{"podcast":{"title":"The Speaker Lab Podcast","slug":"the-speaker-lab-podcast-454882","podcast_index_feed_id":454882,"rss_url":"https://rss.art19.com/the-speaker-lab-podcast","website_url":"https://art19.com/shows/the-speaker-lab-podcast","image_url":"https://content.production.cdn.art19.com/images/2c/ce/0f/5c/2cce0f5c-c25c-4ec1-83b6-f1b22b259e8a/5be90ff2e4148eff82740edd1e07035eed13b2e742a922bee20c53404e275e41c9a9c4983fb1f690632d0b24a5f76c6413d28616c74c72f37221807461f57496.jpeg","author":"The Speaker Lab","episode_count":639,"summary":"Want to learn how to get booked and paid to speak — consistently? The Speaker Lab podcast features business tactics, speaking tips, and insider strategies from TSL CEO Dan Irvin, The Speaker Lab coaches, and some of the world's most successful speakers. You'll learn how to find speaking gigs, build relationships in your industry, negotiate higher speaker fees, and grow your speaking business. Every week, this podcast will give you key insights and practical advice from speakers who have been there and done that and can help you take the next step in your speaking journey. Whether you’re just getting started as a paid speaker or you’re a veteran speaker looking to build and grow your business, The Speaker Lab Podcast is here for you!","last_synced_at":"2026-07-09T22:19:38.585210+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-speaker-lab-podcast-454882"},"episode":{"title":"From Free Gigs to Paid Speaking with Dr. Yvette E. Pearson","slug":"from-free-gigs-to-paid-speaking-with-dr-yvette-e-pearson","published_at":"2025-12-02T11:30:00+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-speaker-lab-podcast-454882/from-free-gigs-to-paid-speaking-with-dr-yvette-e-pearson","show_page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-speaker-lab-podcast-454882","url":"https://pdst.fm/e/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/rss.art19.com/episodes/d068509d-7e9f-47db-97a7-b285b10eca40.mp3?rss_browser=BAhJIg90cmFuc2NyaWJyBjoGRVQ%3D--952c5701c84ad333c69d5faa668f8177091704f0","audio_url":"https://pdst.fm/e/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/rss.art19.com/episodes/d068509d-7e9f-47db-97a7-b285b10eca40.mp3?rss_browser=BAhJIg90cmFuc2NyaWJyBjoGRVQ%3D--952c5701c84ad333c69d5faa668f8177091704f0","summary":"“Everything [The Speaker Lab] does is very intentional drive, step driven, process driven, and it can fit whatever time that you can give it…So time is less relevant. Consistency is more relevant.” Welcome back to The Speaker Lab podcast! In this episode, we’re diving deep into the realities of building a thriving speaking business while balancing a busy professional life. Our host, Erick Rheam, brings on Dr. Yvette E. Pearson, an engineer, executive in higher education, and passionate advocate for people-centered STEM organizations. Dr. Pearson opens up about the unique challenges she faces as she transitions from speaking for free at conferences within her industry to establishing herself as a paid, professional speaker. She discusses the struggle of carving out time for business-building activities—like prospecting for speaking gigs—while balancing the demands of a full-time job and a consulting business.  Throughout the conversation, Erick offers practical advice on how to break out of the “industry speaker” mold, set and negotiate fees with confidence, and implement consistent power hours. You’ll hear actionable strategies for navigating awkward money conversations, leveraging free speaking gigs for future opportunities, and building momentum that can transform your speaking business. Whether you’re just starting, looking to move from free to paid gigs, or searching for ways to fit speaking into an already busy life, the insights and encouragement in this episode are for you! You’ll learn: How to break the cycle of free speaking gigs What defines an industry versus a professional speaker Strategies for handling payment conversations How to utilize contracts and exit interviews to set expectations When to refer other colleagues for a gig Following up with free…","meta_description":"“Everything [The Speaker Lab] does is very intentional drive, step driven, process driven, and it can fit whatever time that you can give it…So time is le…","key_points":[],"chapters":[],"topics":[],"duration_seconds":2585,"processing_state":"not_requested","actions":[{"name":"request_transcript","method":"POST","url":"https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/the-speaker-lab-podcast-454882/episodes/from-free-gigs-to-paid-speaking-with-dr-yvette-e-pearson/transcription-requests","description":"Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode."},{"name":"read_markdown","method":"GET","url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-speaker-lab-podcast-454882/from-free-gigs-to-paid-speaking-with-dr-yvette-e-pearson.md","description":"Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource."}]}}