But event organizers are receiving more speaker submissions than ever. Being one more qualified person in the pile isn’t enough. 

You need parts of your talk that people can remember, describe, and refer.

I call these Signature Stage Segments: intentionally crafted moments that bring together storytelling, humor, audience interaction, props or costumes, and quotable lines.

They make the talk more engaging for the audience and give you the kind of video that actually shows an event organizer what you can do on stage.

In this episode, I share examples from our clients and our own talks. 

You’ll hear how a lion at a watering hole, a round of “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star,” a game show, a medical mask, and a pair of human-versus-AI paddles all became memorable stage moments.

And we’ll talk about the part many speakers still hold back.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• What a Signature Stage Segment is and why it helps you get booked and referred
• The five elements that make stage moments memorable
• How to use our I.D.E.A.L. Storytelling Ingredients to turn something that happened into an actual story
• How simple props can make an abstract idea visible
• Why quotable lines belong in both your talk and your speaker reel
• The thing many speakers are afraid to bring to the stage and why it matters

About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com. 

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/489/ 

Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/

Enroll in our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/ 

Attend our in-person speaking retreat in Orlando: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/live/ 

Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox

Related Podcast Episodes:

• Episode 488: They Took the Stage at Our Speaking Retreat. What Happened Next?
• Episode 462: Speaking Strategies That Create Lasting Impact: Live Signature Talks from TLA Grads
• Episode 422: How to Create a 10-Out-of-10 Keynote that Leaves Your Audience in Awe with Julia Korn [Client Case Study]
• Episode 345: Elevate Your Audience Engagement Skills with These Proven Strategies with Katie Anderson [Client Case Study]
• Episode 467: Making the Shift from Performer to Keynote Speaker with Andy Nunn

Join us for our three-day speaking retreat, happening in February 2027, in Downtown Orlando, Florida.

You'll create and refine high-impact Signature Stage Segments - the kind that set you apart as a speaker; practice onstage multiple times with our expert coaching and feedback; and professionally film your dynamic segments in front of a warm, supportive audience so you have edited video and a speaker reel to show event organizers what you can do.

Our retreat is limited to 12 women, so get all the details and request your place at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/live/.

Early bird pricing is on for a limited time.

We could tell you what happens at one of our in-person speaking retreats and workshops. 

Instead, our lead speaking coach Diane Diaz sits down with three women who experienced it: scientist and registered dietitian Dr. Karen Corbin, physician and health equity consultant Dr. Nicole Rochester, and emotional freedom and forgiveness coach Brenda Reiss. 

They talk candidly about having to practice without their notes, watching themselves on video, learning to use stories and props, and getting immediate feedback from a room full of women who wanted them to succeed.

What I love most about this conversation is what happened next. 

Nicole changed how she delivers talks and brought a much more personal story to a medical conference. 

Brenda learned to trust herself and let more of the real person behind her expertise come through. 

Karen became even more committed to helping scientists use story and personality to become trusted voices. 

Their experiences are different, but the thread is the same: when you stop trying to get every word right, you create more room for the audience to connect with you.

You can watch the video at https://www.youtube.com/live/rmXYSCCoz-A.

About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com. 

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/488/ 

Watch the video at https://www.youtube.com/live/rmXYSCCoz-A

Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/

Learn about our in-person speaking retreat: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/live/ 

Learn about our online Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/ 

Connect on LinkedIn:

• Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox
• Diane Diaz = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianediaz
• Nicole Rochester = https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-rochester-md/ 
• Karen Corbin = https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-corbin-phd-rd-75229111/ 
• Brenda Reiss = https://www.linkedin.com/in/brendareiss/ 

Related Podcast Episodes:

• Episode 411: Reframing Public Speaking: From Elite Skill to Everyday Power with Dr. Karen Corbin
• Episode 329: From Compelled to Take Action to TEDx Speaker with Dr. Nicole Rochester
• Episode 347: The Power of REAL Practice to Transform Yourself as a Speaker
• Episode 385: Leading with Story in Your Talks [Roundtable]

Join us for our three-day speaking retreat, happening in February 2027, in Downtown Orlando, Florida.

You'll create and refine high-impact Signature Stage Segments - the kind that set you apart as a speaker; practice onstage multiple times with our expert coaching and feedback; and professionally film your dynamic segments in front of a warm, supportive audience so you have edited video and a speaker reel to show event organizers what you can do.

Our retreat is limited to 12 women, so get all the details and request your place at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/live/.

Early bird pricing is on for a limited time.

Public speaking isn't something you do after you become confident. It's one of the ways confidence is created.

I’m sharing three practical ways to build real speaking confidence: say yes and get the reps, experiment with different formats and time constraints, and use podcasting to strengthen your ability to speak naturally. 

I tell the story of walking into a TV studio for the first time with my heart pounding - and how becoming a regular political analyst years later finally gave me the repetition I needed to trust myself.

And then there's the thing that surprised me most: taking an eight-week improv class. Even after decades of speaking, improv helped me get out of my head, into my body, and more comfortable not knowing exactly what would happen next.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why confidence is created through speaking rather than perfected in private
• What it means to embody your message instead of delivering it only from your head
• Why repetition builds the muscle memory that makes speaking feel more natural
• What my first TV political panel taught me about saying yes before I felt ready
• Why relying on a script can interrupt your connection with the audience
• How PechaKucha, Ignite, DisruptHR, workshops, and keynotes develop different speaking skills
• Why hosting a podcast or becoming a regular podcast guest strengthens impromptu speaking
• What an eight-week improv class taught me about uncertainty and presence
• How speaking confidence can help you claim the identity of “speaker”
• Why women's public voices matter to gender equality

About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com. 

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/487/ 

Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/

Enroll in our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/ 

Learn more about our speaking retreat in Orlando: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/live/

Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox

Related Podcast Episodes:

• Speak with Confidence podcast series
• Episode 379: How to Develop Stage Presence and Build Confidence as a Speaker
• Episode 378: The Power of Women's Voices and Stories to Change the World

Join us for our three-day speaking retreat, happening in February 2027, in Downtown Orlando, Florida.

You'll create and refine high-impact Signature Stage Segments - the kind that set you apart as a speaker; practice onstage multiple times with our expert coaching and feedback; and professionally film your dynamic segments in front of a warm, supportive audience so you have edited video and a speaker reel to show event organizers what you can do.

Our retreat is limited to 12 women, so get all the details and request your place at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/live/.

Early bird pricing is on for a limited time.

In this episode, I’m joined by our coaches Diane Diaz and Erin Mark to talk about how we each use one foundational signature talk across different audiences, industries, and formats.

Erin shares how she adapts her CALM framework for everything from a six-minute-and-40-second PechaKucha talk to a 60-minute keynote. 

Diane explains what to keep, what to change, and why your stories should be the last thing you cut when time is tight.

In this episode, we talk about:

• Why customizing a signature talk is different from creating a new talk from scratch
• The core elements that should stay consistent across speaking engagements
• How Erin adapts her CALM framework for different industries and talk lengths
• How Diane changes stories and audience engagement without losing her central message
• Why listing 10, 15, or 20 speaking topics can make you harder to remember and refer
• How our Brand Voice Canvas connects your mission, expertise, methodology, and experiences
• What Erin did when she was assigned a topic outside her expertise
• How to expand a keynote into a workshop without turning it into a content dump
• How your signature talk can become podcast talking points, website copy, and months of LinkedIn content

About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com. 

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/486/ 

Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/

Enroll in our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/ 

Learn more about our speaking retreat in Orlando: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/live/

Connect on LinkedIn:

• Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox
• Diane Diaz = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianediaz/ 
• Erin Mark = https://www.linkedin.com/in/erinmark/ 

Related Podcast Episodes:

• Episode 288: A Framework for Creating a Signature Talk for Income and Impact
• Episode 462: Speaking Strategies That Create Lasting Impact: Live Signature Talks from TLA Grads with Erin Mark
• Episode 475: From Personal Story to Thought Leadership: A Framework for Speakers with Erin Mark
• Episode 483: How an I.D.E.A., Not a Topic, Makes You Easier to Refer, Pitch, and Book with Carol Cox

Join us for our three-day speaking retreat, happening in February 2027, in Downtown Orlando, Florida.

You'll create and refine high-impact Signature Stage Segments - the kind that set you apart as a speaker; practice onstage multiple times with our expert coaching and feedback; and professionally film your dynamic segments in front of a warm, supportive audience so you have edited video and a speaker reel to show event organizers what you can do.

Our retreat is limited to 12 women, so get all the details and request your place at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/live/.

Early bird pricing is on for a limited time.

My guest, sales strategist Nikki Rausch, has been my go-to coach for sales language, proposals, pricing, consultation calls, and follow-up for years. 

In this conversation, we walk through the entire speaking engagement from the first inquiry to the conversations that happen after your talk. 

Nikki explains how to make yourself easy for an event organizer to hire, plant sales seeds without turning your presentation into a pitch, and recognize when an audience member is giving you a buying signal.

We also chat about why your job as the speaker begins long before your scheduled presentation time. 

In this episode, Nikki and I talk about:

• Why you should answer an event organizer’s question before asking for a call
• How to state your speaker fee clearly and keep the conversation open
• Nikki’s “rapport bank account” and why your presence matters before you reach the stage
• The difference between planting sales seeds and selling from the stage
• How to use client stories and Q&A responses to show people how you help
• What a buying signal sounds like after a presentation
• How to invite someone to buy or schedule a call while her interest is still high

About Our Guest: Nikki Rausch is a sales strategist, speaker, and founder of Sales Maven. With more than 25 years of sales experience and over a decade as a business owner, she teaches service-based entrepreneurs how to have confident sales conversations that lead to yeses, without feeling pushy or fake. As a Master Certified Practitioner of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), Nikki focuses on the language and communication behind selling. Her approach is rooted in building rapport, recognizing buying signals, and guiding conversations in a way that feels natural for both you and the client. She is the author of three books, including The Selling Staircase, and host of the Sales Maven Podcast, ranked in the top 1% globally. Through her coaching, programs, and speaking, Nikki supports women entrepreneurs in turning sales into a skill they can rely on, so they can grow their business with clarity and confidence.

