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

About 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.

Publisher

Branded Podcast Network

Category

business · business · business

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

18 Jun 2025

Latest episode

20 Aug 2026

Latest episodes

27 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   20 Aug 2026

   From Nervous to Natural: Steps to Empowered Speaking with Kami Guildner

   Welcome to another episode of My First Stage! I’m Sara Lohse, your host, and every week I have candid conversations with experienced public speakers about their first stages, their biggest disasters, and how they found the courage to keep going. This week, I’m excited to introduce you to Kami Guildner, a powerful business coach with an unforgettable first stage story that is as cringe-worthy as it is inspiring. Kami is a business coach for movement-making women, dedicated to helping them amplify their voices, elevate their visibility, and build businesses that create real impact and prosperity. Her own story of going from a terrified first-time speaker to leading her own sold-out events and generating seven figures from the stage is proof that anyone can go from shaky knees to true confidence. What We Talked About Kami’s Nerve-Wracking First Stage: Thrown into the deep end speaking to 200 women in oil and gas, Kami had a near meltdown but somehow powered through. Overcoming Stage Trauma: How a disastrous beginning led Kami to swear off speaking—until she realized her mission depended on stepping up and speaking out. Finding Her Voice Through Storytelling: How enrolling in a storytelling class and learning to “get in her body” transformed her speaking style. Soul Speaks: Kami’s unique approach to authentic speaking—and why she believes connection starts within. The Power of Story: We talk about why stories matter, how to paint a vivid scene, and why telling your truth is a tool for change (not self-indulgence). Building Events and Selecting Speakers: Kami’s process for curating powerful line-ups for her Extraordinary Women Ignite conference. From Freezing Up to Flowing: Kami’s top tips for dropping into your body, leading with your heart, and letting your words come from within. Real Talk About Podcasts: Why we both believe it’s about the right people, not the biggest audience, and how speaking—on any stage, even a podcast—turns into business growth and connections that last. If Kami’s story resonated with you, here’s what you can do next: Share Your First Stage Story – Want to join the conversation? Visit myfirststagepodcast.com and tell me about your own inaugural speaking moment! Attend Ignite – For any women ready to find their voice and amplify their visibility, early bird tickets are on sale now at kamiguildner.com/ignite. Subscribe & Review – Loved this episode? Hit subscribe, leave a review, and tell me what you want to hear more of. Tell Your Story – Whether it’s at an event, on a podcast, or just on social, remember: your unique story could be exactly what someone else needs to hear today. Timestamped Summaries [00:00-01:46] – I set the stage and Kami introduces herself. We share a laugh about barely missing each other at conferences before diving straight into Cami’s first big speaking moment—being told, with only a week’s notice, that she’d be presenting to 200 women in oil and gas. [01:46-03:27] – Kami describes her terrifying, frog-in-the-throat debut, and how the trauma of that experience nearly kept her from ever getting back on stage. [03:27-04:01] – The conversation focused on why it’s so hard to speak even when you know your material, exploring the mental hurdles and brain “freeze modes” that come with stage fright. [04:01-05:04] – We connect over how so many successful speakers actually started with disaster stories, and how universal that “first flop” really is. [05:04-06:16] – The discussion explored the journey from trauma to transformation—how Kami ultimately realized that if she really wanted to help women raise their voices, she had to get over herself and step up. [06:17-07:41] – Kami shares how discovering storytelling as a discipline helped her find ease and joy on stage, practicing her talks in front of her horses and connecting deeply to her stories so she wouldn’t forget. [07:41-08:45] – One concept discussed was “Soul Speaks”—tuning into your heart and letting authentic words flow, and why focusing on connecting to just one audience member at a time can melt away fear. [08:47-10:11] – We swap thoughts on vulnerability, storytelling, and why your story is really a gift for your audience (not just about you). [10:30-11:39] – The power of embodiment: Kami explains her method for dropping into her body before speaking, and how working with horses revealed the importance of “heart-to-heart” connection. [12:26-14:09] – Practical storytelling tips: painting the scene, describing the senses, and using visual detail to pull listeners into the heart of your story. [16:12-17:54] – Kami gives us a peek behind the curtain on how she curates diverse, high-impact speaker lineups for her Ignite event—looking for unique voices, mastery, and the right mix of energy and topics. [19:02-20:58] – We talk about how Kami’s style has evolved—from obsessive practice to relaxed presence, planning the path but flowing with the moment, and shifting from being “in her head” to connecting with the room. [23:31-25:15] – We both share why download numbers and audience size are NOT the point—one ideal listener is more powerful than a room of 1,000 disengaged people, whether it’s a conference or a podcast. [26:19-28:11] – Tips for aspiring speakers: the importance of opening with story, grounding yourself physically, and focusing on your real mission instead of your fear. [28:30-29:34] – Kami invites listeners to her Extraordinary Women Ignite Conference—and fire is definitely the theme this year!

