Speaking Your Brand: Public Speaking Tips and Strategies

What stays with you after a speaking retreat - once the filming is over, the notes are back in your hands, and you're home again?We could tell you what happens at one of our in-person speaking retreats and workshops. Instead, our lead speaking coach Diane Diaz sits down with three women who experienced it: scientist and registered dietitian Dr. Karen Corbin, physician and health equity consultant Dr. Nicole Rochester, and emotional freedom and forgiveness coach Brenda Reiss. They talk candidly about having to practice without their notes, watching themselves on video, learning to use stories and props, and getting immediate feedback from a room full of women who wanted them to succeed.What I love most about this conversation is what happened next. Nicole changed how she delivers talks and brought a much more personal story to a medical conference. Brenda learned to trust herself and let more of the real person behind her expertise come through. Karen became even more committed to helping scientists use story and personality to become trusted voices. Their experiences are different, but the thread is the same: when you stop trying to get every word right, you create more room for the audience to connect with you.You can watch the video at https://www.youtube.com/live/rmXYSCCoz-A.About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com. Links:Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/488/ Watch the video at https://www.youtube.com/live/rmXYSCCoz-ADiscover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/Learn about our in-person speaking retreat: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/live/ Learn about our online Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/ Connect on LinkedIn:Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcoxDiane Diaz = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianediazNicole Rochester = https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-rochester-md/ Karen Corbin = https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-corbin-phd-rd-75229111/ Brenda Reiss = https://www.linkedin.com/in/brendareiss/ Related Podcast Episodes:Episode 411: Reframing Public Speaking: From Elite Skill to Everyday Power with Dr. Karen CorbinEpisode 329: From Compelled to Take Action to TEDx Speaker with Dr. Nicole RochesterEpisode 347: The Power of REAL Practice to Transform Yourself as a SpeakerEpisode 385: Leading with Story in Your Talks [Roundtable] Join us for our three-day speaking retreat, happening in February 2027, in Downtown Orlando, Florida. You'll create and refine high-impact Signature Stage Segments - the kind that set you apart as a speaker; practice onstage multiple times with our expert coaching and feedback; and professionally film your dynamic segments in front of a warm, supportive audience so you have edited video and a speaker reel to show event organizers what you can do.Our retreat is limited to 12 women, so get all the details and request your place at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/live/.Early bird pricing is on for a limited time.

If you've been telling yourself you'll pitch the conference, keynote, or TEDx talk once you feel more confident, I want you to reconsider the order. Public speaking isn't something you do after you become confident. It's one of the ways confidence is created.I’m sharing three practical ways to build real speaking confidence: say yes and get the reps, experiment with different formats and time constraints, and use podcasting to strengthen your ability to speak naturally. I tell the story of walking into a TV studio for the first time with my heart pounding - and how becoming a regular political analyst years later finally gave me the repetition I needed to trust myself.And then there's the thing that surprised me most: taking an eight-week improv class. Even after decades of speaking, improv helped me get out of my head, into my body, and more comfortable not knowing exactly what would happen next.In this episode, you’ll learn:Why confidence is created through speaking rather than perfected in privateWhat it means to embody your message instead of delivering it only from your headWhy repetition builds the muscle memory that makes speaking feel more naturalWhat my first TV political panel taught me about saying yes before I felt readyWhy relying on a script can interrupt your connection with the audienceHow PechaKucha, Ignite, DisruptHR, workshops, and keynotes develop different speaking skillsWhy hosting a podcast or becoming a regular podcast guest strengthens impromptu speakingWhat an eight-week improv class taught me about uncertainty and presenceHow speaking confidence can help you claim the identity of “speaker”Why women's public voices matter to gender equalityAbout Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com. Links:Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/487/ Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/Enroll in our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/ Learn more about our speaking retreat in Orlando: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/live/Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcoxRelated Podcast Episodes:Speak with Confidence podcast seriesEpisode 379: How to Develop Stage Presence and Build Confidence as a SpeakerEpisode 378: The Power of Women's Voices and Stories to Change the World Join us for our three-day speaking retreat, happening in February 2027, in Downtown Orlando, Florida. You'll create and refine high-impact Signature Stage Segments - the kind that set you apart as a speaker; practice onstage multiple times with our expert coaching and feedback; and professionally film your dynamic segments in front of a warm, supportive audience so you have edited video and a speaker reel to show event organizers what you can do.Our retreat is limited to 12 women, so get all the details and request your place at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/live/.Early bird pricing is on for a limited time.

