Beyond the Keynote: Extraordinary Stories from the World's Most Influential Voices
Dive deep into the untold stories of today's most compelling leaders and speakers.
Hosted by performance strategist Carmen Sederino, this podcast goes beyond the stage to reveal the raw, powerful journeys that truly shape extraordinary communicators.
Each episode delivers:
- Unfiltered personal narratives
- Career-defining revelations
- Intimate insights into leadership and impact
For dreamers, leaders, and anyone who believes in the power of an authentic story.
Behavioural Scientist: The Science of Being Remembered | James Healy
Memory is hugely flawed, says behavioural scientist James Healy, and that’s why audiences forget most of what a speaker says. So how do you build a keynote they will remember?
This week on Beyond the Keynote, Carmen Sederino sits down with James Healy, behavioural scientist, strategic advisor, keynote speaker and author of BS At Work. From studying philosophy at the London School of Economics to sitting on a trading floor as Lehman Brothers collapsed, James has spent his career watching how people really behave, and how rarely organisations are designed for it.
His argument is simple: we are not logical machines. We are social, emotional, storytelling animals, yet so much of work is designed as if we weren’t. From the surprising origins of personality tests many of us have taken to the true story that finally pushed him to write BS At Work, James shows how often organisations get human nature wrong.
Then he takes those same principles about behaviour and emotion onto the stage, and into the way he builds keynotes that audiences remember.
Whether you want your audience to think differently or you’re developing a speaking style that feels distinctively your own, tune in for James’s take on behavioural science, human nature and what makes a message last.
Chapters
00:00 Episode preview: why memory is flawed
01:19 Behavioural scientist James Healy: BS At Work
02:52 Public speaking as a kid: always on stage
03:54 Stage fright at 17: the sudden panic
05:32 How to manage public speaking nerves
08:41 Career path: from gap year to the LSE
12:13 Why study philosophy: learning to ask why
14:32 Investment banking in the 2008 crash
16:24 What really caused the 2008 financial crisis
21:05 Compliance training that sparked BS At Work
27:36 Myers-Briggs and DISC: surprising origins
34:18 Human behaviour: we are storytelling animals
35:50 Emotions and decision making at work
38:36 Emotional storytelling in public speaking
39:44 Audience engagement: a room of leaders
42:22 Keynote speaking as a business growth tool
46:06 How to prepare a keynote with no script
51:10 Presentation slides vs keynote performance
55:54 What great keynote speakers have in common
57:33 Public speaking advice: be yourself, ask why
59:58 How to book James Healy as a keynote speaker
Quotes to Remember
“If you leave your emotions at the door, you can’t make decisions.”
“It doesn’t have to be the way. It doesn’t have to be the way. Ask why.”
More from Beyond the Keynote (https://youtu.be/s5hbXPBiOmg)
How To Build A Speaking Brand That Gets You Booked | Lauren Clemett (https://youtu.be/s5hbXPBiOmg) (https://youtu.be/1WMrzJkgJ2E)
Persuasive Public Speaking: How to Turn Your Passion Into Real Change | Lindsay Dahl (https://youtu.be/1WMrzJkgJ2E)
Free Resource Beyond the Keynote Masterclass (https://illuminatedstory.com/masterclass/)
Connect with James Healy
Website: thebehaviourboutique.com (https://thebehaviourboutique.com)
Speaking enquiries: Saxton Speakers (https://www.saxton.com.au/speakers/james-healy)
LinkedIn: James Healy (https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-healy-behaviour-boutique)
Podcast: The B-Word (https://thebehaviourboutique.com/thebword/)
Book: BS At Work (https://amzn.asia/d/97xNyri)
Connect with Carmen Sederino
Website: illuminatedstory.com (https://illuminatedstory.com)
LinkedIn: Carmen Sederino (https://www.linkedin.com/in/public-speaking-strategist-performance-master/)
YouTube: Illuminated Story (https://www.youtube.com/@carmensederino)
Instagram: @illuminatedstory (https://www.instagram.com/illuminatedstory/)
About the Host Carmen Sederino is the founder of Illuminated Story, transforming high-stakes presentations into unforgettable performances. With a background in theatre and corporate leadership, she helps leaders create memorable speaking experiences.
