I recently had the opportunity to step onto the red dot at TEDx Sugar Creek Women, and I was surrounded by so many amazing speakers. For eight years, I've been refining my thoughts on public speaking, and it really just all culminated in this eight minute talk - The Secret to Great Public Speaking (No, It's Not Confidence). Here's a sneak peek, and for the full video, go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MT2q1YKZQPE. And of course I'd love it if you left a review and comment!...
Jun 30, 2025•4 min
Are you struggling to maintain relationships with people you love, even when you disagree on fundamental issues? This week on Amplify, Jess sits down with her good friend, Brit Barron, a speaker, DEI consultant, and author of Do You Still Talk to Grandma? Brit's work offers a much-needed guide for navigating the increasingly polarized world we live in, helping us find common ground and connection even when perspectives diverge. Brit and Jess discuss our divided society, examining why it feels ha...
Jun 24, 2025•37 min•Season 5Ep. 8
Are you constantly feeling overwhelmed by the endless "shoulds" and unsolicited advice coming your way? This week on Amplify, Jess sits down with her good friend, Dr. Sarah Glova, a keynote speaker, writer, researcher, and unapologetic truth-teller. Her viral talk, "Stop Giving Women Advice," is backed by science, and when Jess saw the title, she knew she had to have her on the show. Sarah thoroughly examines why unsolicited advice isn't just annoying – it can actually reinforce power imbalances...
Jun 10, 2025•36 min•Season 5Ep. 7
For bestselling author Sarah Hoover, motherhood wasn’t blissful. It was brutal. Her postpartum depression hit like a tidal wave, pulling her into the darkest year of her life - and no one had warned her. Today, Jess sits down with Sarah to talk about the abrupt whiplash of parenthood—from the identity crisis, the rage, the silence, and the slow process to recovery. Sarah’s book The Mother Load has been resonating with women across the country, because it tells the truth so many are scared to say...
May 27, 2025•32 min•Season 5Ep. 6
If you’ve ever looked at confident people and thought, “That could never be me,” this episode might flip your whole narrative. This week, Jess sits down with Selena Rezvani a LinkedIn Top Voice, TEDx speaker, and bestselling author of Quick Confidence, to dismantle the myth that confidence is something you’re born with. Spoiler: it’s not. It’s something you build , one rep at a time. Selena shares the uncomfortable story of being pushed into public speaking before she was ready and how that terr...
May 13, 2025•27 min•Season 5Ep. 5
In this episode, Jess Ekstrom is joined by Molly Fletcher, a former top sports agent and now one of the world’s most sought-after keynote speakers, to talk about what confidence really looks like behind the scenes. From protecting your energy to saying “yes” to the stage, Molly shares practical advice on how to step into your power and show up with purpose. (even when self-doubt creeps in!) Molly Fletcher is a trailblazing former sports agent who spent nearly two decades negotiating contracts fo...
Apr 29, 2025•29 min•Season 5Ep. 4
In today’s competitive workplace, being a standout means being a professional guru and making a memorable presence. In today's episode, Lorraine will share proven strategies to help you stand out, gain influence, and create a presence that makes you truly unforgettable. Fortune 500 companies, including Amazon, Zoom, Cisco, and McKinsey & Company, have adopted Lorraine's frameworks. With hundreds of thousands of LinkedIn followers and a reputation as a LinkedIn Top Voice in workplace communic...
Apr 15, 2025•29 min•Season 5Ep. 3
Fear has a sneaky way of keeping us stuck. It takes many shapes and forms, like going after a new opportunity, negotiating a raise, or speaking up for ourselves. In this episode of Amplify with Jess Ekstrom , Jess sits down with author, speaker, and former Google exec Jenny Wood to talk about how to move through fear and unlock more success, joy, and courage in your career. Jenny shares stories from her 18 years at Google and her new book Wild Courage , including how chasing a stranger off the N...
Apr 01, 2025•26 min•Season 5Ep. 2
Public speaking can feel overwhelming, but small changes can make a huge impact. In this episode of Amplify with Jess Ekstrom , Jess sits down with keynote speaker and generational workforce expert Lindsay Boccardo to break down the subtle shifts that can take your speaking from good to great. Lindsay shares practical insights on how to engage your audience, bring the right level of energy, and avoid sounding like a phony game show host. They discuss how to turn up the dial on your presence in a...
