Speaking Business Podcast

This week on Speaking Business Podcast I’m joined by David Avrin, one of the most in-demand customer experience speakers on the circuit. David shares how he went from theatre and radio to building a global speaking business, why “good enough no longer is,” and what it really takes to become ridiculously easy to do business with. We talk about the shift from marketing to customer experience, how speakers can raise their fees, the danger of being passive, and why speaking is not the business—getting the gigs is. Packed with practical advice and straight-talking insights, this is an episode that every speaker who wants more bookings (and bigger fees) needs to hear.

What do Ellen, the Oscars, and your next keynote have in common? According to Emmy Award-winning comedy writer Beth Sherman, plenty. In this episode, Beth shares what years in TV comedy taught her about connection, timing, and truth, and how those same tools help speakers win over audiences and get booked again and again. We talk about moving from Hollywood to the UK stage, how to use humour without losing credibility, and why being funny isn’t about punchlines - it’s about being real. If you're ready to add more impact (and laughter) to your talks, this is one not to miss.

What does it take to stay relevant, speak with heart, and connect deeply with your audience? In this episode, Felicity Ashley shares her journey from serious illness to becoming a sought-after speaker on resilience and wellbeing. We talk about how she keeps her message fresh, the power of honesty on stage, and why speaking isn't about being the hero—it's about being human. She also explains how her background in marketing gives her an edge and how her book, Stronger Than the Storm, helped shape her brand and her business. A powerful reminder that connection trumps performance, and real stories stick.

In this episode of the Speaking Business podcast, I’m joined by Marlo Clarke — a former international rugby player turned global speaker. Marlo’s journey from Barbados to the stage isn’t just inspiring, it’s instructive. Instead of jumping straight into speaking, he spent a year travelling through 13 countries, asking people from all walks of life a simple but powerful question: What does a fulfilling life and career mean to you? That curiosity became the foundation of his talks — and his business. We talk about how Marlo builds tailored keynotes from scratch, why listening always comes before speaking, and how being easy to work with gets him booked again and again. You’ll also hear his take on purpose, failure, storytelling, and what it really takes to build a sustainable speaking career without shortcuts or hype. If you’re looking for clarity, relevance, and a reminder that speakers succeed by solving real problems — this episode is for you.

This week I’m joined by the dynamic duo behind Oratore Speakers, Steven Piessens and Magali De Reu. Steven, a speaker strategist based in sunny Malaga, and Magali, a branding and AI expert from Antwerp, share how they’ve built a thriving speaker ecosystem in under a year—spanning over 5,500 speakers across Europe, the US, and the UK. We talk about what really builds a speaker business (hint: it’s not more time tweaking slides), how AI is quietly reshaping how speakers work, and the biggest blind spots holding speakers back from being booked. We also dive into their six-month Rising Speakers programme, what makes a brand story land, and why clarity beats charisma every time. If you’ve ever felt stuck between wanting impact and chasing stages, this one’s for you. And this is the link promised in our chat for the Speaker Strategy Wheel: https://www.oratore-speakers.com/speaker-strategy-wheel  

When Sha Nacino answered a question at a speaker convention in Singapore, she had no idea her 30-second response would change everything. That moment led to global speaking invitations, virtual summits with tens of thousands of attendees, and a spot on Global Gurus’ Top 30 Motivational Speakers list, alongside Tony Robbins and Simon Sinek. In this conversation, Sha shares how she built a truly international speaking business from the Philippines, why leading with service (not sales) opens more doors, and how one idea from a webinar turned into a $20,000 leadership programme. We talk about visibility, trust, systems, and Sha’s unique way of making the complex simple, whether it’s for HR professionals or C-suite leaders. It’s a joyful, practical episode full of insights for speakers who want to be booked, trusted, and remembered.

