Sales doesn’t feel hard because you’re bad at it.

It feels hard because most of what you’ve been taught doesn’t actually fit how you lead, decide, or relate to people.

This episode is a little different than the usual “here’s what to do” conversation.

It’s more intimate. More foundational. And honestly, it’s the conversation I normally reserve for private containers—because it shapes everything that comes after.

In this first episode of the season, I’m walking you through my sales philosophy. Not tactics. Not scripts. Not “say this, post that.”

The way I think about selling.

Why my offers are structured the way they are. Why I refuse to teach certain sales methods. And why selling feels so much harder when you’re borrowing certainty instead of generating your own.

In this episode, we talk about:

How this episode is here to orient you—so you can relax into the rest of the season knowing exactly the lens we’re using.

If you’ve ever felt like sales advice works for everyone else but quietly drains you…

If you’ve tried to “just do it anyway” and wondered why it never sticks…

If you want to sell more without overriding your nervous system or your integrity…

Drop in on this conversation.

1. (1:32) Why this conversation is normally kept inside paid containers
2. (3:06) How to listen to this episode so it actually lands
3. (5:18) What a sales philosophy is—and why it matters more than strategy
4. (8:02) Why most sales tactics create resistance instead of momentum
5. (10:47) The real difference between persuasion and pressure
6. (14:05) How your philosophy quietly shapes your offers, pricing, and messaging
7. (16:42) Real examples from my business, including Boost the Offer of Your Value in a Day
8. (19:58) Seeing Your Launch Style as philosophy in action
9. (23:14) What I refuse to teach about selling—and why that line matters
10. (26:01) Selling as leadership, not convincing
11. (29:22)What to start noticing in your own selling right now
12. (32:10) How this philosophy sets the tone for the entire season

1. Work with Me
2. https://www.traciepatterson.com/connect
3. Free Training: Build a launch that fits how you actually lead
4. https://www.traciepatterson.com/style

1. Work with Me: https://www.traciepatterson.com/connect
2. Ask Me Anything About Business: https://traciepatterson.com/ama
3. Free training: Build a launch that fits how you actually lead 👉🏼 https://traciepatterson.com/style
4. Connect on Social: https://www.instagram.com/thetraciepatterson

CREDITS:

Music: ColourfulSounds

Podcast Editor: Maia McLachlan

Photo: WorkPlay Branding

You’ve probably heard the advice: “Just scale.” But what if the reason your business feels stuck has nothing to do with your offers — and everything to do with what’s beneath them?

In this AMA-style solo episode, Tracie breaks down the truth about business foundations — what actually matters before you grow, and why skipping the “boring” parts keeps even seasoned entrepreneurs spinning.

This isn’t about building the perfect system or checklist. It’s about strengthening the real structure that holds your business up: your energy, your focus, your rhythm, and the clarity that keeps you moving forward.

If you’ve been trying to grow but keep feeling wobbly, this episode will help you rebuild what’s missing — and stop overcomplicating what’s already working.

1. The 4 stages every sustainable business moves through — and which one you’re in
2. Why growth without stability creates burnout and self-doubt
3. The surprising reason strategy alone doesn’t equal clarity
4. How to know when you’re ready to scale (and when you’re not)
5. The mindset shift that makes your business feel lighter, not heavier

1. (3:00) Why “build fast” culture leads to burnout and broken systems
2. (6:00) The 5 foundational pillars every business needs before scaling
3. (9:00) The real difference between structure and rigidity
4. (12:00) Simplifying your tech and tools (and why less really is more)
5. (15:00) Reframing consistency: what it actually means to be “showing up”
6. (18:00) How your nervous system affects business stability
7. (21:00) What to focus on when growth feels stalled
8. (24:00) Questions to ask yourself before adding new offers or systems
9. (27:00) Why “slow is smooth and smooth is fast” is your new business mantra
10. (30:00) Final reflections and invitation to reimagine your foundation

1. The 4 Stages of Sustainable Business Framework
2. Reset Sessions – focused clarity coaching for entrepreneurs
3. Tracie’s signature free training: Build a Launch That Fits How You Actually Lead
4. The mantra: Slow is smooth, and smooth is fast
5. Why over-complication is the real business killer

1. Work with Me: https://www.traciepatterson.com/connect
2. Ask Me Anything About Business: https://traciepatterson.com/ama
3. Free Training: Build a launch that fits how you actually lead 👉🏼 https://traciepatterson.com/style
4. Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetraciepatterson

Music: ColourfulSounds

Podcast Editor: Maia McLachlan

Photo: WorkPlay Branding

If the words sales or selling make you want to disappear, this episode is your permission slip to breathe again.

