Speaking Your Brand: Public Speaking Tips and Strategies

Motivational Speaking with Substance: Live Signature Talks from Our Thought Leader Academy Grads

Carol Cox — Mon, 11 May 2026 05:00:00 -0400

What makes a motivational talk actually stick, long after the applause?

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

Turning Real-Life Challenges into Thought Leadership: Live Signature Talks from Our Thought Leader Academy Grads

Carol Cox — Mon, 04 May 2026 05:00:00 -0400

What separates a good talk from a true thought leadership talk?

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.

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

Speaker Scams, Shortcuts, and What Actually Works to Build Your Speaking

Carol Cox — Mon, 27 Apr 2026 05:00:00 -0400

We’re pulling back the curtain on the speaker industry. If you’ve been scrolling lately, you’ve probably seen the promises: guaranteed TEDx talks, booked-out speaking calendars, five-figure fees overnight. It’s tempting. It’s also where a lot of people get burned.

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:

Lessons from a Viral TEDx Speaker: The Talk That Changed Everything with Tammy Lally

Carol Cox — Mon, 20 Apr 2026 05:00:00 -0400

I’m thrilled to have back on the podcast my client Tammy Lally, TEDx speaker, author, and money coach, whose talk has reached millions of people around the world. But what makes her story so powerful isn’t just the visibility; it’s the vulnerability behind it.

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.

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:

What TEDx Organizers Look for in Selecting Speakers with Nick Rogers and Liam Rogers

Carol Cox — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 05:00:00 -0400

TEDx is one of those stages that so many people aspire to.

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:

Making the Shift from Performer to Keynote Speaker with Andy Nunn

Carol Cox — Mon, 06 Apr 2026 05:00:00 -0400

I’ve worked with a lot of speakers over the years, but Andy Nunn brings something truly unique to the stage. He’s a mentalist turned keynote speaker who knows how to captivate an audience.

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.

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:

The Story Only You Can Tell (And Why You Should) with Wendy Romeu

Carol Cox — Mon, 30 Mar 2026 05:00:00 -0400

Resilience isn’t something you build in the moment—it’s something you build long before you need it.

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:

Authenticity Over Perfectionism: Lessons from Public Media Leadership with Judith Smelser

Carol Cox — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 05:00:00 -0400

What if the thing that makes you most effective as a leader and speaker… isn’t perfection, but authenticity?

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.

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:

Why Your Story Matters - Even When You Don’t Feel Ready with Tiffany Hawk

Carol Cox — Mon, 16 Mar 2026 05:00:00 -0400

Today I’m joined by returning guest Tiffany Hawk - author, book coach, and longtime collaborator - to talk about why sharing your story matters, especially when you don’t feel ready.

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:

The Connection Formula of Expertise + Story: Live Signature Talks from Our Thought Leader Academy Grads

Carol Cox — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 05:00:00 -0400

Many accomplished women already have the expertise, experience, and authority their audiences need. The missing piece is rarely more knowledge — it’s connection.

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

Speaking Strategies That Create Lasting Impact: Live Signature Talks from Our Thought Leader Academy Grads

Carol Cox — Mon, 02 Mar 2026 05:00:00 -0500

What’s the difference between a presentation people forget in five minutes… and a talk that quietly reshapes how someone thinks, decides, and acts for months afterward?

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

Storytelling as Resistance: Finding and Using Your Voice with Janice Gassam Asare, PhD

Carol Cox — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 05:00:00 -0500

Your story is not just your story. It's part of a larger narrative about whose voices are heard and whose are erased.

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:

Knowledge Mindfulness for Complex Times with Dr. Laila Marouf

Carol Cox — Mon, 16 Feb 2026 05:00:00 -0500

This episode is a rich and timely conversation about how we relate to what we know in an age of constant change and AI.

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.

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:

How One Idea Became a Signature Talk, Speaking Platform, and Published Book with Melania Murphy

Carol Cox — Mon, 09 Feb 2026 05:00:00 -0500

What does it look like to turn an idea into a message, a message into a signature talk, and a signature talk into a published book?

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:

Same Message, Different Medium, Different Strategy: Make Sure Your Talk Lands Every Time

Carol Cox — Mon, 02 Feb 2026 05:00:00 -0500

One of the most common mistakes I see speakers make is trying to deliver a six-week course or a full-length book in a 45-minute talk.

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

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Imposter Syndrome: Why You Struggle to Claim Your Voice and What to Do About It

Carol Cox — Mon, 26 Jan 2026 05:00:00 -0500

Have you ever hesitated to call yourself a speaker… or a thought leader… even though you know you have something important to say?

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/

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Personal Brand vs. Thought Leadership: What’s the Difference and Why You Need Both

Carol Cox — Mon, 19 Jan 2026 05:00:00 -0500

Your personal brand isn’t optional anymore, even if you wish it were. In this episode, I dig into why your personal brand matters more than ever, especially in a world overflowing with content (and now AI-generated content, too), and how it connects to your thought leadership and your business

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.

Orlando Speaking Workshop: Special Offer for Podcast Listeners

Carol Cox — Fri, 16 Jan 2026 07:26:43 -0500

Hey there, it's Carol, popping in for a minute! I want to make sure you know about our 1-Day Master Your Message & the Stage workshop coming up on February 19th in Downtown Orlando, Florida.

You’ll go from having a rough idea (or no idea at all!) to building your talk using our Signature Talk Canvas® framework - and then practice delivering it with real-time feedback from us.

And here’s the thing = you’ll create a talk that goes beyond tips and facts. I know you know how to create a slide presentation, but to achieve your goals, you need something much more than that. You need to shape a message that persuades, gets buy-in, and leaves a lasting impression.

Your audience doesn’t want to be lectured. They want to feel seen, inspired, and invited into a bigger vision of what’s possible.

That’s exactly what you’ll do at our 1-Day Speaking Accelerator.

We’ll show you how to use storytelling for resonance, how to paint a vision your audience wants to be part of, and how to step into the speaker and leader you’re ready to be.

Can it really be done in a day? We guarantee it! Listen to episode 435 to hear my conversation with 3 of the women who attended our last workshop.

Like them, you'll get:

✅ Your signature talk and framework mapped out—blending thought leadership, storytelling, and lead generation
✅ Personalized coaching to take your delivery from good to captivating
✅ Strategies to reduce nerves and boost your stage presence
✅ A curated speaker kit and workbook
✅ New connections with incredible women
✅ And professional photos of you speaking—perfect for your website and social media

This isn’t just one talk. It’s a message you can use everywhere: On stage, in webinars, interviews, your emails, social posts—even your book or course.

Whether it’s been stuck in your head or sitting in a slide deck, your talk deserves to make the impact it was meant to - and achieve your goals.

If you're ready to make the shift from information to transformation, join us in Orlando on February 19th.

Use the coupon code “Podcast200” to save $200 on your registration, as a thank you for being a podcast listener.

Spots are limited to 12 attendees, so go to speakingyourbrand.com/orlando to register. I’d love to have you there!

The #1 Mistake Speakers Make with Personal Stories (and What to Do Instead)

Carol Cox — Mon, 12 Jan 2026 05:00:00 -0500

Have you ever heard a speaker share a story and have one of these reactions:

#1: Wow, I really feel connected to what this person is saying. I have a new perspective on my own situation.

-OR-

#2: Why is this person telling this story? I don't get how this relates to the rest of their content or why I should care or this feels icky.

You don't want to end up being the speaker where the people in the audience are having the second reaction.

You want your stories to have purpose and meaning and be of service to your audience.

This conversation came directly from questions we hear all the time from women in our Thought Leader Academy:

Is sharing my personal story self-indulgent?
How vulnerable is too vulnerable?
Can storytelling cross the line into manipulation?

The short answer? Yes, it can. And that’s exactly why how you tell your story matters just as much as what you share.

In this episode, Diane Diaz and I dig into:

What makes a story feel authentic vs. forced or manipulative
Why stories should always be in service of the audience, not the speaker
Common storytelling mistakes (TMI, rags-to-riches formulas, shaming language, and oversmoothing the edges)
How vulnerability builds trust - when it’s grounded in reflection and purpose
Why imperfect stories often create the strongest audience connection

We also share real examples—from our own speaking experiences and from Thought Leader Academy clients—of how telling the truth (even when it doesn’t make you look perfect) can be incredibly powerful, freeing, and impactful.

If you want your stories to:

Deepen audience connection
Build credibility instead of skepticism
Support your message instead of distracting from it

…this episode will help you rethink how you use storytelling in your talks, podcasts, and brand messaging.

(This episode originally aired as episode 350 on October 9, 2023.

Links:

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

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:

Want More Speaking Invitations? You Need an I.D.E.A. that Sparks Curiosity

Carol Cox — Mon, 05 Jan 2026 05:00:00 -0500

Today’s episode it’s all about finding and developing your Big Idea for your thought leadership and public speaking.

Ideas are incredibly powerful; they can live on for years, centuries, even millennia. Ideas spark movements for political and social change. Ideas help us as humans understand ourselves, each other, and the world around us.

Your idea doesn’t have to be something people have never heard of before; that’s unlikely as most things have been talked about before - and that’s ok!

As a speaker, you want to have something interesting and unique to talk about, you want to make a positive impact on your audience, and you want to develop your thought leadership.

Perhaps you’re not sure what makes a good idea or which of your ideas is the best one. It all feels a bit messy and muddy.

That’s what I’m going to help you with in this episode! Think of me as your idea whisperer.

You’ll learn:

What a Big Idea is
Why too many speakers get stuck with superficial content
How to identify your I.D.E.A. using this handy acronym I came up with
Examples of Big Ideas from myself, from some of our clients, and from thought leaders you’ll recognize
Specific questions you can ask yourself to get started developing your Big Idea

(This episode originally aired as episode 354 on November 6, 2023.)

Get these questions and a lot more in our 24-page FREE guide and workbook on Developing Your Thought Leadership at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/guide/.

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/thought-leadership-idea-framework/

Get our free Thought Leadership guide and workbook: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/guide/

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: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox

Related Podcast Episodes:

How to Approach Your Talks as a Marketer to Increase Your ROI [Growth Series]

Carol Cox — Mon, 29 Dec 2025 05:00:00 -0500

If you’re giving talks but not seeing leads or clients come from them, this episode will change how you think about speaking.

I’m joined by our lead speaking coach, Diane Diaz, for part two of our series on integrating speaking into your marketing strategy. We’re talking about how to approach your talks as a marketer — without turning them into sales pitches (because no one wants that).

We break down:

Why “teaching everything” actually hurts your results
How skipping the first part of your talk kills audience buy-in
What audiences really want instead of more tips and tactics
How to plant sales seeds naturally (without feeling salesy)
Why emotional connection and storytelling are what drive conversions

I also walk you through our Signature Talk Canvas® framework and why the 3-act structure (Issue → Idea → Inspiration) works so well for lead generation talks and keynotes.

Diane shares a real example of a recent speaking engagement where she signed three clients on the spot, plus practical tactics like using client stories, urgency, and even paper feedback forms to increase follow-up.

If you want your talks to do more than just “go well” — and actually grow your business — this episode is for you.

Listen to Part 1 of this series ("The Missing Piece of Your Marketing Strategy is a Signature Talk") if you haven’t yet — they pair perfectly together.

And 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.

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:

The Missing Piece of Your Marketing Strategy is a Signature Talk [Growth Series]

Carol Cox — Mon, 22 Dec 2025 05:00:00 -0500

If your marketing feels like it’s working harder… but not necessarily working better, you’re not imagining it.

In this episode, I’m joined by our lead speaking coach, Diane Diaz, for part one of a two-part series all about why your signature talk isn’t just “nice to have” - it’s actually the foundation of an effective marketing strategy.

We’re seeing it everywhere: more content, more noise, more competition for attention. And yet, many women entrepreneurs and professionals are still treating their talks as an afterthought — something they dust off when a speaking opportunity pops up.

That’s a missed opportunity. Your signature talk is your marketing.

In our conversation, Diane and I break down why public speaking accelerates the know-like-trust factor faster than almost any other marketing channel — and how a well-designed signature talk can do the heavy lifting for you.

We talk about:

Why speaking creates deeper trust than social media posts, emails, or even podcasts alone
How a single lead-generation talk brought in multiple new clients the same day — without being salesy
The difference between passive marketing (scrolling, consuming) and active engagement (participating, resonating, deciding)
Why audiences are more likely to trust you when they see other people responding to your message (hello, mirror neurons)
What a signature talk really is (hint: it’s not just one rigid presentation you give forever

As you listen, I want you to start thinking about:

What problem do you really solve for your clients?
What does your audience think is holding them back — and what do you see that they don’t yet?
Where might you be sharing information… when what your audience needs is leadership, perspective, and clarity?

If that feels fuzzy (and for most people, it does), you’re not doing it wrong. This is exactly why an outside perspective — and a proven framework — makes such a difference.

In the next episode, we’re diving into how to design and deliver presentations that actually convert — without awkward pitches or forced CTAs.

If you’ve ever thought, “I’m speaking, but it’s not leading to clients,” part two is for you.

And 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.

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:

Deliver Keynotes that Set You Apart: How These Women Are Stepping Onto Bigger Stages [Growth Series]

Carol Cox — Mon, 15 Dec 2025 05:00:00 -0500

What does it really take to create a keynote that inspires, connects, and builds your speaking career?

In this Back Stage with Speaking Your Brand, I’m joined by three incredible women who attended our recent Master Your Message & the Stage Workshop in Orlando: Kait Richardson, Alfarena (Alfie) McGinty, and Niki Ramirez.

You’ll hear:

Why they decided to work on a keynote talk
How they used our Signature Talk Canvas® framework to build a clear and compelling structure for their keynote
The challenges they faced with getting out of the expert trap and into transformational messaging
What they learned about shifting their approach from teaching tactics to instead identifying 3 key pillars, lessons, or stages to guide their audience
What it was like to practice on stage with real-time coaching and support

If you’ve been dreaming of giving a powerful keynote that grows your brand and thought leadership, join us for this behind-the-scenes conversation.

Our next 1-day Speaking Workshop is on February 19, 2026, in Downtown Orlando, Florida! If you’re ready to accelerate your growth as a speaker, gain hands-on feedback, and have a lot of fun, this is your chance. Learn more and grab your spot at https://www.SpeakingYourBrand.com/orlando/.

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/455/

Video from the live show: https://youtube.com/live/jT5z9EqUjgM

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

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

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

Connect on LinkedIn:

Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox
Kait Richardson = https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaitrichardson497/
Alfarena McGinty = https://www.linkedin.com/in/alfarena-mcginty-324619180/
Niki Ramirez = https://www.linkedin.com/in/niki-ramirez-mba-thrp-sphr-65b93710/

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Your Voice Can Shape Policy: Frameworks for Clear, Influential Messaging with Deborah Stine, PhD

Carol Cox — Mon, 08 Dec 2025 05:00:00 -0500

When most people hear the word policy, they immediately picture Washington, D.C., marble hallways, and people in suits arguing on TV. But as my guest today so brilliantly reminds us, policy is simply how decisions get made - and you don’t need to be a political insider to influence it.

In this episode, I talk with Dr. Deborah Stine, founder of the Science and Technology Policy Academy, former Executive Director of the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology in the Obama White House, and someone who has spent her career helping scientists, engineers, and health professionals turn their expertise into impact.

And yes, her résumé reads like a Washington fairytale, but what makes Debbie extraordinary is how down-to-earth and practical she is. She’s spent decades working at the national level and then chose to move back to the “ground floor” of change—state and local work—where impact shows up fast and in real lives.

Debbie and I talk about:

Why most experts accidentally sabotage their own influence
Her 4E Framework for better decision-making
How to translate complex, jargon-heavy research into something the public—and policymakers—actually understand
Why state and local advocacy can be even more powerful than federal work
How to work with people who disagree with you
A surprising turn into AI—and how Debbie used my Automate & Amplify program to keep her content going while traveling the world

This conversation is a powerful reminder that your voice matters, especially when you pair your expertise with a compelling story and a clear message.

About My Guest: Dr. Deborah Stine is the founder of the Science and Technology Policy Academy, where she helps scientists, engineers, and health professionals translate what they know into policies that improve people’s lives. Deborah has worked with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, at the Congressional Research Service, and was the Executive Director of the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology in the Obama White House. She was also Professor of the Practice, Engineering and Public Policy at Carnegie Mellon University. Deborah is also the author of From Expertise to Impact, which is all about how experts can communicate in a way that truly influences public decision-making.

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/454/

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

Listen to my Confident Speaker companion podcast = https://confidentspeaker.transistor.fm/

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

Enroll in the Automate & Amplify with AI course: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/ai/

Apply for 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
Deborah Stine = https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborah-stine/

Related Podcast Episodes:

Why Your Best Talk is the One You Give Again (and Again) with Kelly Mallery

Carol Cox — Mon, 01 Dec 2025 05:00:00 -0500

Worried that giving the same talk more than once would box you in - or worse, bore you to tears?

I’ve been there. And if you’re a builder-of-slides-at-heart like me, the idea of sticking to one signature talk can feel a little… constraining.

But here’s the truth: the talk you give again (and again and again) is the one that becomes unforgettable - for you and your audience.

In this episode, I’m joined by Thought Leader Academy graduate Kelly Mallery, who proves exactly that. Kelly works in the continuous improvement and lean space, and she discovered that honing one powerful talk didn’t limit her creativity, it amplified it. And it opened doors.

We talk about how she’s evolved her talk, why a transformer toy has become part of her on-stage brand (yes, really), and how she learned to adapt the same content for both 20-minute and 60-minute speaking slots without losing impact.

Whether you’re speaking to industry peers, corporate audiences, or groups who’ve never heard of your topic before, what Kelly shares will help you rethink how reusable and scalable your signature talk can be.

Kelly and I talk about:

Why one signature talk can actually increase your impact, confidence, and clarity
How Kelly transformed her message by introducing her “Resistobots” (inspired by her love of Transformers)
The power of refining the same talk through multiple deliveries
What changes—and what stays the same—when adapting a talk from 20 minutes to 60 minutes
How your ideal audience and your buyer can be two different people, and why it matters
The importance of opening strong and closing with purpose (no rushing just to “get to the content”!)
Why props, stories, and frameworks make your message stick—and lead to more speaking invites

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/453/

Kelly’s website: https://www.kellymallery.com/

Watch Kelly deliver a 10-minute version of her signature talk = https://www.youtube.com/live/4ytvyFXfGU0?si=BH8Z-8qt8Npt2XWu

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
Kelly Mallery (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-mallery-coaching/

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Build a Career Brand That Opens Doors with Kate Wade of Get Her Hired

Carol Cox — Mon, 24 Nov 2025 05:00:00 -0500

Whether you’re in corporate aiming for your next big role or an entrepreneur looking to attract higher-value opportunities, this episode gives you the clarity and strategy to move forward.

I’m joined by my friend and career strategist Kate Wade, founder of Get Her Hired, who brings her signature mix of humor, candor, and deeply practical insight.

Together, we unpack why talented women get stuck, how to craft a powerful career narrative, and what it really takes to position yourself for bigger stages, promotions, clients, and visibility.

Kate and I talk about:

Why being “good at everything” keeps women from advancing
The difference between features and benefits in your career story
How to find the throughline in your background and experiences
The hidden ways women make themselves indispensable — and how it backfires
What recruiters say is actually happening in the job market
How to have career-advancing and opportunity-advancing conversations
What AI can help you with in résumé writing — and what it definitely can’t
The problem with AI-written speaker applications (and why they all sound the same)
Kate’s new résumé course Hit Send — with a generous discount for listeners

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/452/

Kate’s website: https://getherhired.com/

Get Kate’s new course “Hit Send”: https://getherhired.com/hitsend/

Save 60% with the coupon code “SpeakingYourBrand”

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/

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
Kate Wade = https://www.linkedin.com/in/katewade-getherhired/

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Using Stories and Humor to Engage (& Convert!) Your Audience: Live Signature Talks from Our Thought Leader Academy Clients

Carol Cox — Mon, 17 Nov 2025 05:00:00 -0500

We all know that facts tell, but stories sell. And when you add a touch of humor, your audience doesn’t just listen… they lean in.

In this Back Stage with Speaking Your Brand LinkedIn Live, we’re joined by two recent clients of our Thought Leader Academy, Angela Gillis and Crystal Daye.

They each present a 10-minute version of their signature talk that they developed with us during their VIP Day and refined throughout the program.

You get to see how they weave together story, humor, and heart to connect with their audiences and how that connection builds trust and relatability, the key ingredients for turning a talk into leads (and leads into clients!).

You’ll learn:

How to choose and tell stories that make your audience feel seen and understood
Ways to naturally infuse humor without forcing it or losing credibility
The secret to transitioning from inspiration to invitation (a.k.a. your call to action)
Behind-the-scenes insights from our speakers on what they learned while crafting their talks

If you’ve ever wondered how to make your lead generation talks less “salesy” and more human, this is your chance to see exactly how it’s done.

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/451/

Watch the video at https://youtube.com/live/GcZsw9UEWAA

Angela's website: https://www.sorticulturesystems.com/

Crystal’s website: https://crystaldaye.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
Diane Diaz = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianediaz/
Angela Gillis = https://www.linkedin.com/in/angela-gillis/
Crystal Gaye = https://www.linkedin.com/in/crystalsdaye/

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How to Be a Clutch Communicator Under Pressure with Jen Mueller

Carol Cox — Mon, 10 Nov 2025 05:00:00 -0500

Have you ever had one of those moments when all eyes are on you… and your brain suddenly decides to take a vacation? Whether it’s during a big presentation, a media interview, or an unexpected question in a meeting, how we communicate under pressure shapes how we’re seen as leaders.

That’s why I’m so excited for you to hear my conversation with Jen Mueller, a veteran sports broadcaster for the Seattle Seahawks and Seattle Mariners and the founder of Talk Sporty to Me. After more than 25 years on the sidelines of major games, Jen knows exactly what it takes to stay composed, confident, and clear when the heat is on.

In this episode, Jen shares how to:

Use high-stakes moments to highlight your preparedness and expertise instead of shying away from them
Prepare for spontaneity (yes, that’s possible!)
Assert your presence even if you’re naturally quieter or more introverted
Practice confidence and clarity through small, everyday interactions
Recover gracefully when things don’t go as planned (including her stories of post-game interviews and a few Gatorade showers!)

I also share one of my own on-air “blank brain” moments from live TV and what I learned about giving myself grace when things don’t go perfectly.

If you’ve ever wished you could think faster, speak clearer, or project confidence when it matters most, this episode will give you practical tools and real stories to help you become a true clutch communicator.

Join us at our next Speaking Accelerator workshop in Orlando, Florida! In just one day, you’ll craft your signature talk and practice delivering it, so you leave ready to step on stage with confidence. Get the details at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/orlando/.

About My Guest: Jen Mueller is a veteran sideline reporter for the Seattle Seahawks, and a longtime member of the Seattle Mariners' TV broadcast team. With over 25 years of experience covering the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, and more, she’s mastered the art of building relationships and delivering impactful stories in fast-paced environments. As the founder of Talk Sporty to Me, Jen translates her locker room communication strategies into actionable insights for business professionals, helping them level up their conversations and leadership skills.

