Beyond Better with Stacy Ennis

As part of my summer podcast replay series, I’m sharing a replay of a powerful podcast episode with Alexa Bigwarf.

Writing a book and being successful as an author is hard work. This week on the podcast, I unpack the hardness and amazingness of the author journey, from writing to marketing and beyond, with Alexa Bigwarfe, a USA Today best-selling author, publisher, and founder and CEO of Write, Publish, Sell. In this episode, we discuss:

• Alexa’s moving, personal journey into publishing
• What authors should know about the big-picture process of writing, editing, publishing, launching, and marketing a book
• The difference between integrating your book into your business growth strategy and making a living as an author
• Advanced author marketing strategies

Alexa owns three hybrid publishing houses: Kat Biggie Press; Chrysalis Press; and Purple Butterfly Press, a children's book publishing company. Her courses and training focus on author professional development, platform growth, and fun, creative ways to market books.

No matter your stage of authorhood—idea to ongoing marketing—I know you’ll find value in this episode. Enjoy!

Learn more about Alexa:

• Website
• Instagram @writepublishsell
• LinkedIn
• Facebook @WritePubSell

Follow me on:

• Instagram @stacyennis
• Facebook @stacyenniscreative
• LinkedIn
• YouTube @stacyennisauthor

To submit a question, email [email protected] or visit http://stacyennis.com/contact and fill out the form on the page.

Writing a nonfiction book doesn’t require magic—it’s a learnable skill. In this video, I walk you through 10 essential tips that have helped hundreds of aspiring authors finally write and finish their books. Whether you're just getting started or stuck mid-draft, these practical, proven strategies will move you forward.

 Resources:

 🔗 Get the full blog post here.

📘 ⁠Download my free 10 Things You Should Know Before Writing a Nonfiction Book⁠

📩 Want to know more about coaching? Reach out here: [email protected]

In this episode, I’m sharing a quick update on what’s been going on with the business and life, and what you can expect over the next couple of months. We’re officially pressing pause for a summer break, and we’ll be replaying a few of our most-loved episodes through August.

In September, we are back with fresh content every week. I’m excited to bring you new content that aligns even more deeply with what this community values.

I also share a few updates from behind the scenes, including a huge thank-you to our growing newsletter community and some love for the amazing team that makes it possible to deliver content every week to you.

Thanks for being here. I’m so grateful for this community and excited for what’s ahead.

Show notes:

• Learn more about Idea-to-Draft
• Join my email list. 

Follow me on:

• Instagram @stacyennis
• Facebook @stacyenniscreative
• LinkedIn
• YouTube @stacyennisauthor

To submit a question, email [email protected] or visit http://stacyennis.com/contact and fill out the form on the page.

In this episode, I’m walking you through a realistic book publishing timeline—from first idea to finished book launch.

Whether you’re planning to self-publish or go hybrid, this guide will help you understand what takes how long, what tasks overlap, and how to create a schedule that fits your life.

Here’s what we’ll cover:

• How long writing the firstdraft actually takes
• What editing involves and howto plan for it
• All the moving pieces in thepublishing process
• What your launch timelineshould really look like
• Why rushing rarely leads togreat results
• And two timeline options tohelp you plan your own path: a 12-month sprint or an 18-month steady marathon.

🔗 Get the full blog post + timeline breakdown here:https://stacyennis.com/publishing-timeline/

 Resources: 📘 ⁠Download my free 10 Things You Should Know Before Writing a Nonfiction Book⁠

📩 Want to know more about coaching? Reach out here: [email protected]

This week’s guest boldly approaches a topic that is often taboo in many families and cultures. Abbe Large, a managing director at Lenox Advisors, discusses how shame and silence often pervade conversations about finances. She talks about the underlying causes and how we can start normalizing healthy, open conversations about money, especially with our children and partners.

Many of us have dreams—like writing a book—but often feel unsure about investing time or money in our goals. We explore, from a financial planning perspective, how we can intentionally invest in ourselves, and some practical tips to save and invest toward those goals. Abbe breaks down the three financial phases—accumulation, distribution, and preservation—by showing what each looks like in real life and why it’s important to plan intentionally for each phase.

Abbe F. Large, CLU®, CLTC, has three decades of experience dedicating herself to her clients’ best interests. Specializing in financial, estate, and retirement services, she also assists corporate clients with strategic employee benefits. She was named on Forbes Top Financial Security Professionals in both 2022, 2023, and 2024. A devoted family woman and active community member, she enjoys paddleboarding, skiing, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Learn more about Abbe:

• LinkedIn
• Contact: [email protected]

Book recommendation:

• The Untethered Soul: The Journey Beyond Yourself, by Michael A. Singer

Follow me on: 

• Instagram @stacyennis
• Facebook @stacyenniscreative
• LinkedIn
• YouTube @stacyennisauthor

To submit a question, email [email protected] or visit http://stacyennis.com/contact and fill out the form on the page.

