232: Behind the Scenes: What I’m Building (and Letting Go of) in 2026

Ever wonder what really goes into setting intentional, aligned goals as a creative entrepreneur? In this episode, I’m giving you a transparent look behind the scenes at how I’m approaching 2026. We’ll take through what worked in 2025 and the challenges I’m not dragging into the new year. Listen in as I share my personal […] The post 232: Behind the Scenes: What I’m Building (and Letting Go of) in 2026 appeared first on Laylee Emadi | Coach for Creative Educators.

If you’ve ever wondered whether your voice is really valuable enough to be paid for, consider this episode your wake-up call. Tomasha Suber shares a behind-the-scenes insight that most speakers wish they had when starting out. Speaking is not just a visibility play—it’s a revenue strategy and your voice is an asset. Want to become […] The post 231: Your Voice Is Your Most Valuable Asset with Tomasha Suber appeared first on Laylee Emadi | Coach for Creative Educators.

Instagram growth without the gimmicks? Yes, please. In this episode, Shannon McKinstrie brings a refreshing perspective to marketing, ditching the “hot take” culture and helping people show up online in ways that feel human, ethical, and effective. We dive into what types of posts convert, how to overcome content paralysis, and why the “rules” of […] The post 230: Instagram Marketing That Doesn’t Feel Gross with Shannon McKinstrie appeared first on Laylee Emadi | Coach for Creative Educators.

A safe space is necessary, but a brave space changes everything. In this snack-sized episode, I’m sharing a powerful moment from a conversation I had with Christina Olivarez inside the Sought-After Speaker System. Christina breaks down why it’s not enough to just create safety, but you have to create courage. Her event goes beyond inspiration […] The post 229: The Power of Brave Events for Entrepreneurs ft. Christina Olivarez appeared first on Laylee Emadi | Coach for Creative Educators.

Retreat hosts aren’t just booking a speaker, they’re inviting you into the most intimate room they’ve built. That changes everything. In this final episode of our speaker selection series, I’m pulling together my favorite clips from interviews with incredible retreat hosts inside my course, the Sought-After Speaker System. This time, we’re zeroing in on retreats: […] The post 228: What Retreat Hosts Really Look For in a Speaker appeared first on Laylee Emadi | Coach for Creative Educators.

Want to know what really happens after you hit submit on your speaker pitch? It’s easy to feel like your application disappears into a void, but today, we’re pulling back the curtain on the process that Conquer Live hosts take. I sat down with Jamie Fiscer and Heather Leicy to uncover what goes on behind […] The post 227: The Speaker Selection Process: What Event Organizers Look for in Speaker Applications ft. Jamie Fisher & Heather Leicy appeared first on Laylee Emadi | Coach for Creative Educators.

What do event hosts actually look for when they book speakers? I sat down with 10 powerhouse event hosts who not only curate stages, but often speak on them too, and asked exactly that. In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain to bring you their top 10 tips. These aren’t just theories; they’re what […] The post 226: 10 Insider Tips from Event Hosts on What Makes a Speaker Stand Out appeared first on Laylee Emadi | Coach for Creative Educators.

It’s not just what you say on stage—it’s how you show up in the room. In this snack sized episode, Joanna Waterfall shares what really makes a speaker memorable from a host’s perspective. Spoiler: it’s not just a killer keynote. Joanna gets real about the importance of showing up authentically before, during, and after your […] The post 225: How to Show Up and Stand Out as a Speaker ft. Joanna Waterfall appeared first on Laylee Emadi | Coach for Creative Educators.

Are unpaid speaking gigs worth it or a complete waste of your time? In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on a question that every industry educator and speaker eventually asks: “Should I take the stage if I’m not getting paid?” You’ll hear from powerhouse speakers and event hosts like Jordan Gill, Elizabeth Henson, […] The post 224: Are Unpaid Speaking Gigs Worth It? appeared first on Laylee Emadi | Coach for Creative Educators.

Ever wondered why some speakers get paid and others don’t? This episode spills the truth. In this honest, behind-the-scenes convo with Christina Olivarez, founder of Hustle + Socialize, we dig into what it really takes to build a sustainable event—especially when it comes to speaker pay. This is a raw and real look at how […] The post 223: How Conference Budgets Impact Who Gets Paid (And Who Doesn’t) ft. Christina Olivarez appeared first on Laylee Emadi | Coach for Creative Educators.