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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
Mar 30, 2026
Mar 30, 2026
33 min
In this episode of the Beyond the Bestseller podcast, host Kelly Schuknecht interviews Anne Dranitsaris, Ph.D., author of 'Not Broken, Just Delayed.' They discuss the concept of codependency, its historical context, and how it manifests in relationships. Anne shares insights on identifying codependency, the importance of personal development, and the journey of self-publishing her book. The conversation also touches on marketing strategies for authors and the evolution of the book's title.
In this episode, we explore:
• The difference between being "broken" and having "delayed development."
• How codependency shows up in the workplace (and why you’re afraid to say no to your boss).
• The evolution of codependency from the 1930s medical model to a modern developmental lens.
• Anne’s personal experience transitioning from traditional publishing to self-publishing.
• The reality of hiring marketing firms and why "voice" is the most important factor in your promotion.
• Why publishing a book is exactly like starting a new business (and why it takes three years to find its footing).
Resources Mentioned:
•Get the book: Not Broken, Just Delayed: The 100 Year Evolution of Codependency and Why We're Still Stuck on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4rz4jSJ
• Visit Anne’s Website: https://andranitsaris.com
• Anne’s other books: Who You Meant to Be, So You Think You Can Lead, and Power Past the Impostor Syndrome.
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 https://kellyschuknecht.com.
Mar 23, 2026
Mar 23, 2026
35 min
In this episode of Beyond the Bestseller, host Kelly Schuknecht interviews Dr. Jessica Schloemp, author of 'The Leader Within Her.' They discuss Jessica's journey from writing her dissertation to publishing her book, the importance of leadership education, and the unique qualities women bring to leadership roles. Jessica emphasizes that leadership is a skill that can be learned and that true leadership goes beyond tenure and titles. The conversation also touches on the writing process and the significance of intentionality in leadership and workplace culture.
Connect with Dr. Jessica Schloemp:
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-schloemp
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessicaschloemp
• Website: https://www.reviveandriseconsulting.com
Grab the Book:
• The Leader Within Her on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4sb2RHp
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 Jessica's story. For more resources to help you write and market your book, visit kellyschuknecht.com.
Mar 16, 2026
Mar 16, 2026
30 min
In this episode of Beyond the Bestseller, host Kelly Schuknecht interviews Marcylle Combs, author of 'Never Hire Your Friends.' They discuss the importance of building friendships in the workplace, the balance between personal and professional relationships, and the challenges of accountability as a leader. Marcelle shares her journey of writing her book, the realities of publishing, and how her experiences shape her approach to leadership and team dynamics.
In this episode, we discuss:
- Why Marcylle decided to write a book after 30 years in healthcare and several successful business exits.
- The reality of "the wrong seat on the bus": How to handle performance issues without ruining a friendship.
- Setting boundaries: How to navigate texts, calls, and work-life integration as a leader and a friend.
- The "grueling" truth about the publishing process, from collaborative writers to hybrid publishers.
- Why you don't need 10,000 followers to share a message that matters.
Resources Mentioned:
- Purchase Marcylle’s book: Never Hire Your Friends on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4sKToGI
- Visit Marcylle’s Website: https://marcyllecombs.com
- Listen to Marcylle’s Podcast: 50% with Marcylle Combs: https://marcyllecombs.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 Marcylle Combs’s story. For more resources to help you write and market your book, visit https://kellyschuknecht.com.
Mar 9, 2026
Mar 9, 2026
32 min
In this episode of the Beyond the Bestseller podcast, host Kelly Schuknecht interviews Lori Bartle, author of 'The Agency Within Us.' Lori shares her unique career journey in marketing and advertising, her insights on human agency, and the importance of proactivity in leadership. She discusses her transition from a secure job to entrepreneurship, the challenges of self-publishing, and her strategies for marketing her book and consultancy. The conversation highlights the intersection of coaching and mentoring, and the realities of navigating a new business landscape.
In this episode, we discuss:
- The definition of "work agency" and how it differs from emotional intelligence.
- Why Lori chose a unique "self-publishing" path to keep control of her data and marketing.
- The power of combining formal coaching with high-level mentoring.
- Navigating the "terrifying" but rewarding transition from employee to business owner.
- How to fight through the "muck" of a reactive environment to become proactive.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
- Purchase Lori’s book, The Agency Within Us: https://www.cultivagency.com
- Lori Bartle’s Website: https://www.cultiveagency.com
- International Coaching Federation (ICF): https://coachingfederation.org
- IngramSpark (Self-publishing platform): https://www.ingramspark.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 Lori Bartle's story. For more resources to help you write and market your book, visit kellyschuknecht.com.
Mar 2, 2026
Mar 2, 2026
27 min
In this episode of Beyond the Bestseller, host Kelly Schuknecht interviews Philippa Gamse, author of 'Website Wealth'. They discuss the importance of analytics for business owners and marketers, how to make analytics accessible, and the role of a website in business strategy. Philippa shares her journey in analytics, the target audience for her book, and insights on the publishing process, including the importance of reviews and the benefits of self-publishing. The conversation concludes with advice for aspiring authors on the writing process.
