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My First Stage: How I Landed My First Speaking Gig (and What Happened Next)

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Every speaker has a story. But before the standing ovations, the TEDx invitations, and the six-figure speaking fees, there was one gig—the first real stage—that started it all. My First Stage is a podcast that goes behind the mic with professional speakers, authors, coaches, and entrepreneurs to uncover the stories of how they booked their very first speaking engagement and how that moment transformed their confidence, credibility, and career. From kitchen table pitches and last-minute invites to breakout sessions that turned into full-blown keynotes, our guests take you back to the beginning. These aren’t just tales of stepping on stage—they’re raw, honest, and often surprising accounts of what it really took to land that first gig, what happened once they got on stage, and how it impacted the direction of their business from that moment on. Whether you’re an emerging speaker, a seasoned professional, or someone looking to grow your brand, income, or impact through the power of speaking, My First Stage offers the inspiration, insights, and tactical takeaways to help you elevate your own platform. What You’ll Hear: Real stories from real speakers about the hustle, heart, and happy accidents that led to their first booked gig Behind-the-scenes moments: awkward intros, standing ovations, tech fails, and everything in between Lessons learned that helped shape the way they pitch, present, and position themselves today Business impact: how a single stage turned into media coverage, new clients, product launches, or an entirely new path Tips and advice for landing your first (or next) speaking opportunity, straight from those who’ve been there Too often, we only see the highlight reel: the perfectly lit sizzle reel, the booked-out calendar, the standing-room-only audience. But every speaker, no matter how seasoned or successful, had a first time. A first pitch. A first yes. A first chance to prove themselves. My First Stage is a celebration of that beginning. It’s a tribute to the courage it takes to speak—and the way one stage can change everything. Whether you’re hoping to build your speaking business or just looking for the spark to finally step into the spotlight, this podcast is here to help you take that next step. Because your story is powerful. And your first stage might just be the start of something even bigger. Want to Be a Guest? If you’re a speaker with a story to share about your first booked stage—how you got it, what it meant to you, and how it shaped your business—we want to hear it. Apply to be a guest at www.myfirststagepodcast.com or connect with us at @StickWithBranded on social.

