Beestie Besties with J & Lo

Laura and Jess sit down with multi-genre storyteller Ryan Brison to talk about moving between books and screenwriting, finding the right creative collaborators, learning to accept feedback, and why writers need to trust their own process. Ryan shares what's behind his upcoming books Black Cyclone 2 and Late Night Show with Mr. Mims, plus the deeply personal inspiration for I'm Not Ready, a story born from losing his father and working through grief. He also shares his advice for creators who are afraid to take that first step: put something on the page, leave your ego behind, and be kind to yourself along the way. Plus: Laura and Jess break down whether friends can review your book on Amazon, why authors should save copies of their reviews, and revisit the time teenage Laura and Jess secretly bought a miniature pinscher and convinced each of their parents that it belonged to the other one.

Real change starts with the stories we are willing to face, the support we build around ourselves, and the choices we make next. This week, Jess and Laura welcome Chantala Davis for a conversation about resilience, community, and turning personal transformation into practical tools for other women and families. 

What’s in this episode: 

Friends Are Here segment with Chantala Davis, Founder and Executive Director of A Mother’s Arms, Inc. and author of Embrace Change:Redefining What’s Possible Through Transformation, sharing:  

• The story behind A Mother’s Arms and its mission to support mothers and families.  

• How her workbook, Embrace Change, helps women shift their mindset, work through triggers, and build practical habits for change. 

 • Why community, resilience, and honest self-reflection matter when breaking generational cycles.  

• The programs and support she is creating to empower women and help prevent child abuse.

• Laura and Jess share personal updates, reflect on intentions and gratitude, and talk about clear communication in friendship and business partnership.

• Wildebeest Updates: Get the latest from Wildebeest Publishing Company, including a recap of the recent Authorpreneur Workshop.

Whether you're publishing your first book or your fifth, understanding the world of book reviews can help your book reach more readers. This week, Jess and Laura welcome their first industry guest, Joe Walters, for an inside look at what every author should know about book reviews.

What's in this episode:

• Friends Are Here segment with Joe Walters, founder of Independent Book Review and author of The Truth About Book Reviews, sharing:
  • What makes meaningful reviews and how authors can use them effectively.
  • How his platform differs from others.
  • The difference between blurbs, media reviews, and customer reviews.
  • Timing your review requests.
  • The red flags to avoid with paid or swapped reviews.
• Laura shares highlights from her whirlwind weekend at the ESRI User Conference, while Jess talks about her healing retreat in Mexico.
• Wildebeest Updates: Get the latest on our upcoming Authorpreneur Workshop on August 22 at CNY Arts Center in Fulton, NY.

 Laura and Jess welcome author Kim Adams to talk about Bella and Nash: Our First Camping Trip, her chapter book inspired by her years working with nonverbal students and communication devices, plus her family's deep ties to the Adirondacks. Kim shares her publishing journey with Wilde Beast Publishing and what life as a published author really looks like. The duo also breaks down what to consider when choosing traditional vs. self-publishing for children's books, shares CNY Arts Center workshop updates (August 22nd, Fulton), spotlights author Valerie Cole's Old Witch's Home series, and introduces the newest Beastie Bestie, Jess's new pup, Frank. 

What does it really take to keep promoting your book after publication?

In Episode 8 of Beestie Besties with J & Lo, J and Lo welcome two author friends who are showing up, learning as they go, and doing the work of building real momentum around their books: Roxanne Bocyck, author of Catherine’s Dream, and Kaitlyn Marquart, author of IDK What to Say, Amber Luna, My Bright Light, and Mari’s Light, Burning Bright.

Roxanne shares the family secret and Polish immigration history that inspired Catherine’s Dream, how research helped her shape the story, and what she learned through the publishing process. She also talks about author events, book tables, giveaways, and how writers can make their setup more inviting when they are promoting in person.

Kaitlyn shares how a simple idea became IDK What to Say, what collaboration with Wildebeest Publishing Co. helped her discover about her writing process, and how she later taught herself to self-publish. She also talks about Amber Luna, My Bright Light, Mari’s Light Burning Bright, friendship, mental health, healing, and why asking for help is part of doing hard things.

