In this insightful episode, Dr. Christie McMullen, author of Learning Can Stick, reveals her four-part framework—Safe, Logical, Fun, and Memorable—that leaders and authors can use to ensure their message truly resonates. She discusses the power of leaning into your unique personality and why using the ”drip, drip, drip” method of communication is essential for making ideas and lessons stick with your audience long-term.

This episode features executive and author Victoria Pelletier discussing how to build an ”Unleashed” personal brand that attracts massive professional opportunities. She dives into the four foundational elements of a compelling brand, exposes the #1 mistake leaders make on LinkedIn, and explains why having a book is the ultimate credibility builder for any thought leader looking to stand out.

In this episode of the Beyond the Best Seller podcast, host Kelly Schuknecht interviews Emily Romero about her book ’You Can Trust Yourself.’ Emily, a former trauma therapist, discusses the importance of self-trust, particularly among women, and shares her framework for building self-trust through radical honesty, keeping promises, nervous system regulation, and self-knowledge. The conversation explores the various pathways to self-discovery, the significance of solo experiences, and the integration of personal growth lessons.

In this episode of Beyond the Best Seller, I chat with Lisa Druxman, founder of Fit4Mom and author of Level Up Your Life. Lisa shares how the tools CEOs use like goal setting, tracking, and prioritizing can help you design a life filled with purpose and joy. We talk about finding your life score, choosing your Most Important Things, applying the “minimum effective dose” of self-care, and creating daily moments of joy. Whether you’re a busy mom, entrepreneur, or simply feeling overwhelmed, Lisa’s insights will help you take small, powerful steps to level up your life.

When life shatters, it can feel like the end of the story. But for Julie Barth, it became the start of a new chapter. In this powerful conversation, she shares how losing her husband, raising a child with a rare condition, and writing through grief on her BlackBerry led to her book Notes from a Blackberry and a mission to help other women in crisis find hope and strength.

In this episode of Beyond the Bestseller, Kelly Schuknecht talks with Charley Cramer, author of The Purpose Myth, about why your 9–5 was never meant to define your life’s purpose. Charley shares the story behind her nonprofit Crack + Cider, the cultural critique at the heart of her book, and how you can find fulfillment through purpose projects, psychological safety, and following the question: What breaks your heart?

At just nine years old, Christine Sadry left Communist Poland for the United States—alone. What followed were years of hardship, resilience, and ultimately, a life of service with the United Nations. In this episode, Christine shares the powerful story behind her book *13 Years Lost* and reminds us that no matter your past, you have the power to write your own future.

When Ally Dalsimer began writing reflections to help her children navigate life, she never imagined it would lead to publishing a book—or launching a new chapter as a motivational speaker. In this heartfelt conversation, Ally shares how her book encourages readers to embrace their “perfect imperfections,” take back their power, and pursue a life of authenticity and joy.

What if staying in a job or relationship is costing you more than leaving ever would? In this episode of Beyond the Bestseller, I sit down with Kristen Chimack, author of The Cost of Staying: Find Your Courage, Choose Yourself, and Discover What Awaits in Life and Career. Kristen shares her powerful story of leaving a 30-year corporate career to pursue a life that aligned with her values and happiness. We talk about the whispers of discontent, the fears that keep us stuck, and how Kristen made the bold choice to walk away from an executive-level role at a Fortune 40 company. Whether you're at a crossroads in your career, feeling stuck, or just starting to question what's next, this conversation will leave you feeling seen—and inspired to take your own next step. We dive into: Why Kristen walked away from a 30-year career at the executive level How to recognize the “whispers” that signal you’re out of alignment The mindset shift from focusing on what you’ll lose to what you’re losing by staying Practical steps for building your “freedom fund” and preparing for change Coaching strategies to help you rediscover your values and design a fulfilling life How LinkedIn and authenticity helped her grow a coaching business from scratch Links & Resources Mentioned: Get Kristen’s book, The Cost of Staying on Amazon - https://amzn.to/4pk92rq Subscribe to Kristen’s newsletter, “Kicking It with Kristen” – Available at https://kristenchimack.com/ Connect with Kristen on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristen-chimack/ If this episode made you reflect on your own journey and what it might be costing you to stay where you are, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who might need this conversation. For more tools to support your writing and author journey, visit kellyschuknecht.com.

