Beyond the Bestseller

What if the constant pressure to post reels, record stories, and feed the algorithms is actually hurting your business—and your health?

To celebrate our milestone 100th episode of the Beyond the Best Seller podcast, we’re taking a deep look at what it really takes to build a sustainable personal brand without losing your mind! As business owners, thought leaders, and authors, we’ve been fed a non-stop message: show up everywhere, multiple times a day, or risk becoming invisible. We spend our precious creative energy batching content, editing snippets, and chasing instant gratification, only to watch our hard-earned thoughts get lost in the digital ether. But what happens when that endless content treadmill triggers real burnout, and how could that energy be used to write your book instead?

In this special 100th episode, I sit down with Cara Chase, author of The Social Media Burnout Cure: How to Ditch the Scroll, Quiet Your Nervous System, and Market Your Business Without the Chaos. After facing severe health challenges and noticing how even the thought of social media marketing caused a physical nervous system reaction, Cara decided to step off the content treadmill and re-evaluate everything we’ve been taught about digital marketing.

Instead of pouring your best ideas into fleeting daily posts, Cara shares how redirecting your creative energy into long-form content—like writing a book, starting a podcast, or building an email list—creates lasting assets that you actually own.

Tune in to hear us discuss:
• How social media shifted from genuine connection to interest-based "marketing media" where creators act as unpaid employees
• Why your body and nervous system might be reacting to content creation overload
• The strategic difference between treating social platforms as "signposts" rather than stages
• How writing a book or focusing on SEO-driven assets outlasts short-term social media algorithms
• Practical steps to overcome the fear of missing out (FOMO) and reclaim your time, creativity, and peace of mind

Connect with Cara Chase and check out her book The Social Media Burnout Cure on Amazon: https://carachace.com/social-media-burnout
Take Cara's free burnout quiz and discover her resources at her website: How To Manage Work Life Balance For A Woman | Free Guide

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 Cara Chase's story. For more resources to help you write and market your book, visit kellyschuknecht.com.

Have you ever published a book or achieved a major goal, only to realize that hit-and-run success didn't bring the long-term fulfillment or well-being you expected? What if true health and happiness aren't about chasing temporary, once-in-a-lifetime transformations, but about building deep resilience and self-honoring habits that stick?

As authors, entrepreneurs, and busy leaders, we often pour everything into our work while putting our personal well-being on the back burner. In this episode of Beyond the Best Seller, host Kelly Schuknecht sits down with Courtney Townley—veteran health coach, podcast host, IPPY Award-winning author of The Consistency Code: A Midlife Woman's Guide to Deep Health and Happiness, and creator of Grace and Grit. Courtney opens up about why she walked away from a lucrative fat-loss coaching business to focus on holistic, "cell-to-soul" health—and how she turned a decade of teaching her proprietary framework into a celebrated book.

 

Click play to discover:

• Why life is continuous transformation rather than a one-time physical overhaul

• The story behind how Courtney turned 10 years of course curriculum into an IPPY Award-winning book in Women's Issues

• The four core pillars of The Consistency Code: Radical Self-Honesty, Organization, Emotional Capacity & Mindset, and Realignment

• How to manage midlife stress, lower unnecessary daily friction, and overcome "integrity pain"

• Why true consistency means consistent self-honoring rather than rigid compliance

 

The Consistency Code on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4yQFbvJ

Grace and Grit Website: https://graceandgrit.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 Courtney Townley's story. For more resources to help you write and market your book, visit https://kellyschuknecht.com.

What if writing a book didn't require you to be a "creative writer"—just an expert with a clear solution to a real problem?

As business owners, coaches, and leaders, we spend years building domain expertise and answering the exact same questions for our clients over and over. But when it comes to sitting down and actually writing a book to scale that impact, pure chaos and writer's block usually set in. Most experts make the mistake of sitting right down to write before building the actual foundation of their manuscript.

That is, until developmental editors and book coaches Marisa Solis and Elizabeth Dougherty stepped onto the show to break down their step-by-step process for turning expertise into a published book. In this episode, we dive deep into "prescriptive nonfiction," why you shouldn't even start writing your manuscript until chapter 13 of your planning process, and how co-authoring can streamline your book-writing journey.

Click play to find out how you can turn your ideas into a finished book!

• Buy the Book on Amazon: The Complete Expert to Author Guide by Marisa Solis and Elizabeth Dougherty https://amzn.to/3ToE1Y2

• Guest Website: https://www.bookstructurepros.com

• Follow Book Structure Pros on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/book-structure-pros

• Follow Book Structure Pros on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bookstructurepros

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 Marisa Solis and Elizabeth Dougherty's story. For more resources to help you write and market your book, visit kellyschuknecht.com.

What if a single book could unlock the door to 54 national TV interviews, 6 PR industry awards, and millions of dollars in revenue?

As business owners, authors, and thought leaders, we often spend months or years pouring our hearts into a book, only to publish it and wonder, "What next?" We dream of hitting the bestseller list or landing big media features, but the truth is, a book isn't just a product—it's your ultimate business card and lead generator.

That is until PR expert Liz Kelly showed us how to uncover the "wow story" hidden inside our message. In this episode of Beyond the Bestseller, Liz breaks down her exact framework for turning a book into a client-attracting machine, tying your core message to timely news hooks, and leveraging media features to build a thriving business. Click play to learn how you can amplify your story and turn your book into your biggest lead generator!

• Award-Winning Publicity on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4bfTjEw
• Goody PR Website: https://goodypr.com
• Award-Winning Publicity Website: https://awardwinningpublicity.com
• Liz Kelly's Instagram: Instagram

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 Liz Kelly's story. For more resources to help you write and market your book, visit kellyschuknecht.com.

