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

One of the most common mistakes I see speakers make is trying to deliver a six-week course or a full-length book in a 45-minute talk.

And then they wonder why:
• the audience looks overwhelmed
• the energy drops
• no one remembers their message
• leads don’t convert

Here’s the mindset shift that changes everything: Same message. Different medium. Different strategy.

When your message doesn’t match the format, your talk can feel confusing, overwhelming, and forgettable — no matter how good your content is. But when your message fits the medium, your impact multiplies.

In this episode, I share:

• The reasons you want to cram more content into your presentations
• How each format — lead generation presentation, keynote, workshop, course, coaching, and book — plays a distinct role
• Why books are uniquely powerful for depth, nuance, and authority (and how this ties into my upcoming author interviews)
• How to escape the expert trap and step into thought leadership

If you’re building talks, presentations, workshops, courses, or a book, this episode will completely change how you think about your content ecosystem.

Ready to build a signature talk that gets you the results you want? Learn more about working with us inside the Thought Leader Academy or through a stand-alone VIP Day.

Links:

Show notes and Message-Medium visual image at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/458/

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 Speaking Accelerator Workshop in Orlando: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/orlando/

Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox

Related Podcast Episodes:

• Podcast Series: The Medium is the Message
• Episode 422: How to Create a 10-Out-of-10 Keynote that Leaves Your Audience in Awe with Julia Korn
• Episode 362: Integrating Thought Leadership and Lead Generation in Your Signature Talk with Danielle Hayden
• Episode 257: Writing a Book Gives Your Ideas Depth and Longevity with Tiffany Hawk

Have you ever hesitated to call yourself a speaker… or a thought leader… even though you know you have something important to say?

I see it all the time: brilliant women who have delivered keynotes, led workshops, facilitated panels, taught classes, and spoken on stages — yet still say, “I’m not a speaker.” Sound familiar?

So in this episode, I’m gently (okay, maybe a little lovingly persuasively) challenging you to rethink that hesitation.

We dig into why so many women resist claiming the identity of speaker and thought leader, what’s really happening beneath the surface, and — most importantly — how to start shifting that identity in a way that feels authentic, empowering, and aligned with who you truly are.

I also share something personal: my own struggle with claiming the identity of writer as I work on my book. Yep, even after hundreds of podcast episodes, years of speaking, and decades of communication work, identity shifts can still feel vulnerable. You’re in good company.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why women often resist calling themselves speakers and thought leaders
• How comparison and perfectionism quietly keep us stuck
• The surprising psychology behind identity shifts (inspired by Atomic Habits)
• Simple, concrete steps you can take right now to start owning your voice
• Why claiming your identity isn’t about ego — it’s about impact

I also share practical actions you can take today — from small LinkedIn tweaks to mindset shifts — that will help you step into your role as a visible leader with more confidence and ease.

And because I love a powerful real-world example, I read a moving testimonial from one of our retreat clients that beautifully illustrates what happens when women finally own their voice and presence.

If you’ve ever felt like you’re playing small, waiting until you’re “ready,” or hesitating to fully step into your visibility, this episode is your loving nudge forward.

Because the truth is: we need your voice.

This episode originally aired as episode 391 on May 6, 2024.

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/391/

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/

Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox

Book mentioned “Atomic Habits”: https://www.amazon.com/Atomic-Habits-Proven-Build-Break-ebook/dp/B07D23CFGR/

Related Podcast Episodes:

• Episode 371: What to Include in Your Speaker Video Reel and Speaker Page
• Episode 407: Building Your Speaking Platform as an Author (Even If You're an Introvert!) with Tiffany Hawk
• Episode 257: Writing a Book Gives Your Ideas Depth and Longevity with Tiffany Hawk
• Episode 301: Why We Get Imposter Syndrome and What to Do About It with Melody Wilding