Captivate Podcasts

Picture this: the lights go down, a lone saxophone lets out a bold riff, and the band swings in around it—each musician listening, adjusting, riffing back. That’s jazz, and it’s exactly how Bethany Gustafson orchestrates unforgettable events. In “Event Leadership Jazz: The Power of Improvisation,” Bethany—our guest on this week’s Event Innovator Show—proves that the […]

What does the world’s most iconic tennis tournament have in common with unforgettable conferences? A lot more than you might think. In this episode, Phil Mershon unpacks the timeless magic of Wimbledon—where heritage meets innovation—and explores what event leaders can learn from its intentional design. From scarcity-driven buzz to rituals that spark belonging, you’ll discover

Have you ever wondered why some speakers captivate an audience while others fall flat? In this episode, I sit down with Kyle Gray, a speaker coach and author of The Story Engine, to uncover the secrets of creating truly impactful presentations that resonate with your audience. Kyle shares his insights on a common pitfall many

Have you ever felt awkward introducing yourself at events? You’re not alone. In this episode, I sit down with Steve Woodruff, known as the “King of Clarity,” to explore a revolutionary approach to networking that could change the way we connect at conferences and beyond. Steve is on a mission to replace the outdated elevator

“I would never invite that speaker again!” If you’re a speaker, you never want to hear those words. And the truth is, you never will since organizers only share this with other event planners. What would you like to hear instead? “She was the best speaker ever. Great content, easy to work with, and she

Have you ever wondered how to create truly engaging events that keep attendees coming back year after year? In this episode, I sit down with Jim Louderback, a veteran of the creator economy and event industry, to explore innovative strategies for audience engagement and event design. Jim shares his wealth of experience from running VidCon,

Have you ever considered launching your own event but felt overwhelmed by the prospect? In this episode, I sit down with JC Hite, the visionary behind Scale with Stability Summit, to uncover the strategic decisions and lessons learned from creating a faith-based business conference for entrepreneurs and CEOs. Strategic Advantages in Event Planning How partnering

Have you ever wondered what it takes to create an event that truly resonates with your audience? In this episode, I sit down with Angie Callen, a serial entrepreneur and founder of Career Benders and The Modern Coach, to uncover the secrets of crafting unforgettable event experiences. As a self-proclaimed “recovering engineer who loves people,”

Have you ever wondered what it takes to create a successful event that keeps attendees coming back year after year? In this episode, I sit down with Michael (Mike) Stelzner (and my boss), the visionary behind Social Media Marketing World, to uncover the secrets of building and sustaining a thriving conference in the ever-changing landscape

Are you ready to elevate your events from good to extraordinary? In this episode, I sit down with Caroline Correia, a seasoned event strategist with over 30 years of experience in the industry. Caroline shares her insights on creating high-impact experiences that leave a lasting impression on attendees. We even came up with a new