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/450/

Jen’s website: http://www.talksportytome.com/

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

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

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

Connect on social:

Carol on LinkedIn = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox
Jen on LinkedIn = https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenmuellertalksporty/
Jen on Instagram = https://www.instagram.com/TalkSportyToMe
Jen’s YouTube channel = https://www.youtube.com/@TalkSportyToMe

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Small Shifts That Make a Huge Difference in Your Presentation Impact & Results with Karen Cochran

Carol Cox — Mon, 03 Nov 2025 05:00:00 -0500

Do you feel like your presentations are good, but maybe not yet great? The kind that gets people talking, taking action, and reaching out long after the event?

That’s exactly what happened for my guest, Karen Cochran, founder of Philanthropy Innovators.

Karen has led teams that have raised over $1 billion (yes, billion with a “B”!) - and after attending our 1-Day Speaking Accelerator Workshop and working with me on her presentation makeover, she delivered what attendees called “the most valuable session at the conference.”

In this episode, you’ll hear how Karen transformed her talk by making small but powerful shifts in storytelling, structure, and connection—and how those changes led to remarkable results.

We dig into:

The difference between informing and transforming your audience
How storytelling creates connection, especially in philanthropy and leadership
Why suspense and foreshadowing keep audiences engaged (and how Karen used this brilliantly!)
The key mindset shift from “writer” to “speaker” that helps your ideas land with clarity

Karen also shares how storytelling in fundraising parallels effective public speaking. Both are about listening, connecting, and understanding what truly matters to your audience.

If you’ve been feeling stuck in “the expert trap”—overloading your slides with information instead of making emotional connections—this episode will show you what happens when you let your stories and your personality shine.

Listen in and imagine what could change for you with just a few strategic tweaks to your talk.

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/449/

Karen’s website: https://www.philanthropyinnovators.com/

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

Book a Presentation Makeover: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/presentation-makeover/

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
Karen Cochran = https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-cochran/

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Turn Clients and Event Organizers into Your Best Promoters with Stacey Brown Randall

Carol Cox — Mon, 27 Oct 2025 05:00:00 -0400

Most of us have been told that if we want referrals, we should just ask for them. But, that approach can feel awkward.

What if, instead of asking, you could design an experience that makes you naturally referable?

That’s exactly what my guest, Stacey Brown Randall, teaches. Stacey is the author of her new book The Referable Client Experience, and she’s built a proven system to generate consistent referrals — without asking, without paying, and without gimmicky tactics.

In this conversation, Stacey and I dig into:

Why doing great work isn’t enough to generate referrals
The three stages of the client experience — new, active, and alumni — and what to do in each one
The difference between “work” touch points and “relationship” touch points (and how both matter)
How to stay top of mind with clients after your work together is done
What speakers can do to create a “referable” experience for event organizers

I especially loved Stacey’s ideas for how we can nurture relationships in meaningful ways — like acknowledging that quiet voice of buyer’s remorse with empathy and care, or sending a “You survived it!” gift to an event organizer after a big conference.

These kinds of thoughtful, human touches don’t just make you memorable — they make you referable.

If you’ve ever wished more clients and speaking invitations came your way because people can’t stop talking about the experience you create, this episode is for you.

Tune in and start designing your own referable client (or audience!) experience.

About My Guest: Stacey Brown Randall is the multiple award-winning author of Generating Business Referrals Without Asking, author of the forthcoming book, The Referable Client Experience (October 2025) and host of the Roadmap to Referrals podcast.Stacey teaches business owners how to generate referrals naturally...without manipulating, incentivizing or even asking.She has been featured in national publications like Entrepreneur magazine, Investor Business Daily, Forbes, and more. She received her Master’s in Organizational Communication and is married with three kids.

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/448/

Get Stacey’s new book The Referable Client Experience: https://referableclientexperience.com/

Stacey’s website: http://www.staceybrownrandall.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
Stacey Brown Randall (guest) = http://www.linkedin.com/in/staceybrandall

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Why "Perfect" Speakers Don't Connect: Stop Memorizing & Build Confidence Speaking Off the Cuff

Carol Cox — Mon, 20 Oct 2025 05:00:00 -0400

Are you the kind of speaker who loves to have everything prepared in advance? Perhaps you even have your entire presentation scripted out nearly word for word and you have detailed notes for every slide that you rely on?

Well, I have a challenge for you: getting more comfortable with impromptu speaking.

As a speaker and as a leader, both impromptu and prepared speaking skills are a must.

Have you ever had one of these situations happen to you:

You're in a meeting or group and asked to share something on the spot. You get really nervous and feel at a loss for words.

You're at a networking event where you need to concisely share with other attendees who you are, what you do, and how you help people. After you introduce yourself, you realized you left out the most important parts or it all felt like a jumble.

You're leading a meeting where you need to motivate your team, but you didn't have an opportunity to prepare your message ahead of time and feel like you weren't as clear or confident as you want to be.

This is why developing your impromptu speaking skills is essential.

I want more women - including you! - to feel comfortable and confident commanding a room and leading teams, organizations, and companies.

In this episode, I share:

Why impromptu speaking is hard
Why it matters to your development as a speaker and leader
Specific things you can do to get better at impromptu speaking
Some of my own impromptu speaking wins and fails!

This episode originally aired as episode 390 on April 29, 2024.

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/390/

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/

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

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

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The Smart Way to Use AI for Podcast Guesting (and When Not To) with Julie Fry

Carol Cox — Mon, 13 Oct 2025 05:00:00 -0400

Have you noticed how much harder it feels to stand out online lately? Between podcasts, YouTube, newsletters, and the never-ending scroll of social content, it’s easy to feel like your voice is getting lost in the noise.

That’s why I invited my friend and fellow connector, Julie Fry, founder of Your Expert Guest, to join me on the podcast. Julie helps women entrepreneurs, speakers, and authors get booked on podcasts—the right podcasts—to grow their visibility and credibility.

In this episode, we dive into:

How to turn podcast visibility into meaningful relationships (because visibility without connection won’t grow your business).
Where AI helps—and where it hurts—your outreach. Julie and I share how we each use AI to start ideas but not replace our voice.
How to write podcast pitches that actually get read (and why human connection always wins over AI-generated templates).
How to move past perfectionism and imposter syndrome so you can confidently pitch yourself as a guest.
Why podcasting is one of the most powerful tools for building community, establishing authority, and amplifying your voice, especially for women.

Julie and I also talk about the loneliness epidemic that many of us feel, and why showing up as our real, imperfect selves is the best way to stand out in an increasingly automated world.

If you’ve been meaning to pitch yourself for podcast interviews—or to start one yourself—this episode will give you the motivation and mindset to take action.

About My Guest: Julie Fry is the Founder of Your Expert Guest, a podcast visibility agency for women making an impact who want to be heard by their ideal client without spending HOURS on social media. She and her team book interviews for their clients on top ranking podcasts, helping them reach new audiences, build credibility, grow their referral networks and reach thousands of listeners. When she’s not working with her amazing team of guest and host matchmakers, she loves spending time with her family, cold plunging, kayaking, laughing hysterically at SNL sketches and of course, listening to podcasts.

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/446/

Julie’s website: https://yourexpertguest.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
Julie Fry (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/fryjulie/

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3 Must-Haves for an Unforgettable Keynote

Carol Cox — Mon, 06 Oct 2025 05:00:00 -0400

Here’s what you don’t want the audience to say after you deliver your keynote: “I learned a lot.”

That’s you being stuck in the expert trap.

As a keynote speaker, you’re there to provide an experience for the audience; to help them see something differently about themselves or their industry or their world; and to have them believe they can do it.

In this episode, I’m sharing 3 must-haves that will take your keynote from “just another talk” to a truly transformative experience for your audience.

You’ll hear behind-the-scenes from a keynote I recently gave called From Invisible to Influential: How I Found My Voice and Why Yours Matters More Than Ever.

Here’s what you’ll learn

Why storytelling should always be at the core of your keynote (and the story I shared that had women coming up to me afterward saying how inspired they felt).
How to use the “Rule of Three” to make your keynote easy to follow, memorable, and impactful.
The importance of weaving in humor and audience participation - and how I planned both into my talk so they weren’t left to chance.

By the end of this episode, you’ll have a clear roadmap for how to design your keynote so it not only informs but truly transforms your audience.

✨ Ready to create your own keynote that’s powerful, inspiring, and totally YOU? Visit https://www.speakingyourbrand.com and schedule a call.

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/445/

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

Schedule a consultation call: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/contact/

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

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

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[Part 4] Should You Pay to Speak? Booked Without Burnout

Carol Cox — Mon, 29 Sep 2025 05:00:00 -0400

We’re wrapping up our Booked Without Burnout series, and this one might surprise you: should you ever pay to speak?

I know - it sounds backward. After all, you want to get paid for your expertise, not the other way around.

But there are times when paying for a speaking slot makes strategic sense, especially if it’s tied to a sponsorship or marketing opportunity that gets you in front of your ideal clients.

This is Part 4 of my 4-part series on how to land more speaking engagements. In Part 1, I shared outbound strategies: what to do when you pitch yourself. In Part 2, we talked about inbound strategies: how to set yourself up so event organizers find you. In Part 3, we looked at getting paid to speak.

In this episode, I share:

How to evaluate whether paying to speak is worth it for your goals
The key questions to ask before you invest in a speaking opportunity
How to turn a sponsorship into a visibility and revenue boost

Plus, I’m including an episode from my Confident Speaker podcast, my fully AI-generated show. The script, voice, and show notes are all created by AI using a custom knowledge base built from 400+ episodes of Speaking Your Brand. You’ll hear “AI Carol” and see how closely it matches my style (it’s kind of wild!).

If you’ve ever wondered how you can use AI to amplify your brand voice, this episode is a behind-the-scenes look at what’s possible.

Listen in and find out when it might be smart to pay to speak - and how to use AI to grow your visibility without burning out.

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/444/

Check out my companion podcast “Confident Speaker”: https://confidentspeaker.transistor.fm/

Apply for my Automate & Amplify with AI program: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/ai/

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

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

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

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[Part 3] Getting Paid to Speak: Booked Without Burnout

Carol Cox — Mon, 22 Sep 2025 05:00:00 -0400

Visibility is valuable. But visibility plus revenue? That’s power.

Speaking isn’t only about sharing what you know. It’s about owning your expertise, modeling equity, and showing what women leaders are worth on stage.

So how do you go from free talks at local events… to $2,500, $5,000, even $10,000 keynotes and workshops?

This is Part 3 of my 4-part series on how to land more speaking engagements. In Part 1, I shared outbound strategies: what to do when you pitch yourself. In Part 2, we talked about inbound strategies: how to set yourself up so event organizers find you. And now, it’s time to talk about getting paid to speak.

Because here’s the shift: when you position yourself as a thought leader who delivers transformation, not just information, you move from being “a nice-to-have” speaker to an essential investment for event organizers.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

The signs that you’re ready to start charging for your talks.
How to position your value in terms of audience transformation and ROI.
What typical fee ranges look like across associations, conferences, and corporate.
The exact question to ask organizers that opens up budget conversations.

Getting paid to speak is absolutely possible - and once you start, you’ll open the door to bigger stages and bigger impact.

Want help creating your signature talk, packaging your expertise, and building a strategy that leads to paid opportunities?

Join our online Thought Leader Academy for step-by-step coaching and a proven process to elevate your message.
Prefer in-person? Attend our 1-Day Speaking Accelerator in Orlando and walk away with your talk and action plan.

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/443/

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

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

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

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

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[Part 2] Booked Without Burnout: A Smarter Way to Land Speaking Gigs with Inbound Strategies

Carol Cox — Mon, 15 Sep 2025 05:00:00 -0400

Wouldn’t it be amazing if speaking invitations just landed in your inbox - and with a speaker fee attached?

The truth is, they can. In fact, many of my own paid speaking gigs (and our clients’ too) have come through inbound strategies - because we’ve intentionally set ourselves up so event organizers find us.

This is Part 2 of my 4-part series on how to land more speaking engagements.

In Part 1, I shared outbound strategies: what to do when you pitch yourself.

In today’s episode, I’m diving into inbound strategies: how to position yourself so speaking invitations come directly to you.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

What your speaker page and LinkedIn profile must include so event organizers instantly see your credibility.
Why being active in your local community and industry leads to referrals and repeat invitations.
How delivering an amazing talk becomes your best marketing tool for stage-side referrals.
Real client examples who turned one talk into many opportunities.

With the right inbound strategies, you’ll build familiarity, trust, and visibility, so event organizers think of you first when they need a great speaker.

Want help creating your signature talk and positioning yourself to get booked?

Join our online Thought Leader Academy for step-by-step coaching and a proven process to elevate your message.
Prefer in-person? Attend our 1-Day Speaking Accelerator in Orlando and walk away with your talk and action plan.

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/442/

Check out my speaker page = https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/carol-cox-ai/

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

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

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

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

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Master Your Message & the Stage: Attend Our 1-Day In-Person Speaking Accelerator

Carol Cox — Fri, 12 Sep 2025 08:32:58 -0400

Hey there, it's Carol, popping in for a minute! I want to make sure you know about our 1-Day Speaking Accelerator Workshop coming up in Downtown Orlando, Florida.

You’ll go from having a rough idea to building your talk using our proven Signature Talk Canvas® framework - and then practice delivering it with real-time feedback from us.

That’s exactly what you’ll do at our 1-Day Speaking Accelerator.

We’ll show you how to use storytelling for resonance, how to paint a vision your audience wants to be part of, and how to step into the speaker and leader you’re ready to be.

Can it really be done in a day? We guarantee it! Listen to episode 435 to hear my conversation with 3 of the women who attended our last workshop.

You'll get:

✅ Your signature talk and framework mapped out, blending thought leadership, storytelling, and lead generation
✅ Personalized coaching to take your delivery from good to captivating
✅ Strategies to reduce nerves and boost your stage presence
✅ A curated speaker kit and printed workbook
✅ New connections with incredible women
✅ And professional photos of you speaking - perfect for your website and social media

This isn’t just one talk. It’s a message you can use everywhere: On stage, in webinars, podcast interviews, your emails, social posts, even your book or course.

Whether it’s been stuck in your head or sitting in a slide deck, your talk deserves to make the impact it was meant to - and achieve your goals.

If you're ready to make the shift out of the expert trap, from information to transformation, join us at the Citrus Club in Downtown Orlando.

Spots are limited to 15 attendees, so go to speakingyourbrand.com/orlando to find the date of our next workshop and register today. I’d love to have you there!

[Part 1] Booked Without Burnout: A Smarter Way to Land Speaking Gigs with Outbound Strategies

Carol Cox — Mon, 08 Sep 2025 05:00:00 -0400

You know speaking is one of the best ways to grow your business and your visibility.

But between running your business, serving your clients, and managing everything else on your plate, finding time to pitch yourself for speaking engagements feels impossible.

If you’ve ever thought:

“I know I should be speaking, but I’m too busy to figure out where to start.”
“Pitching myself feels overwhelming. I don’t even know what to say.”
“It seems easier to just keep posting on social media, even though it’s not moving the needle.”

This new 4-part series on how you can land more speaking engagements is exactly what you need.

Today’s focus is on outbound activities = the steps you can take to actively pitch yourself without burning out.

The next episode is on what I call inbound activities: setting yourself up so that speaking engagements come to you. Then, we'll wrap up the series with an episode on how to get paid to speak.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

Why scheduling a weekly Pitch Power Hour will help you stay consistent (and how to structure it).
How to research speaking opportunities efficiently using tools like Google Alerts and AI.
The importance of showing up in your local community and building relationships that lead to invitations.
How to align pitching with your existing visibility efforts so it feels natural, not forced.
The mindset shift that makes pitching less intimidating: event organizers need great speakers like you.

By the end of this episode, you’ll have three specific strategies to make pitching a sustainable and even enjoyable part of your routine. And most importantly, you’ll see how consistent, strategic outreach leads to more of the right opportunities on the right stages.

✨ Work with us: Want to create your signature talk, build your speaking strategy, and get booked without burnout?

Join our online Thought Leader Academy for step-by-step coaching and a proven process to elevate your message.
Prefer in-person? Attend our 1-Day Speaking Accelerator in Orlando and walk away with your talk and action plan.

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/441/

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

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

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

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

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No Need to Start from Scratch: Repurpose Your Signature Talk for Different Topics and Audiences with Eloisa Marquez-Gonzalez

Carol Cox — Mon, 01 Sep 2025 05:00:00 -0400

One of the biggest benefits of creating your signature talk and framework is that you don’t just use it once; you can repurpose it over and over again.

In this episode, I talk with Thought Leader Academy graduate Eloisa Marquez-Gonzalez, who shares how she’s taken the signature talk and framework she developed with us and adapted it for different audiences, topics, and speaking engagements.

Eloisa has spoken on everything from sustainability to operational excellence to partnerships, but at the core of each talk is her Optima Framework. By simply giving it a new lens depending on the audience, she’s able to stay consistent in her message while making it relevant to each event.

You’ll hear us discuss:

Why repurposing your framework saves you time and energy while reinforcing your thought leadership.
How Eloisa tailored her talks to different audiences, including business leaders, engineers, and bilingual groups, without reinventing the wheel each time.
The importance of preparation and asking smart questions, which helped Eloisa get referred to new speaking opportunities even before event organizers saw her present.
What it looks like to niche down your message so your audience clearly understands who you serve and the value you provide.

If you’ve ever felt like you need a brand-new talk for every opportunity, this conversation will show you how to work smarter, not harder - repurposing your signature talk and framework so your audiences remember you and your unique thought leadership.

And if you’d like to create your own signature talk and framework that you can repurpose again and again, join us in the Thought Leader Academy.

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/440/

Eloisa’s website: https://www.walkingtree.green/

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
Eloisa Marquez-Gonzalez (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/eloisamg/

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From Technical Talks to Inspiring Keynotes: Finding Your Authentic Speaking Style with Elaine Schomburg-LaFleur

Carol Cox — Mon, 25 Aug 2025 05:00:00 -0400

How do you go from giving short, tip-focused talks to inspiring audiences with a full keynote?

That’s exactly the journey our guest has taken and it’s one so many of us can learn from.

Our lead speaking coach Diane Diaz talks with Elaine Schomburg-LaFleur, a senior project engineer who has spent over 20 years in the theme park industry, including at Disney.

Elaine thought of herself as “the tip girl” - packing her presentations with lots of helpful advice. But when she was invited to give her first keynote, she realized she needed a new approach.

With the help of a VIP Day and our in-person Speaking Accelerator workshop, Elaine discovered how to weave stories into her talks, connect emotionally with her audience, and step into her authentic speaking style.

The result? Not only did she deliver a powerful keynote to a room of young women engineers, she also caught the “speaking bug” and has continued landing and delivering talks that inspire.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

Elaine’s transition from sharing only tips to becoming an inspiring keynote speaker
How storytelling makes even technical topics more engaging and memorable
The role of authenticity in building confidence and audience connection
What Elaine gained from practicing in community and receiving real-time feedback
How she continues to grow her visibility and speaking career through LinkedIn and pitching opportunities

Elaine’s story is proof that you don’t have to change who you are to be a great speaker - you just need to unlock the authentic voice that’s already within you.

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/439/

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

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

Create your signature talk with us: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/coaching/

Connect on LinkedIn:

Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox
Diane Diaz = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianediaz/
Elaine Schomburg-LaFleur = https://www.linkedin.com/in/elaineschomburglafleur/

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Episode 435: From Blank Page to On Stage: What It's Like to Create and Practice a Talk in One Day

Why Your Story Is More Powerful Than You Think [Case Study]

Carol Cox — Mon, 18 Aug 2025 05:00:00 -0400

Whether you've had one day that changed your life forever - or a series of events that shifted your understanding of yourself and the world - or a culmination of hard-won lessons from work and life, you have a story worth sharing.

This is something I emphasize often, because so many women tell me, “I don’t really have a story. Nothing big has happened to me.”

What matters isn’t the size of your story, but how you tell it and what lessons you offer your audience.

In this episode of the Speaking Your Brand podcast, I talk with Karen Keene, a graduate of our Thought Leader Academy, whose life was forever altered after surviving a violent home invasion. Karen’s journey of healing - through 26 surgeries, unimaginable loss, and the courage to rebuild - has become the foundation for a keynote talk that inspires audiences to face adversity with resilience and purpose.

But this conversation isn’t only about Karen’s story. It’s about:

Why your story can be just as powerful, even if you haven’t faced extreme trauma
How to uncover the universal lessons in your story that speak to anyone in your audience
The importance of moving from “sharing what happened” to “showing what’s possible”
Karen’s M.A.P. framework and how it turns inspiration into action
The transformation that happens for you when you tell your story with intention

If you’ve ever wondered whether your story is “enough” to share or how to use it to truly serve your audience, this episode will give you both the confidence and the tools to do it.

This conversation originally aired as episode 337 on July 10, 2023.

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/story-transformation/

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
Karen Keene = https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-keene-profile2023/

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Taylor Swift’s Speaking Secrets: How to Connect with Any Audience

Carol Cox — Fri, 15 Aug 2025 10:13:00 -0400

Ever wish you could walk on stage and instantly connect with your audience, whether it’s a room of five people or a stadium of 50,000?

In this episode, Diane Diaz and I are trying something new: a reaction video to a famous speech. And who better to kick things off than Taylor Swift’s 2022 NYU Commencement Address?

You might think being a global superstar makes Taylor impossible to relate to. But what she does in this speech is exactly what you can do in your own presentations to make your audience lean in, laugh, and feel like you’re speaking directly to them.

We break down three powerful speaking tips for relatability that you can start using right away:

Self-deprecating humor to lower the pedestal and create connection.
Knowing your audience: their stage in life, challenges, and what they want next.
Bridging personal stories to universal themes so your message resonates far beyond the details of your own experience.

Whether you’re delivering a keynote, leading a workshop, or speaking on a panel, these strategies will help you connect, engage, and inspire, no guitar required (unless you have one, then bring it!).

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/438/

Watch our video conversation: https://youtu.be/-Mm2_urTF40

Taylor Swift Commencement Address at NYU in 2022: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBG50aoUwlI

Taylor on Travis Kelce’s New Heights podcast in August 2025: https://youtu.be/M2lX9XESvDE?si=r_GL2a_iNf2F_iuJ

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/

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Grow Your Speaking Career by Escaping the Expert Trap [Case Study]

Carol Cox — Mon, 11 Aug 2025 05:00:00 -0400

Do you ever feel like you're stuck in the "expert trap" - sharing lots of great information, but not quite connecting with your audience the way you want to?

In this episode, I talk with Dr. Teri DeLucca, founder of Impact Early Education and a graduate of our Thought Leader Academy, about how she made the bold leap from academic researcher and fact-based presenter to transformational speaker and sought-after thought leader.

Teri has not one, but TWO PhDs (yes, you read that right!), and like many high-achieving women, she found comfort in data and research. But as she began training preschool teachers and school leaders, she realized that just presenting facts wasn’t creating the impact she truly wanted.

In our conversation, Teri shares:

What led her to start her own business and step into entrepreneurship
The power of personal storytelling in leadership and speaking
How embracing vulnerability changed everything for her and her audiences
Her transformation through the Thought Leader Academy and how it impacted her signature talk
Her behind-the-scenes prep for a major international keynote (and why she called me in for a VIP Day!)
Why it's not only okay, but essential, to share your personal challenges as a speaker and leader

If you've ever worried that being real with your audience might hurt your credibility, you need to hear what Teri says about the moment she realized not sharing her struggles was actually holding her back.

Teri’s story is proof that when you let go of perfection and speak from a place of truth, that’s when real transformation happens—for you and the people you're meant to reach.

