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Speaking Business podcast

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Sharper business thinking for working speakers.

The gist

Speaking Business podcast sits at the business end of public speaking: positioning, visibility, credibility, fees, and repeatable demand. Maria Franzoni speaks with speakers, coaches, journalists, trainers, and performance specialists about what actually helps speakers get chosen.

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About Speaking Business podcast

Speaking Business podcast looks at public speaking as both a performance skill and a business model. Its centre of gravity is practical: what makes a speaker bookable, memorable, credible, and commercially useful to clients. Maria Franzoni leads brisk, friendly conversations with people who have built speaking-related careers from different angles. The episodes do not stay in abstract motivation for long. They get into signatures, proof points, bios, photographs, media response times, audience fit, and the discipline of staying known for something specific. Jenn Espinosa's episode pushes hard on focus. A speaker with too many topics may sound impressive, but the show frames that as a visibility problem when buyers cannot name the speaker's core promise. John Card's conversation shifts the lens to journalism and PR. Speakers hear why prepared media assets, current photos, clear bios, and quick replies can matter when journalists and event organisers are working against deadlines. Anna Hemmings brings the pressure-tested language of high performance, resilience, recovery, and psychological safety. Her episode connects sporting experience with the corporate need to sustain performance rather than merely bounce back after strain. Paul McGee adds the perspective of a long-running speaking career. His discussion of familiar frameworks, new research, and day-to-day relevance shows how a speaker can keep established material alive without pretending every idea is brand new. Simone Vincenzi's episode brings webinars into the sales conversation, with attention to presentations that connect and convert. Jayne Storey introduces quieter territory: meditation, relaxed readiness, nerves, anxiety, and the challenge of selling a message that asks audiences to slow down. Freddie Ravel broadens the frame through music, memory, leadership, and emotional connection. David Newman presses speakers to move beyond basic how-to content toward sharper points of view, beliefs, and focus. Across the show, the pacing is conversational but purposeful. It has room for jokes, familiar professional warmth, and small asides, yet it consistently returns to action. The best fit is not the casual listener looking for celebrity interviews. It is the speaker, trainer, consultant, or expert who wants their market message to become clearer and their path to paid work more deliberate.

Made for: For speakers, trainers, consultants, coaches, and subject-matter experts who want to be easier to position, promote, and book. It is especially useful for people turning expertise into a more deliberate speaking business.

What sets it apart: The show combines speaker-industry commercial detail with guests from journalism, sport, sales, music, coaching, and speaking. Its strength is practical specificity: bios, photos, signature speeches, webinars, resilience, media readiness, and buyer confidence.

In their own words

Welcome to Speaking Business Podcast hosted by former international Speaker Bureau Owner and Agent Maria Franzoni.Speaking Business Podcast is a practical no waffle no nonsense podcast packed with actionable advice for Speakers wanting to be more bookable and make more money. Maria is the hidden influence behind the careers of hundreds of successful speakers and a recognised Speaking Industry expert. For 23 years she worked in and ran leading speaker bureaus, she knows why clients really book speakers - and why they don't. Maria's guests are all personally invited by Maria, they are collaborators, clients, speakers and bookers, sharing their experience about how to succeed in the world of pa…

As heard by us

Based on 6 episodes we listened to · September 2026

Maria Franzoni turns professional speaking into a legible business of positioning, client preparation, media readiness and sustained relevance.

Maria Franzoni treats professional speaking as an operating business, asking guests how ideas become bookable talks and how speaking careers remain durable.

Read our full review in PlayNext →

Why you'd press play

Maria Franzoni makes backstage homework the main event, so your next booking feels less mysterious.

Press play if you want

  • a sharper signature speech instead of six topics wearing one trench coat
  • practical ways to turn expertise into a distinct point of view
Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →
speaker positioningsignature speechesmedia visibilityspeaker bios and photosevent organiser expectationsresilience and high performancewebinars and conversionpersonal brand clarity

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Episodes

  1. 1

    How to move your audience to action with Sarah Archer

    ·28m
  2. 2

    Sustaining High Performance & Building a Speaking Business with Anna Hemmings

    ·25m
  3. 3

    Shut Up, Move On: Building a Speaking Career That Lasts with Paul McGee

    ·34m
  4. 4

    How to use webinars to grow your speaking business with Simone Vincenzi

    ·27m
  5. 5

    The Practice Most Speakers Are Missing with Jayne Storey

    ·34m
  6. 6

    Finding the Rhythm with Freddie Ravel

    ·30m
  7. 7

    Market Eminence: Standing Out, Staying Relevant and Getting Hired with David Newman

