UNSCRIPTED with Elisa

Somewhere along the way, we’ve lost the real meaning of weddings. Too often, the focus shifts from celebrating love to chasing the glitz and glam. In today’s episode, Elisa brings back the “I Do” Diaries—her personal audio journal of wedding planning—and dives into one of the biggest challenges modern brides face: the pressure to create the perfect wedding day.

Planning a wedding today can feel overwhelming, and Elisa shares how she’s experienced it firsthand. With social media overflowing with wedding advice, trends, and curated inspiration, it’s easy to fall into comparison traps, feel like you’re not doing enough, and experience decision fatigue. Elisa shares practical mindset shifts for staying grounded and intentional when the pressure builds.

But this episode isn’t just about the stress. Elisa gives all the wedding updates you’ve been waiting for, shares 3 bold Hot Takes from her planning journey, and gives a sneak peek into her pre-wedding trip to Alaska with Josh. From vendor bookings to unique personal touches, she shows how to plan a wedding that truly reflects you not what’s trending online.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by curating a Pinterest-perfect wedding, this episode is your reminder to slow down, make intentional choices, and celebrate the love that matters most. Your wedding day should be about you and your partner, not anyone else’s expectations.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Connect with @ElisaUnscripted on Instagram 

Follow @ZealCastStudios on Instagram

Short Story Long, Always is a ZealCast Studios Podcast: ZealCast Studios is a podcast management agency for passion-driven female creatives ready to amplify their messaging and leverage their brand through podcasting. If you are ready to step into your calling as a podcaster or are wanting to take your show to the next level, I invite you to reach out to ZealCast Studios for podcasting support. You can get started by going to www.zealcaststudios.com/get-started.

Hold onto your cowgirl hats & buckle up because ya’ll are in for a RIDE with this episode! 

Today on Short Story Long, Always, Anna Erdos, the powerhouse behind Off the Coast Creative (and 4 other brands), is joining Elisa for an encouraging episode about social media and content creation. This episode is equal parts chaotic, educational, encouraging, and deeply meaningful, and it might just change the way you think about showing up online.

Elisa and Anna talk about content creation, strategy, and what actually moves the needle in your business but they also peel back the curtain and dive into the heart behind it all. From building multiple brands from the ground up to scaling them through Instagram stories, Anna shares how she has leveraged social media through it all.

But this isn’t just about business and this episode isn’t just for entrepreneurs. 

Social media can also be deeply personal and Anna opens up about her personal story that reshaped her entire “why” behind content creation. It’s one that will make you rethink the way you document your life, your work, and your voice. It’s a reminder that what you create today isn’t just content– it can become a valuable memory in the future.

There’s honestly sooo many powerful nuggets within this episode, so here’s a summary of what else Elisa and Anna chat about:

• Why social media is just one piece of a marketing ecosystem

• The truth about virality and why it’s not as cool as you’d think

• How to integrate creating content into your life

• Why quantity breeds quality

• What makes a brand stand out in a saturated online space

• The underrated power of Instagram stories for connecting with your community

Laugh with us, learn from a social marketing queen, and feel encouraged to create the content. We know it’s a long one, but by the end of this episode you’ll walk away with a completely different mindset when it comes to social media. So grab yourself a dirty soda and maybe even a notebook, because we’ve got a lot to cover! 

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Connect with Anna on Instagram: @socialanna

Work with Off The Coast Creative - A Boutique Social Media & Content Creation Agency

Follow along with Anna’s Other Brands on Instagram:

Vowed To Vision

Salty Cowgirl Event Co.

Dirty Cowgirl Soda Bar

Bell Bottom Brims 

For locals in Richmond, Fredericksburg, or Stafford, Virginia areas check out Salty Cowgirl Events for your party needs! 

Stay tuned for the Socially Salty Podcast coming soon!!

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Connect with @ElisaUnscripted on Instagram 

Follow @ZealCastStudios on Instagram

Short Story Long, Always is a ZealCast Studios Podcast: ZealCast Studios is a podcast management agency for passion-driven female creatives ready to amplify their messaging and leverage their brand through podcasting. If you are ready to step into your calling as a podcaster or are wanting to take your show to the next level, I invite you to reach out to ZealCast Studios for podcasting support. You can get started by going to www.zealcaststudios.com/get-started.

The funny thing about life is that we only get one, so why not live it the best we can? 

In today’s encouraging episode, Elisa is joined by community builder, entrepreneur, founder of The Passion Pursuit Co., and owner of Camp Climb, Haley Thomas, for a conversation that beautifully blends mindfulness, motherhood, and the messy magic of building a life you always dreamed of.

We’re beginning this episode with a unique start – a guided breathwork and meditation to help you slow down, reconnect, and allow yourself to be fully present in this moment—setting the tone for a deeply intentional conversation. From there, Haley shares her non-linear journey into entrepreneurship, how she built a business rooted in passion and purpose, and the bold, aligned decisions that have shaped her path. Each and every step of Haley’s journey was fueled by curiosity, a trait that she now shares with her daughter.

