Beyond Better with Stacy Ennis

If you’ve ever faced a life-altering medical diagnosis, you know how that moment can stop you in your tracks, forcing you to reevaluate your priorities. Today’s guest came face-to-face with such a moment, a type A workaholic whose life was upended by a stage IV colon cancer diagnosis he never saw coming. Lee Rafkin, owner of Rafkin Brand Consulting, shares his powerful and inspiring story of resil...

Many future authors believe they must write a book by themselves and figure out everything on their own. Do you relate to this? Perhaps you have a vision for writing a book and impacting your readers with your message, but you aren’t aware of the support that’s readily available. I have great news for you! You don’t have to go it alone. In today’s episode, I get to share incredibly useful informat...

We all hit those times when we get stuck, whether it’s momentary or in chronic patterns where the same situation keeps repeating with no way through. This is the core of today’s episode, where I’m joined by Dr. Robert Sicora, an accomplished author, thought leader, and consultant, who works with leaders and organizations to move past toxic patterns to thrive in the workplace. We discuss getting to...

Join me as I have a delightful conversation with Luzy King, a Latina money expert and founder of Say Hola Wealth, who has made it her mission to take the confusion out of finances and teach others to trust themselves with handling money and building wealth (a topic we can all benefit from!). Luzy also shares what it means to push back at cultural barriers and redefine what success looks like. Luzy...

When you’re ready to publish your book, how do you know where to find a quality publisher? There are lots of options online with promises practically shouting for your attention. Some of them are scams by fake editors and bad marketers, which will end up wasting your time and money.  Join me in today’s episode, as I talk about the ways you can vet the pros and avoid those time-wasting, wallet-drai...

In this episode, I’m breaking down the mistakes I see most often with future authors and why so many great books stall out before they ever reach readers. A muddy book message is one of the biggest culprits that will sabotage your success. Without a strong, clear theme, writing and marketing will both suffer. I’ll talk about why skipping a detailed outline costs you time and structural issues late...

bestsellers. We dig into what it means to work with a ghostwriter—a very different experience than working with AI. Unlike AI, a ghostwriter polishes your ideas, preserves your voice, and collaborates with you using in-depth interviews and iterative feedback. We discuss what defines author-ghostwriter success, as well as red flags to look for when choosing a ghostwriter (such as sites run by AI in...

burnout. Did you know you can create a blueprint that works for you that’s adjustable and tailored to your needs? Join me in this solo episode as I cut through the mystery of how to write a nonfiction book using tips and strategies I share with my clients. I describe how to evaluate your needs and situation and effectively plan out your writing schedule, while setting realistic expectations and go...

Writing a book as an entrepreneur isn't just about authorship—it's about amplifying your vision, expanding your reach, and building your business. In this episode, I walk you through my proven step-by-step system—used by 100+ successful authors—for writing a nonfiction book that aligns with your entrepreneurial goals. You'll learn: How to clarify your author vision and align it with yo...

You’ve got a big idea—a message you know the world needs to hear. But how do you take that idea and actually turn it into a best-selling book? In this episode, I share the three rules every impactful author follows to transform their ideas into a powerful, unforgettable book: Make a bold statement Uncover the simplicity Tell great stories Whether you’ve been dreaming about your book for years or y...

This week's episode is part of a series of replays while I'm on vacation (or "holiday," as they say in Europe!). Rita and I pulled together some of our favorites—and yours—to share while I'm away. With over 250 episodes to choose from, there's a good chance you haven't heard this one, and if you have, maybe it's just the reminder you need this week. Enjoy, and I&#...

This week's episode is part of a series of replays while I'm on vacation (or "holiday," as they say in Europe!). Rita and I pulled together some of our favorites—and yours—to share while I'm away. With over 250 episodes to choose from, there's a good chance you haven't heard this one, and if you have, maybe it's just the reminder you need this week. Enjoy, and I&#...