If you’re exhausted by creating a brand-new presentation every time you’re invited to speak, I get it. You want the talk to fit the audience. But customizing your message is very different from reinventing it.In this episode, I’m joined by our coaches Diane Diaz and Erin Mark to talk about how we each use one foundational signature talk across different audiences, industries, and formats.Erin shares how she adapts her CALM framework for everything from a six-minute-and-40-second PechaKucha talk to a 60-minute keynote. Diane explains what to keep, what to change, and why your stories should be the last thing you cut when time is tight.In this episode, we talk about:Why customizing a signature talk is different from creating a new talk from scratchThe core elements that should stay consistent across speaking engagementsHow Erin adapts her CALM framework for different industries and talk lengthsHow Diane changes stories and audience engagement without losing her central messageWhy listing 10, 15, or 20 speaking topics can make you harder to remember and referHow our Brand Voice Canvas connects your mission, expertise, methodology, and experiencesWhat Erin did when she was assigned a topic outside her expertiseHow to expand a keynote into a workshop without turning it into a content dumpHow your signature talk can become podcast talking points, website copy, and months of LinkedIn contentAbout Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com. Links:Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/486/ Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/Enroll in our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/ Learn more about our speaking retreat in Orlando: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/live/Connect on LinkedIn:Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcoxDiane Diaz = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianediaz/ Erin Mark = https://www.linkedin.com/in/erinmark/ Related Podcast Episodes:Episode 288: A Framework for Creating a Signature Talk for Income and ImpactEpisode 462: Speaking Strategies That Create Lasting Impact: Live Signature Talks from TLA Grads with Erin MarkEpisode 475: From Personal Story to Thought Leadership: A Framework for Speakers with Erin MarkEpisode 483: How an I.D.E.A., Not a Topic, Makes You Easier to Refer, Pitch, and Book with Carol Cox Join us for our three-day speaking retreat, happening in February 2027, in Downtown Orlando, Florida. You'll create and refine high-impact Signature Stage Segments - the kind that set you apart as a speaker; practice onstage multiple times with our expert coaching and feedback; and professionally film your dynamic segments in front of a warm, supportive audience so you have edited video and a speaker reel to show event organizers what you can do.Our retreat is limited to 12 women, so get all the details and request your place at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/live/.Early bird pricing is on for a limited time.

What if the most important sales moments connected to your speaking engagement happen before you step on stage and in the first few minutes after you step off?My guest, sales strategist Nikki Rausch, has been my go-to coach for sales language, proposals, pricing, consultation calls, and follow-up for years. In this conversation, we walk through the entire speaking engagement from the first inquiry to the conversations that happen after your talk. Nikki explains how to make yourself easy for an event organizer to hire, plant sales seeds without turning your presentation into a pitch, and recognize when an audience member is giving you a buying signal.We also chat about why your job as the speaker begins long before your scheduled presentation time. In this episode, Nikki and I talk about:Why you should answer an event organizer’s question before asking for a callHow to state your speaker fee clearly and keep the conversation openNikki’s “rapport bank account” and why your presence matters before you reach the stageThe difference between planting sales seeds and selling from the stageHow to use client stories and Q&A responses to show people how you helpWhat a buying signal sounds like after a presentationHow to invite someone to buy or schedule a call while her interest is still highAbout Our Guest: Nikki Rausch is a sales strategist, speaker, and founder of Sales Maven. With more than 25 years of sales experience and over a decade as a business owner, she teaches service-based entrepreneurs how to have confident sales conversations that lead to yeses, without feeling pushy or fake. As a Master Certified Practitioner of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), Nikki focuses on the language and communication behind selling. Her approach is rooted in building rapport, recognizing buying signals, and guiding conversations in a way that feels natural for both you and the client. She is the author of three books, including The Selling Staircase, and host of the Sales Maven Podcast, ranked in the top 1% globally. Through her coaching, programs, and speaking, Nikki supports women entrepreneurs in turning sales into a skill they can rely on, so they can grow their business with clarity and confidence.About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com. Links:Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/486/ Nikki’s website: https://yoursalesmaven.com/ Get Nikki’s free gift Follow-Up Made Easy Guide: https://yoursalesmaven.com/easyfollowup Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/Enroll in our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/ Learn more about our speaking retreat in Orlando: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/live/Connect on LinkedIn:Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcoxNikki Rausch (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikkirausch/ Related Podcast Episodes:Carol’s episode on Nikki’s Sales Maven podcast: https://yoursalesmaven.com/blog/integrating-both-thought-leadership-and-lead-generation-into-one-talk/Episode 133: Authentic Selling at Your Speaking Engagements with Nikki RauschEpisode 34: Relationship Selling with Nikki RauschEpisode 483: How an I.D.E.A., Not a Topic, Makes You Easier to Refer, Pitch, and Book with Carol Cox Join us for our three-day speaking retreat, happening in February 2027, in Downtown Orlando, Florida. You'll create and refine high-impact Signature Stage Segments - the kind that set you apart as a speaker; practice onstage multiple times with our expert coaching and feedback; and professionally film your dynamic segments in front of a warm, supportive audience so you have edited video and a speaker reel to show event organizers what you can do.Our retreat is limited to 12 women, so get all the details and request your place at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/live/.Early bird pricing is on for a limited time.

