The Amazing Authorities Podcast

In this episode of Amazing Authorities, Mitch Carson sits down with Marianne Hickman to explore how authentic connection, consistent practice, and a clear message can transform public speaking into both a powerful business tool and a force for positive impact.

Marianne shares how her journey began at just three years old speaking in church, later winning regional speaking competitions in school. But it wasn’t until years later that she realized what truly separates memorable speakers from forgettable ones: the ability to inspire and emotionally connect with an audience.

Through years of hosting speaking events every two weeks—sometimes starting with zero attendees—Marianne refined her keynote, developed her authentic story, and gradually built confidence on stage. She explains how consistent repetition, real-world feedback, and learning from mistakes ultimately eliminate stage fright and strengthen delivery.

The conversation also dives into the business side of speaking. Marianne highlights the immense revenue potential behind a powerful keynote and call to action, sharing how a short three-minute pitch at a seminar generated $90,000 in sales. At the same time, she emphasizes integrity in sales, rejecting manipulative tactics and focusing instead on genuine audience transformation.

Marianne also discusses the challenges of virtual speaking, the importance of reading audience energy in real time, and how emotional connection drives engagement and results. She believes that when speakers shift their focus away from themselves and toward serving the audience, both confidence and influence naturally follow.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:
• How Marianne Hickman began speaking publicly at age three
• Why emotional connection matters more than presentation skills
• How hosting events every two weeks accelerated her speaking mastery
• Why authentic storytelling builds stronger audience engagement
• How a powerful call to action can generate significant revenue
• Why influence should focus on transformation, not manipulation
• How to overcome stage fright by shifting focus to serving the audience
• Why humor and energy shifts keep audiences engaged
• The challenges of virtual webinars and how to maintain interaction
• How community support and mentorship accelerate speaker growth
Guest Links — Marianne Hickman
Website: https://www.mariannehickman.com/
Free Podcast Guest Database: https://mariannehickman.com/forward/freegift
The Marianne Hickman Show: Available through her website and podcast platforms

Mitch Carson Links
Schedule a strategy call with Mitch:
https://www.getinterviewedguaranteed.com/meetwithmitch
Become a podcast guest:
https://www.getinterviewedguaranteed.com/podcastguest
Find Mitch here:
https://www.mitchcarson.com/
https://www.facebook.com/MitchCarsonOfficial/
https://www.instagram.com/mitchcarsonofficial/
https://www.twitter.com/MCarsonOfficial/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitchcarsoninstantcelebrity/
https://www.youtube.com/@MitchCarsonOfficial

Books by Mitch Carson:
The Amazing Authors of Singapore: https://a.co/d/cp9KjC1
The Silent Salesmen: https://a.co/d/b4eqa2D

In this episode of Amazing Authorities, Mitch Carson speaks with Regina Linke about how she built a creative career by blending traditional Chinese philosophy, modern illustration, and strategic digital marketing.

Regina shares her unique journey as a Taiwanese-American artist who grew up immersed in both Eastern and Western cultures. After studying traditional Chinese painting in Taiwan, she discovered that competing purely as a traditional artist wasn’t the right path for her life and family priorities. Instead, she embraced digital tools like Procreate to merge classical techniques with modern illustration.

That shift allowed her to produce work consistently while creating a unique niche in publishing—combining Chinese philosophical teachings with contemporary visual storytelling. Her illustrated project, The Oxford Boy, brings ancient wisdom to modern audiences through accessible, visually engaging conversations rooted in Taoist and Confucian ideas.

The conversation also explores Regina’s strategic use of Instagram to build an audience before publishing. By sharing illustrated comics online, she tested concepts, gained viral traction, and demonstrated real market demand to publishers and agents.

Regina also discusses her upcoming children’s book, Little Helper, releasing May 5. The illustrated story introduces young readers to Taoist philosophy through a simple modern fable about kindness, community, and the ripple effect of small helpful actions.
Throughout the discussion, Regina explains how combining cultural heritage, digital creativity, and thoughtful audience engagement can turn a passion project into a meaningful creative business.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:
• How Regina Linke blended Taiwanese-American heritage with Chinese philosophy
• Why traditional Gongbi painting training shaped her artistic discipline
• How switching to digital illustration expanded creative opportunities
• Why choosing an underrepresented niche strengthened her market position
• How Instagram helped validate audience demand before publishing
• Why visual storytelling makes philosophy more accessible
• How the Oxford Boy project grew from illustrated conversations online
• The inspiration behind her upcoming children’s book Little Helper
• Why layered content development expands audience reach
• How authors can build long-term momentum through social media and newsletters
Guest Links — Regina Linke
Website: https://www.reginalinke.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oxfordboyproject/