What if the rules you are following in your relationships and business aren't actually yours? What if the hidden "operating system" you built as a child is silently sabotaging your happiness, confidence, and authentic voice as an adult?

As entrepreneurs and creators, we spend so much time polishing our professional personas. But behind the scenes, many of us are still terrified of getting in trouble, taking big risks, or putting our authentic work out into the world. On today’s episode of Beyond the Bestseller, repeat guest Dr. Anne Dranitsaris—author of Are Your Relationship Rules Ruining Your Happiness?—joins me to unpack how childhood adaptations shape our adult lives and relationships.

We talk about moving past the fear of rejection, learning to stabilize our own self-esteem, and even how using AI can free up your time so you can focus entirely on your unique ability instead of getting bogged down in marketing! Click play to find out how you can stop trying to fix yourself and start stepping into your authentic power.

• • Dr. Anne Dranitsaris Website & Free Ebook: https://www.andranitsaris.com
  • This is a link to my free guide, The 16 Capacities of the Authentic Self. https://annedranitsaris.com/free-guides-books/16-capacities-of-the-authentic-self/
  • Buy Dr. Anne Dranitsaris's Book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CX2G3Y44 

 

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 Dr. Anne Dranitsaris's story. For more resources to help you write and market your book, visit kellyschuknecht.com.

What if getting the raise, promotion, or recognition you deserve wasn’t about being the loudest person in the room, but about learning how to strategically articulate your worth?

As someone who spent nearly two decades in corporate leadership, I know firsthand how easy it is to fall into the trap of letting others lead your career path. So many of us believe that if we just do good work, the rewards will automatically follow. But the reality is that long-term career growth requires a proven playbook for self-advocacy—and learning how to turn your everyday accomplishments into undeniable impact.

That’s why I was so excited to sit down with Shailvi Wakhlu, author of Self Advocacy: Your Guide to Getting What You Deserve at Work. Shailvi shared her journey of transforming a popular conference talk into a published book, how writing a book completely elevated her authority and paid speaking opportunities, and the practical daily habits you can use to speak up authentically in your career. Whether you are navigating corporate life or looking to publish a book to build authority outside your 9-to-5, this conversation is packed with actionable insights you can apply immediately!

Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

• Shailvi Wakhlu’s Website: https://shailvi.com
• Connect with Shailvi Wakhlu on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shailviw/
• Purchase Shailvi Wakhlu's Book Self Advocacy: Your Guide to Getting What You Deserve at Work: https://amzn.to/4yKVbz2

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 Shailvi Wakhlu's story. For more resources to help you write and market your book, visit kellyschuknecht.com.

What if the worst thing that ever happened in your business was actually the catalyst for your greatest story? What if you could take the hardest, most embarrassing setback you’ve ever experienced—a failed launch, a lost job, or even a devastating lawsuit—and turn it into a book that changes lives?

As an entrepreneur, I know firsthand how overwhelming it feels when unexpected challenges hit. When I was laid off from my job, I felt embarrassed to talk about it. But the second I started sharing the real, unvarnished story, everything shifted.

My guest today, Kettia Ming, understands this power intimately. After building and selling a successful childcare company, she was unexpectedly hit with a $1.5 million lawsuit over a non-compete technicality. Facing complete financial devastation, divorce, and starting from scratch, Kettia relied on her background as a 13-time marathon runner to navigate the storm. She took it one mile, and one step, at a time.

Eventually, Kettia sat down at her computer to process the chaos, and those journal entries became her powerful book, Run the Mile You're In: One Founder's Journey Through Success, Loss, and Reinvention. Click play to hear Kettia’s incredible story of resilience, her tactical advice for dealing with extreme business anxiety, and how writing your story can heal your past while inspiring others!

Connect & Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

• Purchase Kettia's book, Run the Mile You're In: https://amzn.to/3TnKjak
• Visit Kettia Ming’s Official Website: https://kettiaming.com
• Beyond the Bestseller YouTube: https://www.youtube me.com/
• Beyond the Bestseller PodBean: https://kellyschuknecht.podbean.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 Kettia's story. For more resources to help you write and market your book, visit kellyschuknecht.com.

What if the doubt you feel isn't a sign that you should quit, but proof that you're taking a risk worth pursuing?

As creatives, entrepreneurs, and aspiring authors, so many of us are secretly battling the same internal chatter. "Who am I to do this?" "What if I look silly?" "What if nobody cares?" We spend so much energy trying to erase those uncomfortable feelings before we ever hit publish, launch the project, or write the first chapter. But what if we stopped trying to banish our doubts and started learning how to walk alongside them instead?

That is exactly what author Amy Bernstein and I dive into in this powerful episode of Beyond the Bestseller. Amy is a lifelong creative who has published seven books—including her illustrated non-fiction title, Wrangling the Doubt Monster: Fighting Fears, Finding Inspiration. Together, we unpack why self-doubt is actually a natural byproduct of taking creative risks, how to build a support network of allies to keep you moving forward, and how to navigate the honest realities of choosing between self-publishing and traditional publishing based on your personal strengths and temperament.

Click play to learn how you can turn your self-doubt from a foe into fuel and step confidently into your creative goals!

Links & Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

• Amy Bernstein's Website: https://amywrites.live
• Wrangling the Doubt Monster by Amy Bernstein on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1685130761
• Goal Digger Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/goaldiggerpodcast/
• Goal Digger Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/goaldiggerpodcast/
• Beyond the Best Seller Show Notes: https://kellyschuknecht.com/podcast

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 Amy's story. For more resources to help you write and market your book, visit kellyschuknecht.com.