This conversation originally aired as episode 338 on July 17, 2023.

Links:

Show notes: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/escape-expert-trap/

Learn more about Teri’s work at ImpactEarlyEd.com.

Listen to Episode 241 – The Expert Trap – to learn more about how to shift from expert to transformational speaker: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/241/

Ready to escape the expert trap and develop your own signature talk and thought leadership? Join us in the Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/

How to Turn Your Business Talk into a Lead-Gen Machine [Case Study]

Carol Cox — Mon, 04 Aug 2025 05:00:00 -0400

If you're using speaking for lead generation, you won’t want to miss this episode.

I’m joined by Danielle Hayden, CEO of Kickstart Accounting, Inc., who came to me for a VIP Day to create a new signature talk. Like many entrepreneurs, Danielle had been speaking often, but she knew she was overloading her audience with too much information and not enough transformation.

In this conversation, we pull back the curtain on the process we used to refine her message, develop her thought leadership, and craft a presentation that truly connects - with results to prove it.

You’ll learn:

Why Danielle knew it was time to evolve her talk (and how she resisted telling personal stories at first!)
The moment we discovered her unique thought leadership angle: “The Spending Gap”
Behind the scenes of what happens during a VIP Day
What happened when she delivered her new talk for the first time (spoiler: record number of new clients!)
Why storytelling, especially the vulnerable kind, is a powerful connector
How she uses other lead gen strategies like podcast guesting and hosting her own podcast

You’ll walk away with ideas on how to turn your own talk into a powerful magnet that attracts the right clients - and how to infuse it with insight, story, and strategy.

Want your own VIP Day to develop your signature talk? Learn more and join us in the Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/

(This conversation originally aired as episode 362 on December 11, 2023.)

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/362/

Danielle’s website: https://kickstartaccountinginc.com/gift/

Danielle’s podcast “Entrepreneur Money Stories”: https://kickstartaccountinginc.com/entrepreneur-money-stories-podcast/

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

Get your own VIP Day to create your signature talk by signing up for our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/

Connect on LinkedIn:

Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox
Danielle Hayden (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielle-hayden-kickstartaccounting/

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Not Your Typical Corporate Presentations: Live Signature Talks from Thought Leader Academy Grads

Carol Cox — Mon, 28 Jul 2025 05:00:00 -0400

We believe that every presentation, whether internal or external, at a conference or at a board meeting, has the power to shift how your audience views a topic and the positive changes that can come as a result.

It’s not just about delivering information – it’s about shifting perspectives, sparking new ideas, and inspiring action.

This episode is the audio from a live show we did with two of our recent Thought Leader Academy grads: Dr. Bonnie Boles and Denise Cárdenas López.

Both Bonnie and Denise are executives at companies and often present both internally to team members as well as externally at conferences and to groups.

When we worked with them in a VIP Day to create their signature talk as part of the Thought Leader Academy, we kept both of these audiences in mind.

You’ll get to hear Bonnie and Denise deliver a 10-minute version of their new signature talk.

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.

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/437/

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

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/
Dr. Bonnie Boles = https://www.linkedin.com/in/bonnie-boles-md-mba-chcio-fccp-09b69792/
Denise Cárdenas López = https://www.linkedin.com/in/denisecardenaslopez/

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Turn Your Stories Into Impactful Messages: Live Signature Talks from Our Thought Leader Academy Grads

Carol Cox — Mon, 21 Jul 2025 05:00:00 -0400

The key to a powerful presentation isn’t just telling stories – it’s uncovering the lessons within them.

When you share a personal experience or an impactful moment, you’re not just recounting events; you’re inviting your audience to see the world through your eyes, to feel what you felt, and to learn from what you lived.

Your stories become more than just a narrative – they can spark change in the hearts and minds of your audience.

This episode is the audio from a live show we did with three of our recent Thought Leader Academy grads: Moe Boles, Melinda Hrynewycz, and Sara Ecklein.

You’ll hear each woman deliver a 10-minute version of the signature talk they created with us, so you can see and hear them in action, demonstrating how drawing insights from personal experiences can create engaging, memorable, and impactful messages.

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.

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/436/

Watch the video at https://youtube.com/live/qfOOs3Q3H5c

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
Melinda Hrynewycz = https://www.linkedin.com/in/melinda-hrynewycz/
Moe Boles = https://www.linkedin.com/in/moe-smith-boles-mba-hm-rn-b617236/
Sara Ecklein = https://www.linkedin.com/in/sara-ecklein/

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From Blank Page to On Stage: What It’s Like to Create and Practice a Talk in One Day

Carol Cox — Mon, 14 Jul 2025 05:00:00 -0400

What if you could go from a completely blank page - or in this case, a blank poster board - to mapping out and practicing your signature talk… all in just one day?

That’s exactly what happened at our recent in-person Speaking Accelerator Workshop in Orlando, and in this episode, you’ll hear directly from three of the incredible women who participated: Lesline Pittman, Monica Mitchell, and Dr. Emma Jones.

You’ll get the behind-the-scenes scoop on what it’s like to go from idea to delivery in a single day (yes, it’s totally possible!) - including the unexpected improv exercises, vulnerable storytelling moments, and the real magic that happens when smart, passionate women come together to use their voice.

In this episode, we talk about:

Why each of them said “yes” to attending the workshop (even flying in from out of state!)
How they went from “Can I really do this in one day?” to confidently practicing their talk on stage
What it felt like to get feedback in real-time and push past perfectionism
The power of sharing personal stories
What they’re doing next with their talks and visibility efforts

You’ll also hear some powerful lessons about embracing vulnerability, escaping the “expert trap,” and why your story absolutely matters, even if others are talking about similar topics.

Whether you’ve been thinking about joining one of our in-person workshops or you just want some encouragement to get your own talk out of your head and into the world, this episode will inspire you to take that next bold step.

Our next 1-day Speaking Workshop is on October 30, 2025, in Downtown Orlando, Florida! If you’re ready to accelerate your growth as a speaker, gain hands-on feedback, and have a lot of fun, this is your chance. Learn more and grab your spot at https://www.SpeakingYourBrand.com/orlando/.

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/435/

Video from the live show: https://youtube.com/live/ZH73ckePBdo

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

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

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

Connect on LinkedIn:

Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox
Emma Jones, MD = https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-jones-mdcoach/
Monica Mitchell = https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachmjmitchell/
Lesline Pittman = https://www.linkedin.com/in/leslinepittman/

Related Podcast Episodes:

Episode 421: 100x Your Speaking in a Day: Insights from Our Recent In-Person Workshop

AI Needs Women: Why Your Voice Matters to Shape the Present and the Future

Carol Cox — Mon, 07 Jul 2025 05:00:00 -0400

I vividly remember the day after Christmas 2022. Not because I was relaxing, but because I was at my laptop, updating my university courses and diving headfirst into AI tools for my business and podcast. ChatGPT had just launched, and I knew instantly: this was different. This wasn’t just another tech trend; this was a transformation.

In this episode, I share the talk I recently delivered at the ElleX Summit, where I wove together history, technology, and the urgent need for women’s voices in AI.

From Ada Lovelace and the women of NASA to Eleanor Roosevelt and the Brontë sisters, women have always shown up when new technologies emerged that gave them a voice and a platform.

And now, it’s our moment again.

You’ll hear:

Why AI isn’t just a tool - it’s a force shaping how we work, teach, govern, and live
Shocking examples of gender bias baked into AI systems
Why your perspective, leadership, and storytelling are essential in this new era
How I’m using AI to save time on the computer, so I can do more of the work that makes me feel human

AI can either reinforce the past or help us create a more inclusive future. It’s up to us to choose. Let’s make sure future generations find plenty of women in the history books of this AI era.

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/434/

Check out my new companion podcast “Confident Speaker”: https://confidentspeaker.transistor.fm/

Join our Automate & Amplify with AI program: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/ai/

Learn how we can work together on your thought leadership and signature talk: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/work-with-us/coaching/

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

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Behind the Scenes of My AI-Powered Business: Real-World Use Cases

Carol Cox — Mon, 30 Jun 2025 05:00:00 -0400

Ever wish you had an extra set of hands - or better yet, an AI assistant - to take care of all those repetitive tasks in your business?

In this episode, I’m taking you behind the scenes to share the exact AI-powered workflows I’ve built and now rely on every week at Speaking Your Brand.

From automating my podcast production (yes, even these show notes!) to cloning my voice for a brand-new companion podcast, you’ll get a sense at what’s possible - and what's already working.

I walk you through real-world examples of how I’m using AI to:

Save time with automated content workflows
Personalize client communication at scale
Build an AI-powered knowledge base
Launch a 100% AI-generated podcast using my frameworks and brand voice

I also share how these automations free up my time to do the more human work I love, including coaching, speaking, and creating programs like Automate & Amplify with AI, where I teach you how to build these systems for your own business.

Whether you’re a solopreneur or have a small team, this episode will get your wheels turning on what’s possible when you stop doing the repetitive tasks and start building with AI.

Plus, I talk about:

The difference between using ChatGPT and building true automation
Why I created “AI Carol” to answer podcast listener questions
How we’re developing a DIY version of our Signature Talk framework with ChatSYB

If you’ve been curious about using AI in your business, but you’re not sure where to start, this is the episode to listen to.

Watch the video version with slides and demos at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/433/ Learn more and apply for the Automate & Amplify with AI program at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/ai/

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/433/

Check out my new companion podcast “Confident Speaker”: https://confidentspeaker.transistor.fm/

Join our Automate & Amplify with AI program: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/ai/

Learn how we can work together on your thought leadership and signature talk: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/work-with-us/coaching/

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

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AI Is Already Impacting Your Business – Here are 4 Innovative Ways to Leverage It

Carol Cox — Mon, 23 Jun 2025 05:00:00 -0400

AI isn’t just on the horizon - it’s already here, reshaping how we work, connect, and show up in our businesses, no matter what industry you’re in.

In this episode, I share how AI has fundamentally changed how I run Speaking Your Brand, well beyond using tools like ChatGPT (though I use that too!).

I walk you through 4 powerful questions, originally posed by Wharton professor Ethan Mollick, that I’ve been reflecting on deeply and that can help you rethink your own services, content, and visibility.

You’ll hear:

What I used to do in my business that AI now does better (and faster!)
What seemed impossible a year ago that I can now do in a day
How I’m democratizing access to our services with a new AI app we’re building
The exciting (and slightly eerie!) launch of my new companion podcast, Confident Speaker, written and voiced entirely by AI, trained on my content and brand voice

Plus, you’ll hear about my new live online program, Automate & Amplify with AI, where I’ll teach you how to build the same time-saving, brand-building workflows I use every week - no coding required.

Whether you’re feeling excited, overwhelmed, or curious about AI, this episode will give you the clarity and inspiration to embrace what’s possible (and to let go of what no longer serves you).

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/432/

Check out my new companion podcast “Confident Speaker”: https://confidentspeaker.transistor.fm/

Join our Automate & Amplify with AI program: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/ai/

Learn how we can work together on your thought leadership and signature talk: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/work-with-us/coaching/

Article by Prof. Ethan Mollick: https://www.oneusefulthing.org/p/strategies-for-an-accelerating-future

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

Related Podcast Episodes:

Episode 327: From Expert to Thought Leader: 3 Key Strategies You Need Now in the AI Age

Why Your Tech Presentations Aren’t Landing - and How to Fix Them

Carol Cox — Mon, 16 Jun 2025 05:00:00 -0400

You’ve packed your presentation with data, insights, and value — but your audience isn’t responding the way you hoped.

If you’ve ever looked out and seen glazed-over eyes… or walked off stage and didn’t get the results you wanted, this episode is for you.

As a former software developer and technology strategist who has presented at countless conferences and meetups, I’ve learned what works — and what doesn’t — when it comes to making technical or detail-heavy presentations land with impact.

If you’re in a technical field — technology, software, AI, science, healthcare, academia, finance - this episode is especially for you.

I share 6 key strategies you can use today to make your presentations more engaging, memorable, and actionable — so you not only inform but also inspire your audience.

You’ll learn:

3 quick changes to make in your slide deck (these alone will change how your talk feels)
Why your “About Me” slide should never be the first or second slide in your deck — and what to do first instead
What your audience wants more than information
How to incorporate storytelling so your data sticks
The “palm tree” method for organizing your talk (goodbye, content overload!)
The one thing I never do anymore in technical talks — and what I do now (learned the hard way at a Microsoft event years ago)

Whether you’re speaking to peers in your industry or to potential clients, you’ll walk away from this episode with practical strategies to improve your next presentation.

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/431/

Let us give your presentation a makeover! Learn more at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/work-with-us/presentation-makeover/

Want to create your talk from scratch? Book a VIP Day or join our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/work-with-us/coaching/

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

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What Giving a TED-Style Talk Revealed About Us as Speakers

Carol Cox — Mon, 09 Jun 2025 05:00:00 -0400

Have you ever wondered what it really takes to create, practice for, and deliver a powerful TED-style talk - especially one that’s only 8 minutes long?

In this episode, I’m joined by Diane Diaz, our lead speaking coach at Speaking Your Brand, as we take you behind the scenes of our recent TED-style speaking experience.

We were invited to be part of a live event called ElleX, hosted by a women’s entrepreneurship group at a local college.

We had only one week to prepare our full talks for the audition!

Diane and I share:

How we came up with our topics and aligned them with the theme
The difference between a TED-style talk and a typical keynote or presentation
How we approached “memorizing” our talks (spoiler: we didn’t, exactly!) What surprised us about the experience (and what we’d do differently next time)
Why it's essential to amplify who you naturally are on stage
And… which of us has decided TED-style talks are not her favorite and what is 😉

You’ll hear how Diane used humor and storytelling to deliver a deeply moving (and yes, funny!) talk about her Ironman triathlon journey and how I wove in women’s leadership, history, and AI into my talk about the future of tech and humanity.

Whether you're preparing for your own TEDx talk, want to challenge yourself as a speaker, or simply love the behind-the-scenes of crafting powerful messages, this episode will inspire you to lean into your unique style and maybe even try a new speaking “muscle.”

Want to discover your speaker archetype? Take our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz to get personalized recommendations based on your strengths.

We’ll add the video links to our talks in the show notes as soon as we get them, so check back!

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/430/

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:

What Most Speakers Miss: 3 Secrets to Insightful and Inspirational Presentations

Carol Cox — Mon, 02 Jun 2025 05:00:00 -0400

Have you ever walked away from a presentation thinking, “That was… fine,” but not truly moved, inspired, or motivated?

Here’s the truth: Most presenters mean well - they want to share valuable information - but they miss what truly makes a talk stick with the audience.

In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on a recent presentation I gave at a local AI meetup that got amazing feedback - not because I taught all the things, but because I did these 3 key things instead.

You’ll learn:

What made this AI-focused talk both insightful and inspiring to a room full of people at all levels of tech
Why having a clear structure (yes, our Signature Talk Canvas!) is non-negotiable
How to go beyond teaching and step into thought leadership by showing your audience what’s possible
The powerful “aha” moment a friend shared with me after my talk - and why it matters for your delivery
How I use AI workflows and agents in my business, from podcast production to lead nurturing

Whether you're speaking to clients, colleagues, or on a stage, these 3 secrets will help you create the kind of talk that resonates and gets you invited back.

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/429/

Get my AI presentation slides + my Notion project: speakingyourbrand.com/ai-human

Want to create your own insightful and inspirational signature talk? Book a VIP Day or join our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/work-with-us/coaching/

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

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From Expert to Thought Leader: 3 Key Strategies You Need Now in the AI Age

Carol Cox — Mon, 26 May 2025 05:00:00 -0400

If I take a look at your slide deck or presentation outline and I can’t tell that the content is yours (vs. another speaker on your topic), you’re in danger of being a commodity speaker.

Commodity speakers are undifferentiated and interchangeable.

It will be harder for you to attract higher-profile speaking engagements, raise your speaking fees, and generate quality leads at your presentations.

What you want instead is for your content to position you as a thought leader. You will have a much bigger impact on your audiences and your speaking will be an effective marketing channel and revenue stream in your business.

Now more than ever it's time to escape the expert trap that will keep you undifferentiated and interchangeable with other experts and with the A.I. and instead step into thought leadership.

This is how you’ll stay relevant in the age of A.I. were rapidly entering.

In this episode, you'll learn:

Why the "expert trap" holds you back and how to break free
How to develop a compelling perspective that sets you apart
The power of creating intellectual property to establish your unique voice
How personal storytelling can deepen your impact and connection with your audience

(This episode originally aired as epiosde 327 on May 2, 2023.)

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/327

Watch the video replay: https://crowdcast.io/c/syb-speaking-ai

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: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox

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The Heart of Your Message: Why Emotion is Your Secret Speaking Superpower

Carol Cox — Mon, 19 May 2025 05:00:00 -0400

As speakers and entrepreneurs, we often focus on the facts, data, and tactics we want to share – but what about the emotional connection?

In this episode, I talk about the power of finding the emotional heart of your message and why it’s essential for creating talks that resonate deeply with your audience and leave a lasting impact.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

Why the emotional heart of your message is critical for building trust and connection
How mirror neurons make our brains wired for empathy and why that matters in storytelling
Examples from popular culture, including Hamilton and Taylor Swift, that demonstrate the power of emotional storytelling
How to uncover your own emotional heart by tapping into experiences of loss, struggle, or transformation
A personal story about facing resistance in my purpose – and the lessons I learned from it
Practical steps to include the emotional heart in your next talk or presentation

Think about a story or experience that’s deeply meaningful to you – one that still tugs at your heart. How can you weave that into your next presentation to create a lasting impact on your audience?

(This episode originally aired as episode 263 on February 8, 2022.)

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/263/

Download our FREE workbook on how to position yourself as a thought leader: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/guide/.

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

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

Schedule a consult call with us to talk about creating your signature talk and thought leadership platform: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/contact.

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

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How to Land a TEDx Talk: From Idea to Application

Carol Cox — Mon, 12 May 2025 05:00:00 -0400

Have you ever imagined standing on a TEDx stage, spotlight on you, sharing a bold, transformative idea that resonates deeply with your audience?

TEDx talks are powerful platforms, not just for delivering information, but for sparking new perspectives, challenging assumptions, and inspiring change.

In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on what it takes to land a TEDx talk, based on my experience selecting speakers for TEDx events and coaching clients to develop their big ideas.

Whether you’re a seasoned speaker or just starting to find your voice, I’ll guide you through what you need to know, including:

The 3 essential elements every impactful TEDx talk needs (hint: it’s more than just your expertise)
How to craft your “idea worth spreading” that sparks curiosity and leads to transformation
Why your personal story is the key to standing out – and how to weave it into your message
The biggest mistake applicants make (and how to avoid it)
How to get noticed by TEDx organizers (it’s not just about your application)

If a TEDx talk is on your list of goals, this episode will give you the inside track on how to make it happen. I’ll share practical tips and strategies to move you from dreaming to doing, so you can take your place on the stage and share your message with the world.

(This episode originally aired as episode 361 on December 4, 2023.)

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/361/

Search for TEDx events: https://www.ted.com/tedx/events

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: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox

Listen to more episodes about TEDx talks.

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What a Signature Talk Really Is - and What It Should Be Doing for You

Carol Cox — Mon, 05 May 2025 05:00:00 -0400

Have you ever wondered what truly makes a “signature talk”… well, signature?

In this solo episode, I’m breaking down what a signature talk actually is (and what it isn’t), why most presentations fall flat, and how you can create a talk that not only connects with your audience — but also works for you as a speaker and thought leader.

This episode is especially for you if you’ve ever felt stuck in what I call “the expert trap” - where you think you have to cram in as much information and training as possible in order to provide value. (Spoiler alert: that’s not how transformation happens!)

Instead, I want you to think about your talk as an experience — one that blends your expertise, your personal journey, your big idea, and your unique perspective to move your audience and your business forward.

I share:

The real purpose of your signature talk (hint: it’s more than education)
The 4 key elements that make up a transformational talk
How to position your talk for brand awareness, lead generation, and thought leadership
An overview of our Signature Talk Canvas® framework
Why one talk can be the foundation for everything you create, from paid keynotes to book outlines
A behind-the-scenes look at the signature talk I’m working on now (and how it ties into my upcoming book!)

This episode originally aired as episode 355 on November 9, 2023.

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/355/

Get our Signature Talk Canvas® framework and a lot more in our 24-page FREE guide and workbook on Developing Your Thought Leadership at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/guide/.

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: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox

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Want to Feel More Confident on Stage? Start Here.

Carol Cox — Mon, 28 Apr 2025 05:00:00 -0400

I’ve been there. Heart pounding, mouth dry, butterflies swirling - even after years of speaking on stages and on live TV.

In this episode, I share some of my hardest speaking moments (including my worst ever speaking experience) and the surprising reasons we feel nervous before we speak, even when we know our stuff inside and out.

You’ll learn:

The 3 big reasons we get nervous (it’s not just about being unprepared!)
How our physiology plays a bigger role than we realize — and how to work with it, not against it
What to do in advance to reduce anxiety and boost confidence
The truth behind one of my biggest speaking flops — and why it was a turning point for me
Tips for right before you step on stage so you can channel your energy and connect with your audience

I also share what helped me go from being terrified on live TV with a congressman (yes, really) to becoming a go-to political analyst for election night coverage.

Putting in the speaking reps matters. So does mindset.

Whether you’re prepping for a keynote, panel, podcast interview, webinar, or media apperance, these tips will help you step up and speak up with more confidence.

This episode originally aired as episode 370 on January 15, 2024.

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/370/

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 & messaging workshop in Orlando: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/workshop-speaking/

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

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The Business of Speaking: From Lead Gen to Speaker Fees

Carol Cox — Mon, 21 Apr 2025 05:00:00 -0400

Are you getting paid - or at least generating leads - from your speaking engagements?

Whether you’re speaking on stages, at conferences, or to community groups, your talks can (and should!) work for you, either by bringing in leads and clients or by earning you a speaker fee.

But here's what I often hear:

“I don’t want to make a sales pitch in my presentation.” “I’m not sure how to tell the audience what I actually do.” “I tried once, and it didn’t work, so I gave up.”

In this episode, I share specific strategies you can use to:

Align your presentation content with your offer (without sounding pitchy)
Plant “sales seeds” by sharing client examples and stories
Confidently include a call to action that feels natural and helpful
Use my gold-standard feedback form to generate leads you can follow up with
Know what to charge and how to communicate your speaker fee
Have productive, confident conversations with event organizers

You’ll learn practical tips you can start using in your very next presentation.

This episode originally aired as episode 344 on August 28, 2023.

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/344/

Download example feedback form (no opt-in needed): https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/7scnmn11eqpfeh863i878/Speaking-Your-Brand-Example-Worksheet-FeedbackForm.pdf?rlkey=bmqkj2pzyjewmrg8r0smml2vu&dl=0

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 workshop in Orlando: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/workshop/

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

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428: How to Keep Momentum in Your Business and Visibility When Everything Feels Uncertain

Carol Cox — Mon, 14 Apr 2025 05:00:00 -0400

Do you feel like hitting pause when everything around you feels uncertain?

Whether it's the economy, politics, AI, or just the general state of flux we're all living in, it's easy to feel overwhelmed and unsure of what to do next. You’re not alone - I’ve been feeling it too.

In this episode, Diane Diaz and I talk candidly about what we've been noticing in ourselves, our clients, and the conversations we're having behind the scenes here at Speaking Your Brand. Spoiler alert: pausing too long or isolating yourself isn't the answer.

