A great story can take you places you never expected. But how do you make people care enough to keep reading?

In this episode, I’m joined by Laura Malin to talk about storytelling, intellectual property, and the possibilities for authors who want their work to reach beyond the page.

Laura shares how stories can evolve into different formats, from books and podcasts to film and television. She also explains why building an audience matters and how authors can begin developing their ideas without waiting for permission from traditional gatekeepers.

I share some of my favorite storytelling techniques for writers, including how to create conflict, build suspense, use a mystery box, and give readers a reason to keep turning the pages.

We also get into writing compelling opening chapters, incorporating research and expert interviews, and making nonfiction more engaging.

Whether you're writing your first book or thinking about what your published work could become, there's plenty to take away from this conversation.

In this episode:

• How a book can grow into other formats, including film and television
• Why building an audience around your work matters
• Using conflict and suspense to keep readers interested
• The mystery box technique and the power of a strong opening
• How to make research and nonfiction more engaging
• Finding the story within your own experiences

Listen to the full episode and start thinking about where your story could go next.

How many people could you reach by name if your book launched tomorrow?

That’s where my conversation with Yrmis Barroeta begins.

Yrmis shares her approach to building email newsletters and why authors shouldn't depend entirely on social media to reach their audience.

We talk about building an audience you actually own, growing a newsletter organically, the role of trust and consistency, using Substack, pre-selling books through email, and why you don't need to email your audience every day to stay connected.

We also talk about how authors can think about newsletters differently, including how fiction writers can use email to serialize their stories and build readership before a book is even published.

If you've been wondering whether you really need an email newsletter, or where to even begin building one, this conversation will give you a much clearer picture.

Stop chasing the algorithm. Start building relationships with people you can reach by name.

What happens after you write the book?

In this episode, I sit down with Andrea Sullivan, CEO and founder of Vive, to talk about why your book launch should be more than a single moment, it should be the beginning of a larger personal brand strategy.

I’ve always believed that a book can be a powerful calling card. It can open doors to speaking opportunities, podcast interviews, partnerships, clients, and new relationships. But to make those opportunities happen, you need to build something around the book.

Andrea and I talk about:

📚 Why a book launch should be treated as a campaign, not just a launch day
✨ What personal branding really means and how your reputation is built
🎙️ How podcasts, newsletters, events, associations, and niche communities can help you reach the right audience
💡 How to identify your “hero moments” and turn one strong idea into multiple pieces of content
📣 Why you don’t need to be everywhere you need to be intentional about where you show up
🤖 How AI can help you repurpose your ideas while keeping your authentic voice at the center

Whether you’re writing your first book, preparing for a launch, or trying to turn your expertise into a bigger platform, this conversation will help you think beyond the manuscript.

Your book can open the door. The question is: what are you going to build on the other side?

Did you know that around 80% of people dream of writing a book, yet less than 1% ever publish one?

In this episode, MeiMei Fox joins Yrmis Barroeta for an honest conversation about why so many aspiring authors never finish what they start.

The surprising truth? Publishing isn't the biggest obstacle anymore.

With today's self-publishing tools, becoming an author is more accessible than ever. The real challenge is overcoming self-doubt, procrastination, perfectionism, and the stories we tell ourselves about why we're "not ready."

MeiMei shares insights from more than 30 years in publishing, working with bestselling authors, entrepreneurs, CEOs, and first-time writers to help them turn their ideas into books that build authority, create impact, and leave a lasting legacy.

In this episode, you'll learn:

•  Why publishing is no longer the biggest hurdle for aspiring authors 
•  The surprising statistics behind why most people never finish writing a book 
•  How self-publishing has transformed the publishing industry 
•  Why even highly successful entrepreneurs choose to self-publish 
•  The mindset shifts that help authors move from dreaming to finishing 
•  What's really standing between you and becoming a published author 

Whether you're an entrepreneur, coach, thought leader, or someone who's always dreamed of writing a book, this episode will challenge the excuses that keep so many great stories from ever reaching the page.

Your story matters. The only question is: Will you write it?

Artificial intelligence is transforming the way we work, learn, and build our careers. But what does that mean for today's professionals, students, and future leaders?