In this episode, we explore:
- Why business owners often "glaze over" when talking about analytics and how to fix it
- The difference between vanity metrics and real conversion data
- How to use analytics to identify new products, services, and target markets
- Tips for authors: Philippa’s "voice-to-text" method for writing a book without staring at a blank screen
- The importance of proactive reviews and high-level endorsements for book credibility
- Why your website strategy must align with your actual business goals
Connect with Philippa Gamse:
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/philippagamse
- Website: Philippa Gamse - digital marketing and analytics strategy - Websites That Win
- Buy the Book: Website Wealth: A Business Leader’s Guide to Driving Real Value from Your Analytics on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4aKgJSN
Resources Mentioned:
- David H. Lawrence XVII (Audiobook Coach): David H. Lawrence XVII : Actor, Voice Talent, Voice Over Teacher, Creator of Rehearsal® Pro – Your complete casting kit
- Otter.ai (Transcription Tool): https://otter.ai
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 Philippa Gamse's story. For more resources to help you write and market your book, visit https://kellyschuknecht.com.
Feb 23, 2026
Feb 23, 2026
31 min
In this episode of Beyond the Bestseller, host Kelly Schuknecht interviews Kira Hartley-Klinger, author of 'Fabric Wars' and 'Fabric Wars and More.' Kira shares her journey from running a vintage fabric shop on Etsy to becoming a published author. She discusses the humorous and emotional stories behind her fabric collections, the challenges of self-publishing, and the importance of marketing strategies for authors. Kira emphasizes the need for authors to take charge of their own promotion and shares insights on how her books have contributed to her business.
In this episode, we discuss:
- How to identify "book-worthy" stories within your existing business listings and customer interactions.
- The reality of self-publishing on Amazon: why Kira chose the DIY route and how she handled the learning curve.
- Marketing outside of the algorithm: why Kira sells 100x more books in person at quilt guilds and libraries than on Amazon.
- The "Free Marketing" hack: how a pre-printed note in an Etsy package caught the eye of a TV producer.
- Balancing the "squirrel brain" of being a self-employed creative and making time to write.
Resources Mentioned in This Episode:
- Fabric Wars by Kira Hartley-Klinger: https://amzn.to/40hGkw0
- Fabric Wars and More by Kira Hartley-Klinger: https://amzn.to/4qUDJ6o
- Kira’s Etsy Shop (Fabric Wars): https://www.etsy.com/shop/FabricWars
- Kira’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fabric_wars
- Kira’s Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/kirahartleyklinger
- Kira’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kira-hartley-klinger-b63116314/
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 Kira Hartley-Klinger's story. For more resources to help you write and market your book, visit kellyschuknecht.com.
Feb 16, 2026
Feb 16, 2026
29 min
In this episode of Beyond the Bestseller, host Kelly Schuknecht interviews Lori Kleiner Eckert, author of 'Chai on Life.' They discuss the book's unique title, the importance of gratitude, and the art of storytelling. Lori shares her personal experiences and insights from her 30 years in the motivation field, emphasizing the themes of reinvention and the writing process. The conversation also delves into the differences between self-publishing and traditional publishing, providing valuable advice for aspiring authors. Listeners will gain inspiration from Lori's journey and her message of finding joy in life's challenges.
In this episode, we discuss:
- The mystical meaning behind the title of her new book, Chai on Life
- Lorie’s simple two-step project for reinventing yourself during low points
- The transition from being a quilt lecturer to a syndicated columnist and five-time author
- Pros and cons of traditional publishing vs. self-publishing based on Lorie’s personal journey
- How to turn blog posts into a cohesive book of essays
- Why Lorie believes "the real public knows no difference" between publishing paths
Resources mentioned in this episode:
- Get Lorie’s new book, Chai on Life: https://amzn.to/4akJgfV
- Visit Lorie’s Website: https://loriekleinereckert.com/
- Check out Lorie’s Quilt Designs on Etsy: https://loriekleinereckert.etsy.com
- Read Lorie’s Book Reviews: https://loriekleinereckert.com/book-reviews
- Jane Friedman (Publishing Guru): https://janefriedman.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 Lorie Kleiner Eckert’s story. For more resources to help you write and market your book, visit https://kellyschuknecht.com.
Feb 9, 2026
Feb 9, 2026
27 min
In this episode of Beyond the Bestseller, host Kelly Schuknecht interviews Dr. Zoe, author of 'Stronger in the Difficult Places.' They delve into the concept of complex shame, its impact on individuals, and the difference between simple and complex shame. Dr. Zoe shares her personal experiences and insights as a psychotherapist, discussing how shame can affect relationships and self-worth. The conversation emphasizes the importance of recognizing shame, understanding its roots, and finding pathways to healing and self-acceptance.
In this episode, we discuss:
- The vital difference between guilt (healthy) and shame (unhealthy).
- Identifying "complex shame" and why external validation often fails to heal it.
- How shame manifests as self-sabotage in careers and relationships.
- The "hiding" test: How to identify where shame lives in your life right now.
- Dr. Zoe’s powerful definition of forgiveness: Giving up all hope of a better past.
Connect with Dr. Zoe Shaw:
- Purchase the book: https://amzn.to/4aciuGP
- Website: drzoeshaw.com
- Instagram: @drzoeshaw
- Podcast: Stronger in the Difficult Places
- Free Resource: Download the First Chapter of Dr. Zoe’s Book
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. Zoe Shaw's story. For more resources to help you write and market your book, visit kellyschuknecht.com.