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Recent Episodes

July 2, 2026

How to Overcome First-Time Stage Fright and Successfully Sell from the Stage

Welcome to another episode of My First Stage! This is the podcast where we dive into the early moments of some of today’s most seasoned speakers. We talk about the nerves, the mishaps, the lessons, and the surprising paths that can turn one first stage into a lifelong calling—and a business superpower.This week, I sat down with Jeremy Shapiro, a serial entrepreneur, author of Your Business Growth Playbook, and host of the Your Business Growth Podcast. Jeremy’s story is not just a masterclass in public speaking, but also a hilarious reminder that sometimes the biggest mishaps become our most pivotal memories—yes, even if they involve ripping your pants before a big sales pitch.Jeremy Shapiro has spent 30 years building businesses and helping other entrepreneurs break through plateaus and frustrations. He’s a systems thinker, a champion of iterative growth, and a firm believer in just getting out there and starting—even if you’re scared, unprepared, or in desperate need of a tailor. As an author, podcast host, and sought-after speaker, Jeremy’s advice is equal parts practical, actionable, and empathetic (with plenty of war stories to prove it).Here’s what Jeremy and I covered in our conversation:<ol><li data-list="bullet">A First Stage You’ll Never Forget: Jeremy recounts his first big speaking gig—a nerve-wracking sales presentation, complete with cold calls, last-minute changes, and a catastrophic wardrobe malfunction.</li><li data-list="bullet">Teaching vs. Selling from Stage: The psychological and tactical differences between teaching a small interactive class and commanding a big room with a clear sales goal.</li><li data-list="bullet">The Power of Systems (and Scripts): How following a tried-and-true framework can help conquer your fears and get real results, but why injecting personality and adapting is key.</li><li data-list="bullet">Failing to Sell Live: The painful story of a zero-sales webinar, what went wrong, and how feedback and constant tweaking turned a flop into an eventual success.</li><li data-list="bullet">Building Connection and Confidence: How Jeremy learned to bring personal stories, improv, and interactivity into every presentation.</li><li data-list="bullet">Secrets to Audience Engagement: From hand raises to “trial closes,” real-world tactics for keeping a crowd involved—even when you can’t see them through the blinding stage lights.</li><li data-list="bullet">The Book, the Podcast, and the Trifecta: Why Jeremy believes in having multiple platforms as a thought leader and how he uses each to land more stages and clients.</li><li data-list="bullet">Real Advice for Getting Started: Why embarrassment is part of the journey, why MVPs matter, and how every pedal stroke and every ripped pair of pants get you closer to your dream stage.</li></ol> If Jeremy’s story got you fired up (or left you checking your own pants before your next talk), here’s what you can do:<ol><li data-list="bullet">Share Your First Stage Story – I want to hear from YOU! What was your most memorable first time on stage? Head to myfirststagepodcast.com and share your story.</li><li data-list="bullet">Connect with Jeremy – Check out Jeremy’s book and podcast at yourbusinessgrowthplaybook.com for more tips on growing your business and your confidence.</li><li data-list="bullet">Subscribe & Review – If you loved this episode, subscribe to My First Stage, leave a review, and let’s keep sharing these real behind-the-scenes journeys.</li><li data-list="bullet">Start Speaking, Start Failing – Seriously: pitch yourself for a local workshop or event, host a webinar, just get in the reps. Every “embarrassing” start is an investment in your future success.</li></ol> Thank you so much for listening to this episode. I can’t wait to bring you more raw, honest, and inspiring first stage stories right here on My First Stage!Timestamped Summaries[00:00-01:02] – I introduce Jeremy Shapiro and set the stage for his first-stage story—about being thrown into a sales presentation he wasn’t expecting (and most definitely wasn’t ready for).[01:04-03:28] – Jeremy describes his absolute reluctance to be on stage, the shock of having to cold call hundreds of prospects, and the blunt reality of a pre-pitch wardrobe disaster.[03:28-04:14] – What do you do when you rip your pants an hour before your first big speaking gig? Learn about Jeremy’s mad dash to a tailor and how the show had to go on.[04:14-06:37] – Breaking down the difference between teaching a workshop and selling from a stage—and why that mental shift tripped Jeremy up at first.[06:39-09:21] – Why selling from the stage is a different beast, and how bombing a live webinar taught Jeremy the value of iteration, constructive feedback, and refining your pitch.[09:33-10:40] – How switching from facts to stories, ditching the word-for-word script, and adding trial closes created a dramatic improvement in audience response and sales.[10:45-11:22] – The practical mechanics of trial closes: getting audiences to nod, say yes, and qualify themselves before the final pitch.[12:27-13:18] – In-person vs. online audiences, how body language can tell you everything, and what Jeremy learned from his wins and his losses.[13:37-14:17] – The power (and limits) of techniques like scarcity bonuses, fast-action offers, and social proof to get audiences to actually take action.[14:28-16:00] – How adding relevant, real, and recent stories instantly personalizes a presentation, breaks the fourth wall, and makes your audience lean in.[16:18-18:19] – The cringe-worthy mistake of forgetting to click “start meeting” on a webinar with hundreds of people waiting, and how leading with vulnerability set up a more successful second run.[19:30-20:31] – How Jeremy’s speaking career has evolved—facilitating small mastermind groups, commanding huge ballrooms, and loving every rep and every format.[21:00-22:07] – The differences in interacting with thousands vs. dozens, how to harness audience energy, and why panels and conversations are a sweet spot.[22:27-23:44] – Practical tactics for engaging big audiences you can’t see, from house light tricks to collective questions and building peer-to-peer connection.[24:26-28:35] – Why the “trifecta” of book, podcast, and stage matters, and how each platform feeds the next—by opening doors, boosting authority, and turning audience members into clients.[28:57-30:18] – Jeremy’s biggest advice: just start, embrace embarrassing failures, get the reps, and don’t try to perfect your way out of ever beginning.[31:02-31:27] – One pedal stroke at a time: how Jeremy’s cyclist mindset applies to pushing onward in public speaking and entrepreneurship.