What if manifesting your dream life wasn’t about wishful thinking, but about applying real, practical tools every day? In this episode of Beyond the Bestseller, I sit down with Victoria Gallagher, hypnotherapist and author of Practical Law of Attraction, to talk about how we can all become intentional creators of our lives—with structure, clarity, and belief. Victoria shares how she moved from spontaneous manifesting to building a proven process that now empowers thousands. We dive into how beliefs shape our experiences, the connection between hypnotherapy and manifestation, and how to get started with a simple but powerful daily practice. If you’ve ever wanted to bring more abundance, love, or purpose into your life, this conversation will show you how. We dive into: Why manifesting isn’t just “woo” and how to make it practical The difference between passive wishing and committed manifesting How to identify what you truly want and align with it The role of subconscious beliefs and how to reprogram them Victoria’s daily practice for intentional living and success Links & Resources Mentioned: Get Victoria’s book Practical Law of Attraction on Amazon - https://amzn.to/4gcsbYq Explore the Believe Hypnosis app – believehypnosis.app Connect with Victoria and explore her courses – victoriamgallagher.com Join the Author Power Circle - https://kellyschuknecht.com/author-power-circle/ If this episode resonated with you or someone you know, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with those who might need to hear Victoria’s story. For more resources to help you write and market your book, visit kellyschuknecht.com

What if the problem isn’t that you don’t know what to do—it’s that you’ve been trying to do it all, all at once? In this episode of Beyond the Bestseller, Kelly talks with Esther Avant, author of To Your Health, about the mindset shifts, habit-building tools, and compassionate approach that help busy women finally make health a priority. With nearly 20 years of experience coaching women through weight loss, nutrition, and wellness, Esther knows firsthand that the “I know what to do, I’m just not doing it” mindset is more common than we think. She shares how to get curious about your roadblocks, tame the all-or-nothing spiral, and build a health routine that works with your real life not against it. We dive into:• Why all-or-nothing thinking keeps us stuck and how to overcome it• How to approach health goals with compassion, not punishment• Tips for creating routines that adapt to your season of life• How small tweaks and self-awareness create long-term consistency Links & Resources Mentioned:• Get Esther’s book, To Your Health on Amazon - https://amzn.to/3JBRxCH• Listen to her podcast, To Your Health - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/to-your-health/id1543658046• Visit her website - estheravant.com• Follow Esther on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/esther.avant/• Join the Author Power Circle – https://kellyschuknecht.com/author-power-circle   If this episode resonated with you or someone you know, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with those who might need to hear Esther’s story. For more resources to help you write and market your book, visit kellyschuknecht.com.

Have you ever felt the sting of a friendship that faded or blew up entirely and wondered what really happened? In this episode of Beyond the Bestseller, Kelly sits down with Susan Shapiro Barash, author of Estranged, to talk about the complexities of female friendship. With more than 200 interviews and decades of research, Susan explores why women hold friendships so dear, why some fall apart, and how to know when it’s time to mend or end a relationship.We dive into:• Why estrangement among women is more common and more complicated than we think• The emotional impact of friendship breakups and how they mirror romantic relationships• How COVID, Me Too, and cultural shifts have changed the way women approach friendships• The difference between being the one who walks away versus the one left behind• How Susan’s research and storytelling reveal patterns, healing, and hard truths about connectionLinks & Resources Mentioned:• Get Susan’s book, Estranged on Amazon - https://amzn.to/3Jfpadv• Visit her website - https://susanshapirobarash.com/• Connect with Susan on Facebook -https://www.facebook.com/SusanShapiroBarashasSusannahMarren• Explore the Author Power Circle - https://kellyschuknecht.com/author-power-circleIf this episode resonated with you or someone you know, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with those who might need to hear Susan’s story. For more resources to help you write and market your book, visit kellyschuknecht.com.