2. 

   30 Jul 2026

   Stop Losing Leads: How Strategic Follow-Up Turns Speaking Gigs Into Clients

   Welcome to another episode of My First Stage: the podcast where I sit down with professional public speakers to get candid about how they found their first audiences, conquered the nerves, and built speaking into something truly transformational. This week, I had an incredible conversation with Wanda Allen—and if you’ve ever struggled with making follow-up a habit (hi, fellow ADHD crowd!), prepare to take notes. Wanda Allen has not only mastered the art of follow-up but has made it her career mission. Wanda Allen is an international speaker, coach, corporate trainer, author, and (quite possibly) the world’s leading follow-up expert. After a 25-year corporate career in banking where she developed world-class systems for persistence, Wanda Allen made the leap into teaching others how to master follow-up—turning simple actions into lifelong clients, opportunities, and stages. Whether you’re trying to sell, connect, or just keep in touch, her insights will change how you think about the fortune that really is in the follow-up. What We Talked About Wanda’s Origin Story: How a corporate career cut short led her to her very first (unstructured!) speaking stages Early Mistakes and Big Lessons: Why giving away “the whole store” doesn’t help your business—and how learning to sell from the stage is an ongoing process What to Share (and What Not To): The life-changing tip of telling your audience what to do, but reserving the “how” for paid services The Art of the Follow-Up: How to strike the right balance between bringing value and leaving your audience wanting more Audience & Event Follow-Up: Tactical strategies for keeping connections warm—without letting fear or self-doubt get in your way Lead Magnets That Work: Simple, actionable forms, drawings, giveaways, and examples of how to get high ROI from every event Mastering the Phone: Facing down the fear of calling (and leaving voicemails!) in a text-and-email world Why Consistency Wins: How committing to follow-up every single day can transform your speaking business If Wanda Allen’s approach to follow-up got you fired up, here’s what to do next: Connect with Wanda – Get inspired, grab some freebies, or book a call by visiting followupsalesstrategies.com. Put Action First – Schedule 10 minutes every working day for follow-up—call, email, DM, whatever works, but make it a habit. Share Your Story – I want to hear about your own follow-up wins and horror stories! Head over to myfirststagepodcast.com and let’s keep the conversation going. Subscribe & Review – If these strategies are helping you step up your speaking game, subscribe to My First Stage, leave a review, and tell me who you want to hear from next! Thanks for joining me this week! Keep practicing your follow-up, keep collecting those wins, and I’ll see you next episode on My First Stage! Timestamped Summaries [00:00-01:10] – I introduce Wanda Allen and we jump into her background, from 25 years as a senior VP in banking to suddenly being let go—and being challenged to teach her secret: follow-up. [01:11-03:30] – Wanda Allen recounts her first shaky, unstructured stage experiences, the mistake of giving away too much, and how a coach helped her recognize she was overdelivering rather than inviting action. [04:27-05:10] – The game-changing advice: tell your audience what to do, not how to do it—the “how” is your expertise, reserved for clients. [06:49-07:52] – How Wanda Allen now draws a clear line between free content and her paid program, handling audience questions by offering high-level advice without giving away her systems. [09:38-10:10] – Why “making the audience laugh” isn’t just about being a comedian—Wanda Allen shares how she uses humorous slides to keep things authentic and fun, even as a non-comedic speaker. [11:27-13:34] – Follow-up essentials: sending thank-you emails, striking while the iron’s hot, and why you need to contact interested audience members immediately to maximize ROI. [14:34-16:48] – Navigating lead magnets, worksheets, and business cards: what works, what’s a waste, and how to be “pleasantly persistent” without coming across as pushy. [18:29-19:50] – Lead generation tactics that get results—simple forms, drawings, and even Starbucks gift cards can fill your pipeline with hot leads without overwhelming your process. [21:03-24:02] – What do you say after the first follow-up? Wanda Allen reveals how many touches it really takes (hint: usually more than five!) and how staying consistent sets you apart. [24:05-28:25] – Why the phone is still your secret weapon, even when “nobody answers” these days, and how voice-to-voice (and even voicemail) builds relationships faster than endless email threads. [30:54-31:32] – The number one habit for ROI: commit to follow-up as a daily non-negotiable—it will change your business, your bookings, and your confidence.

3. 

