All Episodes

August 12, 2025 39 mins

“If your heart is genuinely how do I care about people by doing what I love to do, if that’s the driver of it, I don’t see how you can not end up in a place that is rewarding, fulfilling, and doing something that makes the world a better place.”

Ever wonder if your story is worth sharing or how to even start turning your experience into a book, speech, or brand? In this episode of The Speaker Lab, Grant Baldwin chats with Bill Blankschaen, founder of Story Builders, for an honest look at what makes a story truly impactful.

Bill’s approach is all about clarity and service. He urges aspiring speakers and authors to ask what the one thing they want their audiences to remember. If they’re unsure about that, their message probably needs fine-tuning. Importantly, Bill reminds us that while your story is about you, it’s meant for others. The value lies in helping your audience solve real problems or see themselves in your journey.

Grant and Bill also unpack practical tips and frameworks for how to test if your story is more than a personal anecdote, why defining your audience is crucial, and how to avoid overwhelm from too many tempting opportunities. If you’ve struggled with self-doubt or aren’t sure where to start, this episode is a pep talk and a toolkit rolled into one. Listen in for real-world advice on making your story stick and building an authentic platform around it!

You’ll learn:

  • Storytelling and its role in thought leadership
  • Evaluating the value and viability of your story
  • The SPEAK framework
  • Sustaining passion behind your message
  • Connecting through reliability, not novelty
  • Adding value rather than outdoing competition
  • Developing intellectual property from foundational ideas
  • Choosing the right medium for your message
  • The role of mindset in success
  • And much, much more!


“Your story may be about you, but your story ultimately isn’t for you, it needs to serve a greater purpose to help more people.”

Episode Resources

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mark as Played

Advertise With Us

Popular Podcasts

Stuff You Should Know
Crime Junkie

Crime Junkie

Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.

The Breakfast Club

The Breakfast Club

The World's Most Dangerous Morning Show, The Breakfast Club, With DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, And Charlamagne Tha God!

Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.