Instead, we share:

Why action creates clarity and how to act your way to right thinking
A behind-the-scenes look at how we’re navigating uncertainty at Speaking Your Brand
How in-person speaking engagements and networking are helping us build momentum
Why now is the best time to connect and take action (even if you’re an introvert)
How to experiment and refresh your offerings without overwhelm
What to do when ChatGPT gives you too many ideas (yes, really!)

If you’ve been feeling stuck, this episode is your invitation to move from “What now?” to “What’s next?”

Let this episode be the boost you need to keep showing up, sharing your message, and stepping into your next level.

Plus, we share about our upcoming in-person workshop in Orlando, Narrative that Sells, and how it’s designed to help you attract clients, speaking opportunities, and thought leadership visibility by creating and practicing your signature talk.

🎟️ Use code PODCAST200 for $200 off: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/workshop

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/428/

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

Sign up for our Narrative That Sells in-person messaging and speaking workshop in Orlando on June 5th = https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/workshop/

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/

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427: Using Your Voice as a Woman in Leadership with Mary Beth Plank-Mezo

Carol Cox — Wed, 09 Apr 2025 05:00:00 -0400

What does it really look like to lead with courage, advocate for yourself (and others), and embrace vulnerability as a strength?

In this episode, I had the pleasure of talking with Mary Beth Plank-Mezo, who is the Vice President of Staff and Cultural Development at Full Sail University and has been with the university for an incredible 36 years. Her leadership has touched so many across the campus — and I know firsthand how impactful she’s been.

We recorded this conversation live in studio at Full Sail, and you’ll hear how Mary Beth’s leadership journey has evolved over the years, from being a quiet observer in meetings to becoming a powerful voice and advocate for change.

She shares the pivotal moments that shaped her, including the time she walked into the founder’s office and asked to switch departments (talk about bold self-advocacy!) and how she helped start the university’s Staff and Cultural Development department.

We talk about:

Why asking for what you want is so important (even when it’s scary)
How to deal with “no” - and why it doesn’t always mean “never” The value of listening first and co-creating a vision to build trust and buy-in
What happens when leaders show vulnerability (and how it fosters innovation)
Why women often hold themselves back and what we can do to push past that
The three layers of advocacy: for yourself, by others, and for others

Mary Beth also shares what continues to fuel her passion for mentoring and growing new leaders and how she sees her role now as ensuring the next generation is ready to take the reins.

This is one of those episodes that will stay with you, especially if you’ve ever questioned whether your voice matters (spoiler: it does).

Tune in and then ask yourself:

What’s one area where you can advocate for yourself right now?
Who’s in your corner, cheering you on and who can you advocate for?

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/427/

Watch the video of this episode at https://youtu.be/HT77NKq2un4

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 Beth Plank-Mezo (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/mbplankmezo/

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Stop Overloading Your Presentations: Why Less Info = More Impact

Carol Cox — Wed, 02 Apr 2025 05:00:00 -0400

Are you unintentionally overwhelming your audience with too much information?

In this episode, I dive into one of the most common mistakes I see smart, experienced professionals make in their presentations: overloading them with information.

I know it’s tempting - after all, we want to provide value. But here’s the truth: real impact doesn’t come from how much you teach, but from how much you transform.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

Why more information isn’t always better (and can actually be a disservice)
How to shift your content from info-dumping to insight-sharing
The key ingredients that create transformation in your talks
What I learned from TV shows like Succession and Inventing Anna about confidence, vision, and belief (yep, there’s a lesson in there!)
How focusing on transformation helps you position yourself as a thought leader and raise your speaking fees

I’ll also share examples from our Thought Leader Academy and client presentations to show you exactly how to make this shift.

If you want to create more meaningful and memorable presentations, this episode is for you.

This episode originally aired as episode 271 on April 5, 2022.

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/271

Download our FREE workbook on how to position yourself as a thought leader: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/guide/.

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

Schedule a consult call with us to talk about creating your signature talk and thought leadership platform: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/contact.

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

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You are the Messenger: How to Activate the Idea that’s Been Calling You

Carol Cox — Thu, 27 Mar 2025 05:00:00 -0400

Have you ever had an idea that tugged at you, asking to be brought to life?

In this episode, I share why I believe so strongly that you are the exact messenger for your idea and your audience. Not someone else. You.

Yes, your topic may be similar to what others are talking about. But ,your idea, your lens, your story, and your experiences are what make it yours.

And your audience? They’re waiting for you to say it in the way only you can.

We dig into:

The difference between having a topic versus having an idea (this is a game-changer for standing out!)
Why thought leadership is more than just expertise—it’s about the courage to show up with your unique take
The two ways ideas tend to come to us (and what stops us from activating them)
Why fear and perfectionism are such sneaky dream stealers (and how to move through them)
What Lin-Manuel Miranda, Elizabeth Gilbert, and Greta Gerwig can teach us about being the messenger for your idea

I even share a behind-the-scenes moment from preparing my 2016 TEDx talk when I realized I needed something more than a “good” talk - I needed to say something only I could say.

If you’re feeling that nudge that there’s an idea stirring inside you - or one that’s been sitting dormant - it’s time to give it voice.

Remmber: Your audience is waiting for you.

This episide originally aired as episode 343 on August 21, 2023.

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/343/

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: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox

Mentioned:

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426: Every Talk Needs Humor: Here are 5 Ways to Make Your Audience Laugh

Carol Cox — Wed, 19 Mar 2025 05:00:00 -0400

Have you ever wondered if you really need to add humor to your business presentations, keynotes, or conference talks?

Maybe you think, I’m just here to share valuable information - why should I try to be funny?

Well, in this episode, I’m joined by our lead speaking coach, Diane Diaz, to show you exactly why humor isn’t just a nice-to-have - it’s a must-have.

We’re diving into how to use humor effectively in your talks, without forcing corny jokes (unless that’s your thing!).

From situational storytelling to physical comedy, sarcasm, self-deprecating humor, and even well-placed memes and GIFs, we cover it all.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

Why humor makes your audience feel more connected and engaged
How to plan humor in your talk (even if you don’t think you’re funny)
The power of physical comedy as a speaker
Diane’s hilarious story about her mom teaching her to be a petty thief
The one type of self-deprecating humor to avoid

Even if you don’t consider yourself a comedian, there are so many ways to add humor that feel natural and authentic to you. Your audience will thank you - and they’ll definitely remember you!

Action Step: The next time you’re working on a presentation, pick one of the humor techniques we talk about and try incorporating it. Let us know how it goes!

You’ll also want to watch the video version at https://youtu.be/nVDRqerIlxQ.

We’ve included funny clips from stand-up comedians and sitcoms to illustrate our points - you won’t want to miss them!

This episode was filmed in one of the beautiful studios on the campus of Full Sail University, where Diane and I have been teaching business and marketing classes since 2009.

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/426/

Watch the video of this episode at https://youtu.be/nVDRqerIlxQ

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/

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3 Signs You're Stuck in the Expert Trap with Your Public Speaking [Best Of]

Carol Cox — Mon, 03 Mar 2025 05:00:00 -0500

I know you want to grow your business and brand and have a bigger impact as a thought leader.

But, as high-achievers, there are beliefs we have that get us stuck in the expert trap.

We believe that we need to teach/train to provide value; that training content is what our audience wants; and our identity is tied to seeing ourselves as the expert.

These beliefs are what can hold you back from thought leadership and the impact and income you want to make.

The problem is that your presentations and content are undifferentiated and lack emotional resonance.

In this episode, I share 3 signs you’re stuck in the expert trap and how to get out.

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/382/

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

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425: The Story You're Most Reluctant to Share is the One You Should

Carol Cox — Mon, 24 Feb 2025 05:00:00 -0500

Is there a story you’re reluctant to share? The one that still makes you cringe a little, that feels raw and vulnerable?

That’s probably the exact story you should be telling - not just for your audience, but for yourself.

In this episode, I’m joined by Diane Diaz, and we’re pulling back the curtain on our own stories - the ones we’ve hesitated to share.

We talk a lot about storytelling in public speaking, thought leadership, and keynotes, but let’s be honest: we often default to the safer stories. You know, the ones about career missteps, lessons learned, or professional challenges. But what about the deeply personal stories? The ones that shaped who we are?

Diane and I each share a story we’ve been reluctant to tell - stories tied to our self-worth, identity, and fears.

We unpack how these experiences have influenced our careers, our approach to public speaking, and even the way we show up in the world.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

Why the stories that scare you the most are the ones that will connect the deepest with your audience
How childhood experiences still shape the way we think about ourselves (and what to do about it)
Why leaning into imperfection and vulnerability makes you a more compelling speaker
How to balance preparation and spontaneity in your speaking style (Diane and I approach this very differently!)
A behind-the-scenes look at our own speaking journeys, including what we’ve learned from our clients

This episode was filmed in one of the beautiful studios on the campus of Full Sail University, where Diane and I have been teaching business and marketing classes since 2009.

Watch the video episode at https://youtu.be/WoIk1kK1a8c

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/425/

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/

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424: Evolving Your Brand is a Must: How to Align Who You Are, Even the Messy Parts

Carol Cox — Mon, 03 Feb 2025 05:00:00 -0500

We hear all the time that we should “reinvent” ourselves to stay relevant.

Or that we should ignore or dismiss aspects of our careers that no longer seem to “fit” with what we’re doing now.

I’m not sure we can truly “reinvent” ourselves, nor should we.

Instead, we should embrace how we evolve over time - and actually seek out ways to challenge ourselves to evolve!

In this episode, Diane Diaz, our lead speaking coach, joins me for a lively and insightful conversation about the difference between reinvention and evolution.

We explore why embracing your full self - quirks, career twists, and even those moments that feel “messy” - is essential for authenticity and personal branding.

Diane shares how her Ironman journey continues to influence her life, even years later, and I reflect on bringing my tech background into Speaking Your Brand’s evolution.

You’ll learn:

Why “reinvention” might not be the right word (and why evolution feels more authentic)
The importance of challenging yourself - even when it feels uncomfortable
How to embrace all aspects of your past, from childhood passions to career pivots, to shape your personal brand
What saying “yes” to unexpected opportunities (hello, comedy sets!) can do for your growth

This episode is full of personal stories and actionable takeaways to help you think about what’s next for you. Whether it’s launching a podcast, tackling public speaking, delivering a TEDx talk, or simply trying something new, it’s never too late to evolve.

This episode was filmed in one of the beautiful studios on the campus of Full Sail University, where Diane and I have been teaching business and marketing classes since 2009.

Watch the video episode (you’ll love it, including some behind the scenes!) at https://youtu.be/718HGeeKr20

Timestamps:

[00:00] Introduction: Reinvention vs. Evolution – Are You Challenging Yourself?
[00:25] Behind the Scenes: Filming at Full Sail University
[01:15] Why Evolution is More Authentic Than Reinvention
[02:33] Embracing Your Full Self in Your Personal Brand
[04:19] Diane’s Ironman Journey: Lessons That Still Resonate
[06:48] Carol’s Career Evolution: From Tech to Speaking Your Brand
[08:46] The Role of Adaptability in Personal and Professional Growth
[10:36] Saying Yes to Unexpected Opportunities (Diane’s Comedy Set!)
[12:21] The Importance of Enjoying the Process Over Perfection
[13:02] Closing Thoughts: What’s Your Next Challenge?

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/424/

Watch the video of this episode at https://youtu.be/718HGeeKr20

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/

Join us at our B.O.L.D. Brand Intensive Retreat in London in Summer 2025: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/london/

Connect on LinkedIn:

Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox
Diane Diaz = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianediaz/
Dr. Nicole Rochester = https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-rochester-md/

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423: Feeling Stuck or at a Plateau with Your Brand or Visibility? It's Time to Break the Rules

Carol Cox — Mon, 09 Dec 2024 05:00:00 -0500

Are you feeling stuck or stagnant, bored and burnt out creating the same-old content?

Or maybe you’re enjoying the content you’re creating and the topics you speak about, but you’ve hit a plateau. Your business isn’t growing, speaking opportunities aren’t growing, and most importantly you’re not growing.

Your business and opportunities will only grow if you’re stretching and growing yourself.

In order to do that, we have to break some rules; rules that make us feel safe, comfortable, and validated.

Now, I’m not really a rule follower, I call myself a rule-bender. This is why I’m always thinking and looking at ways to challenge the status quo.

In this episode, you’ll hear 3 rules you should consider breaking and why and how to do it.

I also have a big change, a rule I’m breaking, that I’ll share with you at the end, along with the ways you can work with us in 2025.

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/423/

Join our email newsletter: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/join/

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

Attend our 1-day 10x Your Speaking workshop in Orlando: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/workshop/

Join us at our B.O.L.D. Brand Intensive Retreat in London in Summer 2025: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/london/

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

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422: How to Create a 10-Out-of-10 Keynote that Leaves Your Audience in Awe with Julia Korn

Carol Cox — Mon, 02 Dec 2024 05:00:00 -0500

Have you ever attended a keynote that truly wowed you—one that stood out, engaged the audience, and provided an unforgettable experience?

Let’s face it, most keynotes do the job, but very few deliver that multidimensional magic.

In today’s episode, I sit down with Julia Korn, the founder and CEO of The Authenticity Guide and a recent client.

We worked closely together to create her new keynote, from the content to the magic touches that made it a 10 out of 10.

How did she do it? That’s what we’re diving into!

We explore:

The step-by-step process Julia used to land her keynote slot a year in advance (hint: proactive pitching matters!).
Why the concept of a Personal Board of Directors became the winning topic that resonated with her audience.
How Julia and I worked together to create a keynote that went beyond content to deliver an experience, including interactive elements like a creative game show featuring Oprah, Yoda, and even Martha Stewart and Snoop Dogg!
The importance of storytelling and vulnerability, including how Julia captivated her audience with her personal story of a career demotion—and even laid flat on the stage to drive her point home.

We also discuss the work that goes into crafting a stellar keynote:

Balancing humor, audience engagement, and actionable takeaways.
Collaborating with AV teams to nail the technical elements.
Hiring a videographer to capture powerful moments for future sizzle reels.

Julia shares the audience’s reactions, from laughter to tears, and how her keynote set a transformative tone for the rest of the conference.

She also provides valuable tips for speakers who want to make a lasting impact, whether they’re on a keynote stage or pitching their next big speaking opportunity.

About My Guest: Julia Korn is the founder and CEO of The Authenticity Guide, an executive coaching company focused on empowering ambitious leaders to find success without sacrificing joy. Julia is a self-described recovering perfectionist. She has been named a Business Insider Most Innovative Coach and she is also a Contributor to Forbes. She has been featured on BBC World News, Fox Business News, and more. Her recent TEDx talk, Break Up With “Should” In Your Career was named a TED Editors Pick of the year. In 2024, she launched the first of its kind community just for female emerging leaders, called The Emerging Leader Collective. Her greatest creation of all, however, is her two-year-old daughter.

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/422/

Julia’s website: https://www.theauthenticityguide.com/

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

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

Check out our coaching programs: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/work-with-us/coaching/

Join us in London for our B.O.L.D. Brand Intensive Retreat in Summer 2025: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/london/

Connect on LinkedIn:

Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox
Julia Korn (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliakorn/

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421: 100x Your Speaking in a Day: Insights from Our Recent In-Person Workshop

Carol Cox — Mon, 25 Nov 2024 05:00:00 -0500

Have you ever wondered how you can improve your speaking skills and truly connect with your audience?

I’m joined by Wendy McManus and Tara Lassiter, who recently attended our 1-day in-person speaking workshop in Orlando, Florida.

They share their stories, lessons learned, and the transformations they experienced, all within a single day.

We talk about:

Why in-person workshops provide a unique opportunity to grow as a speaker.
The power of immediate feedback and how it helps you identify habits you didn’t realize you had.
How improv exercises can help you loosen up, step out of your comfort zone, and have fun while learning.
Why storytelling is the heart of impactful presentations—and how to use “active storytelling” with your voice and body.
The surprising stories we’re most reluctant to share—and why they often resonate the most with audiences.
Personal anecdotes from Wendy and Tara about the challenges and breakthroughs they had during the workshop.

Key Takeaways:

Practice Makes Progress: Speaking more frequently and getting feedback in the moment accelerates your growth.
Own Your Story: The stories you might hesitate to share can create the deepest connections.
Be Intentional: From movement on stage to vocal variety, deliberate choices make your delivery more impactful.
Play and Learn: Don’t underestimate the value of play, from improv to dancing—because growth can be fun too!

About My Guests:

Wendy McManus is a leadership coach specializing in helping newer people managers build their confidence and skills as leaders. She’s passionate about storytelling as a tool for connection and growth.
Tara Lassiter is a brand strategist and ghostwriter with a background in on-air modeling at QVC. Her mission is to help others break through barriers and create representation in the business world.

Our next 1-day Speaking Workshop is on February 27, 2025, in Downtown Orlando, Florida! If you’re ready to accelerate your growth as a speaker, gain hands-on feedback, and have a lot of fun, this is your chance. Learn more and grab your spot at https://www.SpeakingYourBrand.com/workshop.

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/421/

Video from the live show: https://youtube.com/live/HMhIr041IOg

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

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

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

Join us in London for our B.O.L.D. Brand Intensive Retreat in Summer 2025: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/london/

Connect on LinkedIn:

Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox
Tara Lassiter (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/taralassiter/
Wendy McManus (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendy-mcmanus/

420: Finding and Developing Your Big I.D.E.A. [Best Of]

Carol Cox — Mon, 18 Nov 2024 05:00:00 -0500

Today’s episode it’s all about finding and developing your Big Idea for your thought leadership and public speaking.

Your idea doesn’t have to be something people have never heard of before; that’s unlikely as most things have been talked about before - and that’s ok!

As a speaker, you want to have something interesting and unique to talk about, you want to make a positive impact on your audience, and you want to develop your thought leadership

Perhaps you’re not sure what makes a good idea or which of your ideas is the best one. It all feels a bit messy and muddy.

That’s what I’m going to help you with in this episode! Think of me as your idea whisperer.

You’ll learn:

What a Big Idea is
Why too many speakers get stuck with superficial content
How to identify your I.D.E.A. using this handy acronym I came up with
Examples of Big Ideas from myself, from some of our clients, and from thought leaders you’ll recognize
Specific questions you can ask yourself to get started developing your Big Idea

Get these questions and a lot more in our 24-page FREE guide and workbook on Developing Your Thought Leadership at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/guide/.

This episode originally aired as episode 354 on November 6, 2023.

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/354/

Get our free Thought Leadership guide and workbook: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/guide/

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: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox

Related Podcast Episodes:

419: Using Your Voice and Story for Business Impact with Michelle Massman

Carol Cox — Mon, 11 Nov 2024 05:00:00 -0500

In this episode, our lead speaking coach Diane Diaz speaks with Michelle Massman, a longtime entrepreneur and graduate of our Thought Leader Academy, who shares her journey from “stuck” to “unstoppable” through storytelling and public speaking.

You’ll hear Michelle’s candid stories—from launching unexpected ventures like The Culinary Studio to her partnership with a music group—that reveal her resilience and passion for following her intuition.

As Diane and Michelle discuss the power of sharing vulnerable stories, Michelle opens up about the anxiety she’s faced and how she’s turned her experiences into speaking topics that resonate deeply with her audiences. Her frameworks, including From Stuck to Unstoppable and Passion to Profit, provide practical steps for anyone feeling stuck or seeking more clarity and confidence.

Michelle’s story is a reminder that by saying “yes” to opportunities, connecting with the right people, and being willing to share your authentic self, you can create incredible impact and growth for both yourself and others.

Diane and Michelle talk about:

Finding clarity on the message you want to share and ways to bring your unique story to life
Connecting with audiences authentically by sharing vulnerable, relatable experiences
Understanding the power of frameworks and storytelling to guide and engage listeners
Gaining inspiration to overcome obstacles and embrace your next speaking opportunity

About Our Guest: Michelle Massman has been a visionary entrepreneur for over 30 years and knew, even as a teen, that she wanted to own a business someday. After working at a few (ok several) jobs, she realized she didn’t like being told what to do, and didn’t like managing people. So she started her business and loved it! She has guided, launched, directed and overhauled everything from small start up ventures to multi-million dollar private companies, consulted with hundreds of people in the areas of entrepreneurship, marketing, brand partnerships, event production, and music management, and weathered failures and missteps that have given her experience and knowledge that she uses to help her clients sidestep them. Michelle’s sweet spot, as a problem solver, connector, advocate, and persuasive force, is the ability to jump into any problem and help find the best solution while helping her clients access the knowledge they need to get unstuck in their business.

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/419/

Michelle’s website: https://www.michellemassman.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
Diane Diaz = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianediaz/
Michelle Massman (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-massman-6629236/

418: Our Thoughts on the 2024 Election Results: Here We Are Once Again

Carol Cox — Wed, 06 Nov 2024 11:49:00 -0500

The election clearly did not go the way many of us wanted. I was on the TV news once again on Election Night and the morning after. The outcome wasn't the shock it was in 2016, but it's profoundly disappointing.

Join me and Diane Diaz for this conversation on our thoughts and how we’re moving forward (recorded on Wednesday, November 6 at 11 am EST).

We too are sad and frustrated but we also want to remind you of the power of your voice and your community.

It's easy to jump to the conclusion that America won't elect a woman as president or that voters don't care about women's rights.

Two things to keep in mind.

First, in both Missouri and Arizona (as well as other states - both blue and red - since the Dobbs decision in 2022), amendments passed to counter very restrictive abortion laws. Unfortunately, in Florida where I live, a similar amendment did not pass because Florida requires 60% and the amendment got 57% (a similar percentage as in the other states). A healthy majority of voters, both men and women, agree that women's reproductive rights are essential.

Second, it was a *very* close race. Kamala Harris only had 100 days to do what most presidential candidates have 2 years to do: introduce herself to the American people, talk about the issues she would focus on as president, and contrast herself not only with her opponent but also with the incumbent (Biden) in an era of anti-incumbency sentiment. Harris ran a nearly flawless campaign and I believe she simply ran out of time.

Hang in there. Your voice matters and the work you do 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/418/

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

Join us in London for our B.O.L.D. Brand Intensive Retreat Summer 2025: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/london/

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 406: Authenticity and Owning Your Story as Women with a Public Voice with Jennifer Adams and Sarah Henry

Episode 191: Women in Politics and the Public Sphere with Rep. Anna K. Eskamani

417: The 3 Key Elements for Your Transformational Personal Brand

Carol Cox — Mon, 04 Nov 2024 05:00:00 -0500

We’re diving into what makes a personal brand truly transformational. If you’re working to build a brand that’s memorable and impactful, whether you're an entrepreneur, a leader, or someone looking to expand your influence, this episode is for you.

In this episode, I share three essential elements that go into creating a transformational personal brand: being remembered, relevant, and relational

I’ll walk you through how to identify what makes you unique, why staying in tune with trends matters, and how building genuine connections can fuel your brand’s growth.

