Podcast
Beyond Better with Stacy Ennis
Hosted by Stacy Ennis · EN
Beyond Better is a podcast that explores a simple but profound idea: we all deserve to live lives that are not just better—but beyond better. I’m Stacy Ennis, an author, mom of two, and long-time location independent entrepreneur living in Portugal. Join me as I talk business, location independence, writing, travel, and so much more, all focused on building a life that is beyond better.
41episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
262. The author’s guide to a brand photoshoot
4d ago00:47:11Tap to summarizeYour brand matters—because it’s how you show up for your clients, the spaces you want to be in, the people you want to be with. Quality photos are an asset for your business, especially if it’s an online business, because they are creating a perception of your brand. By keeping your headshots and photos updated, you’re making an active decision to take control of your narrative.Today’s episode features my personal experience of preparing for and initiating a photoshoot for my brand. Rita Domingues, our amazing head of marketing, joins me to talk about the process so you can have a successful experience (and even avoid a mistake I made!).Rita and I get into the useful, practical steps of what’s involved: the timeline, where to use the photos (hint: your media kit), budget, and team collaboration. We even discuss what to look for in choosing a photographer. There are many conversations to have and details to consider, and we walk you through each step as you consider how to up-level your brand through quality photos.If you’re looking to improve your brand’s perception, this episode is a must!Brand Photo Shoot Strategy: Updated photos reflect personal growth, brand maturity, and location-based lifestyle, replacing 7-year-old images for marketing use.Photographer Selection: Chose a local professional with aligned vision via discovery calls, ensuring flexibility and creative collaboration during the shoot.Photo Shoot Execution: Nearly 230 images over 3.5 hours captured varied styles, using multiple locations and professional styling to support brand storytelling.Budget & Resources: Total cost about $1,500 covering photography, hair, makeup, and outfits; flexible budgeting advised based on business stage.Marketing Integration: Large image library enables multi-platform use, enhancing visual storytelling and readiness for media opportunities.Team Collaboration: Key roles included planner/assistant managing logistics remotely, photographer bringing creative expertise, and day-of support boosting morale.Follow me on:Instagram @stacyennisFacebook @stacyenniscreativeLinkedInYouTube @stacyennisauthorTo submit a question, email hello@stacyennis.com or join my email list http://stacyennis.com/join and fill out the form on the page.
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261. The business of being a writer, with Jane Friedman
2w ago00:55:33Tap to summarizeMany of you dream of making a living as a writer. Well, today’s episode features just the guest you need to learn from. Jane Friedman has spent many years in the publishing industry and knows a thing or two about what it takes to build a solid business of being a writer.Jane shares from her wealth of experience, and we get to talk shop about what it means to be emotionally resilient and set realistic expectations. We also discuss the nitty-gritty details of how to establish your writing business, like balancing income streams, integrating art, and avoiding the rabbit hole of social media toxicity.Jane has spent nearly 25 years working in the book publishing industry, with a focus on author education and trend reporting. She is the editor of The Bottom Line, the essential publishing industry newsletter for authors, and her latest book is The Business of Being a Writer, Second Edition (University of Chicago Press), which received a starred review from Library Journal.If you’ve thought about pursuing a career as a writer, this episode covers the essentials for success. Listen in now!Get to know Jane:WebsiteInstagram @janefriedmanFacebook @janefriedmanJoin the free newsletter, Electric SpeedBook recommendation: How to Say Goodbye, by Wendy MacNaughtonFollow me on:Instagram @stacyennisFacebook @stacyenniscreativeLinkedInYouTube @stacyennisauthorTo submit a question, email hello@stacyennis.com or join my http://stacyennis.com/join and fill out the form on the page.
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260. Finding your voice, with Adassa from Encanto
3w ago00:52:00Tap to summarizeToday’s episode features a very special guest, Hadassa Candiani, known professionally as Adassa, whom you may recognize as the voice of Dolores Madrigal in Disney’s Encanto. In this vulnerable conversation, I get to talk with Adassa about what it means to keep showing up—for your family, your work, and yourself.Adassa shares her experience of surviving a Covid-related paralysis that nearly ended her career and left her unable to sing, move, or care for her children. Her healing came through her faith and husband’s support. We also talk about how creative expression through writing her memoir, combined with music, gave her a new outlet for healing, as well as breaking down the stigma around struggles.Adassa is an Oscar, Grammy, and Golden Globe winning artist and a featured vocalist on the Billboard Hot 100 number-one hit “We Don’t Talk About Bruno.” A Colombian American mother of seven, she has performed alongside Lin-Manuel Miranda (who is kind of a hero in our household), Pitbull, Snoop Dogg, and Megan Thee Stallion. Her debut memoir, Love Keeps Showing Up: Music, Messes, and Miracles, releases alongside a ten-track country album, both telling the story of a woman who kept going with when everything said stop.If you are facing challenges in your life that seem overwhelming and need a little inspiration to keep going, you will certainly enjoy listening to this delightful interview.And stay tuned for a little extra at the end!Get to know Adassa:WebsiteTikTok @adassaofficialX @adassaofficialFacebook @adassaofficialpageInstagram @adassaofficialLinkedInBook recommendations:The Giver: A Story About Conformity, Control, and Society, by Lois LowryThe Sunshine Mind: 100 Days to Finding the Hope and Joy You Want, by Tanya Radd and Raquelle Stevens Follow me on:Instagram @stacyennisFacebook @stacyenniscreativeLinkedInYouTube @stacyennisauthorTo submit a question, email hello@stacyennis.com or join my email list http://stacyennis.com/join and fill out the form on the page.