About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com. 

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/486/

Nikki’s website: https://yoursalesmaven.com/ 

Get Nikki’s free gift Follow-Up Made Easy Guide: https://yoursalesmaven.com/easyfollowup 

Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/

Enroll in our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/ 

Learn more about our speaking retreat in Orlando: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/live/

Connect on LinkedIn:

• Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox
• Nikki Rausch (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikkirausch/ 

Related Podcast Episodes:

• Carol’s episode on Nikki’s Sales Maven podcast: https://yoursalesmaven.com/blog/integrating-both-thought-leadership-and-lead-generation-into-one-talk/
• Episode 133: Authentic Selling at Your Speaking Engagements with Nikki Rausch
• Episode 34: Relationship Selling with Nikki Rausch
• Episode 483: How an I.D.E.A., Not a Topic, Makes You Easier to Refer, Pitch, and Book with Carol Cox

Join us for our three-day speaking retreat, happening in February 2027, in Downtown Orlando, Florida.

You'll create and refine high-impact Signature Stage Segments - the kind that set you apart as a speaker; practice onstage multiple times with our expert coaching and feedback; and professionally film your dynamic segments in front of a warm, supportive audience so you have edited video and a speaker reel to show event organizers what you can do.

Our retreat is limited to 12 women, so get all the details and request your place at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/live/.

Early bird pricing is on for a limited time.

My guest, Mary E. Maloney, sees it differently. 

Executive presence matters most when you’re in the middle of a high-stakes identity shift, such as after a promotion, a career change, the sale of a business, a retirement, or an unexpected ending. 

Mary calls that in-between space the Keystone Gap: your old identity no longer fits, but the new one hasn’t fully locked into place.

In this conversation, Mary explains why the real issue in that gap usually isn’t a lack of confidence. It’s a lack of clarity. 

Mary shares her Five C’s of Identity Shift, the year she struggled to explain who she was without her CEO title, and the boss who pushed her onto a stage before she believed she was ready.

In this episode, Mary and I talk about:

• What executive presence means during a high-stakes transition
• Why identity is the hidden architecture beneath career and leadership changes
• The Keystone Gap between releasing an old identity and building a new one
• Why rushing through an identity shift can make the transition harder
• Mary’s Five C’s of Identity Shift
• The difference between needing more confidence and needing more clarity
• How purpose, impact, and your standards for showing up strengthen executive presence
• What Mary learned after selling her company and taking a year away
• How a reluctant first speech changed the trajectory of her career
• Why authentic stories and knowing your audience matter on stage

About Our Guest: Mary E. Maloney, FACHE, is a former CEO/CMO turned Master Facilitator who guides senior leaders through high-stakes transitions, helping them clarify and articulate the identity, purpose, and value that will define their next act. Through her signature two-call Brand Declaration® process, she helps leaders sift through decades of experience to name the recurring themes of their value in minutes rather than months. She works with C-suite executives, physician leaders, military officers, founders, and board-level talent through online courses, mastermind cohorts, and 1:1 inplacement/outplacement executive advisory work, and facilitates leadership and strategy retreats for enterprise teams navigating complex change.

About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com. 

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/484/ 

Mary’s website: https://revealinggenius.com/ 

Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/

Enroll in our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/ 

Connect on LinkedIn:

• Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox
• Mary E. Maloney (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/maryemaloney123/ 

Related Podcast Episodes:

• Episode 483: How an I.D.E.A., Not a Topic, Makes You Easier to Refer, Pitch, and Book
• Episode 288: A Framework for Creating a Signature Talk for Income and Impact
• Speak with Confidence series

Join us for our three-day speaking retreat, happening in February 2027, in Downtown Orlando, Florida.

You'll create and refine high-impact Signature Stage Segments - the kind that set you apart as a speaker; practice onstage multiple times with our expert coaching and feedback; and professionally film your dynamic segments in front of a warm, supportive audience so you have edited video and a speaker reel to show event organizers what you can do.

Our retreat is limited to 12 women, so get all the details and request your place at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/live/.

Early bird pricing is on for a limited time.

I understand the temptation to include everything. 

When you’ve had a long career, narrowing your message can feel like leaving out valuable parts of your experience. 

But if the person you’re talking with can’t explain what you speak about after the conversation is over, she can’t refer you. And that means you’re less likely to get booked.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• The difference between a broad subject, a presentation topic, and a distinctive idea
• Why your speaking topic is also a positioning decision
• The one-sentence referral test every speaker should try
• How broad positioning costs you opportunities you may never know you lost
• Three questions that can uncover the point of view inside your experience
• How to test your message with my I.D.E.A. Framework
• What event organizers need to understand before they can picture you in the room
• A practical sentence prompt for clarifying your audience, claim, and outcome

About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com. 

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/483/ 

Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/

Enroll in our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/ 

Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox

Related Podcast Episodes:

• Episodes 478-481: Expert Trap Series
• Episode 468: What TEDx Organizers Look for When Selecting Speakers

Join us for our three-day speaking retreat, happening in February 2027, in Downtown Orlando, Florida.

You'll create and refine high-impact Signature Stage Segments - the kind that set you apart as a speaker; practice onstage multiple times with our expert coaching and feedback; and professionally film your dynamic segments in front of a warm, supportive audience so you have edited video and a speaker reel to show event organizers what you can do.

Our retreat is limited to 12 women, so get all the details and request your place at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/live/.

Early bird pricing is on for a limited time.

In this episode, I’m joined by our lead speaking coach, Diane Diaz, to explore why curiosity is essential for developing a compelling thought leadership message and signature talk, especially in an age when AI can quickly produce polished but often predictable content.

Diane shares a powerful analogy about browsing library stacks: You may begin by looking for one book, only to discover an unexpected idea on the shelf beside it. That kind of exploration and serendipity is often where your most original insights come from.

We also talk about why being too close to your expertise can make it difficult to recognize what is most interesting about your ideas and experiences - and why the right questions from another human can uncover connections and stories you would never find through a fill-in-the-blank formula.

Diane and I discuss:

• How relying too heavily on AI can weaken our curiosity
• Why constraints can help you create a stronger talk more quickly
• The questions that uncover your most compelling ideas and stories
• Why your curiosity about your audience matters as much as your expertise
• How curiosity contributes to originality, personal connection, and even humor

Your audience doesn’t need more information. They want a reason to become curious about your idea and about you.

About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com. 

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/482/ 

Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/

Enroll in our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/ 

Connect on LinkedIn:

• Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox
• Diane Diaz = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianediaz/ 

Related Podcast Episodes:

• Episode 481: Expertise Alone Doesn’t Get You Booked as a Speaker - Here's What Does
• Episode 479: 3 Ways AI Can Hurt Your Public Speaking, and 3 Ways It Can Help

Join us for our three-day speaking retreat, happening in February 2027, in Downtown Orlando, Florida.

You'll create and refine high-impact Signature Stage Segments - the kind that set you apart as a speaker; practice onstage multiple times with our expert coaching and feedback; and professionally film your dynamic segments in front of a warm, supportive audience so you have edited video and a speaker reel to show event organizers what you can do.

Our retreat is limited to 12 women, so get all the details and request your place at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/live/.

Early bird pricing is on for a limited time.

In this fourth and final episode of my Expert Trap series, I’m looking at three things you may be saying yes to (more content, neutrality, and the wrong room) and the identity questions underneath each one. I’ve done all three, and I still have to watch for them in my own presentations.

You’ll hear why your audience doesn’t need everything you know, how a clear point of view helps your ideas travel, and how to choose speaking opportunities that make your thought leadership stronger instead of more generic. 

I’ll also give you one practical exercise you can use right away: replacing one proof sentence with one belief sentence.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How too much content can become a way to prove you belong
• Why staying neutral can make your message harder to remember
• How to know when a speaking opportunity is the wrong room
• The identity shift from expert to thought leader
• Why expertise builds trust, but your point of view makes you referable and bookable
• The difference between a proof sentence and a belief sentence

About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com. 

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/481/ 

Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/

Enroll in our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/ 

Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox

Related Podcast Episodes:

• Episodes 478-481: Expert Trap Series
• Episode 463: The Connection Formula of Expertise + Story: Live Signature Talks from Thought Leader Academy Grads
• Episode 458: Same Message, Different Medium: Why Your Talk Isn’t Landing (and How to Fix It)

Join us for our three-day speaking retreat, happening in February 2027, in Downtown Orlando, Florida.

You'll create and refine high-impact Signature Stage Segments - the kind that set you apart as a speaker; practice onstage multiple times with our expert coaching and feedback; and professionally film your dynamic segments in front of a warm, supportive audience so you have edited video and a speaker reel to show event organizers what you can do.

Our retreat is limited to 12 women, so get all the details and request your place at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/live/.

Early bird pricing is on for a limited time.

My guest is Corrin McCloskey, a healthcare executive, speaker, writer, and facilitator who has made the leap from being a fabulous facilitator into a true thought leader. 

Corrin joined us in Thought Leader Academy in January 2025, and in the year and a half since then, she has spoken at multiple national conferences, published writing in her field, and continued building momentum around her message: healthcare needs more human-centered, connected, and courageous leadership.

This conversation is part of our Expert Trap series because Corrin’s story is such a powerful example of what happens when you move beyond simply teaching helpful content and start naming what’s missing in the conversation.

We talk about:

• How Corrin shifted from facilitating strategic planning and leadership workshops to speaking on bigger stages
• Why thought leadership is less about having all the answers and more about sharing a clear perspective
• The role of writing in expanding your ideas beyond a single talk
• How to keep putting your work out there, even when it doesn’t feel perfect
• What Corrin learned from both deeply affirming audience feedback and a painful experience of harassment after a speaking engagement
• Why having a support system matters when you’re using your voice more publicly

What I love about Corrin’s journey is that she didn’t abandon facilitation. She built on it. She took the skills she already had, added her lived experience and perspective, and stepped into a bigger conversation.

That’s the real invitation of thought leadership: to stop hiding behind expertise alone and start using your voice for the change you want to see.

