The Author Your Brand Show

The Author Your Brand Show

By Doug CroweBusinessEntrepreneurship
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The Author Your Brand Show episodes

  • Oliver Tuthill: Story Adaptation and Screenplay Development

    Episode Summary

    In this episode, Doug talks with Oliver Tuthill about what it takes to turn a book into a film that actually gets produced. They discuss what makes a story cinematic, how streaming has changed the industry, and where AI fits into script development.

    Key Takeaways

    • Not every book is built for film, cinematic structure matters
    • Strong characters and story arcs drive successful adaptations
    • Streaming platforms have changed how projects get funded and produced
    • Clear positioning makes a story more attractive to studios
    • AI can support writing, but storytelling fundamentals still lead

      • About the Guest

      Oliver Tuthill is a screenwriter and adaptation specialist who helps authors turn their stories into film-ready screenplays through his work at Bluewood Films.

      Learn more

      https://bluewoodfilms.com/

      18 min
    • Anika Zubair on Customer Success and Expansion Strategy

      Episode Summary

      In this episode, Doug sits down with Anika Zubair to explore the untapped revenue inside most businesses, their existing customers. As acquisition costs rise, Anika explains why customer success should be treated as a growth engine, not a support function. She shares how stronger relationships, better listening, and more strategic conversations lead to higher retention, expansion, and long-term revenue.

      Key Takeaways

      • Existing customers are often the biggest growth opportunity
      • Customer success should drive revenue, not just support
      • Strong relationships create better expansion opportunities
      • Listening and understanding is more effective than pushing an upsell
      • Long-term success comes from retention and trust

        • About the Guest

        Anika Zubair is a customer success leader, coach, and founder of The Customer Success Pro. She helps SaaS teams drive revenue, reduce churn, and build stronger customer relationships.

        Learn more

        https://www.thecustomersuccesspro.com/

        26 min
      • Karl Pontau on Human Connection and Trust

        Episode Summary

        In a world driven by speed, automation, and digital noise, genuine human connection has become both rare and valuable. In this episode, Doug sits down with Karl Pontau to explore why authentic connection is the real differentiator in business, leadership, and life.

        Karl shares insights from his work and The Human Connection Podcast, breaking down how meaningful conversations, empathy, and presence create deeper trust and stronger relationships. The discussion highlights how slowing down, listening intentionally, and leading with authenticity can transform not only how we communicate but also how we influence and build lasting impact.

         

        Key Takeaways

        • Human connection is a competitive advantage in a digital world
        • Authentic conversations build trust faster than tactics or scripts
        • Listening with intention is more powerful than speaking more
        • Presence and empathy create stronger personal and professional relationships
        • Technology should support connection, not replace it
        • Meaningful relationships drive long term success and fulfillment

          •  

          About the Guest

          Karl Pontau is a leadership coach, speaker, and host of The Human Connection Podcast. He helps individuals and organizations strengthen relationships, communicate more effectively, and lead with authenticity in an increasingly disconnected world.

           

          Learn more about Karl Pontau:

          https://thehumanconnectionpodcast.com/

          24 min
        • Lynn Rose: Why Your Voice Is Costing You Opportunities

          Episode Summary

          Many professionals struggle to stand out in a crowded digital world, especially when their message lacks clarity or confidence. In this episode, Doug sits down with Lynn Rose to explore how voice, messaging, and presence directly impact influence, authority, and business growth.

          Lynn shares her journey as a performer, speaker, and communication expert, and explains how most people unknowingly dilute their message. The conversation dives into how to refine your voice, own your presence, and communicate with impact across stages, podcasts, and content platforms. Her approach focuses on helping individuals show up with clarity, confidence, and authenticity so they can truly connect with their audience.

          Key Takeaways

          • Your voice and delivery matter just as much as your message
          • Most people lose authority through inconsistent or unclear communication
          • Confidence is a skill that can be trained and developed
          • Strong communication increases influence, opportunities, and income
          • Authenticity and alignment create deeper audience connection
          • Small adjustments in delivery can dramatically change perception

            • About the Guest

            Lynn Rose is a speaker, performer, and communication expert who helps individuals amplify their voice, refine their message, and elevate their presence. Through her work, she empowers professionals to communicate with clarity, confidence, and impact across stages, media, and digital platforms.