In this episode, MeiMei Fox sits down with Anu Ramraj and Avanti Ramraj, the mother-daughter authors of When AI Robots Knock. Together, they share why they decided to write a book during one of the biggest technological shifts of our time, and how documenting their ideas became a way to create a lasting legacy.

Anu, a former PwC partner turned AI entrepreneur, and Avanti, a recent Stanford graduate, offer two generations' perspectives on how AI is reshaping education, careers, leadership, and the future of work.

Beyond discussing artificial intelligence, this conversation explores why books still matter in a digital world, how authors can use AI as a collaborator rather than a replacement, and what it really means to build authority through writing.

In this episode, you'll learn:

•  Why Anu and Avanti decided to write a book about AI together 
•  How AI is transforming careers across every industry 
•  Why books remain one of the most powerful forms of legacy 
•  How authors can use AI without losing their authentic voice 
•  The opportunities and risks of artificial intelligence, from healthcare to education 
•  Why young professionals should focus on adaptability rather than fearing automation 
•  The importance of keeping humans at the center of an AI-powered future 

Whether you're an aspiring author, business leader, entrepreneur, educator, or simply curious about the future of AI, this conversation offers thoughtful insights into one of the most important transformations of our time.

Connect with MeiMei Fox

If you're ready to write a book that builds your authority, expands your impact, and creates a lasting legacy, learn more about Your Bestselling Book and join a community of aspiring and published authors committed to sharing stories that matter.

What does it really take to write a meaningful, traditionally published book without shortcuts, without a ghostwriter, and without losing the soul of your work?

In this deep and honest conversation, Milana Snow shares her real author journey from decades of spiritual practice to writing her book It’s All Within You the long way.

Together, we explore what most people never see behind the scenes of traditional publishing, including the inner work, discipline, and faith required to carry a book all the way through the messy middle.

In this episode, we talk about:

• How Millana knew she was truly ready to write a book
• Why the proposal process was harder than writing the book itself
• The difference between speaking wisdom and writing it
• What aspiring authors misunderstand about traditional publishing and intellectual property
• Why lived experience matters more than analysis
• How daily practice, discipline, and trust carried her through doubt
• The surprising story of winning Project Runway and how it shaped her understanding of trust, manifestation, and surrender

This episode is for:

• Aspiring authors
• Thought leaders and creatives
• Coaches, healers, and teachers
• Anyone feeling called to write, but unsure where to begin

Topics include breathwork, authorship, faith, publishing, personal transformation, creative discipline, and trust.

Join the conversation:
What part of the book-writing process feels hardest for you right now — starting, staying consistent, or finishing? Let us know.

If this conversation resonated, follow the show and subscribe for more author interviews and honest insights into the writing and publishing journey.

Most authors believe they need massive social media followings or expensive PR campaigns to succeed.

They’re wrong.

In this in-depth conversation, we explore why email newsletters are the most powerful and underutilized asset for authors and thought leaders today, especially in an era where AI content floods every platform.

After nearly 30 years in publishing, one truth stands out:
You don’t own social media.
You do own your email list.

Joining the conversation is Yrmis Barroeta, who helps thought leaders grow newsletter audiences to 100,000+ subscribers through authentic engagement and intentional outreach. Rather than chasing algorithms, Yrmis shows how to build direct relationships that lead to book sales, ad revenue, and genuine connection.

Inside this discussion, we cover:
 • Why social media has become a burnout-driven rat race
 • What it really means to “own” your audience
 • Why newsletters outperform followers in the long run
 • How authors can build meaningful influence without playing the social media game
 • Why one-to-one connection with readers is the most valuable resource an author can have

As Yrmis shares, influence isn’t attention.
Influence is currency.

And the safest place to store it isn’t on rented platforms but in your readers’ inboxes.

🔗 Learn more about Yrmis Barroeta:
 https://www.myheadquarters.club/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/yrmis/

If you’re an author, creator, or thought leader who wants visibility without burnout, this conversation will change how you think about marketing your work.

If you’re an aspiring author with big ideas and impressive credentials but no real following, this conversation is for you.

