About this episode
In this powerful and uplifting episode of the Stuck In My Mind Podcast, host Wize El Jefe welcomes international speaker, entrepreneur, and speaking coach Marianne Hickman. Known for her remarkable journey from food stamps in Utah to igniting stages in 17 countries, Marianne shares her authentic story of resilience, transformation, and the transformative magic of sharing your message with the world.
A Journey Fueled by Hardship and Hope
Marianne pulls listeners in with her unfiltered account of what life was like before her first intentional speaking opportunity. Growing up as the youngest of ten in a family of high achievers, Marianne describes the emotional and financial challenges that nearly broke her spirit—marriage and motherhood at an early age, raising five kids, concerning debt, and the humbling experience of relying on food stamps and government support. She humorously and candidly recounts driving the family’s old Mazda minivan through Provo, Utah, wrestling with frustration at “doing everything right” but still struggling financially.
On that pivotal drive, she describes a personal, almost confrontational conversation with God: she demanded either a box of money on her porch or proximity to someone who could teach her “the money game.” Fate complied—not with cash, but with access to mentors and examples who showed her how to turn her personal story, pain, inspiration, and lessons into sustainable, purpose-driven speaking.
Discovering the Power of Storytelling
Marianne’s turning points didn’t come in the fashion of overnight success. She opens up about her early speaking opportunities, from her church putting her on stage as a child (admitting churches “knock the stage fright right out of you”), to attending seminars as a “seminar junkie” and stumbling accidentally into her first significant co-facilitator role. She shares a vivid anecdote about a seminar where she witnessed a speaker sell out $300 worth of resources to 700 people in a single session—redefining for her the possibilities of influence from the stage.
But more than money or surface-level success, Marianne found her purpose in influence that creates real change. She connects the dots between mastering communication, having a message rooted in authentic experience, and the responsibility to use that message to help others transform their lives.
Overcoming Fear & Transforming Mindset
A key theme throughout the episode is the fear and self-doubt that come with stepping onto a stage—physical or virtual. Marianne boldly confesses to battling “me-centered” anxieties: Am I good enough? Will I forget my content? Does my outfit look okay? But she reveals a paradigm-shifting piece of wisdom: “Stage fright is inherently selfish.” By focusing less on herself and more on serving her audience, giving value, and tuning in to their needs, her nerves are transformed into purpose.
She dives deep into the importance of mindse