Books by Regina Linke
The Oxford Boy
Little Helper — releasing May 5
Mitch Carson Links
Schedule a strategy call with Mitch:
https://www.getinterviewedguaranteed.com/meetwithmitch
Become a podcast guest:
https://www.getinterviewedguaranteed.com/podcastguest
Find Mitch here:
https://www.mitchcarson.com/
https://www.facebook.com/MitchCarsonOfficial/
https://www.instagram.com/mitchcarsonofficial/
https://www.twitter.com/MCarsonOfficial/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitchcarsoninstantcelebrity/
https://www.youtube.com/@MitchCarsonOfficial

Books by Mitch Carson:
The Amazing Authors of Singapore: https://a.co/d/cp9KjC1
The Silent Salesmen: https://a.co/d/b4eqa2D

In this episode of Amazing Authorities, Mitch Carson speaks with Susan Thomson about a powerful shift in parenting philosophy—from punishment-based discipline to compassionate guidance that strengthens emotional health and family relationships.

Drawing from over 20 years of experience in addiction counseling and family support, Dr. Thomson explains that discipline should never be about fear or punishment. Instead, it should guide children toward understanding their emotions, behaviors, and the impact of their actions. When parents focus on emotional attunement rather than control, children develop stronger communication skills and healthier long-term relationships.

The conversation also challenges traditional disciplinary tools such as spanking, timeouts, grounding, and privilege removal. Dr. Thomson argues these methods often damage trust and connection without teaching children how to regulate their emotions or understand the reasons behind their behavior.
A central theme of the discussion is emotional literacy. Teaching children how to recognize and express feelings early in life helps build resilience, empathy, and healthier adult relationships. Dr. Thomson also connects childhood emotional wounds to later struggles such as addiction, explaining how compassionate parenting can help break cycles of trauma across generations.
Her work emphasizes that raising emotionally intelligent children requires patience, empathy, and consistent communication—but the long-term rewards include stronger family bonds and more emotionally healthy adults.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:
• Why discipline should guide children rather than punish them
• How emotional attunement helps prevent behavioral issues
• Why traditional punishment methods often damage parent-child relationships
• The long-term benefits of compassionate parenting
• How emotional literacy supports resilience and communication
• Why childhood trauma is often connected to adult addiction
• How to set clear boundaries without punishment
• Why misbehavior often signals unmet emotional needs
• How healthy parenting builds stronger adult relationships
• Strategies for breaking generational cycles of trauma
Guest Credentials — Dr. Susan Thomson
Parenting educator and counselor
More than 20 years of experience working with addiction recovery and family dynamics
Author of Parenting the Rules: 20 Precepts
Guest Links — Dr. Susan Thomson
Phone: 858-531-5346
Book: Parenting the Rules: 20 Precepts (available on Amazon)
Mitch Carson Links
Schedule a strategy call with Mitch
https://www.getinterviewedguaranteed.com/meetwithmitch
Become a podcast guest
https://www.getinterviewedguaranteed.com/podcastguest
Find Mitch here
https://www.mitchcarson.com/
https://www.facebook.com/MitchCarsonOfficial/
https://www.instagram.com/mitchcarsonofficial/
https://www.twitter.com/MCarsonOfficial/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitchcarsoninstantcelebrity/
https://www.youtube.com/@MitchCarsonOfficial

Books by Mitch Carson
The Amazing Authors of Singapore: https://a.co/d/cp9KjC1
The Silent Salesmen: https://a.co/d/b4eqa2D

In this episode of Amazing Authorities, Mitch Carson sits down with Leigh Brown to discuss reinvention, leadership, and how purpose-driven work can reshape a career.
Leigh shares how her transition into disaster relief work in 2024 transformed her outlook and inspired her latest book about overcoming disruption, doubt, and the final push needed to reach breakthrough moments. Moving from a purely revenue-focused mindset into service through nonprofit work, she now balances impact and entrepreneurship in a hybrid career.
The conversation explores Leigh's journey from being a reluctant public speaker to commanding keynote fees of up to $20,000. Early in her career she accepted unpaid speaking opportunities simply to gain experience, gradually refining her message, confidence, and audience connection. Over time, books, consistent stage practice, and strong networking relationships elevated her authority in the speaking world.
Leigh also explains how diversifying income streams helped create stability and freedom. Today she manages seven sources of revenue including real estate brokerage, property investing, coaching, speaking, writing, auctioneering, and training other speakers. This diversified model allows her to pursue passion-driven nonprofit work while maintaining a sustainable business foundation.
Throughout the discussion, Leigh emphasizes the importance of humility, persistence, and service. She believes the most successful speakers and entrepreneurs are those who remain grounded, continuously improve their craft, and focus on helping others succeed.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:
• How a transition into disaster relief inspired Leigh's newest book
• Why pushing the final 1% of commitment creates breakthrough moments
• How Lee grew from free speaking engagements to $20,000 keynotes
• Why starting as a panelist is a powerful entry into speaking
• The importance of networking over cold outreach for speaking gigs
• How referrals drive opportunities within the speaking industry
• Why building multiple income streams creates entrepreneurial stability
• How real estate investing supports long-term financial independence
• Why humility and persistence are essential for long-term success
• How serving others creates deeper fulfillment and opportunity
Guest Credentials — Leigh Brown
Real estate broker and investor
Keynote speaker and leadership trainer
Author and coach
Founder involved in disaster relief and nonprofit initiatives
Former president of the National Association of Realtors
Guest Links — Lee Brown
Website: https://www.leighbrown.com/
Books and speaking information available through her website