In this episode, MeiMei Fox sits down with personal branding expert Katrina Friel to unpack why so many authors and coaches struggle financially and how to fix it by building a whole ecosystem around your book.

You’ll learn why your book is just the beginning of your business, how to turn it into a true authority-building asset, and how to design a high-end signature program so you’re not relying on $20 book sales to build a six- or seven-figure author business.

Katrina walks through her proven ecosystem model:

• Why a book is the first stream of income and the foundation of your brand
• How your book leads to a personal brand, website, TED-style talk, and premium signature program
• Why the money is not in the book but in transformational offers at $5k, $10k, $20k+
• How to use speaking and podcasts as your main lead generation (instead of hoping social media “saves” you)
• How to repurpose your book into memes, clips, and content so social media stops feeling like a full-time job
• Step-by-step examples of clients who built entire institutes and hit seven figures using this model

Whether you dream of coaching, consulting, speaking, or leading your own programs, this episode will show you how to think beyond “just the book” and start building a real author business.

Highlights & Timestamps:
00:03 – Why brilliant ideas and gold-star résumés aren’t enough without a brand
01:52 – The biggest mistake: thinking “a book will fix everything”
02:26 – Book → Brand → Website → TED Talk → Signature Program
03:44 – Why the real money is in high-end transformational programs
10:46 – Turning your book into 300 memes and dozens of short video clips
12:15 – Why social media alone won’t build your client base
14:05 – Free speaking gigs as six-figure lead generators
21:04 – How to actually get speaking gigs and presenter call-outs
27:01 – Case study: turning a VA business into a million-dollar ecosystem and institute

If you’re ready to stop thinking of yourself as “just an author” and start building a powerful personal brand and business around your ideas, this conversation will show you what’s possible.

Frustrated you can't get a book deal from a Big 5 Publisher?
-Want to take control of the publishing process and...
-Keep 90% of the proceeds -- instead of giving 90% away?
-Check out this informative conversation with The Self Publishing Agency founder & CEO Megan Williams:
-To find out why hybrid publishing is THE solution for authors in 2025!

Megan Williams is the fabulous founder and CEO of The Self-Publishing Agency (TSPA)!

TSPA is a highly reputable hybrid publisher with award-winning books and bestselling authors in their roster – including Your Bestselling Book's own Dr. Stephanie Cawthon, Sacad Guled, and Chrissy Grigoropoulos!
We'll talk about the differences between traditional, hybrid and self-publishing, what you should expect to pay, the timeline, and how to assure your book is a success.

Here's more from TSPA:

We turn writers into authors.
Think of us as wedding planners for soon-to-be authors. Like a wedding
 planner is for the engaged, helping brides and grooms connect with
 photographers, venues, pricing etc., The Self Publishing Agency helps our
 authors do the same. We connect writers with vetted professional book
 designers, editors and marketers to make your book the best
 version of itself.

We’re the only agency in the country that doesn’t take royalties.
And authors only pay for what they need. We understand each story and writer requires different levels of support when publishing their book. This is why our model is structured for authors to pay for services they want. We don’t bake-in prices.

What happens when political discourse becomes toxic, divisive, and filled with blame? For me, it sparked something deeper—frustration turned into action.

In this video, I share the raw, real story behind launching my podcast—an entirely DIY journey born from the chaos of the Trump vs. Biden election and a growing desire to create something different. I was tired of the shouting matches, the scapegoating, the either/or thinking. Instead, I wanted to build a space that honors both strong values and deep listening. A space where we can have meaningful, nuanced conversations about leadership, current events, and everything in between—without blame, without shame.

We talk about:

• What pushed me to hit “record”
  
  
• The unlikely inspiration behind my podcast
  
  
• How curiosity, empathy, and a little help from Lemon Price and May Fox fueled the launch
  
  
• The power of doing BOTH: standing firm in your values and building bridges
  
  

If you're craving honest dialogue, hopeful spaces, and a little more humanity in our public discourse, you’re in the right place.

🔔 Subscribe for more conversations that challenge, connect, and inspire.

#PodcastJourney #NuancedConversations #BridgeTheDivide #Leadership #DIYPodcast #CivicDiscourse #EmpathyInAction