In this week’s episode of the Finally Seen podcast, learn everything you need to know about publishing as we sit down with Sandra Morgan, a published poet and author with decades of experience in business, marketing, and publishing. She is the Director of Morgan Media & Publishing LLC.

Sandra breaks down the realities of today’s publishing world and shows authors how to turn their words into lasting impact without losing creative control. If you're writing a book or thinking about it, this is your blueprint for doing it right.

In this episode:

• The truth about traditional publishing, vanity presses, and hybrid models
• How hybrid publishing empowers authors to own their voice and their process
• Why marketing starts long before your book hits the shelves
• AI and ghostwriting: What to know and how to protect your originality
• Legal tips around copyright, song lyrics, and writing about real people
• The realistic timeline of a successful book launch and why patience pays off

This episode is sponsored by:

Bobelo (Use code ChrissyBernal15% at checkout to get 15% off!)

Bio:

Sandra Morgan has been passionate about writing for as long as she can remember. She’s a published poet and author who still finds joy in the simple act of putting pen to paper. Today, she brings that same love of language along with decades of experience in business, marketing, and publishing to her role as Director of Morgan Media & Publishing LLC.

Sandra’s career spans over 40 years, during which she became a top manager and sales trainer for several national and international companies. She specialized in helping people discover their personal brand, understand the power of first impressions, and confidently communicate who they are and what they do. In 2002, she took on the role of General Manager for a large real estate firm, supporting over 800 Realtors across the brokerage.

But corporate success wasn’t enough. Sandra felt called to create something more meaningful. So in 2008, she left the corporate world and launched a long-held dream: a lifestyle magazine for women over fifty. That dream became Kalon Women™ / KalonWomen.com, where she still serves as Editor-in-Chief. In 2010, she founded TheNetworkChefs.com, a digital marketing company.

Sandra’s contributions haven’t gone unnoticed. She received the President’s Call to Service Award in 2010 for over 4,000 hours of volunteer work and was appointed to the Board of Directors for the International Mature Marketing Network (IMMN) in 2011.

Texas-born and raised, Sandra is known for her honesty, strength of character, steely determination, and yes, a wicked sense of humor. She’s the proud mom of two grown children, “Nana” to three amazing grandchildren, and a devoted fur mom.

Whether you’re writing your first book or your fifth, Sandra is passionate about helping you shape your message, honor your voice, and create something you’re truly proud of.

Website: https://morganmediaandpublishing.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandrakmorgan/

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/morganmediaandpublishing

beabetterbrand.com/

Ready to find your voice?

In this week’s episode of the Finally Seen podcast, our guest is Amber Powers, marketing strategist, brand messaging expert, professional copywriter, and the best-selling author of Untethered: Tales of a Modern-Day Alice. Amber shares her extraordinary journey from escaping a cult-like religious upbringing to reclaiming her voice and rewriting her narrative.

Explore the ethical side of influence, aligning personal values with professional pursuits, and the joy that comes when you finally show up as your truest self. Tune in now!

In this episode:

• Amber’s story of leaving behind an oppressive environment
• The symbolism of Alice in Wonderland as a guide for Amber’s freedom
• How writing her memoir became an act of liberation
• The tension between family loyalty and personal truth
• Actionable ways to align your brand with your values

This episode is sponsored by:

Bobelo(Use code ChrissyBernal15% at checkout to get 15% off!)

Bio:

Amber Powers is a best-selling author, ethical influencer strategist, and the founder of Powers Digital Marketing. Once a member of a cult-like religious community where her voice was silenced, Amber has transformed her story into a mission: to guide aspiring thought leaders and world-changers to find their voice, own it unapologetically, and step into visible, values-driven influence.

With a track record spanning over a decade, Amber has helped brands and leaders amplify their impact, growing followings by over 7,000%, increasing podcast downloads by 1,100%, and securing clients on major platforms, including CBS National Morning News, CNN, People, and Condé Nast.

Her work includes helping a marketing team fill a charter school to capacity for the first time in Indiana history, driving YouTube growth by 1,900%, organically adding 100,000 new Instagram followers in under six months, and boosting profits by more than 300%.

Today, Amber is committed to walking hand-in-hand with purpose-driven entrepreneurs as they overcome imposter syndrome, claim their narrative, and rise as thought leaders and ethical influencers in their fields.

