343: Why YOU are the Messenger for Your Idea and Audience with Carol Cox

I often hear from clients that they feel like their topic isn’t unique, that what they would present on others have already been said.

And they’re right: That will always be the case - there are always going to be lots of people out there who do or say something in the same umbrella as you.

What you need is an IDEA, not just a topic.

Ideas look for a messenger - and it’s up to you to activate the idea.

YOU are the messenger your audience needs to hear.

In this episode, I share with you:

• Why ideas are so important

• The four layers of thought leadership

• The different ways ideas can come to you

• What can stop you from activating an idea

• Inspiration from Elizabeth Gilbert’s book “Big Magic”

• Why Greta Gerwig was *the* messenger the Barbie movie needed

About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their brand message and story, create their signature talks, and develop their thought leadership platforms. Our mission is to get more women in positions of influence and power because it's through women's stories, voices, and visibility that we challenge the status quo and change existing systems. Check out our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com.

Links:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/343/

Discover your Speaker Archetype by taking our free quiz at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/quiz/

Enroll in our Thought Leader Academy: https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/academy/

Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolcox

Mentioned:

• Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert

• Elizabeth Gilbert on the On Being podcast

• KLF: Chaos Magic Music Money by JMR Higgs

• “Who says big ideas are rare?” by Malcom Gladwell

Related Podcast Episodes:

• Episode 341: Unearthing Your Unique Message: Discovering What Makes You Stand Out with Judy Carlson

• Episode 337: Sharing Your Story as a Catalyst for Transformation with Karen Keene

• Episode 262: The Four Layers of Thought Leadership with Carol Cox

• Episode 92: Deconstructing My TEDx Talk: Why We’re Uncomfortable with Women in Power with Carol Cox

Become Bookable Live Online Workshop - April 15, 2026
If you want to speak more but you’re not sure where to start or your efforts haven’t produced the results you want, I’m hosting a live online workshop called “Become Bookable: How to Get Speaking Invitations” on Wednesday, April 15th.

A lot of brilliant women assume they just need to pitch themselves more. But the real reason speakers get invited isn’t because they pitch harder — it’s because they’re positioned as bookable.

In this 3-hour interactive workshop live on Zoom, I’ll show you how speakers actually get invited — and help you clarify the positioning that makes event organizers say yes.

As a podcast listener, use the coupon code “Podcast100” to save $100 on your registration.

Learn more and register at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/bookable