Mar 18, 2025•26 min•Season 5Ep. 1
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 tells her story and how it led her to become a sought-after public speaker --- Kelsey O'Connor's Speech: https://www.kelseyoconnor.net/videos/v/beyon...
Nov 13, 2024•30 min•Season 4Ep. 24
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 .
Nov 11, 2024•11 min•Season 4Ep. 23
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 Delony is a mental health expert who offers guidance on relationships, anxiety, and wellness. Dr. John Delony Show: https://www.youtube.com/@TheDrJohn...
Nov 06, 2024•44 min•Season 4Ep. 22
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 our potential and the value we give others? ---- Rate Amplify on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and leave a review for Jess Ekstrom. Amplify with Jess i...
Nov 04, 2024•7 min•Season 4Ep. 21
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, which was initially filled with rejection and fear of inadequacy but ultimately led to her finding her first gigs. --- Therese Gopaul-Robinson is a Keyno...
Oct 30, 2024•30 min•Season 4Ep. 20
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 this convenience stop us from acting like students, being beginners, and trusting ourselves? Perhaps access to all this information is a primary reason ...
Oct 28, 2024•11 min•Season 4Ep. 19
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. Through her experiences, she realized the common pitfall of equating self-worth with success, a challenge familiar to many high achievers in today's hu...
Oct 23, 2024•31 min•Season 4Ep. 18
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 keynote address, in a meeting, or at a wedding. I’ll walk you through quick tricks, like using peppermint and box breathing to calm yourself in the m...
Oct 21, 2024•15 min•Season 4Ep. 17
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, what should you do, and how can YouTube help? --- Rate Amplify on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and leave a review for Jess Ekstrom. Amplify with Jess is p...
Oct 16, 2024•30 min•Season 4Ep. 16
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 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 ....
Oct 14, 2024•7 min•Season 4Ep. 15
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, pack lunches, or take care of that client fire. So, what should you do to get your mind and body right to start your day? Are you ready to revamp you...
Oct 09, 2024•30 min•Season 4Ep. 14
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 respond, "Strongly." A five-year plan - heck, even a five-month plan - was laughable I had no idea what I was doing, but I just pressed start. And I le...
Oct 07, 2024•7 min•Season 4Ep. 13
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 become “story collectors,” using their personal and brand narratives to forge deeper connections. Discover her core philosophy of "stories over stuff" in s...
Oct 02, 2024•29 min•Season 4Ep. 12
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 Earfluence and brought to you by Mic Drop Workshop.
Sep 30, 2024•7 min•Season 4Ep. 11
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 has some tips! In This Episode, You’ll Learn: How can I continuously improve visibility and generate referrals for business growth? How can I balance pe...
Sep 25, 2024•24 min•Season 4Ep. 10
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 recommend watching Jess's keynote on YouTube to see her practices in action! ---- Rate Amplify on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and leave a review for Jes...
Sep 23, 2024•27 min•Season 4Ep. 9
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 Learn: The Power of Vulnerability : Coach Kiah shares her unique approach to speaking, which combines humor and deep emotional connection. Learn how her...
Sep 18, 2024•29 min•Season 4Ep. 8
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. Amplify with Jess is produced by Earfluence , and brought to you by Mic Drop Workshop ....
Sep 16, 2024•8 min•Season 4Ep. 7
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, how to handle rejection, and why setting boundaries is key—even if that means saying no sometimes, and that's okay! ---- Dr. Cassandra LeClair is...
Sep 11, 2024•33 min•Season 4Ep. 6
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 Podcasts and leave a review for Jess Ekstrom. Amplify with Jess is produced by Earfluence , and brought to you by Mic Drop Workshop ....
Sep 09, 2024•9 min•Season 4Ep. 5
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-improvement, on-stage speaking, stepping out of your comfort zone, and prioritizing emotional well-being to lead a more fulfilling and enriched existence. -...
Sep 04, 2024•37 min•Season 4Ep. 4
