The Erica Glessing Show

What inspires a novelist to create unforgettable characters, emotionally rich stories, and fictional worlds that feel remarkably real? On this episode of The Erica Glessing Show, host Erica Glessing welcomes successful novelist K.R. Raye for a lively conversation about the art of storytelling, the creative process, and the surprising ways everyday life can become the inspiration for fiction.

K.R. Raye draws inspiration from just about everything, transforming real-life experiences, conversations, and observations into compelling fictional stories. One of the greatest compliments she has received is being called the “Dick Wolf of writing” because of her ability to weave recognizable details from everyday life into her novels. Her approach gives readers those delightful moments of recognition when a character's experience feels familiar, personal, or even startlingly close to home.

A highlight of the conversation is Raye's Colors Trilogy, beginning with Colors and Friendship, a story about three college friends and what it takes to unravel a friendship. Readers meet Melody, a romantic who hopes to find the love of her life; Lance, a football star determined to make it to the NFL while protecting the women he loves; and Amani, an ambitious, no-nonsense student focused on earning her chemical engineering degree and building her future. As their lives intertwine, their friendship faces the complications, choices, and emotional twists that make relationships both rewarding and challenging.

The trilogy's vibrant covers reflect the many meanings of color throughout the stories. Beyond representing the diversity of the characters and the world they inhabit, colors symbolize the full spectrum of human emotion, from anger and envy to loyalty, friendship, and joy. Raye discusses how these visual elements help bring the stories to life, creating an inviting introduction to the richly developed characters and their experiences from college into their mid-twenties.

Raye also shares her distinctive approach to writing and character development. A flexible writer who can work almost anywhere—from airplanes and coffee shops to her office or while traveling. She begins with thoughtful planning, but she also allows her characters to influence the direction of the story as it unfolds. For every major character, she develops a detailed profile that explores everything from family relationships and personality traits to dreams, motivations, fears, and emotional needs. For Raye, understanding what makes a character tick is essential to creating believable people and stories readers can truly connect with.

For nonfiction authors curious about making the leap into fiction, Raye offers valuable advice. She explains that both forms of writing require a clear understanding of the message an author wants to communicate and the audience they hope to reach. Fiction may not rely on the same statistics and professional expertise as nonfiction, but research remains essential. Whether describing New York City or a fictional college in upstate New York, Raye works to make her settings authentic enough that readers feel as though they are right there alongside the characters. Her goal is to create stories that are immersive, relatable, and emotionally engaging.

Looking toward the future, Raye reveals two exciting projects. Following the release of her Colors Trilogy, she collaborated with her youngest child, her son, on a young adult fantasy novel that has secured literary agency representation and is currently on submission to publishers. She also shares news of a new romance project: the first installment in a series centered on seven siblings, which she is completing after attending the Moonlight Magnolias romance conference hosted by the Georgia Romance Writers.

Whether you're an aspiring novelist, an established author exploring a new genre, or a reader who loves discovering the creative minds behind memorable books, this episode offers a fascinating look at the imagination, preparation, and heart that go into successful storytelling.

Discover more about K.R. Raye and her books at KRRaye.com.

Tune in to The Erica Glessing Show for an inspiring conversation about creativity, character development, the power of friendship, and the endless possibilities that emerge when writers transform the world around them into stories worth reading.

Healing Heartbreak, Releasing Betrayal & Clearing the Heart Chakra

What happens when a dream doesn’t come true? In this episode, Erica Glessing explores the heartbreak of dashed dreams, unresolved betrayal, and the pain of doors closing when we hoped they would open. Through a gentle guided energy-clearing meditation, you’ll move through your chakras, invite healing light into your heart, and cultivate compassion for yourself, your past, and the dreams you’re still carrying.

You’ll also explore the challenge of receiving help when you’re used to being the healer for others—and discover how small moments of love and joy can help reopen your heart.

Plus: Erica shares a special opportunity to work with her in eight private sessions to speak your book into being, clear creative blocks, and bring your story to life. Email her at [email protected] and she will reply with the details! 

Come as you are, breathe deeply, and give yourself permission to receive.

