The A&S FrontRow Podcast

In this episode of The A&S FrontRow Podcast, Elliot Kay speaks with broadcaster, author, and keynote speaker Bruce Whitfield about his journey from radio journalism to becoming an award-winning thought leader.Bruce shares insights on authenticity, using awards to build credibility, and his Chaos Advantage approach to navigating uncertainty. The conversation also explores trust, media negativity, and why resilience and optimism matter in a rapidly changing world.🔑 Key TakeawaysBruce Whitfield’s move from radio to professional speakingHow awards help build credibility and opportunityThe Chaos Advantage framework for uncertaintyThe role of trust in leadership and relationshipsMedia negativity bias and public perceptionThe importance of resilience and optimism📚 Resources MentionedBruce Whitfield's Bookshttps://www.brucewhitfield.com/author/#booksChaos Advantage Frameworkhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ChaoticsFactfulness by Hans Roslinghttps://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250123824/factfulnessAtomic Habits by James Clearhttps://jamesclear.com/atomic-habits🔗 Connect with Bruce Whitfield🌐 https://www.brucewhitfield.com/🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/bruce-whitfield/🎧 Listen & Watch▶️ YouTubewww.youtube.com/@thespeakerawards🎧 Spotifyopen.spotify.com/show/6F3LIb6KakYd75aOLXKjUc?si=1cd39f28eeb64391🎙️ Apple Podcastpodcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-a-s-frontrow-podcast/id1874937956🔗 LinkedIn (The Speaker Awards & Summit)www.linkedin.com/company/speaker-awards-summit/?viewAsMember=true🎵 Music from #Uppbeathttps://uppbeat.io/t/all-good-folks/real-niceLicense code: JNRLONKWY0DA3VREIf this episode inspired you, share it with a fellow speaker, leave a review, and tag us with your biggest takeaway.Ready to step forward and share your story?Explore the Speaker Awards and join a community that celebrates excellence, courage, and impact.#TheASFrontRowPodcast #TheSpeakerAwards #TheSpeakerSummit #Leadership #DecisionMaking #BusinessLeadership #FutureReady #ThoughtLeadership

In this conversation on The A&S FrontRow Podcast, Elliot Kay speaks with mountaineer and keynote speaker Bonita Norris about her journey from climbing Mount Everest to becoming an award-winning speaker.Bonita shares how perseverance, authenticity, and human connection shaped both her climbing and speaking careers. She reflects on how winning awards boosted her confidence, opened doors in the industry, and reinforced the power of sharing real stories on stage.The conversation also explores imposter syndrome, resilience, and how AI is influencing content creation while reminding speakers that genuine human stories remain irreplaceable.🔑 Key TakeawaysBonita's journey from mountaineering to professional speakingHow winning awards can transform confidence and career growthThe importance of authenticity and human connection on stageNavigating imposter syndrome and self-doubtPerseverance and continuous growth in the speaking industryThe influence of AI on content creation and authenticity📚 Resources MentionedBonita Norris' Book - The Girl Who Climbed Everesthttps://www.hachette.co.uk/titles/bonita-norris/the-girl-who-climbed-everest/9781473649767/Red Bull Cliff Diving Serieshttps://www.redbull.com/int-en/event-series/red-bull-cliff-divingDarius CEO AI Bootcamphttps://learn.dariuslukas.academy/ai-bootcamp/🔗 Connect with Bonita Norris🌐 Websitehttp://www.bonita-norris.com/🔗 LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/bonita-norris-keynote-speaker-15191869/🎧 Listen & Watch▶️ YouTubewww.youtube.com/@TheASFrontRowPodcastwww.youtube.com/@thespeakerawards🎧 Spotifyopen.spotify.com/show/6F3LIb6KakYd75aOLXKjUc?si=1cd39f28eeb64391🎙️ Apple Podcastpodcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-a-s-frontrow-podcast/id1874937956🔗 LinkedIn (The Speaker Awards & Summit)www.linkedin.com/company/speaker-awards-summit/?viewAsMember=true🎵 Music from #Uppbeathttps://uppbeat.io/t/all-good-folks/real-niceLicense code: JNRLONKWY0DA3VREIf this episode inspired you, share it with a fellow speaker, leave a review, and tag us with your biggest takeaway.Ready to step forward and share your story?Explore the Speaker Awards and join a community that celebrates excellence, courage, and impact.#TheASFrontRowPodcast #TheSpeakerAwards #TheSpeakerSummit