Here’s a peek at what we’ll cover:

Why "Transformational"? - Your brand isn’t just about what you do; it’s about who you are and how you show up—even when you’re not in the room. It’s a combination of your expertise, values, and the mission you’re passionate about. We’ll talk about what it means to have a brand that inspires change and how that can elevate both you and your audience.
Be Remembered - People remember those who make an impact. I’ll share some personal stories, including an unexpected moment at a political fundraiser where I reconnected with someone from years ago because I was memorable. I’ll guide you on how to make sure people think of you when they talk about topics related to your mission and values.
Stay Relevant - We’re in a fast-changing world, and it’s critical to adapt. I’ll explain why I’ve been deeply involved with AI, how this aligns with my mission, and why being relevant means more than just following trends—it’s about resonating with what matters in today’s society.
Build Relational Connections - Relationships are the heartbeat of a strong personal brand. I’ll discuss why building offline relationships can be just as powerful (if not more) than online connections and share tips for growing a network that helps keep your brand top of mind.

Plus, I’ve created a free workbook to help you start building your transformational personal brand. You can download it at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/personalbrand/.

I hope this episode inspires you to think about what makes your brand transformational, to make sure your message isn’t just heard, it’s remembered and felt.

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/417/

Download the free personal brand workbook that goes with this episode: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/personalbrand/

Apply for our B.O.L.D. Brand Intensive retreat in London Summer 2025: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/london/

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

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

Related Podcast Episodes:

416: The Secret to Authentic Connection with Your Audiences Is Your Brand Voice with Ashleigh Harvey

Carol Cox — Mon, 28 Oct 2024 05:00:00 -0400

As an entrepreneur or professional, you know the power of having a clear and compelling brand voice that resonates with your audience.

You want your message to attract the right clients, opportunities, and partners - but knowing how to express your authentic self can feel like a challenge.

Many women struggle with feeling like they need to fit a mold: too professional, not bold enough, or maybe even too much.

The fear of sounding "wrong" or "inauthentic" holds many of us back from fully stepping into our voice, whether we're delivering a talk, crafting website copy, or writing emails.

In this episode, I talk with Ashleigh Harvey, a copywriting and brand messaging expert (and Thought Leader Academy grad), about how you can confidently find and express your authentic brand voice to connect deeply with your audience.

Ashleigh shares practical strategies for honing your message, so you’ll attract the right people for you.

We talk about:

The common challenges women face when trying to find their brand voice
How Ashleigh and I describe our own brand voices (I was surprised to figure out what my brand voice is!)
Why authenticity is more important than ever in the age of AI-driven content
The power of having a consistent practice for developing your brand voice
Practical tips for writing copy that connects, persuades, and inspires action

Plus, Ashleigh and I announce an exciting joint retreat we’re hosting in London next summer! Over 4 days (June 29-July 2, 2025), you’ll have the opportunity to immerse yourself in developing your brand voice and story, all while experiencing the rich performing arts culture and women’s history in an incredible city. Learn more at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/london/.

About My Guest: Ashleigh Harvey runs The Story Team, her persuasion copywriting business. Her mission is to empower female entrepreneurs to embrace their authentic voice and weave it into their business, creating consistent branding and copy that converts. She works with female entrepreneurs from South Africa to New Zealand, from India to South Korea, from the UK to the USA, helping them with badass brand voice and copy tips. She is an unapologetic vegan who started her business from her car while working as a care worker. She swears too much, is far too loud, is working more and more on not caring too much about what other people think, and she wants to tell her story so that it may help other women to find their power.

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/416/

Ashleigh’s website: https://www.thestoryteam.org/

Apply for our London Brand Building Retreat in Summer 2025: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/london/

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
Ashleigh Harvey (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleigh-harveyldn/

Related Podcast Episodes:

415: What Event Producers Look for When Selecting Speakers with Johanna (Jo) Murillo

Carol Cox — Mon, 21 Oct 2024 05:00:00 -0400

If you’ve ever wondered how to land those coveted speaking and panel spots at events, this episode is for you!

I’m thrilled to have Johanna (Jo) Murillo join me to share her insider knowledge on how event organizers and producers choose speakers and panelists.

Jo is an event producer extraordinaire based in Orlando, Florida, where I live. She runs Wow Brand Studios, a full-service agency specializing in event production, brand strategy, and helping business owners stand out through powerful visual branding.

I’ve had the pleasure of attending several of Jo’s events, and they are truly one-of-a-kind!

In our conversation, Jo reveals the secrets of what she looks for when selecting speakers and panelists.

It’s not just about who has the biggest social media following, but about who can bring genuine value, inspire the audience, and share knowledge in a way that makes everyone in the room feel uplifted and enriched.

We dive into:

The importance of attending local in-person events to build your visibility and network
The qualities Jo looks for in speakers (hint: it’s more than just being an expert!)
How diversity and inclusion play a central role in curating impactful events
Memorable stories of speakers who wowed the audience and exceeded expectations
Red flags that make event organizers hesitate to book a speaker
How to make sure you are meeting expectations as a speaker and how event organizers can ensure a successful event for speakers

Ready to develop your signature talk and land more speaking opportunities?

Join our Thought Leader Academy where you’ll work on creating your signature talk, developing your thought leadership, and learning the business of speaking. Get all the details and sign up at speakingyourbrand.com/academy.

About My Guest: With over 25 years of experience in visual design, brand development, and marketing, Johanna (Jo) Murillo stands as a dynamic and accomplished professional in the industry. She is the proud owner of WOW Brand Studios, a full-service branding and public relations agency renowned for its creative and strategic excellence. A trailblazer for Hispanics in our community, Johanna was unanimously elected to join the Board of Directors for Opera Orlando. Further amplifying her impact, Johanna recently founded The WOW PWR, a nonprofit organization that empowers women in business by providing them with essential resources and a supportive network to thrive in their entrepreneurial endeavors.

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/415/

Jo’s website: https://wowbrandstudios.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
Jo Murillo (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/johannamurillo/

Related Podcast Episodes:

Episode 401: Strategies for Getting Momentum on the Speaking Circuit

414: Using ‘Stages’ and ‘Lessons’: Live Signature Talks from Our Thought Leader Academy Grads

Carol Cox — Mon, 14 Oct 2024 05:00:00 -0400

In your presentations and keynotes, you want to take your audience on a journey of discovery, sharing with them your personal insights and stories along the way.

One of the best ways to do this is to frame your content as stages, lessons, or a framework, such as an alliteration or acronym.

Want to see what this looks like in an actual talk?

You’ll hear three of our recent Thought Leader Academy grads, Wendy McManus, Nelly Some, and Heather Burright, deliver a 10-minute version of the signature talk they created with us, so you can see and hear them in action.

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.

This audio is from a live broadcast we did on October 2, 2024. You can watch the video at https://youtube.com/live/khaXnBCKRXk.

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/414/

Video from the live show: https://youtube.com/live/khaXnBCKRXk

Wendy’s website: https://www.connect2potential.com/

Nelly’s website: https://makingadifferencewithnelly.com/

Heather’s website: https://www.skillmastersmarket.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
Wendy McManus (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendy-mcmanus/
Nelly Some (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/nellysome/
Heather Burright (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-burright/

413: Design and Deliver Workshops that Get You Leads and Clients

Carol Cox — Mon, 07 Oct 2024 05:00:00 -0400

When you facilitate workshops and presentations for visibility and lead generation, we want to make sure you get the results you’re looking for.

It’s perfectly fine to do free or low-cost workshops, as long as the audience aligns with the types of clients you work with, you have an offer that would be of interest to them, AND you’re willing to make that offer.

So often, we hear from women that they don’t want to sell at these types of workshops or presentations.

But, that’s the reason to do them. You need to let the attendees know how they can work with you and give them an incentive to do so.

We recently facilitated a 90-minute in-person workshop for a group of women professionals who are alumni of a program called ATHENA NextGen that I went through in 2016.We got rave reviews from the workshop - and we got a bunch of leads and new clients!

In this episode, Diane Diaz and I talk about:

Deciding which of our offers to present to the audience and why
How we almost got stuck in the expert trap when we realized that we had a bunch of content and activities but no overarching lessons
How we use our framework to provide a cohesive journey of transformation for the attendees, not just information
The importance of sharing your own personal stories, even in workshops
Using humor and making it fun (even if no one else wants to participate in your dance party!)
The specific sales techniques we used

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/413/

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:

412: Beyond the Pitch: How Storytelling Wins Hearts and Minds with Ashley Vann

Carol Cox — Mon, 30 Sep 2024 05:00:00 -0400

Whether you’re running a nonprofit, leading a business, or building your personal brand, this episode is filled with practical tips and examples on how to use storytelling to make an impact.

We dive deep into the art and impact of storytelling with Ashley Vann, founder of the Victory Cup Initiative.

Ashley shares how her organization empowers nonprofits to tell compelling stories that connect with their audiences, inspire action, and drive meaningful change.

We discuss how Victory Cup brings together business and nonprofit leaders to create an engaging platform where impactful stories are shared, and everyone wins.

Ashley takes us through the journey of Victory Cup, from its inception to its innovative event format that challenges nonprofits to captivate an audience in just 2.5 minutes.

We explore why storytelling is more than just a communication tool – it’s a way to build emotional connections, highlight missions, and create a shared sense of purpose.

Ashley also shares valuable insights on avoiding storytelling pitfalls, balancing structure with novelty, and using specific details to make stories unforgettable.

Tune in to learn:

The unique event format of Victory Cup Initiative and how it fosters community engagement.
How to craft a story that captures attention and inspires action in just a few minutes.
The importance of specificity in storytelling and how it can create a more profound connection.
Techniques for balancing structure and novelty to keep your audience engaged.
Why storytelling is a powerful tool for nonprofits and businesses alike.

Don’t miss this conversation packed with inspiration and actionable advice to help you harness the power of storytelling for your cause or brand!

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/412/

Victory Cup Initiative: https://www.victorycupinitiative.org/

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
Ashley Vann (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashley-vann-6744a8b9/

Related Podcast Episodes:

Episode 398: Storytelling for Leaders: Crafting Narratives that Inspire and Persuade

Episode 386: The Power of the Performing Arts to Find and Use Your Voice with Theresa Smith-Levin

411: Reframing Public Speaking: From Elite Skill to Everyday Power with Dr. Karen Corbin

Carol Cox — Mon, 23 Sep 2024 05:00:00 -0400

Is public speaking an elusive talent reserved for a select few, or is it a powerful tool we can all master?

In this thought-provoking episode, we challenge the long-held belief that public speaking is only for the “naturally gifted.”

I’m thrilled to have Dr. Karen Corbin back on the podcast, as we dive deep into the art of communication and explore how anyone, from scientists to young professionals, can harness their voice to make a meaningful impact.

If you’ve ever felt self-conscious or critical about your speaking abilities, this episode is for you.

Karen and I explore how we can all make public speaking less intimidating and more approachable, turning it from an elite skill into an everyday power that elevates your personal and professional life.

Karen and I talk about:

Why storytelling isn’t just for the “gifted” but a skill anyone can cultivate to connect, influence, and inspire
The practical steps she took to shift from self-doubt to speaking with confidence and clarity
The surprising moments that changed her perspective on who should have a voice and how to make it heard
Real-life examples of how communicating effectively can open doors, reshape careers, and empower you to step into your own spotlight
How Karen navigates the corporate world and her personal brand

About My Guest: Karen D. Corbin, PhD, RD is the Owner and Chief Geek of Geeks That Speak® and an Associate Investigator at the AdventHealth Translational Research Institute. She is an expert in human nutrition and metabolism. Her scientific career is devoted to finding new approaches to prevent and treat diseases like diabetes and fatty liver disease. She is also an expert in scientific storytelling.

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/411/

Karen’s website: https://www.geeksthatspeak.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
Dr. Karen Corbin (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-corbin-phd-rd-75229111/

Recommendations:

Science Friday on NPR is a fantastic resource for listening to scientists from all different disciplines = https://www.sciencefriday.com

TED talk = “What you can do to prevent Alzheimer’s” by Lisa Genova = https://www.ted.com/talks/lisa_genova_what_you_can_do_to_prevent_alzheimer_s?language=en

For those interested in diabetes, this is a good podcast:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/diabetes-discourse/id885083634?i=1000656300786

Related Podcast Episodes:

Episode 398: Storytelling for Leaders: Crafting Narratives that Inspire and Persuade

410: 7 Essential Questions for Your Brand Story with Elayne Fluker

Carol Cox — Mon, 16 Sep 2024 05:00:00 -0400

You're going to get so much out of this episode with 7 essential questions to ask yourself as you refresh your brand story.

Whether you’re leaving a corporate job to become an entrepreneur, looking to expand your existing brand, aspiring to be a speaker or thought leader, or a corporate professional ready to transition to the next level, this conversation is for you.

My guest is Elayne Fluker, who is an experienced coach to executive women and a prolific podcaster (over 700 episodes), with her podcast called Support is Sexy.

Elayne is also the author of “Get Over ‘I Got It’: How to Stop Playing Superwoman, Get Support and Remember that Having It All Doesn’t Mean Doing It All Alone” – published by HarperCollins Leadership and named a Forbes Book of the Month.

Elayne and I share with you how you can re-brand your brand with 7 essential questions.

We explore actionable strategies for reinventing your brand in today's ever-changing landscape and discuss how we’ve both helped our clients successfully navigate their rebranding journeys.

Our conversation is packed with insights and inspiration to help you elevate your brand and make your next move with confidence.

This episode is the audio from a live show we did on September 10, 2024. You can watch the video at https://youtube.com/live/43vUGQ2qQsU.

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/410/

Elayne’s website: https://www.elaynefluker.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
Elayne Fluker (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/elaynefluker/

Related Podcast Episodes:

409: Transforming Your Story into a Movement with Allison Walsh

Carol Cox — Mon, 09 Sep 2024 05:00:00 -0400

What if your personal story could be more than just a story — what if it could spark a movement?

In this episode, I’m joined by Allison Walsh, a speaker, entrepreneur, and mental health advocate who has done just that.

From her beginnings as Miss Florida to building a platform that empowers women and advocates for mental health, Allison has used her voice to create a ripple effect far beyond herself.

Tune in as we explore how you, too, can transform your story into a powerful movement that inspires and creates real change.

Allison and I talk about:

How being open and authentic with her story, despite her initial hesitancy, allowed her to connect deeply and create a movement around mental health awareness, proving that your story can be a catalyst for change
Leveraging speaking opportunities, from local events to major conferences, to amplify your message and inspire others to take action
The importance of being clear on your “why” and how that clarity helps you speak with passion and purpose, inspiring others to join your movement
Practical steps you can take to start transforming your story into a movement, from finding the right speaking opportunities and sharing your message effectively to building a community around your cause

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/409/

Allison’s websites: https://www.allisonwalshconsulting.com/ and https://www.shebelievedshecould.co/

I was a guest recently on Allison's podcast "She Believed She Could". You'll love that episode too!

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
Allison Walsh (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonkreigerwalsh/
Allison’s Instagram = https://www.instagram.com/allisonwalsh

Related Podcast Episodes:

408: Connecting Your Personal Brand and Your Thought Leadership [Best Of]

Carol Cox — Mon, 02 Sep 2024 10:02:00 -0400

We recently (August 2024) hosted a 90-minute in-person workshop on personal branding for ATHENA NextGen alumni in Orlando, Florida.

It was a lot of fun and the women who attended loved seeing how all their threads connect in their personal brand. We also had them define their brand voice using our Brand Voice Canvas framework and create their personal brand action plan using our Pillars of Your Personal Brand framework.

Along with this workshop we facilitated, we’ve done 9 client VIP Days (!) in the past month, so things have been a bit busy.

Hence, a “best of” episode for the podcast this week. :-)

This episode originally aired on October 2, 2023, and it’s as relevant as ever.

In the age of more & more content (whether human- or AI-created), your personal brand matters more than ever.

Potential clients and event organizers can easily find lots of experts in what you do.

What you want them to realize is what sets you apart and why they should pick you.

That’s where your personal brand and thought leadership come in.

I know you want to have a positive impact on the world and you may feel like cultivating a personal brand is unnecessary or self-indulgent or you just don’t have time for it.

But, here’s the thing: you have a personal brand, everyone does.

It’s how other people would describe you; not just your qualities like are you smart, kind, professional, but also what matters to you.

Do people know what matters to you, the better world you imagine?

In this episode, you’ll hear:

How your business connects to your thought leadership
How your personal brand connects to your thought leadership
Example from my own personal brand and thought leadership
Pushback I got early on when I started my business about a particular aspect of my personal brand
Finding the consistency and commonality among all of the threads in your career
What humans have over AI when it comes to storytelling

This episode originally aired on October 2, 2023.

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/408/

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

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

Related Podcast Episodes:

407: Building Your Speaking Platform as an Author (Even If You're an Introvert!) with Tiffany Hawk

Carol Cox — Mon, 26 Aug 2024 05:00:00 -0400

As a speaker, writing a book gives you additional authority and credibility.

Event organizers love speakers who have books because it shows that the speaker understands their material.

But, how do you know what's a good idea for an entire book?

On the flip side, if you're an author and public speaking isn't something you're jumping up and down to do, how can you build your platform to include speaking, even if you're an introvert?

My guest is my book coach Tiffany Hawk, who is a published author and who runs the Breakthrough Book Proposal Program.

Tiffany and I talk about:

Her journey from reluctant to charismatic speaker as a result of attending our in-person retreat
What makes a good idea for a book
Why you shouldn’t write the book that you can write in your sleep
How authors can build their platform, particularly around speaking, even if you’re an introvert (like us!)
How speakers can build authority for their book proposal to attract agents and publishers
A sneak peek of the online workshop this fall and an in-person retreat in the spring that Tiffany and I will be hosting together

About My Guest: Tiffany Hawk is an author and book coach who helps leaders write agent-ready books and book proposals. Her clients have landed literary agents, traditionally published with big New York Presses and small literary presses, self published, won awards, and seen their stories in places like Harper’s, the Los Angeles Times, Narratively, McSweeney’s, and The Atlantic.

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/407/

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

Get Tiffany’s free resource “How good is your book idea?” = https://www.tiffanyhawk.com/idea/

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

Attend our 1-day Speaking for Impact in-person workshop in Orlando on October 10th: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/workshop/

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

Connect on LinkedIn:

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

Related Podcast Episodes:

406: Authenticity and Owning Your Story as Women with a Public Voice with Jennifer Adams and Sarah Henry

Carol Cox — Mon, 19 Aug 2024 05:00:00 -0400

The Democratic National Convention is being held in Chicago this week and many Americans will be re-introduced to V.P. Kamala Harris when she delivers her speech on Thursday night.

I have a background in local Democratic politics and have always been a strong supporter of women running for office.

Earlier this summer, we held in-person workshops for women who are running in the Central Florida area where we helped them with their public speaking and storytelling.

It was a lot of fun and it showed me once again how powerful someone’s personal story is!

In this episode, I’m joined by two of those women, Jennifer Adams, who’s running for U.S. Congress in Florida’s District 7, and Sarah Henry, who’s running for Florida State House in District 38.

We talk about:

Why they decided to run for office and the importance of asking women to run
What it's like being a female candidate and having a public voice and presence
Their stump speeches and how they tailor them based on the audience
The surge of support and enthusiasm for V.P. Kamala Harris’s campaign for President and what that tells us about the importance of authenticity
The lessons they’ve learned about being themselves vs. trying to be someone they thought they should be
What they learned about storytelling, taking up space, and messaging from the workshops we did with then
The importance of donating to women candidates (find local women that you can donate to!)

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/406/

Jennifer Adams for U.S. Congress: https://www.jenniferadamsforcongress.com/

Sarah Henry for Florida State House: https://sarahforfl.com/

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

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

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

Connect on LinkedIn:

Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox
Jennifer Adams (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferadams111-/
Sarah Henry (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/slouisehenry/

Related Podcast Episodes:

405: Advocating and Using Your Voice for Yourself with Laura Camacho, PhD

Carol Cox — Mon, 12 Aug 2024 05:00:00 -0400

If you're a high-performing woman who works in corporate and you’ve struggled to use your voice in an impactful way, this conversation is for you!

Our lead speaking coach Diane Diaz sits down with Laura Camacho, PhD, an executive communications strategist and host of the Speak Up podcast.

Diane and Laura dive into the realities of climbing the corporate ladder and the common pitfalls that hold many back, particularly women.

Drawing from personal experiences and years of coaching, Laura shares actionable insights on overcoming self-sabotage, enhancing visibility, and effectively using your voice in the workplace.

Whether you're an introvert, ambivert, or simply looking to refine your communication skills, you'll find valuable strategies to help you advance your career.

Diane and Laura talk about:

The importance of self-promotion and how to do it without sounding arrogant
Why acknowledging and leveraging your unique background and experiences can set you apart
Practical tips for speaking up in meetings and ensuring your contributions are noticed
The role of a coach in navigating mid-career challenges and achieving your goals
How to build relationships and add value in every interaction

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/405/

Laura’s website: https://www.speakupwithlaura.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
Diane Diaz = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianediaz/
Laura Camacho = https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauramcamacho/

Related Podcast Episodes:

Episode 397: Speak to Lead: Elevating Your Executive Presence

404: Break the Fourth Wall: Lessons from the Olympics, Kamala, and Shakespeare

Carol Cox — Mon, 05 Aug 2024 05:00:00 -0400

This is going to be a fun episode and hopefully get you thinking differently about the presentations and talks you give, whether you’re speaking to audiences of 20, 50, 100, 500, or more.

What does it mean to "break the fourth wall" and should you do that as a speaker?

The fourth wall is the imaginary wall at the front of the stage that separates the fictional world (the performance) from real life (the audience).

When you attend a play or a movie, you're an outsider watching the characters live their lives; they don't know you exist.

However, I've noticed more and more that live performances and even movies are breaking the fourth wall.

What does this have to do with you as a speaker?

That’s what we’re going to talk about, including specific things you can do to break the fourth wall with your audience to be a more impactful and memorable speaker.

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/404/

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 for Impact in-person workshop in Orlando: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/workshop/

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

Related Podcast Episodes:

403: From CEO to Author to Keynote Speaker: Make Opportunities Happen with Maria Flynn

Carol Cox — Mon, 29 Jul 2024 05:00:00 -0400

I’m thrilled to be joined by Maria Flynn, a graduate of our Thought Leader Academy and now the founder and CEO of Ambiologix, a consulting and training company that helps entrepreneurs advance their innovation, grow their potential, and build their businesses.

Maria’s journey from the CEO of Orbis Biosciences, which had a successful acquisition, to becoming an Amazon bestselling author and keynote speaker, is nothing short of inspiring.

We delve into her innovative framework on maximizing T.I.M.E. to make opportunities happen and the delicate balance between patience and urgency.

Maria shares her practical tips on attracting speaking engagements, including paid ones, and the strategies that helped her launch her book successfully.

Key Takeaways:

Maximizing Time: Learn about Maria’s framework on balancing urgency and patience, and how these concepts apply to entrepreneurial success.
Visual Storytelling: Discover the engaging visuals Maria uses in her presentations to illustrate the spectrum of urgency and patience.
Book to Keynote: Understand how Maria transformed the rich content of her book into impactful keynotes and workshops by working with us in the Thought Leader Academy.
Speaking Engagements: Get insights into Maria’s approach to securing both free and paid speaking engagements and leveraging them for further opportunities.
Writing Journey: Maria’s discussion about her book writing and launch process, including the importance of community and support.

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/403/

Maria’s website: https://makeopportunityhappen.com/

Get a free copy of Maria’s book “Make Opportunity Happen”: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/ez9n4ludh6

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
Maria Flynn = https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariasflynn/

Related Podcast Episodes:

402: Struggling to Get Clarity on Your Ideas? Here's What to Do

Carol Cox — Mon, 22 Jul 2024 05:00:00 -0400

If your ideas feel a bit - or a lot - messy and muddy, you’re far from alone.