            Learn more about Lynn Rose:
            https://page.wowunow.com/

            41 min
          • Stephen George: Why Every Author Needs an Audiobook

            Episode Summary

            Audiobooks are one of the fastest-growing segments in publishing, yet many authors still hesitate to create one because the process feels complicated. In this episode, Doug sits down with Stephen George from Twin Flames Studios to break down how authors can transform their books into professional audiobooks without the overwhelm.

            Stephen shares his journey from journalism and television broadcasting to voice acting and audiobook production. He explains why audiobooks continue to grow rapidly, why many authors choose to narrate their own books, and how human narration still creates a stronger connection with listeners than AI-generated voices.

            Key Takeaways
            • Audiobooks have seen consistent double-digit growth for over a decade
            • Listening allows readers to consume books while commuting, exercising, or multitasking
            • Author-narrated audiobooks can strengthen a personal brand and audience connection
            • Producing an audiobook requires preparation, performance, and professional guidance
            • Human narration still delivers a better listening experience than AI voices
              • About the Guest

              Stephen George is a voice actor, audio professional, and broadcast producer with more than a decade of experience in media and storytelling. After beginning his career in journalism and television, he transitioned into voice acting and audiobook production. Today, he helps manage author-narrated audiobook projects at Twin Flames Studios, guiding authors through recording, production, and distribution so their books can reach audiences in audio format.

              Stephen George Transcript

              Learn more about Twin Flames Studios:

              https://twinflamesstudios.com/panels

               

              27 min
            • Peter Dickinson on Aging Powerfully: Why 60 Is Not the Finish Line

              Most people reach their 60s believing their best years are behind them. Peter Dickinson believes the opposite. In this episode, Doug and Peter explore what it truly means to thrive after 60, financially, physically, mentally, and spiritually.

              Peter shares his journey from a troubled youth that included prison time to a global career in technology and sales, and ultimately to a personal awakening that reshaped his understanding of reality. His book Thrive After 60 challenges the idea that aging equals decline and offers a clear message: you are creating your reality at every age.

              Key Takeaways:

              • Your 60s can be a launchpad, not a decline
              • You are creating your reality through your thoughts and emotions
              • Positivity directly impacts health, wealth, and longevity
              • Retirement can be reinvention, not retreat
              • Financial freedom after 60 requires both mindset and practical planning
              • Daily physical and mental habits determine long-term vitality

                • About the Guest:

                Peter Allen Dickinson is an author, business coach, and advocate for reinvention after 60. Leaving school at 16, he built an international career in computer engineering and sales before launching his own coaching firm in 2005. Now in his 70s, Peter continues to run his consultancy and help others reshape their beliefs about aging, success, and possibility. In Thrive After 60, he challenges outdated myths about retirement and shows readers how mindset shapes reality at every stage of life.

                Get a copy of Peter’s book here:

                https://amzn.eu/d/02YXFtMf

                31 min
              • From Combat Boots to Crypto: Dan Ryder on the Hidden Digital Gold Rush
                Episode Summary

                Dan Ryder went from serving in the military to building a career in one of the most misunderstood industries out there: cryptocurrency. In this episode, Doug and Dan cut through the noise and talk about what crypto actually is, where the real opportunities are, and why Dan's book, The Hidden Digital Gold Rush, was written for the person who's curious but doesn't know where to start.

                Key Takeaways
                • Crypto has a reputation problem, and most of it is undeserved
                • Decentralized finance (DeFi) is opening doors that traditional banking keeps locked
                • The risks are real, and going in with your eyes open is the only way to play it
                • 2026 could be a turning point for digital currency
                • You don't need to be a tech expert or a hedge fund manager to get started
                  • About the Guest

                  Dan Ryder is a military veteran turned entrepreneur and crypto educator. His bestselling book, The Hidden Digital Gold Rush, gives regular people a no-nonsense roadmap to understanding and investing in cryptocurrency.

