Building a speaking business isn't about chasing gigs it's about compounding trust. In this conversation, Dave shares how content, patience, and positioning turned his work as an organizational psychologist into a full-time speaking career.

We talk about why books still matter, how YouTube became a silent lead generator, and why answering the same client questions over and over is actually the smartest content strategy. You'll hear why speaking for free can be a smart trade (if you get video), how to think about keynote fees realistically, and why momentum takes years, not weeks.

If you're trying to build a speaking business that lasts without burning out or begging for attention this episode is your long game playbook.

Timestamps:
00:00 — Cold Open & Intro
04:28 — From Academia to the Stage: Making the Leap to Speaking
06:16 — Why Books Became the Ultimate Business Card
06:56 — Inbound Only: Letting Content Do the Selling
08:08 — How Many Speaking Gigs Is "Enough"?
09:35 — Structuring a Keynote for Real Impact (Not Inspiration Fluff)
12:36 — Speaking Fees Explained: From Honorarium to Five Figures
15:34 — Associations vs Enterprise Clients: What Actually Repeats
17:49 — Why YouTube Beat Podcasting for Lead Generation
18:33 — The Mistakes That Killed Early YouTube Growth
20:44 — Long-Form vs Shorts: What Actually Brings Clients
26:44 — One Action Speakers Can Take Right Now
31:42 — The Long Game: Compounding Trust Over Time

Links:

Guest: David Burkus
Website: davidburkus.com
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/davidburkus
Instagram: www.instagram.com/davidburkus
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@DavidBurkus

You don't need a million-dollar marketing budget to build a thriving business. Maria Guy shares how she used her construction background to build a successful coaching practice, all by leveraging practical solutions and her existing network. We talk about why over-serving early clients creates lifelong customers, the importance of being practical, and how to use strategic partnerships to scale quickly.

Maria also talks about finding your unique business voice, how to navigate client expectations, and why authenticity beats copying others. If you're in the early stages of business or feeling stuck in your growth, Maria's story will inspire you to rethink how you approach growth, partnerships, and networking.

Timestamps:
00:00 — Cold Open & Intro
03:37 — Maria's Journey: From Construction to Coaching
05:27 — The Power of Structure in Building a Business
06:00 — Using Your Network to Build a Consulting Business
09:37 — Over-Serving Early Clients to Build Loyalty
12:20 — The Importance of Building Credibility Early
14:21 — The Mistake of Copying Others' Business Models
17:52 — Partnering with Others to Scale Your Business

Links:

Guest: Maria Guy
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/mariaguy

Travis Chappell knows how to connect with the best. He went from knocking on doors to securing interviews with top names in business, entertainment, and sports - all through the power of his podcast. In this episode, Travis shares how podcasting became his secret weapon to network with the world's best, and how you can do it too.

We dive into how starting small and building credibility led to massive relationships, why podcasts are the perfect vehicle for connecting with high-profile guests, and why rejection is just part of the game.

If you're looking for real strategies on how to grow your network, build trust, and create valuable relationships, this episode is a masterclass in how to build your platform from scratch.

Timestamps:
00:00 — Cold Open & Intro
03:49 — Starting from Scratch: Travis's Journey to Building a Network
11:53 — The Power of Asking (and How to Get Your Foot in the Door)
22:50 — Using Podcasts to Build Real Relationships
26:06 — The Magic of Cold DMs: Reaching Out to High-Profile Guests
28:08 — The Importance of Credibility in Networking
30:05 — The Law of Averages: How Consistency Gets Results
32:02 — How Rejection Is a Step Toward Success
35:14 — The One Thing That Will Always Work: Just Keep Asking
37:31 — Building a Platform Through Consistency and Authenticity
40:03 — Leveraging Your Show to Get High-Profile Guests

Links:

Guest: Travis Chappell
Founder of Guestio
Website: travischappell.com
Guestio: guestio.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/travischappell
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@travismakesfriends