When you hear “executive presence,” do you picture someone walking into a boardroom looking polished, confident, and completely certain of what to say?My guest, Mary E. Maloney, sees it differently. Executive presence matters most when you’re in the middle of a high-stakes identity shift, such as after a promotion, a career change, the sale of a business, a retirement, or an unexpected ending. Mary calls that in-between space the Keystone Gap: your old identity no longer fits, but the new one hasn’t fully locked into place.In this conversation, Mary explains why the real issue in that gap usually isn’t a lack of confidence. It’s a lack of clarity. Mary shares her Five C’s of Identity Shift, the year she struggled to explain who she was without her CEO title, and the boss who pushed her onto a stage before she believed she was ready.In this episode, Mary and I talk about:What executive presence means during a high-stakes transitionWhy identity is the hidden architecture beneath career and leadership changesThe Keystone Gap between releasing an old identity and building a new oneWhy rushing through an identity shift can make the transition harderMary’s Five C’s of Identity ShiftThe difference between needing more confidence and needing more clarityHow purpose, impact, and your standards for showing up strengthen executive presenceWhat Mary learned after selling her company and taking a year awayHow a reluctant first speech changed the trajectory of her careerWhy authentic stories and knowing your audience matter on stageAbout Our Guest: Mary E. Maloney, FACHE, is a former CEO/CMO turned Master Facilitator who guides senior leaders through high-stakes transitions, helping them clarify and articulate the identity, purpose, and value that will define their next act. Through her signature two-call Brand Declaration® process, she helps leaders sift through decades of experience to name the recurring themes of their value in minutes rather than months. She works with C-suite executives, physician leaders, military officers, founders, and board-level talent through online courses, mastermind cohorts, and 1:1 inplacement/outplacement executive advisory work, and facilitates leadership and strategy retreats for enterprise teams navigating complex change.About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com. Links:Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/484/ Mary’s website: https://revealinggenius.com/ Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/Enroll in our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/ Connect on LinkedIn:Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcoxMary E. Maloney (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/maryemaloney123/ Related Podcast Episodes:Episode 483: How an I.D.E.A., Not a Topic, Makes You Easier to Refer, Pitch, and BookEpisode 288: A Framework for Creating a Signature Talk for Income and ImpactSpeak with Confidence series Join us for our three-day speaking retreat, happening in February 2027, in Downtown Orlando, Florida. You'll create and refine high-impact Signature Stage Segments - the kind that set you apart as a speaker; practice onstage multiple times with our expert coaching and feedback; and professionally film your dynamic segments in front of a warm, supportive audience so you have edited video and a speaker reel to show event organizers what you can do.Our retreat is limited to 12 women, so get all the details and request your place at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/live/.Early bird pricing is on for a limited time.

When someone asks what you speak about, do you give them one clear answer - or a list that includes a bunch of keywords like leadership, communication, resilience, confidence, and change?I understand the temptation to include everything. When you’ve had a long career, narrowing your message can feel like leaving out valuable parts of your experience. But if the person you’re talking with can’t explain what you speak about after the conversation is over, she can’t refer you. And that means you’re less likely to get booked.In this episode, you’ll learn:The difference between a broad subject, a presentation topic, and a distinctive ideaWhy your speaking topic is also a positioning decisionThe one-sentence referral test every speaker should tryHow broad positioning costs you opportunities you may never know you lostThree questions that can uncover the point of view inside your experienceHow to test your message with my I.D.E.A. FrameworkWhat event organizers need to understand before they can picture you in the roomA practical sentence prompt for clarifying your audience, claim, and outcomeAbout Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com. Links:Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/483/ Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/Enroll in our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/ Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcoxRelated Podcast Episodes:Episodes 478-481: Expert Trap SeriesEpisode 468: What TEDx Organizers Look for When Selecting Speakers Join us for our three-day speaking retreat, happening in February 2027, in Downtown Orlando, Florida. You'll create and refine high-impact Signature Stage Segments - the kind that set you apart as a speaker; practice onstage multiple times with our expert coaching and feedback; and professionally film your dynamic segments in front of a warm, supportive audience so you have edited video and a speaker reel to show event organizers what you can do.Our retreat is limited to 12 women, so get all the details and request your place at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/live/.Early bird pricing is on for a limited time.

AI can give you an answer. But it can’t be genuinely curious about you.In this episode, I’m joined by our lead speaking coach, Diane Diaz, to explore why curiosity is essential for developing a compelling thought leadership message and signature talk, especially in an age when AI can quickly produce polished but often predictable content.Diane shares a powerful analogy about browsing library stacks: You may begin by looking for one book, only to discover an unexpected idea on the shelf beside it. That kind of exploration and serendipity is often where your most original insights come from.We also talk about why being too close to your expertise can make it difficult to recognize what is most interesting about your ideas and experiences - and why the right questions from another human can uncover connections and stories you would never find through a fill-in-the-blank formula.Diane and I discuss:How relying too heavily on AI can weaken our curiosityWhy constraints can help you create a stronger talk more quicklyThe questions that uncover your most compelling ideas and storiesWhy your curiosity about your audience matters as much as your expertiseHow curiosity contributes to originality, personal connection, and even humorYour audience doesn’t need more information. They want a reason to become curious about your idea and about you.About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com. Links:Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/482/ Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/Enroll in our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/ Connect on LinkedIn:Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcoxDiane Diaz = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianediaz/ Related Podcast Episodes:Episode 481: Expertise Alone Doesn’t Get You Booked as a Speaker - Here's What DoesEpisode 479: 3 Ways AI Can Hurt Your Public Speaking, and 3 Ways It Can Help Join us for our three-day speaking retreat, happening in February 2027, in Downtown Orlando, Florida. You'll create and refine high-impact Signature Stage Segments - the kind that set you apart as a speaker; practice onstage multiple times with our expert coaching and feedback; and professionally film your dynamic segments in front of a warm, supportive audience so you have edited video and a speaker reel to show event organizers what you can do.Our retreat is limited to 12 women, so get all the details and request your place at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/live/.Early bird pricing is on for a limited time.

