Amplify with Jess Ekstrom

The Viral Speech that Launched Kelsey O'Connor's Speaking Career Nov 13, 2024

Kelsey O'Connor was a D1 student-athlete at North Carolina State University until she suffered a traumatic brain injury that abruptly ended her athletic career. Her journey of recovery and overcoming immense was the basis of her commencement address that went viral on TikTok and Facebook with over 40M (million) views.

In our season 3 finale, Kelsey tells her story and how it led her to become a sought-after public speaker

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Kelsey O'Connor's Speech: https://www.kelseyoconnor.net/videos/v/beyondperformance
Life Beyond Labels Podcast: https://sportsepreneur.com/welcome-life-beyond-labels-podcast/

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Amplify with Jess is produced by Earfluence, and brought to you by Mic Drop Workshop

Why You DON'T Get That Dopamine Hit When You Cross the Finish Line Nov 11, 2024

I recently read a study on dopamine that completely changed how I look at my work and life.

It initially shocked me, but then I realized why it makes sense.

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Amplify with Jess is produced by Earfluence and brought to you by Mic Drop Workshop.

Balancing Personal Ambitions with Family Dynamics, with Dr. John Delony Nov 06, 2024

As a speaker, you always want to reach the point of high-flying careers that take you worldwide, but that also means taking you away from your family. This raises the question, "Can speakers really have it all?"

Can we prioritize our careers, marriages, partnerships, and kids at the same time?

Today, Dr. John Delony gives us his tips.

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Dr. John Delony is a mental health expert who offers guidance on relationships, anxiety, and wellness.
Dr. John Delony Show: https://www.youtube.com/@TheDrJohnDelonyShow
Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/johndelony/

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Amplify with Jess is produced by Earfluence, and brought to you by Mic Drop Workshop

How are You Measuring Your Progress? Nov 04, 2024

In our culture, "Making it" usually means being an Oprah or Sara Blakely, appearing on a reality TV show, or discovering a scientific formula that lets you speak to your dog.

Most of us (including me!) won't make it big time. But I still have something to offer that people find value in.

And so do you.

So, how do we measure our progress to maximize our potential and the value we give others?

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Amplify with Jess is produced by Earfluence and brought to you by Mic Drop Workshop.

How Fear of Inadequacy Can Lead to Becoming a World-Class Speaker with Therese Gopaul-Robinson Oct 30, 2024

Therese Gopaul-Robinson knew it was time for a raise. She asked for a meeting, practiced her speech, and had her PowerPoint presentation ready to go. It was time to take the next step in her career.

But she didn't get her raise in that meeting - she was let go instead.

Today, Therese shares her journey to becoming a world-class keynote speaker, which was initially filled with rejection and fear of inadequacy but ultimately led to her finding her first gigs.

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Therese Gopaul-Robinson is a Keynote Speaker and Healthcare Consultant who's obsessed with helping women in leadership.

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Amplify with Jess is produced by Earfluence, and brought to you by Mic Drop Workshop

Is Easy Access to Knowledge Harming Your Motivation? Oct 28, 2024

Imagine you had an assistant that could fit in your pocket and tell you any information you desired.

"How many stars are there in the galaxy? How do I make a sourdough starter? What does it mean when something uploads “to the cloud"?

Well you do have that assistant - your phone.

Having all that knowledge at our fingertips is convenient, but does this convenience stop us from acting like students, being beginners, and trusting ourselves?

Perhaps access to all this information is a primary reason for killing our motivation.

And that's what I'm digging into today.

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Amplify with Jess is produced by Earfluence and brought to you by Mic Drop Workshop.

Resilience, Imposter Syndrome and Becoming the Boss with Lindsey Epperly Oct 23, 2024

Lindsey Epperly has grown her travel business from a one-woman operation to a team of 80 (!!). It has been on the Inc 5000 list of fastest-growing companies, and Lindsey seemingly has it all.

And yet, even with her success, Lindsey still encounters imposter syndrome - especially when (despite the accolades) she feels like her business is failing.

Through her experiences, she realized the common pitfall of equating self-worth with success, a challenge familiar to many high achievers in today's hustle culture.

However, Lindsey's perspective shifted as she began to see imposter syndrome as a sign of stepping out of her comfort zone, using it as a motivational tool to turn obstacles into opportunities.

And here's what she learned in the process.

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Lindsey Epperly is the CEO of JetSet World Travel and host of Who Made You the Boss? Podcast.

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Amplify with Jess is produced by Earfluence, and brought to you by Mic Drop Workshop

Overcoming Anxiety in Public Speaking Oct 21, 2024

Did you know that most folks are more scared of public speaking than they are of sharks? It’s crazy, but it also makes sense! Whether it’s Jaws or facing a live audience, your body reacts to nerves similarly—it’s just a biological thing.

In this episode, I'm sharing tips on how to ease your nerves before a speaking engagement, whether on stage as a keynote address, in a meeting, or at a wedding.

I’ll walk you through quick tricks, like using peppermint and box breathing to calm yourself in the moment, and why making eye contact is a game changer.

So the next time you step on stage, you'll have the confidence to own it.

Rate Amplify on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and leave a review for Jess Ekstrom.

Amplify with Jess is produced by Earfluence, and brought to you by Mic Drop Workshop.

The Reality of Passive Income with LaShonda Brown Oct 16, 2024

You know that passive income everyone raves about, where you wake up to find a couple thousand extra dollars in your bank account?

Surprise! It turns out it's not as easy as it seems!

Today’s guest, Lashonda Brown, a tech educator and founder of Bootstrap Biz Advice, explains that passive income takes years of hard work and system-building.

So, what should you do, and how can YouTube help?

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Amplify with Jess is produced by Earfluence, and brought to you by Mic Drop Workshop

How RV Life Taught Me to 'Try It On' Oct 14, 2024

Over a bowl of popcorn shrimp a few months after our wedding, my husband and I decided to put our apartment up for rent and take off in an RV and travel the country.

We did something we now call “try it on.”

We had questions about finances, mail, and skincare routines, but we went for it anyway.

And here's what happened.

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Amplify with Jess is produced by Earfluence and brought to you by Mic Drop Workshop.

Creating a Morning Routine That Works for You with Tiffany Lanier Oct 09, 2024

What's your morning routine?

You’ve likely come across countless reels and TikToks suggesting that you meditate each morning, cultivate gratitude, practice mindfulness, work out, time-block your day, drink 100 ounces of water, fast, prioritize self-care, and read a few pages from your book.

And then reality sets in, and you've got to feed the baby, pack lunches, or take care of that client fire.

So, what should you do to get your mind and body right to start your day?

Are you ready to revamp your morning? Take Tiffany’s 5-day morning challenge!

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Tiffany Lanier is a Keynote Speaker, Facilitator on Change and Wellbeing, 2X TEDx Speaker, and Creator of The Morning Shift.
She's also the author of the children’s book “I Can’t Wait to Vote,” which introduces young readers to the voting process.

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Rate Amplify on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and leave a review for Jess Ekstrom.

Amplify with Jess is produced by Earfluence, and brought to you by Mic Drop Workshop

Ready or Not, Just Start Oct 07, 2024

When we look at successful businesspeople, we assume they had a clear business plan, were surrounded by helpful resources, and confidently started marching toward their dreams.

The reality is that most businesses probably started like my first business.

I had no idea what gross or net meant.
When asked, "How is your business structured?", I would respond, "Strongly."
A five-year plan - heck, even a five-month plan - was laughable

I had no idea what I was doing, but I just pressed start. And I learned that it's ok to learn by failing.

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Rate Amplify on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and leave a review for Jess Ekstrom.

Amplify with Jess is produced by Earfluence and brought to you by Mic Drop Workshop.

Creating Meaningful Workshop Experiences with Katie Quesada Oct 02, 2024

Ever wonder about the differences between workshops and keynotes?

Katie Quesada, keynote speaker, workshop facilitator, and storytelling consultant, believes workshops are not about teaching but guiding participants to discover their insights.

In today's episode, Katie shares how to design and deliver workshops that help individuals and teams become “story collectors,” using their personal and brand narratives to forge deeper connections.

Discover her core philosophy of "stories over stuff" in structuring a workshop, which may inspire you to create your own.

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Katie Quesada is a Storytelling Consultant, Speaker, and Coach.

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Rate Amplify on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and leave a review for Jess Ekstrom.

Amplify with Jess is produced by Earfluence, and brought to you by Mic Drop Workshop

Using The Word "Yet" To Frame Our Progress Sep 30, 2024

We usually see things as black and white, especially when trying something new.
So, how can we shift that mindset?
There's just one word you can add to remind yourself: it's not that we're not there; it's that we're not there yet.

Rate Amplify on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and leave a review for Jess Ekstrom.

Amplify with Jess is produced by Earfluence and brought to you by Mic Drop Workshop.

How to Find Speaking Opportunities through Networking, with Chelsea C Williams Sep 25, 2024

How can we as speakers expand our networks to meet some amazing people and, probably more importantly, secure speaking engagements?

We need to be strategic about our networking efforts. But what exactly does that mean, and what are the steps we should be taking to get our names out there more.

Today, Jess is joined by Chelsea C Williams, and she has some tips!

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

How can I continuously improve visibility and generate referrals for business growth?
How can I balance personal stories and business topics in public speaking?
Why is it crucial to incorporate DEI into workplace conversations and leadership?

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Chelsea C Williams is an entrepreneur, workplace educator, and professional speaker. Her company Reimagine Talent delivers HR and career development solutions.

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Amplify with Jess is produced by Earfluence, and brought to you by Mic Drop Workshop

My Signature Keynote Live: Innovation and Motivation That Lasts Sep 23, 2024

In today’s special episode, I share a keynote showcase of one of my talks from Inman Connect, one of the most extensive speaking engagements in the real estate industry. You've listened to my food for thought to start your week. Now, tune in to hear some of the principles I discussed in the podcast during my signature keynote!

Sidenote: We highly recommend watching Jess's keynote on YouTube to see her practices in action!
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Amplify with Jess is produced by Earfluence, and brought to you by Mic Drop Workshop.

Facing Fears and Opening Up Onstage with Coach Kiah Sep 18, 2024

Getting up on stage and feeling confident about yourself, it's one of the biggest challenges we face on stage. Because we're not perfect. We're not robots. We'll flub from time to time.

So what do we do about that?

Today, Jess and Coach Kiah Twisselman talk about embracing imperfections and projecting confidence on stage.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

The Power of Vulnerability: Coach Kiah shares her unique approach to speaking, which combines humor and deep emotional connection. Learn how her personal journey of healing has empowered her to connect with audiences on a profound level, making them feel seen and understood.
From Ranch Life to the Spotlight: Discover how Kiah transitioned from a successful weight loss journey to a vibrant speaking career, including her experiences on national platforms like Good Morning America and The Kelly Clarkson Show. She reflects on the pivotal moment that led her to fully embrace her role as a keynote speaker.
Navigating Confidence Onstage: Jess and Kiah discuss the fears and insecurities that often arise before stepping onto the stage. Kiah reveals her strategies for overcoming nerves and staying authentic, including a humorous anecdote about dealing with sweat on national television.
The Myth of Masculine Confidence: The conversation explores how traditional notions of confidence can be restrictive, especially for women. Kiah offers insight into finding and embracing a style that aligns with one's true self rather than conforming to external expectations.
Finding Your Personal Style: Kiah talks about her journey to discovering a style that reflects her personality and makes her feel confident. She emphasizes the importance of wearing what makes you feel good and how it can enhance your presence on stage.
The Impact of Authenticity: Learn why Kiah believes that showing up as your true self—complete with your quirks and imperfections—is more powerful than trying to fit into a predefined mold. She shares how being authentic not only benefits you but also resonates deeply with your audience.