Cultivating Intuition & Choosing the Light with Amber Vilhauer

How do you distinguish the noise in your mind from the quiet clarity of your intuition? In this episode of The Erica Glessing Show, Erica connects with lightbringer Amber Vilhauer to explore the path of inner healing, listening to your gut, and spreading light in a chaotic world.

Amber opens up about overcoming childhood loneliness by developing a strong inner foundation and turning her intuition into a trusted guide for life and business. She also shares the moving story behind her latest book, What Nature Teaches Us—a collaborative creation with her young son, Clay, designed to help people find healing and wisdom through nature.

Key Highlights:

Navigating Inner Guidance: Learning to trust intuition over mental chatter and emotional overload.

Parenting with Purpose: How supporting her son’s creative vision sparked the Choose the Light movement.

Lessons from Nature: Why elements like rainbows and the sun remind us that hard things and beautiful things are deeply connected.

📌 Learn more and order the newly released book: choosethelight.com

What if the book inside you could become the book that changes everything?

Erica Glessing is a third-generation publisher, author advocate, and creative partner to entrepreneurs, coaches, healers, thought leaders, and visionaries who are ready to share their wisdom with the world. Through Happy Publishing, Erica has helped more than 235 authors become #1 bestsellers, transforming powerful ideas, personal stories, and hard-won lessons into books that open doors, build authority, and leave a lasting legacy.

With a lifelong connection to journalism, storytelling, and publishing, Erica believes that the right book can do far more than sit on a shelf. It can amplify your message, attract your ideal clients, establish you as a trusted voice, and create a meaningful legacy for generations to come.

On this podcast, Erica explores the stories, ideas, and creative journeys behind extraordinary authors and the messages they're here to share. Expect inspiration, honest conversations, and insights into the power of books, personal transformation, entrepreneurship, and getting your message out into the world.

Have a book inside you? Let's bring it to life.

Whether you're sitting on a manuscript, dreaming about your first book, or ready to turn years of experience into a powerful legacy, Happy Publishing can help you take the next step.

✨ Ready to become a published author? Visit HappyPublishing.online to explore publishing possibilities and discover how we can help you turn your ideas into a book you're proud to share with the world.

Your story matters. Let's get it published.

What if the heaviness you carry isn’t yours to keep? In this 52-minute masterclass, Erica Glessing walks you step by step through the exact process she uses to clear her chakras, heal, and reconnect with the energy of Source and God.

Blooper: In the open Erica says "this will be about 10 minutes" but we went deeper, so enjoy the more fulfilling episode now choosing to be identified as a masterclass!!

Find a quiet place, bring a pen and paper, and get ready to practice along with her. In this episode you’ll learn:

Erica also opens up about some of her happiest and darkest days. She shares how these experiences shaped the tools she teaches, so you can see that no season of life is wasted and that healing is possible from wherever you’re standing.

This is a practical, hands-on episode to return to whenever you need a reset.

Ready for deeper, personalized support? If private coaching with Erica would bring healing and transformation into your life faster, reach out to schedule sessions. Email Erica at [email protected] or text 408.384.8290. Her new six-month private 1:1 offering is supreme. Here's a little more about that:

Heal. Clear. Receive. Create.

Some seasons of life ask for more than a single breakthrough. You’re ready to release what has been weighing on your body, heart, and spirit. You’re ready to reconnect with Source and with your own inner knowing. You’re ready to let your creativity and abundance flow.

This is a high-touch, high-value private experience. For six months you’ll work one-on-one with Erica Glessing: lightworker, entrepreneur, author, and host of two top-ranked podcasts. She will help you clear the blockages standing between you and the life you’re being called to live.

This is Erica’s most immersive private work. Six months of personal attention, recorded sessions, and direct access to her between sessions is a significant gift of her time, energy, and expertise. The energy exchange is a reflection of that.

It’s also an invitation to your own worthiness. When you invest at this level, you’re telling the universe, and yourself, that your healing, your voice, and your purpose are worth it. Many clients find that committing in this way is the first step of receiving.

This experience is a fit for those who are ready to say yes to themselves fully. If you feel that pull, we’ll talk through the details together on a call.