If people leave your talk thinking, “She really knows her stuff,” that feels good. But it doesn’t necessarily make you memorable, referable, or bookable.In this fourth and final episode of my Expert Trap series, I’m looking at three things you may be saying yes to (more content, neutrality, and the wrong room) and the identity questions underneath each one. I’ve done all three, and I still have to watch for them in my own presentations.You’ll hear why your audience doesn’t need everything you know, how a clear point of view helps your ideas travel, and how to choose speaking opportunities that make your thought leadership stronger instead of more generic. I’ll also give you one practical exercise you can use right away: replacing one proof sentence with one belief sentence.In this episode, you’ll learn:How too much content can become a way to prove you belongWhy staying neutral can make your message harder to rememberHow to know when a speaking opportunity is the wrong roomThe identity shift from expert to thought leaderWhy expertise builds trust, but your point of view makes you referable and bookableThe difference between a proof sentence and a belief sentenceAbout Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com. Links:Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/481/ Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/Enroll in our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/ Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcoxRelated Podcast Episodes:Episodes 478-481: Expert Trap SeriesEpisode 463: The Connection Formula of Expertise + Story: Live Signature Talks from Thought Leader Academy GradsEpisode 458: Same Message, Different Medium: Why Your Talk Isn’t Landing (and How to Fix It) Join us for our three-day speaking retreat, happening in February 2027, in Downtown Orlando, Florida. You'll create and refine high-impact Signature Stage Segments - the kind that set you apart as a speaker; practice onstage multiple times with our expert coaching and feedback; and professionally film your dynamic segments in front of a warm, supportive audience so you have edited video and a speaker reel to show event organizers what you can do.Our retreat is limited to 12 women, so get all the details and request your place at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/live/.Early bird pricing is on for a limited time.

If you love facilitating workshops and trainings, but you know there’s something more you want to say, this episode is for you.My guest is Corrin McCloskey, a healthcare executive, speaker, writer, and facilitator who has made the leap from being a fabulous facilitator into a true thought leader. Corrin joined us in Thought Leader Academy in January 2025, and in the year and a half since then, she has spoken at multiple national conferences, published writing in her field, and continued building momentum around her message: healthcare needs more human-centered, connected, and courageous leadership.This conversation is part of our Expert Trap series because Corrin’s story is such a powerful example of what happens when you move beyond simply teaching helpful content and start naming what’s missing in the conversation.We talk about:How Corrin shifted from facilitating strategic planning and leadership workshops to speaking on bigger stagesWhy thought leadership is less about having all the answers and more about sharing a clear perspectiveThe role of writing in expanding your ideas beyond a single talkHow to keep putting your work out there, even when it doesn’t feel perfectWhat Corrin learned from both deeply affirming audience feedback and a painful experience of harassment after a speaking engagementWhy having a support system matters when you’re using your voice more publiclyWhat I love about Corrin’s journey is that she didn’t abandon facilitation. She built on it. She took the skills she already had, added her lived experience and perspective, and stepped into a bigger conversation.That’s the real invitation of thought leadership: to stop hiding behind expertise alone and start using your voice for the change you want to see.About Our Guest: Corrin McCloskey is a healthcare executive, executive coach, and national speaker focused on leadership, culture, and change management in healthcare. She serves as Vice President of Heart & Vascular and Oncology Services at Tanner Health, where she leads strategy, growth, and service line development. Passionate about helping leaders build trust and navigate complexity, Corrin frequently speaks on physician leadership, organizational culture, and leading change in healthcare. Over the past year, she has expanded her national speaking presence and contributed thought leadership focused on creating healthier, more sustainable healthcare systems.About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com. Links:Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/480/ Corrin’s website: https://corrinmccloskey.com/ Watch Corrin deliver her signature talk on our live show: https://www.youtube.com/live/rhDAdGR44-g?si=MulG_sPQ0-MmpLK4 Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/Enroll in our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/ Connect on LinkedIn:Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcoxCorrin McCloskey (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/corrinmccloskey/ Related Podcast Episodes:Episode 478: The Expert Trap: Why Great Speakers Don't Become Thought LeadersEpisode 391: Claiming Your Identity as a Speaker and Thought Leader Join us for our three-day speaking retreat, happening in February 2027, in Downtown Orlando, Florida. You'll create and refine high-impact Signature Stage Segments - the kind that set you apart as a speaker; practice onstage multiple times with our expert coaching and feedback; and professionally film your dynamic segments in front of a warm, supportive audience so you have edited video and a speaker reel to show event organizers what you can do.Our retreat is limited to 12 women, so get all the details and request your place at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/live/.Early bird pricing is on for a limited time.

I love using AI, and I use it almost every day. But when it comes to thought leadership, talks, and presentations, I’ve also seen how easy it is for AI to pull us into a new version of the Expert Trap.In this episode, I’m sharing three things to be careful about when using AI for your talks, from my own recent experiences with clients, including why it can miss the deeper signal in your message, strip away your natural personality, and leave you with endless unfinished ideas that never become anything concrete.I also share three smart ways I do recommend using AI: creating stronger slide graphics, brainstorming audience activities for workshops, and analyzing call-for-speakers pages so you can find a stronger pitch angle.My goal isn’t to talk you out of using AI. It’s to help you use it in a way that supports your voice, your ideas, and your real thought leadership instead of replacing the very things that make you compelling.You'll learn:Why AI can keep you stuck in the Expert TrapThe difference between AI “polish” and your real voiceWhy your personality matters so much in a talkHow too many AI-generated ideas can create more unfinished projectsThree ways I recommend using AI for presentationsWhy I no longer recommend using AI to draft TEDx or speaker submissionsHow to make your human credibility markers stand out in your speaking proposalsAbout Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com. Links:Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/479/ Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/Enroll in our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/ Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcoxRelated Podcast Episodes:Episode 468: What TEDx Organizers Look for When Selecting SpeakersEpisode 478: The Expert Trap: Why Great Speakers Don't Become Thought LeadersEpisode 477: What AI Couldn't Do: Finding the Perfect Name for My BookEpisode 432: AI Is Already Impacting Your Business – Here are 4 Innovative Ways to Leverage ItEpisode 433: Behind the Scenes of My AI-Powered Business: Real-World Use Cases Join us for our three-day speaking retreat, happening in February 2027, in Downtown Orlando, Florida. You'll create and refine high-impact Signature Stage Segments - the kind that set you apart as a speaker; practice onstage multiple times with our expert coaching and feedback; and professionally film your dynamic segments in front of a warm, supportive audience so you have edited video and a speaker reel to show event organizers what you can do.Our retreat is limited to 12 women, so get all the details and request your place at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/live/.Early bird pricing is on for a limited time.