I’m joined by copy coach and brand-voice expert Kim Kiel, and together we unpack what it really means to use your voice in your marketing, sell with integrity, and stop apologizing for taking up space.

We talk about the cultural and generational conditioning that makes women (and anyone taught to “be nice”) feel unsafe or self-conscious about selling, and how to rewrite those scripts so selling becomes an act of service instead of something smarmy.

You’ll hear us get honest about confidence, safety, nervous-system cues, and why simplicity—not perfection—is the real secret to sustainable marketing.

• Why so many women still equate sales with sleaze
• The internal conflict between “helping” and “selling”
• How to stop apologizing for your message and start owning it
• Copywriting frameworks that make selling feel natural
• How simplicity in your systems builds safety and trust
• Why no one is actually waiting for your 9 a.m. post (and why that’s freeing)

• (1:45) Meet Kim Kiel
• (3:00) Why Women Struggle to Sell
• (6:00) Tracie’s Story of Reconciling Selling & Integrity
• (9:00) Owning Your Superpower
• (12:00) The “Throat Clearing” Trap
• (16:00) Copywriting Frameworks that Free You
• (20:00) Fridge Clear-Out Casseroles vs Five-Ingredient Copy
• (24:00) Selling as Service and Love
• (29:00) Practicing Your Voice & Finding Safety
• (35:00) The Myth of Perfection & Online Pressure
• (39:00) Simple Marketing Systems That Work
• (46:00) Reclaim Ease & Your Own Pace
• (53:00) Where to Find Kim Kiel
• (55:00) Closing Thoughts

1. Selling isn’t manipulation—it’s a way to serve and create ripple-effect impact.
2. Apologetic messaging confuses readers; clarity creates trust.
3. Frameworks don’t box you in—they set you free to express clearly.
4. Simplicity is strategy: a Google Doc can sell just as well as a fancy funnel.
5. You don’t need to earn your right to speak—your voice already matters.

• 🌐 Website: https://www.kimkiel.com/
• 🎙 Podcast: Ill Communication → https://www.kimkiel.com/podcast
• 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kimmkiel/

• Work with Me → https://www.traciepatterson.com/reset-sessions
• Ask Me Anything → https://traciepatterson.com/ama
• Free Training → https://traciepatterson.com/style
• Connect on Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/thetraciepatterson

Music: ColourfulSounds

Podcast Editor: Maia McLachlan

Photo: WorkPlay Branding

You can’t scale chaos.

In this solo episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on the four true stages of business — Build, Grow, Stabilize, and Scale — and why so many entrepreneurs stay stuck looping between them.

Because when results stop matching your effort, it’s not usually your marketing or mindset that’s broken… it’s your foundation.

This episode will help you pinpoint exactly where you are, what you actually need next, and why skipping steps is what keeps everything feeling wobbly.

If you’ve been wondering, “Why am I doing so much and still not moving forward?” — this one’s going to click.

1. The four foundational stages every business moves through
2. How to know which stage you’re really in (not just where you want to be)
3. Why scaling too soon multiplies chaos, not profit
4. The tell-tale signs you’re trying to “market your way out” of a structure problem
5. How to build a business that can actually hold the growth you’re chasing

1. (1:40) The four stages of business
2. (4:20) Stage 1: Build
3. (6:00) Stage 2: Grow
4. (8:40) Stage 3: Stabilize
5. (12:00) Stage 4: Scale
6. (15:30) Why skipping stages keeps you stuck
7. (17:00) Your next right step
8. (18:30) Closing + Reset Session invite

1. Reset Sessions: https://www.traciepatterson.com/reset-sessions
2. Free training: Build a launch that fits how you actually lead 👉🏼 https://traciepatterson.com/style

1. Work with Me: https://www.traciepatterson.com/connect
2. Ask Me Anything About Business: https://traciepatterson.com/ama
3. Free Training: https://traciepatterson.com/style
4. Connect on Social: https://www.instagram.com/thetraciepatterson

Music: ColourfulSounds

Podcast Editor: Maia McLachlan

Photo: WorkPlay Branding

We’ve all heard it: “You just need to show up more on social media.”