June 25, 2026

Overcoming First Stage Nerves: How Preparation and Connection Build Confident Speakers

Welcome back to My First Stage! Today I’m joined by Tim Newman—a recovering college professor turned communication coach and host of the Speaking with Confidence podcast.In this episode, Tim opens up about his very first (and very messy) speaking experience, how he overcame his nerves, and what it really took to start speaking with confidence. We talk about the long road from stage fright to the stage lights, practical steps for conquering filler words, the power of knowing your audience, and how understanding generational differences, especially with Gen Z, can transform your communication.What We Talked About<ul><li>The Messiest First Stage Ever: Tim Newman literally threw up during his first five-minute college presentation—and he’ll tell you why that wasn’t even the last time that happened!</li><li>Getting Comfortable (Slowly): How going from terrified to teach in high school and college forced Tim Newman to find a framework for real confidence and audience connection.</li><li>How to Actually Cut Out Filler Words: The “lightbulb” moment that made Tim Newman reimagine public speaking—and why preparation and knowing your audience is everything.</li><li>Generational Communication Differences: Why Gen Z doesn’t want to be lectured, how to adapt for younger (or older) crowds, and what it means to facilitate real two-way connection.</li><li>Making it Interactive: The power of hands-on exercises, small group discussions, and napkin-based elevator pitches—even in a digital world.</li><li>The Best Advice from a Connector: Why taking massive imperfect action is the single most important thing for your speaking journey, and how building connections fuels both personal and professional growth.</li></ul> If Tim Newman’s story inspired you—or made you feel a little less alone in your own stage jitters—here’s what you can do next:<ul><li>Share Your Story – I want to hear about your own first stage moments, messy or triumphant! Head to myfirststagepodcast.com and drop me a note.</li><li>Connect with Tim Newman – Get his free ebook, tune into Speaking with Confidence, or grab his book at timnewmanspeaks.com.</li><li>Subscribe & Review – Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe to My First Stage, leave a review, and let me know your favorite guest or who you want to hear from next!</li><li>Take Your First (or Next) Speaking Step – Whether it’s hosting a workshop, jumping on a podcast, or raising your hand at your next meeting, remember: confidence grows with action, not waiting.</li></ul> Thank you so much for being here. I can’t wait to bring you more real, relatable stories and game-changing advice on My First Stage!Timestamped Summaries[00:00-01:00] – I kick off the episode and introduce Tim Newman, who immediately admits his first speaking experiences were a little (okay, a LOT) messy.[01:00-02:41] – Tim Newman shares the infamous story of throwing up on stage in his very first college communications class. Spoiler: it wasn’t the last time, either![03:00-04:47] – We talk about why stage fright never totally disappears, how Tim Newman moved from fear to purpose, and the slow, hard process of becoming comfortable on stage.[05:32-06:15] – The game-changing student question that led Tim Newman to create his signature framework for cutting filler words and transforming how he taught communication.[06:31-08:15] – Tim Newman breaks down his prep strategy: researching the audience, understanding conference attendees, and how he does deep dives on LinkedIn before every big talk.[08:16-10:41] – We dive into how to adapt for generational differences on stage—and why Gen Z wants interaction, engagement, and trust (not just another lecture).[10:54-14:46] – Tim Newman reflects on what it took to connect with Gen Z, from taking students out to lunch to turning class into real conversations and building trust through action.[14:58-15:57] – Practical tips for engagement: using emojis, breakout rooms, and micro-interactions to keep digital (and in-person) Gen Z audiences tuned in.[16:27-17:07] – Tim Newman reveals two favorite attention-getters for presentations: opening with a question or a joke, and the napkin exercise that sparks creativity and connection.[17:44-18:30] – The best reward for being a true connector: Tim Newman shares a heartwarming story of former students showing up years later to celebrate their friendship and growth.[18:50-20:30] – We discuss Tim Newman’s book on connections, what being a connector (and a climber) actually means, and why you don’t have to choose between helping others and growing yourself.[21:12-21:54] – The single biggest piece of advice: Take massive imperfect action. Don’t wait for the perfect moment to begin your speaking journey.[22:17-24:35] – We wrap up with Tim Newman’s perspective on cheerleading, the importance of surrounding yourself with challengers (not just “yes” people), and the key to continuous growth.

