Beyond the Bestseller

What if everything you believed about success, body image, and being “the perfect woman” was actually holding you back? In this powerful episode, Kelly Schuknecht sits down with Tara Whitney, author of Truly Seen, to unpack the deeply ingrained cultural expectations women face—and how to break free. From boardrooms to bake sales, Tara shares how the pursuit of thinness and perfectionism impacts our careers, parenting, and personal well-being.

We dive into:
• Why women are applauded for overachieving and how that comes at a personal cost
• The link between body image, leadership, and self-worth
• How perfectionism shows up in everyday choices—from hair styling to PTA meetings
• What it really means to be “truly seen” and how to live by your own definition of success

 

Links & Resources Mentioned:

• Truly Seen on Amazon - https://amzn.to/4lcTGSG
• Check out Tara’s projects, books, retreats, and free downloads - https://whitebirchadvisory.com/
• Connect with Tara on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tara-whitney/
• 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 Tara’s story. For more resources to help you write and market your book, visit kellyschuknecht.com.

What if you could step into authorship, expand your visibility, and join a global movement one chapter at a time? Cathy Derksen is doing just that. As the curator of Grit and Tenacity and 17 other anthologies, she’s helping women around the world share their stories of growth, reinvention, and leadership.

In this episode, Cathy shares how she transitioned from a traditional career to creating her own publishing model that elevates midlife women through storytelling and community. We dive into the power of anthologies, the confidence and credibility that come with being a published author, and how this work is changing the narrative of what’s possible in the second half of life.

We dive into:

• Why anthologies are a powerful and accessible path to authorship
• How Cathy selects themes and builds global book communities
• The role authorship plays in building visibility and opening doors for speakers
• How Inspired Tenacity supports women in their 50s and 60s to pursue what’s next

Links & Resources Mentioned:

• Grit and Tenacity on Amazon - https://amzn.to/45zOpA7
• Check out Cathy’s projects, books, retreats, and free downloads - https://www.inspiredtenacity.com/
• Connect with Cathy on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/cathyderksen/
• 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 Cathy’s story. For more resources to help you write and market your book, visit kellyschuknecht.com.

Dealing with tax debt can feel overwhelming, stressful, and even impossible—but what if there’s always a solution? In this episode of Beyond the Bestseller, I sit down with Morgan Q. Anderson, author of Tax Debt Rule #1: There’s Always a Solution, to break down the common myths around tax debt and explain why there is always a way forward.

Morgan shares her 25+ years of experience helping people navigate tax issues, from unexpected IRS bills to business owners getting caught in a financial snowball. She also opens up about the emotional toll tax debt can take and why facing it head-on is the key to moving forward. If you or someone you know has ever felt stuck in tax debt, this episode will give you hope, clarity, and a plan of action.

We dive into:

• The surprising reasons people end up with tax debt—including common misunderstandings and unexpected financial hits.
• Why ignoring tax debt only makes it worse and how to take control before penalties pile up.
• The emotional burden of tax debt and how it affects more than just finances.
• How her book provides a step-by-step approach to tackling tax debt head-on.
• Practical strategies for working with tax professionals and preventing future tax problems.

Links & Resources Mentioned:

• Get Morgan’s book, Tax Debt Rule #1: There’s Always a Solution – https://amzn.to/4kDYCzE
• Explore Golden Lion Tax Solutions and access Morgan’s masterclass on handling tax debt – GoldenLionTaxSolutions.com
• Connect with Morgan on LinkedIn and Facebook – Search for Morgan Q. Anderson or Golden Lion Tax Solutions
• Read her blog for insights on tax relief, IRS negotiations, and financial planning – Available on her website

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by taxes or know someone struggling with tax debt, this episode is a must-listen. Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who could benefit. For more resources to help you write and market your book, visit kellyschuknecht.com.

What if your marriage could be saved—or your heartache avoided—just by asking the right questions before walking down the aisle? In this eye-opening conversation, Charisse Walker, author of Flipping the Iceberg, shares how her own marriage and divorce inspired a powerful guide to healing, self-reflection, and deeper connection.

Charisse’s book helps readers identify the unresolved issues that might be hiding beneath the surface in a relationship—and within themselves. Whether you’re dating, engaged, married, or starting over, her message is clear: Do the inner work first, so you can build a stronger, more honest relationship with someone else.

We dive into:

• How childhood trauma and birth order can shape your relationship patterns
• Why self-awareness is the first step to a healthy partnership
• What it means to "flip the iceberg" and how it changes how we see our partners
• How writing the book became a healing journey for Charisse

 

Links & Resources Mentioned:

• Get Charisse’s book, Flipping the Iceberg - https://amzn.to/4joAW1q
• Visit Charisse’s website & request a free eBook copy of her workbook – https://www.charissewalker.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 Charisse’s story. For more resources to help you write and market your book, visit kellyschuknecht.com.

What does it take to break free from a toxic relationship and rebuild your life? In this episode of Beyond the Bestseller, I sit down with Mia J. Hanks author of Bride Made, to talk about her 29-year marriage to a covert narcissist, the emotional toll it took, and how she finally found the strength to leave.

Mia shares her personal journey of recognizing the patterns of narcissistic abuse, navigating gaslighting, and reclaiming her identity after decades of manipulation. Her book provides the insider perspective she wished she had when searching for resources, offering hope and validation to others in similar situations.