This week I’m joined by Kay Korsh, former celebrity stylist turned speaker style strategist. After 20 years dressing A-listers and working with luxury brands, Kay now helps professional speakers align their wardrobe with their message. We talk about what speakers get wrong with their style, why being fashionable isn’t the goal, and how your wardrobe can either build or break audience trust. Kay explains why digitising your wardrobe is a game-changer, how mindful consumption applies to speakers, and what you should consider before buying one more jacket. If you want to feel confident on stage and look like the fee you’re charging, this one’s for you. Kay has shared some useful links: LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kay-korsh/   Colour Quiz for Professional Speakers: https://kkorsh.outgrow.us/speakers-colourtest   Ultimate step-by-step guide to looking great on stage: https://outfit.mindoverfashion.com/look-great-on-stage-as-a-professional-speaker  

This week I’m joined by leadership communication expert and bestselling author Mark Leruste. Known for helping thousands of leaders at Google, Nike, and the Premier League tell better stories, Mark shares why most speakers are focusing on the wrong thing. It's not your bio that gets you booked—it’s how you connect. We talk about building a “vending machine” of stories, how to introduce yourself so people lean in (not glaze over), and why being a little imperfect in public can make you more powerful. If you’re ready to tell a better story, this one’s for you.

In this episode of the Speaking Business Podcast, I’m joined by the unstoppable Brad Burton, award-winning entrepreneur, bestselling author, and top motivational business speaker. Brad built a multimillion-pound national company from scratch and has no time for excuses. We talk about his extraordinary journey from a council estate to the stage, how he created the UK's largest joined-up business network, and the power of showing up as your full, unfiltered self. Brad shares the lessons he's learned from thousands of speaking engagements, the importance of resilience, and why being memorable is more valuable than being liked. If you’re serious about building a speaking business, no excuses, this episode is for you.

In this episode, Maria Franzoni welcomes Niall Ratcliffe, co-founder of the story-driven marketing agency Noticed, to share proven strategies for speakers to get noticed on LinkedIn. Niall explains why LinkedIn is essential for reaching key decision-makers and reveals how consistent storytelling can set speakers apart. They cover practical tips for crafting content that keeps you top of mind, using lead magnets to convert followers into clients, and building genuine authority through your unique experiences. If you’re looking to attract more bookings and grow your speaking business, this episode is packed with actionable advice on mastering LinkedIn.

In this episode of the Speaking Business Podcast, host Maria Franzoni sits down with award-winning speaker and Professional Speakers Association founder, Rikki Arundel. Rikki shares their inspiring journey, from early beginnings to receiving the Speaker Awards' Lifetime Achievement Award, revealing valuable lessons for speakers at all stages. They discuss the power of finding your niche, the importance of resilience through career shifts, and what it takes to craft a message that truly resonates. Tune in for Rikki's insights on building a brand, making an unforgettable impact, and navigating the challenges of a speaking career that speaks volumes.

In this episode of the Speaking Business podcast, I sit down with world-renowned futurist and keynote speaker Nikki Greenberg. With a background in real estate and technology, Nikki transitioned from designing skyscrapers to designing impactful keynote speeches on the future of cities and innovation. Nikki shares how she built her speaking career from scratch, including the challenges she faced, the strategies she used to stay ahead in a competitive market, and the importance of being both relevant and memorable. Whether you're a seasoned speaker or just starting out, Nikki’s insights into breaking into new industries, using technology to amplify your message, and mastering the art of storytelling are not to be missed. Join us as we explore how to take your speaking career to new heights—literally and figuratively!

In this episode of the Speaking Business Podcast, Maria Franzoni reconnects with her very first boss, Steve Sumner, a trailblazer in high street sports retail and a pioneer of online business strategies. With over 40 years of experience, Steve has helped build multi-billion-pound businesses and launched five successful startups. In the episode, he's sharing his insights on how speakers can unlock growth in their own businesses. From navigating the challenges of legacy mindsets to leveraging digital tools like LinkedIn, Steve provides actionable advice for speakers looking to stay ahead in a rapidly changing market. Whether you're just starting out or looking to take your speaking career to the next level, this episode is packed with valuable lessons on innovation, strategy, and staying true to yourself. Tune in to learn how you can apply the principles of business growth to your speaking career and keep your audience coming back for more.