Website: https://powersdigitalmarketing.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amberkaypowers/

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

Amber’s Book: https://www.amazon.com/Untethered-Story-Lost-Religion-Voice/dp/1998754669

beabetterbrand.com/

In this week’s episode of the Finally Seen podcast, we're getting real about mental health with Jocelyn Pepe, author and founder of TrU Living. With a master’s in psychology and neuroscience, and a personal story marked by resilience, Jocelyn brings a multidimensional lens to what it really takes to feel mentally well. From the unseen impact of hormones on women’s emotional states to the role of somatic awareness in healing trauma, we’re unmasking the science, soul, and strategy of sustainable mental health.

In this episode, we explore:

• How Jocelyn’s divorce and brain injury sparked a total life pivot
• Why women’s hormonal cycles deserve more space in mental health conversations
• The science of self-compassion and somatic awareness
• Grief, mindfulness, and the spiritual side of healing
• The ripple effect of personal well-being on collective leadership

Enter Jocelyn’s giveaway for a chance to win a free copy of her book: https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/414329-claim-your-brain-your-practical-guide-to-tru-mental-health

This episode is sponsored by:

Bobelo (Use code ChrissyBernal15% at checkout to get 15% off!)

Bio:

Jocelyn Pepe is the author of Claim Your Brain, an insightful exploration of where science and soul meet in the world of mental health. As the founder of TrU, she fuses research, lived experience, and deep coaching to strengthen the mental health and well-being of leaders and teams, elevating optimal impact and performance. Jocelyn holds a master’s degree in the psychology and neuroscience of mental health and multiple coaching designations in both health and performance. She is reshaping the future of how we care for mental health, in and beyond the workplace.

Website: https://truliving.ca/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/truliving.ca/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jocelyn-pepe/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/truliving/

beabetterbrand.com/

In this week’s episode of the Finally Seen podcast, our guest is Liberty Bernal, a franchise expert and a passionate advocate for women’s wellness. From becoming the youngest female franchisor in the U.S. to launching a collective that empowers pre-teen girls, Liberty’s story is one of bold vision, purpose-driven pivots, and strategic growth.

In this episode, we explore:

• Why franchising can be a smarter path than starting from scratch
• What it’s like to lead in male-dominated industries
• How personal identity plays into business success
• The mindset tools young girls need to thrive

If you’re navigating reinvention, visibility, or leadership in your own life, this one’s for you.

This episode is sponsored by:

Bobelo (Use code ChrissyBernal15% at checkout to get 15% off!)

Bio:

Liberty Bernal is a seasoned entrepreneur, franchise strategist, and business coach with over 25 years of experience across every corner of the franchise world, from multi-unit franchisee to franchisor, supplier, and consultant. Recognized as the youngest female franchisor in the early 2000s after launching and scaling Liberty Fitness to 65 locations, Liberty now guides professionals in finding franchise opportunities that align with their passions, goals, and lifestyles. Through her extensive network and personalized approach, she helps clients navigate the franchise landscape with confidence and clarity, all while empowering leaders to unlock their full potential and build businesses that truly fit their lives.

Website: https://libertybernal.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/libertybernal/

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

Strong Body Collective

Website: https://bio.site/strongbodycollective

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

beabetterbrand.com/

In this pilot episode of the Finally Seen podcast, our host, Chrissy Bernal, sits down with recently retired librarian and lifelong educator Lisa Hales. Known for her “rainbows and ponies” outlook, Lisa opens up about how this bright perspective helped her create safe, inspiring spaces for students to be seen, sometimes for the first time.

In this episode, we explore:

• Her transition from ELA teacher to school librarian
• Why literature is more than just stories, it’s a lifeline
• How one compliment can shift a student’s self-worth
• The quiet crisis facing libraries under recent legislation (House Bills 12/13)
• Her journey into writing and illustrating children’s books that celebrate resilience

Whether you're a parent, educator, or creative, this episode reminds us of the quiet power we all have to help others feel seen, heard, and valued. Tune in now!

This episode is sponsored by:

Bobelo (Use code ChrissyBernal15% at checkout to get 15% off!)

Bio:

Lisa Munro Hales is a recently retired librarian and educator with 28 years of dedicated service. Known for her joyful optimism and nurturing spirit, Lisa has spent her career uplifting the self-esteem of students through literature and personal connection.

With a background in English Language Arts, Lisa's transition to becoming a librarian was inspired by her love for books and teaching. Lisa champions adaptability in education, embracing change with an outlook she describes as “seeing life through rainbows and ponies.” She believes in making every student feel seen, a mission born from her own childhood experiences, and practices this through thoughtful interactions that focus on positivity.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lisa.m.hales

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

beabetterbrand.com/