Disclaimer The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the guests and host, and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Illuminated Story.
21 Oct 2026
How To Build A Speaking Brand That Gets You Booked | Lauren Clemett
In the speaking business, getting booked is a win. Staying booked is what builds a career. So how do you become the speaker event organisers remember, recommend and keep coming back to?
This week on Beyond the Keynote, Carmen Sederino sits down with Lauren Clemett, CEO and co-founder of The Audacious Agency, personal branding expert and keynote speaker. Drawing on her background in design, advertising and brand management, Lauren shares how speakers can communicate their value and stand out in a competitive industry.
Being great on stage is only part of the equation. From defining what you want to be known for to building credibility and staying visible, Lauren explains how to make your expertise recognisable to the people who book speakers, and how thought leadership, content, testimonials and awards keep you on their radar.
Whether you’re building your reputation as a speaker or looking for more consistent bookings, this episode shows how to make your name stand out and stay top of mind. Tune in to hear Lauren’s insights on building a speaker brand that keeps you in demand.
Chapters
00:00 Episode preview: how speakers get booked
01:30 Growing up at camp: Lauren Clemett’s story
05:36 Growing up with dyslexia: word blindness
19:04 Public speaking anxiety: still nervous
20:27 From graphic designer to her own agency
24:18 Getting paid to speak: her first gigs
27:59 Keynote structure that works at any length
32:33 The business of speaking: her aha moment
35:03 Using props on stage: the red esky
37:29 Handling the unexpected on stage
39:06 Imposter syndrome: her inner critic keynote
40:06 Great speaker vs getting booked
41:25 How to build a speaker personal brand
42:25 Speaker one sheet and sizzle reel
43:25 How event organisers find speakers online
44:46 How to get repeat speaking bookings
45:39 When to contact event organisers
47:37 Personalise your keynote with a quiz
50:35 Meet your audience before you speak
51:27 Million Dollar Round Table: her dream stage
55:50 How awards build your speaker profile
57:51 Is keynote speaking worth the work?
Quotes to Remember “I don’t think I’ve ever given an absolutely perfect keynote.”
“It’s not about me speaking, it’s about what they’re going to take away from that experience.”
More from Beyond the Keynote
Public Speaking for Introverts: 2 Superpowers That Build a Career | Pier Paolo Borgia (https://youtu.be/tzZ9w8p_ivw) 3-Time TEDx Speaker: (https://youtu.be/qrCMDPyjZ7A)
How to Introduce Yourself: Stop Being Forgettable & Be Unexpected (https://youtu.be/qrCMDPyjZ7A)
Free Resource Beyond the Keynote Masterclass (https://illuminatedstory.com/masterclass/)
Connect with Lauren Clemett
Website: yourbrandtruenorth.com (https://yourbrandtruenorth.com)
Agency: theaudaciousagency.com (https://theaudaciousagency.com)
New keynote: Inner critics keynote (https://ittybittyshittycommittee.co)
LinkedIn: Lauren Clemett (https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurenclemett/)
Instagram: @lauren_clemett (https://www.instagram.com/lauren_clemett/)
Podcast: That’s Audacious (https://theaudaciousagency.com/thats-audacious-podcast/)
Book: Finding Your Brand True North (https://yourbrandtruenorth.com/finding-your-brand-true-north-book/)
Connect with Carmen Sederino
Website: illuminatedstory.com (https://illuminatedstory.com)
LinkedIn: Carmen Sederino (https://www.linkedin.com/in/public-speaking-strategist-performance-master/)
YouTube: Illuminated Story (https://www.youtube.com/@carmensederino)
Instagram: @illuminatedstory (https://www.instagram.com/illuminatedstory/)
About the Host Carmen Sederino is the founder of Illuminated Story, transforming high-stakes presentations into unforgettable performances. With a background in theatre and corporate leadership, she helps leaders create memorable speaking experiences.
Disclaimer The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the guests and host, and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Illuminated Story.
