The A&S FrontRow Podcast – Détails, épisodes et analyse

In this episode of The A&S FrontRow Podcast, Elliot Kay speaks with speaker, judge, and LinkedIn expert Michelle Raymond about what it really takes to stand out in the Speaker Awards and beyond.

Michelle shares insights on judging criteria, what separates good speakers from great ones, and why authenticity, simplicity, and storytelling matter. She also explores pricing, value perception, and the importance of diversity and community in the speaking industry.

• What judges look for in award-winning speakers
• The importance of storytelling, simplicity, and authenticity
• How pricing reflects value in professional speaking
• The role of diversity and inclusivity in judging
• Why community matters in building a speaking career

Speaker Awards
https://thespeakerawards.com

TEDx Talk by Michelle Raymond
https://youtube.com/watch?v=example

Maria Franzoni on Pricing
https://amazon.com/example

Daniel Priestley on Entrepreneurship
https://amazon.com/example

🔗 LinkedIn
https://linkedin.com/in/michelleraymond

▶️ YouTube
www.youtube.com/@TheASFrontRowPodcast

🎧 Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/show/3o4dWglksZaHqVpUHSpTx9?si=f4f3ce8a3d0e4f12

🎙️ Apple Podcast
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-a-s-frontrow-podcast/id1874937956

🎵 Music from #Uppbeat
https://uppbeat.io/t/all-good-folks/real-nice
License code: JNRLONKWY0DA3VRE

If this episode helped you, share it with a fellow speaker and tag us with your biggest takeaway.

#TheASFrontRowPodcast #TheSpeakerAwards #TheSpeakerSummit #LeadershipStrategy #TalentRetention #FutureOfWork #HRLeadership #SpeakingWithImpact

In this episode of The A&S FrontRow Podcast, Elliot Kay interviews Speaker Awards winner Beth Sherman about her journey into public speaking, the role of humor in communication, and the importance of connection in professional and personal settings.

Beth shares her background in the entertainment industry, her unique approach to creating a showreel, and what it meant to be shortlisted and win a Speaker Award. The conversation highlights humor as a powerful way to build trust, diffuse tension, and create connection in a divided world.

🔑 Key Takeaways

• Speakers often dislike talking about themselves
• Humor can diffuse tension and build connection
• Intent matters when using humor in communication
• Building trust quickly is vital in speaking and leadership
• Humor is a tool for humanity, not just laughs
• The speaking community celebrates each other's success
• Moving from stand-up to speaking involves growing pains
• Connection matters in both personal and professional life
  

🔗 Connect with Beth Sherman

📩 Contact https://www.bethsherman.com/contact

🔗 LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/beth-sherman/

🎧 Listen & Watch

▶️ YouTube

www.youtube.com/@TheASFrontRowPodcast

🎧 Spotify

open.spotify.com/show/6F3LIb6KakYd75aOLXKjUc

🎙️ Apple Podcast

podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-a-s-frontrow-podcast/id1874937956

🎵 Music from #Uppbeat

https://uppbeat.io/t/all-good-folks/real-nice

License code: JNRLONKWY0DA3VRE

If this episode resonated with you, share it with a fellow speaker and tag us with your biggest takeaway.

#TheASFrontRowPodcast #TheSpeakerAwards #TheSpeakerSummit #LeadershipCommunication #PublicSpeaking

In this episode of The A&S FrontRow Podcast, Elliot Kay speaks with broadcaster, author, and keynote speaker Bruce Whitfield about his journey from radio journalism to becoming an award-winning thought leader.

Bruce shares insights on authenticity, using awards to build credibility, and his Chaos Advantage approach to navigating uncertainty. The conversation also explores trust, media negativity, and why resilience and optimism matter in a rapidly changing world.

• Bruce Whitfield’s move from radio to professional speaking
• How awards help build credibility and opportunity
• The Chaos Advantage framework for uncertainty
• The role of trust in leadership and relationships
• Media negativity bias and public perception
• The importance of resilience and optimism

Bruce Whitfield's Books
https://www.brucewhitfield.com/author/#books

Chaos Advantage Framework
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chaotics

Factfulness by Hans Rosling
https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250123824/factfulness

Atomic Habits by James Clear
https://jamesclear.com/atomic-habits

🌐 https://www.brucewhitfield.com/
🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/bruce-whitfield/

🎧 Listen & Watch

▶️ YouTube

www.youtube.com/@thespeakerawards

🎧 Spotify

open.spotify.com/show/6F3LIb6KakYd75aOLXKjUc?si=1cd39f28eeb64391

🎙️ Apple Podcast

podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-a-s-frontrow-podcast/id1874937956

🔗 LinkedIn (The Speaker Awards & Summit)

www.linkedin.com/company/speaker-awards-summit/?viewAsMember=true

🎵 Music from #Uppbeat

https://uppbeat.io/t/all-good-folks/real-nice

License code: JNRLONKWY0DA3VRE

If this episode inspired you, share it with a fellow speaker, leave a review, and tag us with your biggest takeaway.

