Step Up to the Mic: The Movement to Get More Women on Stage

Women are being hit hard in today’s economy. Layoffs continue to ripple through industries like communications, HR, and DEI—roles where women have long led the work of connection, inclusion, and culture.

The message is clear: we can’t afford to wait for opportunity to find us. It’s time to create our own, together.

That’s the idea behind The Podium Project—a movement to get more women on stage, seen and heard as the experts, founders, and thought leaders they already are.

Why Representation on Stage Matters

Walk into any business conference or leadership summit, and you’ll notice something: the majority of speakers are still men.

Only about 35% of paid speakers are women, and the number drops even lower for women of color and other underrepresented voices. This matters, not just for equity, but for innovation, inspiration, and the stories we tell about leadership itself.

When audiences hear only one type of voice, they only get one type of perspective. And when women aren’t on stage, we lose the opportunity to shape narratives, influence industries, and model what’s possible for the next generation.

From Inspiration to Infrastructure

There’s no shortage of speaker training programs or coaches helping women refine their stories or polish their delivery. Programs like Mic Drop Workshop or Heroic Public Speaking do incredible work helping speakers figure out what to sayand how to say it.

But there’s still a major gap: once a woman knows what to say, how does she get started in the business of speaking?

That’s where most training stops and where we’re stepping in.

At The Podium Project, we’re creating a bridge between inspiration and infrastructure. It’s not just about giving women a microphone; it’s about giving them the assets, experience, and confidence they need to build a sustainable speaking career.

What Makes The Podium Project Different

The Podium Project is a one-day, high-impact experience that gives women everything they need to take the next step in their speaking journey—all in one place, at a fraction of the usual cost.

Each speaker will walk away with:
🎥 A professional speaker reel + a edited video of their full talk shot live on stage
📸 Headshots and portraits by an experienced photographer
💬 Live audience testimonials and feedback
🤝 Professional networking with fellow speakers, entrepreneurs, and leaders

And much more!

The event will be hosted by the Sesh Foundation and co-chaired by Sheana Hamill and myself. It will be held on February 17 at the United Way Houston. Speaker applications are open now and close October 31. But don't wait to apply! Spots are filling fast. 

How It Started

The idea for The Podium Project came from a shared frustration.

Sheana and I kept seeing brilliant women with valuable insights, consultants, founders, executives, struggle to gain visibility as speakers. We knew there were plenty of workshops to teach women how to speak, but none that helped them actually get seen.

So, the idea was born: create an event that gives women both the stage time and the professional collateral to break into the speaking world without the five-figure price tag of a full media package.

Why Now

We’re launching The Podium Project at a time when women need opportunity more than ever. As organizations restructure and budgets tighten, too many talented women are being sidelined or silenced.

But women are resourceful. We build networks. We collaborate. We create.

The Podium Project is about doing what women have always done, lifting each other up while building something sustainable for ourselves and our communities.

Be Part of the First Podium Project

Applications to be a speaker are open now through October 31, 2025.

If you’ve ever thought, “I have something to say, but I’m not sure where to start,” this is your moment.

This isn’t just an event—it’s a movement to help women and underrepresented voices take up space, claim visibility, and build the tools to turn their voices into opportunity.

🎤 Step up to the mic. Join the movement. Apply now to be part of The Podium Project.

www.culturegrove.com/podium-project