Coalesce: The Podcast

Think about your workflow in an average month. Do you feel like you're always writing blog posts or always creating social media content – never getting out of the weeds long enough to work on bigger picture projects? If so, this episode is for you.

When our precious hours are taken up by the same repetitive tasks, it's really hard to get away. However, with a technique known as 'content batching' you can streamline your tasks, be more efficient with your time and maximize your creativity.

If you like this episode, make sure to jump back to Episode 5 (where I talk about creating a monthly rhythm to your planning approach) to hear more tips for being more organized and efficient.

We've all had those moments where we don't want to ask a question, because we're scared it's way too basic and we don't want people to think less of us for not knowing the answer. For me, Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is one of the areas where I find myself holding back. Sure, I know enough to be dangerous, but I'm far from an expert on the subject.

But, hey – asking questions is how we learn, right?

That's why I'm excited to have Kelly Stanze join me on today's episode. Kelly is an SEO specialist who has worked at the highest levels of the industry, with experience in everything from agriculture to fashion and beyond. Plus, not only is Kelly a talented consultant, she's also doing the thing many of us are trying to accomplish – she's raising a toddler, trying to be a good wife, and building a business at the same time.

Check out this episode to learn more about what SEO is and how business owners can tackle the basics to make sure all that digital content we're creating actually gets seen.

You can connect with Kelly on Instagram and Twitter.

When I took the leap into entrepreneurship, I dreamed of being my own boss – having the ultimate flexibility, so I could be a rockstar mom while creating a killer career. As I talk to other women who chose the same path – including some of you – they imagined the same things. That perfect scenario of having it all.

But as the pieces came together, I quickly began to realize that it wasn't that easy.

If you're feeling the pressure of juggling your business and your life, you'll want to tune into this episode where I walk you through some of the very first steps you can take to start shifting out of chaos and stress and toward more organization and calm.

When you're trying to run a business and be a mom and wife, there's no silver bullet that automatically makes things run perfectly – but there are ways we can make things go smoother.

That's why I'm excited to have Molly Knuth, owner of Molly Knuth Media, join me for this discussion about how we best manage our time between entrepreneurship and parenting. She shares how her business journey has evolved since first becoming a stay-at-home mom and the importance of understanding expectations when choosing your priorities.

Do you ever feel like planning for an entire year is just flat-out overwhelming? Or are you in a season of life where you can barely think about tomorrow, much less what's going to happen six months from now? If so, you're not alone!

On this week's episode, Stacie is sharing her process for planning on a monthly – instead of yearly – basis. This approach can be combined with annual planning, if that's your jam, but it can also push you to be more proactive than reactive (if you find yourself living solely day to day) or can help you break out of analysis paralysis if your planning efforts have stalled.

It's one thing to set goals and targets for the upcoming year, but what do those things really mean? What are we trying to create? What do we want to feel when we accomplish them?

I'm just as guilty as the next person of coming up with a laundry list of items I want to achieve in the next year and focusing solely on checking off those boxes. But I also think we should be taking a step back and thinking, not just about what we can do, but rather what we can experience.

To help me flesh out this idea, I've invited Crystal Blin – more commonly known as @crystalcattle on social media – onto the podcast to share how she takes a more intentional approach to annual planning. In our conversation, Crystal shares insights on the power of words (something that's been a trend on the podcast lately!) and how she uses them to guide the way she wants to feel – both in her business and beyond.

It's around this time every year that we start hearing the phrase "new year, new you" tossed about. But what if we didn't feel like we had to start over every single January? In this solocast episode, Stacie reflects on the power of "both/and" thinking, and the empowerment that comes with embracing the gray areas of life.

Host Stacie McCracken sits down with Addie Yoder, a farm wife, mom and life coach, to discuss the power of our words. The things we say to ourselves and others can have a big impact on how we feel and what we can achieve, so make sure to listen close!

Welcome to the first episode of Coalesce: The Podcast! In this first solocast, Coalesce founder and podcast host Stacie McCracken reflects how entering entrepreneurship and motherhood at the exact same time prepared her for the uncertainty we're all living in today – and what you can learn from her experience.

Welcome to Coalesce: The Podcast! Subscribe in your favorite podcast player to be the first to know when new episodes drop January 4.