Ever wondered if you could ditch the 9–5 and build a business on your own terms? In this episode of Beyond the Bestseller, I sit down with Liz Steblay, author of Succeeding as a Solopreneur: Six Keys to Taking the Leap, Winning Clients, and Building Wealth, to talk about what it really takes to run a thriving business without a traditional team—or a boss.

After being laid off in 2004, Liz launched her first consulting business and never looked back. From founding the Proko Agency to creating the Professional Independent Consultants of America (PICA), Liz has helped thousands of professionals navigate the transition from corporate life to successful solo entrepreneurship. She shares powerful strategies from her book, including how to tame your FUD (fear, uncertainty, and doubt), build a memorable niche, and leverage 1099 contractors without crossing legal boundaries.

Whether you’re dreaming of going out on your own or already navigating the solopreneur life, this conversation is full of practical tools, mindset shifts, and the kind of wisdom that only comes from lived experience.

• What solopreneurship really means (hint: you don’t have to do it alone!)
• The difference between solopreneurs, freelancers, and entrepreneurs
• How to tame the “FUD monster” (fear, uncertainty, and doubt)
• Legal and tax tips for working with independent contractors
• Why your LinkedIn profile should act like your storefront
• The biggest mindset blocks solopreneurs face—and how to move through them

• Get Liz’s book, Succeeding as a Solopreneur: Six Keys to Taking the Leap, Winning Clients, and Building Wealth – https://amzn.to/4iRN8bt (affiliate link)
• Visit the book’s landing page – SixKeys.info (works with both SIX and 6)
• Learn more about the Professional Independent Consultants of America (PICA) – Available via the SixKeys.info site

If you’re building (or dreaming about building) a business of your own, this episode is a must-listen. Liz’s real-world advice and approachable strategies will leave you feeling empowered and equipped. Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with a fellow solopreneur. For more tools to support your journey, visit kellyschuknecht.com.

What if the problem isn’t your willpower, but the culture that profits from making you feel broken? In this empowering episode, Kelly talks with registered dietitian and therapist Julie Duffy Dillon, author of Find Your Food Voice, about why diets fail and how to heal your relationship with food. Julie shares the science behind diet culture’s long-term harm, why restrictive eating backfires, and how we can reclaim body trust and peace.

We dive into:

• Why dieting rarely works long term and the emotional and physical toll it takes

• The difference between nutrition and diet culture, and how to spot the sneaky messaging

• How trauma, stress, and systems of oppression fuel our disordered relationship with food

• Real steps you can take to stop the cycle and reconnect with your body’s wisdom

Links & Resources Mentioned:

• Find Your Food Voice on Amazon - https://amzn.to/45EL96K

• Visit Julie’s website - https://www.julieduffydillon.com

• Check out Julie’s podcast - https://open.spotify.com/show/50BgXZyk84mygNoEAqxrag?si=66fce01d6b54471e

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

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.