About Our Guest: Corrin McCloskey is a healthcare executive, executive coach, and national speaker focused on leadership, culture, and change management in healthcare. She serves as Vice President of Heart & Vascular and Oncology Services at Tanner Health, where she leads strategy, growth, and service line development. Passionate about helping leaders build trust and navigate complexity, Corrin frequently speaks on physician leadership, organizational culture, and leading change in healthcare. Over the past year, she has expanded her national speaking presence and contributed thought leadership focused on creating healthier, more sustainable healthcare systems.

About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com. 

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/480/ 

Corrin’s website: https://corrinmccloskey.com/ 

Watch Corrin deliver her signature talk on our live show: https://www.youtube.com/live/rhDAdGR44-g?si=MulG_sPQ0-MmpLK4 

Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/

Enroll in our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/ 

Connect on LinkedIn:

• Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox
• Corrin McCloskey (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/corrinmccloskey/ 

Related Podcast Episodes:

• Episode 478: The Expert Trap: Why Great Speakers Don't Become Thought Leaders
• Episode 391: Claiming Your Identity as a Speaker and Thought Leader

Join us for our three-day speaking retreat, happening in February 2027, in Downtown Orlando, Florida.

You'll create and refine high-impact Signature Stage Segments - the kind that set you apart as a speaker; practice onstage multiple times with our expert coaching and feedback; and professionally film your dynamic segments in front of a warm, supportive audience so you have edited video and a speaker reel to show event organizers what you can do.

Our retreat is limited to 12 women, so get all the details and request your place at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/live/.

Early bird pricing is on for a limited time.

In this episode, I’m sharing three things to be careful about when using AI for your talks, from my own recent experiences with clients, including why it can miss the deeper signal in your message, strip away your natural personality, and leave you with endless unfinished ideas that never become anything concrete.

I also share three smart ways I do recommend using AI: creating stronger slide graphics, brainstorming audience activities for workshops, and analyzing call-for-speakers pages so you can find a stronger pitch angle.

My goal isn’t to talk you out of using AI. It’s to help you use it in a way that supports your voice, your ideas, and your real thought leadership instead of replacing the very things that make you compelling.

You'll learn:

• Why AI can keep you stuck in the Expert Trap
• The difference between AI “polish” and your real voice
• Why your personality matters so much in a talk
• How too many AI-generated ideas can create more unfinished projects
• Three ways I recommend using AI for presentations
• Why I no longer recommend using AI to draft TEDx or speaker submissions
• How to make your human credibility markers stand out in your speaking proposals

About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com. 

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/479/ 

Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/

Enroll in our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/ 

Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox

Related Podcast Episodes:

• Episode 468: What TEDx Organizers Look for When Selecting Speakers
• Episode 478: The Expert Trap: Why Great Speakers Don't Become Thought Leaders
• Episode 477: What AI Couldn't Do: Finding the Perfect Name for My Book
• Episode 432: AI Is Already Impacting Your Business – Here are 4 Innovative Ways to Leverage It
• Episode 433: Behind the Scenes of My AI-Powered Business: Real-World Use Cases

Join us for our three-day speaking retreat, happening in February 2027, in Downtown Orlando, Florida.

You'll create and refine high-impact Signature Stage Segments - the kind that set you apart as a speaker; practice onstage multiple times with our expert coaching and feedback; and professionally film your dynamic segments in front of a warm, supportive audience so you have edited video and a speaker reel to show event organizers what you can do.

Our retreat is limited to 12 women, so get all the details and request your place at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/live/.

Early bird pricing is on for a limited time.

The audience took notes. They told you how valuable your presentation was. But you didn't get the next speaking invitation, new clients, or bigger opportunities.

In this episode, I explain what I call the Expert Trap: the place where expertise becomes the very thing holding you back from becoming a thought leader.

I share the three signs that you may be stuck in the Expert Trap, why helpful talks aren't always memorable, and what separates speakers who simply educate from those whose ideas truly travel.

If you've been wondering why your speaking isn't creating the impact you know it's capable of, this episode will help you see your talks through a new lens.

In this episode you'll learn:

• The three signs you're stuck in the Expert Trap
• Why audiences remember perspectives more than information
• How thought leaders help people see themselves differently, not just learn something new
• What your expertise may be costing you without you realizing it

About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com. 

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/478/ 

Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/

Enroll in our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/ 

Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox

Related Podcast Episodes:

• Episode 362: Integrating Thought Leadership and Lead Generation in Your Signature Talk with Danielle Hayden
• Episode 354: Finding and Developing Your Big I.D.E.A.
• Episode 338: Escaping the Expert Trap: From Academic Presenter to Sought-After Speaker with Teri DeLucca, PhD
• Episode 342: I Almost Got Stuck in the Expert Trap: How I Created My Recent Successful Conference Presentation
• Episode 458: Same Message, Different Medium: Why Your Talk Isn’t Landing (and How to Fix It)

Join us for our three-day speaking retreat, happening in February 2027, in Downtown Orlando, Florida.

You'll create and refine high-impact Signature Stage Segments - the kind that set you apart as a speaker; practice onstage multiple times with our expert coaching and feedback; and professionally film your dynamic segments in front of a warm, supportive audience so you have edited video and a speaker reel to show event organizers what you can do.

Our retreat is limited to 12 women, so get all the details and request your place at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/live/.

Early bird pricing is on for a limited time.

Why? Because most speakers approach their talks like teachers instead of marketers.

In this episode, Diane Diaz and I share how to create presentations that generate interest, build trust, and lead to clients, without feeling salesy or violating the dreaded "no selling from the stage" rule.

We talk about why audiences don't need more information, what they actually want from your presentation, and how to structure your talks so people understand not only your message, but also why you're the right person to help them.

If you've ever wondered why your speaking engagements aren't translating into business opportunities, this episode will help you rethink how you approach your talks.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Why giving audiences more information often reduces conversions
• The difference between a lead-generation talk and a paid workshop
• How our Signature Talk Canvas® helps speakers create demand without being pushy
• The critical role of Act One in building trust and audience buy-in
• How to plant "sales seeds" naturally through stories and client examples
• Why emotional connection matters more than tactics and tips
• Simple ways to capture leads and book conversations after your presentation
• Real-world examples of talks that generated immediate clients

If you’re ready to work with us on creating or refining your signature talk, head to speakingyourbrand.com/contact/ to schedule a consultation and explore the best way for us to work together.

This episode originally aired as episode 457 on December 29, 2025.

About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com. 

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/457/ 

Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/

Enroll in our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/ 

Attend our 1-day Speaking Accelerator Workshop in Orlando: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/orlando/ 

Connect on LinkedIn:

• Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox
• Diane Diaz = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianediaz/ 

Related Podcast Episodes:

• Episode 456: The Missing Piece of Your Marketing Strategy is a Signature Talk
• Episode 449: Small Shifts That Make a Huge Difference in Your Presentation Impact & Results
• Episode 362: Integrating Thought Leadership and Lead Generation in Your Signature Talk with Danielle Hayden

Join us for our three-day speaking retreat, happening in February 2027, in Downtown Orlando, Florida.

You'll create and refine high-impact Signature Stage Segments - the kind that set you apart as a speaker; practice onstage multiple times with our expert coaching and feedback; and professionally film your dynamic segments in front of a warm, supportive audience so you have edited video and a speaker reel to show event organizers what you can do.

Our retreat is limited to 12 women, so get all the details and request your place at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/live/.

Early bird pricing is on for a limited time.

In this episode, Diane Diaz and I share why speaking is one of the most effective marketing tools available today and why a well-crafted signature talk can become the foundation for your visibility, lead generation, and thought leadership strategy.

We talk about how speaking accelerates the know-like-trust factor in ways that social media and other marketing channels simply can't, why audiences are more engaged when they're experiencing your message live, and how your signature talk can be repurposed into everything from email campaigns and social media content to workshops, podcasts, and courses.

We also explore what makes a true signature talk, how it differs from simply giving presentations, and why clarifying your core message is often the missing piece that ties your entire marketing strategy together.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Why speaking builds trust faster than any other marketing channel
• How Diane generated new clients from a single speaking engagement
• The difference between a presentation and a signature talk
• Why your signature message should guide all of your marketing
• How to identify the real problem your audience needs solved
• Ways to repurpose your talk into content, workshops, and offers
• Why many experts struggle to translate expertise into thought leadership

If you’re ready to build a signature talk that becomes the backbone of your marketing, visibility, and thought leadership, you can learn more about working with us inside the Thought Leader Academy, through a VIP Day, or at one of our in-person Orlando speaking workshops.

This episode originally aired as episode 456 on December 22, 2025.

About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com. 

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/456/ 

Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/

Enroll in our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/ 

Attend our 1-day Speaking Accelerator Workshop in Orlando: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/orlando/ 

Connect on LinkedIn:

• Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox
• Diane Diaz = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianediaz/ 

Related Podcast Episodes:

• Episode 453: Why Your Best Talk is the One You Give Again (and Again)
• Episode 396: Creating a Signature Talk that Attracts Paid Speaking Opportunities

Join us for our three-day speaking retreat, happening in February 2027, in Downtown Orlando, Florida.

You'll create and refine high-impact Signature Stage Segments - the kind that set you apart as a speaker; practice onstage multiple times with our expert coaching and feedback; and professionally film your dynamic segments in front of a warm, supportive audience so you have edited video and a speaker reel to show event organizers what you can do.

Our retreat is limited to 12 women, so get all the details and request your place at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/live/.

Early bird pricing is on for a limited time.

After struggling with the title of my book for years, I turned to brand strategist and naming expert Rebeca Arbona for help. What happened next surprised me: in less than an hour, she found the title that had been hiding in plain sight.

In this conversation, we pull back the curtain on the art and strategy of naming. Rebeca shares why great names aren't created through random brainstorming, the biggest mistakes people make when naming their ideas, and why AI may be helpful for execution but falls short when it comes to original thought leadership.

If you've ever wrestled with naming a book, a keynote, a framework, a program, or your business itself, you'll come away with a new appreciation for the power of finding the right words.