Ever feel stuck? Unmotivated? Distracted? You’re not broken—you’re just human. And more often than not, the issue isn’t your creativity or drive. It’s your habits.

 In this video, I’m sharing how I help students and clients get unstuck—whether they’re struggling with writing, strategy, or showing up to create in the first place. I’ll walk you through the surprising questions I ask, what we usually uncover, and the shifts that lead to focus, clarity, and flow.

If you’ve been staring at the blinking cursor, hoping forinspiration to strike…this one’s for you.

Resources: ✍️ How to Write Your Book During anOverwhelming Season

📩 Want to know more about coaching? Reach out here: [email protected]

This episode is extra special—because I’m not the one doing the interviewing.

To celebrate 200 episodes of Beyond Better, we’re flipping the script! My amazing podcast producer, Rita, is stepping into the host role to interview me…on my own show.

Together, we explore the original spark behind Beyond Better—why I launched the podcast, what it meant to me then, and how it’s evolved over seven incredible years. We talk about the powerful conversations that have shaped me, the deeper purpose that continues to drive this work, and what I hope for in the next 200 episodes.

Whether you’ve been with me since episode one or you’re just joining, this conversation offers a personal look behind the mic into the mission, vision, and heart of Beyond Better.

Thank you for being here. Truly. This milestone means the world to me, and I’m honored to share it with you.

Book recommendation:

• The Little Prince, by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

Follow me on:

• Instagram @stacyennis
• Facebook @stacyenniscreative
• LinkedIn
• YouTube @stacyennisauthor

To submit a question, email [email protected] or visit http://stacyennis.com/contact and fill out the form on the page.

If you've ever thought, "I should write a book someday," this video is for you.In it, I walk you through the six key steps to turn your expertise, idea, or story into a book that truly makes an impact. Whether you're a business owner, thought leader, or someone with a powerful story to share, this process will help you gain the clarity and confidence to finally get started.Resources:📘 Download my free Life Visioning Guide here: https://stacyennis.com/lifevisionguide 📘 Download my free Author Platform Guide here: https://stacyennis.com/platformguide📘 Download my free 10 Things You Should Know Before Writing a Nonfiction Book here: https://stacyennis.com/10things 📩 Want to know more about coaching? Reach out here: [email protected]

What happens when you lose everything—your business, your home, your sense of direction? For Peter Murphy Lewis, aka, Strategic Pete, it was the start of something deeper: a reimagined life and business, built with intention.

Peter is a fractional CMO, documentary filmmaker, and former TV host who once led one of South America's top travel companies. In this conversation, we explore how he rebuilt from the ground up, choosing freedom, family, and sustainability over hustle culture.

We talk about the power of simplicity in marketing, why most campaigns fail to deliver ROI, and what business owners can do differently to create real results. Peter also shares how he's structured his business to support the life he wants to live—and the lessons he's carried with him from the trails, the road, and the stage.

Whether you're building a business, rethinking your marketing strategy, or simply seeking a more aligned way to live and work, this conversation is a grounding and energizing listen.

Show notes:

• The Eisenhower Matrix: How to prioritize your to-do list

Learn more about Peter:

• Website
• LinkedIn

Book recommendation:

• The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts, by Gary Chapman
• Traction: Get a Grip on Your Business, by Gino Wickman

Follow me on: 

• Instagram @stacyennis
• Facebook @stacyenniscreative
• LinkedIn
• YouTube @stacyennisauthor

To submit a question, email [email protected] or visit http://stacyennis.com/contact and fill out the form on the page.

In this episode, I’m joined by Madison Wetherill, the creative force behind Cook at Home Mom and a true champion of realistic, wholesome living. A former self-proclaimed picky eater turned food blogger and mom of three, Madison shares her transformation story—from hesitant eater to confident home cook—and how she’s now inspiring thousands of families to make real food part of everyday life.

We dive into practical strategies for cultivating a home culture centered around wellness (without the overwhelm), how to navigate healthy eating while traveling, and the behind-the-scenes of building a blog and brand that truly serve. Madison’s approach is refreshingly real, filled with grace, and rooted in her values—and this conversation is full of wisdom for anyone who wants to lead their life with more intention.

Learn more about Madison:

•  Website
• Instagram @cookathomemom
• Facebook @cookathomemom

Book recommendation:

• The Unplugged Hours: Cultivating a Life of Presence in a Digitally Connected World, by Hannah Brencher
• Do Less: A Revolutionary Approach to Time and Energy Management for Ambitious Women, by Kate Northrup

 Follow me on:

• Instagram @stacyennis
• Facebook @stacyenniscreative
• LinkedIn
• YouTube @stacyennisauthor

To submit a question, email [email protected] or visit http://stacyennis.com/contact and fill out the form on the page.