    ·36m
  8. 8

    From Boardroom to Mainstage: Lessons from Kevin Gaskell on Building a World-Class Speaking Career

    ·29m
  9. 9

    What Speakers can Learn from Actors, Musicians and Dancers with Laura Penn

    ·25m
  10. 10

    What Event Organisers are Looking for with Bureau President Monique Sar

    ·25m
  11. 11

    Ridiculously Easy to Do Business with – David Avrin on Speaking, Fees, and Getting the Gigs

    ·29m
  12. 12

    Funny Gets You Booked with Emmy Award-Winning Comedy Writer Beth Sherman

    ·24m
  13. 13

    Relevance, Resilience and Real Connection with Felicity Ashley

    ·18m
  14. 14

    Build a Speaking Business by asking better Questions with Marlo Clarke

    ·30m
  15. 15

    Style isn't superficial it's strategy - with Kay Korsh

    ·22m
  16. 16

    You don't need a stronger bio - you need a better story, with Mark Leruste

    ·36m
  17. 17

    How to Build a Speaking Business, Zero Excuses with Brad Burton

    ·26m
  18. 18

    Get Noticed and Grow Your Speaking Business on LinkedIn with Niall Ratcliffe

    ·33m
  19. 19

    Building a Career that Speaks Volumes: Lessons from Rikki Arundel

    ·29m
  20. 20

    From Real Estate to Real Impact: How Nikki Greenberg Built Her Speaking Business

    ·26m
  21. 21

    Unlocking Growth with Steve Sumner

    ·32m
  22. 22

    Building a Successful Speaking Business: Insights and Advice from Mark Denton

    ·34m
  23. 23

    Get started using AI in your Speaking Business with Ben Gold

    ·36m
  24. 24

    What is a Speaker Manager and what do they do? With Diana Stoney

    ·29m
  25. 25

    From a mindset of poverty to a high paying speaking business with Jaz Ampaw-Farr

    ·36m
  26. 26

    Intentional Storytelling with Steve Ashton

    ·20m
  27. 27

    How every speaker could benefit from having a manager with QJ

    ·31m
  28. 28

    Finding your 'True Funny' with Paul Dornan

    ·32m
  29. 29

    Owning your own story with Lesley Woods

    ·18m
  30. 30

    Ditch perfection and create connection with Lisa Braithwaite

    ·29m
  31. 31

    How to license your content to grow your speaking business with David Lim

    ·21m
  32. 32

    How to beat stress and avoid burnout with Carole Spiers

    ·18m
  33. 33

    How to grow your (speaking) business with Donnie Boivin

    ·30m
  34. 34

    How to transition from low paid entertainer to highly paid keynote with Tim David

    ·34m
  35. 35

    What is going on in the Speaking Industry in Canada, US and Europe? with Tami Adams

    ·46m
  36. 36

    What's happening on the international speaker circuit with Philipp Kristian

    ·26m
  37. 37

    What speakers can learn from journalists to become visible, credible and easier to book with Jon Card

    ·28m
  38. 38

    How to get started as a paid speaker with Liza Pavlakos

    ·24m
  39. 39

    Advice from 35 year speaking veteran Orvel Ray Wilson

    ·33m
  40. 40

    Paul Spiers talks about his consultancy and speaking with Maria Franzoni

    ·22m
  41. 41

    Insights into the speaking industry with speaker agent and manager Dave Daniel

    ·33m
  42. 42

    You don't make a sale, you build a sale with Shelley Walters

    ·43m
  43. 43

    A Call to Action to save the planet from Hugh Montgomery

    ·33m
  44. 44

    Founder of Covered Speakers Bureau Adam Levitt in conversation with Maria Franzoni