Rebeca and I talk about:

• Why naming is far more strategic than most people realize
• The process Rebeca uses to create names that resonate and endure
• Common naming mistakes that keep people stuck
• Why great names often feel both surprising and obvious at the same time
• How Rebeca helped me finally name my book after five years of trying
• The difference between a name and a descriptor and why both matter
• Why AI struggles to generate truly original thought leadership ideas
• How the right title can clarify the entire structure and direction of a book
• The connection between ideas, thought leadership, and public speaking

About Our Guest: Rebeca Arbona is a brand strategist, strategic namer, and founder of BrandTrue, where she helps organizations uncover and communicate the truths at their core. A lifelong word geek who once read the dictionary for fun, Rebeca found her professional sweet spot in naming, where language, strategy, and creative intuition all collide. Since her first appearance on Speaking Your Brand, Rebeca’s work has expanded to include teaching Branding at the University of Cincinnati, mentoring emerging strategists, supporting mission-driven organizations, and developing a book rooted in resilience, meaning, and hard-won life lessons. Through it all, she remains obsessed with the same essential question: how do we tell the truth in a way people can feel, remember, and act on? Follow Rebeca and BrandTrue on LinkedIn for her insightful, quirky takes on naming, brand strategy, and why the truth matters to brands that want to mean something.

About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com. 

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/477/ 

Rebeca’s website: https://www.brandtrue.com/ 

Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/

Enroll in our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/ 

Connect on LinkedIn:

• Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox
• Rebeca Arbona (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecaarbona/ 

Related Podcast Episodes:

• Episode 179: The Deep Truths You and Your Brand Need to Say with Rebeca Arbona

Join us for our three-day speaking retreat, happening in February 2027, in Downtown Orlando, Florida.

You'll create and refine high-impact Signature Stage Segments - the kind that set you apart as a speaker; practice onstage multiple times with our expert coaching and feedback; and professionally film your dynamic segments in front of a warm, supportive audience so you have edited video and a speaker reel to show event organizers what you can do.

Our retreat is limited to 12 women, so get all the details and request your place at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/live/.

Early bird pricing is on for a limited time.

With so many people submitting speaker applications and using AI to generate proposals, standing out has become harder than ever. But there's one thing AI can't replicate: genuine relationships.

In this episode, Diane Diaz and I talk about why some of the best speaking opportunities, keynote invitations, media appearances, and client referrals come not from cold pitches, but from the trust you've built over time. 

We share stories from our own experiences, examples from Speaking Your Brand clients, and practical ways to build relationships that can lead to speaking engagements and visibility opportunities.

If you've been relying on social media posts, conference applications, or waiting for opportunities to find you, this conversation will give you a different perspective on where your next opportunity may already be waiting.

We talk about:

• Why relationships matter more than ever in today's speaking landscape
• How AI is making speaker applications easier and more competitive
• What event organizers are really looking for when selecting speakers
• Why authenticity and personality help you stand out
• Real examples of clients who turned one speaking engagement into many more opportunities
• The difference between networking and relationship building
• How local organizations, associations, and community groups can open doors
• Practical ways to reconnect with people already in your network
• Why speaking is a long-term strategy that creates opportunities beyond the stage
• Three simple actions you can take this week to build momentum toward your next speaking engagement

Whether you're an aspiring speaker or an experienced professional looking to increase your visibility, this episode will help you think differently about where your next opportunity may come from.

About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com. 

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/476/ 

Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/

Enroll in our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/ 

Attend our 1-day Speaking Accelerator Workshop in Orlando: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/orlando/ 

Connect on LinkedIn:

• Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox
• Diane Diaz = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianediaz/ 

Related Podcast Episodes:

• Episode 422: How to Create a 10-Out-of-10 Keynote that Leaves Your Audience in Awe with Julia Korn
• Episode 396: Creating a Signature Talk that Attracts Paid Speaking Opportunities with Cherlette McCullough
• Booked Without Burnout series

Join us for our three-day speaking retreat, happening in February 2027, in Downtown Orlando, Florida.

You'll create and refine high-impact Signature Stage Segments - the kind that set you apart as a speaker; practice onstage multiple times with our expert coaching and feedback; and professionally film your dynamic segments in front of a warm, supportive audience so you have edited video and a speaker reel to show event organizers what you can do.

Our retreat is limited to 12 women, so get all the details and request your place at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/live/.

Early bird pricing is on for a limited time.

Erin Mark and I explore why storytelling is the bridge between expertise and transformation and why audiences connect far more deeply with emotion, struggle, and humanity than with information alone. 

Erin shares how she took her deeply personal experience living with cystic fibrosis and transformed it into a keynote message about resilience, uncertainty, identity, and moving forward through change.

We also talk about the surprising challenge many women face: not recognizing the power of their own stories because they’ve lived with them for so long.

In this episode, we discuss:

• How to “universalize” your personal story so others see themselves in it
• Why many women struggle to identify their most impactful stories
• Erin’s “Story, Struggle, Solution” framework
• How coaches can help uncover stories and themes you can’t always see yourself
• Why you do not need a dramatic life story to become a compelling speaker
• How storytelling can improve podcast interviews, presentations, and thought leadership
• The importance of becoming the messenger your audience needs at exactly the right moment

We also share details about our new Story Scoping coaching package and our upcoming in-person workshop in Orlando!

About My Guest: At 35, Erin’s life was coming to an end. She had entered end life stage cystic fibrosis: her lungs were failing, she was dying, and time was running out. While most people were training for their next promotion or milestone, she was training to die. And then, at the very last moment, everything changed – a breakthrough medication saved her life. That moment forced Erin into her most important pivot yet: learning how to live again. Her identity had been built around survival. Now, she had to rebuild her purpose, reshape her career, and discover what it meant to truly live. What she discovered is this: pivoting isn’t a one-time act, it’s a repeatable skill. Whether it’s a reorg, a layoff, a leadership shift, or a personal loss, every “before and after” moment is a pivot point and it requires a new kind of leadership. Perfect for corporate teams, associations, and leadership conferences, Erin’s keynotes are more than inspiration. They’re a mindset reset and a tactical playbook for anyone navigating change or facing an uncertain next chapter.

About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com. 

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/475/ 

Erin’s website: https://erinmark.com/ 

Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/

Work with Erin to scope your story: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/work-with-us/story-coaching/ 

Enroll in our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/ 

Attend our 1-day speaking workshop in Orlando: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/orlando/ 

Connect on LinkedIn:

• Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox
• Erin Mark (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/erinmark/ 

Related Podcast Episodes:

• Episode 462: Speaking Strategies That Create Lasting Impact: Live Signature Talks from TLA Grads

Join us for our three-day speaking retreat, happening in February 2027, in Downtown Orlando, Florida.

You'll create and refine high-impact Signature Stage Segments - the kind that set you apart as a speaker; practice onstage multiple times with our expert coaching and feedback; and professionally film your dynamic segments in front of a warm, supportive audience so you have edited video and a speaker reel to show event organizers what you can do.

Our retreat is limited to 12 women, so get all the details and request your place at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/live/.

Early bird pricing is on for a limited time.

Teri shares how she went from feeling intimidated and unsure if she belonged on stage to becoming an in-demand speaker traveling across the country. 

We talk openly about the realities many speakers face but few discuss publicly: speaking for free, undercharging, the gender pay gap in speaking fees, networking with other speakers, and learning to see speaking not as performance — but as service.

We also dive into Teri’s new AI platform, Luma, a human-centered AI “thinking partner” designed to support educators and leaders with communication, stress management, organizational culture, and decision-making. Plus, she shares exciting news about becoming a finalist for a grant funded through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation focused on women and AI innovation.

If you’ve ever wondered:

• How speakers actually get booked
• When to speak for free (and when not to)
• How to raise your speaking fees with confidence
• What event organizers don’t tell speakers
• How AI is changing leadership and work
• Or whether you really have what it takes to speak…

…this conversation is for you.

About Our Guest: Dr. Teri DeLucca is a developmental psychologist and the founder of Impact Early Education, which equips leaders with strategies that improve outcomes for children, teams, and businesses. She holds a dual PhD and previously worked as a research scientist specializing in teacher-child interactions and early intervention in neurocognitive and social-emotional development. Dr. DeLucca has successfully operated schools, reducing staff turnover, strengthening school culture, and driving sustainable growth. In addition to her work in education, she speaks nationally to corporate organizations and women’s groups on personal leadership, communication, resilience, and coaching strategies. She is a published author, award-winning researcher, speaker, and recognized leader in the industry.

About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com. 

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/474/  

Teri’s website: https://impactearlyed.com/ 

Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/

Enroll in our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/ 

Connect on LinkedIn:

• Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox
• Teri DeLucca (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-teri-delucca-46b296200/  

Related Podcast Episodes:

• Episode 338: Escaping the Expert Trap: From Academic Presenter to Sought-After Speaker with Teri DeLucca

Join us for our three-day speaking retreat, happening in February 2027, in Downtown Orlando, Florida.

You'll create and refine high-impact Signature Stage Segments - the kind that set you apart as a speaker; practice onstage multiple times with our expert coaching and feedback; and professionally film your dynamic segments in front of a warm, supportive audience so you have edited video and a speaker reel to show event organizers what you can do.

Our retreat is limited to 12 women, so get all the details and request your place at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/live/.

Early bird pricing is on for a limited time.

I spotted one of our Thought Leader Academy grads Kim Foster on YouTube…with a video that had over 1.5 million views. Naturally, I wanted to know how she did it!

In this episode, Kim and I dig into what it really takes to grow a YouTube channel that drives visibility, trust, and clients.

She shares how consistency, smart content strategy, and paying attention to your audience can completely change the trajectory of your brand.

We also talk about her recent TEDx talk, her upcoming book, and why identity, not willpower, is the real key to transformation.

If you’ve been thinking about YouTube, speaking, or stepping more fully into your thought leadership, this conversation will give you a lot to think about.

About Our Guest: Dr. Kim Foster is an MD-turned–reinvention expert, author, and TEDx speaker who helps people change their lives by changing who they believe themselves to be. After 20 years practicing medicine, Kim left her career to build a global platform teaching the science of identity transformation. Her work blends behavioral psychology, personal development, and wellness, and she develops digital education programs that help people redesign their inner blueprint and build lives that actually reflect the person they’re becoming. Her thriving YouTube channel has grown to more than 250,000 subscribers and her forthcoming book, Redesigning You (June 2026), explores how to shift the beliefs and stories that shape behavior and destiny. Kim’s mission is to empower people to reinvent themselves at any age and step into who they were meant to become.