14 Oct 2026
Persuasive Public Speaking: How to Turn Your Passion Into Real Change | Lindsay Dahl
What does it take to turn a personal passion into meaningful change? This week on Beyond the Keynote, Carmen Sederino sit down with environmental health advocate, author and Chief Impact Officer Lindsay Dahl for a conversation that goes far beyond the products we use every day.
In a world filled with wellness misinformation and increasingly polarized opinions, Lindsay shares her journey into environmental advocacy and the power of finding the right way to communicate a message. We explore how questioning the way things have always been done, knowing who you’re speaking to and finding the courage to speak up can spark change far beyond the stage.
In this episode, we explore: The Power of Advocacy: How one person’s passion can grow into a movement for change. The Art of Influence: Why knowing your audience and telling the right story can make your message more powerful. The Choices That Matter: A fresh perspective on everyday decisions, health and the search for better information. The Speaker’s Mindset: Lindsay’s approach to preparing for the stage and making a message truly resonate.
Whether you’re a leader looking to make a difference or a speaker wanting to connect with greater impact, this episode is a reminder that how you communicate matters just as much as what you have to say. Tune in to hear Lindsay’s story and discover how to turn your message into meaningful action.
Chapters
00:00 Episode preview: persuasive public speaking
01:30 Meet Lindsay Dahl
03:01 Public speaking for introverts
04:54 Career purpose: the job she almost refused
08:06 Challenging the norm as a teenager
10:32 Persuasion skills: lessons from lobbying
14:05 Know your audience: the two-minute pitch
18:38 Toxic chemicals in your home explained
25:09 Wellness misinformation: three camps
29:58 Protecting progress: fighting rollbacks
35:48 Public speaking nerves: going blank on stage
39:46 Is public speaking a learned skill?
40:41 How to prepare a keynote speech
45:54 Why practise your presentation out loud
49:54 Reading the room: when five people show up
54:24 Future keynotes: speaking on polarisation
Quotes to Remember
“The most sophisticated advocates are ones that really know their audience.”
More from Beyond the Keynote
Public Speaking for Introverts: 2 Superpowers That Build a Career | Pier Paolo Borgia (https://youtu.be/tzZ9w8p_ivw)
3-Time TEDx Speaker: How to Introduce Yourself: Stop Being Forgettable & Be Unexpected (https://youtu.be/qrCMDPyjZ7A)
Free Resource Beyond the Keynote Masterclass (https://illuminatedstory.com/masterclass/)
Connect with Lindsay Dahl
Website: lindsaydahl.com (https://lindsaydahl.com)
LinkedIn: Lindsay Dahl (https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindsay-dahl-3617076)
Instagram: @lindsay_dahl (https://www.instagram.com/lindsay_dahl/)
Book: Cleaning House: The Fight to Rid Our Homes of Toxic Chemicals (https://www.amazon.com/Cleaning-House-Fight-Homes-Chemicals/dp/0063375591)
Connect with Carmen Sederino
Website: illuminatedstory.com (https://illuminatedstory.com)
LinkedIn: Carmen Sederino (https://www.linkedin.com/in/public-speaking-strategist-performance-master/)
YouTube: Illuminated Story (https://www.youtube.com/@carmensederino)
Instagram: @illuminatedstory (https://www.instagram.com/illuminatedstory/)
About the Host Carmen Sederino is the founder of Illuminated Story, transforming high-stakes presentations into unforgettable performances. With a background in theatre and corporate leadership, she helps leaders create memorable speaking experiences.
Disclaimer The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the guests and host, and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Illuminated Story.
Inside a recent episode
Kate Bravery: Transforming Keynotes with Corporate Psychology and Global Insights
Published 11 Feb 2026 · Transcript excerpt
[…] And I lead our talent advisory practice, which basically is psychology at work. So I've been on this path. I think it was the right one for me, but if not, I definitely got it wrong. But yeah, no, I chose pretty early what subject I was fascinated in and kind of stayed the course, which is a bit unusual. But saying that I've done, I've lived and worked in many different countries, which I've really valued. And it's given me the opportunity to do a whole range of things from, you know, psychometric profiling, employee experience work, designing employee value propositions, designing performance management, succession, HR tech, skills, frameworks, or it's such a diverse area that I don't feel I got stuck in a rut. […]
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