Month 1: Clear and Ground

Month 2: Heal

Month 3: Reconnect to Source

Month 4: Awaken Your Creative Expression

Month 5: Open to Abundance and Receiving

Month 6: Integrate, Embody, and Launch

Your transformation often becomes the story the world needs to hear. Erica has guided hundreds of authors through publishing with Happy Publishing and has hosted The Erica Glessing Show since 2017. With this track she nurtures your project alongside your personal work:

Because this work grows from your own healing, your content comes out grounded and genuine.

The Erica Glessing Show is for spiritual and personal-growth support and is not a substitute for medical or mental health care.

The exact steps Erica puts into motion to attract desires into physical reality! In this guided meditation, it would be great if you could be in a quiet place without distractions. Pick up a pen and paper or have your phone ready to write down those desires you seek to become real. In this episode, Erica shares the wisdom of choosing three super easy desires -- like fresh squeezed orange juice for breakfast, or hugs from your family or four-legged beings. Then write down three more challenging -- but relatively easily within reach -- desires that you would like to actualize. Next three "pie in the sky" desires that your rational conscious mind is likely to block with disbelief. Now that you have written these down, spend some time with all of your senses bringing them into your new identity. If you believe private coaching with Erica would bring this into your life faster, please reach out and schedule sessions. Email Erica at [email protected] or send her a text at 408.384.8290. Sessions can be one-time deep-dive 90-minute sessions or three-times monthly sessions of about 45 minutes. This can include removing energetic blockages and healing old wounds. 

When Divorce Doesn’t Have to Mean War: A Conversation with Maribeth Blessing

On this episode of The Erica Glessing Show, Erica talks with family law attorney and peacemaker Maribeth Blessing about a different way to approach divorce, custody, and family conflict.

After decades as a litigating attorney—and with an earlier career as an elementary school teacher—Maribeth has made it her mission to help families stay out of court whenever possible. She shares why mediation, collaborative law, and even “kitchen table” negotiations can give families more voice, more choice, and a better chance of remaining a family after divorce.

Maribeth and Erica also have a candid conversation about abuse, fear, financial dependence, protecting children, and the importance of finding confidential resources before making major decisions. Most importantly, Maribeth offers a message of hope: even when life feels overwhelming, there can be a way forward—and you don't have to navigate it alone.

This is a compassionate conversation about divorce, empowerment, children, and choosing a more peaceful path when one is available.

More about Maribeth Blessing

At Blessing Law & Mediation in Rockledge, Pennsylvania, Maribeth Blessing concentrates her practice primarily in challenging, high-conflict, and settlement-oriented Family Law Matters, but it also extends to simple Will and Estate documents. Maribeth is an accomplished arbitrator, mediator, parent co-ordinator and collaborative family lawyer with over three decades of legal experience. She also provides alternative dispute resolution services, including offering unbundled legal services, with the goal of settling out of court the majority of the family law cases she handles. Along with her firm, Ms. Blessing serves clients in Bucks, Montgomery, Chester, Philadelphia, and Delaware counties. Find her here: https://www.mbfamilylaw.com/.

A former educator and hearing officer, Ms. Blessing received her Juris Doctor cum laude in 1991 from Widener University School of Law. Admitted to practice in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, she is also admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and the Supreme Court of the United States. As a measure of her professional reputation, Ms. Blessing has been elected by her peers to become a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation and has been honored many times for her achievements, receiving Strathmore's Who's Who Professional of the Year award in dispute resolution in 2007 and the 2011-2012 Woman of the Year award from the National Association of Professional Women. She has been nominated and chosen as a Super Lawyer of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for over 11 years. 

About Host Erica Glessing

Recently included in Who's Who in America for 2026, Erica Glessing is the host of The Erica Glessing Show, where she explores the stories, ideas, and experiences that help people create more visible, meaningful lives and businesses.

A third-generation publisher, bestselling author, journalist, entrepreneur, and SEO/GEO strategist, Erica has spent decades helping people turn their ideas into something the world can actually find. Through her publishing company, Happy Publishing LLC, she has helped more than 225 authors reach #1 bestseller status.

Today, Erica also leads SEO for Lead Gen, helping entrepreneurs, local businesses, professionals, and thought leaders become more visible in Google and increasingly in AI-powered search and answer engines. Her approach combines storytelling, search strategy, creativity, and a healthy dose of curiosity.

