.

You've likely heard of mindfulness by now, perhaps you have even studied and practiced it. But have you thought about how mindfulness can improve the process of putting together a speech, delivering that speech, and processing the whole experience afterwards? On today's show, I interview Theresa Wiggins, a mindfulness coach, Speaker Sisterhood club leader, and owner of Village Parenting. Theresa kicks off the episode by leading a three minute mindfulness exercise to demonstrate how it works and then we launch right into the benefits, the science behind it, and how to apply it in the various stages of the speech creation and presentation phases. You can learn more about Theresa's work at Village Parenting here or check out her Speaker Sisterhood club as a guest here. 

More about Theresa:

Theresa Wiggins speaks on a variety of topics including parenting, mindfulness, family engagement in education, as well as her own journey with mental health. With over 20 years combined experience in the fields of education and coaching, she integrates her passion for kids, families, and education into Village Parenting. Theresa teaches mindfulness, is a parenting coach, and provides consultation and staff development to schools. Village Parenting seeks to build bridges between home and school in order to improve the education and happiness for the whole child. 

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If you'd like to check out my new course, Public Speaking for Shy Creatives, and get one free month of Skillshare, go here.

Learn more about Judy and get her 3 Steps to Calm an Anxious Brain.

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If you'd like to check out my new course, Public Speaking for Shy Creatives, and get one free month of Skillshare, go here.

Want to improve your public speaking skills and check out a Speaker Sisterhood club as a guest? Your first meeting is free and all clubs are meeting online. Find the club that works for you here.

How many times have you had something you wanted to say, but stopped yourself in fear of being wrong, looking stupid, or being the center of attention? My guest today, Hope Timberlake, is a speaker, trainer and author who focuses on the communication side of leadership. She is here to talk about her new book, Speak Up, Dammit! How to Quiet Your Fears, Polish Your Presence and Share Your Voice and offer you actionable tips for speaking up. We discuss:

• The main reasons people don’t speak up
• Helpful techniques to help with speaking up
• The benefit of pausing while speaking and one technique to help build this skill
• Techniques for using facial expressions to build connection with your audience
• Tips for connecting and looking warm and welcoming in a virtual environment
• The importance of energy, how to infuse passion into your speech, and the role voice modulation plays
• The importance of creating a Speak Up role model or alternate persona
• The Speak Up Structure Tool and how it works for creating a compelling speech

Find Hope's book here

More about my guest:

Hope Timberlake is a speaker, trainer and author who focuses on the communication side of leadership. She is passionate about persuasive messaging, relationship building, executive presence, developing others, and elevating the voices of women and those underrepresented in leadership. Her book, Speak Up, Dammit! How to Quiet Your Fears, Polish Your Presence and Share Your Voice was released in October, 2021.

Hope works with executives and their teams across many industries at companies including AirBnB, Autodesk, Bank of America, BlackRock, Dropbox, Intel, PlayStation, Splunk and many scaling start-ups.

By creating rapport and building trust, Hope successfully empowers people to excel as communicators and leaders. Her energy, creativity and results-oriented approach make her keynotes and workshops impactful, engaging and entertaining

Hope earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Duke University and completed a Masters degree at University of California, Berkeley. She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband, teenaged children and dog Mona.

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If you'd like to check out my new course, Public Speaking for Shy Creatives, and get one free month of Skillshare, go here.

Want to improve your public speaking skills and check out a Speaker Sisterhood club as a guest? Your first meeting is free and all clubs are meeting online. Find the club that works for you here.

If you'd like to check out my new course, Public Speaking for Shy Creatives, and get one free month of Skillshare, go here.

Want to improve your public speaking skills and check out a Speaker Sisterhood club as a guest? Your first meeting is free and all clubs are meeting online. Find the club that works for you here.

Today’s show is a reboot of episode 11 which aired in July of 2016! This is possibly my favorite interview of all and I’m excited to bring it back for your listening pleasure. My guest today is Kelly Coffey, a personal trainer who used to weigh over 300 pounds. She is the voice behind the blog at strongcoffey.com where she helps women who struggle with their weight and their choices to get happily grounded in healthier habits. Her work gets down to the root of why we sabotage ourselves and the tools she teaches are just as relevant to women in the speaking business as they are to women who are trying to improve their health.

In this episode, you'll learn how Kelly went from personal trainer to becoming a top speaker and thought leader in the fitness field, why we sabotage ourselves, important signs to pay attention to if you are sabotaging yourself (and what to do next), the mental tricks to attacking self-sabotage, an ideal way to behave if you are afraid to speak on stage, and where to focus your attention once making the decision to move out of self-sabotage.

Check out Kelly's free, life-changing, hour-long online masterclass for women only - Coffey's Four Step System to Lose Weight Without Losing Yourself. Claim your free seat here

Check out my Skillshare class, Public Speaking for Shy Creatives, here

Have you ever thought about making an online course? Or, have you made one that didn't turn out so well and you're wanting to take a new approach? On today's episode, I take you behind the scenes of my new Skillshare course, Public Speaking for Shy Creatives: How to be Relaxed and Confident. I talk about the idea phase, creating content, producing the videos, post-production, and the mistakes I made along the way. If you've been thinking about creating an online course but don't know where to start, this episode will give you tips to get you moving. 

If you'd like to check out my new course and get one free month of Skillshare, go here. 

Here's more information about my course:

I’ll cover four strategies to help you feel and look more confident, relaxed, and prepared on camera, on screen, and on stage. If you’re interested in building a creative business, freelancing, becoming a speaker, being interviewed on podcasts, or showing up more on social media, you will love this class. You’ll complete a class project that will teach you how to build your own pre-speech ritual so you are in the best mindset and have the most engaging content to present every time.

Key takeaways include:

• How to go from dreading public speaking to creating a mindset of connection and service
• The three key questions you need to ask yourself to build an engaging, powerful presentation every time
• How to show up with magnetic energy so your audience is excited to hear from you
• How to use your notes effectively
• Practice tips to help you set yourself up for success every time

Check it out! 

My guest today is Joel Schwartzberg. You may remember him from one of our most popular episodes, How to Make a Point That Sticks. Joel is a leadership communications