Can you really build a thriving business as an artist, without going viral on Instagram or dancing on TikTok? Miriam Schulman says yes, and in this episode of Beyond the Bestseller, she shares exactly how. As the author of Artpreneur and host of The Inspiration Place podcast, Miriam helps artists step into their role as business owners with mindset shifts, pricing strategies, and marketing tools that actually work.Whether you’re a painter, photographer, fiber artist, or creative entrepreneur of any kind, this episode will remind you that you don’t have to starve to make a living from your art. We dive into:• How Miriam landed a traditional publishing deal by believing in her message and her audience• Why mindset is the first and most critical step for creative entrepreneurs• What the “death of the scroll” means and why social media is no longer a reliable sales tool• The five-part Passion to Profit system and how it helps artists price, package, and promote their work• The one belief that’s holding many creatives back—and how to overcome itLinks & Resources Mentioned:• Get Miriam’s book, Artpreneur on Amazon - https://amzn.to/4miAILz• Explore her workbook and bootcamp - https://www.schulmanart.com/• Listen to The Inspiration Place Podcast – https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-inspiration-place/id1431934450• Connect with Miriam on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/schulmanart• Learn about the Author Power Circle - https://kellyschuknecht.com/author-power-circleIf this episode resonated with you or someone you know, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with those who might need to hear Miriam’s story. For more resources to help you write and market your book, visit kellyschuknecht.com.

What happens when the person you love begins to slip away and you still have something to say? In this episode of Beyond the Bestseller, Kelly interviews Dawn Wirtz, author of Memories Matter, about her deeply personal journey as a long-distance caregiver for her mother with Alzheimer’s. Dawn shares how the emotional weight of caregiving led her to write a book not just to process her experience, but to support others walking a similar path. We dive into:• How Dawn’s search for emotional connection led her to write the book she couldn’t find• The therapeutic writing process that helped her cope with her mom’s Alzheimer’s• How opportunities unfolded through genuine relationships and volunteering• What it means to share your story without trying to build a brand or business• Why community, feedback, and the Author Power Circle played a key role in her journey Links & Resources Mentioned:• Get Dawn’s book, Memories Matter on Amazon - https://amzn.to/4lfengz• Follow Memories Matter Facebook Pages - https://www.facebook.com/people/Memories-Matter/61574697579278/#• Join the Author Power Circle - https://kellyschuknecht.com/author-power-circle • For more book marketing resources, visit https://www.kellyschuknecht.com If this episode resonated with you or someone you know, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with those who might need to hear Dawn’s story. For more resources to help you write and market your book, visit kellyschuknecht.com.

What if the elephant in the room is actually a mirror of what’s going on inside of you? In this episode, Kelly talks with author, speaker, and coach Joyce Kyles about her book What Color Is Your Elephant and the deeper conversations it inspires. Joyce shares how elephants both external and internal, can hold us back when we don’t name them, and how self-awareness, empathy, and communication are the keys to transformation.We dive into:• How the idea of the elephant in the room evolved into a metaphor for internal growth• The link between personal experiences, bias, and the conversations we avoid• Why identifying your inner elephants is essential for healing and self-leadership• The power of assessments, core values, and communication in team and personal development• How Joyce uses the elephant metaphor in retreats, corporate workshops, and coachingLinks & Resources Mentioned: • Get Joyce’s book, What Color Is Your Elephant on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3IRiL7U• Visit Joyce’s website – https://www.joycekyles.com• Connect with Joyce on LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/joycekyles/• Check out the Author Power Circle – https://kellyschuknecht.com/author-power-circleIf this episode resonated with you or someone you know, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with those who might need to hear Joyce’s story. For more resources to help you write and market your book, visit kellyschuknecht.com.

