Best Susie Schaefer Podcasts (2025)

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Lessons From the Animal Kingdom: Reinventing Leadership with Jennifer Reiser 39:39

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3d ago39:39

39:39

In this episode of Finish the Damn Book, host Susie Schaefer sits down with leadership expert, author, and TEDx speaker Jennifer Reiser—a visionary who blends human-centered leadership with unexpected lessons from the natural world. Jennifer opens up about the emotional challenges behind creating her two leadership coloring workbooks, including rel…

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Honoring Veterans Through Storytelling: Inside the Veterans Writing Group 27:41

11d ago27:41

27:41

In this inspiring episode, host Susie Schaefer talks with members of the Veterans Writing Group of San Diego about their mission to help veterans and their families share and preserve their stories. President Gary Garrettson and board members Armand Kian, Brian Sanchez, and Derek Barraza discuss their latest anthology, the power of storytelling for…

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The Hidden Power of Professional Editing with Susan Crossman 31:01

13d ago31:01

31:01

In this episode of Finish the Damn Book, Susie Schaefer sits down with award-winning author, editor, and book coach Susan Crossman to uncover the truth about writing a compelling nonfiction book. They dive deep into the real purpose of professional editing, why DIY editing and AI tools fail authors, and how intuition, storytelling, and human emotio…

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Joel Mark Harris on Ghostwriting: Crafting Stories That Change Lives 30:14

15d ago30:14

30:14

Award-winning author and ghostwriter Joel Mark Harris joins Susie Schaefer to reveal what really goes into writing powerful books for others. From navigating painful life stories with sensitivity, to using intuition to shape authentic narratives, Joel breaks down the myths of ghostwriting, the emotional depth behind memoir work, and the art of capt…

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How to Heal Toxic Workplaces: Culture Recovery with Dr. Bryan Hughes 32:51

17d ago32:51

32:51

In this episode, bestselling author and business strategist Dr. Bryan Hughes reveals how his Culture Recovery Framework—born from academic research and proven in multi-billion-dollar organizations—helps leaders eliminate toxicity, rebuild trust, reduce turnover, and create high-performing, people-first workplaces. He shares the emotional challenges…

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Mindset, Mission & Momentum with Cristian Lopez — Turning Personal Change into a Lifestyle of Impact 16:55

29d ago16:55

16:55

In this powerful and deeply personal episode of Finish the Damn Book, Susie Schaefer sits down with Cristian Lopez, better known as The Traction Coach — a U.S. veteran, bestselling author, and transformation strategist who lost over 150 pounds in just five months and turned his breakthrough into a life-changing system. Cristian shares his emotional…

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The Entrepreneur’s Inner Child with Jon Bowerman — Creating from Curiosity and Heart 24:21

1M ago24:21

24:21

In this inspiring episode of Finish the Damn Book, Susie Schaefer sits down with author and designer Jon Bowerman to explore his new release, You’re Not Lost, You’re Just Starting: How to Make Anything Possible. John shares how a weekly conversation about teaching life lessons to his kids evolved into a book that helps readers reconnect with their …

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Behind “Heroes Live Here”: Amy Forsythe’s Journey From the Battlefield to Bestselling Author 35:56

1M ago35:56

35:56

In this inspiring episode of Finish the Damn Book, host Susie Schaefer sits down with award-winning military photojournalist Amy Forsythe, who served 18 years in the U.S. Marine Corps and later retired as a Navy Reserve public affairs officer. Amy shares the powerful journey behind her book, Heroes Live Here: A Tribute to Camp Pendleton Marines—a d…

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The Art and Soul of Book Design: A Conversation with Michelle White 28:49

1M ago28:49

28:49

In this conversation, Susie and Michelle explore what it truly takes to bring a book to life — not just through words, but through visual storytelling and mindful design. Michelle opens up about her creative process, how intuition and expertise work hand in hand in book design, and the importance of collaboration between authors and professionals i…

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Rescue, Rehab, and Rewrite: How Sunny Weber Found Her Voice and Helped Thousands of Dogs 26:12

2M ago26:12

26:12

In this inspiring episode of Finish the Damn Book, host Susie Schaefer sits down with Sunny Weber, an award-winning author and lifelong animal advocate who turned a devastating head injury into a mission to help fearful and abandoned dogs. Through her books and humane education work, Sunny teaches children and adults alike to see the world through …

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Turning Trauma into Triumph: The Birth of “My Name Is Saffron” 32:34

2M ago32:34

32:34

In this powerful episode of Finish the Damn Book, Susie Schaefer sits down with bestselling author and women’s advocate Saffron Gustafson, who began writing her book My Name Is Saffron while serving time in federal prison. From solitary confinement with a bendable pencil to becoming a bestselling author, Saffron shares how journaling became her lif…