Quotes to Remember:

“I like to tell people that I want to bring you on an emotional journey with me. We are going to laugh. I'm like one part motivational comedian. And we're also going to cry. Like we're going to talk about the hard things.” – Coach Kiah
“It is the things that we generally feel most shame about that are the most healing for other people to hear.” – Coach Kiah
“Stop waiting to lose the weight to go and find your style. Stop waiting to lose weight to finally wear the swimsuit and get in the pool with your kids.” – Coach Kiah

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Coach Kiah Twisselman is a former cattle rancher turned motivational speaker and life coach.

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(00:05:16) "Embrace vulnerability to unleash your power."

(00:09:04) "Facing fears in public speaking leads to empowerment."

(00:12:06) "Confidence in speaking comes from embracing your style."

(00:19:01) "Choose self-acceptance over societal beauty standards."

(00:21:24) "Your speaker identity shapes thought leadership impact."

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Rate Amplify on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and leave a review for Jess Ekstrom.

Amplify with Jess is produced by Earfluence, and brought to you by Mic Drop Workshop

What Comedy and Parenting Taught Me About the Beginner's Mindset Sep 16, 2024

Perfectionists are good at a lot of things, but they are not good at being beginners.

Does that sound like you?

Yeah me too, until I was a beginner at two things that challenged me and changed my mindset - being a mom and stand-up comedy.

Here's what it taught me.
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Rate Amplify on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and leave a review for Jess Ekstrom.

Amplify with Jess is produced by Earfluence, and brought to you by Mic Drop Workshop.

How to Set Boundaries and Thrive in Speaking with Dr. Cassandra LeClair Sep 11, 2024

Before becoming a Mic Drop Academy alum, Cassandra was already well-versed in public speaking as a communication expert and professor at Texas A&M University, but now she had the tools to make her goal of becoming a keynote speaker to fruition.

She talks with Jess about her journey after Mic Drop, sharing tips for aspiring speakers on what to know, how to handle rejection, and why setting boundaries is key—even if that means saying no sometimes, and that's okay!

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Dr. Cassandra LeClair is a speaker and leading expert in research-based communication strategies to build corporate resilience, and the author of Being Whole: Healing from Trauma and Reclaiming My Voice

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(00:01:03) Transforming Public Speaking into Engaging Storytelling

(00:07:12) Navigating Rejection and Self-Worth in Monetization

(00:08:23) Embracing Rejection: Path to Speaker Success

(00:11:21) Overcoming Self-Doubt Through Positive Self-Image

(00:18:06) Effective Communication Through Setting Boundaries

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Amplify with Jess is produced by Earfluence, and brought to you by Mic Drop Workshop

You'll Never Miss What's Made for You Sep 09, 2024

We've all faced it before: the dreaded FOMO.

Sometimes, it feels like a double-edged sword. You don't want to miss any chances, but saying yes for the sake of saying yes can lead to quick burnout.

In this episode, Jess shares a mantra that helped silence her FOMO, and hopefully, it will do the same for you.

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Rate Amplify on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and leave a review for Jess Ekstrom.

Amplify with Jess is produced by Earfluence, and brought to you by Mic Drop Workshop.

Redefining Masculinity, and the Power of Authenticity, with Antonio Neves Sep 04, 2024

Antonio Neves saw a problem: he couldn't find the right content for balancing personal growth and family relationships, especially as a man in today's society. So he decided to do something about it by founding the Man Morning newsletter, a platform dedicated to inspiring men to start their day with purpose and intention.

Learn tips on self-improvement, on-stage speaking, stepping out of your comfort zone, and prioritizing emotional well-being to lead a more fulfilling and enriched existence.

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(00:00:32) Embracing Masculine Growth and Connection Newsletter

(00:03:08) Celebrating Accomplishments for Personal Growth

(00:17:14) Celebrating Value and Empowerment in Males

(00:23:05) Man Morning Meetings for Emotional Release

(00:23:06) Emotional Support for Men: Man Morning Gatherings

(00:28:07) The Power of Authenticity in Presentations

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Amplify with Jess is produced by Earfluence, and brought to you by Mic Drop Workshop

It's Time to Own Your Timeline Sep 02, 2024

Have you ever asked yourself, "Am I where I should be at this point in my life?" or "Am I "on time? "

We all rave about the 30 under 30 lists, but did we ever stop to think that maybe it was easier for them because they didn't have anything to risk?

And maybe we're on the right track to success regardless of the time.

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Amplify with Jess is produced by Earfluence, and brought to you by Mic Drop Workshop.

Amy Porterfield on How to Earn Financial Freedom through Digital Courses Aug 28, 2024

Amy Porterfield really wanted freedom, flexibility, and autonomy in her career.

She entered the digital course industry, which allowed her to work from home while still making money. Starting small, her first course made just $267, but she pulled in over $100 million in revenue through tweaks and relaunches.

How did she do it? How can you leverage digital courses to balance work and family life and generate income while being present for your family?

Let's find out!

COURSE CONFIDENT: A Live Two-Week Bootcamp Experience

(00:03:14) Flexible Online Courses: Redefining Women's Empowerment
(00:04:13) "Freedom is whatever it is that you want in terms of how to design your life. That is your freedom."

(00:07:56) Power of Inspiring Examples for Motivation

(00:15:52) "Less is more here. Get someone from point a to point b as fast as humanly possible. Take all the fluff out."
(00:22:41) You just need the 10% edge
(00:26:53) "They started and you didn't. That's the only difference, my friend. So just get started."

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Amplify with Jess is produced by Earfluence, and brought to you by Mic Drop Workshop

How to Stop Letting FOMO Dictate Your Life Goals Aug 26, 2024

Are you constantly chasing the next big thing, only to find that the satisfaction you hoped for remains just out of reach? Do you think, "Once I achieve this, I can finally enjoy that"? You’re not alone.

Today, we tackle the pervasive issue of FOMO—fear of missing out—and how it leads to a cycle of delaying joy.

Let's find out how to stop letting FOMO and unrealistic expectations control our lives.

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Rate Amplify on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and leave a review for Jess Ekstrom.

Amplify with Jess is produced by Earfluence, and brought to you by Mic Drop Workshop.

Are Women Critiqued More Harshly than Men? Let's Talk about it with the First Lady of Iceland, Eliza Reid Jul 24, 2024

Sprakkar: an ancient Icelandish word that means "extraordinary women".

Our guest today is the First Lady of Iceland, Eliza Reid. Not only is she the best-selling author of Secrets of the Sprakkar, but also a passionate advocate for gender equality, utilizing her platform to organize significant events like a gender equality strike in Iceland, fighting wage disparities and gender-based violence.

But she doesn't just support gender equality in politics but also for everyday women, from self-care to unrealistic expectations of women "having it all."

BTW, this isn't Jess's first interview with Eliza.

Listen to how their initial chat helped Jess rediscover her identity after having a baby.

(00:00:33) Influential Initiatives by Iceland's First Lady

(00:01:26) Icelandic Gender Equality Strike to Address Inequalities
(00:06:00) Breastfeeding during a meeting - and no one cared
(00:11:15) How are you feeling about the next chapter?

(00:19:14) Media's Gender Bias: Critical Disparities Unveiled

(00:26:40) Embracing Life's Unexpected Chances and Growth

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Rate Amplify on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and leave a review for Jess Ekstrom.

Amplify with Jess is produced by Earfluence, and brought to you by Mic Drop Workshop.

Here's What You Need to Know about Women in 2024 Jul 22, 2024

Women’s voices have historically been suppressed, but just being aware of this can help them navigate today's gender landscape. Public speaking might be the most effective way to gain a voice, not only for yourself but also for future generations.

Learn how this sentiment inspired Jess to create a speaking course exclusively for women.

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Rate Amplify on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and leave a review for Jess Ekstrom.

Amplify with Jess is produced by Earfluence, and brought to you by Mic Drop Workshop.

Tackling Anxiety with Millennial Therapist Dr. Lauren Cook Jul 17, 2024

Millennials and Gen Z are the most anxious generations in history. Let that sink in - the most anxious generations in history!

Even though Gen X and baby boomers experienced some stressful situations, anxiety wasn't at the forefront of everyone's minds. So why is this happening to millennials in Gen Z, and what can we do about it?

Dr. Lauren Cook is a clinical psychologist, speaker, and author of Generation Anxiety and joins us to address the question of why younger generations are so anxious.

(00:01:29) "Embracing the Process: Mentors and Chunking"

(00:04:43) Primal Nature of Anxiety Responses

(00:07:38) Body-Involved Holistic Approach to Anxiety Healing

(00:16:36) "Building Confidence Through Strategic Career Steps"

(00:22:21) Comforting Strategies to Manage Public Speaking Anxiety

(00:26:03) Proactive Embrace: Navigating Anxiety with Empowerment

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Rate Amplify on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and leave a review for Jess Ekstrom.

Amplify with Jess is produced by Earfluence, and brought to you by Mic Drop Workshop.

How Doing the Thing I Was Most Scared of Actually Helped Me Jul 15, 2024

Sometimes, beating anxiety means stepping out of your comfort zone, and Jess has shared a personal experience of how she dealt with her own postpartum anxiety by signing up for a local stand-up comedy class.

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Rate Amplify on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and leave a review for Jess Ekstrom.

Amplify with Jess is produced by Earfluence, and brought to you by Mic Drop Workshop.

Leaving the Corporate Gig for a Speaking Career, with Mic Drop Alum Corrie LoGuidice Jul 10, 2024

When Corrie LoGuidice was juggling a high stress career as a Senior Vice President while being a single parent, she knew it was time for a change. She saw an ad for Mic Drop Workshop, and decided to sign up.

Shortly after, she was on the TEDx stage.

Today, Corrie talks about her Mic Drop experience and what she's accomplished since jumping off the corporate ladder.

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Rate Amplify on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and leave a review for Jess Ekstrom.

Amplify with Jess is produced by Earfluence, and brought to you by Mic Drop Workshop.

What Does Your Childhood Dream Say About You Today? Jul 08, 2024

Do you remember what you wanted to be when you grew up?

Maybe you’re doing something close to what you wanted to do as a kid, or maybe you’re on a different planet than what you’d initially vision-boarded in the cafeteria with your milk carton dunking your dinosaur nuggets. Still, either way, your answer is telling.

Why?

Tune in to find out!

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Amplify with Jess is produced by Earfluence, and brought to you by Mic Drop Workshop.

The Love-Hate Relationship of Feedback and Collecting it from the Stage with Talkadot's Arel Moodie Jul 03, 2024

Feedback and email capture are essential for speaker success, but they can also feel a bit self-serving. So, how can we collect these things effectively without the ickiness?

Today, Jess is joined by Arel Moodie, who is revolutionizing the speaking industry with Talkadot, a tool for quickly getting feedback from the audience, collecting testimonials, and capturing people in the audience who want to book you to speak again.

Learn how a platform like Talkadot can simplify building a speaking brand to get more paid gigs.

