Kelsey O'Connor was a D1 student-athlete at North Carolina State University until she suffered a traumatic brain injury that abruptly ended her athletic career. Her journey of recovery and overcoming immense was the basis of her commencement address that went viral on TikTok and Facebook with over 40M (million) views. In our season 3 finale, Kelsey…

I recently read a study on dopamine that completely changed how I look at my work and life. It initially shocked me, but then I realized why it makes sense. ---- 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.…

As a speaker, you always want to reach the point of high-flying careers that take you worldwide, but that also means taking you away from your family. This raises the question, "Can speakers really have it all?" Can we prioritize our careers, marriages, partnerships, and kids at the same time? Today, Dr. John Delony gives us his tips. --- Dr. John …

In our culture, "Making it" usually means being an Oprah or Sara Blakely, appearing on a reality TV show, or discovering a scientific formula that lets you speak to your dog. Most of us (including me!) won't make it big time. But I still have something to offer that people find value in. And so do you. So, how do we measure our progress to maximize…

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, whi…

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 th…

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. T…

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…

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, wha…

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 Spotif…

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,…

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 r…

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 becom…

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 Earflu…

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 ha…

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 r…

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 Le…

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. …

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,…

We've all faced it before: the dreaded FOMO. Sometimes, it feels like a double-edged sword. You don't want to miss any chances, but saying yes for the sake of saying yes can lead to quick burnout. In this episode, Jess shares a mantra that helped silence her FOMO, and hopefully, it will do the same for you. ---- Rate Amplify on Spotify and Apple Po…

Antonio Neves saw a problem: he couldn't find the right content for balancing personal growth and family relationships, especially as a man in today's society. So he decided to do something about it by founding the Man Morning newsletter, a platform dedicated to inspiring men to start their day with purpose and intention. Learn tips on self-improve…

Have you ever asked yourself, "Am I where I should be at this point in my life?" or "Am I "on time? " We all rave about the 30 under 30 lists, but did we ever stop to think that maybe it was easier for them because they didn't have anything to risk? And maybe we're on the right track to success regardless of the time. ---- Rate Amplify on Spotify a…

Amy Porterfield really wanted freedom, flexibility, and autonomy in her career. She entered the digital course industry, which allowed her to work from home while still making money. Starting small, her first course made just $267, but she pulled in over $100 million in revenue through tweaks and relaunches. How did she do it? How can you leverage …

Are you constantly chasing the next big thing, only to find that the satisfaction you hoped for remains just out of reach? Do you think, "Once I achieve this, I can finally enjoy that"? You’re not alone. Today, we tackle the pervasive issue of FOMO—fear of missing out—and how it leads to a cycle of delaying joy. Let's find out how to stop letting F…

Sprakkar: an ancient Icelandish word that means "extraordinary women". Our guest today is the First Lady of Iceland, Eliza Reid. Not only is she the best-selling author of Secrets of the Sprakkar, but also a passionate advocate for gender equality, utilizing her platform to organize significant events like a gender equality strike in Iceland, fight…

Women’s voices have historically been suppressed, but just being aware of this can help them navigate today's gender landscape. Public speaking might be the most effective way to gain a voice, not only for yourself but also for future generations. Learn how this sentiment inspired Jess to create a speaking course exclusively for women. ---- Rate Am…

Millennials and Gen Z are the most anxious generations in history. Let that sink in - the most anxious generations in history! Even though Gen X and baby boomers experienced some stressful situations, anxiety wasn't at the forefront of everyone's minds. So why is this happening to millennials in Gen Z, and what can we do about it? Dr. Lauren Cook i…

Sometimes, beating anxiety means stepping out of your comfort zone, and Jess has shared a personal experience of how she dealt with her own postpartum anxiety by signing up for a local stand-up comedy class. ---- Rate Amplify on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and leave a review for Jess Ekstrom. Amplify with Jess is produced by Earfluence, and brought …

When Corrie LoGuidice was juggling a high stress career as a Senior Vice President while being a single parent, she knew it was time for a change. She saw an ad for Mic Drop Workshop, and decided to sign up. Shortly after, she was on the TEDx stage. Today, Corrie talks about her Mic Drop experience and what she's accomplished since jumping off the …

Do you remember what you wanted to be when you grew up? Maybe you’re doing something close to what you wanted to do as a kid, or maybe you’re on a different planet than what you’d initially vision-boarded in the cafeteria with your milk carton dunking your dinosaur nuggets. Still, either way, your answer is telling. Why? Tune in to find out! Rate A…

Feedback and email capture are essential for speaker success, but they can also feel a bit self-serving. So, how can we collect these things effectively without the ickiness? Today, Jess is joined by Arel Moodie, who is revolutionizing the speaking industry with Talkadot, a tool for quickly getting feedback from the audience, collecting testimonial…

Do you remember the last time you were bored? Like, truly bored? Nothing to read, nothing to scroll, nothing to listen to but your own thoughts. Sounds scary right? Except maybe boredom is the key to unlocking the next big idea. Rate Amplify on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and leave a review for Jess Ekstrom. Amplify with Jess is produced by Earfluen…

