What does it look like to turn an idea into a message, a message into a signature talk, and a signature talk into a published book?

In this episode, I sit down with Thought Leader Academy graduate Melania Murphy to talk about her powerful journey from spark to spotlight.

Over the past couple of years, I’ve watched Melania take a deeply personal idea and transform it into a compelling signature talk—and now, a published book. If you’ve ever dreamed of sharing your message on a bigger stage or turning your ideas into a book, this conversation will show you what’s possible.

Melania’s new book, Bound by Love, Not Tradition, explores married name choices and how women can make intentional decisions that reflect their identity, values, and partnership. But this episode isn’t just about names—it’s about voice, courage, and claiming your message.

We talk about why so many people stay stuck in the idea phase, how Melania found the confidence to speak without hiding behind slides, and how her signature talk became the blueprint for her book. You’ll hear how storytelling, structure, and clarity helped her move from logic-heavy content to a message that truly resonates with audiences.

We also dive into the realities of publishing—what it takes to bring a book to life, how platform-building matters, and why promotion starts long before launch day.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How to move from idea → signature talk → book
• Why your message becomes clearer when you speak it out loud
• How storytelling builds confidence and audience connection
• The role your signature talk can play in shaping your thought leadership
• What really happens behind the scenes of publishing and promoting a book

If you’ve been sitting on an idea—maybe for months or even years—consider this your nudge. Your message doesn’t have to stay in your head. It can become your talk, your platform, and maybe even your book.

About My Guest: Melania Murphy is a writer, speaker, and author of "Bound by Love, Not Tradition: Empowering Women Through Married Name Choices." With a degree in applied behavioral science, she enjoys blending storytelling with research to explore identity, relationships, and the traditions that shape our choices. She's been a journalist for over 20 years and is a frequent guest on podcasts discussing the deeply personal and culturally complex issue of married name choices.

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/459/

Get Melania’s book "Bound by Love, Not Tradition: Empowering Women Through Married Name Choices”: https://www.amazon.com/Bound-Love-Not-Tradition-Empowering/dp/0960132309/

Melania’s website: https://www.melaniajoy.com/

Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/

Enroll in our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/

Attend our 1-day in-person Speaking Accelerator workshop in Orlando: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/orlando/

Connect on LinkedIn:

• Carol Cox = https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox
• Melania Murphy (guest) = https://www.linkedin.com/in/melania-joy-murphy-28504263/

Related Podcast Episodes:

• Episode 458: Same Message, Different Medium, Different Strategy with Carol Cox
• Episode 407: Building Your Speaking Platform as an Author (Even If You're an Introvert!) with Tiffany Hawk