Your brand matters—because it’s how you show up for your clients, the spaces you want to be in, the people you want to be with. Quality photos are an asset for your business, especially if it’s an online business, because they are creating a perception of your brand. By keeping your headshots and photos updated, you’re making an active decision to take control of your narrative. Today’s episode fe...

Many of you dream of making a living as a writer. Well, today’s episode features just the guest you need to learn from. Jane Friedman has spent many years in the publishing industry and knows a thing or two about what it takes to build a solid business of being a writer. Jane shares from her wealth of experience, and we get to talk shop about what it means to be emotionally resilient and set reali...

Today’s episode features a very special guest, Hadassa Candiani, known professionally as Adassa, whom you may recognize as the voice of Dolores Madrigal in Disney’s Encanto . In this vulnerable conversation, I get to talk with Adassa about what it means to keep showing up—for your family, your work, and yourself. Adassa shares her experience of surviving a Covid-related paralysis that nearly ended...

In today’s episode, I get to talk with Pamela Slim, an expert for experts, who helps business owners leverage their IP to scale. Of course, you know that a book lives in that scale strategy, so we'll be talking about how your book can be a tool to package ideas, build awareness, and generate demand. We talk about the specific point of view that you, as an expert, have and the process you go th...

Everyone in publishing has their own love story with books, and today we get to hear from Emma Lowe, director of the London Book Fair (LBF). Emma and I will be discussing the importance of humanity and publishing, like creating inclusive spaces to support diverse reading needs and neurodivergent engagement. We also dig into the hot topic of AI and how AI intersects with the world of publishing. Em...

cleared your schedule and everyone knows not to disturb you. Where do you start? It feels good to write, but you’re not sure where you’re headed. Just as you prepare your area and your schedule for the writing process, you need to prepare your road map for writing success. Join me in this session as I talk about one of the greatest tools you could ever develop for your writing—and it’s not AI. A s...

A big part of my personal life is whole foods, which is a foundational part of how our family operates. My husband prepares every meal from scratch—from homemade sourdough to scratch sauces to kombucha. So this week’s episode is a special one with Melissa Griffiths, the creative soul behind Bless This Mess, a long-running food and lifestyle brand that celebrates simple cooking, slow living, and th...

If you followed me for very long, you know that storytelling is a big part of my nonfiction work. Stories change a dry, boring, put-this-book-down read to an engaging, transformative experience for the reader. In this week’s episode, I address a question from a listener about the differences between memoir and leadership genres and how personal narratives are used differently in each. Both have co...

If you’re an author and are ready for feedback on your first draft, you may have considered this question posed by Trent. Especially if you’re weighing AI’s advice versus hiring an editor. In this “Ask Stacy” episode, I talk about the trickiness of using AI and the potential hazards of watering down your voice as an author. I’ll also discuss the different ways you can receive meaningful feedback—f...

What do you do when you've spent nearly 30 years building one career, and your heart is quietly pulling you toward something different? In this week’s episode, I'm answering a question from Katie, a higher education professional in her early 50s who's dreaming of transitioning into writing and editing. I share why I believe that it is never too late to reinvent yourself professionally. From my gra...

What if you didn't have to wait until the end of your life to rest, explore, and pursue the things that matter most to you? That's the question at the heart of this week's conversation—and honestly, it's one that has stayed with me long after we finished recording. My guest, Jillian Johnsrud, never expected to retire early. So instead, she made a plan to retire often. By 40, she ha...

What is a brand? A brand is how you show up to the world. It’s how you articulate your unique voice and expertise to clients. If you’re new to promoting your brand, you may wonder where or how to start. Join me as I talk with Luna Battalia, an expert on brand strategy and design, about the ins and outs of how to discover and refine your authentic brand voice. Building your brand can positively imp...

If you’ve followed me for very long, you know that I love books, especially because they inspire change and spark conversations. As a book coach, I get to help authors create frameworks that organize complex thoughts and help them communicate their message effectively in various contexts. Their writing creates a lasting influence that extends into their personal and professional realms. Join me as...