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Beyond the Bestseller is a podcast for professional women, authors, and entrepreneurs who are ready to amplify their influence and impact. Join host Kelly Schuknecht as she dives into conversations with inspiring women who’ve written books to further their careers, build their brands, and share powerful messages. Each episode dives into real conversations, offering insights on writing, marketing, and using a book to open doors and spark new opportunities. Tune in for inspiring stories, expert advice, and the motivation to pursue your own big dreams. Go beyond the bestseller and discover what’s possible.
Episodes

Dec 2, 2024
Dec 2, 2024
29 min
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:
- Why so many women struggle with saying no and how to shift from self-sacrifice to self-preservation.
- How to recognize when you’re saying yes too often—and what to do about it.
- A game-changing mindset shift: saying no isn’t rejection, it’s redirection.
- The role journaling plays in uncovering your inner “yes” and “no” compass.
This conversation is packed with actionable insights for anyone feeling overwhelmed by life’s demands. Tune in to learn how to set boundaries and say no in a way that serves you and your bigger dreams.
Links & Resources Mentioned:
- Grab Elisabeth’s book, 50 Ways to Say No: https://amzn.to/3ZmthtD (affiliate link)
- Sign up for Elisabeth’s free “Start Your Journal” event: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcsdO-qrDIqGNBM_lF53ptGr_DJ6EYOOXmq
- Register for Elisabeth's January Journaling On-Ramp: https://elisabethandrews.com/journaling
- Explore Elisabeth’s boundaries card deck and upcoming workshops: https://elisabethandrews.com/.
- Join the Author Power Circle to connect with other women writers: https://kellyschuknecht.com/author-power-circle/.
If you loved this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend who could use a little extra inspiration. For more resources to help you write and market your book, visit https://kellyschuknecht.com.

Dec 2, 2024
Dec 2, 2024
27 min
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’re proud of.
We dive into:
- How Cara transitioned from side hustling to full-time entrepreneurship.
- Why self-publishing can be a powerful tool for authors (and why you don’t have to wait to be chosen!).
- The courage it takes to overcome the “what-ifs” and create a life on your terms.
- How to build confidence, community, and momentum for your next big leap.
Cara’s advice is a pep talk every ambitious woman needs. Whether you’re dreaming of writing your first book, launching a business, or finding the confidence to pivot, this episode will leave you feeling inspired and ready to take action.
Links & Resources Mentioned:
Follow Cara on Instagram: @thechampagnediet
Check out Cara’s books on Amazon, including:
- Girl Code (affiliate link: https://amzn.to/3Z6R1AH)
- and Girl on Fire (affiliate link: https://amzn.to/3ZptxrQ)
Listen to Cara’s podcast, Cara Says It All.
Join Cara’s online community, the Girl on Fire Collective: https://www.girlonfirecollective.com/
Learn more about the Author Power Circle: https://kellyschuknecht.com/author-power-circle.
If you loved this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend who could use a little extra inspiration today.
Nov 20, 2024
Nov 20, 2024
6 min
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 creating the podcast, and the inspiration she hopes to offer to other women.
Each episode will dive into conversations with incredible women authors—those who’ve taken leaps, written books, and used their voices to inspire change. These guests haven’t necessarily written for bestseller status but instead to reach that one person who needs their message. For Kelly, Beyond the Bestseller is all about amplifying the voices of women who’ve leaned into their careers, overcome challenges, and are doing something impactful in the world.
Tune in to learn more about the incredible upcoming guests this season, including authors Cara Alwill, Sandy Gerber, and Monica Parkin, who each bring unique stories and valuable lessons for professional women on their own journeys.
How to Subscribe:
Beyond the Bestseller is available wherever you listen to podcasts, and video versions are on Kelly’s YouTube channel: youtube.com/kellyschuknecht.
Are you working on a book idea or looking for support to take the next step in your writing journey? Join the Author Power Circle, a supportive community for women writers to share ideas, stay accountable, and move their projects forward. Learn more at kellyschuknecht.com/author-power-circle.
For personalized guidance, Kelly also offers 1-on-1 Author Coaching to help you navigate every step of your book-writing and marketing journey. Find out more at kellyschuknecht.com/author-coaching.