June 11, 2026

Speaking Smarter, Not Harder: How to Book More Speaking Gigs with Leisa Reid

Welcome back to My First Stage! I’m your host, Sara Lohse, and this is the show where I get real with speakers from all walks of life about how they landed their first gigs, overcame setbacks, and built thriving businesses—and communities—through getting on stage.This week, I had the pleasure of speaking with Leisa Reid, a name you absolutely need to know if you’re serious about public speaking. With over 600 talks delivered, nine books, and as the founder of Get Speaking Gigs Now and CEO of the International Speaker Network, Leisa has not only mastered the art of getting onstage—she’s built a business around helping others do it, too. If you’ve ever wondered how to go from dreaming about speaking to actually getting booked (a LOT), Leisa’s story and advice are going to fire you up.Here’s a quick overview of what Leisa Reid and I covered:<ul><li>Her journey from starting out in 2013, landing 83 speaking gigs in her first year, and then building a machine for consistent bookings and referrals</li><li>The launch of the International Speaker Network for collaboration instead of cold-calling</li><li>The biggest myths around “paid” vs. “free” gigs and why she focused on lead generation instead of speaking fees</li><li>How to develop your one “ready to rock” signature talk and why you don’t need dozens of unique presentations</li><li>Using regional association chapters and event mapping to multiply your speaking opportunities close to home</li><li>The wildest moments on stage—from malfunctioning projectors to unexpected tornado warnings</li><li>The secret sauce for turning talks into clients (and what most speakers miss)</li><li>How to sort the real gigs from the “catfish” ones and use referrals to find your best opps</li><li>Why “brilliance hoarding” keeps you invisible, and how confidence skyrockets when you claim your expertise—and your offer</li></ul> Ready to step up your speaking game after this episode? Here’s what you can do:<ul><li>Grab Leisa’s Free Tips – Visit getspeakinggigsnow.com/tips to get Leisa Reid’s five top tips for booking more speaking gigs right now.</li><li>Audit Your Signature Talk – Take a page from Leisa Reid: focus on creating and perfecting one “ready to rock” talk before anything else!</li><li>Map Your Opportunities – List out local associations and organizations where your ideal audience hangs out, and start nurturing those networks—referrals are gold.</li><li>Avoid the Catfish – Network with other speakers, trade honest feedback about events, and don’t fall for the “pay to play” hype unless you know your ROI.</li><li>Subscribe & Leave a Review – If this episode inspired you, subscribe to My First Stage, leave a review, and tell me what tip or story stood out—or who I should bring on next!</li></ul> Thank you so much for tuning in. I can’t wait to bring you more no-fluff advice, wild stories, and actionable strategies next week on My First Stage!Timestamped Summaries[00:00-02:46] – I introduce Leisa Reid, who dives right in with her story of landing 83 speaking gigs in her first year (and the lesson in not cold-calling alone, thanks to building a referral network).[02:46-03:45] – We talk about why her early focus wasn’t on paid gigs, but generating high-value clients through speaking, and why “what’s your talk?” should be your first question.[03:45-05:12] – Leisa Reid breaks down why having ONE signature talk is game-changing, and how perfecting it leads to real results instead of burning time creating new talks for every event.[05:12-07:23] – Strategies to book dozens of stages within a “50 mile radius”—and how Leisa Reid leveraged regional association chapters to quadruple her opportunities.[08:58-09:53] – We discuss the learning curve of speaking, why you should do one talk a LOT before expanding, and how things inevitably go wrong (including tech disasters and last-minute pivots).[12:15-13:41] – Leisa Reid shares her “worst day” stories—like the time a failed projector forced her to improvise with an easel—and why going analog can save the day.[15:33-16:46] – What to always bring with you, from handouts and offers to “knowing your talk in your bones,” so you’re ready whether the power goes out or bees fly into the room.[19:05-20:31] – Why there’s no “magic list of gigs”—and how mapping your ideal audience, associations, and events locally builds the “treasure in your backyard.”[22:40-23:53] – We dig deep on why not all gigs are worth your time, how to avoid getting catfished, and why trusted speaker networks are crucial for quality referrals.[27:04-28:55] – A real talk about “pay to play” opportunities, running events through your “resentment filter,” and what to watch out for if you’re offered a stage in exchange for a fee.[30:10-31:26] – Why not getting clients from your talks means there’s a “hole in the boat,” and how sales strategy is an inescapable reality (even for doctors and attorneys).[32:36-33:39] – How to create genuine visibility: get your signature talk ready, share it confidently, and watch as opportunities start to find you.[34:09-36:47] – Leisa Reid’s top actionable tips: build your talk, know your ideal audience, get a monetization plan, and use research (and even ChatGPT) to find your first gigs.

