Couch To Podium Podcast

Hosted by Dr. Laura Louis

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Episodes

100

Latest episode

Aug 2025

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About the show

The Couch to Pddium's podcast is designed to support Therapists, Life Coaches, and purpose-driven Entrepreneurs with getting paid to speak

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60 recent

August 12, 20257 min

When Your Business Loses Its Way Because You're Running on Empty

Have you ever looked at your business and thought, "Something feels… off" but you can't quite name what it is? Sometimes, the culprit isn't a broken strategy, a bad market, or lack of skills. It's something far more personal: burnout. In this raw and unfiltered episode, I'm pulling back the curtain on how running on empty can quietly sabotage your decision-making, dim your passion, and blur the vision that once felt crystal clear. This isn't a lecture on hustle culture or toxic productivity. This is a conversation about pressing pause, reconnecting with your original purpose, and finding the energy to lead your business with clarity again. If you've been feeling drained, disconnected, or directionless, this episode might just be the reset you need. 🎧 Listen now and reclaim your energy and your vision. And if you're ready for more than just a mental reset, if you want to recharge your energy and reignite your business vision, join me in Bali for the 2026 Speaker's Wealth Retreat. It's not just a getaway. It's where rest meets strategy, and where you'll leave with a renewed mind, a clear plan, and a profitable speaker's roadmap. 🌴 Reserve your spot here → Bali Retreat

August 4, 20254 min

From Free to Profitable: How I Turned Unpaid Speaking Gigs Into Consistent Income

Waiting for paid gigs before you grab the mic? That mindset might be costing you big opportunities. In this episode, I share the exact shift I made that helped me turn free speaking engagements into a consistent income stream without chasing every stage or burning out. You'll learn: ✔️ Why the right free stages can outperform paid ones ✔️ 3 places I speak for free that bring real ROI ✔️ The lead magnet move that gets people from audience to inbox ✔️ How to make your next talk part of your business strategy, not just a performance Whether you're a therapist, coach, or expert with a story to share, this episode will help you stop playing small and start speaking with purpose and profit. 🎧 Tune in now and let's shift your speaking game.

July 28, 202510 min

How to Finally Nail Your Speaker Niche (and Get Paid More for It)

Still feeling unclear about your niche as a speaker? You're not alone but it is costing you. In this week's session, I'm walking you through my exact process to: ✨ Uncover the unique expertise and life experiences that set you apart ✨ Position yourself as the go-to expert in your space ✨ Align your niche with high-paying opportunities (without boxing yourself in) Whether you're just getting started or you've been on stages before, clarity in your niche is what makes you bookable and bankable. Let's get you both. And if you're ready to take it further… Join me at the Paid to Speak Intensive, a transformational 1-day event designed to help you clarify your niche, craft your signature talk, and build the foundation for consistent paid speaking gigs. 🎟️ Only a few seats left. 💰 VIP + bonuses available. 📅 September 27th in Atlanta, GA. Don't miss your chance. 👉 Secure your spot now 2025 Couch to Podium Conference

July 23, 20258 min

Why Your Brand Message & Visuals Are Costing You Speaking Gigs

Let's be honest, if your brand looks like "meh" and your message is all over the place, you're leaving coins on the table. In this episode, I'm breaking down why speakers who get paid are the ones who know exactly what they're saying, who they're saying it to, and how their brand shows up before they ever touch a mic. From brand messaging that lands, to assets that speak before you do… this episode is your wake-up call to stop blending in and start standing out. 🔥 Ready to position yourself as the go-to expert? Press play. P.S If you're done guessing your way through this, come work with me inside the Paid to Speak Intensive on September 27th in Atlanta, GA. We're locking in your message, leveling up your visuals, and building a speaker brand that commands premium fees. 🚨 Seats are limited. Serious speakers only. 2025 Couch to Podium Conference

July 14, 20255 min

You're Not Booked Because You're Not Marketing

"If I build it, they will come." It's the biggest lie new speakers tell themselves and it's costing them opportunities, visibility, and income. In this episode, I break down the common misconception that creating a speaker bio, website, or social media page is enough to get booked. (Spoiler: it's not.) You'll learn: 🔎 Why market research is non-negotiable 🤝 How to align with an organization's mission, vision, and values 🚦 What it really takes to build trust and drive traffic to your brand 📈 The difference between being present and being strategic If you're ready to stop waiting for the bookings and start attracting them, this episode is your wake-up call. 🎧 Tune in and take notes, your next paid speaking gig could depend on it. #BookedAndBusy #SpeakerStrategy #ProfitableSpeaker #CouchToPodium And if you're serious about going from invisible to in-demand, then you need more than just podcast gems, you need immersive transformation. 🌴 That's exactly what we're creating at the Speaker's Wealth Retreat in Bali. It's not just a getaway. It's where clarity meets strategy, visibility meets luxury, and speakers become brands. ✅ Refine your message ✅ Elevate your brand ✅ Map out your next 3–5 speaking streams of income and actually launch them! 🌺 If you're done guessing and ready to grow, this is your sign. Join us here: Bali Retreat Only a few spots left for serious speakers ready to level up. #CouchToPodium #ProfitableSpeaker #BaliRetreat #BookedAndPaid #SpeakerLife #SpeakerGoals

