Beestie Besties with J & Lo

Laura and Jess sit down with author and coach Joe Horan to discuss his Building Men Program, the challenges young men face today, and the importance of finding purpose, building healthy habits, and embracing vulnerability. Joe shares how his personal journey inspired him to help young men develop confidence, emotional awareness, and meaningful relationships, along with the lessons behind his memoi...

Laura and Jess sit down with multi-genre storyteller Ryan Bryson to talk about moving between books and screenwriting, finding the right creative collaborators, learning to accept feedback, and why writers need to trust their own process. Ryan shares what's behind his upcoming books Black Cyclone 2 and Late Night Show with Mr. Mims, plus the deeply personal inspiration for I'm Not Ready,...

Real change starts with the stories we are willing to face, the support we build around ourselves, and the choices we make next. This week, Jess and Laura welcome Chantala Davis for a conversation about resilience, community, and turning personal transformation into practical tools for other women and families.  What’s in this episode:  Friends Are Here segment with Chantala Davis, Founder and Exe...

Whether you're publishing your first book or your fifth, understanding the world of book reviews can help your book reach more readers. This week, Jess and Laura welcome their first industry guest, Joe Walters, for an inside look at what every author should know about book reviews. What's in this episode: • Friends Are Here segment with Joe Walters, founder of Independent Book Review and...

 Laura and Jess welcome author Kim Adams to talk about Bella and Nash: Our First Camping Trip , her chapter book inspired by her years working with nonverbal students and communication devices, plus her family's deep ties to the Adirondacks. Kim shares her publishing journey with Wilde Beast Publishing and what life as a published author really looks like. The duo also breaks down what to con...

What does it really take to keep promoting your book after publication? In Episode 8 of Beestie Besties with J & Lo, J and Lo welcome two author friends who are showing up, learning as they go, and doing the work of building real momentum around their books: Roxanne Bocyck, author of Catherine’s Dream, and Kaitlyn Marquart, author of IDK What to Say, Amber Luna, My Bright Light, and Mari’s Lig...

Spring Growth & Smart Publishing: Taking the Leap Is your book idea still hibernating? It is time to shake off the winter chill and get moving. In this episode, Laura and Jess are talking all things growth, from scaling your business to taking massive leaps in your personal life. The Friends Are Here Segment We are joined by two incredible authors who prove there is no single right way to make...

Laura and Jess sit down with Dr. Luissa Kiprono and Rand Timmerman to talk resilience, life after publishing, and what it really takes to share your story with the world. From podcasting success to powerful personal journeys, this episode is all about perseverance, visibility, and using your voice with confidence.

Laura and Jess chat with branding expert Aldea Gerard about authentic marketing, creative growth, and building a brand that actually reflects who you are. Plus: author updates, retreat news, and a Beastie Besties story about turning a small side hustle into a thriving business.

In this heartfelt and high-energy episode, Laura and Jess reflect on gratitude, intentions, and what it really means to “settle in” without getting stuck. They share updates on upcoming events, including the Association of Writers & Writing Programs (AWP) Conference and their summer writing retreat, before welcoming authors Jess Novak and John Simone to the show. Together, they discuss publish...

In Episode 3 of Beastie Besties with J & Lo , the conversation centers on how mindset, stubbornness, and community shape our creative lives. The hosts are joined by branding and marketing expert Gina Matusen, who shares insights on author branding and websites, and radio veteran Gomez Adams, who talks about his book Your Caller Number Seven, Please Try Again . The episode also covers author ev...

In Episode 2 of Beastie Besties with J & Lo , the hosts welcome their very first guests, authors Valerie Cole ( The Old Witch’s Home ) and Karen Grossman ( Listen to Your Heart Song ). Together, they talk about writing journeys, second books, publishing later in life, and the power of storytelling to build community and save lives. The episode also dives into publishing news, creative intentio...

Welcome to Beastie Besties with Jay and Lo, the podcast where we share publishing updates, laughs, and all the "Gnu" news in our world. On this debut episode, we're going to just do a quick lap around the corral and give you all an idea what to expect for future fun.