Elisa and Haley continue to dive into what it really looks like to balance (or rather, harmonize) motherhood and entrepreneurship, navigating seasons of growth, and learning how to be present in a world that constantly pulls for your attention. They also explore the power of community, the courage it takes to ask for support, and why learning to receive might be one of the most important skills you can build as a woman in business.

This episode is a reminder to trust yourself, embrace the in-between seasons, and say yes to the life that’s calling you. Yes, even when it doesn’t make perfect sense.

You’re not going to want to skip this episode, so go grab an iced lavender latte, and join Elisa and Haley in this inspiring conversation.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Join the FREE Bloom In Community Virtual Retreat with The Camp Climb Community!

Join Us At Camp This August! 

Join the Passion Power Hour – Haley’s FREE Networking Call 

Connect with Haley on Instagram @ThePassionPursuitCo

Follow Camp Climb on Instagram

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Connect with @ElisaUnscripted on Instagram 

Follow @ZealCastStudios on Instagram

Schedule Your FREE Consult Call: https://www.zealcaststudios.com/get-started

Press play on today’s unique episode where Elisa is stepping into the guest seat for a podcast episode collaboration with The Sustainable Creator Podcast hosted by Business Coaches, Jo & Lyndon! This episode originally aired on their podcast a few weeks ago, and we are so grateful to be able to share it with you here, today!

Elisa, Jo, & Lyndon talk about all things podcasting for creative entrepreneurs and service-based businesses. They dive into how podcasts can help build your authority, leverage your brand, and create a deeper connection with your audience. Elisa also shares insights on how podcasts help build the powerful know-like-trust factor that often leads to client inquiries, community growth, and long-term business impact.

If you're a creative service provider, coach, or entrepreneur wondering whether starting a podcast is still worth it in 2026, this conversation offers a behind-the-scenes look at how podcasting continues to evolve, how you can sustainably start a podcast, and why long-form content remains one of the most powerful ways to connect with your audience. This episode is a fun conversation while still getting a little nerdy, so grab yourself a fun drink and enjoy the conversation!

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Go Binge The Sustainable Creator Podcast!

Connect with Jo & Lyndon on Instagram

Follow The Breakroom Community!

Join The Breakroom Here!

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Connect with Elisa on Instagram 

Follow ZealCast Studios on Instagram

Schedule Your FREE Consult Call: https://www.zealcaststudios.com/get-started

Are you a fellow recovering people pleaser? If you said yes, you’re going to want to love this episode! Today, Elisa is joined by Britt Hall, founder of Pattern and Purpose, for an honest conversation about people pleasing, time management, burnout, and what it truly means to live in alignment with your life purpose. 

Through her Vibe Blocking Method, Britt helps Type A, creative women overcome fear-based decision making, improve goal follow-through, and build sustainable personal growth habits. Together, Elisa and Britt unpack how “should” thinking, social pressure, and misaligned values quietly lead to exhaustion — even when life looks successful on the outside. Britt shares actionable insight on overcoming burnout, managing your time with intention, setting boundaries without guilt, and creating lasting change through small, aligned decisions. 

If you’re an entrepreneur, creative professional, military spouse, or high-achieving woman navigating identity shifts or career transitions, this conversation will give you practical tools for self-leadership and clarity. So, grab your coffee and maybe a notebook because it’s time to start building a life aligned with your purpose, values, and long-term vision. 

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Check Out Britt’s Smartphone Wallpapers on Spouse-ly

Visit Britt Skye Photography’s Website

Visit Britt’s Coaching Website for Pattern and Purpose

Connect with Britt on Instagram @pattern_and_purpose and @brittskye_photography

Book References:

The Courage to Be Disliked by Kishimi and Koga

You Are a Badass by Sincero

The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Manson

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Connect with Elisa on Instagram 

Follow ZealCast Studios on Instagram

Schedule Your FREE Consult Call: https://www.zealcaststudios.com/get-started

Have you been noticing this shift in entrepreneurship, too? Industry powerhouses like Jenna Kutcher, Amy Porterfield, Lindsey Roman, and Evie McLeod are stepping away from what they’ve become known for, and this just feels like the end of an era. But it’s also the beginning of something new. 

Jenna completed season one of The Goal Digger Podcast, Amy is closing the doors to Digital Course Academy, Evie and Lindsey have stopped the podcast and are finishing up one last workshop, but these women aren’t walking away because things weren’t working – they’re walking away because they built strong enough brands to give them the choice to do so.

Elisa dives into what this means for the “new era” of entrepreneurship, where information is everywhere, AI is reshaping how buyers make decisions, and the real differentiator is no longer what you teach—but who you are. Elisa also pulls in a candid snippet from a conversation with Karley from Bud to Bloom Marketing. Together they explore hot takes on AI in business: where it helps, where it hurts, and why the human touch still wins every time. 

If you’ve been watching these industry shifts and wondering what it means for you, consider this your invitation. Their decision to stop is your opportunity to start. This episode is both a reflection on legacy brands and an opportunity for creators ready to build something of their own. Your voice matters and the torch has been passed to you.  

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

✨Listen to the Last Goal Digger Episode  

✨Listen to Amy Porterfield’s Episode on DCA Closing

✨Listen to to The Heart & Hustle’s New Era Episode 

Get More AI Hot Takes From Karley Here!