"Every time we see somebody accomplish anything, it should always be a reminder to us that we can accomplish anything." - Saul Blinkoff Saul has turned his dreams into reality. He's worked at some of the biggest names in the animation industry, including Disney Studios, MTV, ABC, Netflix, Mattel, and DreamWorks. But that's not all. He's also a life…

When Jess worked at Disney World, she saw the same two custodians every day—one who despised the job and the other who loved every minute of it. She wondered what separated the two in how they liked their jobs. A Yale study might hold the answer and help transform her mindset. Rate Amplify on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and leave a review for Jess E…

Is balancing a successful business with family life, self-care, friends, and sleep achievable? Our guest, Kate Rosenow, is a business systems strategist and the owner of "Work Well with Kate." She's an expert in helping service-based business owners scale without overwhelming (and understands this challenge firsthand as a mother!). She advocates fo…

When Jess took her daughter Ellie on her first flight, she survived two meltdowns—and only one of them was from Ellie. As they walked up and down the plane aisle, trying to soothe each other (along with some passengers giving her side eye), Jess realized that she had changed her thoughts about other people's perspectives. Rate Amplify on Spotify an…

How do you juggle being an entrepreneur, mom, and keynote speaker? Meet Megan Reilly, the founder behind Tippi Toes's children's dance company, who was featured on a little-known show called Shark Tank. (You may have heard of it.) She and Jess discuss balancing motherhood with career aspirations and embracing both simultaneously. --- Megan Reilly i…

A major hurdle we face as achievers is the "Wanting Mind." This mindset is consistently dissatisfied, hindering our ability to remain present. Instead of enjoying the journey, we're constantly seeking the next destination, like a child repeatedly asking, "Are we there yet?" Rate Amplify on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and leave a review for Jess Ekst…

As the VP of a marketing agency in 2019, Melanie Borden had zero digital footprint. But she decided it was time to step it up, and today, as we publish this episode, she has over 181,000 followers on LinkedIn! How did she do it? And how can you step up your LinkedIn presence to increase demand for your speaking? Let's find out! --- Melanie Borden i…

Jess has a personal Aesop tale that shifted her views on positive and negative thoughts, luck, and she's sharing the story today to explain how it transformed her Zen energy. 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.…

Lindsay Boccardo is no stranger to making mistakes. One of the biggest mistakes she made was walking down the aisle to marry a man while trying to convince herself she wasn't gay! However, once she became comfortable with her authentic self, she made a career out of speaking and training organizations on how to support their team members to be them…

One of the lessons the Mic Drop Workshop team teaches is Moment to Meaning. If you can look at your day like a film strip and place your finger on a moment—big or small—what would the greater meaning of that moment be? Today, Jess unpacks Moment to Meaning and shares how it applies to becoming a more powerful, more memorable speaker. Rate Amplify o…

Where does that inner critic of yours pop up from, and how can we handle it? Jess is joined by Britt Frank, a clinician, trauma specialist, and author of The Science of Stuck. Learn tips Britt has on calming nerves, changing self-talk, and staying true to yourself in creative endeavors. --- Britt Frank, LSCSW, SEP is a human behavior expert, licens…

A few years ago, Jess was on a retreat for "high-achievement women." Everyone was in their 20s-40s, except for a woman who was probably in her mid-70s. When Jess struck up a conversation with her, she asked if she got uncomfortable standing out at events like this. And the two words the woman taught her completely changed Jess's perspective on over…

Do you need a change in your life? Maybe you're stuck in a corporate gig, and while you love the consistent paydays and health insurance, you also feel like there’s so much more to your professional legacy. Founder and CEO of Change Enthusiasm Global, Cassandra Worthy, needed that change. She was a chemical engineer 15 years into her career at Proc…

Today, Jess opens up about her personal journey with postpartum depression and anxiety. That period sucked, but she learned some valuable lessons on motherhood and emerged with a completely different attitude about embracing a new period of your life. Amplify with Jess is produced by Earfluence, and brought to you by Mic Drop Workshop.…

On YouTube, you've probably seen today's guests, Kim and Penn Holderness. Their family videos have been consistently hilarious, starting with their rise to fame with Christmas Jammies 10 years ago. They just released a new book, ADHD is Awesome, and are here to share their perspectives on the challenges and superpowers of Penn's ADHD. Listen and se…

In the speaking world, so many things are measured and judged. How many people were in the audience? How many likes were on that Reel? How many views were on the YouTube video? Maybe you've heard critics and the voice inside your head tell you that broadcasting your message to a small audience is "cringe-worthy." Well, maybe it's time to embrace th…

As co-founder and first CEO of Netflix, Marc Randolph led the company from its inception in 1998 through its IPO in 2002. He left the company a year later to pursue other passions, which includes public speaking. Today, Marc joins Jess to discuss the importance of experimentation on stage, the value of continuous improvement, adapting to audience f…

When Jess was in college, she applied for an internship with NBC’s Today Show…and got it. In the back of her mind though, she was pretty sure she only got the job for a nefarious reason. But did that really matter? — Amplify with Jess is produced by Earfluence, and brought to you by Mic Drop Workshop.…