Host Melanie Johnson is joined by Nona Prather, professional speaker, author, and owner of Speaker Elevation. Nona brings decades of experience in the speaking industry, sharing her unique journey as a second-generation speaker who grew up helping her father build his own speaking business. In this episode, Nona reveals the practical steps aspiring speakers can take to transition from free gigs to paid engagements, the power of niching down, and why having a book can make all the difference in landing speaking opportunities. Plus, she dishes insider tips on pitching yourself, building lasting relationships with event organizers, and what it really takes to get on a TEDx stage.

Join us for an eye-opening conversation with Matt Bowman, best-selling author and education expert, as we explore the evolving world of open education. From the rise of homeschooling and hybrid models to the growing influence of AI and technology, Matt shares how families can rethink traditional schooling and embrace flexible, student-centered learning. We dive into how AI is shaping the future of education, what open education really means for families, and the truth behind common homeschooling myths.

Matt also breaks down the three essential elements of effective learning—choice, competency, and connection—and offers practical advice for parents navigating diverse learning paths and finding balance at home.

In today’s episode, host Melanie Johnson sits down with the legendary Paul Colligan—a true pioneer in the world of content creation, podcasting, and YouTube. Paul is known for bridging the gap between technology and business, and he brings decades of experience to the table, having started his online journey back in the early days of the internet.

Together, Melanie and Paul dive deep into the realities of podcast distribution, content automation, and harnessing the latest AI tools to grow your brand and business. Paul shares his insights on how being “everywhere” online is more accessible than ever, why you shouldn’t overcomplicate your tech stack, and what it really takes to leverage automation and AI to streamline your workflow. You’ll hear candid advice about content repurposing, distribution strategies, and the new wave of virtual influencers—including Paul’s own “Virtual Paul” experiments.