More Than Just: Conversations with Misfits, Entrepreneurs and Change-makers

In this fun and upbeat episode, I’m talking with Founder & CEO of Conquer Your Business, Erin Marcus (she/her). 

Together, we talk about the importance of taking responsibility for your life and working with our brains – not against them – to get the best outcomes for ourselves and our businesses.

We also explore:

• Figuring out what you suck at and not doing it
• Giving yourself a break, but not letting yourself off the hook
• The helpfulness of embracing exclusively low-brow media
• Finding out what you’re good at and exploiting it in service to others
• How it’s all possible

Links:

• Visit the Conquer Your Business Website
• Listen to the Ready Yet?! Podcast
• Follow Erin on Instagram
• Follow Erin on LinkedIn
• Follow Mel on Instagram @mel_mcsherry
• Follow the podcast on Instagram @morethanjustpodcast

🙌 This podcast is supported by listeners like you! If you enjoyed this episode, we'd appreciate it if you could make a donation of any amount at this link. You rock!

In this episode I’m joined by Rob Deptford (he/him). Together, we discuss the podcast industry, storytelling, and how audio can help build a strong brand identity.

We also discuss:

• The state of podcasting and where it is post-pandemic boom
• How McDonald’s used a podcast in its brand strategy (and brought back the infamous Szechuan sauce)
• Podcasting as an evergreen product that continues to add value over time
• The power of the personal element in branding
• Why the numbers aren’t the best measure of your podcast’s success
• Being willing to go off-brand and share yourself more holistically with your audience

Links:

• Visit the Bizcastly Website
• Visit Rob’s Website
• Listen to Rob’s Podcast Dirt Road Journeys
• Buy Rob’s Books on Amazon
• Follow Mel on Instagram @mel_mcsherry
• Follow the podcast on Instagram @morethanjustpodcast

🙌 This podcast is supported by listeners like you! If you enjoyed this episode, we'd appreciate it if you could make a donation of any amount at this link. You rock!

In today’s episode, I’m joined by Jennifer Ramirez, founder of the women’s group & Rise. 

Together, we discuss her decision to rebuild her life as a single mother and abuse survivor and how she’s using her experience to empower other women on their journeys.

We also get into:

• Choosing yourself first
• Turning down distractions
• Sitting with the discomfort of the changes you need to make
• The power of women sharing their stories with each other
• How Jennifer educates her daughter on speaking up to stay safe

Links:

• Visit the Women Rise Chicago Website
• Contact Jennifer Directly: [email protected]
• Follow & Rise on Instagram
• Follow & Rise on TikTok
• Follow & Rise on Facebook
• Follow Mel on Instagram @mel_mcsherry
• Follow the podcast on Instagram @morethanjustpodcast

🙌 This podcast is supported by listeners like you! If you enjoyed this episode, we'd appreciate it if you could make a donation of any amount at this link. You rock!

In this episode, I’m joined by phenomenal human, “Spider” Meka Hemmons. Together, we discuss how magic can occur when we accept our whole selves in front of the camera and how we can better embrace the whole story of our lives.

We also discuss:

• Embracing the full circle of life, including the down times
• The scary concept of complacency
• How photography chose Meka
• Taking ownership of our lives and our choices
• The importance of doing the pre-work before opening the door to the rest of your life

Links:

• Visit Meka’s Website
• Follow Meka on Instagram
• Follow Mel on Instagram @mel_mcsherry
• Follow the podcast on Instagram @morethanjustpodcast

👏 This episode is sponsored by The Inner Circle Business Network, an exclusive community of business professionals looking to connect, make quality introductions, and grow business. Learn more about this truly remarkable professional network by checking out their events or taking their membership quiz today.

🙌 This podcast is supported by listeners like you! If you enjoyed this episode, we'd appreciate it if you could make a donation of any amount at this link. You rock!

In this episode, I’m talking with Mallika M Thoppay, a volunteer educator for children living in rural India and the author of two children’s books — Unfair and Lovely and the upcoming Tangled Roots. 

Together, we discuss her experiences as an educator and the impact she hopes her book will have. We also explore:

• Finding the right volunteer opportunities for you and your lifestyle
• What inspires Mallika’s commitment to her volunteer work
• How technology is helping connect children in rural India to educational opportunities
• Colorism and its impact on children’s sense of self worth
• What Mallika hopes her book helps accomplish

Links:

• Get Free Kindle version of Mallika’s Book Unfair and Lovely
• Visit Mallika’s Website
• Follow Malllika on Instagram
• Follow Mallika on Twitter
• Follow Mallika on LinkedIn
• Follow Mel on Instagram @mel_mcsherry
• Follow the podcast on Instagram @morethanjustpodcast

🙌 This podcast is supported by listeners like you! If you enjoyed this episode, we'd appreciate it if you could make a donation of any amount at this link. You rock!

Today I’m joined by writer, teacher, podcaster and small business owner Amelia Hruby. I first met Amelia at her book launch party in 2018, and I’m so excited to have her on the podcast now, five years later.

Together, we have an honest and vulnerable conversation about the realities of being self-employed, giving and receiving feedback, and running a business without social media.

