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

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

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

By: Branded Podcast Network
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Summary

 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.Copyright 2026 Branded Podcast Network Career Success Economics Leadership Management & Leadership Marketing Marketing & Sales
Episodes
  • Building Influence: Kevin Sidebottom's Lessons from Sales and the Stage

    Building Influence: Kevin Sidebottom's Lessons from Sales and the Stage
    May 7 2026
    Welcome to another episode of My First Stage, where I sit down with public speakers to dig into the messy, funny, and inspiring stories behind their first moments on stage—and the lessons that changed both their businesses and their lives.Back at the NSA Influence Conference, I had the absolute pleasure of connecting with Kevin Sidebottom—whose journey from introverted engineer to high-powered sales leader and sought-after speaker is packed with jaw-dropping twists, honest advice, and a heavy dose of humor. If you’re an introvert, afraid of the spotlight, or convinced that “speaking isn’t for you,” Kevin’s story will definitely get you thinking twice.With roots in engineering and a self-confessed introvert, Kevin Sidebottom did the unthinkable: he dove headfirst into sales, landed massive corporate deals, and built a thriving career influencing teams and audiences across the country. Today, he blends transparency, self-deprecation, and no-nonsense strategy to demystify what it really takes to succeed on stage—and in business.Here’s a peek into what you’ll hear in this episode:From Sailboats to Sales: The wild story of how a “job interview” for a date with his boss’s daughter unexpectedly launched Kevin into a high-stakes sales career.Becoming an Influencer (the Real Kind): Why Kevin believes that influence—not personality type—is the key to both sales and leadership success.Overcoming Stage Fright as an Introvert: A frank discussion on fear, energy, and how to recharge when speaking drains you.Running Reps and Reviewing Game Tape: The role of “practice, practice, practice” (and cringey self-review) in leveling up as a speaker.Serving Unexpected Audiences: Taking the stage for groups outside your niche, tailoring content, and the simple but overlooked power of “just asking” your audience what matters to them.Trust, Referrals, and Building Reputation: Why Kevin refers business to others and how honesty creates loyal, long-term relationships in sales—and speaking.If Kevin's journey resonated with you, here’s how to take the next step:Share Your First Stage Story – Have your own tale to tell? Visit myfirststagepodcast.com—I’d love to hear it and maybe feature it on a future episode.Connect with Kevin Sidebottom – Head to kevinsidebottom.com or catch his quick-hit tips on his YouTube channel (but start with the recent videos—he’ll thank you).Practice, Review, and Release Your Own Bloopers – Take every opportunity to get on stage (big or small), watch your own “game film,” and remember: we all start somewhere. Don’t be afraid to laugh at yourself!Thanks for tuning in! See you next week for more behind-the-scenes stories, honest advice, and first stage inspiration on My First Stage.Timestamped Summaries[00:00-01:02] – I kick off the episode and introduce Kevin Sidebottom, the introverted engineer turned sales heavyweight, and we get a taste of his quick wit and dry humor.[01:02-02:29] – Kevin Sidebottom shares the hilarious (and slightly terrifying) story of his first “interview”—on a sailboat with an ex-Navy SEAL who happened to be the father of his date. This moment sets off his pivot from engineering into sales.[02:29-03:57] – We explore why he started speaking on stages, the connection between influence in sales and leadership, and why everyone is terrified of public speaking (even more than death!).[03:57-05:04] – Kevin Sidebottom breaks down his approach to overcoming stage fright, managing his energy as an introvert, and why adding value trumps comfort zones.[05:04-06:58] – The details behind his very first paid stage talk, learning through smaller “rep” gigs with rotaries and organizations, and why your first time is never perfect (but you need to do it anyway).[06:58-07:38] – We talk about recording and reviewing your own talks, the value of “game tape,” and why feedback—even if it makes you cringe—is key for improvement.[08:06-09:14] – Kevin Sidebottom introduces his signature keynote, “Sales Titans Built, Not Born,” and shares how his message resonated with unexpected audiences (hello, Women Infants and Children!).[09:32-10:44] – The art of accepting speaking gigs for non-typical audiences, preparing for new crowds, and referring others when they’re a better fit—without losing trust or reputation.[10:44-12:35] – Why honesty and long-term relationships matter, building trust through referrals, and the power of word-of-mouth marketing in the speaking business.[13:39-14:31] – Kevin Sidebottom shares his playbook for connecting with unfamiliar audiences: mandatory pre-event calls, deep dives into attendee pain points, and turning assumptions into actionable questions.[14:32-16:08] – We wrap up with a lighter note on blooper reels, “Fat Kevin,” and why sharing your failures—or your funniest outtakes—can make you more relatable (and maybe go viral on YouTube).
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    17 mins
  • Measuring Speaker ROI: Julie Holmes’ Practical Advice for New and Experienced Professionals