Have you ever given a talk that people loved in the moment but nothing happened afterward?The audience took notes. They told you how valuable your presentation was. But you didn't get the next speaking invitation, new clients, or bigger opportunities.In this episode, I explain what I call the Expert Trap: the place where expertise becomes the very thing holding you back from becoming a thought leader.I share the three signs that you may be stuck in the Expert Trap, why helpful talks aren't always memorable, and what separates speakers who simply educate from those whose ideas truly travel.If you've been wondering why your speaking isn't creating the impact you know it's capable of, this episode will help you see your talks through a new lens.In this episode you'll learn:The three signs you're stuck in the Expert TrapWhy audiences remember perspectives more than informationHow thought leaders help people see themselves differently, not just learn something newWhat your expertise may be costing you without you realizing itAbout Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com. Links:Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/478/ Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/Enroll in our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/ Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcoxRelated Podcast Episodes:Episode 362: Integrating Thought Leadership and Lead Generation in Your Signature Talk with Danielle HaydenEpisode 354: Finding and Developing Your Big I.D.E.A.Episode 338: Escaping the Expert Trap: From Academic Presenter to Sought-After Speaker with Teri DeLucca, PhDEpisode 342: I Almost Got Stuck in the Expert Trap: How I Created My Recent Successful Conference PresentationEpisode 458: Same Message, Different Medium: Why Your Talk Isn’t Landing (and How to Fix It) Join us for our three-day speaking retreat, happening in February 2027, in Downtown Orlando, Florida. You'll create and refine high-impact Signature Stage Segments - the kind that set you apart as a speaker; practice onstage multiple times with our expert coaching and feedback; and professionally film your dynamic segments in front of a warm, supportive audience so you have edited video and a speaker reel to show event organizers what you can do.Our retreat is limited to 12 women, so get all the details and request your place at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/live/.Early bird pricing is on for a limited time.

You can give a great presentation, get lots of compliments afterward, and still walk away with zero leads.Why? Because most speakers approach their talks like teachers instead of marketers.In this episode, Diane Diaz and I share how to create presentations that generate interest, build trust, and lead to clients, without feeling salesy or violating the dreaded "no selling from the stage" rule.We talk about why audiences don't need more information, what they actually want from your presentation, and how to structure your talks so people understand not only your message, but also why you're the right person to help them.If you've ever wondered why your speaking engagements aren't translating into business opportunities, this episode will help you rethink how you approach your talks.In this episode, we discuss:• Why giving audiences more information often reduces conversions• The difference between a lead-generation talk and a paid workshop• How our Signature Talk Canvas® helps speakers create demand without being pushy• The critical role of Act One in building trust and audience buy-in• How to plant "sales seeds" naturally through stories and client examples• Why emotional connection matters more than tactics and tips• Simple ways to capture leads and book conversations after your presentation• Real-world examples of talks that generated immediate clientsIf you’re ready to work with us on creating or refining your signature talk, head to speakingyourbrand.com/contact/ to schedule a consultation and explore the best way for us to work together.This episode originally aired as episode 457 on December 29, 2025.About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com. Links:Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/457/ Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/Enroll in our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/ Attend our 1-day Speaking Accelerator Workshop in Orlando: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/orlando/ Connect on LinkedIn:Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcoxDiane Diaz = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianediaz/ Related Podcast Episodes:Episode 456: The Missing Piece of Your Marketing Strategy is a Signature TalkEpisode 449: Small Shifts That Make a Huge Difference in Your Presentation Impact & ResultsEpisode 362: Integrating Thought Leadership and Lead Generation in Your Signature Talk with Danielle Hayden Join us for our three-day speaking retreat, happening in February 2027, in Downtown Orlando, Florida. You'll create and refine high-impact Signature Stage Segments - the kind that set you apart as a speaker; practice onstage multiple times with our expert coaching and feedback; and professionally film your dynamic segments in front of a warm, supportive audience so you have edited video and a speaker reel to show event organizers what you can do.Our retreat is limited to 12 women, so get all the details and request your place at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/live/.Early bird pricing is on for a limited time.