22 total episodes available

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What is My First Stage: How I Landed My First Speaking Gig (and What Happened Next)?: Every speaker has a story. But before the standing ovations, the TEDx invitations, and the six-figure speaking fees, there was one gig—the first real stage—that started it all. My First Stage is a podcast that goes behind the mic with professional speakers, authors, coaches, and entrepreneurs to uncover the stories of how they booked their very first speaking engagement and how that moment transformed their confidence, credibility, and career. From kitchen table pitches and last-minute invites to breakout sessions that turned into full-blown keynotes, our guests take you back to the beginning. These aren’t just tales of stepping on stage—they’re raw, honest, and often surprising accounts of what it really took to land that first gig, what happened once they got on stage, and how it impacted the direction of their business from that moment on. Whether you’re an emerging speaker, a seasoned professional, or someone looking to grow your brand, income, or impact through the power of speaking, My First Stage offers the inspiration, insights, and tactical takeaways to help you elevate your own platform.

What You’ll Hear:

Real stories from real speakers about the hustle, heart, and happy accidents that led to their first booked gig

Behind-the-scenes moments: awkward intros, standing ovations, tech fails, and everything in between

Lessons learned that helped shape the way they pitch, present, and position themselves today

Business impact: how a single stage turned into media coverage, new clients, product launches, or an entirely new path

Tips and advice for landing your first (or next) speaking opportunity, straight from those who’ve been there

Too often, we only see the highlight reel: the perfectly lit sizzle reel, the booked-out calendar, the standing-room-only audience. But every speaker, no matter how seasoned or successful, had a first time. A first pitch. A first yes. A first chance to prove themselves.

My First Stage is a celebration of that beginning. It’s a tribute to the courage it takes to speak—and the way one stage can change everything.

Whether you’re hoping to build your speaking business or just looking for the spark to finally step into the spotlight, this podcast is here to help you take that next step.

Because your story is powerful. And your first stage might just be the start of something even bigger.

Want to Be a Guest?

If you’re a speaker with a story to share about your first booked stage—how you got it, what it meant to you, and how it shaped your business—we want to hear it. Apply to be a guest at www.myfirststagepodcast.com or connect with us at @StickWithBranded on social.
How often does this podcast release new episodes?: This podcast updates daily.
Where can I listen to this podcast?: This podcast is available on 4 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
Does this podcast accept guests?: Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.

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