Finish the Damn Book Podcast

In this episode of Finish the Damn Book , Susie Schaefer sits down with award-winning author, editor, and book coach Susan Crossman to uncover the truth about writing a compelling nonfiction book. They dive deep into the real purpose of professional editing , why DIY editing and AI tools fail authors, and how intuition, storytelling, and human emotion shape powerful books that resonate. Susan brea...

Award-winning author and ghostwriter Joel Mark Harris joins Susie Schaefer to reveal what really goes into writing powerful books for others. From navigating painful life stories with sensitivity, to using intuition to shape authentic narratives, Joel breaks down the myths of ghostwriting, the emotional depth behind memoir work, and the art of capturing someone’s true voice. He also shares his pro...

In this episode, bestselling author and business strategist Dr. Bryan Hughes reveals how his Culture Recovery Framework —born from academic research and proven in multi-billion-dollar organizations—helps leaders eliminate toxicity, rebuild trust, reduce turnover, and create high-performing, people-first workplaces. He shares the emotional challenges of writing his book, real-world results from com...

In this powerful and deeply personal episode of Finish the Damn Book , Susie Schaefer sits down with Cristian Lopez , better known as The Traction Coach — a U.S. veteran, bestselling author, and transformation strategist who lost over 150 pounds in just five months and turned his breakthrough into a life-changing system. Cristian shares his emotional journey from near-death diagnosis to total rein...

In this inspiring episode of Finish the Damn Book , Susie Schaefer sits down with author and designer Jon Bowerman to explore his new release, You’re Not Lost, You’re Just Starting: How to Make Anything Possible . John shares how a weekly conversation about teaching life lessons to his kids evolved into a book that helps readers reconnect with their inner child, simplify complex ideas, and start a...

In this inspiring episode of Finish the Damn Book , host Susie Schaefer sits down with award-winning military photojournalist Amy Forsythe , who served 18 years in the U.S. Marine Corps and later retired as a Navy Reserve public affairs officer. Amy shares the powerful journey behind her book, Heroes Live Here: A Tribute to Camp Pendleton Marines —a deeply personal project that honors the post-9/1...

In this conversation, Susie and Michelle explore what it truly takes to bring a book to life — not just through words, but through visual storytelling and mindful design. Michelle opens up about her creative process, how intuition and expertise work hand in hand in book design, and the importance of collaboration between authors and professionals in the publishing space.  They also discuss the evo...

In this inspiring episode of Finish the Damn Book , host Susie Schaefer sits down with Sunny Weber , an award-winning author and lifelong animal advocate who turned a devastating head injury into a mission to help fearful and abandoned dogs. Through her books and humane education work, Sunny teaches children and adults alike to see the world through a dog’s eyes—instilling empathy, compassion, and...

In this powerful episode of Finish the Damn Book , Susie Schaefer sits down with bestselling author and women’s advocate Saffron Gustafson , who began writing her book My Name Is Saffron while serving time in federal prison. From solitary confinement with a bendable pencil to becoming a bestselling author, Saffron shares how journaling became her lifeline and how her experiences inspired Maree Hav...

In this deeply moving episode of Finish the Damn Book , host Susie Schaefer sits down with author, artist, and advocate Esthela Nunez Franco , whose memoir Seven Stories for My Father: Letters of Love and Legacy honors the life and wisdom of her late father. Esthela shares her powerful journey of immigrating from Mexico at age 10, discovering her voice through writing, and learning how storytellin...

In this powerful episode of Finish The Damn Book , host Susie Schaefer sits down with Kerrie Lee Brown , award-winning author, speaker, and Editor-in-Chief of Success Magazine , to explore how a life-changing heart health crisis reshaped her definition of success. Kerrie opens up about overcoming perfectionism, embracing intuition, and finding purpose through storytelling. From her years leading t...

In this heartfelt episode of Finish the Damn Book , bestselling author and founder of The Swaddled Movement , Sarah Cassidy , joins host Susie Schaefer to share her transformative journey from fear and perfectionism to trust and creative freedom. Sarah opens up about the emotional challenges of writing her first book, overcoming imposter syndrome, and discovering the power of authentic storytellin...

In this episode of Finish the Damn Book , Susie Schaefer sits down with Dr. Eleanor Haspel-Portner — psychologist, researcher, bestselling author, and creator of the Four Worlds Framework and Noble Energy Maps . With over 45,000 documented cases, Eleanor has built a rare bridge between science and spirituality, revealing how human consciousness shapes both our inner and outer worlds. She shares he...

