I Lost $7,500 on an Event and Now I'm Teaming Up with a Friend FOR ANOTHER ONE

I Lost $7,500 on an Event and Now I'm Teaming Up with a Friend FOR ANOTHER ONE

Last year Freddy lost $7,500 on an event. He would do it again tomorrow. Britney Crosson, founder of Fun Love Media and host of Social Success, knows the feeling. So the two of them did the logical thing: teamed up, booked the Health Museum in Houston, and built something new together. It is called Illuminate. October 3rd, 2026. This episode is the origin story. You hear why two creators who have both had their teeth kicked in by live events are going back for more, why the venue matters as much as the speakers, and why the goal was never a conference. It was a family reunion for people who have not met yet. Also, there is a giant colon. And yes. They are going inside it. Join the Illuminate waiting list: https://mailchi.mp/0d2a144ccdf0/illuminate2026waitlist [https://mailchi.mp/0d2a144ccdf0/illuminate2026waitlist] Learn more about Britney’s agency Fun Love Media: https://funlovemedia.com/ [https://funlovemedia.com/] Free resources from Speke Podcasting: https://www.spekepodcasting.com/freeresources Work with us: https://www.spekepodcasting.com/pricing-plans KEY TAKEAWAYS 1. The right event does not just teach you things. It changes how you feel about the work. If you leave a conference feeling like a stranger, the conference failed. 2. Venue is strategy. Booking the Health Museum was not a gimmick. A space that fosters curiosity and play gives attendees permission to show up differently. 3. Document or it did not happen. Britney runs with a camera up constantly, 180,000 files deep across two phones. Content is not vanity. It is mission delivery. 4. Doing events with a genuine partner who covers your blind spots and shares the load changes everything. Flying solo on logistics is how you age fast. 5. Intimate scales better than massive when connection is the actual goal. A big wedding sized event means you actually get to talk to people. You leave with friendships, not just LinkedIn requests. 6. Content creation is not only for content creators. Real estate agents, car dealerships, nonprofits, banks. Everybody who wants to be found has to make something. Illuminate was built for all of them. 7.The old guard gatekept who got a microphone. Radio, TV, print. You waited to be chosen. Now you choose yourself. That shift is the whole point. Timestamped Overview 1:19 The $7,500 Speke Fest loss and what it actually cost versus what it taught 2:30 How the Freddy and Britney partnership was born out of a nearly empty auditorium 4:00 Why most creator events miss the heart and what Illuminate is doing differently 4:45 The official reveal: October 3rd, 2026, the Health Museum, Houston 5:31 Why the venue is part of the curriculum, not just the backdrop 7:03 The giant colon, the giant heart, the giant brain and the first content opportunity of the day 8:40 What Illuminate actually is: interactive, hands on, inner kid fully activated 10:30 Britney on documenting everything: 180K files, two phones, zero apologies 13:00 Freddy's hack for never deprioritizing his own show: treat it like a client 15:51 Your feed is for you, then flip it: the Mel Robbins reframe plus Britney's addition 18:17 You will leave with content you actually made at the event. That is the promise. 21:03 The venue breakdown: jumbotron theater, classrooms, and room to breathe 23:10 Why intimate scales better than massive when real connection is the goal 25:44 Why Britney said yes again after events have already chewed them both up 29:00 From gatekept radio to 300K followers: why new media is the whole point 31:00 How to get on the waitlist before speaker announcements drop

The Email That Cost Him His Job (And What It Can Teach Podcasters About Trust)

Chung Wu risked his career to put clients first during the Enron crisis, embodying transparency and integrity above all else. Despite immense pressure and personal cost, he refused to compromise on doing what was right. Now, his philosophy centers on living a balanced life with honesty and purpose. Learn more about Chung Wu here (https://www.cw-investmentgroup.com/ [https://www.cw-investmentgroup.com/]) . Subscribe to Your Mic on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@SpekePodcasting [https://www.youtube.com/@SpekePodcasting]) , Apple (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/your-mic/id1777171203 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/your-mic/id1777171203]) , Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/1PQNHuqxIVhkLfjGYuWcxl [https://open.spotify.com/show/1PQNHuqxIVhkLfjGYuWcxl]) or wherever you get your podcasts (https://omny.fm/shows/spekepodcasting/playlists/your-mic [https://omny.fm/shows/spekepodcasting/playlists/your-mic]) . Shoot Freddy an email: freddy@spekepodcasting.com (mailto:freddy@spekepodcasting.com) . Key Takeaways 1. Chung Wu contrasts Baby Boomers’ diligent approach to saving with younger generations (Gen X, Gen Z), who may prioritize present enjoyment and spending over long-term financial planning. The main idea is that while younger people may be smarter and more adaptive, melding intelligence with disciplined saving—such as consistently contributing to retirement accounts—is essential for future financial security. 2. Chung Wu provides actionable options for business owners and solopreneurs, explaining that tools like a Solo 401k allow substantial savings outside typical employment plans. He also emphasizes that saving outside of retirement-specific accounts (“taxable” investments) can offer flexibility, but consistency and discipline remain crucial to long-term success. 3. The story of Chung Wu’s Enron experience underscores his unwavering commitment to putting clients first, even at personal and professional cost. The main lesson is that integrity and transparency should guide all financial advice—doing right by clients matters more than following corporate directives, and this approach stands the test of time. 4. Chung Wu shares that his passion for his work and continuous learning keeps him mentally sharp and engaged well past traditional retirement age. The big conceptual point: a fulfilling career isn’t just a means to an end, but an ongoing source of growth and satisfaction that’s good for both mind and body. 5. For both his family and clients, Chung Wu stresses the value of honesty, balance, and enjoying life while being financially responsible. Wealth is not the sole measure of a good life; doing the right thing, helping others, and maintaining a strong ethical compass are the ultimate legacies he hopes to pass on. Timestamped Overview 00:00 Save Smart, Spend Wisely 04:23 Entrepreneur Investment Advice 10:32 "Work, Exercise, and Growth" 13:09 "Mindset Shift Brings Success" 18:21 "Fired for Criticizing Enron" 22:34 "Email Oversight and Compliance" 25:35 "Financial System Hypocrisy" 29:37 Balanced Investing Wisdom 30:39 "Embrace Intelligence, Stay Human"

Why Your Podcast Pitch Gets Ignored (and How to Fix It!)