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259. How to leverage your IP to scale, with Pamela Slim
4w ago00:48:29Tap to summarizeIn today’s episode, I get to talk with Pamela Slim, an expert for experts, who helps business owners leverage their IP to scale. Of course, you know that a book lives in that scale strategy, so we'll be talking about how your book can be a tool to package ideas, build awareness, and generate demand.We talk about the specific point of view that you, as an expert, have and the process you go through in your business—questions you ask, models you share. We discuss about how to get really clear about your methods and how to codify them and scale your ideas.Pamela Slim is an award-winning author, speaker, and agency owner who has spent three decades helping business owners scale their businesses and IP. The Pamela Slim Agency (PSA) specializes in productizing service businesses and the design and development of certification and licensing programs. Pam is the author of Escape from Cubicle Nation, Body of Work, and The Widest Net, which won the Best Sales and Marketing Book of 2021 from Porchlight Books. If you’re a service-based entrepreneur or business owner, or maybe you’re a 9-to-5, and you really desire to someday run your own business (a beyond better life you imagine for yourself), this conversation is for you!Get to know Pamela:WebsiteLinkedInInstagram @pamslimBook recommendation: If You Want to Write: A Book About Art, Independence and Spirit, by Brenda Ueland Follow me on:Instagram @stacyennisFacebook @stacyenniscreative LinkedInYouTube @stacyennisauthorTo submit a question, email hello@stacyennis.com or join my email list http://stacyennis.com/join and fill out the form on the page.
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258. The human side of publishing, with Emma Lowe of the London Book Fair
Jun 2400:38:27Tap to summarizeEveryone in publishing has their own love story with books, and today we get to hear from Emma Lowe, director of the London Book Fair (LBF). Emma and I will be discussing the importance of humanity and publishing, like creating inclusive spaces to support diverse reading needs and neurodivergent engagement. We also dig into the hot topic of AI and how AI intersects with the world of publishing.Emma shines a light on how LBF has integrated self-publishing into a traditional publishing trade show. Self-published authors have gained a huge amount of space in the publishing playing field, especially when traditional publishing methods are slightly less relevant for authors.Whether you're an aspiring author, a published author, a publishing professional of any kind, or somebody who’s just publishing curious, you are sure to gain a lot from this conversation.With over two decades of experience spanning publishing, media, and events, Emma Lowe took up the role of director of LBF in July 2025. She began her career at RX working as head of sales for LBF, before spending nine years as commercial director at The Bookseller, followed by roles as publishing account director at GlassBoxx and head of events at HarperCollins. She is widely regarded as a careful, detail-oriented leader with a warm personality and deep roots in the UK publishing community.Get to know Ema:LinkedInLondon Book FairThe Alliance of Independent AuthorsTonies BoxBook recommendation:A Room with a View, by E.M. ForsterFollow me on:Instagram @stacyennisFacebook @stacyenniscreativeLinkedInYouTube @stacyennisauthorTo submit a question, email hello@stacyennis.com or join my email list http://stacyennis.com/join and fill out the form on the page.
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257. How to write a strong outline (and why you need one)
Jun 1700:08:57Tap to summarizeYou are ready to start writing—your desk is ready with pens and highlighters and sticky notes. You’ve cleared your schedule and everyone knows not to disturb you. Where do you start? It feels good to write, but you’re not sure where you’re headed. Just as you prepare your area and your schedule for the writing process, you need to prepare your road map for writing success.Join me in this session as I talk about one of the greatest tools you could ever develop for your writing—and it’s not AI. A strong book outline reflects your deepest level of thinking as you shape and clarify your book’s message. It’s your deep dive into your core message and who you’re writing to.If you have a passion to write a compelling book and need direction on how to get started—and lay a solid foundation for quality and impact—this episode is for you.Show notes:How to use AI ethically and legally in your book episodeFollow me on:Instagram @stacyennisFacebook @stacyenniscreativeLinkedInYouTube @stacyennisauthorTo submit a question, email hello@stacyennis.com or join my email list http://stacyennis.com/join and fill out the form on the page.