(00:00:33) Enhancing Speaker Credibility with Talkadot Feedback

(00:02:10) Data-Driven Feedback Gathering Tool: Talkadot

(00:02:48) Enhancing Speaker Pricing with Data-Driven Insights

(00:09:24) Empowering Speakers through Automated Lead Generation Technology

(00:15:13) Evolving into a lighthouse speaker mindset

(00:18:41) Building Community Through Email Engagement

(00:22:56) Enhancing Presentation Impact through Talkadot

(00:28:45) Leveraging Data Analytics for Speaker Success

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Rate Amplify on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and leave a review for Jess Ekstrom.

Amplify with Jess is produced by Earfluence, and brought to you by Mic Drop Workshop.

Why We Should Bring Boredom Back Jul 01, 2024

Do you remember the last time you were bored? Like, truly bored?

Nothing to read, nothing to scroll, nothing to listen to but your own thoughts.

Sounds scary right?

Except maybe boredom is the key to unlocking the next big idea.

Rate Amplify on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and leave a review for Jess Ekstrom.

Amplify with Jess is produced by Earfluence, and brought to you by Mic Drop Workshop.

How to Step Into Your Potential, with Disney Animator Saul Blinkoff Jun 26, 2024

"Every time we see somebody accomplish anything, it should always be a reminder to us that we can accomplish anything." - Saul Blinkoff

Saul has turned his dreams into reality. He's worked at some of the biggest names in the animation industry, including Disney Studios, MTV, ABC, Netflix, Mattel, and DreamWorks.

But that's not all.

He's also a life coach, a speaker, and a podcaster, helping others unlock their limitless potential. Today, we learn his story of the power to dream and gain self-belief despite setbacks and adversity.

(00:00:01) Fulfillment Through Creating Positive Impacts

(00:03:10) "From Childhood Dream to Disney Animator Success"

(00:07:54) Embracing Self-Belief for Craft Mastery

(00:12:41) "Embracing Challenges for Personal Fulfillment"

(00:16:27) The Power of Perseverance Through Failure

(00:18:55) Feedback-driven Mentorship for Personal and Professional Growth

(00:26:40) "Authentic Connection for Lasting Impact"

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Saul Blinkoff is a global keynote speaker, animator, director, and host of the Life of Awesome Podcast.

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Rate Amplify on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and leave a review for Jess Ekstrom.

Amplify with Jess is produced by Earfluence, and brought to you by Mic Drop Workshop.

Before you Change your Circumstance, Change your Mindset Jun 24, 2024

When Jess worked at Disney World, she saw the same two custodians every day—one who despised the job and the other who loved every minute of it. She wondered what separated the two in how they liked their jobs.

A Yale study might hold the answer and help transform her mindset.

Rate Amplify on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and leave a review for Jess Ekstrom.

Amplify with Jess is produced by Earfluence, and brought to you by Mic Drop Workshop.

How to GET YOUR TIME BACK, with Systems Expert Kate Rosenow Jun 19, 2024

Is balancing a successful business with family life, self-care, friends, and sleep achievable?

Our guest, Kate Rosenow, is a business systems strategist and the owner of "Work Well with Kate." She's an expert in helping service-based business owners scale without overwhelming (and understands this challenge firsthand as a mother!). She advocates for robust systems and clear boundaries in work and personal life, emphasizing planning, coordination, and reclaiming personal time.

Kate's holistic approach encourages mothers to prioritize happiness while pursuing business goals.

Who knows? Maybe it's possible to have it all without getting too stressed.

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Kate Rosenow works with service-based business owners to implement the right systems and operations so they can scale their business and create consistent income without working crazy hours.

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Rate Amplify on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and leave a review for Jess Ekstrom.

Amplify with Jess is produced by Earfluence, and brought to you by Mic Drop Workshop.

When You're in the Thick of It, Listen to This Jun 17, 2024

When Jess took her daughter Ellie on her first flight, she survived two meltdowns—and only one of them was from Ellie. As they walked up and down the plane aisle, trying to soothe each other (along with some passengers giving her side eye), Jess realized that she had changed her thoughts about other people's perspectives.

Rate Amplify on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and leave a review for Jess Ekstrom.

Amplify with Jess is produced by Earfluence, and brought to you by Mic Drop Workshop.

Motherhood, Speaking and Much More with Shark Tank Alum Megan Reilly Jun 12, 2024

How do you juggle being an entrepreneur, mom, and keynote speaker? Meet Megan Reilly, the founder behind Tippi Toes's children's dance company, who was featured on a little-known show called Shark Tank. (You may have heard of it.)

She and Jess discuss balancing motherhood with career aspirations and embracing both simultaneously.

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Megan Reilly is a keynote speaker, COO of Tippi Toes, and host of the Who is Your Momma? Podcast.

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Rate Amplify on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and leave a review for Jess Ekstrom.

Amplify with Jess is produced by Earfluence, and brought to you by Mic Drop Workshop.

Escaping the 'What's Next' Trap: Embracing Contentment in the Present Jun 10, 2024

A major hurdle we face as achievers is the "Wanting Mind." This mindset is consistently dissatisfied, hindering our ability to remain present. Instead of enjoying the journey, we're constantly seeking the next destination, like a child repeatedly asking, "Are we there yet?"

Rate Amplify on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and leave a review for Jess Ekstrom.

Amplify with Jess is produced by Earfluence, and brought to you by Mic Drop Workshop.

How to Crack LinkedIn to Work for You, with LinkedIn Expert Melanie Borden Jun 05, 2024

As the VP of a marketing agency in 2019, Melanie Borden had zero digital footprint. But she decided it was time to step it up, and today, as we publish this episode, she has over 181,000 followers on LinkedIn!

How did she do it? And how can you step up your LinkedIn presence to increase demand for your speaking?

Let's find out!

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Melanie Borden is the Founder and CEO of The Borden Group, which transforms businesses and executives on LinkedIn by increasing their reach, impact, and brand marketing effectiveness, turning their personal brands into a powerful channel for achieving growth and fulfilling their mission.

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Rate Amplify on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and leave a review for Jess Ekstrom.

Amplify with Jess is produced by Earfluence, and brought to you by Mic Drop Workshop.

A Life-Changing Lesson About Our Thoughts Jun 03, 2024

Jess has a personal Aesop tale that shifted her views on positive and negative thoughts, luck, and she's sharing the story today to explain how it transformed her Zen energy.

Rate Amplify on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and leave a review for Jess Ekstrom.

Amplify with Jess is produced by Earfluence, and brought to you by Mic Drop Workshop.

Nervous Energy and Practicing Flubs with international speaker Lindsay Boccardo May 29, 2024

Lindsay Boccardo is no stranger to making mistakes. One of the biggest mistakes she made was walking down the aisle to marry a man while trying to convince herself she wasn't gay! However, once she became comfortable with her authentic self, she made a career out of speaking and training organizations on how to support their team members to be themselves.

Today, Lindsay talks about mistakes, bringing your full self to the stage, and how to practice the inevitable flubs - because they will happen!

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Lindsay Boccardo is a keynote speaker who works with organizations who are ready to maximize the talent of multiple generations in their workforce. She's also the creator of the Dynamic Delivery Course inside Mic Drop Workshop.

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Rate Amplify on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and leave a review for Jess Ekstrom.

Amplify with Jess is produced by Earfluence, and brought to you by Mic Drop Workshop.

Try This Tip to Start Teaching Value to Others May 27, 2024

One of the lessons the Mic Drop Workshop team teaches is Moment to Meaning. If you can look at your day like a film strip and place your finger on a moment—big or small—what would the greater meaning of that moment be?

Today, Jess unpacks Moment to Meaning and shares how it applies to becoming a more powerful, more memorable speaker.

Rate Amplify on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and leave a review for Jess Ekstrom.

Amplify with Jess is produced by Earfluence, and brought to you by Mic Drop Workshop.

Quieting Your Inner Critic, with Neuropsychotherapist Britt Frank May 22, 2024

Where does that inner critic of yours pop up from, and how can we handle it? Jess is joined by Britt Frank, a clinician, trauma specialist, and author of The Science of Stuck. Learn tips Britt has on calming nerves, changing self-talk, and staying true to yourself in creative endeavors.

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Britt Frank, LSCSW, SEP is a human behavior expert, licensed neuropsychotherapist and author of The Science of Stuck.

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Rate Amplify on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and leave a review for Jess Ekstrom.

Amplify with Jess is produced by Earfluence, and brought to you by Mic Drop Workshop.

Learn These Two Words to Ditch Overthinking and Start Creating May 20, 2024

A few years ago, Jess was on a retreat for "high-achievement women." Everyone was in their 20s-40s, except for a woman who was probably in her mid-70s. When Jess struck up a conversation with her, she asked if she got uncomfortable standing out at events like this.

And the two words the woman taught her completely changed Jess's perspective on overthinking and creativity.

Rate Amplify on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and leave a review for Jess Ekstrom.

Amplify with Jess is produced by Earfluence, and brought to you by Mic Drop Workshop.

How to Change Your Life with Top-Rated Speaker Cassandra Worthy May 15, 2024

Do you need a change in your life? Maybe you're stuck in a corporate gig, and while you love the consistent paydays and health insurance, you also feel like there’s so much more to your professional legacy.

Founder and CEO of Change Enthusiasm Global, Cassandra Worthy, needed that change. She was a chemical engineer 15 years into her career at Procter and Gamble and thought she would retire there, but a voice inside told her there was more out there.

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Cassandra Worthy is founder and CEO of Change Enthusiasm Global, a boutique consulting firm with clients that include several Fortune 500 companies, and the author of Change Enthusiasm: How to Harness the Power of Emotion for Leadership and Success.

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Amplify with Jess is produced by Earfluence, and brought to you by Mic Drop Workshop.

Postpartum Depression Sucked, But Here's What It Taught Me May 13, 2024

Today, Jess opens up about her personal journey with postpartum depression and anxiety. That period sucked, but she learned some valuable lessons on motherhood and emerged with a completely different attitude about embracing a new period of your life.

Amplify with Jess is produced by Earfluence, and brought to you by Mic Drop Workshop.

Embrace Your One-of-a-Kind Mind with the Viral Kim and Penn Holderness May 08, 2024

On YouTube, you've probably seen today's guests, Kim and Penn Holderness. Their family videos have been consistently hilarious, starting with their rise to fame with Christmas Jammies 10 years ago.

They just released a new book, ADHD is Awesome, and are here to share their perspectives on the challenges and superpowers of Penn's ADHD.

Listen and see how ADHD helps them with speaking prep instead of hindering it.

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Amplify with Jess is produced by Earfluence, and brought to you by Mic Drop Workshop.

From Cringe to Confidence: Embracing Your Authentic Self in a Judgmental World May 06, 2024

In the speaking world, so many things are measured and judged. How many people were in the audience? How many likes were on that Reel? How many views were on the YouTube video?

Maybe you've heard critics and the voice inside your head tell you that broadcasting your message to a small audience is "cringe-worthy."

Well, maybe it's time to embrace the cringe!

Amplify with Jess is produced by Earfluence, and brought to you by Mic Drop Workshop.

24. Netflix Co-founder Marc Randolph on Testing New Material On Stage Mar 27, 2024

As co-founder and first CEO of Netflix, Marc Randolph led the company from its inception in 1998 through its IPO in 2002. He left the company a year later to pursue other passions, which includes public speaking.