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Letters of Love & Legacy: Writing Through Grief with Esthela Nunez Franco 26:47

2M ago26:47

26:47

In this deeply moving episode of Finish the Damn Book, host Susie Schaefer sits down with author, artist, and advocate Esthela Nunez Franco, whose memoir Seven Stories for My Father: Letters of Love and Legacy honors the life and wisdom of her late father. Esthela shares her powerful journey of immigrating from Mexico at age 10, discovering her voi…

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How Kerrie Lee Brown Turned a Health Crisis into a Movement for Women’s Wellness 33:23

2M ago33:23

33:23

In this powerful episode of Finish The Damn Book, host Susie Schaefer sits down with Kerrie Lee Brown, award-winning author, speaker, and Editor-in-Chief of Success Magazine, to explore how a life-changing heart health crisis reshaped her definition of success. Kerrie opens up about overcoming perfectionism, embracing intuition, and finding purpose…

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Unswaddled Truths: The Power of Storytelling in Motherhood with Sarah Cassidy 41:34

2M ago41:34

41:34

In this heartfelt episode of Finish the Damn Book, bestselling author and founder of The Swaddled Movement, Sarah Cassidy, joins host Susie Schaefer to share her transformative journey from fear and perfectionism to trust and creative freedom. Sarah opens up about the emotional challenges of writing her first book, overcoming imposter syndrome, and…

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Bridging Science and Spirit: The Four Worlds of Consciousness with Dr. Eleanor Haspel-Portner 33:03

2M ago33:03

33:03

By Susie Schaefer

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Giving Animals a Voice: Karen Wickerson’s Journey to Bestseller 30:09

2M ago30:09

30:09

In this episode of Finish the Damn Book, Susie Schaefer talks with Karen Wickerson—animal telepath, healer, and now international bestselling author of Listen to Your Animals. Karen shares how she overcame deep self-doubt, old educational trauma, and the fear of writing to fulfill her soul’s calling: giving animals a voice. With stories of channeli…

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Faith, Intuition & Memoir: How Ralph Patrick Finished His Book 19:43

2M ago19:43

19:43

In this episode of Finish the Damn Book, Susie Schafer sits down with author, spiritual director, and dementia consultant Ralph Patrick. Ralph opens up about his 8-year journey of turning personal journals into his bestselling memoir Losing Faith, Leaving Ministry, Loving God. He shares the struggles of self-doubt, the healing power of writing, and…

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It’s Your Turn: Shari Biery on Finding Purpose and Finishing Your Book 27:49

3M ago27:49

27:49

In this episode of Finish the Damn Book, bestselling author and purpose coach Shari Biery shares the deeply personal journey behind her book It’s Your Turn. From the invisible sacrifices of military spouse life to rediscovering self-worth and creating her signature CALM Method, Shari reveals how writing became both healing and empowering. If you’ve…

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The Power of Story: Bob Vajgrt on Books, Faith & Legacy 32:17

3M ago32:17

32:17

Bob Vajgrt, an architect-turned-author who stepped away from a 25-year career to pursue something larger than life. Bob shares how writing The Story in Your Head and his children’s book Along for the Ride opened the door to inspiring others, building a mission-driven company, and creating a future foundation to support young adults aging out of fos…

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Soul Health & Book Births: Laura Van Tyne’s Path from Blogs to Best Clients 39:36

3M ago39:36

39:36

Remote viewer and author Laura Van Tyne shares how she went from a tough DIY first book to a smooth, white-glove launch for books two and three—repurposing blogs, trusting intuition, spotting spiritual charlatans, and measuring ROI beyond book sales. Plus: when to know it’s time to tell your story, simple ways to start (dictate, journal, sticky not…

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Boutique Book-Building: Timelines, Teams & Truth with Jeffrey Mangus 29:49

3M ago29:49

29:49

Ghostwriter and agency CEO Jeffrey Allen Mangus pulls back the curtain on how great books get made—myths vs. truth, realistic timelines, what collaboration with a pro really looks like, and why “white-glove” teams beat going it alone. Plus: when to hire a ghostwriter, writing as legacy, and a card pull for listeners that says it’s time to stop over…

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Designing Work with Purpose: Jan Barlow on Better Job Fit 29:11

3M ago29:11

29:11

Social Impact Architect Jan Barlow shares how Better Job Fit aligns people, companies, and communities—bridging nonprofit and for-profit worlds, measuring real impact, and rethinking hiring in the post-pandemic, AI-enabled workplace.By Susie Schaefer

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When a Story Becomes a Movement: Shawnee Baker and Bailey’s Wish 25:03

3M ago25:03

25:03

International bestselling author Shawnee Baker shares how writing her daughter Bailey’s story became both healing and purposeful—fueling a movement for college safety, healthcare proxies, and the creation of Bailey’s Wish Foundation.By Susie Schaefer