Your marketing may not be broken. It may just be missing a signature talk.In this episode, Diane Diaz and I share why speaking is one of the most effective marketing tools available today and why a well-crafted signature talk can become the foundation for your visibility, lead generation, and thought leadership strategy.We talk about how speaking accelerates the know-like-trust factor in ways that social media and other marketing channels simply can't, why audiences are more engaged when they're experiencing your message live, and how your signature talk can be repurposed into everything from email campaigns and social media content to workshops, podcasts, and courses.We also explore what makes a true signature talk, how it differs from simply giving presentations, and why clarifying your core message is often the missing piece that ties your entire marketing strategy together.In this episode, we discuss:• Why speaking builds trust faster than any other marketing channel• How Diane generated new clients from a single speaking engagement• The difference between a presentation and a signature talk• Why your signature message should guide all of your marketing• How to identify the real problem your audience needs solved• Ways to repurpose your talk into content, workshops, and offers• Why many experts struggle to translate expertise into thought leadershipIf you’re ready to build a signature talk that becomes the backbone of your marketing, visibility, and thought leadership, you can learn more about working with us inside the Thought Leader Academy, through a VIP Day, or at one of our in-person Orlando speaking workshops.This episode originally aired as episode 456 on December 22, 2025.About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com. Links:Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/456/ Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/Enroll in our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/ Attend our 1-day Speaking Accelerator Workshop in Orlando: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/orlando/ Connect on LinkedIn:Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcoxDiane Diaz = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianediaz/ Related Podcast Episodes:Episode 453: Why Your Best Talk is the One You Give Again (and Again)Episode 396: Creating a Signature Talk that Attracts Paid Speaking Opportunities Join us for our three-day speaking retreat, happening in February 2027, in Downtown Orlando, Florida. You'll create and refine high-impact Signature Stage Segments - the kind that set you apart as a speaker; practice onstage multiple times with our expert coaching and feedback; and professionally film your dynamic segments in front of a warm, supportive audience so you have edited video and a speaker reel to show event organizers what you can do.Our retreat is limited to 12 women, so get all the details and request your place at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/live/.Early bird pricing is on for a limited time.

How do you name a book, a framework, or even a business in a way that captures the essence of what you do?After struggling with the title of my book for years, I turned to brand strategist and naming expert Rebeca Arbona for help. What happened next surprised me: in less than an hour, she found the title that had been hiding in plain sight.In this conversation, we pull back the curtain on the art and strategy of naming. Rebeca shares why great names aren't created through random brainstorming, the biggest mistakes people make when naming their ideas, and why AI may be helpful for execution but falls short when it comes to original thought leadership.If you've ever wrestled with naming a book, a keynote, a framework, a program, or your business itself, you'll come away with a new appreciation for the power of finding the right words.Rebeca and I talk about:• Why naming is far more strategic than most people realize• The process Rebeca uses to create names that resonate and endure• Common naming mistakes that keep people stuck• Why great names often feel both surprising and obvious at the same time• How Rebeca helped me finally name my book after five years of trying• The difference between a name and a descriptor and why both matter• Why AI struggles to generate truly original thought leadership ideas• How the right title can clarify the entire structure and direction of a book• The connection between ideas, thought leadership, and public speakingAbout Our Guest: Rebeca Arbona is a brand strategist, strategic namer, and founder of BrandTrue, where she helps organizations uncover and communicate the truths at their core. A lifelong word geek who once read the dictionary for fun, Rebeca found her professional sweet spot in naming, where language, strategy, and creative intuition all collide. Since her first appearance on Speaking Your Brand, Rebeca’s work has expanded to include teaching Branding at the University of Cincinnati, mentoring emerging strategists, supporting mission-driven organizations, and developing a book rooted in resilience, meaning, and hard-won life lessons. Through it all, she remains obsessed with the same essential question: how do we tell the truth in a way people can feel, remember, and act on? Follow Rebeca and BrandTrue on LinkedIn for her insightful, quirky takes on naming, brand strategy, and why the truth matters to brands that want to mean something.About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com. Links:Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/477/ Rebeca’s website: https://www.brandtrue.com/ Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/Enroll in our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/ Connect on LinkedIn:Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcoxRebeca Arbona (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecaarbona/ Related Podcast Episodes:Episode 179: The Deep Truths You and Your Brand Need to Say with Rebeca Arbona Join us for our three-day speaking retreat, happening in February 2027, in Downtown Orlando, Florida. You'll create and refine high-impact Signature Stage Segments - the kind that set you apart as a speaker; practice onstage multiple times with our expert coaching and feedback; and professionally film your dynamic segments in front of a warm, supportive audience so you have edited video and a speaker reel to show event organizers what you can do.Our retreat is limited to 12 women, so get all the details and request your place at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/live/.Early bird pricing is on for a limited time.

