Beyond the Bestseller

What if the constant pressure to post reels, record stories, and feed the algorithms is actually hurting your business—and your health? To celebrate our milestone 100th episode of the Beyond the Best Seller podcast, we’re taking a deep look at what it really takes to build a sustainable personal brand without losing your mind! As business owners, thought leaders, and authors, we’ve been fed a non-...

Have you ever published a book or achieved a major goal, only to realize that hit-and-run success didn't bring the long-term fulfillment or well-being you expected? What if true health and happiness aren't about chasing temporary, once-in-a-lifetime transformations, but about building deep resilience and self-honoring habits that stick? As authors, entrepreneurs, and busy leaders, we often pour ev...

What if writing a book didn't require you to be a "creative writer"—just an expert with a clear solution to a real problem? As business owners, coaches, and leaders, we spend years building domain expertise and answering the exact same questions for our clients over and over. But when it comes to sitting down and actually writing a book to scale that impact, pure chaos and writer's block usually s...

What if a single book could unlock the door to 54 national TV interviews, 6 PR industry awards, and millions of dollars in revenue? As business owners, authors, and thought leaders, we often spend months or years pouring our hearts into a book, only to publish it and wonder, "What next?" We dream of hitting the bestseller list or landing big media features, but the truth is, a book isn't just a pr...

What if the rules you are following in your relationships and business aren't actually yours? What if the hidden "operating system" you built as a child is silently sabotaging your happiness, confidence, and authentic voice as an adult? As entrepreneurs and creators, we spend so much time polishing our professional personas. But behind the scenes, many of us are still terrified of getting in troub...

What if getting the raise, promotion, or recognition you deserve wasn’t about being the loudest person in the room, but about learning how to strategically articulate your worth? As someone who spent nearly two decades in corporate leadership, I know firsthand how easy it is to fall into the trap of letting others lead your career path. So many of us believe that if we just do good work, the rewar...

What if the worst thing that ever happened in your business was actually the catalyst for your greatest story? What if you could take the hardest, most embarrassing setback you’ve ever experienced—a failed launch, a lost job, or even a devastating lawsuit—and turn it into a book that changes lives? As an entrepreneur, I know firsthand how overwhelming it feels when unexpected challenges hit. When...

What if the doubt you feel isn't a sign that you should quit, but proof that you're taking a risk worth pursuing? As creatives, entrepreneurs, and aspiring authors, so many of us are secretly battling the same internal chatter. "Who am I to do this?" "What if I look silly?" "What if nobody cares?" We spend so much energy trying to erase those uncomfortable feelings before we ever hit publish, laun...

What if your life shifted overnight? What if you went from managing nationwide teams in corporate America to suddenly managing medication, doctor appointments, and daily care for three aging parents? For so many business owners, leaders, and professionals, the reality of caregiving comes on slowly—until a sudden health event forces a total lifestyle shift. This week, I sit down with Debbie Compton...

In this engaging interview, Grace Salmon shares her extensive experience in writing, publishing, and marketing books across genres. She discusses her innovative Launchpad series, the evolution of self-publishing, and insights into storytelling, editing, and building a successful author career. Key Takeaways From This Episode: • The Launchpad Framework: Understanding the three distinct phases every...

In this episode of Beyond the Bestseller, host Kelly Schuknecht interviews Maria Kyriakos, author of 'Work It: How to Rock Your Career Intentionally.' They discuss the importance of taking charge of one's career, the target audience for the book, and the challenges faced in corporate environments. Maria emphasizes the need for influential communication and provides tools for effective career manag...

In this episode of Beyond the Bestseller, host Kelly Schuknecht interviews Dr. Lakila Bowden, author of The Sho'nuff Principle. They discuss the importance of self-care, self-promotion, and self-celebration for high-achieving women. Lakila shares insights on how to prioritize oneself, the significance of acknowledging accomplishments, and the true purpose behind writing a book. The conversation em...

In this episode of Beyond the Bestseller, host Kelly Schuknecht interviews Jaclyn Strominger, author of 'Charting True North, the CEO's Guide to Authentistic Leadership.' They discuss the concept of authentic leadership, the importance of aligning personal and company values, and the process of writing a leadership series. Jaclyn shares insights on the collaborative writing process with her co-aut...

