What does it really take to write a meaningful, traditionally published book without shortcuts, without a ghostwriter, and without losing the soul of your work?

In this deep and honest conversation, Milana Snow shares her real author journey from decades of spiritual practice to writing her book It’s All Within You the long way.

Together, we explore what most people never see behind the scenes of traditional publishing, including the inner work, discipline, and faith required to carry a book all the way through the messy middle.

In this episode, we talk about:

• How Millana knew she was truly ready to write a book
• Why the proposal process was harder than writing the book itself
• The difference between speaking wisdom and writing it
• What aspiring authors misunderstand about traditional publishing and intellectual property
• Why lived experience matters more than analysis
• How daily practice, discipline, and trust carried her through doubt
• The surprising story of winning Project Runway and how it shaped her understanding of trust, manifestation, and surrender

This episode is for:

• Aspiring authors
• Thought leaders and creatives
• Coaches, healers, and teachers
• Anyone feeling called to write, but unsure where to begin

Topics include breathwork, authorship, faith, publishing, personal transformation, creative discipline, and trust.

Join the conversation:
What part of the book-writing process feels hardest for you right now — starting, staying consistent, or finishing? Let us know.

If this conversation resonated, follow the show and subscribe for more author interviews and honest insights into the writing and publishing journey.

Most authors believe they need massive social media followings or expensive PR campaigns to succeed.

They’re wrong.

In this in-depth conversation, we explore why email newsletters are the most powerful and underutilized asset for authors and thought leaders today, especially in an era where AI content floods every platform.

After nearly 30 years in publishing, one truth stands out:
You don’t own social media.
You do own your email list.

Joining the conversation is Yrmis Barroeta, who helps thought leaders grow newsletter audiences to 100,000+ subscribers through authentic engagement and intentional outreach. Rather than chasing algorithms, Yrmis shows how to build direct relationships that lead to book sales, ad revenue, and genuine connection.

Inside this discussion, we cover:
• Why social media has become a burnout-driven rat race
• What it really means to “own” your audience
• Why newsletters outperform followers in the long run
• How authors can build meaningful influence without playing the social media game
• Why one-to-one connection with readers is the most valuable resource an author can have

As Yrmis shares, influence isn’t attention.
Influence is currency.

And the safest place to store it isn’t on rented platforms but in your readers’ inboxes.

🔗 Learn more about Yrmis Barroeta:
https://www.myheadquarters.club/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/yrmis/

If you’re an author, creator, or thought leader who wants visibility without burnout, this conversation will change how you think about marketing your work.

If you’re an aspiring author with big ideas and impressive credentials but no real following, this conversation is for you.

In this episode, MeiMei Fox sits down with personal branding expert Katrina Friel to unpack why so many authors and coaches struggle financially and how to fix it by building a whole ecosystem around your book.

You’ll learn why your book is just the beginning of your business, how to turn it into a true authority-building asset, and how to design a high-end signature program so you’re not relying on $20 book sales to build a six- or seven-figure author business.

Katrina walks through her proven ecosystem model:

• Why a book is the first stream of income and the foundation of your brand
• How your book leads to a personal brand, website, TED-style talk, and premium signature program
• Why the money is not in the book but in transformational offers at $5k, $10k, $20k+
• How to use speaking and podcasts as your main lead generation (instead of hoping social media “saves” you)
• How to repurpose your book into memes, clips, and content so social media stops feeling like a full-time job
• Step-by-step examples of clients who built entire institutes and hit seven figures using this model

Whether you dream of coaching, consulting, speaking, or leading your own programs, this episode will show you how to think beyond “just the book” and start building a real author business.

Highlights & Timestamps:
00:03 – Why brilliant ideas and gold-star résumés aren’t enough without a brand
01:52 – The biggest mistake: thinking “a book will fix everything”
02:26 – Book → Brand → Website → TED Talk → Signature Program
03:44 – Why the real money is in high-end transformational programs
10:46 – Turning your book into 300 memes and dozens of short video clips
12:15 – Why social media alone won’t build your client base
14:05 – Free speaking gigs as six-figure lead generators
21:04 – How to actually get speaking gigs and presenter call-outs
27:01 – Case study: turning a VA business into a million-dollar ecosystem and institute

If you’re ready to stop thinking of yourself as “just an author” and start building a powerful personal brand and business around your ideas, this conversation will show you what’s possible.

Frustrated you can't get a book deal from a Big 5 Publisher?
-Want to take control of the publishing process and...
-Keep 90% of the proceeds -- instead of giving 90% away?
-Check out this informative conversation with The Self Publishing Agency founder & CEO Megan Williams:
-To find out why hybrid publishing is THE solution for authors in 2025!