About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com. 

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/473/  

Kim’s website: https://drkimfoster.com/ 

Kim’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@KimFosterMD 

Kim’s book: https://drkimfoster.com/book 

Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/

Enroll in our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/ 

Connect on LinkedIn:

• Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox
• Kim Foster (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/drkimfoster/ 

Related Podcast Episodes:

• Episode 357: Create Real Change by Shifting Your Identity to Who You Want to Be with Kim Foster

Join us for our three-day speaking retreat, happening in February 2027, in Downtown Orlando, Florida.

You'll create and refine high-impact Signature Stage Segments - the kind that set you apart as a speaker; practice onstage multiple times with our expert coaching and feedback; and professionally film your dynamic segments in front of a warm, supportive audience so you have edited video and a speaker reel to show event organizers what you can do.

Our retreat is limited to 12 women, so get all the details and request your place at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/live/.

Early bird pricing is on for a limited time.

In this audio from our Back Stage with Speaking Your Brand live show, you’ll experience powerful, real-time signature talks from three of our recent Thought Leader Academy grads Kimberly Brock, Susana Alvarez, and Teresa Phillips.

Each blends personal story, practical frameworks, and a clear message that moves beyond inspiration into action.

Hear how each speaker:

• Uses personal turning points to create emotional connection
• Translates their experiences into clear, teachable frameworks
• Balances heart + strategy so the audience feels and learns
• Invites the audience into reflection and real change

If you’re working on your own signature talk or want your message to resonate more deeply, this session will show you what “motivational speaking with substance” actually looks like in practice.

We also have a roundtable discussion about what they’ve learned from being in the Thought Leader Academy and what’s next for them as speakers and thought leaders.

You can watch the video at https://youtube.com/live/dzS1lEkZu-k.

About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com. 

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/472/ 

Watch the video at https://youtube.com/live/dzS1lEkZu-k

Kimberly’s website: https://www.kimberlybrock.com/ 

Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/

Apply for our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/ 

Connect on LinkedIn:

• Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox
• Kimberly Brock = https://www.linkedin.com/in/startwithkimberlybrock/ 
• Susana Alvarez = https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanaalvarezsrprojectmanager/ 
• Teresa Phillips = https://www.linkedin.com/in/teresa-phillips-01249720b/ 

Related Podcast Episodes:

• Episode 355: What a Signature Talk Is and What It Should be Doing for You

Join us for our three-day speaking retreat, happening in February 2027, in Downtown Orlando, Florida.

You'll create and refine high-impact Signature Stage Segments - the kind that set you apart as a speaker; practice onstage multiple times with our expert coaching and feedback; and professionally film your dynamic segments in front of a warm, supportive audience so you have edited video and a speaker reel to show event organizers what you can do.

Our retreat is limited to 12 women, so get all the details and request your place at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/live/.

Early bird pricing is on for a limited time.

It’s not just the story; it’s what you do with it.

In this audio from our Back Stage with Speaking Your Brand live show, you’ll hear powerful 10-minute signature talks from two of our recent Thought Leader Academy grads Heather Beebe and Lauren Yankoff, each transforming personal experience into clear, actionable frameworks.

Hear how they:

• Turn real-life challenges into compelling audience entry points
• Reveal the deeper problem most people are missing
• Introduce simple, memorable frameworks that guide action
• Move from story → insight → transformation

If you’ve ever wondered how to go from “telling your story” to delivering a talk that positions you as a thought leader, this session will show you exactly how it’s done.

We also have a roundtable discussion about what they’ve learned from being in the Thought Leader Academy and what’s next for them as speakers and thought leaders.

You can watch the video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5XgfQgtW5s. 

About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com. 

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/471/ 

Watch the video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5XgfQgtW5s 

Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/

Join our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/ 

Connect on LinkedIn:

• Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox
• Diane Diaz = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianediaz
• Lauren Yankoff = https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-yankoff/ 
• Heather Beebe = https://www.linkedin.com/in/heatherbeebe/ 

Related Podcast Episodes:

• Episode 355: What a Signature Talk Is and What It Should be Doing for You

Join us for our three-day speaking retreat, happening in February 2027, in Downtown Orlando, Florida.

You'll create and refine high-impact Signature Stage Segments - the kind that set you apart as a speaker; practice onstage multiple times with our expert coaching and feedback; and professionally film your dynamic segments in front of a warm, supportive audience so you have edited video and a speaker reel to show event organizers what you can do.

Our retreat is limited to 12 women, so get all the details and request your place at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/live/.

Early bird pricing is on for a limited time.

We share the biggest red flags we’re seeing—from “guaranteed” results to high-pressure sales tactics—and why those shortcuts rarely lead to the outcomes you actually want.

We also break down the truth about paying to get a spot on a TEDx stage (including what the rules actually say), speaker bureaus, and those offers that land in your inbox sounding just a little too polished.

But this isn’t just about what to avoid—it’s about what actually works.

We talk about how to build a speaking platform that’s aligned, sustainable, and profitable—without chasing every opportunity or outsourcing your voice. 

This includes how to think about visibility, why relationships matter more than cold outreach, and how to focus on the quality of speaking engagements instead of just the quantity.

If you’ve been wondering whether you’re “missing something” or if there’s a faster way to grow your speaking, this episode will give you clarity - and probably save you some money too.

Because the real path to becoming a sought-after speaker isn’t a shortcut, it’s a strategy.

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/470/ 

Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/

Our Become Bookable workshop: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/bookable/ 

Enroll in our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/ 

Attend our 1-day Speaking Accelerator Workshop in Orlando: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/orlando/ 

Connect on LinkedIn:

• Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox
• Diane Diaz = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianediaz/ 

Related Podcast Episodes:

• Episode 468: What TEDx Organizers Look for When Selecting Speakers
• Booked Without Burnout series
• Episode 396: Creating a Signature Talk that Attracts Paid Speaking Opportunities

Join us for our three-day speaking retreat, happening in February 2027, in Downtown Orlando, Florida.

You'll create and refine high-impact Signature Stage Segments - the kind that set you apart as a speaker; practice onstage multiple times with our expert coaching and feedback; and professionally film your dynamic segments in front of a warm, supportive audience so you have edited video and a speaker reel to show event organizers what you can do.

Our retreat is limited to 12 women, so get all the details and request your place at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/live/.

Early bird pricing is on for a limited time.

Tammy shares what really went into creating her TEDx talk, the emotional aftermath of sharing such a personal story, and how that one talk didn’t just impact audiences. It transformed her life and business in ways she never expected.

We also dive into why honesty, not perfection, is what truly connects with audiences, how shame shows up in our relationship with money, and why your story might be the exact thing someone else needs to hear.

If you’ve ever felt the pull to share more of your story but hesitated, this conversation will give you a new way to think about what’s possible on the other side of that courage.

Tammy and I talk about:

• What made her TEDx talk resonate with millions and the deeper reason it spread
• The “vulnerability hangover” and why it’s a normal part of sharing your story
• How telling the truth (not impressing people) creates real connection
• Why your past struggles don’t disqualify you - they make you relatable
• The surprising ways speaking can transform you, not just your audience
• What she’s learned about speaking fees and why women need to stop underpricing themselves
• How shame around money impacts individuals, families, and even entire generations
• Why now is the time to share your story and how to know if you’re ready

About My Guest: Tammy Lally is a published author, TED speaker, and Certified Money Coach (CMC). She helps others master their finances by first conquering their emotions around money, then by creating a comprehensive financial plan. She brings decades of experience and endless love to her bulletproof process for money mastery.

About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com. 

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/469/ 

Tammy’s website: https://tammylally.com/

Tammy’s TEDx talk: https://www.ted.com/talks/tammy_lally_let_s_get_honest_about_our_money_problems 

Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/

Work With Speaking Your Brand = https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/work-with-us/coaching/ 

Connect on LinkedIn:

• Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox
• Tammy Lally (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/tammylally/ 

Related Podcast Episodes:

• Episode 468: What TEDx Organizers Look for When Selecting Speakers
• Episode 464: Why Your Story Matters - Even When You Don’t Feel Ready
• Episode 361: How to Land a TEDx Talk
• Episode 337: Sharing Your Story as a Catalyst for Transformation

Join us for our three-day speaking retreat, happening in February 2027, in Downtown Orlando, Florida.

You'll create and refine high-impact Signature Stage Segments - the kind that set you apart as a speaker; practice onstage multiple times with our expert coaching and feedback; and professionally film your dynamic segments in front of a warm, supportive audience so you have edited video and a speaker reel to show event organizers what you can do.

Our retreat is limited to 12 women, so get all the details and request your place at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/live/.

Early bird pricing is on for a limited time.

After being part of the speaker curation and coaching team for TEDxOrlando, I can tell you that there’s a lot that happens behind the scenes that most people never see.

In this episode, I’m joined by experienced TEDx organizers Nick Rogers and Liam Rogers, who have spent the past decade reviewing applications, selecting speakers, and shaping talks that make it onto that iconic red dot.

We take you behind the scenes of what actually happens when your TEDx application is reviewed—what stands out, what falls flat, and what separates the speakers who make it to the red dot from those who don’t.

If TEDx is on your vision board, this conversation will give you a much clearer—and more honest—picture of what it really takes.

We talk about:

• Why originality matters more than expertise (and what that really means)
• The biggest mistakes speakers make in their applications—especially with AI
• How to balance your personal story with a powerful, idea-driven message
• What TEDx organizers are actually listening for in interviews
• The surprising role of coachability and why it can make or break your chances

About My Guests: Nick Rogers and Liam Rogers have been organizing TEDx events for the past ten years, first in the UK and now for TEDxOrlando. Liam is a creative entrepreneur and founder of Story Circle, a storytelling-led company spanning live events, consultancy and original productions, from podcasts to films to video games. Nick is a communicator, strategist and operator with a career that spans politics, crisis management and creative leadership. 

About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com. 

