Beyond the Bestseller

What if the hardest chapter of your life could become the foundation of your next chapter? In this inspiring episode, Kelly talks with Shelby Jo Long, author of I See Your Genius, about how a traumatic accident in high school shaped her journey and ultimately led her to help others discover their unique brilliance. Shelby shares how she transitioned from college professor to multi-business entrepr...

What if the labels you carry are holding you back from the life you actually want? In this episode, Kelly sits down with Betsy Pepine, author of Breaking Boxes, to explore the invisible walls we build around ourselves. Betsy shares how societal roles, family expectations, and our own limiting beliefs create metaphorical boxes and what it takes to break free and live with authenticity and purpose....

Ever wondered if you could ditch the 9–5 and build a business on your own terms? In this episode of Beyond the Bestseller, I sit down with Liz Steblay, author of Succeeding as a Solopreneur: Six Keys to Taking the Leap, Winning Clients, and Building Wealth, to talk about what it really takes to run a thriving business without a traditional team—or a boss. After being laid off in 2004, Liz launched...

What if the problem isn’t your willpower, but the culture that profits from making you feel broken? In this empowering episode, Kelly talks with registered dietitian and therapist Julie Duffy Dillon, author of Find Your Food Voice, about why diets fail and how to heal your relationship with food. Julie shares the science behind diet culture’s long-term harm, why restrictive eating backfires, and h...

What if everything you believed about success, body image, and being “the perfect woman” was actually holding you back? In this powerful episode, Kelly Schuknecht sits down with Tara Whitney, author of Truly Seen, to unpack the deeply ingrained cultural expectations women face—and how to break free. From boardrooms to bake sales, Tara shares how the pursuit of thinness and perfectionism impacts ou...

What if you could step into authorship, expand your visibility, and join a global movement one chapter at a time? Cathy Derksen is doing just that. As the curator of Grit and Tenacity and 17 other anthologies, she’s helping women around the world share their stories of growth, reinvention, and leadership. In this episode, Cathy shares how she transitioned from a traditional career to creating her...

Dealing with tax debt can feel overwhelming, stressful, and even impossible—but what if there’s always a solution? In this episode of Beyond the Bestseller, I sit down with Morgan Q. Anderson, author of Tax Debt Rule #1: There’s Always a Solution, to break down the common myths around tax debt and explain why there is always a way forward. Morgan shares her 25+ years of experience helping people n...

What if your marriage could be saved—or your heartache avoided—just by asking the right questions before walking down the aisle? In this eye-opening conversation, Charisse Walker, author of Flipping the Iceberg, shares how her own marriage and divorce inspired a powerful guide to healing, self-reflection, and deeper connection. Charisse’s book helps readers identify the unresolved issues that migh...

What does it take to break free from a toxic relationship and rebuild your life? In this episode of Beyond the Bestseller, I sit down with Mia J. Hanks author of Bride Made, to talk about her 29-year marriage to a covert narcissist, the emotional toll it took, and how she finally found the strength to leave. Mia shares her personal journey of recognizing the patterns of narcissistic abuse, navigat...

Why do we struggle to follow through on big projects—even the ones that truly matter to us? In this episode of Beyond the Bestseller, I chat with Alison Miller, author of Finish Your Dissertation Once and for All, about overcoming procrastination, perfectionism, and self-doubt to finally complete the work that feels overwhelming. Alison shares how she went from struggling with imposter syndrome in...

How do you rebuild your life after unexpected loss and major life challenges? In this episode of Beyond the Bestseller, I sit down with Lynn Lok-Payne, author of Wake Up, Change Up, Rise Up, to discuss personal growth, resilience, and the power of gratitude. After experiencing a profound personal loss, Lynn turned to writing as a way to process her grief—ultimately leading to four published books...

What if stepping outside your comfort zone could change everything? In this episode of Beyond the Bestseller, I chat with Teri M. Brown, author of 10 Little Rules for a Double Butted Adventure, about the life-changing journey that took her from an emotionally abusive past to riding a tandem bike across the United States. Along the way, she discovered resilience, self-worth, and the lessons that sh...