This is the #1 challenge I hear from women we work with.

We're too close to our own ideas so we're not sure what our audiences will be interested in.

We feel self-doubt or resistance that causes analysis paralysis.

We try to put too much information into our talks (hello, expert trap!).

This is why we are your idea whisperers.

In this episode, I share:

Why it’s hard to get clarity on our own ideas
Why you need a clear throughline that’s a palm tree and not an oak tree
The biggest reason why all of your ideas feel overwhelming
Specific things you can do to get clarity
The purpose of resistance and vulnerability in your idea formation

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/402/

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 for Impact in-person workshop in Orlando: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/workshop/

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

Related Podcast Episodes:

Episode 354: Finding and Developing Your Big I.D.E.A.

Episode 343: Why YOU are the Messenger for Your Idea and Audience

Episode 341: Unearthing Your Unique Message: Discovering What Makes You Stand Out

401: Strategies for Getting Momentum on the Speaking Circuit with Cindy Rowe

Carol Cox — Mon, 15 Jul 2024 05:00:00 -0400

If you want to get more speaking engagements, this episode is packed with specific strategies you can use, no matter where you’re at in your speaking journey.

Our guest is Cindy Rowe, a professional speaker, owner of a marketing company, and a graduate of our Thought Leader Academy.

Cindy has been on fire with her speaking for the past two years, so we invited her back on the podcast to share how she’s been getting momentum on the speaking circuit.

Our lead speaking coach Diane Diaz and Cindy talk about:

How Cindy transitioned from speaking on marketing to becoming a sought-after speaker on kindness
Specific strategies Cindy uses to secure a steady stream of speaking engagements
The power of Google Alerts and LinkedIn for uncovering speaking opportunities
The importance of connecting with other speakers to expand your network and find speaking gigs
Tailoring one signature talk to fit different audiences and event themes
How Cindy leverages her speaking engagements to book more gigs, including some already lined up into 2025!
The crucial role the Thought Leader Academy played in shaping her signature talk

If you're ready to build your momentum on the speaking circuit, apply for our Thought Leader Academy at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy. We’re here to help you craft your thought leadership message and signature talk, create a visibility plan, and set you on the path to becoming a sought-after speaker.

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/401/

Cindy’s website: https://thecindyrowe.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
Diane Diaz = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianediaz/
Cindy Rowe (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/cindyrowe-publicspeaker/

Related Podcast Episodes:

400: Why Introverts Make Great Speakers and Leaders [Executive Speaking Series]

Carol Cox — Mon, 08 Jul 2024 05:00:00 -0400

Are you an introvert? If so, do you wonder if you are at a disadvantage as a speaker?

There’s a common misperception that most speakers are extroverts. But, from my admittedly very unscientific survey, many speakers I know are introverts.

We think that as introverts we won’t be as engaging or charismatic or energetic. Perhaps we’ve seen speakers we admire and we assume they’re extroverts.

I’m an introvert and I grew up quite shy, yet I found that public speaking was a great way for me to connect with other people.

In this episode, Diane Diaz and I talk about:

Why we became public speakers even though we’re introverts and we were shy as kids
What being an introvert teaches you
The strengths you have as an introvert as a speaker
Why speaking feels like a better fit than social media for many introverts
Our tips for attending and speaking at conferences as an introvert

We’re wrapping up the podcast series we’ve been around executive speaking.

This is the 400th episode of the Speaking Your Brand podcast! Thank you so much for being a listener.

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/400/

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 for Impact in-person workshop in Orlando: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/workshop/

Connect on LinkedIn:

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

Related Podcast Episodes:

399: Be a Voice of Change: How to Communicate Transformational Leadership with Dr. Lesia Crumpton-Young [Executive Speaking Series]

Carol Cox — Mon, 01 Jul 2024 05:00:00 -0400

We’re continuing our new podcast series on Executive Speaking!

This episode is full of inspiration and practical insights if you’re looking to enhance your leadership skills, embrace transformation, and make meaningful connections.

Dr. Lesia Crumpton-Young's journey is a testament to the power of perseverance, innovation, and the importance of showing up.

Whether you're a seasoned leader or just starting your career, her wisdom will resonate and empower you to take bold steps towards your own greatness.

Dr. Crumpton-Young is an award-winning engineer, academic leader, and transformational coach. From her impressive journey as the first African American woman to earn a PhD in engineering at Texas A&M University to her pivotal role as a university president, Lesia shares her profound insights on leadership, transformation, and the power of showing up.

Tune in to discover:

The power of showing up, exemplified by how I met Lesia (you’ll love this story)
The essential qualities of a transformational leader and how to cultivate them
The significance of authentic and transparent communication in fostering strong relationships and driving change, including the one thing leaders and speakers must do
Practical tips on overcoming challenges and making impactful decisions
The exciting launch of a fashion line dedicated to empowering women and inspiring greatness

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/399/

Lesia’s website: http://www.greatnessgurus.com/

Lesia’s podcast “Heart to Heart: Transformation Conversations with Dr. C-Y”: https://www.wecareradio.net/

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
Lesia Crumpton-Young, PhD (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/lesia-l-crumpton-young-ph-d-mba-8a4a04b/

Related Podcast Episodes:

398: Storytelling for Leaders: Crafting Narratives that Inspire and Persuade [Executive Speaking Series]

Carol Cox — Mon, 24 Jun 2024 05:00:00 -0400

We’re continuing our new podcast series around Executive Speaking!

Today we’re diving into storytelling for leaders, especially in a business, corporate, or academic environment.

We’ve been led to believe that stories aren’t appropriate in “professional” business or academic environments.

But, that’s when stories can be the most impactful!

This episode is truly value-packed with actionable insights to elevate your leadership and executive presence through the art of storytelling, as I’m joined by Diane Diaz and Joy Spencer, two of our speaking coaches.

Whether you're preparing for a corporate presentation, a keynote, or a TEDx talk, this episode provides the tools you need to captivate your audience and drive action.

We talk about:

Why storytelling is not just an add-on but a core component of effective leadership communication
How leaders can build trust and credibility by being vulnerable and authentic in their storytelling
Using structured frameworks like Public Narrative and Challenge-Choice-Outcome to craft inspiring and persuasive stories
Applying our I.D.E.A.L. storytelling ingredients to bring your stories to life
Tips for turning personal experiences into compelling metaphors
Lots of examples of using stories in business, academic, and political contexts

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/398/

Joy’s podcast “Reframe to Create”: https://reframetocreate.com/

Public Narrative: https://dash.harvard.edu/bitstream/handle/1/30760283/Public-Narrative-Worksheet-Fall-2013-.pdf

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/

Check out our trainings for companies and organizations: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/work-with-us/trainings/

Connect on LinkedIn:

Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox
Diane Diaz = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianediaz
Joy Spencer = https://www.linkedin.com/in/joy-spencer/

Related Podcast Episodes:

397: Speak to Lead: Elevating Your Executive Presence [Executive Speaking Series]

Carol Cox — Mon, 17 Jun 2024 05:00:00 -0400

Have you ever been captivated by a speaker who seems to effortlessly command the room, inspiring everyone with their words and presence?

That’s the magic of executive presence combined with powerful public speaking.

Whether you're leading a team or an organization or a workshop, whether you're presenting to 20, 200, or 2000 people, your ability to communicate your ideas clearly, get buy-in from your audience, and deliver with energy and confidence can make all the difference.

But here's the thing: Executive presence doesn't simply materialize overnight. Nor is it the exclusive domain of the naturally charismatic. It's an art that can be cultivated, and one of the most powerful tools for doing so is honing your presentation and storytelling skills.

In this new podcast series on executive speaking, we'll explore how you can elevate your executive presence through impactful communication.

This series is perfect if you work at a company and are looking to enhance your leadership skills.

If you’re an entrepreneur, you’ll also get a lot out of this series by learning how to effectively convey your vision and inspire your team and your audiences.

We know that we want to see more women in positions of influence on boards, on leadership teams, in politics, and in business. Executive presence matters.

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/397/

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/

Check out our trainings for companies and organizations: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/work-with-us/trainings/

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

Related Podcast Episodes:

Episode 382: 3 Signs You're Stuck in the Expert Trap with Your Public Speaking

396: Creating a Signature Talk that Attracts Paid Speaking Opportunities with Cherlette McCullough

Carol Cox — Mon, 10 Jun 2024 07:16:00 -0400

Are you ready to elevate your speaking game and attract lucrative speaking engagements?

Diane Diaz, our lead speaking coach, sits down with one of our clients, Cherlette McCullough, a licensed marriage and family therapist, to delve into the keys to crafting a compelling signature talk that not only resonates with audiences but also leads to paid speaking opportunities.

Key Highlights:

Cherlette’s Journey: Discover how Cherlette transitioned from community speaking to landing high-paying gigs by refining her presentations and focusing on impactful delivery.
Signature Talk Breakdown: Learn the components of Cherlette’s successful signature talk, “From Selfie to Self-Reflection,” and how her engaging approach and relatable content captivated her audience.
Audience Engagement Tips: Get inspired by Cherlette’s innovative strategies to involve the audience, making her talks memorable and actionable.
Visibility and Media Appearances: Understand the importance of visibility in the speaking world and how Cherlette leveraged media opportunities to expand her reach.
Coaching and Growth: Hear firsthand how working with a speaking coach can transform your presentations and boost your confidence, leading to more significant opportunities.

You’ll learn:

How a single talk led to multiple paid engagements for Cherlette
The unique activity Cherlette used to captivate her audience and make her leadership talk unforgettable
Why it’s essential to think outside the box when choosing your speaking topics and audiences
How Cherlette’s consistent visibility and media presence has contributed to her speaking success

We know you’ll be inspired to get out there on the speaking circuit!

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/396/

Cherlette’s website: https://www.cherlettemccullough.com/

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

Work with us 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/
Cherlette McCullough (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/cherlette-mccullough-22ab0b18/

Related Podcast Episodes:

395: The Power of Storytelling: Live Signature Talks from Our Thought Leader Academy Grads

Carol Cox — Mon, 03 Jun 2024 05:00:00 -0400

Sharing personal stories are essential for memorable and impactful presentations.

How specific should your stories be? How do you connect your story to your overall message and framework?

This is exactly what we work on with our Thought Leader Academy clients in their VIP Day to create their signature talk.

You’ll hear two of our recent grads, Cindy Ojczyk and Amy Bear, deliver a 10-minute version of the signature talk they created with us, so you can see and hear them in action.

We also have a roundtable discussion, led by our lead speaking coach Diane Diaz, about what they’ve learned from being in the Thought Leader Academy and what’s next for them as speakers and thought leaders.

This audio is from a live broadcast we did on May 29, 2024. You can watch the video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5SWwL8V8Eo.

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/395/

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/
Cindy Ojczyk = https://www.linkedin.com/in/cindyojczyk/
Amy Bear = https://www.linkedin.com/in/abearcounselor/

394: Getting Buy-In from Your Audience on Your Message: Live Signature Talks from Our Thought Leader Academy Grads

Carol Cox — Mon, 27 May 2024 05:00:00 -0400

The essence of persuasive communication is about getting your audience on board with your ideas.

But, it's not about throwing out facts or making logical points; it requires connecting with your audience on an emotional level, understanding their needs and concerns, and addressing them effectively.

By sharing personal stories, using relatable examples, and demonstrating genuine passion and authenticity, you create a sense of trust and rapport.

This is exactly what our Thought Leader Academy grads do in their signature talks!

You’ll hear two of our recent grads, Angela Crawford and Eloisa Marquez-Gonzalez, deliver a 10-minute version of the signature talk they created with us, so you can see and hear them in action.

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.

Angela Crawford is a vegan transformation coach and educator. Eloisa Marquez-Gonzalez is the founder of Walking Tree, which works with companies on sustainability and green tech.

This audio is from a live broadcast we did on May 22, 2024. You can watch the video at https://youtube.com/live/UPUMGsAjRV8.

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/394/

Angela’s website: https://angelacrawfordphd.com/

Eloisa’s website: https://www.walkingtree.green/

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
Angela Crawford (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelacrawfordphd/
Eloisa Marquez-Gonzalez (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/eloisamg/

393: The Kind of Speakers that Get the Best Feedback and Referrals [Speak with Confidence Series]

Carol Cox — Mon, 20 May 2024 05:00:00 -0400

We’re finishing up our new podcast series called Speak with Confidence.

When you speak at conferences and events, you want to do a great job, get great feedback from the audience, and get referrals and invitations to other speaking gigs.

This is how I’ve gotten so many speaking invitations over the years - event organizers are oftentimes in the audience at events and they refer speakers to each other.

What kind of speaker gets the best feedback and referrals?

You may think it’s the most energetic speaker or the funniest speaker or the speaker with the best story or the speaker with the best slides.

But, that’s not necessarily the case.

In this episode, I share examples of speakers I’ve seen, what I’ve noticed about them, and the qualities they have in common.

I want you to be the best version of YOU as a speaker. That’s what’s going to set you apart.

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/393/

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: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox

Related Podcast Episodes:

392: Why I No Longer "Teach from the Stage" [Speak with Confidence Series]

Carol Cox — Mon, 13 May 2024 05:00:00 -0400

My goal with this current podcast series called “Speak with Confidence” is to boost your confidence by getting you to think differently about speaking, whether it’s getting comfortable with impromptu speaking (episode 390) or claiming your identity as a speaker (episode 391).

I know you want to be an impactful speaker, to share your important message with your audiences, and attract clients for your business.

We *think* that teaching and training is what our audiences want. This is what I thought too.

But, I believe that there are trends going on around us that are changing this. We’re all swimming in information; and now with AI, we have comprehensive answers in just a few seconds.

This is why I no longer advocate “Teaching from the stage”.

I’m going to share in this episode what I recommend instead.

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/392/

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: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox

Article mentioned about Deborah Tannen and communication: https://www.vox.com/a/hillary-clinton-interview/the-gap-listener-leadership-quality

Related Podcast Episodes:

391: Claiming Your Identity as a Speaker and Thought Leader [Speak with Confidence Series]

Carol Cox — Mon, 06 May 2024 05:00:00 -0400

There have been so many times I’ve heard clients tell me, “I’m not a speaker.”

Yet they’ve delivered keynotes and been paid thousands of dollars to do so.

They’re invited to speak at conferences.

They’ve taught classes and workshops for years.

They give presentations at work.

What’s going on? Why do they resist calling themselves a speaker?

Why do we hesitate to claim the identity as a speaker and thought leader?

I’m struggling with this right now, except it’s not about claiming my identity as a speaker, but as a book writer.

There are a few things going on, which I talk about in this episode, along with what you can do to feel more comfortable claiming this identity for yourself and the reasons to do so.

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

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

Connect 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:

390: Impromptu Speaking: How to Prepare and Feel Confident in Any Situation [Speak with Confidence Series]

Carol Cox — Mon, 29 Apr 2024 05:00:00 -0400

Well, I have a challenge for you: getting more comfortable with impromptu speaking.

As a speaker and as a leader, both impromptu and prepared speaking skills are a must.

Have you ever had one of these situations happen to you:

You're in a meeting or group and asked to share something on the spot. You get really nervous and feel at a loss for words.

This is why developing your impromptu speaking skills is essential.

I want more women - including you! - to feel comfortable and confident commanding a room and leading teams, organizations, and companies.

In this episode, I share:

Why impromptu speaking is hard
Why it matters to your development as a speaker and leader
Specific things you can do to get better at impromptu speaking
Some of my own impromptu speaking wins and fails!

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/390/

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

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

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389: Empowering Women in the Age of AI with Denise Musselwhite

Carol Cox — Mon, 22 Apr 2024 05:00:00 -0400

We're continuing the series we've been doing this month all around inspiring you to use your voice, no matter what your topic or your industry.

If you've been listening to this podcast for a while, you know that I've been really excited about artificial intelligence and ChatGPT and all of the ways AI can help us both personally and professionally.

For this episode, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Denise Musselwhite, a technology maven with a rich background in IT and a heart set on women's empowerment in tech.

Here's why you absolutely can't miss this episode:

Discover Denise's Unique Journey: From growing up in her father's repair shop to becoming one of the few Latina CIOs, Denise shares her inspiring journey into the tech world, highlighting the blend of nature, nurture, and curiosity that fueled her career.
AI as a Force for Good: We delve deep into the realm of Artificial Intelligence, exploring its potential as a collaborative partner in our professional lives. Denise opens up about her personal projects, including the "Kindness Beacon," and how AI can be harnessed to empower women and underrepresented professionals in technology.
Leadership and the Leap into Entrepreneurship: Denise talks about her transition from a high-powered tech role to founding Tech and Thrive, sharing insights on the challenges and joys of nurturing leadership within the tech industry, especially for women.
The Ethical and Inclusive Future of AI: We tackle the critical discussions surrounding AI, from ethical considerations to ensuring women's voices are integral in shaping the future of technology.
Mentorship, Inclusion, and Empowerment: Denise emphasizes the importance of mentorship, the role of women in technology organizations, and how she's working to create more inclusive spaces in the tech world.

Denise's story is a testament to the power of perseverance, innovation, and the crucial role of women in shaping the future of tech.

Join us as we explore the intersection of technology and empowerment, and get inspired to harness AI in your professional journey.

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/389/

Denise’s website: http://techandthrive.me/

AI Resources: https://techthrive.me/techai

The Kindness Beacon GPT (requires a paid subscription to ChatGPT4): techthrive.me/kindness

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
Denise Musselwhite (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/musselwhited/

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388: What Makes a Stand-Out Conference Speaking Proposal and Presentation with Cathy McPhillips

Carol Cox — Mon, 15 Apr 2024 05:00:00 -0400

Many conferences get hundreds of speaker submissions. How can you make yours stand out so it gets selected?

Then, once you do get selected, how do you make sure you deliver an engaging presentation at the conference?

That’s what I talk about with my guest Cathy McPhillips, who is Chief Growth Officer at the Marketing AI Institute.

Along with the virtual events they host year-round, they also host an in-person conference called MAICON, which I spoke at in 2023.

I invited Cathy on the show to share with us:

Her background and what brought her to the Marketing AI Institute
How Cathy and the team select speakers for MAICON and their other events
What they look for in speaker submissions
What makes a great speaker at their events (based on audience feedback)
Tips she has for the listeners who want to speak at conferences
>What they’re doing at the Marketing AI Institute and you can get involved

About My Guest: Cathy McPhillips is Chief Growth Officer at the Marketing AI Institute, overseeing marketing, growth, and customer experience, including MAICON and AI Academy for Marketers. Previously, Cathy led marketing at Content Marketing Institute and Content Marketing World, managed community growth for Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry campaign, and owned her own strategic digital marketing business. She started her career at two Cleveland advertising agencies. Cathy was an Ohio University Jerry L. Sloan Visiting Professional in Public Relations, is a Folio: Top Women in Media, and a MarTechExec Woman You Need to Know in Martech.

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/388/

Marketing AI Institute: www.marketingaiinstitute.com

The Artificial Intelligence Show podcast: https://www.marketingaiinstitute.com/podcast-showcase

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
Cathy McPhillips (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/cathymcphillips

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387: Escaping the Ivory Tower: Stepping into Thought Leadership for Greater Impact with Laura McGuire, EdD

Carol Cox — Mon, 08 Apr 2024 05:00:00 -0400

I talk quite a bit on this podcast about "the expert trap" and how so many of us get stuck teaching and training and don't step into thought leadership.

This applies not only to those of us who are entrepreneurs, but of course to all the academics out there as well (hand raised!).

This episode is a treasure trove of insights for anyone passionate about making a difference through their work, particularly in academia or any field where expertise is a given, but thought leadership can make an even bigger impact.

My guest is Laura McGuire, EdD, a social scientist, educator, and entrepreneur whose journey and work exemplify transformative thought leadership.

Laura's story is not just inspiring; it's a call to action for all of us to think bigger and challenge the status quo in our respective fields.

Laura and I talk about:

The Expert Trap vs. Thought Leadership: Learn how professionals in academia, science, and other fields can transcend the confines of being labeled merely as experts to embrace the mantle of thought leadership, encouraging broader thinking and solutions to societal challenges.
Laura's Inspirational Journey: From surviving domestic violence and navigating the challenges of early motherhood as a high school dropout to achieving a doctorate in education and becoming a beacon of change in the fields of educational leadership, sexual health education, misconduct prevention, and trauma-informed care.
Addressing Systemic Issues: An in-depth look at how Laura's work is influencing industries and creating safer, more inclusive environments through training in trauma-informed care, restorative practices, and survivor support strategies.
Overcoming Challenges: Laura shares their experiences of working in a climate of increasing legislative restrictions in Florida, reflecting on the implications for educators, advocates, and the communities they serve.
The Power of Personal Storytelling: Discover the potency of integrating personal narratives into academic and professional discourse to connect more deeply with audiences and drive home the importance of the work being done.
Breaking Free from the Expert Trap: Laura and I discuss practical strategies for academics and professionals to step into roles of thought leadership, including leveraging social media, understanding market rates for speaking engagements, and fostering a mindset geared towards impactful change.

About My Guest: Dr. Laura McGuire (they/them or she/her) is an internationally recognized consultant, survivor, researcher, seminarian, and author of the book Creating Cultures of Consent (Rowman & Littlefield, 2021) and The Sexual Misconduct Prevention Guidebook: Consent and Conduct for Higher Education Campuses (Fielding University Press, 2022). They were named as one of the 2022 Champions of Pride by The Advocate magazine and are regularly featured in media outlets for their expertise and approachability. Dr. McGuire is a certified full-spectrum doula, professional teacher, certified sexual health educator, and vinyasa yoga instructor.

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/387/

Laura’s website: https://drlauramcguire.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
Dr. Laura McGuire (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-laura-mcguire-276b87100/

386: The Power of the Performing Arts to Find and Use Your Voice with Theresa Smith-Levin

Carol Cox — Mon, 01 Apr 2024 05:00:00 -0400

A couple of months ago, I attended an event to honor non-profits. What was really cool was that each non-profit had 2-½ minutes to share their story.

When my guest Theresa Smith-Levin, founder of Central Florida Vocal Arts, shared her story, I was instantly inspired and I knew I had to have her on the podcast.

Our conversation is a testament to the power of storytelling, vulnerability, and community in fostering personal and collective growth.

Theresa's work with Central Florida Vocal Arts is not just about singing; it's about creating a space where young people can grow into their authentic selves and learn to navigate the world with empathy and confidence.

Whether you're an artist, a public speaker, or someone looking to make a difference in your community, Theresa's insights offer valuable lessons on the transformative power of using your voice.

Join us for this inspiring conversation and discover how you, too, can impact the world through the arts, performance, speaking, and beyond.

Here are some highlights you won't want to miss:

Theresa shares her personal journey from finding solace and expression in singing and the arts during her childhood, to pursuing music education and vocal performance, and ultimately founding a nonprofit organization to fill a gap in the performing arts community in Central Florida.
Discover the profound impact of the arts on young people, as Theresa explains how singing and performance can serve as powerful tools for emotional processing, developing empathy, and building confidence.
Theresa and I delve into the importance of vulnerability, both in the arts and in life, sharing stories of transformation and the courage to use one's voice for advocacy and change.
We explore the similarities between performing arts and public speaking, including overcoming fears, the importance of being present, and engaging with your audience to create a meaningful exchange.