Ready to step forward and share your story?

Explore the Speaker Awards and join a community that celebrates excellence, courage, and impact.

#TheASFrontRowPodcast #TheSpeakerAwards #TheSpeakerSummit #Leadership #DecisionMaking #BusinessLeadership #FutureReady #ThoughtLeadership

In this conversation on The A&S FrontRow Podcast, Elliot Kay speaks with mountaineer and keynote speaker Bonita Norris about her journey from climbing Mount Everest to becoming an award-winning speaker.

Bonita shares how perseverance, authenticity, and human connection shaped both her climbing and speaking careers. She reflects on how winning awards boosted her confidence, opened doors in the industry, and reinforced the power of sharing real stories on stage.

The conversation also explores imposter syndrome, resilience, and how AI is influencing content creation while reminding speakers that genuine human stories remain irreplaceable.

🔑 Key Takeaways

Bonita's journey from mountaineering to professional speaking

How winning awards can transform confidence and career growth

The importance of authenticity and human connection on stage

Navigating imposter syndrome and self-doubt

Perseverance and continuous growth in the speaking industry

The influence of AI on content creation and authenticity

📚 Resources Mentioned

Bonita Norris' Book - The Girl Who Climbed Everest

https://www.hachette.co.uk/titles/bonita-norris/the-girl-who-climbed-everest/9781473649767/

Red Bull Cliff Diving Series

https://www.redbull.com/int-en/event-series/red-bull-cliff-diving

Darius CEO AI Bootcamp

https://learn.dariuslukas.academy/ai-bootcamp/

🔗 Connect with Bonita Norris

🌐 Website

http://www.bonita-norris.com/
🔗 LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/bonita-norris-keynote-speaker-15191869/

🎧 Listen & Watch

▶️ YouTube

www.youtube.com/@TheASFrontRowPodcast

www.youtube.com/@thespeakerawards

🎧 Spotify

open.spotify.com/show/6F3LIb6KakYd75aOLXKjUc?si=1cd39f28eeb64391

🎙️ Apple Podcast

podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-a-s-frontrow-podcast/id1874937956

🔗 LinkedIn (The Speaker Awards & Summit)

www.linkedin.com/company/speaker-awards-summit/?viewAsMember=true

🎵 Music from #Uppbeat

https://uppbeat.io/t/all-good-folks/real-nice

License code: JNRLONKWY0DA3VRE

If this episode inspired you, share it with a fellow speaker, leave a review, and tag us with your biggest takeaway.

Ready to step forward and share your story?

Explore the Speaker Awards and join a community that celebrates excellence, courage, and impact.

#TheASFrontRowPodcast #TheSpeakerAwards #TheSpeakerSummit

In this episode of The A&S FrontRow Podcast, Elliot Kay sits down with Virtual Speaker Award winner Andrea Pacini to explore his journey to becoming an award-winning speaker and the impact recognition can have on credibility and business growth.

Andrea shares insights on effective communication, the power of storytelling, and why truly understanding your audience is the key to impactful presentations. The conversation also touches on personal growth, mindset, and how awards can support a speaker’s journey while reinforcing the importance of continually developing your craft.

🔑 Key Takeaways

• The impact of awards on credibility and business growth
• The mindset behind becoming an award-winning speaker
• Strategies for effective communication and storytelling
• Why understanding your audience is critical for great presentations
• Balancing personal growth with professional recognition

📚 Resources Mentioned

The Daily Stoic by Ryan Holiday

https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/545426/the-daily-stoic-by-ryan-holiday-and-stephen-hanselman/

"The Dead’s Day" article

https://dailystoic.com/its-the-deads-day/

🔗 Connect with Andrea Pacini

🌐 Website
https://linktr.ee/andreapacini

🔗 LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/apacini/

🎧 Listen & Watch

▶️ YouTube

www.youtube.com/@TheASFrontRowPodcast

www.youtube.com/@thespeakerawards

🎧 Spotify

open.spotify.com/show/6F3LIb6KakYd75aOLXKjUc?si=1cd39f28eeb64391

🎙️ Apple Podcast

podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-a-s-frontrow-podcast/id1874937956

🔗 LinkedIn (The Speaker Awards & Summit)

www.linkedin.com/company/speaker-awards-summit/?viewAsMember=true

🎵 Music from #Uppbeat

https://uppbeat.io/t/all-good-folks/real-nice

License code: JNRLONKWY0DA3VRE

If this episode inspired you, share it with a fellow speaker, leave a review, and tag us with your biggest takeaway.

Ready to step forward and share your story?