What if the stories of our past—both personal and historical—shape our lives more than we realize? In this episode of Beyond the Bestseller, I sit down with Nadia Owusu, author of Aftershocks, to discuss her deeply personal and beautifully written memoir that explores identity, loss, and the ways history lives within us. Nadia shares her experiences growing up in multiple countries, navigating mat...

What if everything you thought you knew about aging was wrong? In this episode of Beyond the Bestseller, I chat with Corinne Auman, author of Keenagers: Telling a New Story About Aging, about the outdated stereotypes surrounding older adulthood—and why it’s time to rewrite the narrative. Corinne introduces the concept of “keenagers”, redefining what it means to live with purpose, passion, and enga...

In this deeply moving episode of Beyond the Bestseller, Kelly sits down with Gina Economopoulos, author of Shake the Dust Off Your Feet and Walk: Faith, Sobriety, Self-Discovery, and Healing. Gina shares her extraordinary life journey, from bartending to becoming a Catholic nun, and back to bartending—all while navigating profound grief, emotional abuse, and the road to recovery from alcoholism. H...

Why do some women struggle to reach leadership positions despite their talents? In this episode of Beyond the Bestseller, I talk with Dr. Lois Frankel, bestselling author of Nice Girls Still Don’t Get the Corner Office, about how childhood messages and societal expectations shape women’s behavior in the workplace—and how to overcome them. We explore: The history of her iconic book series and why i...

What does it take to turn a painful past into a life of purpose and freedom? In this episode of Beyond the Bestseller, I sit down with Susan Gold, author of Toxic Family: Transforming Childhood Trauma into Adult Freedom, to discuss her journey from a tumultuous upbringing to building a thriving career and finding personal healing. We explore: The story behind Susan’s book and how it became a tool...

Are you holding yourself back from living your best life? In this episode of Beyond the Bestseller, I sit down with Cassandra Crawley Mayo, author of Is Your Way In Your Way, to explore the self-imposed barriers that prevent us from achieving our dreams. Cassandra shares her inspiring journey of overcoming doubts, stepping into her purpose, and writing a book that empowers women to do the same. We...

What does it take to turn your expertise into a million-dollar business? In this episode of Beyond the Bestseller, I chat with Ann Carden, business consultant, author of Expert in You, and founder of the Expert in You Marketing and Media Agency. Ann shares her proven strategies for building lucrative, impactful coaching and consulting businesses by leveraging your expertise, positioning yourself f...

How do you create lasting change for your mind and body without making it overwhelming? In this inspiring episode, I sit down with Sandy Joy Weston, health and wellness expert, speaker, and author of Train Your Head and Your Body Will Follow. Sandy shares her practical approach to building positive routines that fit into even the busiest of lives, focusing on mindset shifts, joy-filled practices,...

What happens when you realize the life you’ve been living isn’t truly your own? In this episode of Beyond the Bestseller, I sit down with Marcia Heath, author of Little Giant: The Story of Aruba’s Surf Shop and the Rebels Who Built It. Marcia shares her inspiring journey from corporate success to creative fulfillment after a life-altering experience led her to question everything she thought she w...

How can the principles of therapy help heal a nation? In this powerful episode, I sit down with Phyllis Leavitt, psychotherapist and author of America in Therapy: A New Approach to Hope and Healing for a Nation in Crisis. Phyllis brings her decades of experience in family systems therapy to explore how collective mental health is the missing piece in addressing national crises like divisiveness, i...

What if finding your authentic voice could transform the way you lead, communicate, and connect? In this powerful episode, I sit down with Lauri Smith, public speaking and leadership coach, and author of Your Voice Matters. Lauri shares her unique framework for soulful speaking, helping individuals overcome their fear of public speaking and step into their authentic presence. We explore: Why findi...

What does it take to lead teams and organizations into the future? In this insightful conversation, I speak with Zoë Routh, leadership futurist, award-winning author, and podcaster, about her book People Stuff: Beyond Personality Problems and her unique approach to building collaborative, future-focused leadership. Zoë shares how understanding team dynamics, creating robust systems, and cultivatin...

What if unlocking your creativity could bring you peace, clarity, and joy? In this episode, I sit down with Susan Hensley, author of Art for Your Sanity, to explore how art journaling can help you process emotions, manage chaos, and rediscover your inner wisdom. Susan shares her journey from journalist and HR professional to first-time author and explains how embracing creativity transformed her l...