    Measuring Speaker ROI: Julie Holmes’ Practical Advice for New and Experienced Professionals
    Apr 30 2026
    Welcome back to My First Stage! On the last day of the NSA Influence Conference I had the absolute pleasure of sitting down with the incredible Julie Holmes. If you’re looking to level up your speaking business, land paid gigs, or just muster the courage to watch your own “game tape,” this episode is packed with exactly what you need.Julie Holmes is the founder of Stage Hopper, a lead finding and sharing platform built specifically for professional speakers aiming for paid gigs. But Julie is so much more than just a tech founder—she’s a Hall of Fame speaker, a PSA Fellow, a national champion in public speaking, and someone who’s spent decades helping companies (and speakers) master the art of communication. Safe to say, she knows what she’s talking about when it comes to getting—and crushing—your first stage.During our conversation, Julie Holmes and I covered so much ground:Defining and Demonstrating Your Value: Why it takes more than being “funny and engaging” to get booked and paid in the speaking world.The Five Sales Triggers: Julie Holmes’ simple but powerful system—internal, external, before, after, and time—for identifying why an organization would need your voice.Doing the Research: Real tactics for uncovering what’s going on behind the scenes at companies and how to speak directly to their biggest challenges.Numbers That Matter: How to articulate ROI in ways that clients can’t ignore (and how to translate abstract value into hard numbers).Different Paths to Payment: From paid keynotes to back-of-room sales to workshops and more, Julie Holmes breaks down the many business models in speaking.Her Own “First Stage”: From degrees in public speaking to decades in corporate, Julie Holmes traces her unique journey and the value of early career “reps.”The Infinite Value of Watching Your Own Tape: Why recording yourself is non-negotiable, and how the discomfort of seeing yourself on camera is just part of getting better.Advice for New Speakers: What to do if you’re scared, how to reframe the nerves, and why mastery comes from honest self-reflection and relentless practice.Ready to take your speaking career to the next stage? Here are your next steps:Rewatch Your “Game Tape” – No more hiding from the camera! Start recording your talks, watch yourself back, and see every single moment as a chance to improve.Connect with Julie Holmes – Learn more about her speaking, business, and strategies on LinkedIn.Share Your Story – How did you get your first stage? Head to myfirststagepodcast.com and share your journey—I’d love to hear from you!Subscribe & Review – Like what you’re hearing? Make sure to subscribe, leave a review, and help us bring even more real-world advice and inspiration to speakers everywhere.Thanks for tuning in to My First Stage. Whether this was your first episode or your fiftieth, I hope Julie Holmes’s insights inspire you as much as they did me. See you next week for another behind-the-scenes story!Timestamped Summaries[00:00-01:07] – I welcome Julie Holmes to the podcast, and she shares her dual perspective as both a speaker and a founder. We dig right into what real ROI looks like for event organizers—not just entertainment value, but true organizational impact.[01:12-02:32] – Julie Holmes introduces her five-point system for identifying a client’s needs—internal, external, before, after, and time—and why researching these is the secret to getting paid.[02:52-03:37] – We walk through internal and external triggers, from company reorganizations to broader industry upheaval (hello, AI!). Julie Holmes lays out exactly how these events tie to the value you bring.[03:51-04:46] – Julie Holmes explains the “before” and “after” of organizational change and how aligning your expertise to where the client’s headed is a mega sales tool.[05:12-06:17] – We talk research tactics: digging into board memos, third-party surveys, and, yes, even using AI. Julie Holmes stresses the difference between making assumptions and backing up your pitch with hard data.[06:39-07:39] – What does it mean to “find the number?” Julie Holmes shares how speaking on sales teams (with real growth targets) forced her to quantify value—not just “fun with AI,” but concrete outcomes and ROI.[08:01-09:52] – We tackle the many ways to “get paid”—from keynotes to workshops to back-of-room book sales—and why each speaker must find their own lane (and their own joy) in this business.[10:12-12:25] – Julie Holmes tells the story of her own first stages, from college competitions to corporate conferences, and why even those early, unpaid opportunities set the foundation for everything that followed.[12:28-14:56] – We go deep on the importance (and pain!) of recording yourself. Julie Holmes gives tough-love advice for getting past the cringe of seeing yourself on camera, and how self-review is the not-so-secret key to getting ...
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    16 mins
  • How to Become a TEDx Speaker: Dos, Don’ts, and Tips from a TEDx Event Organizer