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/468/ 

TEDxOrlando website: https://tedxorlando.live/ 

Nick’s TEDx talk: https://youtu.be/AaKsb9UhZuo?si=nYRcUGT2Vyd3prH1 

Story Circle: https://storycircleconsulting.com/ 

Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/

Work with Speaking Your Brand to develop your TEDx application and signature talk = https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/work-with-us/tedx-coaching/ 

Connect on LinkedIn:

• Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox
• Nick Rogers (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickrogersldn/ 
• Liam Rogers (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/liamrogershq/

Related Podcast Episodes:

• Episode 361: How to Land a TEDx Talk
• Episode 352: 7 Things the Best Speakers Do: My Takeaways from TEDWomen
• Episode 329: From Compelled to Take Action to TEDx Speaker
• Episode 98: Expanding Your Personal Story into a Universal Message

Join us for our three-day speaking retreat, happening in February 2027, in Downtown Orlando, Florida.

You'll create and refine high-impact Signature Stage Segments - the kind that set you apart as a speaker; practice onstage multiple times with our expert coaching and feedback; and professionally film your dynamic segments in front of a warm, supportive audience so you have edited video and a speaker reel to show event organizers what you can do.

Our retreat is limited to 12 women, so get all the details and request your place at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/live/.

Early bird pricing is on for a limited time.

In this episode, Andy and I talk about what it really takes to evolve from entertaining an audience to transforming them.

Because getting laughs, applause, and “that was amazing!” is one thing… but creating a keynote that actually changes how people think and act is a completely different skill.

Andy shares his journey from performing magic and mentalism to working together to build a thought leadership keynote, including what surprised him, what challenged him, and what finally clicked.

We also get into the behind-the-scenes of shaping a talk that’s not just engaging, but structured, clear, and impactful (and yes, still includes some mind-blowing moments).

If you’ve ever wondered how to go from being “good on stage” to being truly bookable as a keynote speaker, this conversation will give you a whole new perspective.

Andy and I talk about:

• Why being entertaining isn’t enough—and what audiences actually need from a keynote
• The biggest mindset shift from performer to thought leader
• How to turn audience engagement into meaningful transformation
• What it takes to structure a keynote that works at 30, 45, or 60 minutes
• The role of storytelling and personal experience in building a powerful talk 

About My Guest: Andrew (Andy) Nunn is a sought-after speaker for leading organisations including Google, Amazon, SAP, Sony, and Ralph Lauren, where he delivers interactive keynotes that spark self-awareness, connection, and change. Andy’s reputation as a speaker grew from his acclaimed TEDx talk, “Seeing Is Believing,” which explored how perception shapes trust, decisions, and performance. His sessions aren’t lectures. They’re immersive experiences where audiences don’t just learn about mindset and bias, they feel them in real time. A professional mentalist with over 20 years on stage, Andy has performed and spoken for thousands across Australia and internationally. His talks fuse science with storytelling to reveal how tiny shifts in perception can create massive results in leadership, communication, and culture.

About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com. 

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/467/ 

Andy’s website: https://www.andrewnunn.com/

Andy’s TEDx talk: https://youtu.be/BZWzcuIkD0c?si=KXqJEGD6wvaXbgvJ 

Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/

Work with us to develop your keynote talk = https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/work-with-us/coaching/ 

Connect on LinkedIn:

• Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox
• Andy Nunn (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/andythementalist/ 

Related Podcast Episodes:

• Episode 422: How to Create a 10-Out-of-10 Keynote that Leaves Your Audience in Awe with Julia Korn
• Episode 361: How to Land a TEDx Talk with Carol Cox
• Speak with Confidence series

Join us for our three-day speaking retreat, happening in February 2027, in Downtown Orlando, Florida.

You'll create and refine high-impact Signature Stage Segments - the kind that set you apart as a speaker; practice onstage multiple times with our expert coaching and feedback; and professionally film your dynamic segments in front of a warm, supportive audience so you have edited video and a speaker reel to show event organizers what you can do.

Our retreat is limited to 12 women, so get all the details and request your place at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/live/.

Early bird pricing is on for a limited time.

In this episode, I’m joined by one of my clients, Wendy Romeu, founder and CEO of Alluvionic, to talk about what happened when her business was suddenly put to the ultimate test.

But this isn’t just a conversation about leadership; it’s about story.

Wendy shares how she took a deeply personal and emotional experience and turned it into a powerful talk that resonates with audiences.

We unpack how to know when you’re ready to share a story, how much detail to include, and why the specifics—not just the summary—are what create real connection.

We also talk about the internal shifts required to step into your voice: trusting that your story matters, allowing yourself to be seen, and delivering your message in a way that truly moves people.

If you’ve been holding back from sharing a personal story—or wondering how to turn your experiences into thought leadership—this episode will show you what’s possible.

Wendy and I talk about:

• How to know when you’re ready to share a personal story on stage or in your content
• Why the details of your story—not just the headline—are what create connection and impact
• How to turn a real-life experience into a compelling, structured talk
• What it takes emotionally to share vulnerable stories with an audience
• How storytelling transforms your message from information into true thought leadership

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/466/ 

Wendy’s company’s website: https://alluvionic.com/ 

Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/

Work With Speaking Your Brand = https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/work-with-us/coaching/ 

Connect on LinkedIn:

• Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox
• Wendy Romeu (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendyromeu/ 

Related Podcast Episodes:

• Episode 464: Why Your Story Matters - Even When You Don’t Feel Ready with Tiffany Hawk
• Episode 337: Sharing Your Story as a Catalyst for Transformation with Karen Keene

Join us for our three-day speaking retreat, happening in February 2027, in Downtown Orlando, Florida.

You'll create and refine high-impact Signature Stage Segments - the kind that set you apart as a speaker; practice onstage multiple times with our expert coaching and feedback; and professionally film your dynamic segments in front of a warm, supportive audience so you have edited video and a speaker reel to show event organizers what you can do.

Our retreat is limited to 12 women, so get all the details and request your place at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/live/.

Early bird pricing is on for a limited time.

That it’s not about having all the answers, but being willing to tell others that you don’t have all the answers?

My guest is Judith Smelser, President and GM of Central Florida Public Media, and she shares her journey from journalist to leading a major public media organization and what she’s learned about using her voice along the way.

We explore why local journalism matters more than ever, how the stories we tell shape our communities, and the responsibility of amplifying voices that often go unheard.

But what I especially loved about this conversation is Judith’s perspective on authenticity over perfectionism—and how letting go of needing to have all the answers has made her a stronger, more effective leader.

We also talk about imposter syndrome (yes, it still shows up—even at the highest levels) and why the real growth comes from stepping in before you feel 100% ready.

If you’ve ever held yourself back because you thought you needed to be more polished, more certain, or more “ready”—this episode is your reminder that your voice matters now.

Judith and I talk about:

• Why local journalism is a public good
• How stories shape communities and decisions
• Finding your voice as a leader and spokesperson
• Authenticity vs. perfection in speaking
• A real talk on imposter syndrome

About My Guest: Judith Smelser is president and general manager of Central Florida Public Media, previously named WMFE, the only local nonprofit news organization serving the nine-county Central Florida region. She began her journalism career in Washington, D.C., before moving to Central Florida in 2004 to join the newsroom at WMFE. Over nearly eight years, she excelled as an award-winning reporter and later as news director. In 2011, she left for Colorado Public Radio, where she held several newsroom leadership roles. In addition to leading Central Florida Public Media, Smelser serves on the Executive Committee of the Board for Florida Public Media. In recognition of her contributions, Smelser was honored as one of ONYX Magazine’s 2025 Women on the Move, Orlando Magazine’s 2024 Women of the Year and one of the Orlando Business Journal’s 2024 Most Influential Leaders.

About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com. 

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/465/ 

Central Florida Public Media = https://www.cfpublic.org/ 

Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/

Work With Us = https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/work-with-us/coaching/ 

Connect on LinkedIn:

• Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox
• Judith Smelser (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/judithsmelser-cfpm/ 

Related Podcast Episodes:

• Episode 454: Your Voice Can Shape Policy: Communicating Science with Influence and Clarity with Deborah Stine
• Episode 406: Authenticity and Owning Your Story as Women with a Public Voice with Jennifer Adams and Sarah Henry

Join us for our three-day speaking retreat, happening in February 2027, in Downtown Orlando, Florida.

You'll create and refine high-impact Signature Stage Segments - the kind that set you apart as a speaker; practice onstage multiple times with our expert coaching and feedback; and professionally film your dynamic segments in front of a warm, supportive audience so you have edited video and a speaker reel to show event organizers what you can do.

Our retreat is limited to 12 women, so get all the details and request your place at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/live/.

Early bird pricing is on for a limited time.

We explore how many accomplished professionals get stuck in what I call the “expert trap”, relying on expertise and credentials while holding back the personal stories that actually create connection.

Tiffany shares insights from her work helping women write meaningful books, along with her own journey of returning to writing after years of self-doubt.

We also talk about the messy reality of creativity, why the first draft is rarely pretty, and how community and accountability can make all the difference when you’re working on a book, talk, or other thought leadership project.

This conversation is especially meaningful during Women’s History Month, as we reflect on the power of women using their voices to tell the stories that shape culture and create change. 

Tiffany and I talk about:

• Why expertise alone doesn’t create connection
• The role of vulnerability in thought leadership
• Why you shouldn’t wait until your ideas feel perfect
• How storytelling helps audiences see themselves in your message
• The creative process behind writing a book

We also share details about our Story to Spotlight writing and speaking retreat in Spain this Fall 2026, where we’ll help women develop their ideas, stories, and thought leadership in a supportive environment. Learn more and apply at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/spain/

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/464/ 

Get the details and apply for our Story to Spotlight Writing & Speaking Retreat in Spain this Fall 2026: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/spain/ 

Tiffany’s website: https://www.tiffanyhawk.com/intensive/ 

Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/

Connect on LinkedIn:

• Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox
• Tiffany Hawk (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/tiffanyhawk/ 

Related Podcast Episodes:

• Episode 407: Building Your Speaking Platform as an Author (Even If You're an Introvert!) with Tiffany Hawk
• Episode 257: Writing a Book Gives Your Ideas Depth and Longevity with Tiffany Hawk
• Episode 461: Storytelling as Resistance: Finding and Using Your Voice with Janice Gassam Asare
• Episode 378: The Power of Women's Voices and Stories to Change the World with Carol Cox

Join us for our three-day speaking retreat, happening in February 2027, in Downtown Orlando, Florida.