You may be closer to your next speaking opportunity than you think.With so many people submitting speaker applications and using AI to generate proposals, standing out has become harder than ever. But there's one thing AI can't replicate: genuine relationships.In this episode, Diane Diaz and I talk about why some of the best speaking opportunities, keynote invitations, media appearances, and client referrals come not from cold pitches, but from the trust you've built over time. We share stories from our own experiences, examples from Speaking Your Brand clients, and practical ways to build relationships that can lead to speaking engagements and visibility opportunities.If you've been relying on social media posts, conference applications, or waiting for opportunities to find you, this conversation will give you a different perspective on where your next opportunity may already be waiting.We talk about:Why relationships matter more than ever in today's speaking landscapeHow AI is making speaker applications easier and more competitiveWhat event organizers are really looking for when selecting speakersWhy authenticity and personality help you stand outReal examples of clients who turned one speaking engagement into many more opportunitiesThe difference between networking and relationship buildingHow local organizations, associations, and community groups can open doorsPractical ways to reconnect with people already in your networkWhy speaking is a long-term strategy that creates opportunities beyond the stageThree simple actions you can take this week to build momentum toward your next speaking engagementWhether you're an aspiring speaker or an experienced professional looking to increase your visibility, this episode will help you think differently about where your next opportunity may come from.About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com. Links:Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/476/ Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/Enroll in our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/ Attend our 1-day Speaking Accelerator Workshop in Orlando: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/orlando/ Connect on LinkedIn:Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcoxDiane Diaz = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianediaz/ Related Podcast Episodes:Episode 422: How to Create a 10-Out-of-10 Keynote that Leaves Your Audience in Awe with Julia KornEpisode 396: Creating a Signature Talk that Attracts Paid Speaking Opportunities with Cherlette McCulloughBooked Without Burnout series Join us for our three-day speaking retreat, happening in February 2027, in Downtown Orlando, Florida. You'll create and refine high-impact Signature Stage Segments - the kind that set you apart as a speaker; practice onstage multiple times with our expert coaching and feedback; and professionally film your dynamic segments in front of a warm, supportive audience so you have edited video and a speaker reel to show event organizers what you can do.Our retreat is limited to 12 women, so get all the details and request your place at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/live/.Early bird pricing is on for a limited time.

What if the stories you’ve dismissed as “not important enough” are actually the ones your audience needs most?Erin Mark and I explore why storytelling is the bridge between expertise and transformation and why audiences connect far more deeply with emotion, struggle, and humanity than with information alone. Erin shares how she took her deeply personal experience living with cystic fibrosis and transformed it into a keynote message about resilience, uncertainty, identity, and moving forward through change.We also talk about the surprising challenge many women face: not recognizing the power of their own stories because they’ve lived with them for so long.In this episode, we discuss:How to “universalize” your personal story so others see themselves in itWhy many women struggle to identify their most impactful storiesErin’s “Story, Struggle, Solution” frameworkHow coaches can help uncover stories and themes you can’t always see yourselfWhy you do not need a dramatic life story to become a compelling speakerHow storytelling can improve podcast interviews, presentations, and thought leadershipThe importance of becoming the messenger your audience needs at exactly the right momentWe also share details about our new Story Scoping coaching package and our upcoming in-person workshop in Orlando!About My Guest: At 35, Erin’s life was coming to an end. She had entered end life stage cystic fibrosis: her lungs were failing, she was dying, and time was running out. While most people were training for their next promotion or milestone, she was training to die. And then, at the very last moment, everything changed – a breakthrough medication saved her life. That moment forced Erin into her most important pivot yet: learning how to live again. Her identity had been built around survival. Now, she had to rebuild her purpose, reshape her career, and discover what it meant to truly live. What she discovered is this: pivoting isn’t a one-time act, it’s a repeatable skill. Whether it’s a reorg, a layoff, a leadership shift, or a personal loss, every “before and after” moment is a pivot point and it requires a new kind of leadership. Perfect for corporate teams, associations, and leadership conferences, Erin’s keynotes are more than inspiration. They’re a mindset reset and a tactical playbook for anyone navigating change or facing an uncertain next chapter.About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com. Links:Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/475/ Erin’s website: https://erinmark.com/ Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/Work with Erin to scope your story: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/work-with-us/story-coaching/ Enroll in our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/ Attend our 1-day speaking workshop in Orlando: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/orlando/ Connect on LinkedIn:Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcoxErin Mark (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/erinmark/ Related Podcast Episodes:Episode 462: Speaking Strategies That Create Lasting Impact: Live Signature Talks from TLA Grads Join us for our three-day speaking retreat, happening in February 2027, in Downtown Orlando, Florida. You'll create and refine high-impact Signature Stage Segments - the kind that set you apart as a speaker; practice onstage multiple times with our expert coaching and feedback; and professionally film your dynamic segments in front of a warm, supportive audience so you have edited video and a speaker reel to show event organizers what you can do.Our retreat is limited to 12 women, so get all the details and request your place at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/live/.Early bird pricing is on for a limited time.

In this episode, I sit down with Teri DeLucca for a candid conversation about what really happens behind the scenes in the speaking industry, from getting your first speaking engagements to negotiating fees, navigating “pay-to-play” conferences, and building the confidence to take bigger stages.Teri shares how she went from feeling intimidated and unsure if she belonged on stage to becoming an in-demand speaker traveling across the country. We talk openly about the realities many speakers face but few discuss publicly: speaking for free, undercharging, the gender pay gap in speaking fees, networking with other speakers, and learning to see speaking not as performance — but as service.We also dive into Teri’s new AI platform, Luma, a human-centered AI “thinking partner” designed to support educators and leaders with communication, stress management, organizational culture, and decision-making. Plus, she shares exciting news about becoming a finalist for a grant funded through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation focused on women and AI innovation.If you’ve ever wondered:How speakers actually get bookedWhen to speak for free (and when not to)How to raise your speaking fees with confidenceWhat event organizers don’t tell speakersHow AI is changing leadership and workOr whether you really have what it takes to speak……this conversation is for you.About Our Guest: Dr. Teri DeLucca is a developmental psychologist and the founder of Impact Early Education, which equips leaders with strategies that improve outcomes for children, teams, and businesses. She holds a dual PhD and previously worked as a research scientist specializing in teacher-child interactions and early intervention in neurocognitive and social-emotional development. Dr. DeLucca has successfully operated schools, reducing staff turnover, strengthening school culture, and driving sustainable growth. In addition to her work in education, she speaks nationally to corporate organizations and women’s groups on personal leadership, communication, resilience, and coaching strategies. She is a published author, award-winning researcher, speaker, and recognized leader in the industry.About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com. Links:Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/474/  Teri’s website: https://impactearlyed.com/ Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/Enroll in our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/ Connect on LinkedIn:Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcoxTeri DeLucca (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-teri-delucca-46b296200/  Related Podcast Episodes:Episode 338: Escaping the Expert Trap: From Academic Presenter to Sought-After Speaker with Teri DeLucca Join us for our three-day speaking retreat, happening in February 2027, in Downtown Orlando, Florida. You'll create and refine high-impact Signature Stage Segments - the kind that set you apart as a speaker; practice onstage multiple times with our expert coaching and feedback; and professionally film your dynamic segments in front of a warm, supportive audience so you have edited video and a speaker reel to show event organizers what you can do.Our retreat is limited to 12 women, so get all the details and request your place at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/live/.Early bird pricing is on for a limited time.