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256. How to write, create, and sell beyond the algorithm
Jun 1000:45:38Tap to summarizeA big part of my personal life is whole foods, which is a foundational part of how our family operates. My husband prepares every meal from scratch—from homemade sourdough to scratch sauces to kombucha. So this week’s episode is a special one with Melissa Griffiths, the creative soul behind Bless This Mess, a long-running food and lifestyle brand that celebrates simple cooking, slow living, and the beauty of everyday family life.For more than fifteen years, Melissa has shared approachable recipes, homesteading inspiration, and routines with a community of home cooks looking to bring more peace and purpose into their homes. We talk about how she balances using AI for automating texts yet prioritizing human creativity in core content creation. And even though this episode isn’t about writing books, it’s about writing meaningful content that speaks to your audience, especially through sharing real stories and shared values to deepen audience engagement.We also discuss facing the challenges of business shifts, like with traffic and revenue, and looking at new product development. The overarching theme is connecting and engaging with your audience and finding where you fit in and meet a need.As a mother of five, Melissa built her business in the margins of family life, testing recipes during naptime, photographing meals at her kitchen table, and shaping her work around the seasons of motherhood. Her work isn’t just about food, it’s about reclaiming time, joy, and connection in a world that often demands more than we have.If you’re interested in reclaiming a more meaningful lifestyle through food and community, this episode is for you.Learn more about Melissa:WebsiteInstagram @blessthismessblogFacebookRecommended books:Raising Securely Attached Kid, by Lisa DamourThe Emotional Lives of Teenagers, by Eli HarwoodFollow me on:Instagram @stacyennisFacebook @stacyenniscreativeLinkedInYouTube @stacyennisauthorTo submit a question, email hello@stacyennis.com or visit stacyennis.com/contact and fill out the form on the page.
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255. Ask Stacy | How should I use storytelling in my nonfiction book?
Jun 300:10:18Tap to summarizeIf you followed me for very long, you know that storytelling is a big part of my nonfiction work. Stories change a dry, boring, put-this-book-down read to an engaging, transformative experience for the reader.In this week’s episode, I address a question from a listener about the differences between memoir and leadership genres and how personal narratives are used differently in each. Both have commonalities in how to use stories, such as enhancing core ideas without overshadowing them and being flexible with where to place stories to support thematic flow and reader connection.I also talk about how to balance the content in each genre and how much of a chapter could include personal stories—all with the audience in mind.Join me if you’re interested in learning more about using stories to transform lessons into memorable experiences, keeping those readers reading and strengthening your book’s impact.Follow me on:Instagram @stacyennisFacebook @stacyenniscreativeLinkedInYouTube @stacyennisauthorTo submit a question, email hello@stacyennis.com or visit stacyennis.com/contact and fill out the form on the page.
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254. Ask Stacy | Should I upload my manuscript to AI?
May 2700:14:53Tap to summarizeIf you’re an author and are ready for feedback on your first draft, you may have considered this question posed by Trent. Especially if you’re weighing AI’s advice versus hiring an editor.In this “Ask Stacy” episode, I talk about the trickiness of using AI and the potential hazards of watering down your voice as an author. I’ll also discuss the different ways you can receive meaningful feedback—from author coaching to writing community support. And if you have a financial roadblock to hiring an editor, there are free resources you can use.There are limitations to using AI, but there are also ways to use AI to your advantage. The main focus is to invest in your success and long-term growth with integrity and efficiency.If you’re an aspiring author looking for wisdom about using AI, you’ll enjoy this episode and walk away with inspiration on how to best use AI in your book-writing process.Show notes: How to Use AI Ethically and Legally in Your Book.Join my newsletter: https://stacyennis.com/join Follow me on:Instagram @stacyennisFacebook @stacyenniscreativeLinkedInYouTube @stacyennisauthorTo submit a question, email hello@stacyennis.com or visit stacyennis.com/contact and fill out the form on the page.
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253. Ask Stacy | Can I really build a writing and editing career in my 50s?
May 2000:10:13Tap to summarizeWhat do you do when you've spent nearly 30 years building one career, and your heart is quietly pulling you toward something different? In this week’s episode, I'm answering a question from Katie, a higher education professional in her early 50s who's dreaming of transitioning into writing and editing.I share why I believe that it is never too late to reinvent yourself professionally. From my grandfather who saw patients as a surgeon well into his 90s, to a friend who successfully made this exact career pivot later in life.In this episode, I walk through practical steps for making a career transition into writing and editing, including the value of certificate programs, the mindset work that I think is as important as the tactical stuff, and why—surprise, surprise—I think writing a book might be one of the most powerful things you can do as you make this shift.Whether you're Katie, or you're someone else sitting with a big career question of your own, I hope this episode leaves you inspired and reminded that change is always possible.Follow me on:Instagram @stacyennisFacebook @stacyenniscreativeLinkedInYouTube @stacyennisauthorTo submit a question, email hello@stacyennis.com or visit stacyennis.com/contact and fill out the form on the page.
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