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Finding Home: How Mahnaz Jahangiri Turned Intuition into a Book—and a Movement 23:08

3M ago23:08

23:08

Bestselling author and yoga teacher Mahnaz Jahangiri shares how trusting her intuition—closing two studios, going virtual, and writing Finding Home—led to deeper impact, clearer purpose, and the courage to “finish the damn book.”By Susie Schaefer

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From Interior Design to Inner Design: Alejandra Brady’s Awakening 44:00

3M ago44:00

44:00

Author and feng shui pro Alejandra Brady shares how surgeries, stillness, and “love shoves” from the universe sparked her spiritual awakening—and her bestselling memoir. Hear how she blends feng shui, biophilic design, and intuition to transform spaces (and lives) while revealing the messy, honest path to finishing your book.…

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From First-Time Authors to Bestsellers: Pam & Julie’s Story 33:03

3M ago33:03

33:03

Midlife isn’t a crisis—it’s an upgrade. In this episode of Finish the Damn Book, Susie Schafer talks with Pam & Julie, co-authors of Midlife Upgrade, about writing through challenges, embracing vulnerability, and creating a guide that helps women step into their power with confidence and grace.By Susie Schaefer

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The Historic Traveler: Blending Books, History & Adventures with Jackie Lapin 26:54

4M ago26:54

26:54

From pioneering sports journalism to helping hundreds of authors shine through podcast tours, Jackie Lapin knows how to turn stories into impact. In this episode of Finish the Damn Book, Susie Schaefer and Jackie explore book publicity, authenticity in publishing, and Jackie’s newest passion project—The Historic Traveler. Tune in for insider tips o…

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Manifesting Success: How Jane Ubell-Meyer Built a Literary Empire 40:08

4M ago40:08

40:08

What do Good Morning America, luxury hotels, and book marketing have in common? Jane Ubell-Meyer. In this episode of Finish the Damn Book, Susie Schaefer sits down with the founder of Bedside Reading to explore her journey from TV and film producer to bestselling author and publishing entrepreneur. Jane shares her secrets for creative partnerships,…

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From Bella to Beyond: Kristina Lucia’s Journey of Creativity and Community 1:04:24

4M ago1:04:24

1:04:24

Award-winning author and creator Kristina Lucia joins Susie Schaefer to share how she transformed her imagination into a thriving series of books, activity guides, and beloved characters. From creative challenges to building community partnerships, Kristina reveals what it takes to trust the process, embrace discipline, and bring magic into the liv…

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Why Every Story Deserves to Be Told — And How to Tell It Well with Tim Jacobs 42:28

4M ago42:28

42:28

Author and publisher Tim Jacobs shares 40+ years of wisdom on writing, editing, and preserving life stories — from ghostwriting bestsellers to creating affordable legacy books that keep family history alive. A must-listen for anyone who’s ever dreamed of finishing their book.By Susie Schaefer

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Finance, Freedom & Finding Your Voice with Connie Monroe 48:02

4M ago48:02

48:02

From finance to freedom—Connie Monroe shares how she overcame fear, embraced her voice, and turned life lessons into a book that inspires women to write their own stories.By Susie Schaefer

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The Power of Story: How Shannon Hogan Cohen Turned Healing Into Legacy 34:35

4M ago34:35

34:35

Storytelling is healing—and bestselling author Shannon Cohen proves that truth-telling can transform lives. From publishing three collaborative books to writing personal letters to her late father, she shares how imperfection, intuition, and purpose shaped her journey.By Susie Schaefer

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From Pain to Pages: Pam Dwyer's Healing Through Story 35:42

4M ago35:42

35:42

When Pam Dwyer first hit “publish,” she wasn’t ready—but her story was. Hear how she turned trauma into transformation and reclaimed her power through writing, speaking, and starting over.By Susie Schaefer

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From Wall Street to Words: Bill Haase’s Money Mindset Mission 24:59

4M ago24:59

24:59

What happens when a veteran trader turns his life calling into a book? Bill Haase shares his journey of financial wisdom, military advocacy, and writing with intention. Learn how he went from pit trading to publishing—one bold step at a time.By Susie Schaefer

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Self-Publishing, Power, and the Rise of the Author-Influencer 9:03

4M ago9:03

9:03

The publishing game has changed—and women are leading the charge. In this episode, Susie Schaefer breaks down the evolution of the industry, the rise of independent publishing, and why now is the time to finish the damn book.By Susie Schaefer

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Start Here: How to Finally Finish Your Book 13:23

5M ago13:23

13:23

Feeling stuck with your book? In this kickoff episode, Suzie Schaefer shares how she went from working five jobs to launching a purpose-driven publishing company. Whether you're facing perfectionism, imposter syndrome, or tech overwhelm—this show is your roadmap to finally Finish the Damn Book.By Susie Schaefer