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, exper ...
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Welcome to a podcast designed for ambitious women who refuse to choose between family and career success. Join Michelle Rivera as she interviews successful entrepreneurs who have mastered the art of building thriving businesses while prioritizing their homes, health, marriages, and children. Through candid conversations, Michelle uncovers the strategies, decisions, and daily routines that enable these inspiring women to have it all. From practical tips to heartfelt discussions, each episode ...
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Breaking Free: Surviving Narcissistic Abuse & Reclaiming Your Life with Mia J. Hanks
22:24
22:24
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22:24What 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 recog…
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Finish What You Start: Overcoming Procrastination & Self-Doubt with Alison Miller
24:55
24:55
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24:55Why 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 …
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Wake Up, Change Up, Rise Up: Personal Growth & Gratitude with Lynn Lok-Payne
26:46
26:46
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26:46How 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…
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Do Hard Things: Finding Strength, Purpose, and Adventure with Teri M. Brown
29:04
29:04
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29:04What 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 discover…
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Aftershocks: How Personal and Historical Tremors Shape Us with Nadia Owusu
29:48
29:48
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29:48What if the stories of our past—both personal and historical—shape our lives more than we realize? In this episode of Beyond the Bestseller, I sit down with Nadia Owusu, author of Aftershocks, to discuss her deeply personal and beautifully written memoir that explores identity, loss, and the ways history lives within us. Nadia shares her experience…
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Embracing Life as a “Keenager” with Corinne Auman
27:50
27:50
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27:50What if everything you thought you knew about aging was wrong? In this episode of Beyond the Bestseller, I chat with Corinne Auman, author of Keenagers: Telling a New Story About Aging, about the outdated stereotypes surrounding older adulthood—and why it’s time to rewrite the narrative. Corinne introduces the concept of “keenagers”, redefining wha…
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Finding Faith, Healing, and Purpose Through Life’s Hardest Journeys with Gina Economopoulos
27:58
27:58
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27:58In this deeply moving episode of Beyond the Bestseller, Kelly sits down with Gina Economopoulos, author of Shake the Dust Off Your Feet and Walk: Faith, Sobriety, Self-Discovery, and Healing. Gina shares her extraordinary life journey, from bartending to becoming a Catholic nun, and back to bartending—all while navigating profound grief, emotional …
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Nice Girls Still Don’t Get the Corner Office with Dr. Lois Frankel
23:23
23:23
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23:23Why do some women struggle to reach leadership positions despite their talents? In this episode of Beyond the Bestseller, I talk with Dr. Lois Frankel, bestselling author of Nice Girls Still Don’t Get the Corner Office, about how childhood messages and societal expectations shape women’s behavior in the workplace—and how to overcome them. We explor…
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Transforming Trauma Into Freedom with Susan Gold
27:44
27:44
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27:44What does it take to turn a painful past into a life of purpose and freedom? In this episode of Beyond the Bestseller, I sit down with Susan Gold, author of Toxic Family: Transforming Childhood Trauma into Adult Freedom, to discuss her journey from a tumultuous upbringing to building a thriving career and finding personal healing. We explore: The s…
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Get Out of Your Own Way: Breaking Barriers with Cassandra Crawley Mayo
24:57
24:57
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24:57Are you holding yourself back from living your best life? In this episode of Beyond the Bestseller, I sit down with Cassandra Crawley Mayo, author of Is Your Way In Your Way, to explore the self-imposed barriers that prevent us from achieving our dreams. Cassandra shares her inspiring journey of overcoming doubts, stepping into her purpose, and wri…
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Build Your Expertise, Elevate Your Business with Ann Carden
30:35
30:35
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30:35What does it take to turn your expertise into a million-dollar business?In this episode of Beyond the Bestseller, I chat with Ann Carden, business consultant, author of Expert in You, and founder of the Expert in You Marketing and Media Agency. Ann shares her proven strategies for building lucrative, impactful coaching and consulting businesses by …
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Train Your Head and Your Body Will Follow with Sandy Joy Weston
26:36
26:36
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26:36How do you create lasting change for your mind and body without making it overwhelming? In this inspiring episode, I sit down with Sandy Joy Weston, health and wellness expert, speaker, and author of Train Your Head and Your Body Will Follow. Sandy shares her practical approach to building positive routines that fit into even the busiest of lives, …