You'll create and refine high-impact Signature Stage Segments - the kind that set you apart as a speaker; practice onstage multiple times with our expert coaching and feedback; and professionally film your dynamic segments in front of a warm, supportive audience so you have edited video and a speaker reel to show event organizers what you can do.

Our retreat is limited to 12 women, so get all the details and request your place at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/live/.

Early bird pricing is on for a limited time.

Story is what bridges the space between expert and audience. It humanizes ideas, creates emotional resonance, and allows insight to truly land. When expertise is combined with purposeful storytelling, a talk doesn’t just inform — it connects, influences, and stays with people long after it ends.

This episode is the audio from our Back Stage with Speaking Your Brand live show, where three recent grads of our Thought Leader Academy each delivered a 10-minute version of the signature talk they developed with us, designed to transform expertise into meaningful connection through purposeful storytelling.

As you listen, you’ll learn how powerful talks are built, including:

• How to turn expertise into a compelling narrative
• How to embed your unique perspective and lived experience into your message
• How story creates trust, meaning, and emotional connection
• How to structure ideas so they are clear, memorable, and actionable
• What they learned from the Thought Leader Academy and what’s next for them

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/463/ 

Watch the video at https://youtube.com/live/4s1LX8sGk7s

Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/

Apply for our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/ 

Connect on LinkedIn:

• Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox
• Diane Diaz = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianediaz
• Allison Greco = https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisongreco/ 
• Brittany Sadlouskos = https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittanysadlouskos/ 
• Cam Dunson = https://www.linkedin.com/in/camdunson/ 

Related Podcast Episodes:

• Episode 355: What a Signature Talk Is and What It Should be Doing for You

Join us for our three-day speaking retreat, happening in February 2027, in Downtown Orlando, Florida.

You'll create and refine high-impact Signature Stage Segments - the kind that set you apart as a speaker; practice onstage multiple times with our expert coaching and feedback; and professionally film your dynamic segments in front of a warm, supportive audience so you have edited video and a speaker reel to show event organizers what you can do.

Our retreat is limited to 12 women, so get all the details and request your place at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/live/.

Early bird pricing is on for a limited time.

It’s not more information and it’s not prettier slides (although pretty slides are nice!).

This episode is the audio from our Back Stage with Speaking Your Brand live show, where you’ll experience two powerful examples of what happens when purposeful storytelling meets clear, actionable frameworks - the core of every transformational signature talk.

Erin Mark and Deborah Stine, recent graduates of our Thought Leader Academy, each delivered a 10-minute version of the keynote signature talks they created during their VIP Day with us and refined throughout the program. 

You’ll hear:

• Two real signature talks delivered by our Thought Leader Academy graduates
• The difference between informational speaking and transformational speaking, especially important for keynotes
• How your message can position you as a thought leader
• What makes a talk memorable and actionable
• What they learned in the Thought Leader Academy and what’s next for them

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/462/ 

Watch the video at https://youtube.com/live/TKkEHY0rRXw

Erin’s website: https://erinmark.com/ 

Debbie’s website: https://scitechpolicyacademy.com/ 

Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/

Apply for our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/ 

Connect on LinkedIn:

• Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox
• Erin Mark = https://www.linkedin.com/in/erinmark/ 
• Deborah Stine = https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborah-stine/ 

Related Podcast Episodes:

• Episode 355: What a Signature Talk Is and What It Should be Doing for You

Join us for our three-day speaking retreat, happening in February 2027, in Downtown Orlando, Florida.

You'll create and refine high-impact Signature Stage Segments - the kind that set you apart as a speaker; practice onstage multiple times with our expert coaching and feedback; and professionally film your dynamic segments in front of a warm, supportive audience so you have edited video and a speaker reel to show event organizers what you can do.

Our retreat is limited to 12 women, so get all the details and request your place at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/live/.

Early bird pricing is on for a limited time.

I’m thrilled to have Janice Gassam Asare back on the podcast. She's an organizational psychologist, equity consultant, and author of the new book Rise and Resist - and this conversation went places I didn't expect.

What struck me most is how Janice reframes resistance. Not as something dramatic or career-ending, but as the small, daily choices we make: amplifying someone else's idea in a meeting, speaking up when it's uncomfortable, refusing to let an important story quietly disappear. Those aren't small acts. They're how culture actually changes.

We also get into what it takes to develop your voice when you've spent years being rewarded for staying in your lane. If that hits close to home, this episode is for you.

Janice and I talk about:

• Why storytelling is preservation and power, not just communication
• How personal stories build connection that expertise alone never can
• The everyday acts of resistance that shape workplaces and culture more than we realize
• How to find your voice when you were taught not to rock the boat
• What to do when you speak up and face criticism or pushback for it

About My Guest: Janice Z. Gassam Asare, Ph.D. is a Ph.D.-trained organizational psychologist and the founder of BWG Business Solutions, an award-winning consultancy designed to help organizations create cultures built on equity. Dr. Janice provides consultations, facilitates workshops, provides guidance, delivers keynote speeches and “Awareness Talks” to spark important dialogue about equity in the workplace. Dr. Janice has had the opportunity to collaborate with Google, Amazon, Yale University, Nordstrom, H&M, and Paypal/Venmo among many others. Dr. Janice is the author of three best-selling books, including her latest “Rise and Resist: How to Reclaim Workplace Equity and Justice” coming in February 2026. She is a senior contributing writer for Forbes having authored over 500 articles, a Harvard Business Review contributor, a LinkedIn Learning and Udemy Business instructor and EBSCO Learning facilitator. In 2022, Dr. Janice was recognized as a LinkedIn #1 Top Voice in Racial Equity. In 2023 she was recognized by Gusto as one of the 25 Top Workplace Experts to Follow. She is a 2-time TEDx speaker, the host of the Dirty Diversity podcast and an adjunct professor at Columbia University. During her free time, Dr. Janice enjoys volunteering as a job coach for the Coalition for the Homeless.

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/461/ 

Janice’s website: https://www.drjanicegassam.com/ 

Get Janice’s new book “Rise and Resist: How to Reclaim Workplace Equity and Justice”: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/808352/rise-and-resist-by-janice-gassam-asare-phd/ 

Forbes article by Janice: “How Carol Cox Is Helping Women Speakers Get Paid What They Deserve” = https://www.forbes.com/sites/janicegassam/2019/12/01/how-carol-cox-is-helping-women-speakers-get-paid-what-they-deserve/#1f5c3921533f 

Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/

Apply for our Thought Leader Academy = https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/ 

Connect on LinkedIn:

• Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox
• Janice Gassam Asare (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/janicegassamphd/ 

Related Podcast Episodes:

• Episode 156: Visibility Strategies That Get You Noticed with Janice Gassam
• Episode 257: Writing a Book Gives Your Ideas Depth and Longevity with Tiffany Hawk
• Episode 378: The Power of Women's Voices and Stories to Change the World with Carol Cox

Join us for our three-day speaking retreat, happening in February 2027, in Downtown Orlando, Florida.

You'll create and refine high-impact Signature Stage Segments - the kind that set you apart as a speaker; practice onstage multiple times with our expert coaching and feedback; and professionally film your dynamic segments in front of a warm, supportive audience so you have edited video and a speaker reel to show event organizers what you can do.

Our retreat is limited to 12 women, so get all the details and request your place at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/live/.

Early bird pricing is on for a limited time.

My guest is Dr. Laila Marouf, a former academic who spent more than two decades researching and teaching knowledge management before having a powerful realization during the early months of the pandemic: the systems and structures she’d been focused on were designed for stable times, not for the uncertainty and disruption we’re all living through now.

Out of that insight, she developed the concept of knowledge mindfulness - a more human, integrated approach that connects what we know (our “knowing”) with how we show up (our “being”) and the choices we make (our “doing”), all within the real context of our lives and work.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• The difference between traditional knowledge management and knowledge mindfulness
• Why knowledge isn’t something to hoard as an asset, but a living system that needs to be nurtured and shared
• How to navigate the “fog” of uncertainty with small, thoughtful steps instead of searching for one big, perfect answer
• The role of trusted others, wisdom, and unity in a world where AI can outperform us on information and efficiency

We also talk about what this means for your leadership, your business, and your life, especially if you’ve been feeling like you’re on a treadmill, craving more meaning, spaciousness, and alignment in how you work and live.

About My Guest: Dr. Laila Marouf is Founder and Chief Knowledge Officer of Knowledge Mindfulness LLC. , an organization dedicated to evolving leaders' knowledge maturity to achieve holistic success through the use of Knowledge Mindfulness approach and strategy. Dr. Marouf has a PhD in information science with a focus on knowledge management. From there, she has embarked on a long career as a professor, researcher, consultant, and academic leader. In her book “Knowledge Mindfulness: The Interconnections that Help Leaders Transform Their Business and Life,” Dr. Marouf presents a transformative new approach to knowledge management for both individuals and organizations. Applying cutting-edge research from the worlds of business, economics, psychology, neuroscience, and the social sciences, she reveals more holistic, effective, and humane ways of harnessing knowledge to build trusting relationships and drive positive and responsible impact. 

About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com. 

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/460/ 

Laila’s website: https://knowledgemindfulness.com/ 

Laila’s book “Knowledge Mindfulness: The Interconnections That Help Leaders Transform Their Business and Life”: https://www.amazon.com/Knowledge-Mindfulness-Interconnections-Transform-Business-ebook/dp/B0CFGBWZ75/ 

Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/

Apply for our Thought Leader Academy = https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/ 

Connect on LinkedIn:

• Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox
• Dr. Laila Marouf (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/laila-marouf/ 

Related Podcast Episodes:

• Episode 458: Same Message, Different Medium, Different Strategy
• Episode 392: Why I No Longer "Teach from the Stage"
• Episode 382: 3 Signs You're Stuck in the Expert Trap with Your Public Speaking

Join us for our three-day speaking retreat, happening in February 2027, in Downtown Orlando, Florida.

