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

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

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

By: Branded Podcast Network
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Summary

 Every speaker has a story. But before the standing ovations, the TEDx invitations, and the six-figure speaking fees, there was one gig—the first real stage—that started it all. My First Stage is a podcast that goes behind the mic with professional speakers, authors, coaches, and entrepreneurs to uncover the stories of how they booked their very first speaking engagement and how that moment transformed their confidence, credibility, and career. From kitchen table pitches and last-minute invites to breakout sessions that turned into full-blown keynotes, our guests take you back to the beginning. These aren’t just tales of stepping on stage—they’re raw, honest, and often surprising accounts of what it really took to land that first gig, what happened once they got on stage, and how it impacted the direction of their business from that moment on. Whether you’re an emerging speaker, a seasoned professional, or someone looking to grow your brand, income, or impact through the power of speaking, My First Stage offers the inspiration, insights, and tactical takeaways to help you elevate your own platform. What You’ll Hear: Real stories from real speakers about the hustle, heart, and happy accidents that led to their first booked gig Behind-the-scenes moments: awkward intros, standing ovations, tech fails, and everything in between Lessons learned that helped shape the way they pitch, present, and position themselves today Business impact: how a single stage turned into media coverage, new clients, product launches, or an entirely new path Tips and advice for landing your first (or next) speaking opportunity, straight from those who’ve been there Too often, we only see the highlight reel: the perfectly lit sizzle reel, the booked-out calendar, the standing-room-only audience. But every speaker, no matter how seasoned or successful, had a first time. A first pitch. A first yes. A first chance to prove themselves. My First Stage is a celebration of that beginning. It’s a tribute to the courage it takes to speak—and the way one stage can change everything. Whether you’re hoping to build your speaking business or just looking for the spark to finally step into the spotlight, this podcast is here to help you take that next step. Because your story is powerful. And your first stage might just be the start of something even bigger. Want to Be a Guest? If you’re a speaker with a story to share about your first booked stage—how you got it, what it meant to you, and how it shaped your business—we want to hear it. Apply to be a guest at www.myfirststagepodcast.com or connect with us at @StickWithBranded on social.Copyright 2026 Branded Podcast Network Career Success Economics Leadership Management & Leadership Marketing Marketing & Sales
Episodes
  • Discovering Your Niche: Lon Graham’s Advice for Aspiring Speakers

    Discovering Your Niche: Lon Graham’s Advice for Aspiring Speakers
    May 14 2026

    Welcome to another episode of My First Stage! I’m your host, Sara Lohse, and I’m so excited to bring you a conversation direct from the NSA Influence Conference floor. Each week, I sit down with speakers and leaders to find out how they broke into the business, discovered their message, and built lives around sharing their voices from the stage.

    This episode, I had the pleasure of interviewing Lon Graham—founder of LG Inspires, sales leadership expert, and co-host of the Grow Business podcast! Lon’s journey is a testament to resilience, listening, and reinventing yourself when life throws you some unexpected curveballs. If you’ve ever felt stuck, questioned your value, or wondered how to find your lane as a speaker, Lon’s story will absolutely resonate.

    Here’s what we talked about:

    • Finding Your Lane: Lon’s winding path from sales leader to fired employee, to recruiter, and finally to discovering his true stage as a sales leadership expert.
    • The Power of Listening: Why paying attention to what others come to you for should inform your message—and how that guided Lon’s pivot in his content and focus.
    • Overcoming Setbacks: How losing a job after 14 years rocked Lon’s confidence and made him question his expertise… and how he bounced back stronger.
    • The Three-List Strategy: Lon’s practical exercise for finding your niche based on what you love, what you’re good at, and what people seek you out for.
    • Letting Go & Leaning In: The difference between learning from the past and releasing it so you can truly move forward—and how ego and self-doubt can get in the way.
    • Advice for Pivoting: Steps any aspiring speaker or professional can take to identify the right direction and thrive there.

    If Lon Graham’s journey gave you food for thought, here’s what you can do next:

    • Share Your Own Pivot: Have you had to switch lanes or rediscover your calling? Head to myfirststagepodcast.com and tell me about it!
    • Connect with Lon: Reach out to Lon Graham on LinkedIn, check out longraham.com, and don’t miss the Grow Business podcast for more leadership gems.
    • Do the Three-List Exercise: Set aside some time this week to list what lights you up, what you’re good at, and what people already seek you out for—then look for the overlap!
    • Subscribe & Review: If you’re enjoying My First Stage, please hit subscribe, leave a review, and help us reach more future speakers and leaders.
    • Get Involved: Whether it’s joining a conference, speaking up on a podcast, or sharing your thoughts online, every step brings you closer to your own first stage.

    Thank you for tuning in! I can’t wait to bring you more stories and advice to help you launch your own first stage.

    Timestamped Summaries

    00:00 – We kick off at the NSA Influence Conference, introduce Lon Graham, and bond over the excitement of our first Influence event.

    00:42 – Lon Graham shares why proximity to successful speakers and immersion in the community is essential to building his speaking business.

    01:33 – Lon opens up about getting fired from a long-standing sales leadership role, experimenting with a recruiting franchise, and finally realizing that speaking was his calling—only to struggle launching during COVID.

    02:38 – The power of feedback: Lon Graham describes listening to what people were really seeking from him and realizing leadership was his true lane.

    03:26 – How Lon used feedback from leaders, friends, and nonprofit colleagues to realign his content, and why working “in the dark” prepared him for the spotlight.

    04:53 – Why it can be humbling to embrace what you’re truly known for—and the mindset shift required after setbacks or career changes.

    06:53 – Both Lon Graham and I open up about the aftermath of losing jobs, dealing with self-doubt, and relearning how to see our own value.

    09:51 – Lon introduces his “learn and lean” framework: learn from your past, release it, and lean into your future.

    10:51 – We talk about finding the lane you should truly be in and why forcing yourself into the wrong topic or role just won’t work.

    12:10 – Lon Graham details his three-list exercise: what you enjoy, what you’re good at, and what people come to you for, and how the intersection points you to your ideal niche.

    13:58 – Find out where to connect with Lon Graham: LinkedIn, lawngraham.com, and the Grow Business podcast.

    14:53 – Final words and a reminder to share your voice, follow the show, and keep seeking your first (or next!) stage.
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    15 mins
  • Building Influence: Kevin Sidebottom's Lessons from Sales and the Stage

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

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