Explore the Speaker Awards and join a community that celebrates excellence, courage, and impact.

#TheASFrontRowPodcast #TheSpeakerAwards #TheSpeakerSummit

In this episode of The A&S FrontRow Podcast, Elliot Kay sits down with futurist and retail expert Kate Ancketill to explore her journey to industry recognition and her insights on the future of retail and technology.

Kate shares how AI is transforming industries, the trends shaping the future of retail, and the challenges businesses face around staffing, cybersecurity, and margins. She also reflects on the importance of curiosity, resilience, and continuous learning in a fast-changing world.

• Kate Ancketill's journey to industry recognition
• Future retail trends and the impact of AI
• Personal development and stoicism
• Industry challenges including staffing and cybersecurity
• The importance of curiosity and lifelong learning

Future Retail Trends Report
https://futureretailtrends.com/report2023

Don't Die App
https://dontdie.com

Jeffrey Hinton on AI Risks
https://youtube.com/jeffreyhinton

Stuart Russell AI Textbook
https://amazon.com/stuart-russell-ai

CES Conference
https://ces.tech

BizTech Magazine: 30 IT Influencers to Follow
https://biztechmagazine.com/article/2024/12/30-it-influencers-follow-2024

🌐 Website
https://kateancketill.com

🔗 LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kateancketill/

▶️ YouTube
www.youtube.com/@TheASFrontRowPodcast

🎧 Spotify
open.spotify.com/show/6F3LIb6KakYd75aOLXKjUc

🎙️ Apple Podcast
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-a-s-frontrow-podcast/id1874937956

🎵 Music from #Uppbeat
https://uppbeat.io/t/all-good-folks/real-nice
License code: JNRLONKWY0DA3VRE

#TheASFrontRowPodcast #TheSpeakerAwards #TheSpeakerSummit #LeadershipMindset #Resilience #Stoicism #FutureReady

In this episode of The A&S FrontRow Podcast, Elliot Kay sits down with speaker, coach, and award winner Alex Atherton to explore his journey to winning a prestigious speaker award and the impact that recognition has had on his career.

Alex shares how awards can build credibility, strengthen personal branding, and open doors in the speaking industry. He also reflects on the importance of continuous learning, strong relationships, and staying committed to developing your craft.

The conversation also explores Alex’s mission to tackle challenges in education and youth development, particularly around supporting young people and helping organisations better understand the next generation entering the workplace.

• Alex's journey to winning a speaker award
• The impact of awards on speaking careers
• Strategies for personal branding and growth
• Addressing challenges in education and youth development

• Alex's Book: Snowflake Myth: Explaining Generation Z in the Workplace and Beyond
  https://www.amazon.co.uk/Snowflake-Myth-Explaining-workplace-beyond/dp/1836284713
• Speaking Awards Official Website
  https://www.speakingawards.com
• Donna's Recognition and Awards Resources
  https://www.augustrecognition.com

🌐 Coaching: https://alexatherton.com/coaching
🏢 Teams & Organisations: https://alexatherton.com/teams
🎤 Speaking: https://alexatherton.com/speaking
🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-atherton/

▶️ YouTube
www.youtube.com/@TheASFrontRowPodcast
www.youtube.com/@thespeakerawards

🎧 Spotify
open.spotify.com/show/6F3LIb6KakYd75aOLXKjUc?si=1cd39f28eeb64391

🎙️ Apple Podcast
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-a-s-frontrow-podcast/id1874937956

🔗 LinkedIn (The Speaker Awards & Summit)
www.linkedin.com/company/speaker-awards-summit/?viewAsMember=true

🎵 Music from #Uppbeat
https://uppbeat.io/t/all-good-folks/real-nice
License code: JNRLONKWY0DA3VRE

In this episode of The A&S FrontRow Podcast, Elliot Kay sits down with award-winning speaker and Best Storyteller recipient Adele Bates to explore her journey to recognition and the power of authentic storytelling in the speaking world.

Adele reflects on what it meant to win the Best Storyteller award and the courage it takes to put yourself forward in the first place. She shares the role community plays in supporting speakers, why diversity and representation in awards truly matter, and how recognition can shine a light on the dedication and commitment behind the scenes.

The conversation also offers practical insight for speakers considering applying for awards, highlighting how the process itself can be a powerful moment of reflection on your work, your impact, and your growth in the industry.