In this episode of Beyond the Bestseller, host Kelly Schuknecht interviews Bernice McDonald, author of the Little Books of Courage series. They discuss the journey of writing, the importance of courage in women's lives, and how to confront and humanize fear. Bernice shares her insights on self-identity, the impact of societal expectations, and the significance of knowing oneself. The conversation...

In this episode of Beyond the Bestseller, host Kelly Schuknecht interviews Camille Miller, author of the Ultimate Guide to Soul Professional Success series. They discuss the journey of creating a soul-aligned business, the signs of misalignment in one's career, and the importance of legacy. Camille shares insights on how to transition into a fulfilling career, the significance of being intentional...

In this episode of Beyond the Bestseller, host Kelly Schuknecht interviews Amy Dickens, author of '101 Ways to Spread Joy.' Amy shares her personal journey of overcoming challenges and finding joy through small acts of kindness. The conversation explores the importance of positivity, community, and the ripple effect of spreading joy to others. Amy discusses the design and publishing process of her...

In this episode of Beyond the Bestseller, host Kelly Schuknecht interviews Adriana Vaccaro, author of 'Culture Minded'. They discuss the importance of organizational culture, the writing process behind the book, and how personal stories can enhance the understanding of culture in the workplace. Adriana shares a success story of a client who transformed their organizational culture and emphasizes t...

In this episode of Beyond the Bestseller, host Kelly Schuknecht interviews Marcy Axelrod, author of 'How We Choose to Show Up.' They discuss the journey of writing the book, the importance of understanding how we show up in life, and the three levels of showing up: barely there, just showing up, and truly showing up. Marcy emphasizes the need for a mindset shift to truly engage with the world and...

In this episode of the Beyond the Bestseller podcast, host Kelly Schuknecht interviews Katie Maynard, author of 'The Ask.' Katie shares her journey of writing the book, which was inspired by her personal health crisis and the realization of the importance of asking questions and being curious about life. The conversation delves into the writing process, the significance of collaboration, and the d...

In this episode of Beyond the Bestseller, host Kelly Schuknecht interviews Dr. Lise Janelle, a coach and author of 'Conversations with the Heart.' Dr. Janelle discusses the importance of understanding the subconscious mind and how it affects our actions and decisions. She introduces her Heart Freedom Method, which helps individuals identify and overcome subconscious blocks to achieve their goals....

In this episode of the Beyond the Bestseller podcast, host Kelly Schuknecht interviews Analiza Quiroz Wolfe, author of 'The Myths of Success: A Woman of Color's Guide to Leadership.' They discuss the unique challenges faced by women of color in leadership roles, the motivation behind Analiza's book, and the importance of debunking myths related to self-worth and cultural expectations. Analiza shar...

In this episode of Beyond the Best Seller, host Kelly Schuknecht interviews Sheree Bergeron, author of 'Mission Motherhood.' Sheree shares her deeply personal journey through a decade of infertility, including the emotional and physical challenges she faced. She discusses the motivation behind her book, which aims to educate and empower women experiencing similar struggles. The conversation also c...

In this conversation, Dr. Melissa emphasizes the critical role of empathy in fostering connection and understanding. She discusses how empathy is not merely about feelings but involves the ability to take another person's perspective. This foundational aspect of emotional intelligence is essential for effective communication and interaction. In this episode, we discuss: • The difference between em...

In this conversation, Linda Magoon shares her personal journey of healing, emphasizing the importance of taking small steps and the role of support systems in personal growth. She reflects on her struggles and the actions that helped her move forward, highlighting the significance of resilience and self-motivation in the healing process. In this episode, we discuss: How Linda used journaling and p...

In this episode of Beyond the Bestseller, host Kelly Schuknecht interviews Julie Wignall, author of 'The Extraordinary Power of Fireflies.' Julie discusses her journey of writing the book, which serves as a call to action for individuals to shine their light and transform the world. She emphasizes the importance of connection, community, and taking action to create change. Throughout the conversat...