Beyond the Bestseller

Trust Yourself Again with Emily Romero

Do you ever feel like you second-guess everything from the small choices to the big ones?

Therapist-turned-author Emily Romero says you’re not alone. In her newest book, You Can Trust Yourself, Emily walks us through the beautiful, lifelong process of reconnecting with your intuition, your body, and ultimately, your truth.

In this episode, Emily joins me to unpack what self-trust really means, why so many women lose it, and how we can begin to build it back one honest promise at a time. We talk about the moment she realized every client’s story traced back to the same root issue, the framework she created to guide women home to themselves, and how entrepreneurship and solo travel became unexpected teachers of trust in her own life.

 

We dive into:

• The story behind You Can Trust Yourself how Emily’s 13 years as a trauma therapist revealed one universal truth about the women she worked with.
• Why we stop trusting ourselves from childhood experiences to gradual erosion over time.
• Emily’s “Compass Framework” for self-trust a lifelong model built around four core directions:
• North: Radical Honesty telling yourself the truth, even when it’s hard.
• East: Keeping Promises following through on your word (and learning when it’s okay to change it).
• South: Regulation calming your nervous system so you can actually hear your intuition.
• West: Knowing Yourself because you can’t trust a stranger, especially when that stranger is you.
• How to start small practical ways to build trust, from setting aligned goals to taking yourself on solo “dates.”
• Entrepreneurship and solo travel as pathways to self-trust how going out on your own (in business or in life) can reveal your most authentic self.

From Overwhelm to Alignment: How to Create a Life You Love

What if the same tools CEOs use to run thriving companies could also help you design a more intentional, joy-filled life?

That’s exactly what today’s guest, Lisa Druxman founder of Fit4Mom and author of Level Up Your Life believes. After more than two decades leading a national fitness company for moms, Lisa realized that the key to avoiding burnout isn’t about doing more, it’s about doing the right things, the ones that truly align with your values.

In this conversation, Lisa and I dig into what it really looks like to:

• Use her Wheel of Life exercise to assess where you are and where you want to be.
• Identify your MITs (Most Important Things) and let those guide your time, energy, and focus.
• Apply the “minimum effective dose” of self-care to stay grounded, even in busy seasons.
• Embrace micro-moments of joy each day so you’re not always waiting for “someday” to feel fulfilled.
• Shift from hustle mode into a sustainable rhythm that honors your health, family, and long-term dreams.

Lisa also shares candidly about her own journey, how she built a business while raising kids, what it looked like when her life and calendar didn’t reflect her values, and how she course-corrected to design a life that feels both purposeful and joyful.

If you’ve ever felt stuck in the grind, drowning in your inbox, or like you’re living on autopilot, Lisa’s wisdom will inspire you to make small, powerful shifts that move you closer to the life you really want.

Turning Grief into Purpose with Julie Barth

When life knocks you down, it can feel like the story is over. But what if it’s just the beginning of a new chapter?

In this powerful and deeply moving conversation, Kelly sits down with Julie Barth, author of Notes from a Blackberry, to talk about navigating unimaginable loss, raising a child with a rare medical condition, and finding purpose through pain. Julie shares the story of losing her first husband to pancreatic cancer, caring for their four young children—including Tatum, their daughter born with primordial dwarfism—and how documenting everything on her BlackBerry became a lifeline.

This isn’t just a story about tragedy. It’s about resilience. It’s about light in the darkest places. And it’s about how Julie turned her lived experience into advocacy, community, and hope for other women walking through hard seasons.

We dive into:

✨ How Julie processed grief through writing and why she chose to publish her story

✨ What it was like fighting through the medical system for her daughter’s care

✨ The powerful reminder that there is life after unimaginable loss

✨ How she’s helping women in crisis through her nonprofit work

✨ Why her daughter Tatum continues to be a bright light in the world

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.

The Purpose Myth: Finding Meaning Beyond the 9–5 with Charley Cramer

What if the “dream job” isn’t where you’ll ever find your true purpose?