In this episode of The A&S FrontRow Podcast, Elliot Kay sits down with Virtual Speaker Award winner Andrea Pacini to explore his journey to becoming an award-winning speaker and the impact recognition can have on credibility and business growth.Andrea shares insights on effective communication, the power of storytelling, and why truly understanding your audience is the key to impactful presentations. The conversation also touches on personal growth, mindset, and how awards can support a speaker’s journey while reinforcing the importance of continually developing your craft.🔑 Key TakeawaysThe impact of awards on credibility and business growthThe mindset behind becoming an award-winning speakerStrategies for effective communication and storytellingWhy understanding your audience is critical for great presentationsBalancing personal growth with professional recognition📚 Resources MentionedThe Daily Stoic by Ryan Holidayhttps://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/545426/the-daily-stoic-by-ryan-holiday-and-stephen-hanselman/"The Dead’s Day" articlehttps://dailystoic.com/its-the-deads-day/🔗 Connect with Andrea Pacini🌐 Websitehttps://linktr.ee/andreapacini🔗 LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/apacini/🎧 Listen & Watch▶️ YouTubewww.youtube.com/@TheASFrontRowPodcastwww.youtube.com/@thespeakerawards🎧 Spotifyopen.spotify.com/show/6F3LIb6KakYd75aOLXKjUc?si=1cd39f28eeb64391🎙️ Apple Podcastpodcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-a-s-frontrow-podcast/id1874937956🔗 LinkedIn (The Speaker Awards & Summit)www.linkedin.com/company/speaker-awards-summit/?viewAsMember=true🎵 Music from #Uppbeathttps://uppbeat.io/t/all-good-folks/real-niceLicense code: JNRLONKWY0DA3VREIf this episode inspired you, share it with a fellow speaker, leave a review, and tag us with your biggest takeaway.Ready to step forward and share your story?Explore the Speaker Awards and join a community that celebrates excellence, courage, and impact.#TheASFrontRowPodcast #TheSpeakerAwards #TheSpeakerSummit

In this episode of The A&S FrontRow Podcast, Elliot Kay sits down with futurist and retail expert Kate Ancketill to explore her journey to industry recognition and her insights on the future of retail and technology.Kate shares how AI is transforming industries, the trends shaping the future of retail, and the challenges businesses face around staffing, cybersecurity, and margins. She also reflects on the importance of curiosity, resilience, and continuous learning in a fast-changing world.🔑 Key TakeawaysKate Ancketill's journey to industry recognitionFuture retail trends and the impact of AIPersonal development and stoicismIndustry challenges including staffing and cybersecurityThe importance of curiosity and lifelong learning📚 Resources MentionedFuture Retail Trends Reporthttps://futureretailtrends.com/report2023Don't Die Apphttps://dontdie.comJeffrey Hinton on AI Riskshttps://youtube.com/jeffreyhintonStuart Russell AI Textbookhttps://amazon.com/stuart-russell-aiCES Conferencehttps://ces.techBizTech Magazine: 30 IT Influencers to Followhttps://biztechmagazine.com/article/2024/12/30-it-influencers-follow-2024🔗 Connect with Kate🌐 Websitehttps://kateancketill.com🔗 LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/kateancketill/🎧 Listen & Watch▶️ YouTubewww.youtube.com/@TheASFrontRowPodcast🎧 Spotifyopen.spotify.com/show/6F3LIb6KakYd75aOLXKjUc🎙️ Apple Podcastpodcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-a-s-frontrow-podcast/id1874937956🎵 Music from #Uppbeathttps://uppbeat.io/t/all-good-folks/real-niceLicense code: JNRLONKWY0DA3VRE#TheASFrontRowPodcast #TheSpeakerAwards #TheSpeakerSummit #LeadershipMindset #Resilience #Stoicism #FutureReady

