Abbey Graves Productions

If you have ever thought about stepping into public speaking, there is a good chance you are more prepared than you realize.

In this episode of Abbey the Podcast Lady, I sat down with Marianne Hickman to talk about the connection between podcasting and public speaking, and why so many podcasters are already building the exact skills they need to get on more stages.

One of the biggest themes in our conversation was this: most people spend too much time waiting to be chosen. They wait for someone to invite them to speak, feature them, or give them a platform. Marianne challenged that idea in a big way. Instead of waiting for a stage, she encourages people to build one.

That idea fits podcasting perfectly.

A podcast is a stage. It is a platform you own, a place where you can share your ideas, lead conversations, and build authority over time. For creators, coaches, and business owners, that matters. Every episode becomes part of your body of work. Every conversation adds to your credibility. Every piece of content helps people understand who you are, what you do, and how you help.

That is one of the reasons podcasting can be such a strong bridge into public speaking.

When you host a podcast, you are already practicing how to communicate clearly, guide an audience, ask strong questions, and hold attention. You are learning how to show up consistently with your voice and message. Those are not side skills. They are speaking skills.

This episode also highlighted something important for anyone trying to grow their brand: visibility matters, but ownership matters more.

Social media can help you get discovered, but it is still borrowed space. Algorithms change. Platforms shift. Accounts disappear. A podcast gives you long-form content that works for you over time, supports your SEO, and helps establish trust with your audience in a deeper way. When paired with an email list or CRM, it becomes even more valuable because you are not just reaching people temporarily. You are building a real audience relationship.

Marianne also made a strong case for creating opportunities instead of waiting for them. That could mean hosting your own event, starting a local meetup, organizing a workshop, or creating a live experience around the work you already do. Too often, people think they need outside validation before they can step into a larger role. In reality, many of the best opportunities start when someone decides to stop waiting and start building.

That mindset applies to podcasters at every stage.

Whether your goal is to grow your show, expand your business, land guest spots, or move into speaking, your podcast can be more than just content. It can become a core part of your visibility strategy. It can help position you as an expert, connect you with the right people, and open doors that would be much harder to access otherwise.

Another standout takeaway from this conversation was the reminder that great speaking is not about sounding polished for the sake of sounding polished. It is about serving the audience. The same is true in podcasting. The goal is not to perform. The goal is to connect, provide value, and help people walk away with something useful.

That is what makes a message land.

If you are a podcaster who has been thinking about public speaking, this episode is a reminder that you may already be closer than you think. The skills are transferable. The platform is already there. And in many cases, the next step is not waiting for someone to hand you an opportunity. It is using the one you already have.

Podcasting is not just a way to share your voice. It can also be the foundation for bigger visibility, stronger authority, and new speaking opportunities.