Also in this episode: gratitude, accountability buddies, author mindset, social media, book promotion, the August 22 author workshop at CNY Arts Center, the CNY Arts Center book club, the Brooklyn Book Festival, and the value of carving out consistent creative time before the day gets away from you.

Mentioned in this episode:
- Catherine’s Dream by Roxanne Bocyck
- IDK What to Say by Kaitlyn Marquart
- Amber Luna, My Bright Light by Kaitlyn Marquart
- Mari’s Light Burning Bright by Kaitlyn Marquart
- CNY Arts Center author workshop on August 22
- CNY Arts Center book club
- Brooklyn Book Festival on September 27
- Wildebeest Publishing Co.’s 90-Day Non-Fiction Writing Journal

Have a Beestie Besties story? If you and a best friend, sibling, spouse, creative partner, or business partner have built something, survived something, created something, or taken a big leap together, J and Lo would love to hear about it. Visit Wildebeest Publishing Company online and submit your story for a future segment.

Be yourself, run wild, take leaps, high five your homies, and pen your pages.

Spring Growth & Smart Publishing: Taking the Leap

Is your book idea still hibernating? It is time to shake off the winter chill and get moving. In this episode, Laura and Jess are talking all things growth, from scaling your business to taking massive leaps in your personal life.

The Friends Are Here Segment

We are joined by two incredible authors who prove there is no single right way to make it in this industry. Kelly Shrank and Barb Stone stop by to share their polar-opposite (but equally successful) publishing journeys. We dive into:

• The secrets to niche self-publishing success.
• How to leverage events and public speaking to turn a book into a brand.
• Creative marketing tactics that actually move the needle.

The Beestie Bestie Story

Sometimes "taking the leap" is metaphorical, and sometimes it involves a plane ticket. We share a personal story about the absolute wild ride of buying a home in Belize. Whether you are eyeing a new market or a new country, we talk about the mindset shift required to go all in.

Also In This Episode:

• Spring Gratitude: What we are thankful for as the season changes.
• Wildebeest Updates: Big things are happening behind the scenes at the company.
• Why now is the perfect time to stampede toward your publishing goals.

Whether you are a seasoned author or just starting to sharpen your horns, this episode is packed with the gnu-found motivation you need to succeed.

Laura and Jess sit down with Dr. Luissa Kiprono and Rand Timmerman to talk resilience, life after publishing, and what it really takes to share your story with the world. From podcasting success to powerful personal journeys, this episode is all about perseverance, visibility, and using your voice with confidence.

Laura and Jess chat with branding expert Aldea Gerard about authentic marketing, creative growth, and building a brand that actually reflects who you are. Plus: author updates, retreat news, and a Beastie Besties story about turning a small side hustle into a thriving business.

In this heartfelt and high-energy episode, Laura and Jess reflect on gratitude, intentions, and what it really means to “settle in” without getting stuck. They share updates on upcoming events, including the Association of Writers & Writing Programs (AWP) Conference and their summer writing retreat, before welcoming authors Jess Novak and John Simone to the show. Together, they discuss publishing journeys, creative pivots, and the emotional stories behind their books, including Dare to Begin and Tex Simone: The Man Who Saved Baseball in Syracuse.

The episode wraps with cozy bestie life hacks, longtime friendship stories, and a touching “Beastie Besties” feature about building something meaningful together. It’s a warm reminder of the power of community, creativity, and growing alongside the people who support you.

In Episode 3 of Beastie Besties with J & Lo, the conversation centers on how mindset, stubbornness, and community shape our creative lives. The hosts are joined by branding and marketing expert Gina Matusen, who shares insights on author branding and websites, and radio veteran Gomez Adams, who talks about his book Your Caller Number Seven, Please Try Again. The episode also covers author events, retreats, AI in publishing, creative process tips, and a reminder that success often comes from showing up again and again with the right "herd" beside you.