Erica began her career as a professional writer and journalist, publishing thousands of articles before moving into publishing, podcasting, and digital visibility. She believes deeply in the power of a well-told story—and that being seen for the work you do can change both a business and a life.

With hundreds of podcast episodes behind her, Erica brings a warm, conversational style to interviews. She loves asking the question behind the question and giving guests space to share not only what they do, but why it matters.

Her guiding belief is simple: when you tell your story, you change the world.

In this episode host Erica Glessing gives an inside look at her Author Transformation program—a high-end publishing and authority-building experience designed to turn a nonfiction book into a powerful business asset.

Rather than simply publishing a book and hoping people discover it, Author Transformation builds the “bedroom” for the book—the ecosystem that gives it a purpose, builds authority, attracts the right audience, and creates opportunities for clients, speaking, media, and long-term visibility.

Erica walks through the six milestones of the journey:

→ Intention & Positioning — Clarify why you are writing the book, who it is for, your core message, and the job you want the book to do.

→ Book Blueprint — Develop the concept, key messages, table of contents, stories, and structure so the manuscript has a clear and compelling foundation.

→ Manuscript & Design — Develop the book in the author’s authentic voice while creating the cover, interior design, and professional look and feel.

→ Bestseller Launch — Strategically prepare and coordinate a launch campaign designed to give the book its strongest possible start and pursue bestseller status.

→ Amplify Your Authority — Turn the book into an ongoing marketing engine through blog content, social media, email, lead magnets, reader gifts, and other ways to build relationships with potential clients.

→ Business Integration — Connect the book to the larger business through speaking opportunities, a speaker page and reel, lead generation, and a clear pathway for turning readers into clients.

Erica also shares why publishing a book is only the beginning. A great book can become a gift for prospects, a calling card at events, a speaking tool, a lead-generation asset, and an evergreen expression of an author’s knowledge and legacy.

Author Transformation is for entrepreneurs, professionals, and thought leaders who don't just want to write a book—they want their book to do something for their business and their life. To explore, send her a message at [email protected] or find her on IG, LI or FB at Erica Glessing.

In this episode of The Erica Glessing Show, Erica Glessing talks with entrepreneur and community builder Sunny Sangster about client attraction, online community building, lead generation, recurring revenue, and creating a business that provides greater freedom without requiring endless hours of work.

Sunny shares one of her most important strategies for business growth: test the market before building the offer. She calls these tests Indicators of Interest (IOIs)—the "hand raises" that show when people genuinely want a product, service, program, or solution.

Rather than spending weeks creating something and hoping it sells, entrepreneurs can use polls, conversations, newsletters, and communities to discover what their audience actually wants. If people raise their hands, there is an opportunity. If they don't, the offer can be adjusted before significant time and money are invested.

Sunny also explains why community is increasingly valuable in the digital business world. With more people working remotely, meaningful connection can be difficult to find. A strong online community creates opportunities for deeper relationships, collaboration, referrals, and business development.

She believes successful communities begin with a clear mission. When the purpose is clear, the right people naturally gravitate toward it while others can simply self-select out.

Authenticity and contribution are equally important. Sunny encourages entrepreneurs to participate genuinely rather than entering communities simply to pitch their products or services. Sharing ideas, helping others, solving problems, and creating connections build the relationships that can ultimately lead to clients and strategic partnerships.

One of Sunny's favorite concepts is what her mentor Travis Sago calls "Marilyn Monroe Money" — income generated from work that has already been created.

The idea is that an entrepreneur can build a body of work—such as books, courses, digital products, software, intellectual property, or other assets—that continues generating revenue over time.

Technology also makes it possible to earn recurring income by promoting or connecting people with someone else's products and services through affiliate marketing, referral partnerships, and strategic collaborations.

The objective is to create value once and continue benefiting from that value rather than constantly starting over.

Sunny shares several practical strategies for entrepreneurs who want to increase cash flow without adding overwhelming amounts of work.

Auctions: Sunny uses auctions inside existing communities to connect an audience with an attractive product or service. She facilitates the promotion and sales process and earns a percentage of the revenue.

Strategic Connections: Entrepreneurs can connect someone who has an audience with someone who solves a problem for that audience. The connector can earn a referral fee or recurring commission without delivering the service themselves.