July 8, 20253 min

I didn't know I was making a mistake… until nobody bought the book

I didn't know I was making a mistake… until nobody bought the book Yep, I've been there. I once made the mistake of turning a whole speaking engagement into a walking commercial for my book. The message got lost. The connection with the audience? Faded. And the impact I could've made… missed. Here are some actionable tips to make sure your book promotion feels natural and adds value rather than coming across as a hard sell during your next speaking engagement: 1. Bring and Showcase a Physical Copy Place a few copies of your book on a side table or podium so they're visible as soon as you walk on stage. This primes the audience to recognize it as part of your message rather than an add-on sales pitch. 2. Negotiate Speaking Fees (or Fee Waivers) in Exchange for Bulk Orders Frame it as a partnership. When you're in discussions with an event organizer, propose a deal like: "If you cover my travel/honorarium, would you be open to purchasing X number of books (e.g., 50 copies) at a special bulk rate?" This way, they're not just paying you for your time but also investing in resources for their audience. 3. Integrate Your Book's Content Seamlessly into Your Message Map your talk to a chapter or key concept. Rather than abruptly saying, "Buy my book," craft your talk so that one or two stories or frameworks directly mirror a chapter. Something like, "In Chapter 3, I share a case study about exactly this scenario," makes it obvious that the book deepens the audience's learning. By weaving these tactics into your overall speaking flow rather than tacking on a sales pitch at the very end, you'll strike the balance between providing value and offering your book as a natural extension of your message. 🎤 I teach strategies like this inside the Paid to Speak Intensive, where therapists, coaches, and authors learn how to turn their message into money and momentum this September 27th in Atlanta If you're done winging it on stage and ready to get paid plus sell books without the cringe… 🪑 Grab your seat now. The room is filling and these bonus resources won't last. Secure your spot here: 2025 Couch to Podium Conference #paidtospeak #speakerlife #bookmarketingtips #couchtopodium #speakerintensive #speakandsell

July 8, 20254 min

How do you make back-of-the-room sales without being pushy

How do you make back-of-the-room sales without being pushy? 🙅🏾‍♀️ Short answer: Give first. Then offer a fast-action bonus they can't resist. Whether it's free chocolate, a juicy resource, or a limited-time bonus, this little strategy builds trust and closes the sale without the cringe. Curious what to offer and how to make it work for YOUR biz? I break it all down in this podcast, go check it out #backofroomsales #couchtopodium #SpeakerTips #paidtospeak #SalesWithoutTheSleaze 🎤 If you've got a message, a program, or a movementand you're ready to get paid to share it, The Paid to Speak Intensive is for you. 🚪Spots are limited and the fast-action bonuses? Whew, they don't last long. Come learn how the pros do it (without feeling salesy). 2025 Couch to Podium Conference #backofroomsales #couchtopodium #SpeakerTips #paidtospeak #SalesWithoutTheSleaze #profitableplatform

July 8, 20254 min

How to Monetize Every free Speaking Opportunity

"We don't have a budget to pay speakers…" If you've heard that line and felt stuck between wanting visibility and needing income, this video is for you. What if you could turn any speaking gig even the unpaid ones into profit? I'm breaking down the exact questions I ask before I say yes to a stage, and the creative ways I monetize events without needing a check upfront. You'll learn: How to ethically request the email list What to include in your contract to protect your offers Why videographers, vendor tables, and email follow-ups can be just as valuable as a check. Listen now and tag a speaker who needs to hear this! #paidtospeak #speakerlife #nobudgetnoproblem #SpeakerTips #publicspeakingcoach P.S These strategies are just the tip of what we cover inside the Paid to Speak Intensive, my signature experience where we equip you with pitch scripts, negotiation language, and a speaker funnel that makes every yes (or even no!) worth your time. Ready to get booked and paid? Secure your seat now → https://couchtopodium.com/c2p-vip-day

June 16, 20254 min

The Messaging Mistake That Costs Speakers Stages

You've got the credentials. You've got the passion. But if your message isn't clear and compelling, you'll keep getting passed over. In this episode, we're unpacking the #1 messaging mistake that's costing brilliant speakers real opportunities. Spoiler: It's not your experience. It's how you're positioning it. You'll learn: Why your current brand message isn't sticking How to connect your story to what event planners actually book for If you're tired of being overlooked even though you know you're qualified, this episode is your reset. 🔥 Ready to fix the disconnect and start getting paid for your voice? Join us this September for the Paid to Speak Intensive where we don't just talk about speaking… we book it. Join us here: 2025 Couch to Podium Conference

March 11, 202532 min

Why Your Business Success Hinges on Energy, Not Effort with Lachelle Barnett

div>div>:is(p,ul,ol)]:pr-4 md:[&>div>div>:is(p,ul,ol)]:pr-8 [&_pre>div]:bg-bg-300 [&_.ignore-pre-bg>div]:bg-transparent"> _*]:min-w-0"> What if everything you've been taught about entrepreneurial success is actually sabotaging your business? In this provocative conversation, LaChelle Barnett—licensed therapist, business consultant and founder of The Entrepreneurs Couch, she dismantles the glorified hustle narrative that's leaving entrepreneurs burned out and traumatized. Drawing from five years in the online coaching industry and her expertise in entrepreneurial trauma, LaChelle challenges conventional wisdom with the radical notion that feeling good in your business isn't just possible—it's essential. Discover why most entrepreneurs are stuck making busy-but-unproductive decisions from a place of unrecognized trauma, how to distinguish between cultural noise and your authentic business signal, and why your natural gifts (not your skills) hold the key to sustainable success. This episode isn't just about business strategy, it's about reclaiming your entrepreneurial freedom and building a business that works with you, not against you. To connect with Lachelle, visit her website: theentrepreneurscouch.com 🎧Now playing in Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, Libsyn and Spotify