In this episode of Beyond the Bestseller, Kelly Schuknecht sits down with Charley Cramer, author of The Purpose Myth, to talk about why purpose doesn’t live inside corporate careers, and how you can create it on your own terms.

Charley shares the story behind her nonprofit Crack + Cider, how a coffee in Berlin sparked a global movement, and why corporations that promise to “help you find your purpose” are selling a myth. Together, Kelly and Charley explore:

• Why your 9–5 job isn’t designed to fulfill your life’s purpose
• How side projects can become “purpose projects” that bring meaning (even if they never make money)
• The role guilt, especially for women, often plays in how we give back
• How to identify what truly lights you up by asking, What breaks your heart?
• Why creating psychological safety and alignment at work can itself be a form of purpose
• The evolving journey of purpose and why it often shifts throughout life

If you’ve ever felt stuck in a job that didn’t fulfill you, or wondered how to align your work with what matters most, you’ll find Charley’s perspective both refreshing and empowering.

Links & Resources Mentioned:

• Connect with Charley on Instagram: @charleycramer
• Get her book: The Purpose Myth
• Learn more about Kelly’s Author Power Circle for women writing their books

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

From Communist Poland to the United Nations: Christine Sadry’s Unbelievable Journey

What if the hardest years of your life weren’t wasted, but instead the foundation for your strength, resilience, and purpose?

In today’s episode of Beyond the Bestseller, I sat down with Christine Sadry, author of 13 Years Lost: An Unbelievable Story of Fleeing Communist Poland and Traveling the World Serving the United Nations. Her story is nothing short of remarkable—one that begins with unimaginable loss and abandonment, but unfolds into resilience, discovery, and ultimately, empowerment.

Christine takes us through her journey of leaving Poland as a child, surviving years of abuse and isolation in the United States, and eventually carving out a life of purpose and adventure through her work with the United Nations. From peacekeeping missions in Africa to reconnecting with her long-lost sisters, Christine’s story is about more than survival—it’s about building a life you choose, no matter where you come from.

If you’ve ever felt like your past defines your future, this conversation is proof that you can write your own story.

We dive into:

• Christine’s childhood in Communist Poland and her brave journey to the U.S. at just nine years old
• The 13 years she calls “lost”—and how she eventually reclaimed her identity and independence
• How her work with the United Nations gave her a sense of purpose and adventure she never imagined possible
• Why her book has become a beacon of hope and empowerment for women around the world
• Christine’s powerful reminder that you are the driver of your life—not just a passenger

Links & Resources Mentioned:

• Christine’s website: christiesadry.com
• Her book 13 Years Lost on Amazon and Barnes & Noble
• Connect with Christine on Instagram: @christine.sadry
• Join me inside the Author Power Circle to connect with other women authors

Embracing Your Inner Fabulosity with Ally Dalsimer

What if your imperfections were actually your superpower? In this episode of Beyond the Bestseller, Ally Dalsimer shares the story behind her book It’s Okay Not to Be Fabulous Every Day that started as a gift for her children and evolved into a message for the world.

Ally opens up about the loss, healing, and self-discovery that shaped her journey and how writing the book helped her embrace a new chapter as an author and speaker. If you’ve ever felt the pressure to “have it all together,” this episode is your permission slip to drop the expectations and pursue joy on your own terms.

We dive into:

• How Ally’s personal journaling turned into a published book that’s now changing lives
• What it means to embrace your “inner fabulosity” and let go of the need to be perfect
• The ripple effects of healing through writing
• How Ally began her speaking career—and why she believes everyone has a message worth sharing
• The message behind the Spanish translation of her book

Links & Resources Mentioned:

• Get Ally’s book, It’s Okay Not to Be Fabulous Every Day – 
• Sign up for Ally’s newsletter – https://allydalsimer.com/newsletter
• Follow Ally on Instagram – @allydalsimer
• Learn about 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 Ally’s story. For more resources to help you write and market your book, visit kellyschuknecht.com

The Cost of Staying: Choosing Yourself in Career and Life with Kristen Chimack

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.

Harness the Power of Practical Manifestation with Victoria Gallagher

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