I love when I stumble across someone I know doing something big—and that’s exactly what happened with today’s guest.I spotted one of our Thought Leader Academy grads Kim Foster on YouTube…with a video that had over 1.5 million views. Naturally, I wanted to know how she did it!In this episode, Kim and I dig into what it really takes to grow a YouTube channel that drives visibility, trust, and clients.She shares how consistency, smart content strategy, and paying attention to your audience can completely change the trajectory of your brand.We also talk about her recent TEDx talk, her upcoming book, and why identity, not willpower, is the real key to transformation.If you’ve been thinking about YouTube, speaking, or stepping more fully into your thought leadership, this conversation will give you a lot to think about.About Our Guest: Dr. Kim Foster is an MD-turned–reinvention expert, author, and TEDx speaker who helps people change their lives by changing who they believe themselves to be. After 20 years practicing medicine, Kim left her career to build a global platform teaching the science of identity transformation. Her work blends behavioral psychology, personal development, and wellness, and she develops digital education programs that help people redesign their inner blueprint and build lives that actually reflect the person they’re becoming. Her thriving YouTube channel has grown to more than 250,000 subscribers and her forthcoming book, Redesigning You (June 2026), explores how to shift the beliefs and stories that shape behavior and destiny. Kim’s mission is to empower people to reinvent themselves at any age and step into who they were meant to become.About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com. Links:Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/473/  Kim’s website: https://drkimfoster.com/ Kim’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@KimFosterMD Kim’s book: https://drkimfoster.com/book Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/Enroll in our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/ Connect on LinkedIn:Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcoxKim Foster (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/drkimfoster/ Related Podcast Episodes:Episode 357: Create Real Change by Shifting Your Identity to Who You Want to Be with Kim Foster Join us for our three-day speaking retreat, happening in February 2027, in Downtown Orlando, Florida. You'll create and refine high-impact Signature Stage Segments - the kind that set you apart as a speaker; practice onstage multiple times with our expert coaching and feedback; and professionally film your dynamic segments in front of a warm, supportive audience so you have edited video and a speaker reel to show event organizers what you can do.Our retreat is limited to 12 women, so get all the details and request your place at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/live/.Early bird pricing is on for a limited time.

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 connectionTranslates their experiences into clear, teachable frameworksBalances heart + strategy so the audience feels and learnsInvites the audience into reflection and real changeIf 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-kKimberly’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/carolcoxKimberly Brock = https://www.linkedin.com/in/startwithkimberlybrock/ Susana Alvarez = https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanaalvarezsrprojectmanager/ Teresa Phillips = https://www.linkedin.com/in/teresa-phillips-01249720b/ Related Podcast Episodes:Episode 355: What a Signature Talk Is and What It Should be Doing for You Join us for our three-day speaking retreat, happening in February 2027, in Downtown Orlando, Florida. You'll create and refine high-impact Signature Stage Segments - the kind that set you apart as a speaker; practice onstage multiple times with our expert coaching and feedback; and professionally film your dynamic segments in front of a warm, supportive audience so you have edited video and a speaker reel to show event organizers what you can do.Our retreat is limited to 12 women, so get all the details and request your place at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/live/.Early bird pricing is on for a limited time.

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 pointsReveal the deeper problem most people are missingIntroduce simple, memorable frameworks that guide actionMove from story → insight → transformationIf you’ve ever wondered how to go from “telling your story” to delivering a talk that positions you as a thought leader, this session will show you exactly how it’s done.We also have a roundtable discussion about what they’ve learned from being in the Thought Leader Academy and what’s next for them as speakers and thought leaders.You can watch the video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5XgfQgtW5s. About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com. Links:Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/471/ Watch the video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5XgfQgtW5s Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/Join our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/ Connect on LinkedIn:Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcoxDiane Diaz = https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianediazLauren Yankoff = https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-yankoff/ Heather Beebe = https://www.linkedin.com/in/heatherbeebe/ Related Podcast Episodes:Episode 355: What a Signature Talk Is and What It Should be Doing for You Join us for our three-day speaking retreat, happening in February 2027, in Downtown Orlando, Florida. You'll create and refine high-impact Signature Stage Segments - the kind that set you apart as a speaker; practice onstage multiple times with our expert coaching and feedback; and professionally film your dynamic segments in front of a warm, supportive audience so you have edited video and a speaker reel to show event organizers what you can do.Our retreat is limited to 12 women, so get all the details and request your place at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/live/.Early bird pricing is on for a limited time.