We also explore:

• How to be flexible with your time in busy seasons
• The boundaries we create around work
• Learning to sit with feedback and respond with integrity
• The myths social media platforms tell small business owners
• Embracing experimentation in life and business

Links:

• Learn more about Amelia at ameliahruby.com
• Learn more about Softer Sound at softersounds.studio
• Listen to Off the Grid podcast
• Get the free Leaving Social Media Toolkit
• Follow Mel on Instagram @mel_mcsherry
• Follow the podcast on Instagram @morethanjustpodcast

👏 This episode is sponsored by Amelia's business, Softer Sounds, a feminist podcast studio for entrepreneurs & creatives. If you want to launch a podcast, they’re the team you need to sound good and feel great! Head to softersounds.studio to learn more.

🙌 This podcast is supported by listeners like you! If you enjoyed this episode, we'd appreciate it if you could make a donation of any amount at this link. You rock!

Today I’m joined by dedicated biohacker, fitness trainer, and health coach, Josh Holland. Together, we discuss the benefits of a sustainable, holistic approach to health and fitness. We also explore:

• The importance of sustainable changes
• Setting goals that are realistic and in line with your lifestyle and what you truly want
• Bio-hacking and how you’re probably already doing it
• Josh’s simple-but-powerful 4-week 15 x 5 workout challenge

Links:

• Visit Josh’s Website
• Order Josh’s book The Awareness Shift
• Try the 15x5 Workout
• Follow Josh on Instagram
• See more from Josh on Youtube
• Follow Mel on Instagram @mel_mcsherry
• Follow the podcast on Instagram @morethanjustpodcast

👏 This episode is sponsored by Softer Sounds, a feminist podcast studio for entrepreneurs & creatives. If you want to launch a podcast, they’re the team you need to sound good and feel great! Head to softersounds.studio to learn more.

🙌 This podcast is supported by listeners like you! If you enjoyed this episode, we'd appreciate it if you could make a donation of any amount at this link. You rock!

Today’s episode is full of inspiration as author, speaker, and co-owner of Chykalophia, Ari Krzyzek, shares her powerful story of leaving her home in Bali to pursue her dreams — which is hardly the most interesting thing about her.

Together, we discuss:

• The magic that can happen outside of your comfort zone
• How Ari’s husband initially thought she was an AIM hacker
• The importance of identifying support on your journey
• Stepping into starting a business as prepared as possible
• How Ari evaluates her energy daily in a post-pandemic world
• Owning what makes you different

Links:

• Visit Ari’s Website
• Learn More About Chykalophia
• Order Ari’s Book Made to Sell: Creating Websites that Convert
• Follow Ari on Instagram
• Connect with Ari on LinkedIn
• Follow Mel on Instagram @mel_mcsherry
• Follow the podcast on Instagram @morethanjustpodcast

🧃This episode is sponsored by ERIS, a woman-owned, Chicago-area cider company that elevates the humble Michigan apple into ciders for your enjoyment. Find their ciders at Trader Joe's, Binny's, Mariano's, Jewel & Heinen's, or visit them at 4240 Irving Park Rd. To learn more & order, visit their website or follow them on Facebook & Instagram @erischicago.

🙌 This podcast is supported by listeners like you! If you enjoyed this episode, we'd appreciate it if you could make a donation of any amount at this link. You rock!

Today, I’m joined by Indigenous artist and beader, Ori Aguila (they/them/him). Together, we discuss making culturally significant art that evolves with the study and growth of one’s heritage.

We also talk about:

• The influence of color theory in Ori’s work
• How making art & making money work hand in hand
• Ori’s journey as a transracial adoptee
• Ori’s practice of being very careful about the energy that influences their work
• The private and transformative work of reconnecting with ancestral culture
• Upholding a boundary around access to yourself and your story

Links:

• Visit Ori’s website
• Support Ori's mutual aid request
• Follow Ori on Instagram @oribastoaguila & @oabeadworks 
• Follow Mel on Instagram @mel_mcsherry
• Follow the podcast on Instagram @morethanjustpodcast

👏 This episode is sponsored by Softer Sounds, a feminist podcast studio for entrepreneurs & creatives. If you want to launch a podcast, they’re the team you need to sound good and feel great! Head to softersounds.studio to learn more.

🙌 This podcast is supported by listeners like you! If you enjoyed this episode, we'd appreciate it if you could make a donation of any amount at this link. You rock!

Season two continues to sizzle! Today’s episode is full of goodness and inspiration thanks to our guest, VP Wright (she/they).

VP is an author, dancer, diversity and inclusion consultant, multi-passionate creative, mother, and all-around outstanding human being. Together, we discuss the winding path that life and business takes us on, and how defining it in neat narratives isn’t always for the best.

We also discuss:

• The fallacy of a linear path through business and life
• Disappointing encounters with performative anti-racism
• Living a balanced life with time for more than going to work and coming home
• The value of having incredible friends
• Doing the things that really align with you, even if they’re painfully unplanned

Links:

• Visit VP’s Website
• Follow VP on Instagram
• Read VP’s Book You Are Enough
• Follow Mel on Instagram @mel_mcsherry
• Follow the podcast on Instagram @morethanjustpodcast

👏 This episode is sponsored by Softer Sounds, a feminist podcast studio for entrepreneurs & creatives. If you want to launch a podcast, they’re the team you need to sound good and feel great! Head to softersounds.studio to learn more.

🙌 This podcast is supported by listeners like you! If you enjoyed this episode, we'd appreciate it if you could make a donation of any amount at this link. You rock!