Do you remember when the world nearly came to an end?

When most of us thought the whole “coronavirus thing” was going to be wrapped up in a couple of weeks? A month at the most?

Do you remember when there wasn't enough toilet paper to go around?

Or when you knew for sure you were going to lose your mind because your kids would now be “distance learning?” of

During that time most of us experienced significant upheaval in our work, our health, and our relationships — perhaps even our worldview. In many ways, we’re still picking up pieces and reimagining how we do life. Yet the truths we’ve been reminded of through so much loss, isolation, and worry continue to resound:

Relationships are what matters most.

Work that betters the lives of others is most satisfying.

Keep extra rolls of toilet paper stashed all over your house, all the time.

As speakers and writers, our work was especially upended by the pandemic. So what’s the best way forward, now that the world didn’t end?

Josh Shipp knows those challenges and questions well. In the middle of the pandemic, he was leading a speaking bureau for dozens of people who could no longer book gigs. Traveling was off the table. As was gathering in large groups for live presentations. Virtual presenting was new, awkward, and in sparse demand. The future was one big question mark.

Just a couple years later, however, the pendulum has swung the other way. Josh and his team can hardly keep up with the present demand for in-person presentations. In fact, his business has doubled, and is even adding speakers to the roster.

So how did Josh get HERE from THERE? What did he learn about himself and his business along the way? And what does he believe the future looks like for speakers and writers like YOU? You’re going to discover all that and more in this special episode of SP&S, guest-hosted by our good friend, Blake Fly.

In addition, you’ll learn:

• 00:02:16 // Tomfoolery and banter
• 00:07:38 // Introducing our guest host, Blake Fly
• 00:14:22 // One of the biggest personal challenges Josh faced in the pandemic
• 00:23:57 // How he leveraged his strengths (and weaknesses) to sustain and grow his business as the economy tanked
• 00:48:26 // What he learned from the pandemic that he believes can equip speakers and writers for whatever new challenges come along
• 00:55:56 // What Josh considers one of the biggest professional challenges we’re facing and how to overcome it
• 01:05:02 // The top 10 things he’s grateful for learning and applying through the pandemic, into the present, and beyond

Josh Shipp used to speak at 300+ events a year until he realized his bigger dream of leading a speaker’s bureau, writing books, coaching speakers, and spending more time with his family. He has hosted his own TV show, been celebrated and recommended by The Great O (Oprah), and recently started his own podcast. It’s called Stage, Page & Screen, and it’s time to crank it up.

We hope you enjoy this special, guest-hosted, deep-dive conversation as much as we enjoyed having it!

- The SP&S team

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Thanks as always to our sponsor, YOUTH SPEAKER UNIVERSITY. At YSU, you can learn how to launch and grow your speaking business, write and publish your book, and launch your online course! Watch the intro video NOW:

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CONNECT WITH JOSH

• topyouthspeakers.com
• joshshipp.com
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshshipp

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FREE TRAINING: Learn how to grow your impact and income on stage, page, and screen at https://stagepagescreen.com