Today, Marc joins Jess to discuss the importance of experimentation on stage, the value of continuous improvement, adapting to audience feedback, and why he’s committed to supporting women in professional speaking.
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Marc Randolph is the author of That Will Never Work: The Birth of Netflix and the Amazing Life of an Idea.
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[01:30] “99% of the time, they don't work. And those aren't failures.”
[04:00] Marc’s standard talk and hero’s journey framework
[07:00] Why and when Marc will work for cheap
[10:30] “The most obnoxious beginning to a story ever.”
[14:00] Spotlight speaker vs Lighthouse speaker
[15:45] How can women get more placement on stages?
[20:00] Everybody has something worth sharing
[22:00] The audience - “Not only are they looking at their phone, they're talking on their phone!”

Amplify with Jess is produced by Earfluence, and brought to you by Mic Drop Workshop.

23. More Doors Open When You Take the Opportunity Mar 25, 2024

When Jess was in college, she applied for an internship with NBC’s Today Show…and got it. In the back of her mind though, she was pretty sure she only got the job for a nefarious reason.

But did that really matter?

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Amplify with Jess is produced by Earfluence, and brought to you by Mic Drop Workshop.

22. Creating Confidence On Stage, with Heather Monahan Mar 20, 2024

Today we explore what many of us struggle with - the power of confidence and self-belief. The trick is that confidence is a muscle we can work on every day, and we can create a strong foundation from within.

Join us as Jess chats with Heather Monahan, who shares her transformation story from sales manager to successful keynote speaker, while emphasizing the value of authenticity and aligning personal stories with industry problems.

She also shares her tips on visualization and positive affirmations for public speaking success.

Heather Monahan is a Top 50 Keynote Speaker in the World 2022, TedX Speaker, Podcast Host of Creating Confidence, 2X Best-Selling Author (Confidence Creator and Overcome Your Villains) and the CEO of Boss in Heels.

[02:53] Confidence is the key to speaking success.

[05:48] How a lost job led to intrinsic confidence.

[10:56] Caring enough or caring too much?

[17:26] How research, asking questions, and solving problems leads to increased revenue.

[23:29] Investing in yourself and declaring your worth.

Amplify with Jess is produced by Earfluence, and brought to you by Mic Drop Workshop.

21. Your "NO" Era Mar 18, 2024

There are so many great reasons to embrace your “Yes” era. Saying yes to as many opportunities as you can fit into your day. Taking the job, taking the trip, going to the conference, joining the club and showing up to as many things as possible. And with each experience that you have, you walk away with more knowledge about yourself, the world, and your place in it.

But maybe now it’s time for your “No” era.

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Amplify with Jess is produced by Earfluence, and brought to you by Mic Drop Workshop.

20. Having the Guts to Face Your Fears, with Natalie Franke Mar 13, 2024

Whenever we step on stage, we’re making a courageous choice to be there and share our authentic selves with the audience.

But what does it mean to be gutsy?

Today, Natalie Franke shares her personal journey of facing a brain tumor diagnosis and infertility, while building her career.

Jess and Natalie emphasize the continuous learning process of courage and the significance of self-reflection and embracing change. They also discuss the power of vulnerability, community support, and the value of integrity in personal and professional growth.

Natalie Franke is the Head of Community at Flodesk and author of Gutsy: Learning to Live With Bold, Brave, and Boundless Courage.

[00:02] Courage looks different for everyone.

[03:20] Evolution of Natalie’s struggles and gutsiness.

[06:16] How Natalie changed her perspective on courage.

[10:13] Fear is natural but keep moving forward.

[12:56] The impostor syndrome advantage.

[18:46] Finding authenticity in breaking free.

[23:49] Building your inner circle.

Amplify with Jess is produced by Earfluence, and brought to you by Mic Drop Workshop.

19. Is There Room for Everyone at the Top? Mar 11, 2024

Whenever you have reached any level of success, it helps others (and yourself) to be transparent about the messier early days.

Today, Jess shares a story about a speaking event early in her career where she was picked up in a limo, and it seemed like an “I Made It!” moment.

But instead, she was quickly reminded that not everyone was rooting for her success.

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Amplify with Jess is produced by Earfluence, and brought to you by Mic Drop Workshop.

Speaking While Female: Are We Making Progress? Dana Rubin Has Thoughts Mar 06, 2024

Women’s voices have been suppressed for hundreds of years. Is it any wonder that we’re still facing a gender pay gap? We’re making progress, but we still have a long way to go.

Today, Dana Rubin joins the podcast to explore the evolution of women's voices in history and the importance of inclusive communication. She discusses the need to document and share women's speeches, as well as showcasing diverse speeches.

It’s time to amplify all voices for diverse perspectives - through effective communication strategies, the power of authenticity, vulnerability, and adapting speech to connect with audiences.

Dana Rubin is the author of “Speaking While Female: 75 Extraordinary Speeches by American Women", and founder of the Speaking While Female Speech Bank.

[01:56] Men's voices dominate history, where are women's?
[03:48] History lesson: Women were silenced, but spoke up.
[08:35] How we can support women to stand up and speak
[10:50] Including men in the conversation
[13:16] The power of the pause
[14:57] Overriding stereotypes
[17:04] Embracing emotions and authenticity

Amplify with Jess is produced by Earfluence, and brought to you by Mic Drop Workshop.

17. The First Speech I Ever Gave Mar 04, 2024

Today, Jess takes us back to the first speech she ever gave. Fifth grade graduation at Cornelius Elementary School.

Kids typically don't fear public speaking or sharing what's on their mind because they haven't been taught to think about what others are thinking of them. They haven't been taught that that maybe limits exist or maybe I'll fail.

So how did it go for Jess?

Amplify with Jess is produced by Earfluence, and brought to you by Mic Drop Workshop.

16. Avoiding Burnout and Keeping the Meetings with Yourself, with Dr. Lorneka Joseph Feb 28, 2024

Dr. Lorneka Joseph found herself in the hospital after pushing too hard, and she uncovered a hard truth - she needed to slow down or stare directly at a premature death.

Today, Lorneka and Jess discuss the importance of prioritizing self-care and well-being for high achievers. They share insights on setting boundaries, recognizing red flags of neglecting personal health, and integrating self-care into daily routines.

It’s not easy, but we can all learn how to be ambitious without sacrificing our physical and mental well-being.

Dr. Lorneka Joseph is a Pharmacist, Motivational Speaker, Life and Wellness Coach for high achievers and organizations redefining work and wellness.

[01:00] Introducing Dr. Lorneka Joseph
[04:30] How do we strike a balance of being an ambitious person, but not at the expense of our physical and mental wellbeing?
[08:30] “Without our health, we're absolutely nothing.”
[12:45] Red flags showing you’re not prioritizing self
[17:00] How can we unlearn productivity in a wellness-focused way?
[19:00] Dr. Lorneka’s stress-induced anxiety attack
[22:45] “ Just because I have the ability to do something, it doesn't mean that I have the capability to do something.”

Amplify with Jess is produced by Earfluence, and brought to you by Mic Drop Workshop.

15. When I Approached Burnout, a Horrible Thing Happened Feb 26, 2024

Today, Jess shares a story about what happened to her physically when she was full steam ahead in her work and completely neglecting self-care.

If you’re barreling toward burnout, you’ll want to listen to this, as Jess shares some tips to help you get off the hamster wheel to something that resembles more of a work-life balance.

Amplify with Jess is produced by Earfluence, and brought to you by Mic Drop Workshop.

14. Is Anyone Really a Natural at Speaking On Stage? Perfecting Your Craft, with Rachel DeAlto Feb 21, 2024

What does it mean to be a natural at speaking? Or is that the wrong question, because being a natural at speaking is a load of crap?

Speaking can be taught, speaking can be learned, and we have to learn it somewhere. So when you see someone that is up on stage, so effortlessly sharing their story, or it seems like they have all the confidence in the world, you know what? They have had insecurities before. That happens with anything. If we work at it, we mess up.

Our guest today is Rachel DeAlto, and seems like someone who can be so effortless on stage. But that’s not the reality.

Rachel DeAlto is a relatability and communication expert, motivational keynote speaker, and author of relatable: How to Connect with Anyone, Anywhere (Even if it Scares You).

[01:30] “Rachel clearly isn’t capable of doing this.”

[05:11] Reflecting on past mistakes

[08:22] “The house is built. It's time to live in it. It's time to enjoy it.”

[10:57] Relatability in relationships and personal growth.

[13:10] Speaking relies on relatable stories, not AI.

[18:02] Building one-to-one connections.

[00:20:15] "My signature story is about a cat allergy."

Amplify with Jess is produced by Earfluence, and brought to you by Mic Drop Workshop.

13. From Nervous Wreck to Captivating Speaker Feb 19, 2024

On today’s Monday Motivation, let’s learn how to become a more confident public speaker. Jess Ekstrom explains the difference between being a “spotlight speaker” and a “lighthouse speaker” and encourages you to shift your mindset to focus on delivering value to the audience.

She also shares a mantra with you to ease nerves before speaking, and discusses how to anticipate challenges and come up with solutions.

Amplify with Jess is produced by Earfluence, and brought to you by Mic Drop Workshop.

12. The Gender Pay Gap in Speaking and Sports, with Parity CEO Leela Srinivasan Feb 14, 2024

With only 0.5% of global sports sponsorship dollars going to female athletes, we still have a long way to go in closing the gender pay gap in women's sports!

Today, Leela Srinivasan sheds light on the challenges women face in negotiating fair compensation and the role of social media in amplifying their voices.

Tune in to learn more about the efforts to promote gender equality in sports and how you can support women athletes.

Leela Srinivasan is the CEO of Parity, which helps brands tap into the power, popularity, and reach of pro women athletes.

[02:38] Closing the gender pay gap in sports.

[08:09] How Parity helps female athletes get opportunities.

[11:18] Importance of data and storytelling in speaking career.

[15:07] Don’t believe the headlines: Progress in women's pay is misleading.

[21:32] Pay transparency and representation to navigate negotiations and create more opportunities.

[24:59] How you can support female athletes and speakers.

[27:57] Life-changing experience in Africa.

Amplify with Jess is produced by Earfluence, and brought to you by Mic Drop Workshop.

11. Tips to Increase Your Self-Confidence Feb 12, 2024

We're getting close to Valentine's Day! Around this time, we think a lot about relationships with others.

But what about taking a moment to think about the relationship with yourself and your own self-worth?

Start by answering: "What makes you feel worthy?"

Amplify with Jess is produced by Earfluence, and brought to you by Mic Drop Workshop.

10. Diversity in the Speaking World: The Uplifting Impact of Deanna Singh Feb 07, 2024

Growing up in a household of 30+ people, with an African American mom and a Sikh American dad, the importance of diversity was ingrained in Deanna Singh from the moment she was born.

As a speaker, however, she noticed that diversity was clearly not a value of every event organizer.

Today, Jess and guest Deanna Singh emphasize the need for diverse perspectives in conferences and events to provide unique and valuable content to the audience.

Deanna Singh is the managing partner of Uplifting Impact, and the author of Actions Speak Louder.

[03:34] Public speaking is a skill, not a gift.

[05:38] Overcoming fear and embracing imperfections in public speaking.

[09:40] Diversity (or lack of diversity) in the speaking industry.

[12:23] Creating equity and inclusion helps meet everyone’s goals.

[14:32] Increasing diversity by changing recruitment practices.

[19:56] Inviting diverse speakers only for diversity topics.

[21:50] Advocating for others and sharing opportunities.

Amplify with Jess is produced by Earfluence, and brought to you by Mic Drop Workshop.

9. When You're Overwhelmed, Listen to This Episode Feb 05, 2024

Today’s Monday Motivation is how to deal when feeling constantly overwhelmed.