Mitch Carson Links
Schedule a strategy call with Mitch
https://www.getinterviewedguaranteed.com/meetwithmitch
Become a podcast guest
https://www.getinterviewedguaranteed.com/podcastguest
Find Mitch here
https://www.mitchcarson.com/
https://www.facebook.com/MitchCarsonOfficial/
https://www.instagram.com/mitchcarsonofficial/
https://www.twitter.com/MCarsonOfficial/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitchcarsoninstantcelebrity/
https://www.youtube.com/@MitchCarsonOfficial

Books by Mitch Carson
The Amazing Authors of Singapore: https://a.co/d/cp9KjC1
The Silent Salesmen: https://a.co/d/b4eqa2D

In this episode of Amazing Authorities, Mitch Carson interviews Ben Olmos about the journey from hourly labor jobs to academia, corporate leadership, and building a growing media platform focused on entrepreneurship and leadership development.

Ben shares how his first book blends personal experience with academic research to help managers, leaders, and entrepreneurs develop stronger leadership skills. Drawing on career experience from companies like The Coca‑Cola Company, McDonald's, and The Walt Disney Company, he designed the book around ten core leadership topics supported by research, podcast insights, and real-world case studies.

The conversation also explores Ben’s media company, Dist. Media, which documents the entrepreneurial journey through podcasting and digital content. What began as a small project producing about ten podcast episodes per year has evolved into a consistent content operation with one to two weekly episodes and daily short-form videos distributed across platforms like YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

Ben explains his goal of reaching 100,000 YouTube subscribers by 2026 while maintaining a focus on quality conversations with founders, operators, and business leaders. Although the project has required an initial investment of around $5,000 and is not yet profitable, the podcast has created valuable connections, audience growth, and consulting opportunities.
The discussion also highlights a shift in how entrepreneurs prefer to learn. After seeing limited engagement with traditional online courses, Ben transitioned toward a community-driven model through the Daily Pitch network, where founders and leaders can exchange ideas, discuss business challenges, and learn collaboratively rather than through rigid course structures.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:
• How Ben turned personal experience and academic research into a leadership book
• Why leadership skills can be learned rather than inherited
• How consistent podcast production drives audience growth
• Why short-form content helps expand reach on social platforms
• The strategy behind reaching 100,000 YouTube subscribers
• How podcasts can create consulting opportunities and business connections
• Why many entrepreneurs prefer community learning over traditional courses
• How invite-only communities foster stronger peer learning
• The importance of experimenting with content formats and audience engagement
• Why publishing multiple books strengthens long-term authority

Guest Credentials — Ben Olmos

Founder of Dist. Media
Host of The Daily Pitch podcast and publication
PhD and leadership consultant
Author and entrepreneur focused on leadership and business growth

Guest Links — Ben Olmos
Website: https://benolmos.com
Publication: The Daily Pitch
Podcast: The Daily Pitch Podcast

Mitch Carson Links

Schedule a strategy call with Mitch
https://www.getinterviewedguaranteed.com/meetwithmitch

Become a podcast guest
https://www.getinterviewedguaranteed.com/podcastguest

Find Mitch here
https://www.mitchcarson.com/
https://www.facebook.com/MitchCarsonOfficial/
https://www.instagram.com/mitchcarsonofficial/
https://www.twitter.com/MCarsonOfficial/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitchcarsoninstantcelebrity/
https://www.youtube.com/@MitchCarsonOfficial

Books by Mitch Carson
The Amazing Authors of Singapore: https://a.co/d/cp9KjC1
The Silent Salesmen: https://a.co/d/b4eqa2D