Take the Stage - for Speakers, by Speakers

Have you ever witnessed someone sharing their hard story before they truly processed their pain? Did it seem like they were just coming across like they were angry with everyone involved in their story? Was watching their pain a painful experience for you? When you share your difficult story while you're still grieving, it can be messy for everyone. There is a difference between telling a story and telling a hard story. That difference is timing.Top reasons to listen to the entire episode:Your message is different from your testimonyIf you want to share your hard story with the world, you have to process your pain firstWhen it comes to telling a hard story, timing is everythingFull Show Notes Here!Connect with Mary Join Mary's Facebook group!Join Mary's email list!Follow Mary on Instagram Thanks for joining us on the Take the Stage podcast! If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and review to help us reach even more speakers like you.

Have you ever wondered when you should start getting out there and sharing your message? Or maybe you know that God has called you to be a speaker, but you don't know exactly what your message is yet. (If the latter is you, what I DON'T want you to do is go out there and create a message for every speaking opportunity that comes up – trust me, I've done it!). Whether you have a message or not, tune in to find out what I DO want you to do to craft the message you are called to share.Top reasons to listen to the entire episode:When God called you to speak, you became a speakerYour story can have both hard and beautiful partsFinding your message comes when you have peace that transcends all understandingFull Show Notes Here!Connect with Mary Join Mary's Facebook group!Join Mary's email list!Follow Mary on Instagram Thanks for joining us on the Take the Stage podcast! If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and review to help us reach even more speakers like you.

Have you ever watched something on YouTube only to realize halfway through that you really didn't care about the topic at all? Or maybe you felt that way while watching TV, and a commercial that didn't resonate with you came on. I hope you weren't overcome with the thought, "I feel like I should care about this, but I don't…" This message wasn't meant for you, so don't feel guilty! Keep listening to find out what the 3 key elements are to create a compelling message that reaches your target audience.Top reasons to listen to the entire episode:Your person can still be part of your story even if there is little connection between it and them.Your person cannot receive God's message without the Holy Spirit.Practice and preparation are also necessary for telling a compelling story.Full Show Notes Here!Connect with Mary Join Mary's Facebook group!Join Mary's email list!Follow Mary on Instagram Thanks for joining us on the Take the Stage podcast! If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and review to help us reach even more speakers like you.

Who will you be in 2023? I know that’s a loaded question, but I want you to really think about it. Are you ready to fully embrace who God has called you to be? Could this be your year? I know I’m claiming it as mine, but are you? If you're thinking, "Mary, I'm honestly not sure," then you’ll want to tune in!Top reasons to listen to the entire episode:Don't allow a human being to affirm the calling that has been given to you by the glorious, high God.Have you decided to fully embrace your calling?Don't audition for the role God created you for.Full Show Notes Here!Mentioned ResourcesProverbs 29:25Connect with Mary Join Mary's Facebook group!Join Mary's email list!Follow Mary on Instagram Thanks for joining us on the Take the Stage podcast! If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and review to help us reach even more speakers like you.

You may wonder, “Mary, what exactly does it mean to step up into your message?” Well, it all comes down to the call that God has placed on your life. Maybe that makes you nervous. Maybe you don't feel confident enough to stand up and talk about what God is doing in your life. And you know what? That's okay because your confidence comes from your calling, not yourself. Ready to learn more about stepping into your message and serving others? Keep listening…Top reasons to listen to the entire episode:You can move your audience to action with your stories.It is crucial to bring your audience to your table so that you can have a conversation with them.Your relationship with your audience goes beyond the stage and the bookstall.Full Show Notes Here!Mentioned ResourcesEpisode 76: Step Up to Speak2 Corinthians 1:4 (ESV) – “who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”Join ActivateTake the Stage Facebook group1 Peter 2:9 (ESV) – “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.”Connect with Mary Join Mary's Facebook group!Join Mary's email list!Follow Mary on Instagram Thanks for joining us on the Take the Stage podcast! If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and review to help us reach even more speakers like you.

Do you know how to make an ask in your message? Are you able to take the stage, make a relatable connection, and confidently explain why your one person should volunteer, donate, or give to a mission trip or a building project? This may seem like a big ask in and of itself! And that's exactly why I'm breaking this down for you here in this episode. Y’all won’t want to miss this one!Top reasons to listen to the entire episode:Make your story relatable to your person.You’re not just grabbing your audience's attention, you’re also getting them to like you.If you have more than one call to action, it will be too overwhelming for your person to act.Full Show Notes Here!Mentioned ResourcesSponsor a Child Connect with Mary Join Mary's Facebook group!Join Mary's email list!Follow Mary on Instagram Thanks for joining us on the Take the Stage podcast! If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and review to help us reach even more speakers like you.

What does it mean to create an opening that captures attention? More importantly, how do you do it? We haven't discussed this topic for a while, so this is a great question. Considering the shocking stats of how little time you have to capture your audience's attention (which I reveal in this episode), crafting an opening that grabs your one person is so important. Y'all will want to tune in to this one!Top reasons to listen to the entire episode:Find out how long your opening should be.Learn how to be prepared and not lose your audience on stage.Discover why telling your story requires you to use the power of your voice.Full Show Notes Here!Connect with Mary Join Mary's Facebook group!Join Mary's email list!Follow Mary on Instagram Thanks for joining us on the Take the Stage podcast! If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and review to help us reach even more speakers like you.

Have you written a book? Maybe you haven't moved from speaker to author yet, but you've been thinking about it. You might be clear about your speaker message, but what about the overarching theme of your book? Is it about coming out of something? Is it a testimony of how God has moved in your life? No matter where you are on your speaker/author journey, I want you to sit and listen in on this episode…Top reasons to listen to the entire episode:You can move your audience to action with your stories.It is important to bring your audience to your table so that you can have a conversation with them.Your relationship with your audience goes beyond the stage and the bookstall.Full Show Notes Here!Connect with Mary Join Mary's Facebook group!Join Mary's email list!Follow Mary on Instagram Thanks for joining us on the Take the Stage podcast! If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and review to help us reach even more speakers like you.

Do you need a Christmas message? The short answer would be no, you don't NEED a Christmas message. But what happens if you WANT to add a Christmas message to your repertoire? To answer that, you need to ask yourself a few questions first. Want to know what they are? Keep listening…Top reasons to listen to the entire episode:You need one signature message that builds up your skill set before adopting a Christmas message.Think about how you can adapt your message to be Christmas-themed.It might be hard to practice something thrown together quickly during the holidays. Consider the consequences of saying yes when you should have said no.Full Show Notes Here!Connect with Mary Join Mary's Facebook group!Join Mary's email list!Follow Mary on Instagram Thanks for joining us on the Take the Stage podcast! If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and review to help us reach even more speakers like you.

Does the very thought of social media make you cringe? I get it. It can be hard when you get on there and see that everyone seems to have a perfect life. Can I stop you there? Remember that it's not about you – it's about what God has done in your life. If you want to get your message out there, share a bit about it, or build a community, this one is for you.Top reasons to listen to the entire episode:When you spend time with Jesus, you aren't just talking to him, but rather listening to what he has to say.Share about what's going on in your world, the messy and the real.When you batch your content, one tip will remind you of another, leading you to write another.Full Show Notes Here!Connect with Mary Join Mary's Facebook group!Join Mary's email list!Follow Mary on Instagram Thanks for joining us on the Take the Stage podcast! If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and review to help us reach even more speakers like you.