What if your second act could be the most fulfilling chapter of your life? In this episode, Kelly sits down with Shannon Russell, author of Start Your Second Act, to talk about leaving behind a successful career in television to embrace entrepreneurship, coaching, and authorship. Shannon shares how midlife reinvention is not only possible, but powerful—and how women can find purpose by leveraging the skills and experience they already have. We dive into: • What led Shannon to leave her career in television and open a STEM education franchise • How her experiences shaped a coaching business helping women find their second act • Common myths about career change and why you’re more qualified than you think • Inspiring stories of women who used their skills to pivot into businesses and new careers • Why your second act doesn’t have to be a business, it can be anything that lights you up Links & Resources Mentioned: • Get Shannon’s book, Start Your Second Act on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3GXEt9C• Visit Shannon’s website - https://secondactsuccess.co/ • Connect with Shannon on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonrussellcareercoach/ • Join the Author Power Circle - https://kellyschuknecht.com/author-power-circle/ If this episode resonated with you or someone you know, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with those who might need to hear Shannon’s story. For more resources to help you write and market your book, visit https://kellyschuknecht.com/.

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 entrepreneur, using her personal story as the catalyst to build a brand, a book, and a platform that empowers professionals to monetize their ideas.   We dive into:• Shelby’s powerful recovery story after a traumatic brain injury and how it shaped her future• Why your lived experience is the key to your personal brand and business• How to know when it’s time to pivot out of a career that no longer aligns• What it means to build a business rooted in your genius and personal story• The real-world steps Shelby took to grow multiple businesses and become a paid speaker Links & Resources Mentioned:• Get Shelby’s book, I See Your Genius on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4ltwNLm• Learn more at https://www.shelbyjolong.com• Connect with Shelby on LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelbyjolong/• For more book marketing resources, visit https://www.kellyschuknecht.com If this episode resonated with you or someone you know, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with those who might need to hear Shelby’s story. For more resources to help you write and market your book, visit kellyschuknecht.com.

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.   We dive into: • How family, career, and societal roles box us in and limit our choices • Why awareness is the first step toward freedom and personal fulfillment • How to face fears of failure, change, and loss in order to step into the life you want • Practical ways to tune into your feelings and use them as a guide • What it really means to create a life that feels meaningful beyond external success   Links & Resources Mentioned: • Get Betsy’s book, Breaking Boxes on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4nD0ESY • Connect with Betsy on her website – https://www.betsypepine.com • Follow Betsy on social media – @betsypepine on all platforms • Join the Author Power Circle - https://kellyschuknecht.com/author-power-circle/   If this episode resonated with you or someone you know, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with those who might need to hear Julie’s story. For more resources to help you write and market your book, visit kellyschuknecht.com.

In this episode of Beyond the Bestseller, I chat with Liz Steblay, author of Succeeding as a Solopreneur, about what it really takes to build a thriving business on your own terms. Liz shares her journey from corporate consultant to successful solopreneur and offers practical strategies for managing fear, finding your niche, and building a profitable solo business. Whether you’re thinking about going out on your own or already navigating solopreneurship, this episode is packed with insight and encouragement.

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 how we can reclaim body trust and peace.   We dive into: • Why dieting rarely works long term and the emotional and physical toll it takes • The difference between nutrition and diet culture, and how to spot the sneaky messaging • How trauma, stress, and systems of oppression fuel our disordered relationship with food • Real steps you can take to stop the cycle and reconnect with your body’s wisdom   Links & Resources Mentioned: • Find Your Food Voice on Amazon - https://amzn.to/45EL96K • Visit Julie’s website - https://www.julieduffydillon.com • Check out Julie’s podcast - https://open.spotify.com/show/50BgXZyk84mygNoEAqxrag?si=66fce01d6b54471e • Join the Author Power Circle - https://kellyschuknecht.com/author-power-circle/   If this episode resonated with you or someone you know, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with those who might need to hear Julie’s story. For more resources to help you write and market your book, visit kellyschuknecht.com.