Hayley Podschun
Strengthen your team’s confidence and communication skills with Hayley Podschun, Broadway performer, event host, and speaker. Hayley takes organizations behind the curtain, sharing the secrets of stronger leadership presence, greater composure under pressure, and more compelling audience engagement. She draws on her decades of experience across Broadway, national tours, television, and her work as a Guest Host on QVC, as well as her Helen Hayes Award nomination.
Kansas, United States
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Originally from Overland Park, Kansas, Hayley began working professionally at the age of ten and has spent her career across stage and screen building a reputation for her adaptability, presence, and consistency in high-pressure environments. On Broadway, she has appeared in major productions including Hello, Dolly!, Something Rotten!, Hairspray, Chaplin, Anything Goes, Sunday in the Park with George, Pal Joey, and The Sound of Music. She also starred as Glinda in the National Tour of Wicked. In New York, Hayley was the first to play the title role in Freckleface Strawberry Off-Broadway and has worked with companies such as Encores!, Classic Stage Company, and The York Theatre.
Hayley's screen credits include the film Hairspray, alongside John Travolta, Queen Latifah, and Michelle Pfeiffer, as well as television appearances in Fleishman Is in Trouble, Girls5Eva, Louie, and The Blacklist. She has led productions across the United States and received a Helen Hayes Award nomination for her work.
Beyond performing, Hayley is a guest host on QVC, a corporate event emcee, and an active mentor and coach for emerging performers. Her keynote sessions draw on her experience navigating constant auditions, live performances, and career uncertainty, using storytelling and practical frameworks to explore how people prepare for high-stakes moments, respond to setbacks, and sustain performance over time.
Audiences take away tools for building confidence, managing pressure, handling rejection, and staying adaptable in fast-changing environments. Hayley's work resonates in corporate, creative, education, retail, and leadership sectors for organizations seeking to strengthen communication, resilience, and professional presence.
Book Hayley to bring energy, practical insight, and a Broadway perspective to your next event.
Topics, Sessions And Talks
Hayley Podschun, a professional actor since age 10 and Broadway star since 12, shares her journey through eight Broadway shows, including her role as Glinda in Wicked. In her keynote, she emphasizes the "Whatever It Takes" mindset essential for success in competitive environments. Attendees will learn to prepare for high-stakes moments, respond with resilience to setbacks, apply a proactive approach to uncertainty, persist through rejection, and embrace flexibility in achieving their goals.
Our experts are here to make your event run smoothly, whether it's moderating a discussion, sharing insights on a panel, or keeping things lively as a host. With plenty of experience and a knack for engaging audiences, they bring the right mix of professionalism and energy to any event. You can count on them to connect with your crowd and ensure everything goes off without a hitch.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about booking an expert speaker, facilitator, host or entertainment for your event.
- If you'd like to book one of our expert speakers, email us at hello@peptalk.com, send us a chat message or give us a call, and we’ll help you out.
- We’ll take your event details — topic, audience, budget, date, and location — and create a custom speaker proposal for you within 48 hours.
- If you already have someone in mind, that’s okay too; just let us know their name! Even if they aren't listed publicly on our website, we have a huge network and work with almost everyone.
- Once you've reviewed our speaker propsal and have selected and expert shortlist, we'll double check availability and fees with your chosen expert.
- You're welcome to have a chemistry call with the speaker before making the final decision, too.
- Next, we'll send out contracts to confirm the booking. One of our experienced event producers will liase with both you and the talent on the finer details, and arrange travel if necessary, taking the stress off your plate.
Not necessarily. While the speakers listed on our website may not have worked with PepTalk in the past, they are recognized professionals in the industry and known to engage in similar events and engagements. We work with a wide variety of speaker agents and talent agencies to ensure we have the best selection of speakers, hosts, comedians and entertainers available.
We do not accommodate requests for birthday messages or any other personal, non-commercial contact with the speakers, comedians or entertainers.
We work with speakers across a variety of fee ranges, giving you the flexibility to choose someone who fits your event's needs. Virtual keynote fees in the UK and Europe typically start at £2,000, while in-person top-tier speakers can reach £25,000. In the US, virtual in-person fees range from $5,000 to over $100,000, depending on the speaker and format, such as after-dinner talks, conference keynotes, Q&As, or podcasts. Comedians generally start at £1,500 or $2,000 for a 20-minute set.
Our goal is to help you find the speaker who best matches your event’s goals and budget. We take the time to understand your event, objectives, and audience to recommend the right fit. The most expensive option isn’t always the best one, and our priority is finding the ideal speaker or expert for your needs; not the highest-priced one.
Reach out for personalised recommendations and detailed information on specific speaker fees. We’re here to offer a tailored service and are always happy to discuss your unique requirements!
There’s no additional cost for our services beyond the speaker fee — simply contact us to find the right speaker for your next business or team event. We can also work with your corporate procurement team to negotiate favourable long-term rates, simply email hello@getapeptalk.com for more information.
Partnering with PepTalk means elevating your events with our curated roster of top motivational speakers, industry experts, delivering punchy keynotes that leave a lasting impact. From talent selection, to contracts and logistics, we handle it all. We have global expert network, with over 3000 speakers from over 33 countries on our line-up.
We also provide a full range of talent, from event hosts and moderators to interviewers and corporate entertainment, ensuring your event’s success from start to finish.
PepTalk workshops are interactive learning experiences for leaders at all levels, blending theory with practical insights from industry experts. These programs, led by experienced facilitators, are designed to drive real mindset changes and equip participants with actionable skills. Workshops can be customised to meet your organisation's specific needs. Explore our workshop examples and contact us today to learn how your team can benefit.
If you notice something that needs attention or have any queries regarding an expert speaker profile, feel free to email us at experts@getapeptalk.com, and we’ll be happy to assist.