Jess shares her own experience of feeling overwhelmed when the never-ending tasks never seem to reach the bottom of the pile.

Learn how she reduced burnout by embracing the never-ending pile.

Amplify with Jess is produced by Earfluence, and brought to you by Mic Drop Workshop.

8. Negotiation Tips to Get Paid What You're Worth (And Maybe More), with Meggie Palmer Jan 31, 2024

Meggie Palmer and Jess Ekstrom share the same mission - Close the Gender Pay Gap!

Both ladies are on a mission to increase women's pay and communication surrounding it.

Today, Meggie dives into these 6 tips with Jess to help you get paid what you're worth:

The need to build relationships with audiences
Offering free resources (yes, to help you get paid more)
The value of preparation in negotiations
Meggie's three W's framework for determining one's range in negotiations
The power of saying no
Embracing an abundance mindset

Meggie Palmer is the founder of PepTalkHer, speaker, and journalist. She’s a native Australian who now calls NYC home.

[00:02:43] Gender pay gap is a problem. Start small, start local

[00:06:21] Craft a speaker statement and reach out to opportunities closest to cash.

[00:08:11] Negotiation for speaking engagements and non-monetary compensation

[00:11:37] Building referrals

[00:15:07] Negotiation is just a conversation, but requires knowing your worth

[00:21:37] The power of saying NO

[00:23:49] Building demand by creating FOMO can be powerful

[00:27:49] Collaboration and support are key

Amplify with Jess is produced by Earfluence, and brought to you by Mic Drop Workshop.

7. It's Time to Stop Faking It Jan 29, 2024

Welcome back to Amplify with Jess Ekstrom!

Today's Monday Motivation: "Faking it" shouldn't lead to "Making it".

When Jess began her career, she wanted everyone to believe she had it all figured out and thought the best way to prove that was through appearance and speech.

She would wear blazers and shoes that just weren't her style, try to emulate other leaders that she admired, and use words that weren't in her daily vocabulary.

But she realized quickly that faking it wasn’t serving her at all. It wasn’t until a “speaking gig” where she spoke honestly to the attendees that she found her voice.

Tune in to hear all about it.

Amplify with Jess is produced by Earfluence, and brought to you by Mic Drop Workshop.

6. Conquer Imposter Syndrome. JK, but Here's How to Try, with Liz Forkin Bohannon Jan 24, 2024

A beginner's mindset can foster curiosity, creativity, and growth - and it can even help out at least a little bit with that fear we all have: Imposter Syndrome.

Today, Liz Forkin Bohannon talks to Jess what she calls “Beginner’s Pluck,, imposter syndrome, the power of storytelling, and the beauty of being an outsider.

Liz Forkin Bohannon is the Founder of Sseko Designs, keynote speaker, host of the Plucking Up Podcast, and author of Beginner’s Pluck.

(00:00) Introducing Liz Forkin Bohannon

(04:30) The awkwardness of being a beginner

(08:30) The problem with Earned Dogmatism

(12:30) Your responsibility to share your knowledge

(18:30) Liz’s evolution from business owner to speaker to thought leader

(22:30) “I can’t do math in public. Why are you bringing me to speak?”

(25:40) Beginner’s Pluck

Amplify with Jess is produced by Earfluence, and brought to you by Mic Drop Workshop.

5. What Earning My Disney Ears Taught Me About Being a Beginner Jan 22, 2024

Welcome back to Amplify with Jess Ekstrom!

In today's Monday Motivation, Jess explores how an optimistic beginner mindset can pave the way for future success.

From wearing a badge that said “Earning My Ears” while working at Disney to trying stand-up comedy classes, Jess shares stories to encourage a shifting mindset from “I’ve never done this before” to “I’ve never done this before, so I’ll start here.”

Amplify with Jess is produced by Earfluence, and brought to you by Mic Drop Workshop.

4. Don't DIY Your DEI: Courageous Conversations with Antoinetta Mosley Jan 17, 2024

We all have at least a little bit of fear before we grab the mic. It takes a lot of courage to go up on stage and speak in front of people you don’t know.

So, how do we consistently find the courage to take that next step? Today, Antoinetta Mosley joins me for a conversation on courage - not just in speaking but other aspects of life.

Antoinetta Mosley helps people reach their highest potential by teaching them the power of consistently cultivating courage. She’s the founder of I Follow the Leader and Chief Encouragement Officer at Courage Candy, and I’m proud to say a Mic Drop Workshop graduate.

(00:00) Introducing Antoinetta Mosley

(03:25) Don’t DIY your DEI

(06:45) Calling out events that lack diversity

(11:15) “Hi, my name is (blank), and I help people (blank)”

(12:35) Antoinetta’s first gig

(15:00) How speaking has changed for Antoinetta over the last 7 years

(18:00) Courage in speaking

Amplify with Jess is produced by Earfluence, and brought to you by Mic Drop Workshop.

3. 6 Ways to Use Your Voice in 2024 Jan 15, 2024

Welcome back to Amplify with Jess Ekstrom!

For today’s Monday Motivation, Jess talks about why habits and intentions are more effective than New Year's Resolutions.

If one of your resolutions is to grow your personal brand, Jess is going to share some of her habits to make that goal happen, including speaking engagements, podcast guesting, and writing!

Learn how to leverage your platform - to serve both yourself and everyone out there who needs to hear your message.

Amplify with Jess is produced by Earfluence, and brought to you by Mic Drop Workshop.

2. The Mistake You're Making by NOT Creating that Video, with Giselle Ugarte Jan 10, 2024

Welcome to Amplify with Jess, Today, we’re leading off with Giselle Ugarte, Global Speaker and Executive Performance Coach, and someone who’s become TikTok famous. Giselle wasn’t always comfortable being behind the camera, so I ask her what happened and why she appears so confident now.

(00:00) The confidence journey

(03:56) Admitting vulnerability

(07:47) Breaking barriers

(11:00) Competition or support system?

(17:58) Conquering your content creation fears

(21:10) “What if you just let it be messy and you just let it be real and you just let it be you.”

(27:14) Managing video expectations

(29:20) J-Lo: Longevity over virality

Amplify with Jess is produced by Earfluence, and brought to you by Mic Drop Workshop.

1. Inspiration or Comparison? Jan 08, 2024

Welcome to Amplify with Jess! Get ready to dive into anecdotes, insights, and tips that'll amp up your 2024!

Today, we’re talking about the fine line between inspiration and comparison. When you see others winning (especially on social media), do you find that motivating? Or a little deflating? If it makes you feel less than, what can you do about it?

Amplify with Jess is produced by Earfluence, and brought to you by Mic Drop Workshop.

New Name, New Season Coming January 8th, 2024! Jan 01, 2024

I was hesitant to restart this podcast because my mind was saying, "Is the world too noisy right now? Are we in information overload? Will I be yet another podcast that people will roll their eyes at?"

But we were in Week 3 of Mic Drop Academy, which is our 10-week elite speaker program for women. And I was giving advice to someone who is hesitant to start their career as a speaker or in thought leadership - If what you have to say can help someone else, then you'd be doing them a disservice by not saying it.

So this podcast - with a new name, Amplify with Jess Ekstrom - is another way I can help lift women up. And I have some pretty amazing guests lined up who will help as well!

Follow along on any podcast channel or on YouTube, and we'll see you January 8th with episode 1!

Amplify with Jess Ekstrom is produced by Earfluence and brought to you by Mic Drop Workshop.

42: 1 Mantra That Will Rock Your World Jun 20, 2021

Do you find it hard to separate your personal worth from your business, allowing every little failure to eat you up? I'm going to let you in on a little secret and daily mantra I use: it's just business.

Over the last few years, I've dealt with the pain that comes from someone not loving a product, because I was taking it personally. When I started using this mantra, I found more space to focus on growth.

About the Phrase: It's just business. (1:21)

Using "It's just business." as a Mindset Hack (2:02)

How Moods Affect Your Day (3:01)

Putting Space Between the Person You are and the Product You're Creating (6:29)

Removing Ego From Your Work (7:16)

Text HYPE to 7042289495

41: 3 Ways to Get Speaking Gigs with Suz Chadwick Jun 13, 2021

As a speaker, you're always looking for ways to gain experience and land speaking gigs, right? Suz Chadwick is sharing 3 ways to qualify yourself as a speaker and get booked for speaking engagements.

Listen in as she walks us through what it looks like to call yourself a speaker, how to show your value, and where you need to start today!

Get to Know Suz (2:41)

Three Ways to Land Speaking Engagements:

1. Practice with low hanging fruit: Podcast, FB/IG Live, Webinar, Events (3:14)

2. Create assets that qualify you as a speaker and make you credible. (7:42)

3. Start calling yourself a speaker. (16:38)

Title it on social media. Sample

Add a speaking page to your website. Sample

Add yourself as a Speaker title on your LinkedIn position. Sample

One Liner: Being a successful speaker is about using your story to help people in their story.

Links

suzchadwick.com

Suz's Webinar

Review the Transcript at businessonthebrightside.com

40: How to Land a TED Talk Jun 06, 2021

Are you dreaming of standing on a stage next to those three big, red letters? Let's get you ready to land a TED Talk!

In this episode of Business on the Bright Side, I'm sharing the four P's to getting booked for a TED Talk!

Jess' First TedX Talk (1:06)

Ted X Talk vs. Ted Talk (1:47)

Ted X Talk: Localize Events

Ted Talk: Main Events

The Benefit of the Ted X Talk: (2:10)

- You can feature the logo on your site.

- You can prove your speaking ability for a Ted Talk.

- It will propel your speaking career.

- Provides credibility as a speaker.

- Lists you on their speaking directory.

The Four P's to Land a Ted Talk: (2:54)

Passion

Prepare

Practice

Pitch

Passion: What's a unique subject or concept that you're passionate about? (3:09)

Bright Pages Speaker Pathway

Prepare (4:31)

The Importance of Your Ted Talk Title (4:33)

The Transformation Promise (5:25)

Jess' Transformation Promise: I help audiences become more optimistic by believing that the future is good and they can be the ones to create it.

Practice (7:43)

Pitch (8:57)

1. Apply to all Ted X Talks, not just your local ones.

2. Review the theme of the event to tweak your pitch to fit that theme.

Get my Pitch Templates from Mic Drop Workshop

Set Up Google Alerts & Get Notified (9:47)

Links

Find a Ted X Event

Mic Drop Workshop

Free Keynote Planner

Monday Morning Hype Text: To sign up, text HYPE to 7042289495

Review the transcript at businessonthebrightside.com.

39: 3 Ways To Be More Direct with Erica Reitman May 30, 2021

We live in a society where it's hard to be direct and say what you want—but I want to change that, starting with myself.

Erica Reitman joins us today for a straightforward conversation on three ways to be more direct in both your life and your career. Listen in as she walks us through her journey and how being direct has moved the needle forward!

Erica’s Past as an Interior Designer (1:44)

Inner Shift to Coaching (3:31)

Three Ways to Be More Direct (7:07)

1. Setting the tone for being direct (7:07)

2. Being straightforward in your pricing (14:40)

3. Be clear about who you want to work with (17:18)

Parting Advice (20:47)

Links:

instagram.com/ericareitman

ericareitman.com

Review the transcript at businessonthebrightside.com

38: 3 Ways to Make Your Website More Accessible with Myrna Daramy May 23, 2021

Are you ready to make your website accessible for everyone? Let's test your website's accessibility!