Join us in this exciting episode of the Speaking Business podcast as we dive deep into the world of leadership, resilience, and high-performance teamwork with multi-award-winning speaker Mark Denton. Mark shares his incredible journey from leading a team to victory in the world's most challenging yacht race to becoming a sought-after keynote speaker. Discover how Mark turned a standing ovation at a corporate conference into a thriving speaking career, captivating audiences across diverse sectors. Learn about the techniques he uses to make his speeches unforgettable, including the use of multimedia, gripping storytelling, and powerful music scores. Mark also opens up about the challenges he has faced in the speaking industry and how he stays adaptable in a constantly evolving market. He shares valuable strategies for securing consistent bookings and the importance of treating speaking as a business. Whether you're an aspiring speaker or an established professional looking to grow your business, Mark's insights

In the latest episode of my Speaking Business podcast, I interview AI expert Ben Gold, delving into his extensive experience in technology and AI. Ben shares insights from his 20-year career in tech sales, particularly focusing on the transformative impact of generative AI. He discusses practical applications of AI, emphasizing how speakers and businesses can harness these tools to enhance productivity and engagement. Our conversation touches on the ethical considerations of AI, the future of AI in professional speaking, and the innovative ways Ben uses AI to streamline his own speaking business. This episode provides valuable perspectives for anyone looking to integrate AI into their professional toolkit.

My guest today is the Founder and Director of Behind The Mic, a speaker management and consulting agency in London. With over 15 years experience in the speaking industry, she has worked in both the US and UK markets. She has made a career out of helping inspirational, thought-leaders share their expertise on stages across the globe."    

As CEO of Human First Ltd, Jaz Ampaw-Farr helps leaders who want to influence, inspire and motivate their teams with greater engagement in order to grow their businesses and leave a lifelong legacy. Jaz combines lessons learned from a challenging and often brutal childhood with those from her rise TV presenter, TEDx Speaker, stand-up comedian and Z-list reality TV star.  Her authentic honesty and humour consistently empower people to think differently about leading themselves and others. Jaz has managed to go from a market where she is highly established and a bit of a rockstar into a brand new market, and that transition, is not easy. We'll find out exactly how she did that and how she has now become very successful in her new market.  Jaz will also share how she runs her business and what her products and services are. Links Connect with Jaz on LinkedIn Learn more about Maria Connect with Maria on LinkedIn Listen Here Libsyn Itunes Stitcher

Intentional Storytelling Steve Ashton is an expert in Executive Presence and Storytelling.  He became an expert in both of these disciplines through personal experience of being the sales and marketing director of a business that grew from £7m turnover to £68m in 3 years, through thousands of hours of live tv, radio, theatre acting, stand-up comedy and podcasting as well as more than 30 years working in Learning and Development. He recently left a role as Chief Leaming officer for an international Division of American Express and has set up his own practice focussing his efforts on helping people increase their presence and ability to engage, connect and inspire people with storytelling. Steve shares why storytelling is such a popular subject these days, why it's important to be a good storyteller and some top tips and tools to use for storytelling. Links Connect with Steve on LinkedIn Learn more about Maria Connect with Maria on LinkedIn Listen Here Libsyn Itunes Stitcher Spotify

How every speaker could benefit from having a manager. Who better to be looking after your speaking career, than a manager used to dealing with bookers, promoters, and agents in one of the toughest of all businesses – the music business? QJ is very familiar with the notorious rogues, the dodgy dealings and the pitfalls that we come across in the speaking business – to this day. When he started out in the business, he was an artist, songwriter and producer signed to a couple of major record labels himself, but eventually ran his own record label, signing other artists, and dealing with the likes of record pluggers, radio DJs, in order to get publicity, exposure, and radio play for those he signed. He says, ‘You really have to be pretty ruthless in the music business to get anywhere. So having honed my skills in that industry, I find that the challenges of making progress in speaking are not dissimilar, but a lot easier.’ QJ shares his passion for ‘other people’s talent’ and why he believes that a good manager

Finding your 'True Funny'  Paul Dornan has worked in the TV and film and comedy world for over two decades as a writer, producer, director, teacher and mentor. Specialising in character comedy and comedy-drama, he’s written and helped create sketch shows, sit-coms, series and films that have won awards, stormed the box office and sold around the world. Along the way he’s worked with a galaxy of stars – from Dame Edna to Mrs Merton aka Caroline Aherne from Boy George to Downton’s Hugh Bonneville, from Lenny Henry to the Spice Girls. A natural collaborator and team player, he’s acted as writing mentor for rising comedy talents and once co-wrote the massive Sunday Times No 1 bestseller ‘The A-Z OF Behaving Badly with Simon Nye – one of the biggest comedy books ever. Away from page and screen, he has used his narrative skills in the business world too, helping a range of international brands with creative brainstorming and story. He’s now the founder of a new venture – True Funny – a service offering creative con