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Little Giant: Designing a Life You Love with Marcia Heath
26:21
26:21
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26:21What happens when you realize the life you’ve been living isn’t truly your own? In this episode of Beyond the Bestseller, I sit down with Marcia Heath, author of Little Giant: The Story of Aruba’s Surf Shop and the Rebels Who Built It. Marcia shares her inspiring journey from corporate success to creative fulfillment after a life-altering experienc…
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America in Therapy: Healing a Nation Through Mental Health with Phyllis Leavitt
23:46
23:46
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23:46How can the principles of therapy help heal a nation? In this powerful episode, I sit down with Phyllis Leavitt, psychotherapist and author of America in Therapy: A New Approach to Hope and Healing for a Nation in Crisis. Phyllis brings her decades of experience in family systems therapy to explore how collective mental health is the missing piece …
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Soulful Speaking: Finding Your Voice and Leading Authentically with Lauri Smith
25:30
25:30
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25:30What if finding your authentic voice could transform the way you lead, communicate, and connect? In this powerful episode, I sit down with Lauri Smith, public speaking and leadership coach, and author of Your Voice Matters. Lauri shares her unique framework for soulful speaking, helping individuals overcome their fear of public speaking and step in…
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People Stuff and Leadership for the Future with Zoë Routh
30:22
30:22
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30:22What does it take to lead teams and organizations into the future? In this insightful conversation, I speak with Zoë Routh, leadership futurist, award-winning author, and podcaster, about her book People Stuff: Beyond Personality Problems and her unique approach to building collaborative, future-focused leadership. Zoë shares how understanding team…
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Finding Balance: My Journey with PCOS, Perimenopause, and Thyroid Issues
33:27
33:27
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33:27In this intimate and powerful episode, I open up about my personal health journey dealing with PCOS, perimenopause, and thyroid issues while balancing life as a homeschooling mom and podcaster. Learn how I discovered these conditions, their impact on daily life, and the practical strategies I've developed to manage my health without sacrificing fam…
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Art for Your Sanity: Unleashing Creativity and Joy with Susan Hensley
26:47
26:47
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26:47What if unlocking your creativity could bring you peace, clarity, and joy? In this episode, I sit down with Susan Hensley, author of Art for Your Sanity, to explore how art journaling can help you process emotions, manage chaos, and rediscover your inner wisdom. Susan shares her journey from journalist and HR professional to first-time author and e…
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In this compelling episode of Women Who Work From Home, host Michelle Rivera sits down with Jo, a former executive who shares her raw journey from corporate burnout to discovering authentic work-life alignment. After checking all the traditional success boxes—executive role, beautiful home, family life—Jo found herself in the hospital, mistaking bu…
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Kelly Schuknecht: Empowering Women To Work
42:12
42:12
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42:12In this inspiring episode, Kelly Schuknecht shares her 18-year journey of working from home while raising three children. From navigating early days of remote work with toddlers to building a successful career in publishing and marketing, Kelly offers practical wisdom on creating work-life boundaries, maximizing productivity, and maintaining profes…
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Break Your Bullshit Box: Rewriting Your Narrative with Amber Fuhriman
30:35
30:35
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30:35What’s holding you back from creating the life and career you truly want? In this candid and thought-provoking episode, I sit down with Amber Fuhriman, recovering attorney, success strategist, and author of Break Your Bullshit Box. Amber shares how she overcame self-doubt, grief, and societal expectations to embrace her true passions and rewrite he…
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Financial Secrets Revealed: Empowering Women with Amanda Cassar
25:03
25:03
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25:03How do we take control of our finances, break generational patterns, and empower ourselves through financial knowledge? In today’s episode of Beyond the Bestseller, I sit down with Amanda Cassar, author of Financial Secrets Revealed. Amanda shares how her book uncovers the hidden money stories from real people—stories that not only reveal financial…
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From Broken to Brilliant: Embracing Resilience with Mary Fran Bontempo
25:40
25:40
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25:40How do you turn life’s toughest challenges into opportunities for growth and brilliance? In this inspiring interview, I chat with Mary Fran Bontempo, author, speaker, and co-founder of Brilliantly Resilient, about her journey through adversity and the transformative process of building resilience. Mary Fran shares her personal story of navigating h…
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Women Who Work From Home: A New Perspective
10:43
10:43