Myrna Daramy is an advocate for Digital Media Optimization, encouraging others to create an inclusive and accessible space in their brands. Listen in as she walks us through opportunities for improvement and how we can start optimizing our websites today!

DMO: Digital Media Optimization (1:50)

Digital Inclusivity: Your digital platforms are accessible to any and everyone. (3:41)

ADA Compliance (5:53)

Disabilities to consider: Mobility, Hearing Impaired, Hard of Hearing, Vision Loss, Deaf, ADHD, Epilepsy, Cognitive (7:42)

Three Ways to Make Your Website Accessible:

1. Run an automated test to be ADA compliant (9:03)

Wave, ace, Site Improve (only 25% accurate)

Levels of ADA Compliance

A - Lowest Level of Compliance

AA - Industry Standard of 38 Checkmarks

AAA - 100% ADA Compliant

2. Working with your designer or developer to ensure you’re compliant.

Myrna’s checklist

3. Add Active ADA Widget

One Liner: In order to accomplish Digital Media Optimization, you not only have to consider how diverse you are, how inclusive you are, but also how accessible you are. (20:23)

Links:

myrnadaramy.com

Myrna’s checklist

instagram.com/myrnapdaramy

Active ADA Widget

37: Do I Need a Trademark? with Michelle Murphy May 16, 2021

Do you have a great business idea or name? You may be asking yourself, "Do I need a trademark?"

Michelle Murphy of Wilson Murphy Law and The CEO Legal Loft join us to discuss when and why you need a trademark for your big idea, and how to go about the trademark process. Listen in as she walks through a trademark search, a few legal steps to take when you're getting started, and how an attorney can help you get legal!

Something that Made Michelle Want to Quit What She Does: She felt like she was talking to no one. (2:48)

What Kept Michelle Going: Staycations (6:02)

Michelle's Mission Statement: Make legal accessible and easy to understand. (7:47)

Tips to Getting Legal When Starting a Business (12:36)

1. Research your name and make sure it isn’t taken as a trademark, then trademark it.

2. Make sure you have terms & conditions and privacy policy up on your website (include CCPA).

3. Separate your bank accounts from business and personal.

Holding a Trademark Name (18:06)

Costs and Time Investment of a Trademark (18:42)

Links

Wilsonmurphylaw.com

theceolegalloft.com

instagram.com/thetrademarkattorney_

Review the Transcript:

36: How to Activate Your Creativity with Brit Morin May 09, 2021

What does creativity mean to you? Have you found a way to incorporate it into your life?

In this episode of Business on the Bright Side, I'm joined by Brit Morin of Self Made and Brit & Co to discuss how you can activate your creativity, dive into what your passionate about, and use that to launch the business you've been dreaming about!

Get to Know Brit (1:14)

The Journey of Brit & Co (3:03)

Developing Self Made (6:48)

What Being Self Made Means (9:54)

In December of 2020, 140k jobs were lost by women, 16k were gained by men.

What Gives You the Most Energy? (12:49)

a) Eating well

b) Sleeping well

c) Drinking more water

Answer: Working on the thing you’re passionate about.

You make time for the things you care about, you make excuses for the things that you don’t.

How to Test a Business IdeaWithout Going All-In (15:24)

Self Sabatoge (17:58)

Giving Yourself a Timeline (20:30)

Pivoting in Business (21:41)

Vision Casting & Creativity (23:08)

Links

brit.co

tryselfmade.com

facebook.com/groups/tryselfmade

Podcast: Teach Me Something New

Review the transcript at businessonthebrightside.com.

35: Why Your Name is Worth Millions with Audria Richmond May 02, 2021

Do you typically stick to the same marketing tactics you've always worked with in your business? Sometimes that can leave you stagnant.

Audria Richmond is making big moves in new marketing strategies and techniques, which is why I thought it was so important to bring her on the show. Audria joins us to share three ways you can try new marketing in your business this year to set yourself apart!

Get to Know Audria (:59)

Three Ways to Try New Marketing (1:57)

1. Micro-Marketing: Simplify Your Content + Solutions to Get to the Point (1:57)

2. Take Advantage of Audio Based Platforms (7:44)

3. Having a Book as a Business Card (11:50)

Legacy Books
Manifesto Books

One Liners: (19:00)

You can copy the front end, but you can never copy the backend.

The worst thing you can do to a great idea is not give it a marketing plan.

Links

audriarichmond.com

instagram.com/audriarichmond

UnCloned Marketing

34: How My Business Got in the Top 1% of All Shopify Stores Apr 25, 2021

As my team celebrates Headbands of Hope's 9th birthday, we're also celebrating the honor of being ranked in the top 1% of all Shopify stores!

As I reflect on these last 9 years, there are so many experiences that led to this success in business! Listen in as I share 5 things that I believe contributed to our top 1% ranking of all Shopify stores!

Plus, make sure you use the code FIRSTTIMER for 20% off at headbandsofhope.com and help us reach one million headbands donated!

How our store got in the top 1% of all Shopify stores:

1. I hired people before I was ready. (2:42)

2. We’re quick to pivot. (5:20)

How can we always be a speedboat and not a cruise ship.

3. We kept showing up and continue to gather data. (6:47)

4. We diversified our revenue streams. (8:32)

5. We had fun. (9:40)

Recap (11:18)

Use code FIRSTTIMER for 20% OFF at headbandsofhope.com

One Liner: Don’t let, “I don’t know where to begin,” keep you from beginning. (11:55)

Links:

headbandsofhope.com

Review the transcript at businessonthebrightside.com!

33: 3 Ways to Use Video to Connect with Your Audience with Natasha Samuel Apr 11, 2021

Have you been hesitant to put yourself on video in your business? Today, Natasha Samuel of Shine with Natasha joins us to help you set aside any fears by sharing the impact video can have on connect with your audience.

Listen in as she shares 3 ways you can use video on Instagram to connect, plus she's providing a few ideas to help get you started!

Becoming an Instagram Strategist (3:11)

Why Video is Important (5:07)

Three Types of Video to Build a Connection with Your Audience: (7:19)

1. Instagram Stories (7:19)

Your audience is likely watching through stories more than they’re scrolling.

It allows you to be less curated and people like that.

It’s more accessible for creators and end users.

2. Instagram Live (11:39)

Instagram Lives Show Up First on Instagram

Ways to Show Up on Live:

You can Host a Q+A and engage your audience.
Webinar Style with Powerpoint Slide Functionality
Have a Guest Join You Live to Swap Followers
Pop Up Coaching

3. Instagram Reels (16:55)

Instagram Reels have taken over the primary form of video on Instagram.

You can show your personality.
You can reach new audiences and grow your following.

Links

shinewithnatasha.com

Instagram.com/shinewithnatasha

Sunshine Shop

32: 3 Ways to Stop Overthinking with Jon Acuff Apr 04, 2021

Overthinking can cause so much more stress than any of us need—let's crush those tendencies and stop overthinking.

Jon Acuff joins us in this episode to share three ways you can stop overthinking in every aspect of your life. Listen in as he walks us through these steps and how he's used them in his own life.

Three Ways to Stop Overthinking (1:03)

1. Retire Your Broken Soundtrack (1:19)

Bright Pages (6:06). +1:30

2. Replace those thoughts with new, positive ones. (9:40)

Find a broken soundtrack by writing down something you want to do, then listen to what you want to hear.

3. Repeat what you want. (13:01)

Parting Advice (20:16)

Links

acuff.me

instagram.com/jonacuff

Soundtracksbook.com

All It Takes Is A Goal Podcast - acuff.me/podcast

Review the Transcript at businessonthebrightside.com

31: 5 Ways to Collaborate with Other Women Mar 28, 2021

Has Women's History Month motivated you to surround yourself with and collaborate with other women entrepreneurs? I'm here for it!

In this episode of Business on the Bright Side, I'm sharing 5 ways you can collaborate with other women! From simple ideas to more complex opportunities, let's dive into how you can grow together!

5 Ways to Collaborate with Other Women

1. Swap or Trade Services (2:12)

2. Host a Giveaway Together (3:24)

3. Newsletter Swap (4:25)

4. Joint Instagram Live (5:56)

5. Create a Pop Up Course Together (6:53)

One Liner: If there is room for everyone at the top, then we might as well support each other and make it fun along the way. (8:08)

30: How to Genuinely Root for Other Women with Natalie Franke Mar 21, 2021

There is so much power in connecting with and building up other women. That's why I was honored to bring Natalie Franke, co-founder of The Rising Tide Society and community leader of Honeybook, on the podcast to discuss how you can genuinely root for other women.

Listen in as we discuss why she decided to open up about her journey to motherhood and connect with others who are living through the same experience.

Meet Natalie (2:30)

Cheering for Other while Feeling Comparative (6:10)

Opening Up (11:22)

The T-Shirt Shop (21:45)

Links

nataliefranke.com

shopnataliefranke.com

instagram.com/nataliefranke

Review the Transcript at businessonthebrightside.com

29: 10 Women Who Impacted My Life & Career Mar 14, 2021

I don't know about you, but I've found myself surrounded by strong and powerful women in my life. So, in honor of Women's History Month, on today's episode of Business on the Bright Side, I'm highlighting 10 women who have impacted my life and career.

From family members, professors, and business colleagues to women I've never met and even one who's name I never got, listen in to see how knowing them has made my life and business all the better.

10 Women Who Impacted My Life & Career

1. Dr. Maria DeMoya (1:23)

She believed in what I was building.

2. Sara Blakely (2:45)

She inspired my to fulfill a need.

3. My Mom (3:54)

She taught me that experience is more important than lectures.

4. My Grandma Joan (5:28)

She taught me to silence stereotypes and live the life I want.

5. Kristine Sickles (7:39)

She saw the potential in my personal brand.

6. RBG (9:03)

She paved the way for women to have independence.

7. Natalie Franke of The Rising Tide Society (9:46)

She helped me to embrace community over competition.

8. Martha Bitar of Flodesk (10:50)

She mentored me through the process of building Bright Pages.

9. Myrna Daramy (12:12)

She taught me to embrace digital inclusivity in technology and helped me make my website accessible to all.

10. A Random Woman at Starbucks (13:21)

She paid it forward to my business when I was just starting out.

One Liner: As a woman, every time you advance towards your dreams, you’re showing young girls watching what’s possible for their dreams.

If you're a minority business owner looking for support in your business, please submit your pitches to hey@jessekstrom.com!

Review the Transcript at businessonthebrightside.com!

28: How to Set Digital Boundaries with Minaa B Mar 07, 2021

Why do we feel burdened to always be connected to our phones and checking social media? We shouldn't have to.

In this episode of Business on the Bright Side, Minaa B joins us to share how and why you should set digital boundaries in your life and business. Listen in as she describes the importance of understanding responsibilities in online relationships and communication when you're setting those boundaries!

Setting Digital Boundaries (1:35)

Determine Your Why: Why are you going on social media at this time? (5:10)

Social Media Audit (7:55)

1. Check Your Screen Time

2. Look at Who You Follow

Understanding Responsibilities & Boundaries (9:00)

Vocalizing Boundaries (13:17)

One Liner: Normalize saying no in your life. (21:16)

Links

Book Pop Workshop

Your Body, Your Story Podcast

instagram.com/minaa_b

Minaab.com

27: Is this a Book or a Blog Post? Feb 28, 2021

Have you ever finished a book and thought, "That would have been better as an article or blog post?" I think we've all experienced that.