    ·27m
  45. 45

    How to Maximise your LinkedIn Profile with Melanie Goodman

    ·40m
  46. 46

    From speaking for free to opening for Tony Robbins with Phil M Jones

    ·39m
  47. 47

    Everything you need to know about the Big Stage with Pegine Echevarria

    ·45m
  48. 48

    How to get booked to speak in the US with Gail Davis

    ·33m
  49. 49

    Taking your Speaking Business International with Elin Hauge

    ·32m
  50. 50

    How to be a Productivity Ninja in your Speaking Business with Graham Allcott

    ·30m
  51. 51

    Behind the scenes of a successful speaking business with Simone Vincenzi

    ·37m
  52. 52

    Financial Wellness for Speakers with Caitriona Ellis

    ·36m
  53. 53

    How to be rich without really trying with Jasmine Birtles

    ·34m
  54. 54

    Speaking Business is a Journey, Not a Destination with Olga Geidane

    ·37m
  55. 55

    How to write & self-publish a book that turns readers into clients with Jessica Killingley

    ·34m
  56. 56

    Speaker Website Essentials with Chris and Jude Wharton

    ·37m
  57. 57

    Turn your Book or Keynote into Transformational Programmes with Mary Tillson

    ·22m
  58. 58

    From working the room to working the Zoom with Will Kintish

    ·33m
  59. 59

    How to work with Speaker Bureaus with Maria Franzoni

    ·26m
  60. 60

    Stand out as a Speaker and Be More Giraffe with Elliot Kay

    ·32m
  61. 61

    What speakers can learn from online influencers with Gordon Glenister

    ·28m
  62. 62

    Build better business relationships with video messaging with Ethan Beute

    ·39m
  63. 63

    Transforming our Speaking with Philipp Kristian

    ·26m
  64. 64

    Get out of the Content Creation Hell with Jen Liddy

    ·28m
  65. 65

    175 Social Media Engagement Advice from President Obama's Lead Advance Associate, Roger Fisk

    ·35m
  66. 66

    Do It! Speaking with David Newman

    ·38m
  67. 67

    173 What chocolate can teach you about sales with Alison Edgar MBE

    ·29m
  68. 68

    172 Prospecting without cold calling with Art Sobczak

    ·26m
  69. 69

    171 How to become a Referable Speaker with Andrew Davis

    ·45m
  70. 70

    170 CRMs - Worth it or a waste of time and money? with Taylorr Payne

    ·40m
  71. 71

    169 Behind the scenes of Jamil Qureshi's Speaking Business

    ·38m
  72. 72

    168 Improv your Speaking Business with Neil Mullarkey

    ·39m
  73. 73

    167 Craft and Deliver a Unique Message with Steve Lowell

    ·39m
  74. 74

    How to market yourself as an international speaker with Frank Furness

    ·30m
  75. 75

    165 Behind the scenes of a successful speaking business with James Taylor

    ·54m
  76. 76

    Will authoring a book get me more and higher paid gigs with Sophie Bennett

    ·48m
  77. 77

    163 Podcasting - Increase your visibility, credibility and impact with Amy Rowlinson

    ·39m
  78. 78

    LinkedIn Company Pages Work with Michelle Raymond

    ·34m
  79. 79

    The Rumours are True with Maria Franzoni

    ·9m
  80. 80

    The Pain-Free Way to Boost Economic Growth with Dag Detter

    ·19m
  81. 81

    ROI - Return on Innovation with Maher Mezher

    ·19m
  82. 82

    Prosperity ahead - or not? with Todd Buchholz

    ·29m
  83. 83

    Making Beautiful Music with Boris Brott

    ·21m
  84. 84

    156 The Business of Excellence with Justin Hughes

    ·39m
  85. 85

    155 The Sweet and Sour of High Performance with Leon Lloyd

    ·19m
  86. 86

    154 Harnessing Serendipity to navigate uncertainty with Dr Christian Busch

    ·24m
  87. 87

    153 The Serious Business of Comedy at Work with Paul Boross

    ·27m
  88. 88

    Everyone's a Leader Now with Jeremy Schwartz

    ·27m
  89. 89

    151 Unstoppable Momentum with Mark Schaefer

    ·26m
  90. 90

    150 Becoming the 1st Female Film Director in the UAE - Nayla Al Khaja

    ·21m
  91. 91

    149 Counter-intuitive Selling with Bill Caskey & Bryan Neale

    ·28m
  92. 92

    148 Making Sense of this World with Brunello Rosa

    ·28m
  93. 93

    147 Humour Connects Us with Tim Gard

    ·27m
  94. 94

    146 Setting Boundaries to Prevent Burnout with Marie Oakes

    ·25m
  95. 95

    145 How to be a Business Chameleon with Gerald Ratner

    ·23m
  96. 96

    How to be more, do more, have more with Gavin Ingham

    Gavin Ingham discusses his I am 10 methodology for high performance, focusing on what differentiates high performers from good performers and how to apply it to speaking business.