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/386/

Central Florida Vocal Arts: https://www.centralfloridavocalarts.org/

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
Theresa Smith-Levin (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/theresa-smith-levin-7868a725/

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385: Leading with Story in Your Talks [Roundtable]

Carol Cox — Wed, 27 Mar 2024 05:00:00 -0400

You know how powerful storytelling is in your presentations and talks. How can you go about integrating your stories in a way that truly connects you to your audiences?

There is no *one way* to integrate stories into your talks.

Your story can be central to your talk or it can be a supporting element.

You can play with the timeline of the story - start in the middle and then come back to the beginning later or start at the end.

In this episode, our lead speaking coach Diane Diaz hosts three of our clients who were at our recent 3-day in-person speaking retreat, Darci Foshay, Dani Einsohn, and Teri Reuter, for a roundtable discussion on what they learned and insights they have for you as speakers.

They talk about:

Why they decided to attend our in-person retreat
How they use storytelling in their talks
Using the stage and body movement as part of active storytelling
What it was like to practice with us and then get filmed

This audio is from a live broadcast we did on March 25, 2024. You can watch the video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_dRghtWuEE.

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/385/

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/
Darci Foshay = https://www.linkedin.com/in/darci-foshay-b902803b/
Dani Einsohn = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dani-einsohn-cpc-eli-mp-7254a24/
Teri Reuter = https://www.linkedin.com/in/terireuter/

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384: How to Tackle a Big Global Issue in Your Thought Leadership and Talks with Neha Pathak, MD

Carol Cox — Mon, 25 Mar 2024 05:00:00 -0400

If you’ve ever felt like your topic or message may be overwhelming to your audience or the issue you want to address is a really big one and you’re not sure how your audience is going to relate to it or know how to take action, you’re going to appreciate this conversation.

My guest is Dr. Neha Pathak, a physician and lead medical editor at WebMD, who graduated from our Thought Leader Academy last fall.

Neha and I talk about:

Her roles as a primary care physician, lead medical editor at WebMD, and host of WebMD’s podcast
How she came to her signature talk topic and thought leadership message
The different ways that thought leadership develops
The benefits of giving your audience an acronym (framework)
The power of storytelling for any topic and any audience and how learning this has influenced Neha’s writing
Claiming the identity as a thought leader and what that means
Her speaking experiences and insights (especially for those of you who may be procrastinators!)

About My Guest: Neha Pathak, MD, FACP, DipABLM, is lead medical editor at WebMD and is board certified in both internal medicine and lifestyle medicine. She's on the medical team responsible for ensuring the accuracy of health information on WebMD and reports on topics related to lifestyle and environmental impacts on health. Pathak is a graduate of Harvard University and Weill Medical College of Cornell University. She completed her certificate in climate change and health communication from Yale School of Public Health. She lives in Atlanta with her husband and children.

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/384/

Neha hosts WebMD’s podcast “Health Discovered”: https://www.webmd.com/podcasts/default.htm

Neha’s article: https://yaleclimateconnections.org/2024/02/im-a-doctor-heres-what-western-medicine-misunderstands-about-nature/

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
Dr. Neha Pathak (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/neha-pathak-md/

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383: Using Their Voices: Live Signature Talks from Our Thought Leader Academy Grads [Part 2]

Carol Cox — Thu, 21 Mar 2024 05:00:00 -0400

You heard half of our latest Thought Leader Academy grads deliver a 10-minute section of their signature talk last week on episode 381, now you get to hear the other three.

In this episode, our lead speaking coach Diane Diaz hosts Maria Flynn, Karen Williams, and Brigette Serfaty, PharmD.

You’ll hear how they’ve incorporated their thought leadership message, storytelling, humor, and their frameworks into their talks.

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.

This audio is from a live broadcast we did on March 19, 2024. You can watch the video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2k6LFAjS-s.

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/383/

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/
Karen Williams = https://www.linkedin.com/in/blackvisualqueen/
Brigette Serfaty, PharmD = https://www.linkedin.com/in/brigetteserfaty/
Maria Flynn = https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariasflynn/

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382: 3 Signs You're Stuck in the Expert Trap with Your Public Speaking

Carol Cox — Mon, 18 Mar 2024 05:00:00 -0400

I know you want to grow your business and brand and have a bigger impact as a thought leader.

But, as high-achieving women, there are beliefs we have that get us stuck in the expert trap.

We believe that we need to teach/train to provide value; that training content is what our audience wants; and our identity is tied to seeing ourselves as the expert.

These beliefs are what can hold you back from thought leadership and the impact and income you want to make.

The problem is that your presentations and content are undifferentiated and lack emotional resonance.

In this episode, I share 3 signs you’re stuck in the expert trap and how to get out.

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/382/

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

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381: Using Their Voices: Live Signature Talks from Our Thought Leader Academy Grads [Part 1]

Carol Cox — Thu, 14 Mar 2024 05:00:00 -0400

Want to know what it’s like to create a signature talk with us?

There’s no better way than to hear our Thought Leader Academy grads deliver a 10-minute section of their talks!

You’ll hear how they’ve incorporated storytelling and their frameworks into their talks.

We’ll 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.

In this episode, I’m joined by Sandy Robinson, M.Ed., Yewande Fadojutimi, M.D., and Joanne Lane, Ed.D.

This audio is from a live broadcast we did on March 12, 2024. You can watch the video at https://youtube.com/live/1aqLfUxEAAw.

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/381/

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
Sandy Robinson, M.Ed. = https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandyrobinson/
Yewande Fadojutimi, M.D. = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-yewande/
Joanne Lane, Ed.D. = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-joanne-lane/

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380: Building Your Speaker Brand Separate From Your Corporate Identity with Sandy Robinson

Carol Cox — Mon, 11 Mar 2024 06:00:00 -0400

The power of women’s voices doesn’t just relate to women who own and run their own businesses; it’s also for women who work in corporate spaces.

Building your personal brand and speaker brand separate from your corporate identity can give you a voice and mission that has a greater impact beyond the day-to-day work you do in your job.

In this episode, our lead speaking coach Diane Diaz talks with one of our Thought Leader Academy clients, Sandy Robinson.

Sandy works in revenue operations and she’s carved a niche for herself by building a personal and speaker brand distinct from her corporate identity.

Diane and Sandy talk about:

How Sandy began her speaking journey (it’s a fun story!) and how that has informed her speaking today
Why she decided to look for a speaking coach and what led her to join the Thought Leader Academy
What sparked her interest in sharing a more personal message with audiences and how and why she’s building her personal and speaker brand separate from her corporate work
Her experience and takeaways from the Thought Leader Academy and our in-person speaking retreat
How she felt doing the improv exercises at the retreat and what she’s going to do with that knowledge (hint: her sales teams might be surprised!)
The way she’s integrated a topic she's passionate about into her professional work to support other women and build her personal and speaker brand

About Our Guest: Sandy Robinson is Senior Vice President of Revenue Operations and Enablement at Patra with over 20 years under her belt in making sales teams shine and operations run smoothly, thanks to her knack for turning numbers and innovative ideas into real growth. She's led Revenue Operations and Enablement at big-name SaaS companies including Web.com, SupplyFrame and Nymbus, steering them toward success and now plays a key role at Patra, where she's all about pushing boundaries and setting the stage for exciting new products. Sandy's not just about the bottom line, though; she's passionate about mentoring young women, sharing her journey to inspire others. With a mix of street smarts from MIT and NYIT, a master's in Education for Global Training, and even a 2nd Degree Black Belt in Kenpo Karate, Sandy's blend of brains, heart, and kick-butt attitude makes her a force to be reckoned with in the tech world and beyond.

Sandy’s website: https://www.sandyelevates.com

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/380/

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/

Watch Sandy and our other TLA grads deliver a section of their signature talks: https://www.linkedin.com/events/usingtheirvoices-livesignaturet7171594958989053952/theater/

Connect on LinkedIn:

Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox
Diane Diaz = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianediaz/
Sandy Robinson (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandyrobinson/

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379: How to Develop Stage Presence and Build Confidence as a Speaker [Roundtable]

Carol Cox — Thu, 07 Mar 2024 05:00:00 -0500

We held our in-person speaking intensive last week in Orlando and it was so much fun!

Over three days, the women who attended worked on their speaking segments, practiced them on our stage with our coaching and feedback, and then had their segments professionally filmed on the final day.

Oh, and there were dance parties and improv exercises throughout!

I’ve invited three of our clients who were there, Shannon Bumgarner, Lei Comerford, and Denise Musselwhite, for a roundtable discussion on what they learned and insights they have for you as speakers.

We talk about:

Why they decided to attend our in-person retreat
What they learned about developing stage presence
Speaking as a performance (no matter what your topic is!)
Their newfound love of improv
The power of using our I.D.E.A.L. storytelling ingredients
Feeling confident *not* using notes or a script
The impact of practicing on our stage and getting feedback at our in-person retreat

This audio is from a live broadcast we did on March 5, 2024. You can watch the video at https://youtube.com/live/ylcRJtfkdk4?feature=share.

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/379/

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
Shannon Bumgarner = https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonbumgarner/
Lei Comerford = https://www.linkedin.com/in/leicomerford/
Denise Musselwhite = https://www.linkedin.com/in/musselwhited/

Related Podcast Episodes:

378: The Power of Women's Voices and Stories to Change the World

Carol Cox — Mon, 04 Mar 2024 05:00:00 -0500

What’s an early memory of using your voice?

That's the question we kicked off our recent 3-day in-person client retreat with - and the women’s answers were incredibly powerful.

March is Women’s History Month and March 8th is International Women’s Day (#IWD2024), so this episode is about the power of women’s voices and stories to change the world.

From young women activists like Malala Yousafzai and Greta Thunberg to pro-choice women who are running for office to women like YOU who are out there sharing your messages, ideas, and stories, women are making a positive difference in their industries and communities.

In this episode, I talk about:

The history-changing importance of women getting together to share their stories and experiences
The self-doubts that too often hold us back from using our voices
Why we need feminism more than ever
My recent realization of the story I had been telling myself vs. the bigger story of what happened when I delivered my TEDx talk about women and power in 2016

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/378/

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

Mentioned:

Emily’s List: https://emilyslist.org/

New York Times’ opinion column: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/23/opinion/alabama-embroyo-dobbs-reproductive-freedom.html?unlocked_article_code=1.aE0.Htka.UI-TJYUThV1R&smid=url-share

Carol Gilligan: https://its.law.nyu.edu/facultyprofiles/index.cfm?fuseaction=profile.publications&personid=19946

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377: What 7 Years of Podcasting Has Taught Me about Personal Branding and Thought Leadership

Carol Cox — Mon, 26 Feb 2024 05:00:00 -0500

This week is the 7-year anniversary of the Speaking Your Brand podcast!

Thank you for being a listener, for sending me emails when an episode particularly resonates with you, and for sharing the podcast with others.

Podcasting every week for the past seven years has taught me a lot.

I'm incredibly grateful to all the women who’ve been guests for sharing their stories and wisdom with all of us.

Podcasting has also been hard at times: boredom, burnout, too many ideas, no new ideas. I’ve been through all these feelings at different points.

In this episode, I share with you:

3 big lessons you can use whether you have a podcast or not
How podcasting, especially creating all of the solo episodes, has shaped my thought leadership and strengthened my personal brand
The book I’m working on and how the topic and ideas have come directly from the podcast
Why having a regular content creation channel can be helpful to you as you develop your own thought leadership

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/377/

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:

376: Use the Secrets of Comedy for Better Storytelling and Delivery in Your Talks

Carol Cox — Mon, 19 Feb 2024 05:00:00 -0500

Integrating humor into your talks can seem daunting or even unimportant, but it's an essential element to use to connect with your audience.

Recently, Diane Diaz, our lead speaking coach, delivered a 5-minute stand-up comedy set live on stage (!).

You don’t have to add jokes or stand-up routines to your presentations.

But, you can learn from the secrets of comedy to improve your storytelling and delivery.

Diane and I talk about her experience and what you can take away from it for your speaking, including:

What makes something funny
Her process of writing the comedy set
The need for a single clear throughline
How she practiced the set by chunking it
Storytelling and audience engagement
The importance of timing, pausing, and vocal variation
Doing a comedy set vs. improv

Hopefully you’ll be inspired to try something new too!

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/376/

Video of Diane’s stand-up comedy set: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/dianediaz_comedy-publicspeaking-personalgrowth-activity-7155204978867863552-gHre

Resources: How to write a 5-minute comedy set and The New Comedy Bible

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/

375: How to Use AI to Amplify Your Superpowers and Prepare You to Show Up Anywhere with Stacey Hines

Carol Cox — Mon, 12 Feb 2024 05:00:00 -0500

Get ready for a fun and energizing conversation!

Have you ever thought of using AI tools like ChatGPT to *amplify* what you’re already good at?

How about having ChatGPT coach you on how to prepare to show up in *any* room?

These case studies are just two of the ones that my guest Stacey Hines and I talk about.

Like me, Stacey has a background in IT, so we are both passionate about how technology like AI can be used.

You’re going to be laughing as she tells the story of a board room she showed up in 10 years ago and what happened. Storytelling is definitely Stacey’s superpower!

After we geek out about AI, I ask Stacey to share her tips as a speaker and as a panel moderator, which are really good!

About My Guest: Stacey Hines is an author, speaker, executive and CEO/founder of Epic Transformation. She is a Caribbean tech sector leader with global leadership experience in public, private and non-profit sectors. Her commitment to women in leadership and the technology industry is evidenced in her numerous awards, most recently including the Woman of Impact award from the High Commission of Canada on International Women's Day 2023. She was also appointed as the first Jamaican IT Fellow by the Chartered Institute of IT Professionals of the UK (BCS) in 2022, selected as the second female president of the Jamaica Computer Society in its 47-year history and selected as one of the Top 50 Caribbean Women in Tech in 2021. She hosts The Balanced Lady Boss Show podcast.

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/375/

Stacey’s website: https://www.epictransformation.net/

My episode on Stacey’s podcast The Balanced Lady Boss Show (aired Jan. 29, 2024)

Register for our Business of Speaking workshop live on Zoom on February 22: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/business-of-speaking-workshop/

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

Connect on LinkedIn:

Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox
Stacey Hines (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/iamstaceyhines/

374: Using Your Voice to Create Change in Yourself and Your Industry with Karen Williams

Carol Cox — Mon, 05 Feb 2024 05:00:00 -0500

Join us for a powerful conversation with Karen Williams, also known as the Black Visual Queen.

Karen, a skilled photo director, sat down with our lead speaking coach, Diane Diaz, to talk about her journey from corporate life to entrepreneurship, her advocacy for more diversity in the photography industry, and her experience in crafting her impactful keynote talk during a one-on-one VIP Day. Spoiler alert, her talk went great!

In this episode, Karen and Diane talk about:

Why and how Karen made the shift from corporate professional to entrepreneur
The events that shaped Karen’s perspectives on her work and herself and the actions she took as a result
The challenges she faced as a black woman in the photo industry and her path to empowering herself and others
Making the decision to use her voice to champion her own work and bring more diversity to her industry
Why she decided to work with Diane on her keynote talk and the outcome of her speaking engagement

About Our Guest: Karen Williams is a dedicated mentor to aspiring photographers, advocating for equitable access to information within the industry. With more than 10 years of experience in photography, Karen is a visual creative director, keynote speaker, and founder of Black Visual Queen, a photography consulting firm. An industry insider, she’s had a hand in visual stories for iconic brands like Netflix, Masterclass, Square, Wired, AARP, and San Francisco. In her free time, she loves marathon training and all things pop culture. Karen lives in Los Angeles, California.

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/374/

Karen’s website: https://www.blackvisualqueen.com/

Register for our Business of Speaking workshop live on Zoom on February 22: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/business-of-speaking-workshop/

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

Get your own VIP Day to create your signature talk by enrolling 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/
Karen Williams (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenannwilliams/

373: From Free to Fee: How to Get an ROI from Speaking [Level Up Your Speaking Series]

Carol Cox — Mon, 29 Jan 2024 05:00:00 -0500

You love speaking, so you’re happy to say “yes!” when someone invites you to speak.

It feels great connecting with the audience and hearing how much they enjoyed your presentation.

Yet, are you getting an ROI from it?

Are you generating leads and/or getting paid directly to speak?

I’ve been speaking throughout my career, in various industries, from small workshops to big stages.

Early on, I didn’t even think about getting paid, so I never asked.

I also wasn’t that good at getting leads and clients from the speaking engagements I was doing.

Then, I realized what I was missing and techniques I could use.

In this episode, I share with you:

3 ways to increase leads from your presentations
What to do even when conferences say “no selling from the stage”
The one thing to do that is GOLD
3 things to do to get paid to speak
Why many speakers don’t charge or don’t charge enough
Examples to inspire you

Download example feedback form (no opt-in needed): https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/7scnmn11eqpfeh863i878/Speaking-Your-Brand-Example-Worksheet-FeedbackForm.pdf?rlkey=bmqkj2pzyjewmrg8r0smml2vu&dl=0

Register for our Business of Speaking workshop live on Zoom on February 22: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/business-of-speaking-workshop/

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/373/

This episode is the last of our podcast series called “Level Up Your Speaking.”

372: Handle Tech Glitches, Q&A Conference Sessions, and Panels with Confidence [Level Up Your Speaking Series]

Carol Cox — Mon, 22 Jan 2024 05:00:00 -0500

Today we’re talking about how to handle when things go wrong or unexpected or when you can’t plan every last thing.

The more you speak, something will go wrong or something will happen that you didn’t plan for.

The A/V doesn’t work, so you have no slides to show.

You get asked a question by an audience member during Q&A that stumps you.

You’re on a panel and you feel like your responses just aren’t that great.

We want to help you to not panic, not overthink, and to enjoy your speaking engagement no matter what happens that you may not have planned for.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

Our stories of when things went wrong
Tips for making sure your slides and A/V work
What to respond if someone asks you a question you don’t know the answer to
What to do when someone hijacks the conversation with their “question”
Your role as the leader in the room
How to be a great panelist and a great panel moderator
Why you should say ‘yes’ to being on a panel

This episode is part of our podcast series called “Level Up Your Speaking.”

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/372/

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

Attend our in-person Client Retreat Speaking Intensive in February in Orlando: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/retreat/

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

371: What to Include in Your Speaker Video Reel and Speaker Page [Level Up Your Speaking Series]

Carol Cox — Thu, 18 Jan 2024 05:00:00 -0500

We’re continuing our podcast series to help you Level Up Your Speaking in 2024.

As you work to build your speaker brand and begin applying and pitching to speak at more events and conferences, there are two things that will be helpful for you to have - one is a speaker video reel and the other is a speaker page on your website.

You want to make sure your speaker reel and your speaker page showcase you in the best light and attract event organizers to book you (and pay you!).

In this episode, you’ll learn:

Why you need a speaker video reel and how you can use it
Tips for creating an effective speaker reel that helps you reach your speaking goals
Specific things to include in your speaker reel so that it showcases you in the best possible light
Why you need a speaking page on your website
The key ingredients you should include on your speaker page
One thing in particular to include on your speaker page that’s a bit controversial
See examples of speaker reels and speaker pages on the show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/371/

If you want to get video of you speaking that you can use for your speaker reel and on your speaker page, then come to our 3-day in-person client retreat in February in Orlando.

You’ll go through exercises and trainings to help you be a stronger and more impactful speaker and you’ll get hands on feedback on your delivery, storytelling, stage presence, and more.

On Day 3, you get professional filming of the speaking segments you’ve been practicing on our stage and you get an edited video for your speaker reel.

Get all the details and apply today at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/retreat/.

About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. This episode is hosted by our lead speaking coach, Diane Diaz. 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.

370: Overcome Speaking Nerves & Anxiety: How to Develop Confidence on Stage [Level Up Your Speaking Series]

Carol Cox — Mon, 15 Jan 2024 05:00:00 -0500

I’ve been there: Standing in front of an audience or being on live TV with my heart pounding, butterflies in my stomach, and my body a bundle of nerves.

I’ve also had speaking engagements and TV appearances where I’ve felt in the flow and completely comfortable and confident.

What made the difference? That’s what I’m going to share with you in this episode.

It’s normal to feel nervous before you speak. What you want to do is learn how to channel those nerves and reduce outsized anxiety.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

3 reasons you get nervous before a speaking engagement
Why your body reacts the way it does
A story of my worst speaking experience ever and what I learned from it
What do in advance of your speaking engagement to lessen anxiety
What to do right before you go on stage to channel your normal nerves

This episode is part of our new podcast series called “Level Up Your Speaking.”

Want to develop your speaking skills, thought leadership, and signature talk?

Check out our online coaching program the Thought Leader Academy and our upcoming 3day in-person speaking intensive.

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/370/

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 Client Retreat Speaking Intensive in February in Orlando: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/retreat/

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

Related Podcast Episodes:

369: Liven Up Your Presentations with These 3 Techniques [Level Up Your Speaking Series]

Carol Cox — Thu, 11 Jan 2024 05:00:00 -0500

Do you sometimes wonder if your presentations are boring?

Perhaps you have dense material you need to get through (hello, academics and scientists!).

Or perhaps you’re afraid everything’s already been said on your topic, so you don’t have anything new or interesting for your audience.

I promise that you can make *any* topic interesting to your audience.

In this episode, I share 3 things you can do at the foundational level to make your speaking engagements more compelling.

I also share 3 advanced techniques that will leave your audiences on the edge of their seats.

I’ve presented hundreds of times both in person and online and attendees consistently say that my presentations are excellent and engaging. No sleepy faces or eyes glued to phones in my sessions! What’s the secret? That’s what you’ll learn!

This episode is part of our new podcast series called “Level Up Your Speaking.”

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/369/

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 Client Retreat Speaking Intensive in February in Orlando: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/retreat/

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

Related Podcast Episodes:

368: Our Thought Leadership Comes from Who We Are and What We've Learned with Erica Hall [Level Up Your Speaking Series]

Carol Cox — Mon, 08 Jan 2024 05:00:00 -0500

You’re going to love this episode with my guest and Thought Leader Academy grad Erica Hall!

If you’ve ever felt like you shouldn’t show your real personality to your audiences or that people expect you to be a certain type of person, this conversation is going to be validating and revealing.

Before we get to that part of the conversation, Erica shares her perspective on money mindset and money behaviors and the experiences that shaped her understanding of money.

This is why *who* you are and what you’ve *learned* are essential elements of your thought leadership.

We also dig into the power of frameworks and acronyms and Erica shares what she got out of being in the Thought Leader Academy.

You’ll hear:

Erica’s perspective on money mindset and money behaviors
How experiences Erica had when she was younger shaped her understanding of money behavior and led to her thought leadership
The importance of having a framework, such as an acronym, in your talks and presentations
Erica’s experience in our Thought Leader Academy, especially how helpful it was to learn our framework and have a repeatable process to use going forward
How an offhand comment I made about my Enneagram number in a group call helped Erica understand that she can lean into her natural personality and not have to be someone she’s not

This episode is part of our new podcast series called “Level Up Your Speaking.”

Want to develop your speaking skills, thought leadership, and signature talk?

Check out our online coaching program the Thought Leader Academy and our upcoming 3-day in-person speaking intensive.

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/368/

Erica’s website: https://worthplotting.com/

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
Erica Hall (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/erica-hall-mba-5288531a/

Related Podcast Episodes:

367: Steps for Creating Your Best Speaking and Visibility Plan for 2024 [Level Up Your Speaking Series]

Carol Cox — Thu, 04 Jan 2024 05:00:00 -0500

As we embrace the excitement of a new year, it's the perfect time to strategize about your speaking journey.