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10:43In the inaugural episode of the Women Who Work From Home podcast, host Michelle Rivera introduces the concept of balancing work and family life for women. She discusses the societal pressures women face regarding career and motherhood, emphasizing the importance of pursuing both. Michelle shares her personal journey of navigating motherhood while m…
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The Selfish Season: Redefining Midlife and Putting Yourself First with Jen Lawrence
27:39
27:39
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27:39What if midlife isn’t the end of an era but the start of something extraordinary? In this inspiring interview, I chat with Jen Lawrence, co-author of The Selfish Season and co-founder of Selfish Company Inc., about reclaiming midlife as a time of reinvention and empowerment. Jen shares how her book helps women let go of societal expectations, embra…
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The Mentorship Edge: How Giving Back Shapes Our Lives with Deborah Heiser
22:47
22:47
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22:47What does mentorship really mean, and why is it essential for personal and professional growth? In this episode of Beyond the Bestseller, I sit down with Deborah Heiser, applied developmental psychologist, CEO of The Mentor Project, and author of The Mentorship Edge. Deborah shares how mentorship goes beyond professional settings, offering emotiona…
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Trailer: Women Who Work From Home With Michelle Rivera
5:32
5:32
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5:32In this debut episode, host Michelle Rivera shares her personal journey from a beauty professional in Orange County, California, to a work-from-home mom in Tennessee. She introduces her new podcast dedicated to featuring women who successfully balance career and family life from home. Michelle discusses her transition through various roles—from bea…
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The Words We Choose: The Power of Intentional Language with Terre Short
27:01
27:01
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27:01How do the words we choose shape our lives, relationships, and leadership? In this episode of Beyond the Bestseller, I sit down with Terre Short, author of The Words We Choose, to explore how intentional language can inspire positivity, build confidence, and create deeper connections. Terre shares her journey as an author and leadership coach, reve…
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Overcoming Awkward: Networking Tips for Introverts with Monica Parkin
25:16
25:16
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25:16Ever feel out of place walking into a networking event or putting yourself out there professionally? In this episode of Beyond the Bestseller, I sit down with Monica Parkin, author of Overcoming Awkward: The Introvert's Guide to Networking, Marketing, and Sales. Monica opens up about her journey from avoiding social interactions to becoming an acco…
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Emotional Magnetism: How to Connect and Communicate Better with Sandy Gerber
30:02
30:02
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30:02What drives our decisions and helps us connect with others on a deeper level? In this episode of Beyond the Bestseller, I chat with Sandy Gerber, author of Emotional Magnetism, to uncover the four emotional magnets that shape our communication and relationships. Sandy shares how understanding these magnets has transformed her personal and professio…
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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 thei…
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Lifting Off: Lessons in Business, Empathy, and Selling Smart with Sharon B. Heaton
27:37
27:37
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27:37What does it take to build and sell a business with purpose? In this episode of Beyond the Bestseller, I sit down with Sharon B. Heaton, CEO of SB Liftoff and author of Liftoff: 12 Things to Know Before Selling Your Business. Sharon shares her journey from corporate finance to launching her own M&A advisory firm, helping business owners navigate on…
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Embracing Your Clean Start with Amber Kliphouse
21:05
21:05
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21:05What does it take to turn life’s challenges into opportunities for a fresh start? In this episode of Beyond the Bestseller, I sit down with Amber Kliphouse, author of Clean Start: A Journey from Suicide Survivor to Real Estate Investor. Amber shares her incredible journey of resilience and reinvention—from being a 16-year-old runaway and teen mom t…
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Writing, Resilience, and Women Who Launch with Marlene Wagman-Geller
25:55
25:55
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25:55What do Sarah Josepha Hale, Spanx founder Sara Blakely, and the power of persistence have in common? They’re all part of the stories shared by Marlene Wagman-Geller, bestselling author of Women Who Launch and 12 other inspiring books. In this episode of Beyond the Bestseller, Marlene shares her journey from aspiring fiction writer to celebrated non…
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The Power of Saying No with Elisabeth Andrews
29:10
29:10
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29:10What 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…
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Welcome to Beyond the Bestseller: Inspiring Women Through Books, Careers, and Big Leaps
6:06
6:06
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6:06In 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 Kel…
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