    ·32m
  97. 97

    Behind the scenes of an international speaker bureau with Raleigh Addington

    Maria Franzoni introduces an interview with Raleigh Addington, managing director of Chartwell Speakers, discussing insights from speaker bureaus and how speakers can become bureau-ready.

    ·26m
  98. 98

    From Basecamp and through a Pandemic to a successful speaking business with Alex Staniforth

    Maria Franzoni interviews Alex Staniforth about growing his speaking business during the pandemic, from modest beginnings to his best year yet.

    ·34m
  99. 99

    From the Philippines to the World Stage with Sha Nacino

    Maria Franzoni interviews Sha Nacino, a top motivational speaker from the Philippines, about her work helping leaders improve employee engagement through human connection and compassionate leadership.

    ·21m
  100. 100

    How Santa, chocolate, questions and acronyms help you be a better speaker with George Nagle

    George Nagle shares creative approaches like using Santa, chocolate, questions, and acronyms to become a better speaker.

    ·22m
  101. 101

    From Fraud Examiner to Speaker Coach with Jenn Espinosa

    Hidden gem

    Jenn Espinosa discusses her transition from certified fraud examiner to speaker coach, helping leaders improve presentation skills and communication.

    Apr 9, 2026·26m·1 clip
  102. 102

    What speakers can learn from journalists to become visible, credible and easier to book with Jon Card

    Hidden gem

    Maria Franzoni interviews John Card, a former Guardian, Times and Daily Telegraph journalist who now runs Full Story Media and advises speakers on media visibility.

    Mar 12, 2026·28m·1 clip
  103. 103

    Sustaining High Performance & Building a Speaking Business with Anna Hemmings

    Hidden gem

    Maria Franzoni interviews two-time Olympian and six-times world champion Anna Hemmings about sustaining high performance and building a speaking business.

    Feb 26, 2026·25m·1 clip
  104. 104

    Shut Up, Move On: Building a Speaking Career That Lasts with Paul McGee

    Maria Franzoni interviews Paul McGee, known as The Sumo Guy, about building a speaking career after losing his Unilever job through illness and becoming self-employed in 1991.

    Feb 12, 2026·34m·2 clips
  105. 105

    How to use webinars to grow your speaking business with Simone Vincenzi

    Maria Franzoni interviews Simone Vincenzi about using webinars to grow a speaking business.

    Jan 29, 2026·27m
  106. 106

    The Practice Most Speakers Are Missing with Jayne Storey

    Hidden gem

    Jane Storey says flow is not “mental toughness” but “mental silence” and “relaxed readiness” in the body.

    Jan 15, 2026·34m·2 clips
  107. 107

    Finding the Rhythm with Freddie Ravel

    Hidden gem

    Speaking Business podcast features Maria Franzoni with Freddie Ravel, a pianist and keynote speaker who says he has worked with Google, Apple, IBM, NASA, Madonna, Prince, Carlos Santana, and Earth, Wind & Fire.

    Dec 11, 2025·30m·1 clip
  108. 108

    Market Eminence: Standing Out, Staying Relevant and Getting Hired with David Newman

    Hidden gem

    Speaking Business podcast hosts Maria Franzoni and David Newman discuss Newman’s book Market Eminence, 22 Strategies to Build a Bold Personal Brand, Become a Business Celebrity and Drive Unstoppable Growth.

    Nov 26, 2025·36m·2 clips
  109. 109

    From Boardroom to Mainstage: Lessons from Kevin Gaskell on Building a World-Class Speaking Career

    Hidden gem

    Speaking Business podcast host Maria Franzoni traces Kevin Gaskell’s move from Porsche, BMW, and Lamborghini leadership into a speaking career built on “vision, leadership, and resilience.” Gaskell says he “fell into it” after a BMW story on a 10-theatre tour, then learned that speaking needs slide design, audience framing, and entertainment as separate skills.

