Ep.112 | Why You Should Take the Opportunities that Don’t Make Sense with Leslie Jespersen, Performance Coach & Spotlight Strategist
There's a version of Leslie's origin story that sounds made up: managing a male review show at a casino leads, somehow, to talent development work for Disney????
But that's kinda the WHOLE point. She didn't take the job because it made sense on paper. She took it because it was in front of her, and she said yes.
This episode is us sitting down with Leslie Jespersen, the brains behind the conference that inspired our last solo episode, to unpack how a career built on saying yes to weird, unqualified, "wait, why would I do that" opportunities turned into an actual expertise: helping entrepreneurs show up as the talent they already are.
We get into what talent development actually means for people who'd rather stay behind a screen, why treating yourself like "the talent" changes how you show up on stage (and everywhere else), and the messy, non-linear path that got her here.
If you've ever second-guessed an opportunity because it didn't fit the plan, this one's for you. Leslie's story is proof that the plan was never really the point.
Enjoy the episode! 😊
In this episode, we explore:
➡️ How managing a male review show led into talent development for Disney & ABC
➡️ The real difference between "speaker coaching" and treating yourself as the talent
➡️ Why Leslie lost money on her own conference (and did it anyway)
➡️ The "know thyself" work that has to happen before anyone else sees you differently
➡️ What entrepreneurs get wrong that comedians and musicians get right
➡️ Why your friends & family may never "get" your business (and how to stop needing them to)
➡️ How showing up as yourself becomes the fastest way to build trust in a noisy, AI-saturated space
➡️ Leslie's advice for saying yes before you feel ready
Links & Resources Mentioned:
>> Free Masterclass; Becoming Household Name Material
>> Buy us a coffee/support the podcast
About the Guest:
Leslie Jespersen is an award-winning keynote speaker, media personality, event producer, and talent developer for entrepreneurs. With a background spanning acting, modeling, television, live production, media, and celebrity talent, she now trains and positions entrepreneurs to become their own version of famous, so people know who they are, what their magic is, and why they should be the one getting the speaking gigs, podcasts, TV, press, and bigger opportunities.
She is the founder of The Everyday Celebrity Event Series & Magazine, BFD TV Network, and is publishing her first book, The Everyday Celebrity, this fall.
Website: https://lesliejespersen.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lesliejespersen
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everydaycelebrity_
Thank you to this season’s sponsor; Adobe Acrobat.
Want an easy place to get access to this seasons information, resources, guests, and more? Check out Curiously Guided’s Season 6 PDF Space: https://go.curiouslyguided.com/s6e12
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Learn more about Curiously Guided:
Curiously Guided: the podcast for intentional business owners & curious minds. Where the outer work meets the inner work, so we can create a life, business, and career that feels deeply fulfilling & wildly aligned.
✨ Website: Curiouslyguided.com
✨ Instagram: Instagram.com/curiouslyguided
Connect with The hosts, Shay + Mariah:
👉 Shay: saleswithshay.com | @shayheyshay
👉 Mariah: mariahmagazine.com | @mariahmagazineco