We dive into:

• How Mia’s search for answers led her to write the book she wished she had while in her marriage.
• The signs of narcissistic abuse and gaslighting—and how to recognize them in your own relationships.
• Why leaving a narcissistic relationship is so difficult and how financial and emotional control plays a role.
• The challenges of promoting a book while staying anonymous for personal safety.
• How writing her memoir became an unexpected but powerful tool for healing.

Links & Resources Mentioned:

• Get Mia’s book, Bride Made – https://amzn.to/3GXGvq5
• Visit Mia’s website & read her blog – MiaJHanks.com
• Follow Mia on TikTok for daily insights on narcissism awareness – https://www.tiktok.com/@npdandme

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

Why do we struggle to follow through on big projects—even the ones that truly matter to us? In this episode of Beyond the Bestseller, I chat with Alison Miller, author of Finish Your Dissertation Once and for All, about overcoming procrastination, perfectionism, and self-doubt to finally complete the work that feels overwhelming.

Alison shares how she went from struggling with imposter syndrome in graduate school to becoming a coach dedicated to helping people get unstuck and achieve their goals. Whether you’re writing a book, launching a business, or working on a major creative project, her insights on time management, mindset shifts, and showing up for yourself will help you build momentum and finish what you start.

We dive into:

• Why discipline alone isn’t enough—and what actually works when tackling long-term projects.
• How to structure your time to make progress, even when motivation is low.
• The concept of “compatibility” and how to align your energy with the task at hand.
• The impact of perfectionism on productivity and how to move past it.
• How her online co-working community helps writers and academics stay focused and accountable.

Links & Resources Mentioned:

• Get Alison’s book, Finish Your Dissertation Once and for All – https://amzn.to/4aZScHC (affiliate link)
• Join The Academic Writer Space & try two weeks of co-working for free: https://www.theacademicwritersspace.com/
• Follow Alison on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube for more insights on productivity and mindset shifts

If this episode resonated with you, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who needs a push to finally finish what they’ve started! For more resources to help you write and market your book, visit kellyschuknecht.com.

How do you rebuild your life after unexpected loss and major life challenges? In this episode of Beyond the Bestseller, I sit down with Lynn Lok-Payne, author of Wake Up, Change Up, Rise Up, to discuss personal growth, resilience, and the power of gratitude. After experiencing a profound personal loss, Lynn turned to writing as a way to process her grief—ultimately leading to four published books and a mission to help others navigate change with intention and self-awareness.

Lynn shares how her journey led her to explore mindset shifts, positive affirmations, and gratitude practices that can help anyone move forward in life with purpose. Whether you’re looking for tools to manage stress, cultivate resilience, or start your own personal transformation journey, this episode is packed with wisdom and actionable takeaways.

We dive into:

• How Lynn’s personal tragedy led her to writing and self-discovery.
• The role of gratitude in healing and how small, simple shifts can change everything.
• The power of positive affirmations and how words shape our mindset.
• Why building a better day starts with intentional habits.
• The journey from journaling to publishing and what she’s learned along the way.

Links & Resources Mentioned:

• Books by Lynn Lok-Payne: (affiliate links)
  • Wake Up! Change UP! Rise Up!: https://amzn.to/3QhIff1
  • Speak This Not That – https://amzn.to/3QgP7cT
  • Build a Better Day for Success – https://amzn.to/4jYQOJq
  • Gratitude 101 Journal – https://amzn.to/4k0qaju
• Exclusive Freebie for Listeners:
  • Download Rewiring Your Mindset Mini Workbook – Claim your free copy
• Additional Resources:
  • Get Lynn’s free gratitude guide & personal growth tools: lynnlokpayne.com
  • Connect with Lynn on LinkedIn
  • Follow Lynn on Instagram and Facebook: @lynnlokpayne

If this episode inspired you to embrace gratitude, shift your mindset, or take action toward personal growth, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who needs to hear this conversation. For more resources to help you write and market your book, visit kellyschuknecht.com.

What if stepping outside your comfort zone could change everything? In this episode of Beyond the Bestseller, I chat with Teri M. Brown, author of 10 Little Rules for a Double Butted Adventure, about the life-changing journey that took her from an emotionally abusive past to riding a tandem bike across the United States. Along the way, she discovered resilience, self-worth, and the lessons that shaped her latest book.

Teri shares how embracing bold adventures—whether on a bicycle or in life—can help you overcome doubt, build confidence, and step into your next chapter with courage. Her story is a testament to the power of doing hard things, trusting yourself, and chasing what excites you.

We dive into:

• How a cross-country tandem bike trip transformed Teri’s perspective on life and self-worth.
• The lessons she learned on the road that became the foundation for 10 Little Rules for a Double Butted Adventure.
• Why we should never quit on a bad day—and how this lesson applies far beyond cycling.
• How loss and grief shaped her recent journey and reinforced the importance of resilience.
• The transition from fiction writing to nonfiction storytelling and the challenge of deciding what details matter most.

Links & Resources Mentioned:

• Grab Teri’s book, 10 Little Rules for a Double Butted Adventure: https://amzn.to/42WMDYy (affiliate link)
• Explore Teri’s fiction novels, including Sunflowers Beneath the Snow and An Enemy Like Me: terimbrown.com
• Listen to Teri’s podcast, where she interviews authors about their books and creative journeys.

If this episode inspired you to take on your next adventure—whether big or small—don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who needs a reminder that they, too, can do hard things. For more resources to help you write and market your book, visit kellyschuknecht.com.