The Speaker Lab Podcast

“I was trying to figure out what’s my lane that I need to be saying yes to? And what are the things I would have to say no to so that I can say yes to the better things?” Kent Chevalier’s speaking journey is anything but conventional. In this week’s episode of The Speaker Lab podcast, Grant Baldwin sits down with Kent, a longtime pastor turned Pittsburgh Steelers chaplain—who’s built his career at the intersection of faith, leadership, and personal courage. Kent opens up about transitioning from preaching in churches to mentoring professional athletes, and how the toughest challenge wasn’t the change of audience, it was learning to truly value his craft. Like many who come from service-driven backgrounds, Kent faced the uncomfortable work of charging for his expertise, despite years spent speaking for free. He shares honestly about wrestling with guilt, setting boundaries, and deciding that his time spent away from his wife and daughters needed to be respected and compensated. Underneath it all is a message familiar to anyone striving to turn passion into a profession: fulfillment comes from betting on yourself, even when the path feels risky. Whether he’s backstage at an NFL game or leading a business seminar, Kent’s mantra of “do it afraid” holds true. If you need a push to embrace your own next leap, Kent’s story will remind you that your purpose is bigger than any one season, and your gifts are worth every bit of what you ask! You’ll learn: * Kent’s role as a Pittsburgh Steelers chaplain * Preaching new content as opposed to reusing talks * Navigating which opportunities to accept and decline * Challenges of charging for speaking * Target audiences and adjusting approach based on event context * Importance of expert positioning and business fundamentals * And much, much more! “I love encouraging people to embrace fear and to jump because comfort is really a robber. It’s a thief.” Episode Resources * Kent’s Website [https://www.kentchevalier.com/] * Get Free Speaker Resources [https://thespeakerlab.com/start-here/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=show+notes&utm_campaign=avalanche] * Book a Call with The Speaker Lab [https://thespeakerlab.com/apply/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=show+notes&utm_campaign=avalanche] * Calculate Your Speaking Fee [https://thespeakerlab.com/myspeakerfee/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=show+notes&utm_campaign=avalanche] * Join The Speaker Lab Community on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/groups/849668548485535] * Subscribe on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-speaker-lab/id1072835737] * Subscribe on Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/5o0FZUZduijjwWGxyBpnzG] See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].

“I feel guilty to charge [money] for what I love to do…one woman said, ‘They should pay you because it’s your gift, you shouldn’t feel guilty about it.’” Few stories capture the grit and transformation behind a speaking business like Stephanie Dauphin’s journey. This week, Grant Baldwin chats with Stephanie on The Speaker Lab podcast about investing over a decade in her craft—often speaking for free, wrangling self-doubt, and struggling with the idea that meaningful, joyful work can (and should) be well-paid. Her turning point wasn’t just learning how to market herself or build a keynote. It was doing the mindset work: identifying and letting go of limiting beliefs around money, motherhood, and self-worth, many rooted in her upbringing. Stephanie is honest about the messy process, the fear of charging what you’re worth, and the inner resistance that can sabotage your best opportunities. What shines through is her hard-earned wisdom: fulfillment comes from embracing your gifts, serving others, and having the courage to genuinely value yourself. Stephanie’s story is proof that your passion deserves to be your profession—and that the most important shift is believing you’re worth every bit of it. If you’re doubting what’s possible, let Stephanie’s journey remind you that building your dream starts with betting on yourself, even when the path forward is unclear. You’ll learn: * How authority can be a speaker’s asset * The challenges of remote work and its effect on workplace relationships * Issues around charging for speaking engagements * Strategies for overcoming mindset obstacles * Stephanie’s experience with The Speaker Lab * About building a mailing list and using content to generate referrals * The importance of designing a speaking career around family needs * Step for self-development * And much, much more! “More and more people are working remotely, and it has a big effect on team cohesion.” Episode Resources * Stephanie’s Website [https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-dauphin-30836a103/] * Get Free Speaker Resources [https://thespeakerlab.com/start-here/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=show+notes&utm_campaign=avalanche] * Book a Call with The Speaker Lab [https://thespeakerlab.com/apply/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=show+notes&utm_campaign=avalanche] * Calculate Your Speaking Fee [https://thespeakerlab.com/myspeakerfee/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=show+notes&utm_campaign=avalanche] * Join The Speaker Lab Community on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/groups/849668548485535] * Subscribe on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-speaker-lab/id1072835737] * Subscribe on Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/5o0FZUZduijjwWGxyBpnzG] See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].