In this episode of The A&S FrontRow Podcast, Elliot Kay sits down with speaker, coach, and award winner Alex Atherton to explore his journey to winning a prestigious speaker award and the impact that recognition has had on his career.Alex shares how awards can build credibility, strengthen personal branding, and open doors in the speaking industry. He also reflects on the importance of continuous learning, strong relationships, and staying committed to developing your craft.The conversation also explores Alex’s mission to tackle challenges in education and youth development, particularly around supporting young people and helping organisations better understand the next generation entering the workplace.🔑 Key TakeawaysAlex's journey to winning a speaker awardThe impact of awards on speaking careersStrategies for personal branding and growthAddressing challenges in education and youth development📚 Resources Mentioned in This EpisodeAlex's Book: Snowflake Myth: Explaining Generation Z in the Workplace and Beyondhttps://www.amazon.co.uk/Snowflake-Myth-Explaining-workplace-beyond/dp/1836284713Speaking Awards Official Websitehttps://www.speakingawards.comDonna's Recognition and Awards Resourceshttps://www.augustrecognition.com🔗 Connect with Alex Atherton🌐 Coaching: https://alexatherton.com/coaching🏢 Teams & Organisations: https://alexatherton.com/teams🎤 Speaking: https://alexatherton.com/speaking🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-atherton/🎧 Listen & Watch▶️ YouTubewww.youtube.com/@TheASFrontRowPodcastwww.youtube.com/@thespeakerawards🎧 Spotifyopen.spotify.com/show/6F3LIb6KakYd75aOLXKjUc?si=1cd39f28eeb64391🎙️ Apple Podcastpodcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-a-s-frontrow-podcast/id1874937956🔗 LinkedIn (The Speaker Awards & Summit)www.linkedin.com/company/speaker-awards-summit/?viewAsMember=true🎵 Music from #Uppbeathttps://uppbeat.io/t/all-good-folks/real-niceLicense code: JNRLONKWY0DA3VRE

In this episode of The A&S FrontRow Podcast, Elliot Kay sits down with award-winning speaker and Best Storyteller recipient Adele Bates to explore her journey to recognition and the power of authentic storytelling in the speaking world.Adele reflects on what it meant to win the Best Storyteller award and the courage it takes to put yourself forward in the first place. She shares the role community plays in supporting speakers, why diversity and representation in awards truly matter, and how recognition can shine a light on the dedication and commitment behind the scenes.The conversation also offers practical insight for speakers considering applying for awards, highlighting how the process itself can be a powerful moment of reflection on your work, your impact, and your growth in the industry.🔑 Key TakeawaysThe significance of community within the speaking industryThe importance of diversity and representation in awards and recognitionPractical steps and mindset shifts when applying for speaking awards💬 Sound Bites"Statistically, I won't win, but I did anyway""I go into freeze when I win an award""The award is about the commitment, dedication, and work"📚 Resources Mentioned in This EpisodeClaire Rackham (Inspirational Speakers): https://linkedin.com/in/claire-rackhamYinka, Coach and Mentor: https://linkedin.com/in/yinkaBook: I Don't Give a Beep: https://amazon.com/dp/B0XXXXXXUpcoming Leadership Book (2026): https://yourwebsite.com/waitinglist🔗 Connect with Adele🌐 Website: https://adelebates.com🔗 LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/adele🎧 Listen & Watch▶️ YouTubewww.youtube.com/@thespeakerawards🎧 Spotifyopen.spotify.com/show/6F3LIb6KakYd75aOLXKjUc?si=1cd39f28eeb64391🎙️ Apple Podcastpodcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-a-s-frontrow-podcast/id1874937956🔗 LinkedIn (The Speaker Awards & Summit)www.linkedin.com/company/speaker-awards-summit/?viewAsMember=true🎵 Music from #Uppbeathttps://uppbeat.io/t/all-good-folks/real-niceLicense code: JNRLONKWY0DA3VREIf this episode inspired you, share it with a fellow speaker, leave a review, and tag us with your biggest takeaway.Ready to step forward and share your story?Explore the Speaker Awards and join a community that celebrates excellence, courage, and impact.#TheASFrontRowPodcast #TheSpeakerAwards #TheSpeakerSummit

