Episode Details

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In this episode of The Art of Imperfect Adulting, Amy Stone speaks with Leisa Reid about facing fears and stepping onto the stand-up comedy stage for the first time as an adult. Based in Rancho Santa Margarita, Orange County, CA, Leisa shares how she challenged her self-doubt, pushed personal boundaries, and translated her background in public speaking into a one-night-only comedy experience. Listeners will discover how leaning into discomfort can spark transformation, why resisting an opportunity can be a sign to pursue it, and the behind-the-scenes process of writing and performing a stand-up set.

About Leisa Reid:

Leisa Reid is known as The Speaking Strategy Mentor and is the Founder of Get Speaking Gigs Now™ and the CEO of the International Speaker Network™.

Having delivered over 600 talks and authored 9 books, Leisa has helped business owners scale their impact beyond 1:1- through the power of speaking. She believes speaking isn’t just about giving a talk; it’s about creating a consistent strategy to get booked, stay booked, and attract clients for the lifetime of your business.

Leisa is passionate about showing experts how to use speaking as a serious revenue pathway, without the pressure of being perfect or “salesy.” Her down-to-earth approach and proven system empower business owners to confidently share their message, grow their business, and make the impact they were born to create.

Quote from the Episode:

“There’s no one who can do your pushups for you when you’re on stage. It is you, you, and you, baby. And it can feel scary. It can feel vulnerable, but that’s also the juicy part of it.” — Leisa Reid

Timestamps:

[00:00:00] Introduction to the show & what listeners can expect

[00:00:41] Leisa’s home in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, and what she loves about it

[00:01:36] Generation identifier and connecting with the Gen X audience

[00:02:21] How few people actually knew about Leisa’s stand-up comedy venture

[00:03:44] Leisa’s lifelong resistance to stand-up comedy and why she thought it was the scariest speaking format

[00:05:07] Quick-wittedness versus planned jokes; discovering personal comedic style

[00:06:42] The story behind Leisa being invited — and initially refusing — to perform stand-up

[00:08:26] Setting a personal deadline: making stand-up her birthday event

[00:09:04] Why strong resistance sometimes means it’s time to say yes

[00:12:20] Coaching preparations, writing struggles, and tailoring comedy to her true voice

[00:16:07] Researching and choosing the right open mic environment

[00:18:04] Doing a dry run and the contrast of performing for strangers versus a supportive crowd

[00:19:25] Audience reactions and support from friends and family

[00:21:12] Will Leisa keep doing comedy? Writing new material and documenting ideas

[00:24:02] Stand-up comedy as a hobby, not a new career—balancing enjoyment and practicality

[00:25:28] Reflecting on how trying comedy impacted Leisa’s confidence, life, and relationships

[00:27:17] Hopes for listeners: pushing through discomfort and sharing your unique brilliance

[00:28:32] Exploring vulnerability, fear, and the “safe, risky yes” in adult growth

[00:30:09] Leisa’s professional work helping entrepreneurs craft their signature talks

[00:33:07] Changing fears of public speaking and how social dynamics have shifted

[00:36:04] Special offer for listeners: Leisa’s tips for public speaking and booking gigs

[00:36:54] Leisa’s podcast/media recommendations and a lighthearted discussion of favorite shows

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