In this episode of Business on the Bright Side, I'm sharing four ways to help you decided if your idea should be a book or a blog post. Grab yourself a pen and paper, and let's dive into this exercise!

How to Know if Your Idea Should Be a Book or a Blog Post:

How long have you been thinking about it? (1:56)
Does the writing flow? (3:48)
Try it on for the week.
Do the tree exercise. (6:28)

The Tree Exercise: (6:28)

Draw a tree trunk
In the trunk, write one central theme or transformation your book will provide.
Think about what people need to know in order to achieve that transformation.
Create a branch for each of those things you think of until you have 10-15
Blog Post: Less than 7 branches
Book: 10-15 branches

Register for the Book Pop Workshop Webinar

One Liner: The most important step in being a thought leader is believing that you have something valuable to say. The second most important step is actually saying it. (11:25)

Last week’s episode: How to Get Your Book on Shelves

Register for the Book Pop Workshop Webinar

Review the Transcript at businessonthebrightside.com.

26: How to Get Your Book on Shelves Feb 21, 2021

So, you have a book idea, but you have no idea where to start in order to get your book on shelves—thankfully I've already been through the process and can tell you!

In this episode of Business on the Bright Side, I'm sharing four important steps to get your book on the shelves of retailers you love. Listen in as I dive into building a book proposal, getting a literary agent, securing a book publisher, and doing the work to see your book out in the real world.

Four Steps to Get Your Book On Shelves

1. Answer this Question: Why do you want to write a book?

Why you? (2:03)
Why this topic, transformation, or category? (2:28
Why now? (2:42)

brightpages.com

Publishing Deals (3:41)

2. Write Your Book Proposal (4:41)

What goes into your book proposal:

Overview of the Book
Answering the whys
Who’s your target market
Comparative titles
Chapter outlines
Who are you
Marketing ideas
Sample chapters

Working with a Literary Agent (6:19)

Working with a Publisher(8:10)

Working with a Sales Team to Get on Shelves (9:26)

3. Getting in Local Bookstores (10:31)

4. Getting in Local Libraries (12:09)

One Liner: Only write a book if you want to leave your readers better after having read it. (15:15)

Get Podcast Updates Every Monday: Text Podcast to 704-228-9495

Register for the Book Pop Workshop Webinar

Review the transcript at businessonthebrightside.com.

25: How to Use Clubhouse as a Speaker with Mothyna James-Brightful Feb 14, 2021

Are you using clubhouse to grow as a professional speaker? With the platform becoming more and more popular, there is so much potential to gain awareness for your brand and network with others.

In this episode of Business on the Brightside, Mothyna James-Brightful joins us to discuss how you can use clubhouse for your brand! Additionally, we talk about steps we can all take to create more diversity and inclusion in the speaking and event industry!

First Paid & Non-Paid Speaking Gig (1:25)

Pitching Yourself in Your Clubhouse Bio (8:05)

How to Overcome the Fear of Speaking (9:17)

Diversifying Speaking Engagements (11:50)

Diversifying Your Experience (15:22)

Advice to Speakers to Stay Active (18:38)

Links:

instagram.com/mothyna

sistermothyna.com

stagereadyspeaker.com

Grab the free email templates.

Review the Transcript at businessonthebrightside.com.

24: Ask THIS Question When You Have an Idea Feb 07, 2021

Have you ever had a moment in your life that you look back on and thought, "Wow, that actually happened... and I made it through."

In today's episode of Business on the Bright Side, I'm sharing how I lost the first $10,000 I invested in my business before I ever really even started. The lessons that came from that experience didn't sink in until much later, but it also brought out more than just lessons, it taught me about risk.

What was the risk of moving forward after failure? What's the risk of not moving forward? What considerations or risks do you have in your next big idea or adventure?

Getting Started with Headbands of Hope (3:12)

How Jess Lost $10,000 (7:20)

Moving Beyond the Risk (11:31)

Finding Success & Purpose After Failure (13:10)

Links:

Chasing the Bright Side

Review the Transcript at businessonthebrightside.com

23: How to Stop Living on Autopilot with Antonio Neves Jan 31, 2021

Are you ready to make a change in the way you're living your life? Antonio Neves joins us as our first guest on Business on the Bright Side to discuss his book, Stop Living on Autopilot!

In this episode, we talk through authenticity, knowing who you are, and surrounding yourself with quality community! If you're ready to stop living on autopilot, you need to hear this conversation with Antonio!

Meet Antonio (2:25)

Being Authentic (9:45)

How do you introduce yourself? (15:16)

Good Fear vs. Bad Fear (17:28)

Thieves vs. Allies (26:58)

Links

theantonioneves.com

Stop Living on AutoPilot by Antonio Neves

Armchair Expert by Dax Shepard

Review the Transcript at businessonthebrightside.com!

22: Goal Setting Tips Jan 25, 2021

Are you struggling with creating and prioritizing your goals? This episode is for you! While I'm not a fan of strict goal setting, I think it's important to know what you're working towards! Listen in as I share my favorite goal setting tips so you can accomplish what you want in 2021!

Grab the Goal Setting Workbook

Tips for Goal Setting

1. Leave room for possibility. Release your grip. How can you hold it with an open palm

2. Write down your goals.

3. Speak it into existence.

4. Do something small towards it.

One Liner: We grow into the person that we want to be on the way to our goals, not in the planning. (11:04)

21: 4 Mindset Shifts to Copy Jan 17, 2021

Sometimes our own way of thinking can get in the way of us achieving our own goals. Let's make life a little easier with a simple mindset shift. In today's episode, I'm sharing 4 mindset shifts you can copy to stop getting in your own way!

4 Mindset Shifts to Make Life Easier (1:26)

1. You before anything else. (1:38)

2. Care more about the system, less about the goal. (3:02)

3. Care more about what you’re creating than what people are thinking. (5:01)

4. Train your mind to see the good in people & business. See it and speak it. (6:37)

"People aren’t thinking about you as much as you think they are."

One Liner: Even our most engrained patterns and habits deserve to be questioned. What worked yesterday, might not work today. Always keep iterating. (7:47)

Review the transcript at businessonthebrightside.com.

20: Quiz: Decide Your 2021 Personality Jan 10, 2021

You have permission to change who you are at any time. Isn't that crazy? You can determine who you are and what you want to be, along with how you approach situations. Ready to dive in? Let's figure out what your 2021 personality is with this simple quiz!

10 Questions to Decide What You Want Your 2021 Personality to Be (3:35)

1. Do you want to be a coach, player, or spectator? (3;42)

2. What people do you want to reach? (4:11)

3. How do you want to help those people? (4:34)

4. Where do you want to meet these people? (6:03)

5. What creative medium do you want to use to share your gifts? (6:30)

6. What do you want your look to be? (7:02) 8:33

7. How do you want to respond to challenges?(9:28)

8. Who is your alter ego?(10:33)

9. What are you not going to care about anymore?(11:34)

10. What’s the one thing that you’re going to care deeply about?(12:14)

One Liner: Remember, you’re a different person yesterday than you are today. Who you are as a person is fluid and dynamic so keep checking in with yourself. (13:00)

Links

lindseyschwartz.com

Review the Transcript at businessonthebrightside.com

19: 3 Ways to Build Momentum in 2021 Jan 03, 2021

Happy New Year! Is 2021 the year you're looking to grow personally and professionally, without feeling overwhelmed with the goals you have in mind? In this episode of Business on the Bright Side, I'm sharing 3 ways to build momentum this year!

New Year’s Resolutions are a Load of Crap (1:45)

Set goals and build momentum in 2021: (2:41)

Crafting a Mission Statement (2:45)
Update your bio. (6:49)
Setting up your Calendar for Big Picture Goals (7:58)

One Liner: In 2021, I’m in competition with no one, I’m rooting for everyone, there’s room for me at the top, and I am right on time. (9:34)

18: Year in Review: What Worked, What Didn't, and What to Do Next Dec 20, 2020

As we bring 2020 to a close, I’m sharing the details on all of the things that worked and didn’t work in my business and life amidst the pandemic.

All of my businesses experienced very different moves in 2020. One business flatlined, one business quadrupled in sales, and another business started at zero. On a personal level, I was able to appreciate slowing down, creating new routines, and avoid things I didn’t enjoy.

Ready to get the inside scoop on the success and failures of 2020, let’s dive in!

Sitting in Our New Home (2:27)

What Worked in 2020 (4:00)

What Worked in 2020: Professional Brand (4:15)

Community Virtual Events: Chasing the Bright Side Conference, Write the Dang Book Conference, and Book Pop Workshop
Texting via Community Application: 704-228-9495
Pay What You Can Model for Chasing the Bright Side Virtual Conference
Introducing Masks at Headbands of Hope

What Worked in 2020: Personally (10:50)

Not Traveling on Planes
Half-Caf Coffee
Facetime & Zooming People

What Didn’t Work in 2020 (14:49)

What Didn’t Worked in 2020: Professional Brand (15:30)

High Ticket Offerings Were Harder to Sell
In-Person Speaking Engagements
Press

What Didn’t Worked in 2020: Personally (18:40)

Hand Lettering
TikTok
Reading Big Books

One Liner: Your value doesn’t come from one thing you do. You are the sum of all the things you do. (20:50)

Links

Micro Course: How to Host Your Own Online Events

Headbands of Hope

Review the transcript at businessonthebrightside.com.

17: How We Decided to Live in an Airstream (and a Tactic for Big Decision Making) Dec 13, 2020

Are you facing a big decision in your life right now? It’s hard to make decisions that will impact your life!

In this episode of Business on the Bright Side, I’m sharing how I approach big decision making! I’m also highlighting how we used this approach for our decision to uproot our lives and live in an airstream!

Considering RV Living (1:29)

List Making (4:16)

How I Face Big Decision Making (3:56)

1. Pretend to Go All-In (3:56)

2. Ask yourself what all you need to do to make this happen. (4:05)

3. Find your first domino (the first thing you need to do on your list). (4:46)

4. Is there friction or is there flow? (6:47)

One Liner: When a decision becomes too big and scary, pretend to go all in and see how it feels. After that first step, you’ll find that fear slowly fades away. (9:29)

I've created a shop for people who do, because I think that the best selling product that you're looking to create is the story that you already have. The Bright Side Shop is filled with digital and physical products to help you do just that.

Links

jessekstrom.com

Airstream

Review the transcript at businessonthebrightside.com.

16: How to Create Content that Gets Shared on Social Media Dec 06, 2020

Do you find yourself stuck when it comes to creating shareable content? In this episode, I'm highlighting four things that you need to consider in order to strategize your content creation. Listen in as I highlight the importance of relatable and valuable content for your audience.

4 Things You Need to Think About (2:06)

1. Decide What You Want to be Known For

2. What’s the value you want to provide people?

3. Does my content fall into one of these two buckets: relatable or valuable?

- Relatable Content (5:07)

- Valuable Content (5:24)

4. Make it short. (5:47)

"As Don Draper said, make it simple, yet significant.”(6:41)

How to Create One Liners (8:00)

One Liner: Don’t get caught up in the external of likes and followers—aim for the connection metrics of shares and engagement. (10:02)

Links

One Line Wonder Workshop

Review the transcript at businessonthebrightside.com.

14: 3 Questions to Ask Yourself When You're Stuck Nov 22, 2020

Do you ever find yourself lacking inspiration or struggling to get started on a new project? In this episode I'm sharing 3 questions to ask yourself when you're stuck!