But what if visibility didn’t have to mean constant posting, daily stories, or living inside the algorithm?

In this conversation with Kylie Kelly—email marketing strategist, host of The Email Growth Show, and creator of top online events—we’re unpacking what it actually means to grow your audience in a way that feels sustainable, human, and honest.

Kylie built her own list from zero to 7,000+ engaged subscribers—without relying on social media hustle. And today, she’s walking us through how to do the same.

If you’ve been craving more connection and less pressure in how you show up, this episode is your permission slip to redefine visibility and start building a business that fits your life.

1. Why “just post more” isn’t a visibility strategy
2. How Kylie built a 7K+ subscriber list using connection, not performance
3. The mindset shift from chasing reach to nurturing relationships
4. How motherhood reshaped her approach to business and visibility
5. What sustainable visibility looks like when life is full
6. The systems and strategies that make audience growth actually feel good

1. (02:15) Why social media doesn’t define your visibility
2. (06:40) Growing your audience off social media
3. (10:10) How Kylie built her list through authentic connection
4. (15:25) The emotional side of visibility for women in business
5. (22:00) The overlap between motherhood, leadership & marketing
6. (28:30) Building a business that fits your life—not the other way around
7. (32:15) Tracie’s takeaway: Visibility is about connection, not constant performance
8. (33:45) Reset Sessions invitation & final thoughts

Website: https://kyliekelly.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kylie_kelly/

1. The Email Growth Show (Kylie’s podcast)
2. Reset Sessions with Tracie: https://www.traciepatterson.com/reset-sessions
3. STRATEGIC PLANNER SALLY: YOUR AI-POWERED BUSINESS COACH https://kyliekelly.thrivecart.com/strategic-planner-sally

Your Next Steps:

1. Work with Me: https://www.traciepatterson.com/connect
2. Ask Me Anything About Business: https://traciepatterson.com/ama
3. Free training: Build a launch that fits how you actually lead 👉🏼 https://traciepatterson.com/style
4. Connect on Social: https://www.instagram.com/thetraciepatterson

Music: ColourfulSounds

Podcast Editor: Maia McLachlan

Photo: WorkPlay Branding

Not every story builds trust. Some actually backfire.

If you’ve ever been told you have to share your rock-bottom moment to sell… this one’s for you.

Because here’s the thing: while “lowest point” stories have been copy-and-paste advice in this industry for decades, they’re not always building trust. Sometimes, they’re doing the opposite—they flatten you, make you look stuck, and leave your audience side-eyeing instead of signing up.

In this episode, I break down:

• Why sharing your worst-day-ever story isn’t the magic trust-builder you’ve been sold
• What’s actually happening when “sob story” strategies backfire
• How to reframe storytelling so it connects instead of manipulates
• A simple filter to know if your story is for you or for them

We’ll also talk through some real-world examples that prove you don’t have to trauma-dump to sell. (Spoiler: stories about green bed sheets and awkward first courses land way better than a staged rock-bottom saga.)

By the end, you’ll have permission—and strategy—to opt out of performative storytelling and still sell with integrity.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• (04:00) The hidden reason rock-bottom stories create guilt instead of trust
• (06:30) Why repeating the same sob story makes you look stuck—not inspiring
• (09:00) How one client broke free from “I can’t” after refusing to share her lowest point
• (11:00) Two-story examples that connect without manipulation
• (12:30) The exact filter to run your stories through before you share
• (13:15) Why connection always beats manipulation-and your permission slip to opt out

Resources & Mentions:

• Reset Sessions: https://www.traciepatterson.com/reset-sessions

Your Next Steps:

• Work with Me: https://www.traciepatterson.com/connect
• Ask Me Anything About Business: https://traciepatterson.com/ama
• Free training: Build a launch that fits how you actually lead 👉🏼 https://traciepatterson.com/style
• Connect on Social: https://www.instagram.com/thetraciepatterson

CREDITS

Music: ColourfulSounds

Podcast Editor: Maia McLachlan

Photo: WorkPlay Branding

You know that feeling when you’re checking all the boxes—

Taking the courses, showing up for your business, keeping the income flowing…

...but something still feels stuck?

Like no matter how much you do, nothing is really moving the way you hoped it would?