Download free Speke resources: https://www.spekepodcasting.com/freeresources [https://www.spekepodcasting.com/freeresources] Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/your-mic/id1777171203 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/your-mic/id1777171203] Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1PQNHuqxIVhkLfjGYuWcxl [https://open.spotify.com/show/1PQNHuqxIVhkLfjGYuWcxl] Think about the last time you tried to get on a podcast. Maybe it was a cold email, or you spent hours crafting a pitch and still ended up with silence. Today, we'll break down what makes a podcast guest pitch stand out and the mistakes that send it straight to the rejection pile. You’ll hear: What happens when a pitch misses simple details about a show Why building relationships matters more than a templated email How to make sure your pitch adds value to a host Subscribe to Your Mic on YouTube, Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. Shoot Freddy an email: freddy@spekepodcasting.com Key Takeaways 1. A poor podcast guest pitch fails when it's generic, irrelevant, or shows a lack of research. Freddy Cruz breaks down an example highlighting classic mistakes—such as pitching after a show’s season has ended, failing to align with the show’s theme, and not establishing a local (Houston) connection. The main point: Do your homework and ensure your pitch is relevant and timely. 2. Effective outreach to podcast hosts goes beyond just sending a pitch. Cruz stresses building genuine relationships—interact on social media, comment on posts, follow up genuinely, and don’t immediately ask to be on the show. The concept: Networking and authentic connections increase your chances more than a cold, impersonal pitch ever will. 3. Aspiring guests shouldn’t expect to jump straight onto the biggest shows. Cruz advises starting on smaller podcasts that are a good fit, getting “reps” in as a guest, and gradually working your way up to larger audiences. The lesson: Growth is incremental—gain experience and credibility by starting small and climbing the ladder. 4. Before pitching, it’s critical to truly understand the show by listening to several episodes (not just the latest), reading about the host, and identifying previous relevant content. This helps you craft a specific, compelling pitch. The key: Thorough research tailors your approach and demonstrates real interest, setting you apart from generic pitches. 5. Your responsibility as a guest doesn’t end after the interview. Sharing your episode and helping promote the podcast helps both you and the host grow your audiences. Even a guest with a huge following can increase value by being proactive about sharing. The message: Promoting your episode is mutually beneficial—help your host win, and you win too.

The 80s Movie That Unlocks Podcasting Success Today!

What can a 41-year old movie teach you about communication in the 21st century? A lot, actually.  You know, there are lessons buried deep inside classic films like The Karate Kid that go unnoticed by many. Mastering a craft is rarely glamorous, and sometimes it involves tasks that seem mundane. Finding a mentor is crucial, someone who guides without fanfare. And yes, setbacks are part of the process, but they prepare us for success.  Today, lessons from The Karate Kid will show how these principles apply to podcasting. Subscribe to Your Mic on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. Shoot Freddy an email: freddy@spekepodcasting.com Key Takeaways Mastering the Boring Work Takeaway: Just like Daniel LaRusso had to endure the tedious tasks of waxing cars and painting fences to master karate, podcasters need to embrace and master the less glamorous parts of podcasting, such as planning shows, guest outreach, and social media scheduling. This groundwork is crucial for achieving podcasting success. Finding a Mentor Takeaway: Having a mentor, akin to Mr. Miyagi in "Karate Kid", offers guidance, perspective, and accountability. A mentor or coach can provide insights and resources to help podcasters navigate the podcasting journey and avoid common pitfalls. Accepting Failure Takeaway: Just as Daniel had to endure challenges before succeeding, podcasters should accept that there will be times when they get metaphorically "kicked". These setbacks are part of the process and can prepare one for future success, as long as they are learned from and not allowed to cause discouragement. Eighty-Twenty Rule (Pareto Principle) Takeaway: In podcasting, only about 20% of your time is spent on the actual recording and hosting, while 80% is dedicated to tasks like preparation and promotion. Understanding and applying this principle can help in better managing expectations and workload. Batch Processing and Automation Takeaway: By batching tasks (recording multiple episodes at once, for instance) and automating where possible (using calendar links, social media planning), podcasters can significantly enhance efficiency and maintain consistency, making the podcasting process more manageable.

Behind the Mic: Building a Purpose-Driven Podcast from Scratch

Download free Speke resources: https://www.spekepodcasting.com/freeresources [https://www.spekepodcasting.com/freeresources] Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/your-mic/id1777171203 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/your-mic/id1777171203] Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1PQNHuqxIVhkLfjGYuWcxl [https://open.spotify.com/show/1PQNHuqxIVhkLfjGYuWcxl] In this episode, Freddy Cruz interviews Dr. Beata Lerman, founder of Sinless Treats and host of Heal Me With Chocolate. Dr. Beata recounts her journey from repeated health consultations to podcasting as an educational platform. She highlights the surprising, underreported issues in the food supply chain, the storytelling power of podcasting to give voice to the voiceless, and the broader mission to heal communities with science, advocacy, and real-life stories—all while demystifying functional foods for everyday listeners.