In this episode of The A&S FrontRow Podcast, Elliot Kay sits down with award-winning professional speaker and former magician/TV personality Ben Hanlin to explore his unconventional journey from performing magic on stage to delivering powerful keynote speeches around the world.Ben shares his strategies for success, the importance of blueprinting, handling rejection, and staying present to truly connect with audiences. This episode is full of actionable insights for anyone looking to elevate their speaking career, embrace challenges, and perform at their best every time.🔑 Key TakeawaysAlways seek the blueprint of success and follow itRejection is part of growth; embrace it and learnStay present and fresh in every performance to connect deeplyConsistent practice and feedback are key to masteryBuild relationships and do the groundwork for opportunities🔗 Connect with Ben Hanlin🌐 Website: benhanlin.com🔗 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/mariafranzoni📚 Resources Mentioned in This EpisodeBen Hanlin's WebsiteThe Golden Rules of Acting by Andy Niemann: Amazon linkThe Speaker AwardsMaria Franzoni (Mentor): LinkedIn🎧 Listen & Watch▶️ YouTubeThe A&S FrontRow PodcastThe Speaker Awards🎧 SpotifyListen on Spotify🎙️ Apple PodcastListen on Apple Podcast🔗 LinkedIn (The Speaker Awards & Summit)LinkedIn🎵 Music from #UppbeatAll Good Folks - Real NiceLicense code: JNRLONKWY0DA3VREIf this episode inspired you, share it with a fellow speaker, leave a review, and tag us with your biggest takeaway.Ready to elevate your speaking journey? Learn, connect, and take action to leave the world better than you found it.#TheASFrontRowPodcast

We are live.We are launched.And we are setting the standard from Episode One.Welcome to The A&S FrontRow Podcast, where professional speakers, thought leaders, and industry shapers come to stay future-ready, share their journeys, and build speaking businesses with substance, strategy, and staying power.We go beyond performance. We go behind the scenes. We talk positioning, platform, partnerships, trends, and the mindset required to lead in today’s ever-evolving speaking industry.For our launch episode, Elliot Kay sits down with two-time Speaker Awards winner Jazz Ampaw-Farr for a bold, honest, and energising conversation about her journey to success, overcoming self-doubt, the importance of community, peer recognition, and the impact of the Speaker Awards on her career.Jazz also shares personal insights, including her love story with Ed, and reminds us that resilience and joy can coexist. This episode is a heartfelt call to action: be 10% braver, step into the arena, and leave the world better than you found it.🔑 Key TakeawaysCommunity fuels growth and sustainability in the speaking professionOvercoming imposter syndrome is essential for personal and professional evolutionRecognition from peers significantly strengthens confidence and credibilityApplying for awards is a powerful exercise in reflection and growthContinuous learning keeps speakers relevant and impactfulCourageous conversations create breakthroughs on and off the stage🔗 Connect with Jazz📧 Email: hello@behumanfirst.co🌐 Book Jazz: jazampawfarr.com/book-jaz🔗 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jazampawfarr🌍 Linktree: linktr.ee/jazampawfarrIf this conversation resonated with you, reach out and connect with Jazz. Continue the courageous conversations.🎧 Listen & Watch▶️ YouTubeThe A&S FrontRow PodcastThe Speaker Awards🎧 SpotifyListen on Spotify🎙️ Apple PodcastListen on Apple Podcast🔗 LinkedIn (The Speaker Awards & Summit)LinkedIn🎵 Music from #UppbeatAll Good Folks - Real NiceLicense code: JNRLONKWY0DA3VREIf this episode inspired you, share it with a fellow speaker, leave a review, and tag us with your biggest takeaway.Ready to be 10% braver? Participate in the Speaker Awards and be part of a community that celebrates excellence, courage, and growth.#TheASFrontRowPodcast

Big news, big energy, and a countdown officially underway. Elliot Kay, CEO of the Speaker Awards and Speaker Summit, shares an exciting update as the clock ticks down to the first webinar of 2026, just nine days to go. With Speaker Summit celebrating its 5th year, 2026 is already shaping up to be a standout year, with new partnerships forming in the UK and UAE and growing momentum across the professional speaking industry.Elliot also pulls back the curtain on what makes the Speaker Summit different: a curated, value-led experience designed to elevate professional speakers, increase bookability, and demystify how the speaking industry really works. No selling, just honest insight, practical strategy, and real conversations that speakers can apply immediately to their businesses.Key TakeawaysSpeaker Summit is about pulling back the curtain on the speaking industryBookability, positioning, and relevance matter more than everThe event is 100% value-led with actionable insights you can apply immediatelyThe 2026 Summit is bigger, bolder, and more connected than ever📅 Free Webinar: 12 February⏰ Time: 2pm UK📍 Where: Online via Zoom🔗 Click here to save your seat🎙️ Secure your place at the free Speaker Summit webinar on 12 February at 2pm UK and gain exclusive insight into the 2026 event, including speakers, panels, and VIP opportunities.👉 Connect with us on LinkedInThe Speaker Summit & Awards celebrate, educate, recognise excellence, and elevate professional speakers.