Three Questions to Ask When You’re Feeling Stuck: (4:18)

1. Is this even what I really want? (4:18)

2. Could the outcome look different from what I originally imagined? (5:15)

3. Can I change the route on how I want to get there? (5:51)

One Liner: Hold your purpose tightly, hold your plans loosely, and you’ll find your way. (6:51)

Links

Chasing the Bright Side

Review the transcript at businessonthebrightside.com.

13: How to Get Your E-Commerce Brand Ready for the Holidays Nov 15, 2020

Is your e-commerce brand ready for the fast-approaching holidays? In today’s episode, I’m sharing 5 things you need to do to ensure your site is ready for the three big e-commerce holidays right around the corner!

Holiday Habits for E-Commerce (1:36)

Get your eCommerce Shop Ready for the Holidays (2:25)

1. Make sure that your website is ready to collect emails.(2:25)

2. Test your checkout process to make sure there aren’t any glitches.

3. Make sure your best selling products are on your homepage. (5:18)

4. Establish your shipping and refund policies. (6:14)

5. Build a Marketing Strategy for the Big Three (8:04)

The Big Three Holidays:

Black Friday

Cyber Monday

Giving Tuesday

Recap (9:54)

One Liner: Don’t make it hard for people to give you money, believe in what you’re selling and then ask for the sale. (10:27)

Links:

thebrightsideshop.com

Review the transcript at businessonthebrightside.com.

12: Chasing the Bright Side Audio Teaser Nov 08, 2020

It's Chasing the Bright Side's first birthday! One year ago, I was on a press tour, sharing about how I'd poured so much into this book, and thinking about all of the potential lives this book could impact.

What a year it has been! In today's episode, I'm sharing a quick teaser of chapter one! Listen in!

Links

jessekstrom.com/buy-the-book

thebrightsideshop.com

Review the transcript at businessonthebrightside.com.

11: 4 Ways to Deal with Tough Work Situations Nov 01, 2020

Do you feel like 2020 is kicking your a** when it comes to your work or business? I'm here to remind you that these obstacles are all part of the process. In this episode, I'm sharing four ways to deal with tough work situations.

Shit Happens (3:45)

Tough Work Situations that are Bound to Happen (3:45)

1. Remove Your Ego (3:45)

2. Understand that sometimes Plan B can be better than Plan A (6:33)

3. Give yourself some grace (8:45)

4. What would your idol do? (10:54)

The Recap (12:55)

One Liner: Failure is not opposite of success, it’s just a part of it. (13:39)

Links:

Chasing the Bight Side

Erin Foly life coach

10: What's Your Money Story? Oct 25, 2020

Do you know your money story? While you may realize it, you've got one! In this episode, I'm diving into my money story, how it developed stress around money for me, and how that impacted my business. So sit back, and let's dive into your money story!

Love/Hate Relationships with Money (1:32)

My Money Story (1:58)

Look at the numbers. What are they telling you? (4:18)

Understanding at KPIs and Patterns (4:39)

Separating Yourself from the Money (6:44)

Don't ask: 'What's wrong with me?"

Do ask: "What's wrong with the products?"

This Episode's One Liner: What are you making your money mean about your self worth? (8:00)

Links

Chasing the Bright Side

Looking for the transcript? Head to businessonthebrightside.com to review transcripts from each episode!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

8: Ask THIS Question in Your Next Interview Oct 11, 2020

Are you heading into an interview for a potential job or opportunity? Want to stand out from the other candidates, while also growing from the interview itself? I’m sharing the one question you NEED to ask during your next interview! Listen in!

Interview Question: Is there any reason why I wouldn’t get this job? (2:40)

Follow Up Question: Because if there are any flags or concerns, I would like to talk about it now.

My Experience with Asking This Question (5:11)

What This Question Tells an Interviewer (6:45)

What Are Your Favorite Interview Questions? (7:19)

This Episode’s One Liner: Sometimes the answers we’re looking for, lie within the questions themselves.(7:35)

Looking for the transcript? Head to businessonthebrightside.com to review transcripts from each episode!

7: 4 Storytelling Reminders Oct 04, 2020

Do you have a story you want to share with the world, but aren't sure it's worth telling? I believe that every story has a purpose, but how you tell it will impact how it's received. In today's episode, I'm sharing four things to remember in order to properly tell your story!

Monetizing Your Story (:49)

Paid Speaking Engagements (:58)

Publishing Books (1:02)

Finding Your Story (1:30)

One Single Experience Can Write Two Completely Different Stories (4:44)

4 Things to Remember about Storytelling (6:01)

Your story doesn’t have to feel big to be important. (6:06)
Your experiences are not your story, but rather how you make sense of them. (6:25)
The value of your story comes in how you can relate that lesson to others. (6:52)
Always remember that you are living your story right now. (7:56)

This Episode’s One Liner: "We can’t always control our experiences, but we can always write our story." (8:21)

Workshops:

Mic Drop Workshop

Book Pop Workshop

Looking for the transcript? Head to businessonthebrightside.com to review transcripts from each episode!

6: 2 Things You Need to Become a Paid Speaker Sep 28, 2020

Are you ready to turn your speaking gigs into more than just a hobby? Turn it into income and add professional speaker to your bio! In today's episode I'm sharing the two things that you need to start doing in order to transition from free speaker to paid speaker.

How to Transition from Free Speaking to Paid Speaking (2:38)

2 Questions to Ask Yourself (3:03)

Are you using your story to tell or to inspire? How are you leaving your audience better?
Are you asking for money?

Asking for Money (5:12)

Ask: "What is your speaker budget?' vs. "Do you have a speaker budget?"

2 Things You Need to Become a Paid Speaker (5:38)

Position your talk so that your story serves.
Ask for money.

This Episode's One-Liner: If you want to speak and get paid to do it, think of how your story serves, then sell it. (6:08)

Looking for the transcript? Head to businessonthebrightside.com to review transcripts from each episode!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

5: How to be Proactive Instead of Reactive in Your Business Sep 20, 2020

Are you approaching the tasks in your business proactively or reactively? If you're treating your business like a game of pinball, where you're just doing what you can to ensure you don't lose the ball, you're being reactive. Instead, consider ways you can treat your business like a game of bowling, where you're always focused on the strategy of knocking down the pins. Listen in as I share three ways you can leave the game of pinball that you're playing in your business behind and implement the strategy of bowling!

Are you ready to make an impact and income by writing non-fiction books? Sign up for my 5-day conference for women where we'll build a community and challenge you to share your story! Sign up for the Write the Dang Book Conference >>

Bowling as a Strategy in Business (1:57)

Three Ways to Bowl Instead of Pinball (2:44)

Create before we consume.
Batch your time.
Pick one metric to focus on and check in once a month.

The Episode’s One-Liner: Our destiny is not an uncontrollable future. It’s an active decision to write our own story.

Looking for the transcript? Head to businessonthebrightside.com to review transcripts from each episode!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

4: How to Publish Your Non-Fiction Book Sep 13, 2020

I believe that everyone has a story to share on their experiences in life and business! With the self-help genre booming right now, I'd love to help more women authors line the shelves at Target! If you have something to say, I want to help you get it on paper and published! In this episode, I'm sharing the five things you need to think about when publishing your non-fiction book!

Meeting Bob Goff (4:18)

Before Publishing Chasing the Bright Side (2:48)

Using Your Story to Help Others with Their Story (6:09)

5 Things to Think About when Publishing Your Non-Fiction Book: (6:22)

1. Think of your book idea as a before/after point for a reader.

2. What do you want to be known for?

3. Your book should be similar enough to some of your favorites, but different enough to stand out.

4. Don't write your whole book, write your proposal.

5. Your book is your business card.

The Episode’s One Liner: All of your experiences (good, bad, and funny) add up to a story, and the value in every lesson is the story that goes with it. What story will you tell? (14:41)

Links:

instagram.com/jess_ekstrom

Looking for the transcript? Head to businessonthebrightside.com to review transcripts from each episode!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

3: Which Ambition Type Are You? Sep 07, 2020

Is your ambition fueled by positivity? I’ve come to realize that ambition comes in two forms, inspired and anxious. Not only can you feel a difference in these two types of motivation, but you can also see a difference in the end result. In this episode, I’m sharing about these two types of ambition and what each approach is fueled by.

Morning Productivity (1:20)

Two Types of Ambition: (4:57)

Inspired ambition - Inspired ambition comes from alignment. We get this burst of energy when we feel like we have something to say or something to create that aligns with our deeper calling.

Anxious ambition - Anxious ambition comes from lack of worthiness. We do more because we feel like we’re not enough. We believe the more boxes we check the better we’ll feel, but that’s never the case.

The Anxious Way: (8:10)

1. Comparison

2. Money

3. Titles

4. Approval

The Inspired Way (9:15)

1. Belief in better

2. Self-confidence

3. Detachment from outcomes

The Episode’s One Liner: Instead of asking yourself: “Am I doing enough?’ Instead, ask yourself: “What am i doing this for?” (10:11)

Looking for the transcript? Head to businessonthebrightside.com to review transcripts from each episode!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

2: What Camping Taught Me About Leadership Sep 07, 2020

Camping was never really my favorite adventure as a child, but my family went ALL THE TIME. As an adult, I’ve grown to love camping — I mean, I live full-time in an airstream these days. Looking bad on all of the camping and hiking adventures from the past, I’ve realized that camping has actually taught me a really valuable lesson on the type of leader I want to be. Listen in as I share the two types of people you can be in life, as compared to those you would encounter while on a hiking trail.

My Camping Story (1:09)

Two types of people that you cross coming back the other way on the hiking trails. (2:07)

1. the person who says nothing, but maybe you get a friendly nod.

2. the person who stops and tells you what’s ahead on the trail.

Being the person who stops and tells you what’s ahead on the trail: (2:59)

If I see a bear- I’ll tell you.

If I went left and should have gone right- I’ll let you know.

If I did something that worked- I’ll share the steps with you.

If I did something that I NEVER WANT TO DO AGAIN- I’ll also give you that heads up.

If I find reasons to celebrate- I’ll invite you to do the same.

The Episode’s One Liner: No matter where you’re at in your journey, believe that you’re just getting started. (3:47)

Looking for the transcript? Head to businessonthebrightside.com to review transcripts from each episode!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1: 3 Steps to Pursue Your Business Ideas Sep 07, 2020

Do you have a business idea you’ve been sitting on, but want to explore? In this very first episode of Business on the Bright Side, I’m discussing three steps you should take right now to pursue your idea! Listen in as I share how I approached launching Headbands of Hope in college, even before I knew anything about business. Let’s launch your idea!

3 Steps to Pursue Your Business Ideas: (3:24)

Write it down. (3:25)
Create a special todo list. (4:22)
Build a ladder (8:08)

Creating your special to-do list: (4:22)

Drawn a line down the center of a page.
On the left side, write down each of the small, manageable tasks.
On the right side, write down the big tasks that you’re not sure how to do.
Forget about the right column for now. Start with the small tasks and then work your way up to the big ones.

Building a ladder (8:08)

On your same piece of paper, draw a ladder.
In the first step of that ladder, it will be version one of your idea.
In version one, what is the smallest thing you can do to bring your idea into existence and test it.
Add your version 2, 3, + ideas on the ladder as well.
Include indicators of what will allow you to move onto the next step.

The Episode’s One Liner: (10:41)

Don’t worry about winning the Super Bowl, just get the first down.

Looking for the transcript? Head to businessonthebrightside.com to review transcripts from each episode!

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