Making It with Jess Ekstrom

Latest Episodes:

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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.