Connect with Karley on Instagram

Download Your FREE Guide to Launch Your Podcast! 

Connect with Elisa on Instagram 

Follow ZealCast Studios on Instagram

Schedule Your FREE Consult Call: https://www.zealcaststudios.com/get-started

When Apple Podcasts announced it’s integrating a new video experience into the app, Elisa felt called to open up the conversation regarding video podcasting in general, on the podcast.

In this episode, Elisa is putting on her podcast manager hat to unpack the bigger conversation—because while video may be the next chapter of podcasting, that doesn’t automatically mean you have to turn your show into a full production studio.

As the CEO and founder of ZealCast Studios, Elisa has worked behind the scenes on both audio and video podcasts for years. And her hot take? You don’t need a video podcast to start—or to succeed. Yes, there are clear benefits, especially on platforms like YouTube, but podcasting at its core has always been about human connection, meaningful conversations, and creating content that keeps listeners coming back week after week. A beautiful studio and polished visuals won’t save a show that lacks clarity, strategy, and substance.

If you’ve been feeling the pressure to “keep up” or wondering whether you’re falling behind without video, this episode will feel like a deep exhale. Short story long; ignore the noise, build the show that works for you, and remember why you started podcasting in the first place.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Apply to be a guest on the show!

Connect with Elisa on Instagram 

Follow ZealCast Studios on Instagram

Visit ZealCast Studios’ Website

Settle in for a conversation that feels like two friends catching up over coffee. Elisa sits down with Karley, marketing strategist and founder of Bud to Bloom Marketing, to talk about the real and messy seasons of entrepreneurship. From starting as a side hustle while juggling a 9–5, to taking the leap full-time, and even hitting the point where you want to burn it all down, this episode covers it all. They share the moments that nobody talks about: the self-doubt, the social media comparison, and the personal growth that comes with running your own business.

Karley shares her entrepreneurial journey from fire protection engineering to building a thriving marketing business, and together they dive into what it really takes to trust yourself, set boundaries, and figure out your own path. They laugh, they get real, and they remind you that the messy parts are often where the growth happens. If you’ve ever wondered if you’re the only one struggling, questioning your worth, or figuring out the next step, this conversation is for you.

No matter what season of entrepreneurship you’re in, the message is simple: your journey is your own, and it doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s. Grab your coffee, get comfy, and listen to two business besties get honest about the highs, the lows, and everything in between.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Go Watch Karley’s YouTube Channel!!! 

Connect with Karley on Instagram

Visit Bud To Bloom Marketing’s Website

Get Your Free Marketing Diagnostic Here!

Connect with Elisa on Instagram 

Follow ZealCast Studios on Instagram

Visit ZealCast Studios’ Website

Let’s dive in deeper on the wedding plans! Today, we’re continuing on with the “I Do” Diaries Series to chat more about choosing an intimate, non-traditional destination wedding in Alaska, navigating family conversations, vendor decisions, and the emotional rollercoaster of wedding dress shopping. You’ll hear how they planned a week-long experience for their closest people, and what it really looks like to design a wedding day that feels true to you, even when expectations (and opinions) come into play.

This episode also pulls back the curtain on how Elisa found her Alaska-based photographer and wedding planner through Instagram, why vendor recommendations matter more than you think, and the powerful mindset shift of viewing the couple as guests of honor—not hosts. Plus, she shares the full story of saying yes to the dress (after multiple stores, multiple styles, and a few unexpected emotions), along with honest advice for future brides navigating the pressure, nerves, and noise that often come with dress shopping.

Whether you’re planning a wedding, dreaming of a destination celebration, or simply love real, reflective conversations about choosing what feels right for your life, this episode is a reminder to always choose what makes you feel the confident version of yourself.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Our Wedding Photographer: Rachel Struve Photography

Our Wedding Planner: Events By Ayla

Check Out Ivory Rose Bridal Boutique! 

Apply to be a guest on the show!

Connect with Elisa on Instagram 

Follow ZealCast Studios on Instagram

Visit ZealCast Studios’ Website

After fifteen years together — including a breakup, a five-year long-distance season, and more than one moment where the proposal almost happened — Elisa shares the full backstory of her relationship with her fiancé and the long road that led to their engagement. From high school sweethearts and military life to waiting seasons, missed expectations, and learning to let go of control, this episode traces the journey to “yes” and the mountain moment where everything finally aligned. Their love story even mirrors Love Story by Taylor Swift, making this chapter feel both nostalgic and meant to be.

This episode kicks off the newest series on the podcast, The I Do Diaries — an audio journal created to document this once-in-a-lifetime season of engagement. While this first episode focuses on the relationship backstory and engagement story, upcoming episodes will dive into specific moments, emotions, and experiences throughout wedding planning, offering honest reflections, personal insights, and real-time processing along the way.

So grab a fun drink, get comfortable, and press play — and be sure to listen all the way through so you don’t miss the very special announcement at the end.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Apply to be a guest on the show!

Connect with Elisa on Instagram 

Follow ZealCast Studios on Instagram

Visit ZealCast Studios’ Website