This episode was born out of a coaching conversation that’s happening everywhere lately. A seasoned, smart entrepreneur told me: “I’ve done all the right things, and I still feel like I’m going nowhere. What gives?”

Maybe you’ve felt it too. That heaviness. The mental clutter. The low hum of “what’s wrong with me?”

Here’s the real talk:

Being stuck doesn’t mean you’re broken. It means your system is maxed.

And instead of burning it all down or spiraling into shame, I want to walk you through a reframe that’s way more productive—and gentle. We’ll talk about what “stuck” actually is, how to tell when you’re forcing momentum, and the real reason you can’t seem to get that new idea off the ground (hint: it’s not laziness or lack of clarity).

If you’re ready to close some mental tabs and breathe again? Drop into this one.

1. (2:02) The “sluggish laptop” analogy that makes stuckness make sense
2. (3:40) Why the smartest entrepreneurs hit this wall the hardest
3. (6:15) What happens when your business “handbrake” is on and you don’t even know it
4. (8:20) How shame creeps in and keeps you from seeing clearly
5. (10:30) The exact reframe that shifts everything: feedback, not failure
6. (11:45) The questions I use with clients to release pressure + reclaim energy
7. (14:05) What urgency really is… and how to tell when it’s fake urgency in disguise
8. (18:45) How to recognize when a “good idea” is actually just a mental tab
9. (21:10) What your brain needs most in this season (and how to give it that)

1. Work with Me 1:1 → https://www.traciepatterson.com/reset-session

1. Work with Me: https://www.traciepatterson.com/connect
2. Ask Me Anything About Business: https://traciepatterson.com/ama
3. Free training: Build a launch that fits how you actually lead 👉🏼 https://traciepatterson.com/style
4. Connect on Social: https://www.instagram.com/thetraciepatterson

Music: ColourfulSounds

Podcast Editor: Maia McLachlan

Photo: WorkPlay Branding

What’s actually changing with SEO in the age of AI—and what do health pros and service providers need to do about it?

In this episode, I’m joined by Jess Freeman, award-winning web designer for fitness and wellness professionals, host of the BrandWhys podcast, and the founder of Jess Creatives. She’s been building strategic, no-fluff websites for over a decade and has helped hundreds of experts get found online—and now she’s breaking down what AI is doing to the SEO game.

If you’ve been wondering how to show up in AI tools like ChatGPT, this episode pulls back the curtain on what’s really happening behind the scenes of AI search—and why it’s not the same old Google game. Jess and I dig into what clarity actually means in the context of content and visibility, what you need to fix before worrying about keywords, and how to position yourself as “the best answer” inside the new AI ecosystem.

Plus, we talk about how we’re bringing this conversation into real-time strategy and support through The Ordinary Virtual Summit, our brand-new event for digital business owners who are ready to build sustainable, searchable, and sales-ready businesses.

👀 Learn more and grab your ticket at https://theordinarybusiness.com

“Your homepage shouldn’t be a vibe—it should be a map.” — Jess Freeman

🎧 Drop in on the conversation to hear:

What’s actually changed with AI and SEO (and what’s stayed the same)

Why blog content isn’t your golden ticket to visibility

The key difference between being found on Google vs. in ChatGPT

How clarity in your copy directly impacts your ability to rank

Simple, practical things to update today on your website

The case for using YouTube and podcast interviews to boost your AI visibility

And… all the juicy details about our upcoming event, The Ordinary Virtual Summit!

What You’ll Learn

00:02:40 – How AI search is different from traditional SEO

00:06:55 – Jess’s spicy opinion about blog content and ChatGPT rankings

00:11:22 – The biggest mistake people make when trying to “rank”

00:17:10 – Why clarity is more powerful than cleverness in your homepage copy

00:21:30 – Visibility strategies beyond your website

00:27:12 – How to know if your website content is confusing AI tools

00:32:15 – What to audit on your site before creating new content

00:38:50 – The power of YouTube and podcasts in AI visibility

00:43:12 – What Jess and I are co-creating inside The Ordinary Virtual Summit

00:47:40 – Who this summit is for—and why we’re doing it differently

00:52:00 – Jess’s final advice: if you only do one thing this quarter, let it be this

Resources Mentioned:

Jess’s free audio training on AISO: https://jesscreatives.com/rank-in-chatgpt

Jess’s site: https://www.jesscreatives.com

The Ordinary Virtual Summit: https://theordinarybusiness.com

Jess on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jesscreatives

Your Next Steps:

Work with Me: https://www.traciepatterson.com/connect

Ask Me Anything About Business: https://traciepatterson.com/ama

Free training: Build a launch that fits how you actually lead 👉🏼 https://traciepatterson.com/style

Connect on Social: https://www.instagram.com/thetraciepatterson

CREDITS

Music: ColourfulSounds

Podcast Editor: Maia McLachlan

Photo: WorkPlay Branding

You’re Not Avoiding Data Because You’re Lazy — It Feels Unsafe (And What to Do Instead)

You know that thing where you avoid looking at your numbers and just hope for the best? Yeah, same. But what if the issue isn’t that you’re not a “numbers person”—what if it’s actually business trauma in disguise?

In this episode, I’m sitting down with data strategist and self-proclaimed NeuroSpicy CEO Kelsey Silver—and we’re talking about what’s really going on when you ghost your data.

This isn’t a “track your KPIs” pep talk. This is a deep dive into the emotional undercurrent of analytics avoidance. Kelsey brings her background as a licensed therapist into the conversation and breaks down how nervous system shutdown, fear, and past business experiences might be blocking your growth more than any spreadsheet ever could.

We talk about:

• how to use micro actions to create safety before you optimize
• why your “bad” numbers aren’t proof you’re failing
• how to use one single metric to transform your business (with an actual client story to prove it)
• and what happens when we stop trying to fix everything at once

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, shut down, or shame-spiraled about what the data might say... this episode is your warm, wise permission slip to take a gentler, more powerful approach.

Because clarity isn’t about knowing everything. It’s about knowing the right next thing.

Resources & Mentions:

🎁 Freebie: “15 Metrics 6- and 7-Figure Business Owners Swear By” — https://kelseysilver.com/15metrics

🎓 Get $50 off Know Your Numbers with code TRACIE — https://kelseysilver.com/knowyournumbers

📲 Connect with Kelsey on Instagram — https://instagram.com/KelseyESilver

🌐 Learn more about her offers — https://kelseysilver.com

Your Next Steps:

-Work with Me: https://www.traciepatterson.com/reset-session

-Ask Me Anything About Business: https://traciepatterson.com/ama

-Free training: Build a launch that fits how you actually lead 👉🏼 https://traciepatterson.com/style

-Connect on Social: https://www.instagram.com/thetraciepatterson

CREDITS

Music: ColourfulSounds

Podcast Editor: Maia McLachlan

Photo: WorkPlay Branding

Ever felt like your best work is locked away behind a wall of “shoulds” and disclaimers? That before you can launch, you have to prove every detail to perfection? Yeah, I’ve been there—and I’m here to tell you: that mindset is keeping you stuck.

In this episode, I’m tearing down the proving mindset that sneaks in and steals your best ideas before they’re even out in the world. We’ll talk about why you’re not here to “prove” your offer—you’re here to lead with it, messy middle and all.

I’ll share my own real-life experience building out my AI models for Your Launch Style™—the doubts, the disclaimers, the perfection traps—and how I coached myself out of it. Because if I can, so can you.

If you’ve ever felt like you had to slap a “beta” label on your work just to make it acceptable, or found yourself stuck behind 500 disclaimers and discount codes, this is your permission slip to launch anyway. Your work is already good enough. Let’s get it out there.

Inside this episode, you’ll hear:

[00:02:00] Why the need to prove is really just an illusion of control

[00:04:00] The gritty, non-linear reality of bringing your best work to life

[00:06:00] How corporate and academic conditioning keep you stuck

[00:08:00] Why you don’t need a “beta” badge to launch your work

[00:10:00] A powerful reframe: you’re not here to prove it—you’re here to make it real

Resources Mentioned:

Your Launch Style™: https://www.traciepatterson.com/yls

Connect with Me: https://www.traciepatterson.com/connect

Your Next Steps:

Work with Me: https://www.traciepatterson.com/connect

Ask Me Anything About Business: https://traciepatterson.com/ama

Free Training: Build a launch that fits how you actually lead 👉🏼 https://traciepatterson.com/style

Connect on Social: https://www.instagram.com/thetraciepatterson

CREDITS

Music: ColourfulSounds

Podcast Editor: Maia McLachlan

Photo: WorkPlay Branding