Amplify with Jess Ekstrom

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

10-30

30:18

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.----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.

10-28

11:06

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

10-23

30:44

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.

10-21

14:40

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?---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

10-16

29:46

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.----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.

10-14

07:12

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! ----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.---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

10-09

29:41

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

10-07

06:58

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

10-02

29:20

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.

09-30

07:19

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

09-25

24:00

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!----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.

09-23

26:47

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

09-18

29:07

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. ----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.

09-16

08:09

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!----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----(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---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