In this episode of Finish the Damn Book , Susie Schaefer talks with Karen Wickerson—animal telepath, healer, and now international bestselling author of Listen to Your Animals . Karen shares how she overcame deep self-doubt, old educational trauma, and the fear of writing to fulfill her soul’s calling: giving animals a voice. With stories of channeling messages from animals, healing through writin...

In this episode of Finish the Damn Book , Susie Schafer sits down with author, spiritual director, and dementia consultant Ralph Patrick. Ralph opens up about his 8-year journey of turning personal journals into his bestselling memoir Losing Faith, Leaving Ministry, Loving God . He shares the struggles of self-doubt, the healing power of writing, and the moment he realized his story could inspire...

In this episode of Finish the Damn Book , bestselling author and purpose coach Shari Biery shares the deeply personal journey behind her book It’s Your Turn . From the invisible sacrifices of military spouse life to rediscovering self-worth and creating her signature CALM Method , Shari reveals how writing became both healing and empowering. If you’ve ever felt silenced, stuck, or unsure your stor...

Bob Vajgrt, an architect-turned-author who stepped away from a 25-year career to pursue something larger than life. Bob shares how writing The Story in Your Head and his children’s book Along for the Ride opened the door to inspiring others, building a mission-driven company, and creating a future foundation to support young adults aging out of foster care. This episode is about more than publishi...

Remote viewer and author Laura Van Tyne shares how she went from a tough DIY first book to a smooth, white-glove launch for books two and three—repurposing blogs, trusting intuition, spotting spiritual charlatans, and measuring ROI beyond book sales. Plus: when to know it’s time to tell your story, simple ways to start (dictate, journal, sticky notes), and why your book is your modern-day business...

Ghostwriter and agency CEO Jeffrey Allen Mangus pulls back the curtain on how great books get made—myths vs. truth, realistic timelines, what collaboration with a pro really looks like, and why “white-glove” teams beat going it alone. Plus: when to hire a ghostwriter, writing as legacy, and a card pull for listeners that says it’s time to stop overthinking and tell your story. Finish the Damn Book...

Social Impact Architect Jan Barlow shares how Better Job Fit aligns people, companies, and communities—bridging nonprofit and for-profit worlds, measuring real impact, and rethinking hiring in the post-pandemic, AI-enabled workplace.  Finish the Damn Book Podcast helps aspiring authors, entrepreneurs, creatives, and writers finally complete the book they know they’re meant to write. Hosted by Susi...

International bestselling author Shawnee Baker shares how writing her daughter Bailey’s story became both healing and purposeful—fueling a movement for college safety, healthcare proxies, and the creation of Bailey’s Wish Foundation.  Finish the Damn Book Podcast helps aspiring authors, entrepreneurs, creatives, and writers finally complete the book they know they’re meant to write. Hosted by Susi...

Bestselling author and yoga teacher Mahnaz Jahangiri shares how trusting her intuition—closing two studios, going virtual, and writing Finding Home —led to deeper impact, clearer purpose, and the courage to “finish the damn book.”  Finish the Damn Book Podcast helps aspiring authors, entrepreneurs, creatives, and writers finally complete the book they know they’re meant to write. Hosted by Susie S...

Author and feng shui pro Alejandra Brady shares how surgeries, stillness, and “love shoves” from the universe sparked her spiritual awakening—and her bestselling memoir. Hear how she blends feng shui, biophilic design, and intuition to transform spaces (and lives) while revealing the messy, honest path to finishing your book.  Finish the Damn Book Podcast helps aspiring authors, entrepreneurs, cre...

Midlife isn’t a crisis—it’s an upgrade. In this episode of Finish the Damn Book , Susie Schafer talks with Pam & Julie, co-authors of Midlife Upgrade , about writing through challenges, embracing vulnerability, and creating a guide that helps women step into their power with confidence and grace.  Finish the Damn Book Podcast helps aspiring authors, entrepreneurs, creatives, and writers finall...

From pioneering sports journalism to helping hundreds of authors shine through podcast tours, Jackie Lapin knows how to turn stories into impact. In this episode of Finish the Damn Book , Susie Schaefer and Jackie explore book publicity, authenticity in publishing, and Jackie’s newest passion project— The Historic Traveler . Tune in for insider tips on getting your book seen, heard, and celebrated...