Megan Williams is the fabulous founder and CEO of The Self-Publishing Agency (TSPA)!

TSPA is a highly reputable hybrid publisher with award-winning books and bestselling authors in their roster – including Your Bestselling Book's own Dr. Stephanie Cawthon, Sacad Guled, and Chrissy Grigoropoulos!
We'll talk about the differences between traditional, hybrid and self-publishing, what you should expect to pay, the timeline, and how to assure your book is a success.

Here's more from TSPA:

We turn writers into authors.
Think of us as wedding planners for soon-to-be authors. Like a wedding
planner is for the engaged, helping brides and grooms connect with
photographers, venues, pricing etc., The Self Publishing Agency helps our
authors do the same. We connect writers with vetted professional book
designers, editors and marketers to make your book the best
version of itself.

We’re the only agency in the country that doesn’t take royalties.
And authors only pay for what they need. We understand each story and writer requires different levels of support when publishing their book. This is why our model is structured for authors to pay for services they want. We don’t bake-in prices.

What happens when political discourse becomes toxic, divisive, and filled with blame? For me, it sparked something deeper—frustration turned into action.

In this video, I share the raw, real story behind launching my podcast—an entirely DIY journey born from the chaos of the Trump vs. Biden election and a growing desire to create something different. I was tired of the shouting matches, the scapegoating, the either/or thinking. Instead, I wanted to build a space that honors both strong values and deep listening. A space where we can have meaningful, nuanced conversations about leadership, current events, and everything in between—without blame, without shame.

We talk about:

• What pushed me to hit “record”
  
  
• The unlikely inspiration behind my podcast
  
  
• How curiosity, empathy, and a little help from Lemon Price and May Fox fueled the launch
  
  
• The power of doing BOTH: standing firm in your values and building bridges
  
  

If you're craving honest dialogue, hopeful spaces, and a little more humanity in our public discourse, you’re in the right place.

🔔 Subscribe for more conversations that challenge, connect, and inspire.

#PodcastJourney #NuancedConversations #BridgeTheDivide #Leadership #DIYPodcast #CivicDiscourse #EmpathyInAction

Candice Van Dertholen, a transformational coach and proud member of our Story Cure community, sat down with me and my business partner (and best friend) Jen Tate for a powerful conversation on storytelling.

We dive deep into what truly holds authors back from sharing their truth—vulnerability, trauma, and the loneliness of the writing journey. But more importantly, we explore how community, support, and self-belief can transform the process.

Your story, told by you, has the power to change lives. Even if it only impacts ten people—it matters.

#storycure #storytelling #candicevandertholen #jentate #authenticvoice #writingjourney #traumahealing #writingcommunity

Join us as we sit down with Candice Candace Van Dertholen, member of the Story Cure Community and an aspiring author, to explore her journey into intuitive healing and storytelling. Candace shares her personal experiences, the pivotal moments that led her to pursue writing, and her unique approach to energy work. Learn about the importance of labels, the role of intuition in personal transformation, and the potential of storytelling in healing and community-building.

Candice also dives into her future projects, including her upcoming book and women's retreats aimed at fostering deeper connections and self-discovery. Don't miss this inspiring conversation!

What if public schools could teach kids to think like entrepreneurs—regardless of their background?

In this thought-provoking conversation, we sit down with Laura Burke, visionary educator, founder of the Clara Brown Entrepreneurial Academy, and current leader at Veil (Venture Academy of Leadership and Entrepreneurship). Laura shares her groundbreaking journey of reimagining K-12 education by embedding entrepreneurial mindsets—risk-taking, opportunity recognition, creativity, emotional intelligence—directly into public school systems.

From launching student-run businesses to integrating AI tools while centering human connection, Laura dives into:

Why entrepreneurial thinking is essential for every child 🌱

How real-world learning boosts academic performance and engagement 💡

The power of emotional intelligence and heart-centered leadership in education 💖

Her upcoming book Entrepreneur Elementary, a guide for educators to make this shift 📘

Whether you're a parent, educator, or changemaker, this episode will challenge how you view school and inspire you to think differently about what our children truly need to thrive in today’s complex world.

🔗 Watch now and discover the future of education—where mindset, empathy, and innovation lead the way.

💬 Let us know in the comments:
What skill do you wish school had taught you?

#Entrepreneurship #EducationInnovation #LauraBurke #PublicEducation #EmotionalIntelligence #AIInEducation #FutureOfLearning #EducationReform #StudentEntrepreneurs #LeadershipSkills #K12Reimagined #personalizedlearning