                  Get a copy of Dan's book:
                  https://a.co/d/0ghLarKz
                  31 min
                • Cynthia Kay on Reinvention: Should You Stay or Should You Go

                  In this conversation, Doug Crowe and Cynthia Kay dig into one of the hardest questions business owners face: Do I stay, or is it time to move on? Cynthia reflects on her path from investigative journalism to entrepreneurship, sharing how each chapter of her career taught her to recognize when something had run its course.

                  Drawing on her background in broadcasting, she explains how curiosity, pattern recognition, and self-awareness shaped her decision-making over time. Together, they explore what emotional readiness really looks like, why peer-to-peer learning matters so much to entrepreneurs, and how reinvention isn’t a single leap but a thoughtful, often uncomfortable process.

                  Key Takeaways

                  • You always have the option to choose differently or to walk away.
                  • A fading sense of passion is often the first signal that something needs to change.
                  • Emotional readiness is just as important as financial readiness when making a move.
                  • Peer-to-peer learning is one of the most powerful tools for business owners.
                  • Reinvention is a process, not a single decision and it’s more accessible than ever.

                    • Get your copy of "Should You Stay or Should You Go" on Amazon: https://a.co/d/2P4wVuo

                    27 min
                  • Crisis Communications with Integrity for CEOs with Kathleen Lucente

                    This week on the Author Your Brand Show, Doug Crowe sits down with Kathleen Lucente, founder and CEO of Red Fan Communications, to unpack what really happens when leaders face their toughest public moments. Drawing on experiences from 9/11 to global health crises and corporate upheavals, Kathleen explains how smart crisis communication can protect both people and brand reputation. She shows why every CEO needs a clear plan, an aligned leadership team, and an honest narrative before a crisis ever makes the news.

                    The conversation dives into the psychology of employees after traumatic events, the realities of data breaches and public protests, and the importance of practicing crisis scenarios so leaders can respond with confidence instead of panic. Kathleen also shares why she turns down ethically questionable “fix it” work and how values-driven communication builds long-term trust with customers, investors, and teams. Whether you’re running a startup or a global brand, this episode will change how you think about preparedness, reputation, and leadership under pressure.

                    5 Key Takeaways

                    1. Every organization needs a crisis communications plan before a crisis hits.

                    2. Internal communication and employee trust are just as important as external PR.

                    3. Practicing scenarios and simulations builds the muscle memory to respond well.

                    4. Ethical, transparent messaging is the foundation of a lasting reputation.

                    5. A clear brand narrative helps leaders turn high-stakes moments into opportunities for trust and credibility.

                      Learn more about Kathleen Lucente and Red Fan Communications at https://redfancommunications.com.

                      32 min
                    6. This is My New Foundation

                      This Is My New Foundation: A Memoir of Loss, Faith, and Redemption — Based on a True Story

                      In a world upended by trauma, grief, and the unexpected storms of life, This Is My New Foundation tells the unforgettable story of William Bailey—a man who lost everything, only to discover that sometimes, hitting rock bottom is the first step toward building something unshakable.

                      From the gritty streets of Detroit to the disciplined halls of West Point, from the chaos of military service to the quiet devastation of personal loss during the COVID-19 pandemic, Bailey’s journey is raw, real, and deeply human. What began as a breakdown became something else entirely: a testimony of survival, resilience, and divine intervention.

                      This memoir is more than a life story—it’s a call to anyone who’s ever felt forgotten, broken, or buried by circumstance. With honesty and grace, Bailey reveals how pain can be a teacher, how faith can be a blueprint, and how healing can begin—even in silence.

                      Whether you’re facing your own storm or searching for new purpose, this book reminds us:

                      You don’t rebuild with bricks. You rebuild with truth, faith, and a new foundation.

                      11 min

                    About The Author Your Brand Show

                    From the publisher's feed

                    The Author Your Brand show takes a deep dive into becoming a best selling author, sometimes without writing a word. The host, Doug Crowe, interviews CEO’s of multi-million dollar firms, successful entrepreneurs, and “slightly” famous people.