• The significance of community within the speaking industry
• The importance of diversity and representation in awards and recognition
• Practical steps and mindset shifts when applying for speaking awards

"Statistically, I won't win, but I did anyway"

"I go into freeze when I win an award"

"The award is about the commitment, dedication, and work"

• Claire Rackham (Inspirational Speakers): https://linkedin.com/in/claire-rackham
• Yinka, Coach and Mentor: https://linkedin.com/in/yinka
• Book: I Don't Give a Beep: https://amazon.com/dp/B0XXXXXX
• Upcoming Leadership Book (2026): https://yourwebsite.com/waitinglist

🌐 Website: https://adelebates.com
🔗 LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/adele

▶️ YouTube
www.youtube.com/@thespeakerawards

🎧 Spotify
open.spotify.com/show/6F3LIb6KakYd75aOLXKjUc?si=1cd39f28eeb64391

🎙️ Apple Podcast
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-a-s-frontrow-podcast/id1874937956

🔗 LinkedIn (The Speaker Awards & Summit)
www.linkedin.com/company/speaker-awards-summit/?viewAsMember=true

🎵 Music from #Uppbeat
https://uppbeat.io/t/all-good-folks/real-nice
License code: JNRLONKWY0DA3VRE

If this episode inspired you, share it with a fellow speaker, leave a review, and tag us with your biggest takeaway.

Ready to step forward and share your story?

Explore the Speaker Awards and join a community that celebrates excellence, courage, and impact.

#TheASFrontRowPodcast #TheSpeakerAwards #TheSpeakerSummit

In this episode of The A&S FrontRow Podcast, Elliot Kay sits down with award-winning professional speaker and former magician/TV personality Ben Hanlin to explore his unconventional journey from performing magic on stage to delivering powerful keynote speeches around the world.

Ben shares his strategies for success, the importance of blueprinting, handling rejection, and staying present to truly connect with audiences. This episode is full of actionable insights for anyone looking to elevate their speaking career, embrace challenges, and perform at their best every time.

• Always seek the blueprint of success and follow it
• Rejection is part of growth; embrace it and learn
• Stay present and fresh in every performance to connect deeply
• Consistent practice and feedback are key to mastery
• Build relationships and do the groundwork for opportunities

🌐 Website: benhanlin.com
🔗 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/mariafranzoni

• Ben Hanlin's Website
• The Golden Rules of Acting by Andy Niemann: Amazon link
• The Speaker Awards
• Maria Franzoni (Mentor): LinkedIn

▶️ YouTube
The A&S FrontRow Podcast
The Speaker Awards

🎧 Spotify
Listen on Spotify

🎙️ Apple Podcast
Listen on Apple Podcast

🔗 LinkedIn (The Speaker Awards & Summit)
LinkedIn

🎵 Music from #Uppbeat
All Good Folks - Real Nice
License code: JNRLONKWY0DA3VRE

If this episode inspired you, share it with a fellow speaker, leave a review, and tag us with your biggest takeaway.

Ready to elevate your speaking journey? Learn, connect, and take action to leave the world better than you found it.

#TheASFrontRowPodcast

We are live.
We are launched.
And we are setting the standard from Episode One.

Welcome to The A&S FrontRow Podcast, where professional speakers, thought leaders, and industry shapers come to stay future-ready, share their journeys, and build speaking businesses with substance, strategy, and staying power.

We go beyond performance. We go behind the scenes. We talk positioning, platform, partnerships, trends, and the mindset required to lead in today’s ever-evolving speaking industry.

For our launch episode, Elliot Kay sits down with two-time Speaker Awards winner Jazz Ampaw-Farr for a bold, honest, and energising conversation about her journey to success, overcoming self-doubt, the importance of community, peer recognition, and the impact of the Speaker Awards on her career.

Jazz also shares personal insights, including her love story with Ed, and reminds us that resilience and joy can coexist. This episode is a heartfelt call to action: be 10% braver, step into the arena, and leave the world better than you found it.

• Community fuels growth and sustainability in the speaking profession
• Overcoming imposter syndrome is essential for personal and professional evolution
• Recognition from peers significantly strengthens confidence and credibility
• Applying for awards is a powerful exercise in reflection and growth
• Continuous learning keeps speakers relevant and impactful
• Courageous conversations create breakthroughs on and off the stage

📧 Email: hello@behumanfirst.co
🌐 Book Jazz: jazampawfarr.com/book-jaz
🔗 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jazampawfarr
🌍 Linktree: linktr.ee/jazampawfarr

If this conversation resonated with you, reach out and connect with Jazz. Continue the courageous conversations.

▶️ YouTube
The A&S FrontRow Podcast
The Speaker Awards

🎧 Spotify
Listen on Spotify

🎙️ Apple Podcast
Listen on Apple Podcast

🔗 LinkedIn (The Speaker Awards & Summit)
LinkedIn

🎵 Music from #Uppbeat
All Good Folks - Real Nice
License code: JNRLONKWY0DA3VRE

If this episode inspired you, share it with a fellow speaker, leave a review, and tag us with your biggest takeaway.

Ready to be 10% braver? Participate in the Speaker Awards and be part of a community that celebrates excellence, courage, and growth.

#TheASFrontRowPodcast