   23 Jul 2026

   Using Podcasting to Shape Your Speaking Career With Justin Peters

   Welcome to another episode of My First Stage: the podcast where I sit down with public speakers to get real about how they got started, how they landed their first stages, and how speaking helped transform their businesses and lives. I had the pleasure of sharing the (virtual) stage with Justin Peters, one of my favorite competitors in the podcasting world and someone who always keeps me inspired. Justin is a podcast coach, co-founder of SimplePod, and the host of Podcast Playbook. Not only has Justin been podcasting since 2019—he’s helped countless business owners launch, edit, and manage podcasts that build authority and trust with their audiences. We’ve spoken at many events in our shared city, and I’m thrilled for you to hear his story. Here’s a quick overview of what Justin and I discussed during our conversation: Justin’s Unconventional First Stage: How saying “yes” to a viral opportunity landed him in front of 250 people as a 20-year-old. Big Stages vs. Small Stages: Why smaller audiences can trigger bigger nerves—and why stage size impacts your engagement style. Building Your Personal Brand: The role of content creation in getting noticed, “being qualified,” and landing speaking gigs. Toastmasters & Skill Development: How Justin used Toastmasters to sharpen his ability and stay intentional about growing as a speaker. Monetizing Your Stage Time: How Justin leverages presentations for lead generation, business growth, and long-term relationships. Judging Success: The mix of metrics and gut feel that determines whether a speaking opportunity was worth it. Repurposing Your Content: Strategies for turning speaking gigs into lasting assets—in newsletters, podcasts, and social posts. Podcasting & Speaking: Why podcast hosts make great speakers, and how practicing content off-stage translates to confidence on-stage. Authenticity vs. Polish: Our take on filler words, nervous ticks, and why being relatable matters (especially in the personal finance space!) Maximizing Every Role: How moderating panels and volunteering can be stepping stones to bigger stages—and how to be strategic about it. Advice For Aspiring Speakers: Justin’s best tip for beginners—start local, build your list, and don’t be the one to tell yourself “no.” If Justin’s story lit a fire for you, here’s how you can turn inspiration into action: Share Your Story! – I want to hear about your own first stage moment. Visit myfirststagepodcast.com and let’s connect. Connect with Justin – Learn more about Justin’s work at SimplePod Studios or follow him on LinkedIn. And don’t miss his new Podcast Playbook show! Subscribe & Review – If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe to My First Stage. Leave a rating or review and let me know who you want to hear from next! Take Your First Step – Apply for a local conference, volunteer as a moderator, or pitch yourself as a podcast guest. Your next stage could be just one ask away. Thanks for joining me for this fantastic episode—can’t wait to bring you more stories, advice, and fresh inspiration on the next My First Stage! Timestamped Summaries [00:00-01:10] – I introduce Justin and we reminisce about sharing stages together; Justin shares how his first big speaking opportunity came from a viral blog post and led him onto a major industry stage. [01:10-02:16] – Justin describes “ripping the bandaid off” for his first 250-person talk—and getting help from a co-speaker. [02:16-03:21] – We discuss nerves, audience size, and the surprising impact of smaller, more intimate crowds. [03:32-04:30] – Justin explains why smaller rooms can be tougher—and how podcasting reps have calmed his nerves. [04:41-05:34] – Justin lays out his personal brand strategy for getting on stages: content, identity, and creating expertise that attracts opportunities. [05:49-06:31] – The meaning of “qualification” for speakers—Justin talks about guiding an audience through their problem and knowing your subject deeply. [07:43-08:52] – Justin’s practical advice: just apply for speaking slots, reach out to event organizers, and don’t wait for someone else’s invitation. [09:18-10:06] – The business impact of speaking: Justin shares how stage appearances drive direct leads, conversions, and long-tail followers. [10:33-11:18] – Quantitative vs. qualitative measures of success—metrics, gut feeling, and meaningful hallway conversations. [13:36-14:35] – Structuring talks for lead generation: tactical content, resource downloads, and real-time engagement strategies. [14:42-15:46] – How podcasting and speaking go hand-in-hand—practicing content, generating ideas, and building confidence behind the mic. [17:24-18:19] – Using podcast episodes and clips as speaker reels in applications (and why it gives you a strategic edge). [18:57-20:20] – Authenticity vs. polish—why you don’t have to be perfect, as long as your insight and storytelling land for your audience. [22:28-23:47] – Justin’s worst stage experience: disorganization, interruption, and lessons learned about MCs and panel moderation. [26:12-28:47] – Using panel moderation, volunteering, and smaller roles to grow your reputation and credibility for larger stages. [29:24-30:47] – Repurposing speaking gigs for social, podcast, and newsletters—why every moment on stage can turn into powerful marketing. [31:07-31:48] – Justin’s bonus tip for beginners: start local, build your conference/event master list, and aim for manageable, high-impact opportunities. [32:06-32:37] – Justin introduces Podcast Playbook, his brand-new show for business podcasters, and explains where you can find him.

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

7,909

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

Spotify

3.0 / 5

2 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 52 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

74

Social presence

0

YouTube

74

Engagement

0

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

Guest appearances

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