“When you are speaking and you’re in front of people and you give them the momentum to look at life from a different perspective or do something they don’t have the courage to do, you could help change people’s lives.” Podcasts are full of powerhouse moments, but few stories capture the grit, honesty, and resolve it takes to truly make an impact the way Stacey Chillemi’s does. On this episode of The Speaker Lab, Stacey sits down with Grant Baldwin and peels back the curtain on her journey—from overcoming epilepsy and setbacks in the corporate world to building a thriving career as a speaker, bestselling author, and podcast host. Stacey talks openly about the uphill climb, the self-doubt, the setbacks, and the reality that success is never an overnight story. For Stacey, building a speaking business meant reaching out to anyone who would listen, stubbornly persevering through rejection, and finding conviction in her own lived experience—even when the path forward felt unclear. This episode is a masterclass in resilient action. Stacey lays it out straight that your story is enough, but confidence comes from doing the work consistently. She reminds us that fulfillment isn’t about chasing perfection but about putting yourself out there, showing up with empathy, and taking the first step, even when you’re not sure what comes next. If you’re someone waiting for the “right time” to chase your dream or if you need a nudge to believe your story matters, let Stacey’s hard-won wisdom and relentless optimism show you what’s possible when you bet on yourself! You’ll learn: * The unrealistic expectation of overnight success * How Stacey helps others by sharing her story * How difficulties impacted Stacey’s career path * The power speaking has on creating emotional impact * Advice for when your story doesn’t feel “big enough” * Challenges of narrowing broad experiences into a focused message * The value of cold outreach * And much, much more! “I had self doubt and I had to work on building confidence in myself, and anytime I saw that I made some mistakes, I had to tweak it, and fix it, and just keep moving forward.” Episode Resources * Stacey’s Website [https://staceychillemi.com/] * 2 Day Booked and Paid Bootcamp [https://thespeakerlab.com/virtual-bootcamp-vsl/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=episode+resources&utm_campaign=VBC] * Get Free Speaker Resources [https://thespeakerlab.com/start-here/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=show+notes&utm_campaign=avalanche] * Book a Call with The Speaker Lab [https://thespeakerlab.com/apply/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=show+notes&utm_campaign=avalanche] * Calculate Your Speaking Fee [https://thespeakerlab.com/myspeakerfee/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=show+notes&utm_campaign=avalanche] * Join The Speaker Lab Community on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/groups/849668548485535] * Subscribe on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-speaker-lab/id1072835737] * Subscribe on Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/5o0FZUZduijjwWGxyBpnzG] See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].