Recurring Revenue: By connecting customers with valuable subscription-based products or services, entrepreneurs can potentially create ongoing income from an initial introduction.

These approaches can be especially useful for people building a business alongside a full-time job or for established entrepreneurs looking to create additional revenue streams.

For Sunny, the ultimate goal isn't to stop working. She genuinely enjoys connecting people, helping entrepreneurs, and building relationships.

The goal is to create enough recurring revenue and business freedom that work becomes a choice rather than a necessity.

This conversation offers practical ideas for entrepreneurs, coaches, authors, consultants, creators, and service providers who want to attract more clients, build an engaged community, develop strategic partnerships, and create scalable income.

Sunny's message is simple: find out what people want, solve real problems, connect the right people, and build assets that continue working long after they are created. Go over to Skool and search for Collab Club and Sunny Sangster! Join for free, or click here: https://www.skool.com/collabclub

What If Your Intuition Is Your Superpower? — Beth Barani

What if intuition isn’t something only a few “gifted” people have—but a natural ability we all possess?

In this fascinating conversation, Erica Glessing talks with writer, creative coach, and producer Beth Barani about learning to trust the quiet signals coming from the body and recognizing the difference between intuition and the endless “shoulds” we impose on ourselves.

The synchronicities go on forever! Beth and Erica discovered a kinship for Berkeley (Beth is a UC Berkeley Grad, Erica lived there in elementary school)... Erica's mom was a KQED TV producer, Beth's grandfather was a KQED cameraman. Both have ties to Marin County... both write books... both have wild imaginations... Beth achieves beyond the possible and asks a lot of questions. Enjoy this moment etched in time via the podcast medium.

The focus narrowed in from the dozens of possible topics to how to grow your intuition.Beth shares simple ways to strengthen your intuitive awareness—from noticing which direction your body wants to go, to paying attention to what feels right, and even using everyday experiences like food as a practice ground for listening inward.

They also explore intuition, creativity, storytelling, and the rules that can shut down our natural knowing. Beth shares her insights from more than 20 years of helping writers—and the story behind her beloved Henrietta the Dragon Slayer series.

If you’ve ever had a gut feeling, an unexpected knowing, or a moment when something simply clicked, this conversation may inspire you to stop second-guessing yourself and start listening.

We all have intuition. We can all get better at it.

More About Beth Barani

Beth Barany is an award-winning fantasy and science fiction novelist, creativity coach, and filmmaker who produces impactful podcasts, books, and videos for sci-fi and fantasy authors and thought leaders. She is the author of the award-winning Henrietta The Dragon Slayer, the first book in a published young-adult adventure-fantasy trilogy, and the writer, director, and producer of a short film expanding the world of Henrietta The Dragon Slayer. Through her stories and work with writers, Beth champions courageous heroines and helps creators bring bold, meaningful worlds to life. Follow her on social media @bethbarany. Learn more at www.BethBarany.com.

When life feels overwhelming, fear and uncertainty can make it difficult to see the right path forward. In this guided meditation and energy-clearing practice, Erica Glessing helps you reconnect with Source, release energetic blockages, and create space for greater clarity, compassion, inspiration, and inner guidance.

In this episode, Erica leads you through a full chakra energy cleansing meditation, beginning with grounding blue Earth energy and moving through the body’s major energy centers. You’ll be guided to clear stagnant energy connected to security, money, creativity, self-care, communication, intuition, and spiritual connection.

You’ll also explore practices for energy protection, emotional cleansing, chakra balancing, connecting with divine guidance, and opening your intuition. Erica invites you to release what is no longer serving you while strengthening your connection to compassion, love, and higher wisdom.

This meditation may be especially helpful if you’re feeling energetically blocked, overwhelmed, disconnected, or unsure about your next step.

In this episode, you’ll explore:

If you’re searching for guided meditation, energy healing, chakra cleansing, energy clearing, spiritual healing, intuitive development, meditation for clarity, grounding meditation, aura cleansing, or chakra balancing, this episode offers a gentle practice you can return to whenever you need to reset your energy.

Work with Erica Glessing: Erica offers intuitive readings and energy-clearing sessions designed to help you identify energetic blockages and move toward greater clarity, alignment, and inspiration.