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 releasing perfectionism, navigating boundaries, and learning to embrace help. She reveals how tapping into creativity helped her rediscover forgotten parts of herself and how each animal in her books carries symbolic lessons that spark powerful self-reflection and team conversations.

From using nature-based leadership traits in coaching, to seeing her work shape executive teams, conflict resolution, and personal development, Jennifer shares the unexpected doors her books have opened—including her TEDx talk Wildly Effective Leadership.

This conversation goes deep on creativity, leadership, intuition, returning to nature, and the spiritual moments woven into Jennifer’s author journey. Whether you're an aspiring writer, a leader, or simply someone craving more authenticity and connection—this episode will leave you inspired to explore your own wild potential.

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 healing, and why capturing military experiences matters now more than ever. This heartfelt conversation is a reminder of the impact writing can have—and why every story deserves to be told.

Tune in and keep writing so you can finish the damn book.

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 emotion shape powerful books that resonate. Susan breaks down developmental editing, copy editing, proofreading, and sensitivity reading—revealing why a polished manuscript can make or break your credibility, reviews, and impact. A must-listen for coaches, consultants, and mission-driven writers ready to elevate their message and create a book they’re truly proud of.

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 capturing someone’s true voice. He also shares his process, the importance of storytelling structure, and how writers can honor their past while creating a message that resonates with readers.

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 of writing his book, real-world results from companies worldwide, and why understanding your audience is the key to meaningful leadership change.

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 journey from near-death diagnosis to total reinvention, revealing how facing hard truths, rewriting limiting beliefs, and committing to consistency helped him reclaim his health, confidence, and purpose. He discusses how his new book How to Lose Weight gives readers the exact blueprint behind his success, and how he now helps others transform their bodies, beliefs, and income through his Traction Protocol.

Susie and Cristian dive into topics like the emotional roots of change, building lasting habits, turning adversity into purpose, and how authenticity and intuition play a role in both personal transformation and authorship.

Takeaway: True transformation isn’t just about losing weight — it’s about gaining your life, owning your story, and helping others do the same.

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 inner child, simplify complex ideas, and start again with courage and curiosity.

Together, they discuss embracing intuition, overcoming self-doubt, and transforming creative blocks into flow. John also reveals how staying playful, journaling, and designing with heart—not hustle—can reignite both business and personal growth.

Takeaway: It’s never too late to design a life—and a story—that honors the dreams of your younger self.

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 deeply personal project that honors the post-9/11 generation of fallen Marines through stories, photographs, and memorials.

Together, Susie and Amy explore the emotional process of writing and publishing a coffee table book, the challenges of independent publishing, and the importance of honoring service and sacrifice through storytelling. Amy also discusses how she transformed her book into a speaking platform that continues to inspire audiences across the country.

This episode is a must-listen for veterans, aspiring authors, and anyone looking to turn their story into a legacy that lasts.