Get our FREE guide to self-publishing: https://publish.tellwellpublishing.com/self-publish-youtube/

Discover how Peta-Ann Wood, indie author and holistic healer, shares her journey of redefining femininity, body autonomy, and authenticity after breast cancer. This candid conversation explores the power of vulnerability, choosing self-acceptance, and creating work that amplifies your true voice.

Most survivors say their journey ends when the cancer is gone—but Daniel Stolfi turned his battle with stage 3 lymphoma into a story of resilience, humor, and hope that’s inspiring thousands. At just 25, facing a grapefruit-sized tumor and two years of grueling treatment, Daniel chose comedy and storytelling to turn trauma into triumph, creating a hit solo show, raising over $100,000 for cancer charities, and now, self-publishing a raw, empowering memoir that captures every insurmountable challenge and unexpected victory.

In this episode, Daniel shares what it truly takes to write through trauma and why storytelling (and humor) is essential for survival. You'll discover how he balanced raw honesty with vulnerability, transforming his darkest moments into inspiring lessons that still resonate today.

Whether you’re dreaming of writing your own memoir or simply need a reminder of the resilience within us all, this conversation will challenge you to reconsider what it means to survive, tell, and live anew. If you're ready to embrace vulnerability and use storytelling to forge your healing journey, this episode is your blueprint. Daniel’s story is a testament that after cancer and after life's hardest hits, there's always hope.

Get our FREE guide to self-publishing: https://publish.tellwellpublishing.com/self-publish-youtube/

In this episode, Miriam Schulman, artist, author of 'Artpreneur' and host of The Inspiration Place podcast, shares her journey from Wall Street to thriving artist and entrepreneur. Discover how shifting your mindset and dismantling limiting narratives can turn your creative passion into a sustainable business.

This episode emphasizes that taking imperfect action, building community, and shifting mindset are fundamental to creative success, whether in visual arts or writing. By embracing vulnerability and sharing your work authentically, you open the door to opportunities and impact.

Get our FREE guide to self-publishing: https://publish.tellwellpublishing.com/self-publish-youtube/

In this episode of Demystifying Self-Publishing, Alyssa sits down with Nancy Beiman, a veteran of the animation industry with over four decades of experience working with studios like Walt Disney Animation Studios and Warner Bros. Animation. Having contributed to iconic films such as 'A Goofy Movie' and 'Hercules,' and worked with legendary characters like Bugs Bunny, Nancy has spent her career bringing stories to life—and teaching others to do the same.

But this conversation goes beyond animation. At its core, it explores what it means to be a lifelong creative. Nancy shares how her curiosity and drive didn’t stop at retirement, leading her to create the Fur Babies comic and self-publish her work. She reflects on the differences between collaborative filmmaking and independent creation, the evolution of ideas through daily practice, and why originality comes from personal perspective rather than imitation.

The episode also dives into the realities of creative work: embracing mistakes, developing authentic characters, navigating new tools like AI, and sustaining a creative life over decades. Ultimately, this is a conversation about creative identity—why artists create, how they evolve, and what it means to remain creatively restless no matter the medium.

In this episode, Calgary bestselling author and book coach Suzy Vadori shares her journey from corporate life to helping writers bring their stories to life.

She unpacks the science of storytelling, revealing how stories tap into neural pathways and reader psychology to create emotional connection. The conversation also highlights the power of book coaching and community in keeping writers motivated and accountable.

Suzy offers practical strategies for finishing your manuscript—even with a busy life—and breaks down the key differences between traditional and self-publishing so you can choose the right path.

A must-listen for anyone ready to start—or finally finish—their book.

In this episode, Alyssa sits down with Leisa Reid, founder of GetSpeakingGigsNow and CEO of the International Speaker Network, to explore how authors can turn their books into powerful speaking opportunities. Leisa shares how writers can transform their message from the page to the stage, using their books as a foundation for engaging talks that inspire audiences and expand their reach. Together, they discuss how authors can overcome the common fear of public speaking, build confidence, and develop a talk that clearly communicates the core message of their book. Leisa explains why speaking is one of the most effective ways to connect with readers, grow an audience, and create new opportunities beyond book sales. Listeners will also learn practical strategies for crafting impactful presentations, building a speaking platform, and positioning themselves for speaking engagements. Whether you’re a new or experienced author, this episode offers actionable insights on using public speaking as a powerful extension of your book and your brand.

In this episode, Julie Broad, founder of BookLaunchers and bestselling author, shares the real strategies behind successful self-publishing. We dive into why strategic positioning matters from day one, how marketing should begin before your book is finished, and how to turn your book into a powerful business asset that builds authority and generates revenue.

Julie breaks down the truth about Amazon bestseller status, the evolving world of self-publishing, and how AI is opening new doors of opportunity for authors willing to adapt. If you're an entrepreneur, coach, or aspiring author who wants to write a book that actually drives impact and income, this conversation is packed with practical insights you can implement right away.

Are you feeling called to write a book but unsure where to start or how to move forward? In this episode of Demystifying Self-Publishing, Alyssa sits down with Dinah Laprairie to unpack the real journey of writing a book. From first spark to finished manuscript, they explore the mindset shifts, structural decisions, and publishing choices that every aspiring author must face.

If you’ve ever:

-Finished a first draft and felt completely stuck

-Struggled with organizing your ideas

-Wondered whether self-publishing or traditional publishing is right for you

-Felt fear about putting your story into the world

-Questioned whether you need a book coach

…this conversation is for you.

Alyssa and Dinah dive into the importance of self-awareness in the writing process, gaining clarity about your reader, and structuring your manuscript in a way that keeps readers engaged. They also discuss how fear of exposure can quietly hold writers back and how to move through it with confidence.

Whether you're drafting your first book or refining your publishing strategy, this episode will help you approach your writing journey with clarity, courage, and intention.

In this episode of Demystifying Self-Publishing, Alyssa interviews Nataly Restokian, a multi-award-winning author and life coach. They discuss Natalie's journey from a television journalist to an author, her experiences with self-publishing, and the importance of authenticity in storytelling. Natalie shares her insights on overcoming fear, the significance of personal growth, and the impact of social media on authorship. The conversation also touches on the challenges of writing, the awards process for self-published authors, and the healing power of writing. Throughout the episode, Natalie emphasizes the need for authors to connect with their audience and the importance of sharing their unique stories.

What if the most dangerous books today aren’t the ones being banned in public—but the ones quietly reshaped, shelved, or never acquired at all?

In this fireside chat, we sit down with writer and cultural critic Adam Szetela, author of the incendiary new book That Book Is Dangerous! How Moral Panic, Social Media, and the Culture Wars Are Remaking Publishing. Drawing on years of research and interviews inside major publishing houses, literary agencies, and MFA programs, Szetela takes us behind closed doors to reveal how fear, moral panic, and the politics of “sensitivity” are transforming what stories get told—and which ones never see the light of day.

Together, we explore the tension at the heart of contemporary publishing: the urgent push for more diverse voices alongside a growing culture of self-censorship, silence, and ideological policing. From sensitivity reading and representation statistics to social-media pile-ons, cancel culture, and the resurgence of moral panics reminiscent of the comic book scares of the 1950s, this conversation asks a provocative question: can a literary culture survive when everyone is afraid of saying the wrong thing?