Path To The Main Stage Podcast

About Path To The Main Stage Podcast

*Path to the Mainstage Podcast* is the ultimate podcast for aspiring and professional speakers. Hosted by Li Hayes, a seasoned speaker agent and coach, she and her co-hosts share expert insights, strategies, and real-world advice to help you master your craft, captivate audiences, and land high-profile speaking gigs. If you’re ready to take your speaking career to the next level, this is your roadmap to success!

Publisher

LI Hayes

Category

business

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

10 Aug 2025

Latest episode

5 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

48 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   5 Oct 2026

   S5 Ep. 03: Build a Keynote Career Based on Joy

   Unlock the main stage with joy, customization, and authenticity! Learn how to break into keynote speaking, deliver unforgettable talks, and build a thriving business as Li Hayes chats with Silicon Valley innovator and futurist Kevin Surace. In this refreshingly honest episode, you’ll discover what it really takes to stand out as a speaker, from customizing every presentation for your audience to bringing pure joy and energy to the stage. Kevin Surace shares why attitude trumps nerves, how AI is transforming presentation prep, and the importance of building credibility, practicing relentlessly, and treating speaking like a real business. Plus, get an inside look at the realities of rates, bureaus, TEDx talks, and why loving the craft is non-negotiable for long-term success. Hear practical advice on: Using pre-event calls to truly connect and customize for your clients Leveraging AI for stellar slides and research without losing the human touch Setting your fees unapologetically and running your speaking career as a business Why joy—and limiting complaints—is the greatest driver of impact and longevity Honest insights on who keynote speaking is (and isn’t) for If you’re aiming for the main stage or wondering how to elevate your speaking, this interview is your candid roadmap to the top—delivered with a dose of joy and plenty of laughter. Episode Overview 00:00: Introduction and Kevin Surace’s story 02:31: Journey to paid speaking—sales, theatre, and TV roots 05:19: Customizing every keynote & client conversations 08:03: The bureau vs. direct booking landscape 09:29: Deep dive: Customization, AI tools, and slide creation 13:39: Audience size, nerves, and the secret to great delivery 16:57: Fees, rates, and learning from TEDx 23:21: Authority, uniqueness, and the path to credibility 31:04: “The Joy Success Cycle” and the power of attitude 39:59: Final advice—treat it as a business, lead with joy Listen in and get inspired to light up your next stage!

2. 

   28 Sept 2026

   S5 Ep. 04: The Power of Saying “No” and Scaling Your Speaking Business with Crystal Washington

   Unlock the power of saying no and scaling your speaking business! Learn how to define your worth, build sought-after expertise, and create systems that streamline your path to main stage success. In this insightful episode, Crystal Washington—Hall of Fame speaker and Forbes top 50 female futurist—shares her candid journey from corporate revenue management to global keynoter and digital marketing trailblazer. You’ll discover essential strategies for breaking into professional speaking, the pivotal role of mentorship, and how to partner with speaker bureaus to maximize your opportunities. The conversation focused on actionable ways to confidently raise your fees, leverage industry relationships, and adapt your business for a rapidly changing future. One concept discussed was the value of specialization—choosing a topic organizations actively want. A key theme that emerged was the power of “no” in building a sustainable business, as well as the importance of authenticity, generosity, and building a trusted brand amidst evolving industry trends and AI disruption. Find out why the future of speaking favors experts with real-world credibility, why speaker camaraderie is a game-changer, and why Crystal wouldn’t change a thing about her journey (hard lessons included). Episode Overview 00:00: Becoming a professional speaker—Crystal’s background and journey 03:39: Taking a leap—launching a digital marketing firm and the first paid speaking gig 06:59: Three accelerators: trending topics, mentorship, and systems thinking 09:46: The art of saying no—why boundaries and fee integrity matter 14:07: Raising your fee—when and how to level up 18:17: The truth about working with speaker bureaus 22:44: What is the Hall of Fame and the value of being part of NSA 27:14: Crystal’s topic—futurism and strategic foresight 30:48: The future of speaking—industry disruption, AI, and trust 39:15: The reality behind quick-fix programs and speaker training 43:51: The advice Crystal would (not) give her younger self

3. 

   21 Sept 2026

   S5 Ep. 02: Build A Stage-Worthy Platform with Laura Gassner Otting

   Unlock the secrets to a standout speaking career! Learn how to craft your signature voice, price your expertise, and build a stage-worthy platform—while staying true to yourself. In this energizing “Turning Point” episode, Li Hayes sits down with Laura Gassner Otting, Wall Street Journal bestselling author, top motivational speaker, and mindset coach, for a candid conversation about her unconventional path from politics and entrepreneurship to the pinnacle of professional speaking. Discover why your journey to success doesn’t have to be linear, how to engineer credibility with “jewels in the crown,” and why getting paid what you’re worth is as much about perception as performance. Laura Gassner Otting breaks down the real story behind building a speaking business, mastering the TEDx stage, setting the right fee, and leveraging both coaching and purposeful reps to build lasting impact. You'll hear heartfelt, actionable advice on crafting a life and business that work for you, developing transformational messaging, and breaking in with authority—even if you’re starting from zero. Whether you’re dreaming of your first keynote or aiming higher on the main stage, this episode will inspire you to “start your story in the middle,” experiment, and be unapologetically you as you step into the spotlight. Episode Overview00:00 Welcome, intro, and Laura Gassner Otting’s background02:22 Becoming an endurance athlete later in life04:16 Shifting from politics and corporate to entrepreneurship07:06 Building a life-first business, embracing non-linear paths09:24 First experiences on stage: confronting stage fright12:31 The turning point: TEDx, taking risks, and being coached16:03 Behind the scenes at TEDx: malleability, feedback, and transformation22:32 Getting paid: from potato hats to uncovering the pricing game25:09 Why is your rate your rate? Determining your value29:05 Leveraging credibility and “jewels in the crown”32:06 The importance of reps—and the power of coaching38:01 The real turning point: manufacturing your own experience and speaker reel45:55 Standing out in a crowded market46:28 The best advice I wish I knew at the start48:52 Wrap up and closing thoughts

Reach and audience

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

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

7 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

13 ratings

Contact Path To The Main Stage Podcast

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

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