“When you understand going into [speaking] that it’s going to suck for a while, it’s going to take longer than you think and it’s going to be harder than you think. When you know those things up front, when you meet them, you can anticipate it.” Stepping onto the stage as a speaker is about more than nailing your performance—it’s about persistence, honesty, and the courage to start before you feel ready. On this week’s The Speaker Lab episode, Chase Livingston opens up about his journey from theater hopeful to youth motivational speaker, sharing the hard truth: real progress takes both time and tenacity. Chase doesn’t shy away from discussing the realities of building a speaking career, sharing candidly about the slow start, the necessary unpaid gigs, and the doubts that come with venturing into this path. He highlights the importance of steady action—sending countless emails, making connections, and learning when to charge for his expertise. His message is clear: Know the cost, be ready to persevere, and lead with authenticity. If you’re waiting until everything is perfect before you step forward, Chase’s story proves that consistent action is what moves you from dreaming to doing. For anyone looking for proof that their story matters and that hard work pays off, tune in to Chase’s journey! You’ll learn: * The importance of anticipating obstacles * Criteria for selecting paid vs. free gigs * Using discernment and open communication in negotiations * Benefits of building reciprocal relationships * Overcoming comparison and frustration * Gaining confidence through small wins * The importance of consistency * And much, much more! “Why did I hype [speaking] up in my head? It’s hard work, but it’s easier than I was making it…You get to make the rules, which is the coolest thing about this career path.” Episode Resources * Chase’s Website [https://www.chaseinspires.com/] * 2 Day Booked and Paid Bootcamp [https://thespeakerlab.com/virtual-bootcamp-vsl/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=episode+resources&utm_campaign=VBC] * Get Free Speaker Resources [https://thespeakerlab.com/start-here/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=show+notes&utm_campaign=avalanche] * Book a Call with The Speaker Lab [https://thespeakerlab.com/apply/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=show+notes&utm_campaign=avalanche] * Calculate Your Speaking Fee [https://thespeakerlab.com/myspeakerfee/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=show+notes&utm_campaign=avalanche] * Join The Speaker Lab Community on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/groups/849668548485535] * Subscribe on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-speaker-lab/id1072835737] * Subscribe on Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/5o0FZUZduijjwWGxyBpnzG] See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].

“I got to the point where if I was going to [be a speaker] I have to be serious about it and I’m going to have to invest in myself. I had to get to the ‘I’m worth it’ mindset, and The Speaker Lab [helped me with that].” Making an impact as a speaker isn’t just about your time on stage—it’s about the courage to own your story and use it to help others. This week, teen resilience speaker, Kimberly Clark, shares her powerful journey from addiction and trauma to inspiring change in the lives of young people. What sets Kimberly apart isn’t just her willingness to be real and raw—it's her focus on turning pain into practical solutions for the teens she serves. Rather than settling for telling her story for free, she learned to recognize her true value, invest in her own growth, and help her audience move from inspiration to action. Her message? People aren’t just looking for a story—they want help navigating their own challenges. Kimberly gets honest about the hurdles every speaker faces, from self-doubt to the emotions that come with pricing your expertise. Through relentless learning, seeking mentorship, and redefining her approach, she’s built a speaking business rooted in authentic connection and actionable takeaways. For anyone wondering if their story is enough, Kimberly is proof that leadership starts with authenticity and the courage to ask for your worth. If you want your message to create lasting change, Kimberly’s journey is all the inspiration—and practical advice—you need to start! You’ll learn: * Methods for finding gigs: cold and warm outreach, word-of-mouth * Balancing a speaking career with a day job * Kimberly’s personal story and inspiration for speaking * Perseverance when results are lacking * The empowering aspects of authorship * Getting past inhibiting mindsets and investing in yourself * Overcoming fear and gaining confidence as a speaker * The importance of mentorship and the business side of speaking * And much, much more! “I thought telling my story was enough, but people aren’t paying you to tell your story. People want thought leadership. People want you to solve their problems…so I had to figure out what’s in my story that’s valuable and marketable.” Episode Resources * Kimberly’s Website [https://kimberlyclarkspeaks.com/] * 2 Day Booked and Paid Bootcamp [https://thespeakerlab.com/virtual-bootcamp-vsl/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=episode+resources&utm_campaign=VBC] * Get Free Speaker Resources [https://thespeakerlab.com/start-here/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=show+notes&utm_campaign=avalanche] * Book a Call with The Speaker Lab [https://thespeakerlab.com/apply/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=show+notes&utm_campaign=avalanche] * Calculate Your Speaking Fee [https://thespeakerlab.com/myspeakerfee/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=show+notes&utm_campaign=avalanche] * Join The Speaker Lab Community on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/groups/849668548485535] * Subscribe on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-speaker-lab/id1072835737] * Subscribe on Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/5o0FZUZduijjwWGxyBpnzG] See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].