    Nov 13, 2025·29m·1 clip
  110. 110

    What Speakers can Learn from Actors, Musicians and Dancers with Laura Penn

    Oct 22, 2025·25m
  111. 111

    What Event Organisers are Looking for with Bureau President Monique Sar

    Sep 18, 2025·25m
  112. 112

    Ridiculously Easy to Do Business with – David Avrin on Speaking, Fees, and Getting the Gigs

    Sep 3, 2025·29m
  113. 113

    Funny Gets You Booked with Emmy Award-Winning Comedy Writer Beth Sherman

    Jul 10, 2025·24m
  114. 114

    Relevance, Resilience and Real Connection with Felicity Ashley

    Jun 26, 2025·18m
  115. 115

    Build a Speaking Business by asking better Questions with Marlo Clarke

    Jun 1, 2025·30m
  116. 116

    From the Philippines to the World Stage with Sha Nacino

    May 7, 2025·21m
  117. 117

    Style isn't superficial it's strategy - with Kay Korsh

    Apr 15, 2025·22m
  118. 118

    You don't need a stronger bio - you need a better story, with Mark Leruste

    Mar 25, 2025·36m
  119. 119

    How to Build a Speaking Business, Zero Excuses with Brad Burton

    Mar 6, 2025·26m
  120. 120

    Get Noticed and Grow Your Speaking Business on LinkedIn with Niall Ratcliffe

    Nov 5, 2024·33m
  121. 121

    Building a Career that Speaks Volumes: Lessons from Rikki Arundel

    Oct 25, 2024·29m
  122. 122

    From Real Estate to Real Impact: How Nikki Greenberg Built Her Speaking Business

    Sep 24, 2024·26m
  123. 123

    Unlocking Growth with Steve Sumner

    Sep 4, 2024·32m
  124. 124

    Building a Successful Speaking Business: Insights and Advice from Mark Denton

    Aug 6, 2024·34m
  125. 125

    Get started using AI in your Speaking Business with Ben Gold

    Jun 20, 2024·36m
  126. 126

    What is a Speaker Manager and what do they do? With Diana Stoney

    Sep 20, 2023·29m
  127. 127

    From a mindset of poverty to a high paying speaking business with Jaz Ampaw-Farr

    Apr 18, 2023·36m
  128. 128

    Intentional Storytelling with Steve Ashton

    Dec 27, 2022·20m
  129. 129

    How every speaker could benefit from having a manager with QJ

    Dec 20, 2022·31m
  130. 130

    Finding your 'True Funny' with Paul Dornan

    Dec 13, 2022·32m
  131. 131

    Owning your own story with Lesley Woods

    Dec 6, 2022·18m
  132. 132

    How Santa, chocolate, questions and acronyms help you be a better speaker with George Nagle

    Nov 29, 2022·22m
  133. 133

    Ditch perfection and create connection with Lisa Braithwaite

    Nov 15, 2022·29m
  134. 134

    How to license your content to grow your speaking business with David Lim

    Nov 1, 2022·21m
  135. 135

    How to beat stress and avoid burnout with Carole Spiers

    Oct 18, 2022·18m
  136. 136

    How to grow your (speaking) business with Donnie Boivin

    Oct 4, 2022·30m
  137. 137

    How to transition from low paid entertainer to highly paid keynote with Tim David

    Sep 20, 2022·34m
  138. 138

    What is going on in the Speaking Industry in Canada, US and Europe? with Tami Adams

    Sep 6, 2022·46m
  139. 139

    What's happening on the international speaker circuit with Philipp Kristian

    Aug 30, 2022·26m
  140. 140

    How to move your audience to action with Sarah Archer

    Aug 16, 2022·28m
  141. 141

    How to get started as a paid speaker with Liza Pavlakos

    Aug 2, 2022·24m
  142. 142

    Advice from 35 year speaking veteran Orvel Ray Wilson

    Jul 19, 2022·33m
  143. 143

    Paul Spiers talks about his consultancy and speaking with Maria Franzoni

    Jul 5, 2022·22m
  144. 144

    Insights into the speaking industry with speaker agent and manager Dave Daniel

    Jun 21, 2022·33m
  145. 145

    You don't make a sale, you build a sale with Shelley Walters

    Jun 14, 2022·43m
  146. 146

    A Call to Action to save the planet from Hugh Montgomery

    Jun 7, 2022·33m
  147. 147

    Founder of Covered Speakers Bureau Adam Levitt in conversation with Maria Franzoni

    May 31, 2022·27m
  148. 148

    How to Maximise your LinkedIn Profile with Melanie Goodman

    May 24, 2022·40m
  149. 149

    From speaking for free to opening for Tony Robbins with Phil M Jones

    May 17, 2022·39m
  150. 150

    Everything you need to know about the Big Stage with Pegine Echevarria

    May 10, 2022·45m