Not Just a Podcast: An Event Planning Tool Built for YOU
Gail Davis, 23 June 2025
In 2017, my son, Kyle, and I launched a podcast together. That first year, we recorded an incredible 113 episodes—it was fast-paced, exciting, and full of momentum. But then, life and business pulled us in other directions. What started as a short break turned into a seven-year pause.
Yossi Ghinsberg, Kyle Davis, and Gail Davis recording a podcast - 2017
During that time came the pandemic. Like so many of you, we pivoted—offering virtual content through Motivational Mondays, which evolved into GDA Live. These formats helped us stay connected and inspired. But something was still missing: the intimacy, the connection, the access that only a podcast can provide.
In 2024, we decided it was time to bring it back—and bring it back with purpose.
We rebranded the show as Backstage Pass with GDA Speakers, and it’s exactly what it sounds like: your all-access invitation to go behind the scenes with some of the most compelling voices in the speaking world.
We’re not producing weekly episodes like we once did, but we are curating meaningful conversations for a very specific audience—you, the decision-makers, event planners, and visionaries responsible for shaping unforgettable experiences.
Why do we do it? Because we want to provide maximum value. We want to ask the specific questions that our clients want to know. We want to give you insights other than what you will find on a website or in a brochure.
After 26 years in this industry, coupled with my own background as a corporate event planner, I’ve developed a deep understanding of the questions clients want answered before they ever book a speaker.
Questions like:
- Who is the speaker’s ideal audience?
- Where is the most impact? Q&A or ending the presentation without Q&A? What needs to be considered in making this decision in terms of the speaker’s specific content?
- How do they customize content?
- What’s their style—on stage and behind the scenes?
- How do audiences respond?
- What value do they provide clients?
- How does the speaker and the client measure success?
Nando Parrado joins Gail Davis at the GDA office for an in-person recording of Backstage Pass - 2024
We design each episode to give you clarity. When you finish listening, I want you to feel like you just had coffee with the speaker—like you know them. Not just their bio, but their voice, their vibe, and whether they’re the right fit for your event.
We also bring on clients like you to share their experiences, insights, and lessons learned. I believe we’re all better when we learn from one another, and some of the most powerful takeaways come from peer-to-peer conversations.
Gail Davis and Kim Becking record a virtual episode of Backstage Pass - 2025
So here’s my ask: Let us know who you want to hear from! What speakers are on your radar?
What behind-the-scenes details would help you make better, more confident decisions?
This podcast exists for one reason—to serve you.
To be your trusted guide.
To deliver the access and answers that matter most.
Listen in, share your thoughts, and help shape the future of Backstage Pass!
I’m all ears—because this isn’t just our podcast. It’s YOURS!
-Gail Davis
Founder & President, GDA Speakers