    How to Become a TEDx Speaker: Dos, Don’ts, and Tips from a TEDx Event Organizer
    Apr 23 2026
    This week’s guest is someone who brings a totally unique angle to the speaker circuit. I had the pleasure of chatting with Sami Kinnison, the powerhouse organizer of TEDx Fayetteville and host of the Be Freaking Awesome podcast (co-hosted with her mom—how cool is that?). If you’ve ever been curious about what it really takes to step onto a TEDx stage—or why paying $10,000 to a “stage guarantee” agency might be the worst move you could make—this episode is for you. Here’s a breakdown of the gems we covered: Demystifying the TEDx Process: Sami Kinnison explains what really goes into applying for, getting accepted to, and presenting on a TEDx stage—plus, what organizers are actually looking for.Why “Stage Guarantee” Agencies Miss the Point: The hard truth about those companies promising to book you (for a fee), how they operate, and why real “ideas worth spreading” can’t be bought.The Power of Being Local & Having a Real Connection: Why TEDx organizers want speakers who have roots, stories, or significant ties to their communities.What Makes a Great Application (And the Fastest Ways to Get Rejected): Sami shares her biggest speaker turn-offs and the applications that made her say “YES” on the spot.Storytelling That Sticks: How speakers can use humor, relatability, and authenticity to capture attention—without relying on dramatic trauma dumps.The Prep, The Practice, & The Realities: What actually happens before that red dot moment, and how to use your TEDx talk to build real career momentum. If Sami's behind-the-scenes look into TEDx fired you up, here’s what you can do next: Get Inspired & Apply: If you’ve got an idea worth spreading, start researching your local TEDx events at ted.com, build those local ties, and apply directly—you don’t need anyone’s permission (or $10,000!) to start.Connect with Sami Kinnison: Want to learn more, hear her podcast, or maybe (pleasantly!) pitch your own idea? Head over to bfreakingawesome.com or find her on LinkedIn.Share Your Story: I’d love to hear about your own journey to the stage! Reach out at myfirststagepodcast.com and let’s connect.Subscribe & Review: If this episode helped you or made you rethink the stage hustle, leave a review on My First Stage, subscribe, and let me know which guests or topics you want to hear next.Practice Makes Progress: Join a Toastmasters club, host a webinar, or go live on your own platform. Start sharing your ideas—every audience counts. Thanks for joining me for another behind-the-scenes deep dive. I can’t wait to share more tips, speaker journeys, and myth-busting advice on the next My First Stage! [embed]https://youtu.be/rjtk1ElNrEE[/embed] Timestamped Summaries [00:00-01:12] – I introduce Sami Kinison, her role as TEDx Fayetteville organizer, her journey through licensing, and what it means to level up within the TED structure. [01:13-03:21] – Sami Kinison gives her honest take on booking agencies and why chasing a TEDx stage for business alone isn’t the point—originality, relevance, and adding real value are what organizers want. [03:21-05:01] – She talks about how mass-pitching, agency spam and lack of local ties get instant rejections, then breaks down how her team defines their community and prioritizes relevant, local voices. [05:01-06:57] – We discuss the “pleasantly persistent” approach to outreach, and why building an honest, naturally connected application trumps buying your way in every time. [07:15-09:24] – Sami Kinison tells stories of the most memorable (and the worst) applications she’s received—spoiler: if you lead with “I’m going to be famous and make a lot of money,” it’s a hard pass. [09:33-12:39] – The talks and approaches that made Sami Kinison sit up and take notice: from groundbreaking PhD research to creative, personal storytelling in the face of adversity. [13:11-17:11] – Deep dive on preparation, rehearsal, feedback, and the “two audiences” every TEDx speaker must keep in mind—plus, what not to do if you want your talk to make it to YouTube. [17:14-23:00] – We unpack storytelling with emotional punch: why not every talk needs to center on trauma, and how humor and universal moments can connect just as powerfully. [23:51-28:22] – The life (and business) after the red dot: how to make sure your TEDx talk actually helps your brand, what self-promotion really looks like, and setting expectations for what TEDx can (and can’t) do for your career. [31:01-39:27] – The episode gets heated as Sami Kinison exposes how “stage guarantee” companies operate, why you don’t need a middleman, and how to handle the process yourself with confidence and integrity. [45:24-48:47] – We wrap up with Sami Kinison’s encouraging words for new speakers: why passion matters, the role of Toastmasters and live practice, and how everyone—from seasoned pros to total first-timers—can find their own “ideas worth spreading.”
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    51 mins
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