Are you wondering where to make your mark this year?

Let's delve deeper because the art of creating a robust speaking and visibility plan transcends merely scouting for random events, conferences, and podcasts.

Here’s what you’ll discover:

Identify Your Speaking Goals: Understand the different goals you can pursue through public speaking and how these can empower your personal and professional growth.
Use the 5 Whys Method: I'll share with you the transformative 5 Whys technique. It's a journey I've embarked on myself, and I’ll be opening up about how this approach helped me uncover the heart of my speaking objectives.
The Importance of Local Groups: Learn how to connect with local groups and why focusing on a few, to begin with, can create more impactful connections and help you get known as a speaker.
Choose the Right Conferences: We’ll walk you through how to select conferences that align with your message and how these platforms can elevate your speaking career.
The Right Way to Pitch to be a Guest on Podcasts: Discover the pathways to becoming a guest on podcasts that resonate with your brand and message.
Optimize Your LinkedIn for Speaking Opportunities: Tips on making your LinkedIn profile a beacon for speaking invitations.

Want to develop your speaking skills, thought leadership, and signature talk?

Check out our online coaching program the Thought Leader Academy and our upcoming 3-day in-person speaking intensive.

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/367/

Michelle Warner’s Networking That Pays course: https://www.themichellewarner.com/networkingthatpays

Connect on LinkedIn:

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

Related Podcast Episodes:

366: Trends in Public Speaking and Thought Leadership for 2024

Carol Cox — Mon, 01 Jan 2024 05:00:00 -0500

Happy New Year! This is the 6th year in a row I’ve done a trends episode for the start of the year.

Trends are like currents or waves of energy that move through our society and affect everything from business and politics and the economy to popular culture and media.

As speakers, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders, these trends will impact our thought leadership, our content, and our marketing.

In this episode, you’ll learn 3 trends I've identified that are shaping our world:

Big changes in social media platforms as the premise of social media shifts from connection to entertainment and it becomes harder to tell what's real and what's not
The continued rise and more ubiquitous usage of generative AI tools like ChatGPT plus images, video, and voice
The internet as a whole is changing, becoming more fragmented and siloed, with network effects accruing to people and brands who already have large followings

I also share specific action steps you can take:

Develop a clear and distinct brand voice
Imbue your content with soul
Focus more on in-person experiences and events

As a speaker, you are well positioned to connect with your audiences in a deeper and more human way.

Want to develop your speaking skills, thought leadership, and signature talk?

Check out our online coaching program the Thought Leader Academy and our upcoming 3-day in-person speaking intensive.

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

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/366/

Related Podcast Episodes:

Mentioned:

YouTube live stream with realistic AI avatar = https://www.youtube.com/live/VH1rOylsoMo?si=1PpvUCqchdRCb0o0&t=540
“Nobody Knows What’s Happening Online Anymore” by Charlie Warzel (The Atlantic)
“TikTok is eating microblogging as we’ve always known it” by Caroline Mimbs Nyce (The Atlantic)
“Is Social Media Dying? What That Could Mean for Marketers” by Lestraundra Alfred (HubSpot)
“Neil Gaiman’s Radical Vision for the Future of the Internet” by Cal Newport

365: Year In Review: What Worked, What Didn’t, What’s Next

Carol Cox — Tue, 26 Dec 2023 12:17:00 -0500

I’m taking you behind the scenes to share what worked, what didn’t, and what’s next for Speaking Your Brand in the areas of speaking, visibility, this podcast, and the business in general.

I also reveal what I’ve learned from reading and watching Marie Kondo and how I’m applying that not only to my house (my holiday break project!) but also to Speaking Your Brand.

With that in mind, in this episode, I share:

🎉 What we’re celebrating that went well this year

❌ Things we tried that did not go as well as we had wanted

💡 Larger lessons we’re taking from what worked and what didn’t

🎯 What we’re planning for 2024

I encourage you to use this template to reflect on and write down your own wins, experiments, lessons, and priorities.

Enrollment is open for our next Thought Leader Academy group that starts in January.

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/365/

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/

Attend our in-person Client Retreat Speaking Intensive in February in Orlando: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/retreat/

Online workshop series: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/workshops/

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

Related Podcast Episodes:

364: Your Stories and Experiences Shape Your Thought Leadership and Signature Talk with Samantha Irwin

Carol Cox — Thu, 21 Dec 2023 05:00:00 -0500

If you think your stories and experiences from long ago aren’t relevant to what you do now, what you speak about, and your overall thought leadership message, this conversation will show how much our past experiences shape who we are and reflect what matters to us.

Our lead speaking coach, Diane Diaz, sat down with Samantha Irwin, a recent graduate of our Thought Leader Academy and a seasoned entrepreneur with a fascinating journey.

In this episode, you'll hear:

Samantha's journey from teaching to entrepreneurship, and how these experiences shaped her thought leadership
Her time in the Thought Leader Academy and how it helped her create a signature talk
Samantha's recent talk crafted during her VIP Day and the positive feedback she received
Samantha's innovative use of her customer service card decks in her presentations for lead generation

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/364/

Samantha’s website: https://kaizen.zone/

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/dianediaz
Samantha Irwin (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/samanthairwin/

Related Podcast Episodes:

Episode 343: Why YOU are the Messenger for Your Idea and Audience

363: Publishing a Best-Selling Book from Your Signature Talk and Thought Leadership with Cara Houser

Carol Cox — Mon, 18 Dec 2023 05:00:00 -0500

Speaking and books go hand in hand. Many authors are public speakers and many speakers have written books.

What does it look like to take your thought leadership message and turn it into both a signature talk and a published book?

That’s what we dig into with my guest and Thought Leader Academy grad Cara Houser.

Cara recently published her best-selling book “Burned Out to Lit Up: Ditch the Grind and Reclaim Your Life” (I highly recommend it!).

Cara and I talk about:

Why she decided this was the topic for her thought leadership
My perspective on why her book on burnout is different from others
Cara’s thought leadership journey to refine her message
Her writing process
Building a book launch team and marketing the book to make it a bestseller

If you’ve been wanting to write a book or you know that having a book is in your future, this episode is for you!

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/363/

Get Cara’s book “Burned Out to Lit Up”: https://www.carahouser.com/

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

362: [Case Study] Attract More Clients with Your Lead Generation Signature Talk with Danielle Hayden

Carol Cox — Mon, 11 Dec 2023 05:00:00 -0500

Many speakers use public speaking as a way to build awareness for their business and attract leads and clients.

Speaking is an excellent way to do this because you automatically have credibility and authority by standing in front of a group of people.

However, an opportunity I see speakers miss is that they forgo thought leadership when they’re delivering presentations on behalf of their business to attract leads and clients.

They believe they have to provide lots of information, tips, and facts in order to provide value to the audience and by extension get the people in the audience interested in purchasing their product or service.

What I’ve found to be a better approach, in the presentations that I deliver and in the ones we help our clients with, is to help the audience see where they are truly getting stuck and show them how to think about things differently, which is the essence of thought leadership.

My guest is Danielle Hayden, the founder and CEO of Kickstart Accounting, Inc., who has built an incredible business and team that works with women entrepreneurs to truly understand their numbers so they can make better business decisions.

Danielle reached out to me in October because she wanted to create a new signature talk for lead generation - listen in to find out what happened!

Danielle and I talk about:

Why she wanted to create a new lead generation signature talk
How I recognized her thought leadership angle during our VIP Day
The process we went through to develop her new talk, including how she felt about adding more stories
The results she got signing on new clients the first time she presented her new talk

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/362/

An Insider's Guide on How to Get Selected for a TEDx Talk

Carol Cox — Mon, 04 Dec 2023 05:00:00 -0500

Do you have giving a TEDx talk on your list of goals?

Many speakers do - and for good reason!

Those 10-minute talks are a powerful way to share a message and give the audience a way to think about a topic differently.

Being a TEDx speaker is also a credibility marker and an opportunity to get seen by more people.

How do you land a TEDx talk? What should you include in your application? What are event organizers looking for? How do you shape your idea?

That’s what we’re going to get into in this episode.

I’ve worked with TEDx events to select speakers and I’ve coached TEDx speakers, so I’m giving you an inside look on how you can increase your chances of getting selected and delivering an outstanding talk.

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/361/

Search for TEDx events: https://www.ted.com/tedx/events

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: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox

Listen to more episodes about TEDx talks.

Related Podcast Episodes:

360: Achieve Bigger Things by Having Thought Partners in the Same Industry with Tenice Wehmeyer and Cherie Mylordis

Carol Cox — Mon, 27 Nov 2023 05:00:00 -0500

There are always going to be other people who do what you do and talk on the same topic.

Have you ever collaborated with someone who’s in your same industry, who does similar work?

It may seem counter-productive to do this because they’re kind of competitors, after all.

But what if you could change your perspective on this?

Having a thought partner who’s in the same industry can be very beneficial, which you’ll hear in today’s episode.

My guests are two women who met in our Thought Leader Academy last year and have stayed connected ever since.

They both work in the corporate leadership space, but with different approaches and types of clients.

The three of us talk about:

Why they decided to connect and stay in touch
What it means to have a thought partner and how it has benefitted them
How you can go about finding your own thought partner
Having accountability in getting big things done
Why they joined the Thought Leader Academy
And more!

About My Guests: Tenice Wehmeyer, PCC, founder of Wehmeyer Leadership Coaching, is dedicated to cultivating vulnerability-based trust and courage in leaders for brain-friendly collaboration. Cherie Mylordis is a business transformation expert, leadership coach and speaker.

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/360/

Tenice’s website: https://wehmeyerassociates.com/

Cherie’s website: https://www.nextgenify.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/

Apply for our in-person client retreat speaking intensive in Orlando: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/retreat/

Connect on LinkedIn:

Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox
Tenice Wehmeyer (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/tenicewehmeyer/
Cherie Mylordis (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/cherie-mylordis

Related Podcast Episodes:

359: Getting More Women into A.I., Reducing Bias, and How to Use A.I. Responsibly with Juliette Powell

Carol Cox — Wed, 22 Nov 2023 05:00:00 -0500

Whatever your opinion is about AI, it’s being integrated into everything we do, from what we see on social media to how facial recognition systems work to how decisions are made about you by companies.

I personally enjoy using ChatGPT and find it incredibly valuable, but I also want to make sure I’m using these AI tools responsibly and ethically.

This is why I invited Juliette Powell, co-author of the recent book "The AI Dilemma: Seven Principles for Responsible Technology,” to come on the show.

Juliette and I examine the compelling reasons why AI needs the influence of women's voices and how we can work towards a more inclusive AI landscape.

We talk about:

The inspiration behind her co-authored book and why it's a wake-up call for responsible AI
What companies are doing to reduce bias in AI systems
The importance of having more women in AI, not only to diversify the field but to embed empathy and ethics into the technology that is increasingly governing our lives
Actionable steps that can be taken to encourage women's participation in AI, from education and mentorship to policy changes and community support
Our takes on venture capitalist Marc Andreessen’s recent, over-the-top manifesto on AI
How we, as individuals, can use AI tools ethically and responsibly
Juliette’s speaking experiences and tips

Want to learn how to use AI tools to give your speaking a boost? Come to our hands-on AI Tools for Speakers workshop live on Zoom on Thursday, December 7. You’ll learn how to use tools like ChatGPT and others to write outlines and speaking proposals, create images for your slides, add audio and music, and more. Sign up today at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/ai-tools-workshop/.

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/359/

Juliette’s website & book: https://www.juliettepowell.com/

Juliette’s TEDx talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=thkmVv54e6M

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
Juliette Powell (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliettepowell/

Related Podcast Episodes:

358: Leverage Artificial Intelligence (AI) as Your Strategic Partner and Coach with Alysia Silberg

Carol Cox — Mon, 20 Nov 2023 05:00:00 -0500

If you’ve listened to the recent episodes we’ve done on thought leadership, you know that I’ve been working this year on positioning myself as a thought leader in the AI space.

I want to make sure there are lots of women talking about and being heard on this topic because this technology is going to have a huge impact on our society.

This episode and the next one are with women who are thought leaders in AI.

Whether you’re into AI (artificial intelligence) or not, you’re going to LOVE this conversation.

My guest today is Alysia Silberg, a UN Women Empower Women Global Champion, CEO of Street Global venture capital firm, an AI expert, and author of a recent memoir.

Alysia isn't only an entrepreneur; she's a visionary who sees AI not just as a tool but as a strategic coach and partner in business and life.

In this episode, Alysia and I talk about:

The transformative potential of using AI in your own business and personal development
Specific examples of how Alysia leverages AI as a strategic asset, guiding her decision making and sharpening her competitive edge
Using AI to create a more equitable and inclusive world
The power of storytelling: how Alysia sharing her story in her memoir set her free
Alysia’s advocacy for more women in the field of AI, and how she believes diversity can lead to more innovative and ethical AI solutions
Alysia’s strategies for building a strong personal brand and powerful network
Her speaking experiences and tips

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/358/

Alysia’s website & book: https://www.readunemployable.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
Alysia Silberg (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/alysiasilberg/

Related Podcast Episodes:

357: Create Real Change by Shifting Your Identity to Who You Want to Be with Dr. Kim Foster [Thought Leadership Series]

Carol Cox — Thu, 16 Nov 2023 05:00:00 -0500

How can you accomplish what you want, from the small to the big?

As we gear up for the new year, I’m sure there are things you have on your vision board and list of goals you want to achieve.

There are practical, tangible steps you can take (the what and the how).

There’s also WHO you want to be, the identity you want to shift into, which is essential to aligning your actions to what you want, creating lasting change, and building self-confidence.

My guest is Dr. Kim Foster, who recently graduated from our Thought Leader Academy.

Kim was a practicing family doctor for nearly 20 years and a few years ago decided that she wanted to make a big change to become a wellness coach and entrepreneur.

You’ll be inspired by her story and her thought leadership message!

Kim and I talk about:

Her own identity shift from being a doctor to an entrepreneur
What helped her to make that shift
Her thought leadership message and framework that the WHO is as important as the what and the how to make lasting change
How you can start thinking about your own identity
Why she decided to join our Thought Leader Academy and what she got out of the experience

This episode is part of our podcast series on thought leadership.

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/357/

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

Kim’s podcast “The Wellness Project”: https://drkimfoster.com/podcast

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 social:

Carol Cox on LinkedIn = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox
Dr. Kim Foster on LinkedIn = https://www.linkedin.com/in/kim-foster-14362646/
Dr. Kim Foster on Instagram = https://www.instagram.com/drkimfoster/

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356: What to Do Now to Position Yourself as a Thought Leader [Thought Leadership Series]

Carol Cox — Mon, 13 Nov 2023 05:00:00 -0500

We’re continuing our new podcast series on thought leadership.

We’ve talked about finding and developing your big idea and what your signature talk should be doing for you.

Today we’re diving into what you can start doing now to position yourself as a thought leader.

Yes, you can absolutely be a thought leader - and we need you to be!

Thought leaders have an interesting idea and they're willing to share it in a bigger way.

Most thought leaders are also public speakers because of the built-in authority and credibility you get standing in front of an audience and the broader impact you can make.

But, here's the thing: Seeing yourself as a thought leader doesn't come *after* you've done the thing.

You need to see yourself first as a thought leader and claim that identity.

That's what's going to align your actions and propel you forward.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

What exactly a thought leader is
How people become thought leaders
Self-limiting beliefs around claiming an identity, including my own self-limiting beliefs around an identity I need to claim for myself
Why *you* can be a thought leader
6 things to do to position yourself as a thought leader
How I positioned myself as a thought leader in AI this year

Get the 6 steps to position yourself as a thought leader and a lot more in our FREE guide on Developing Your Thought Leadership at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/guide/.

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/356/

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

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355: Any Presentation You Give should be a Signature Talk - Here's Why [Thought Leadership Series]

Carol Cox — Thu, 09 Nov 2023 05:00:00 -0500

We’re continuing our new podcast series on thought leadership.

Today we’re going to take a look at what exactly a signature talk is and what it should be doing for you.

Any presentation you give *should* be a signature talk.

Why?

Because any presentation you deliver should be a combination of your expertise + your thought leadership + your personal brand.

Your signature talk isn’t a bunch of information on your topic.

Your signature talk has a specific purpose for you and for your audience; it should be doing something for you.

You’re not there to pass along information and to train your audience, unless you’re doing a workshop, which if you are, that’s great and you should be getting paid for that.

This is where I see speakers get stuck in what I call the expert trap.

They think they have to train and teach in order to provide value; but when you’re speaking at a conference or at a local group or as a keynote, you’re there to share an experience with the audience, to get them to think about something in a new or different way.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

Determining what you want your signature talk to do for you
The elements that make a transformative signature talk
How to put your signature talk together using our Signature Talk Canvas® framework
Ways you can repurpose your signature talk
Whether you can have more than one signature talk
The signature talk I’m working on

Get our Signature Talk Canvas® framework and a lot more in our 24-page FREE guide and workbook on Developing Your Thought Leadership at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/guide/.

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/355/

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: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox

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354: Finding and Developing Your Big I.D.E.A. [Thought Leadership Series]

Carol Cox — Mon, 06 Nov 2023 05:00:00 -0500

Today’s episode it’s all about finding and developing your Big Idea for your thought leadership and public speaking.

Your idea doesn’t have to be something people have never heard of before; that’s unlikely as most things have been talked about before - and that’s ok!

As a speaker, you want to have something interesting and unique to talk about, you want to make a positive impact on your audience, and you want to develop your thought leadership

Perhaps you’re not sure what makes a good idea or which of your ideas is the best one. It all feels a bit messy and muddy.

That’s what I’m going to help you with in this episode! Think of me as your idea whisperer.

You’ll learn:

What a Big Idea is
Why too many speakers get stuck with superficial content
How to identify your I.D.E.A. using this handy acronym I came up with
Examples of Big Ideas from myself, from some of our clients, and from thought leaders you’ll recognize
Specific questions you can ask yourself to get started developing your Big Idea

Get these questions and a lot more in our 24-page FREE guide and workbook on Developing Your Thought Leadership at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/guide/.

This episode is part of our new podcast series on thought leadership.

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/354/

Get our free Thought Leadership guide and workbook: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/guide/

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: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox

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353: The Power of Frameworks: How Sharon Ehrlich Found Her Voice and Message

Carol Cox — Mon, 30 Oct 2023 05:00:00 -0400

Many accomplished professional women come to a point in their lives where they struggle to balance their personal and professional responsibilities.

Whether it’s their high-pressure career, raising children, caring for aging parents, or all of the above, it can often feel like you lose control over your lives and yourself in the process.

On this week’s podcast guest, Sharon Ehrlich, a former hospital administrator, English teacher, and professional at IBM and now an executive coach, and our lead speaking coach Diane Diaz chat about the challenges Sharon faced when she felt she was losing control of her life while juggling her role as a mother, caring for a disabled parent, and managing her demanding professional life and how she came to realize the importance of setting boundaries and prioritizing her needs.

Sharon, a graduate of our Thought Leader Academy, shares how the program helped her gain clarity and direction for her message.

She talks about her transformative experience during her VIP Day, where she worked intensively on her signature talk.

The result was a powerful framework for her talk - OWN (Observe, Weigh, Negotiate) - which she used to regain control of her life and now shares to help other women do the same.

In this episode, Sharon and Diane talk about:

Sharon's journey from hospital administration to IBM leader to executive coach, and her life-changing move to Austria
Her struggle with balancing her personal life and professional commitments and how very long (6-hour!) hikes helped her find clarity and a way forward
How empowering others, both personally and professionally, can lead to growth and free up our own time
The creation and application of her O.W.N. framework (Observe, Weigh, Negotiate) during her VIP Day
How the Speaking Your Brand Signature Talk Framework that she learned in the Thought Leader Academy helped her to create an entirely new talk, boosted her confidence, and enabled her to deliver a powerful talk that got rave reviews . . . and leads!

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/353/

Sharon’s website: https://livingwhileleading.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
Diane Diaz = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianediaz/
Sharon Ehrlich (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharonehrlich1/

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Episode 341: Unearthing Your Unique Message: Discovering What Makes You Stand Out with Judy Carlson

352: 7 Things the Best Speakers Do: My Takeaways from TEDWomen

Carol Cox — Mon, 23 Oct 2023 05:00:00 -0400

I recently had the honor of attending the TEDWomen conference in Atlanta, Georgia.

Over 3 days, I heard 35 speakers deliver their TED talks, on topics ranging from democracy to abortion rights, menopause to artificial intelligence.

Of course, as I was sitting in the audience, I was taking lots of notes on each speaker, how they structured their talk, the elements they included, and how they delivered it.

I’ve taken those notes and identified 7 key things the best speakers do.

Whether you’re delivering a TEDx talk, a keynote, a conference session, or a business presentation, you can use these 7 things to make your talks impactful and memorable.

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/352

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

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

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351: Hot Takes: Country Club Feminism, The Barbie Movie, Taylor Swift, & More

Carol Cox — Mon, 16 Oct 2023 05:00:00 -0400

From Barbie and the Super Models to Beyonce and Taylor, women and the influence they have on culture and the economy are being seen and talked about everywhere.

Since here at Speaking Your Brand we're all about amplifying and championing women's voices and advocating for gender equality, we figured it was time to give our own hot takes.

Along with all the positive gains women have made, we know that there has also been a considerable backlash, both culturally and legally, most noticeably in the overturning of Roe v. Wade last year and in the states that have since passed laws restricting women's reproductive health care rights.

It's easy (and accurate) to blame lawmakers and voters who vocally support such restrictions and want to turn the tide back.

But what about those who do support women yet do so in myopic ways?

That's why I call "country club feminism."

In this episode, Diane Diaz and I talk about:

The “rad trad” movement on TikTok and what it means about feminism
How we define feminism
The Barbie movie, from the visual impact to the satire to the overt feminist message
Taylor Swift and the backlash she’s receiving for being a powerful, independent woman as she’s dating an NFL player
The new documentary “The Super Models” on AppleTV+ and what it says about female beauty and power
What we’re calling “country club feminism”, how it reinforces the status quo, and what to do instead

Clearly, we are using our voices and that’s what we want you to do too!

(This episode was recorded on October 5, 2023.)

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/351/

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
Diane Diaz = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianediaz

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350: How to Tell Stories in Your Presentations that Connect to Your Message and Audience

Carol Cox — Mon, 09 Oct 2023 05:00:00 -0400

In the last episode, I talked about connecting your personal brand and your thought leadership

Your stories and experiences are integral to both. Your stories connect you with your audience.

Have you ever heard a speaker share a story and have one of these reactions:

#1: Wow, I really feel connected to what this person is saying. I have a new perspective on my own situation.

-OR-

#2: Why is this person telling this story? I don't get how this relates to the rest of their content or why I should care or this feels icky.

You don't want to end up being the speaker where the people in the audience are having the second reaction.

You want your stories to have purpose and meaning and be of service to your audience.

In this episode, Diane Diaz and I talk about:

Contrived vulnerability (your audience can tell)
What contrived storytelling sounds like and feels like
The elements of authentic storytelling
Examples of authentic storytelling, from our clients and from our own talks

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/350/

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
Diane Diaz = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianediaz

Related Podcast Episodes:

349: Connecting Your Personal Brand and Your Thought Leadership

Carol Cox — Mon, 02 Oct 2023 05:00:00 -0400