Beyond the Bestseller

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...

What’s holding you back from creating the life and career you truly want? In this candid and thought-provoking episode, I sit down with Amber Fuhriman, recovering attorney, success strategist, and author of Break Your Bullshit Box. Amber shares how she overcame self-doubt, grief, and societal expectations to embrace her true passions and rewrite her narrative. We explore: Amber’s journey from a pa...

How do we take control of our finances, break generational patterns, and empower ourselves through financial knowledge? In today’s episode of Beyond the Bestseller, I sit down with Amanda Cassar, author of Financial Secrets Revealed. Amanda shares how her book uncovers the hidden money stories from real people—stories that not only reveal financial wisdom but also highlight the crucial role that f...

How do you turn life’s toughest challenges into opportunities for growth and brilliance? In this inspiring interview, I chat with Mary Fran Bontempo, author, speaker, and co-founder of Brilliantly Resilient, about her journey through adversity and the transformative process of building resilience. Mary Fran shares her personal story of navigating her son’s addiction and how she turned that experie...

What if midlife isn’t the end of an era but the start of something extraordinary? In this inspiring interview, I chat with Jen Lawrence, co-author of The Selfish Season and co-founder of Selfish Company Inc., about reclaiming midlife as a time of reinvention and empowerment. Jen shares how her book helps women let go of societal expectations, embrace their ambitions, and unapologetically put thems...

What does mentorship really mean, and why is it essential for personal and professional growth? In this episode of Beyond the Bestseller, I sit down with Deborah Heiser, applied developmental psychologist, CEO of The Mentor Project, and author of The Mentorship Edge. Deborah shares how mentorship goes beyond professional settings, offering emotional fulfillment and a sense of purpose, especially i...

How do the words we choose shape our lives, relationships, and leadership? In this episode of Beyond the Bestseller, I sit down with Terre Short, author of The Words We Choose, to explore how intentional language can inspire positivity, build confidence, and create deeper connections. Terre shares her journey as an author and leadership coach, revealing how even small shifts in word choices can ha...

Ever feel out of place walking into a networking event or putting yourself out there professionally? In this episode of Beyond the Bestseller, I sit down with Monica Parkin, author of Overcoming Awkward: The Introvert's Guide to Networking, Marketing, and Sales. Monica opens up about her journey from avoiding social interactions to becoming an accomplished speaker, entrepreneur, and author who thr...

What drives our decisions and helps us connect with others on a deeper level? In this episode of Beyond the Bestseller, I chat with Sandy Gerber, author of Emotional Magnetism, to uncover the four emotional magnets that shape our communication and relationships. Sandy shares how understanding these magnets has transformed her personal and professional life—and how they can do the same for you. We...

In this empowering episode of Beyond the Bestseller, I sit down with Cara Alwill, bestselling author of Girl Code, Girl on Fire, and several other books that have inspired women worldwide. Cara shares her incredible journey from feeling stuck in a corporate job to building a thriving personal brand, writing 10 books, and coaching women to find their voice, own their stories, and create lives they’...

What if saying “no” could change your life? In this episode of Beyond the Bestseller, I sit down with Elisabeth Andrews, author of 50 Ways to Say No, to talk about the art of setting boundaries and reclaiming your time, energy, and priorities. Elisabeth shares practical tips, powerful phrases, and even a creative card deck she developed to help you say “no” with confidence and kindness. We explore...

What do Sarah Josepha Hale, Spanx founder Sara Blakely, and the power of persistence have in common? They’re all part of the stories shared by Marlene Wagman-Geller, bestselling author of Women Who Launch and 12 other inspiring books. In this episode of Beyond the Bestseller, Marlene shares her journey from aspiring fiction writer to celebrated non-fiction author, highlighting the resilience and g...

What does it take to turn life’s challenges into opportunities for a fresh start? In this episode of Beyond the Bestseller, I sit down with Amber Kliphouse, author of Clean Start: A Journey from Suicide Survivor to Real Estate Investor. Amber shares her incredible journey of resilience and reinvention—from being a 16-year-old runaway and teen mom to building a successful cleaning business and beco...

What does it take to build and sell a business with purpose? In this episode of Beyond the Bestseller, I sit down with Sharon B. Heaton, CEO of SB Liftoff and author of Liftoff: 12 Things to Know Before Selling Your Business. Sharon shares her journey from corporate finance to launching her own M&A advisory firm, helping business owners navigate one of the most important transitions of their l...

In this debut episode, host Kelly Schuknecht shares the vision behind Beyond the Bestseller. Kelly’s passion for supporting professional women and helping them achieve more has inspired this podcast, where she’ll feature female authors who’ve written books to share their stories, promote their businesses, and make an impact. This episode covers Kelly’s personal journey, the motivation behind creat...