You'll create and refine high-impact Signature Stage Segments - the kind that set you apart as a speaker; practice onstage multiple times with our expert coaching and feedback; and professionally film your dynamic segments in front of a warm, supportive audience so you have edited video and a speaker reel to show event organizers what you can do.

Our retreat is limited to 12 women, so get all the details and request your place at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/live/.

Early bird pricing is on for a limited time.

In this episode, I sit down with Thought Leader Academy graduate Melania Murphy to talk about her powerful journey from spark to spotlight. 

Over the past couple of years, I’ve watched Melania take a deeply personal idea and transform it into a compelling signature talk—and now, a published book. If you’ve ever dreamed of sharing your message on a bigger stage or turning your ideas into a book, this conversation will show you what’s possible.

Melania’s new book, Bound by Love, Not Tradition, explores married name choices and how women can make intentional decisions that reflect their identity, values, and partnership. But this episode isn’t just about names—it’s about voice, courage, and claiming your message.

We talk about why so many people stay stuck in the idea phase, how Melania found the confidence to speak without hiding behind slides, and how her signature talk became the blueprint for her book. You’ll hear how storytelling, structure, and clarity helped her move from logic-heavy content to a message that truly resonates with audiences.

We also dive into the realities of publishing—what it takes to bring a book to life, how platform-building matters, and why promotion starts long before launch day.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How to move from idea → signature talk → book
• Why your message becomes clearer when you speak it out loud
• How storytelling builds confidence and audience connection
• The role your signature talk can play in shaping your thought leadership
• What really happens behind the scenes of publishing and promoting a book

If you’ve been sitting on an idea—maybe for months or even years—consider this your nudge. Your message doesn’t have to stay in your head. It can become your talk, your platform, and maybe even your book.

About My Guest: Melania Murphy is a writer, speaker, and author of "Bound by Love, Not Tradition: Empowering Women Through Married Name Choices." With a degree in applied behavioral science, she enjoys blending storytelling with research to explore identity, relationships, and the traditions that shape our choices. She's been a journalist for over 20 years and is a frequent guest on podcasts discussing the deeply personal and culturally complex issue of married name choices.

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/459/

Get Melania’s book "Bound by Love, Not Tradition: Empowering Women Through Married Name Choices”: https://www.amazon.com/Bound-Love-Not-Tradition-Empowering/dp/0960132309/ 

Melania’s website: https://www.melaniajoy.com/ 

Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/

Enroll in our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/ 

Attend our 1-day in-person Speaking Accelerator workshop in Orlando: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/orlando/ 

Connect on LinkedIn:

• Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox
• Melania Murphy (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/melania-joy-murphy-28504263/ 

Related Podcast Episodes:

• Episode 458: Same Message, Different Medium, Different Strategy with Carol Cox
• Episode 407: Building Your Speaking Platform as an Author (Even If You're an Introvert!) with Tiffany Hawk

Join us for our three-day speaking retreat, happening in February 2027, in Downtown Orlando, Florida.

You'll create and refine high-impact Signature Stage Segments - the kind that set you apart as a speaker; practice onstage multiple times with our expert coaching and feedback; and professionally film your dynamic segments in front of a warm, supportive audience so you have edited video and a speaker reel to show event organizers what you can do.

Our retreat is limited to 12 women, so get all the details and request your place at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/live/.

Early bird pricing is on for a limited time.

And then they wonder why:
 • the audience looks overwhelmed
 • the energy drops
 • no one remembers their message
 • leads don’t convert

Here’s the mindset shift that changes everything: Same message. Different medium. Different strategy.

When your message doesn’t match the format, your talk can feel confusing, overwhelming, and forgettable — no matter how good your content is. But when your message fits the medium, your impact multiplies.

In this episode, I share:

• The reasons you want to cram more content into your presentations
• How each format — lead generation presentation, keynote, workshop, course, coaching, and book — plays a distinct role
• Why books are uniquely powerful for depth, nuance, and authority (and how this ties into my upcoming author interviews)
• How to escape the expert trap and step into thought leadership

If you’re building talks, presentations, workshops, courses, or a book, this episode will completely change how you think about your content ecosystem.

Ready to build a signature talk that gets you the results you want? Learn more about working with us inside the Thought Leader Academy or through a stand-alone VIP Day.

Links:

Show notes and Message-Medium visual image at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/458/  

Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/

Enroll in our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/ 

Attend our 1-day Speaking Accelerator Workshop in Orlando: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/orlando/ 

Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox

Related Podcast Episodes:

• Podcast Series: The Medium is the Message
• Episode 422: How to Create a 10-Out-of-10 Keynote that Leaves Your Audience in Awe with Julia Korn
• Episode 362: Integrating Thought Leadership and Lead Generation in Your Signature Talk with Danielle Hayden
• Episode 257: Writing a Book Gives Your Ideas Depth and Longevity with Tiffany Hawk

Join us for our three-day speaking retreat, happening in February 2027, in Downtown Orlando, Florida.

You'll create and refine high-impact Signature Stage Segments - the kind that set you apart as a speaker; practice onstage multiple times with our expert coaching and feedback; and professionally film your dynamic segments in front of a warm, supportive audience so you have edited video and a speaker reel to show event organizers what you can do.

Our retreat is limited to 12 women, so get all the details and request your place at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/live/.

Early bird pricing is on for a limited time.

I see it all the time: brilliant women who have delivered keynotes, led workshops, facilitated panels, taught classes, and spoken on stages — yet still say, “I’m not a speaker.” Sound familiar?

So in this episode, I’m gently (okay, maybe a little lovingly persuasively) challenging you to rethink that hesitation.

We dig into why so many women resist claiming the identity of speaker and thought leader, what’s really happening beneath the surface, and — most importantly — how to start shifting that identity in a way that feels authentic, empowering, and aligned with who you truly are.

I also share something personal: my own struggle with claiming the identity of writer as I work on my book. Yep, even after hundreds of podcast episodes, years of speaking, and decades of communication work, identity shifts can still feel vulnerable. You’re in good company.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why women often resist calling themselves speakers and thought leaders
• How comparison and perfectionism quietly keep us stuck
• The surprising psychology behind identity shifts (inspired by Atomic Habits)
• Simple, concrete steps you can take right now to start owning your voice
• Why claiming your identity isn’t about ego — it’s about impact

I also share practical actions you can take today — from small LinkedIn tweaks to mindset shifts — that will help you step into your role as a visible leader with more confidence and ease.

And because I love a powerful real-world example, I read a moving testimonial from one of our retreat clients that beautifully illustrates what happens when women finally own their voice and presence.

If you’ve ever felt like you’re playing small, waiting until you’re “ready,” or hesitating to fully step into your visibility, this episode is your loving nudge forward.

Because the truth is: we need your voice.

This episode originally aired as episode 391 on May 6, 2024.

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/391/ 

Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/

Enroll in our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/ 

Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox

Book mentioned “Atomic Habits”: https://www.amazon.com/Atomic-Habits-Proven-Build-Break-ebook/dp/B07D23CFGR/ 

Related Podcast Episodes:

• Episode 371: What to Include in Your Speaker Video Reel and Speaker Page
• Episode 407: Building Your Speaking Platform as an Author (Even If You're an Introvert!) with Tiffany Hawk
• Episode 257: Writing a Book Gives Your Ideas Depth and Longevity with Tiffany Hawk
• Episode 301: Why We Get Imposter Syndrome and What to Do About It with Melody Wilding

Join us for our three-day speaking retreat, happening in February 2027, in Downtown Orlando, Florida.

You'll create and refine high-impact Signature Stage Segments - the kind that set you apart as a speaker; practice onstage multiple times with our expert coaching and feedback; and professionally film your dynamic segments in front of a warm, supportive audience so you have edited video and a speaker reel to show event organizers what you can do.

Our retreat is limited to 12 women, so get all the details and request your place at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/live/.

Early bird pricing is on for a limited time.

I talk about a common hesitation I see with many women: the feeling that cultivating a personal brand is self-indulgent, unnecessary, or something “other people” do.

But here’s the truth: you already have a personal brand. It’s how others describe you, what they associate with you, and whether they know what truly matters to you.

I share a personal story about how a podcast listener (and later Thought Leader Academy client) connected deeply with my background in history, feminism, and women’s leadership and how that connection happened not by accident, but through intentional thought leadership woven into my brand.

In this episode, I break down:

• The difference between your business, your thought leadership, and your personal brand - and why they’re not the same thing
• Why thought leadership is the why behind your work, not a sales message
• How your personal brand is the embodiment of that thought leadership: you are the messenger
• What to do if your career path feels messy or disconnected (hint: there is a thread)
• Why authenticity, real stories, and lived experience matter even more in the age of AI
• How your signature talk brings your business, thought leadership, and personal brand together in one cohesive message

I also share some early advice I received to downplay parts of my background and why ignoring that advice was one of the best decisions I made.

If you’ve ever wondered whether certain parts of your story “belong” in your brand, this episode will give you a new way to think about it.

If you’re feeling stuck in the expert trap—teaching, informing, and explaining, but not fully connecting, this episode will help you see how your ideas, experiences, and point of view are exactly what make your message memorable and trusted.

Listen in and reflect: What do people know you for right now—and what do you want them to know you for?

Ready to Go Deeper? This is the kind of work we do inside Thought Leader Academy, helping you connect your thought leadership, personal brand, stories, and message into a clear, confident signature talk you can use everywhere.

Learn more and schedule a consultation at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/contact/

This episode originally aired as episode 349 on October 2, 2023.

Join us for our three-day speaking retreat, happening in February 2027, in Downtown Orlando, Florida.

You'll create and refine high-impact Signature Stage Segments - the kind that set you apart as a speaker; practice onstage multiple times with our expert coaching and feedback; and professionally film your dynamic segments in front of a warm, supportive audience so you have edited video and a speaker reel to show event organizers what you can do.

Our retreat is limited to 12 women, so get all the details and request your place at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/live/.

Early bird pricing is on for a limited time.