Podcast
Blaze
Hosted by Megan Smyth · EN
The go-to podcast for trailblazing entrepreneurs who believe in doing business (and life) DIFFERENTLY.
Tired of hearing the same fluffy advice over and over again? We’re pulling back the curtain to give you an honest take on entrepreneurship. No BS, just real, practical strategies to fuel your growth — and remind you that wherever you are on your journey, you’re not in this alone.
Join host Megan Smyth for weekly interviews, roundtable discussions, and solo soapbox episodes to help YOU blaze your own path and build a business that lights you up.
Welcome to the new era of entrepreneurship. Welcome to the Blaze podcast!
22episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
97. Behind-The-Scenes: What I’ve Changed in Sales Liberation This Year + Why
1w ago00:21:45Tap to summarizeCome peek inside my business! In this behind-the-scenes episode, I'm pulling back the curtain on why I restructured my signature program from a DIY course to a full coaching program based on student feedback. This is an honest look at what I changed and why, plus the winning combination I’ve found gets the best client results. If you're building a coaching program, course, or group offer of your own, I’ll walk you through what to consider for each component. Learn how to design your brand experience, give your students next-level support, and create a community worth showing up for. Online courses aren’t dead…but they may need an upgrade! Click play to learn: Why your audience doesn’t need more information—they need implementation How to design a program that creates lasting transformation and case-study-worthy client results Why I added personalized copy audits to Sales Liberation Key things to consider when creating or joining a community (+ red flags to avoid) Why being a real, present, human leader matters more than ever in 2026 Enjoyed this episode? Leaving a 5-star review will only take a moment, but it means the world and helps us bring you more free content! Join the priority waitlist for Sales Liberation: megansmyth.com/waitlist Book a free Clarity Call Join the next round of Sales Liberation Say hi on Instagram or tag @saleswithmeg Join our email community Full show notes and links from this episode If you enjoyed this episode, you might also like: Why That Strategy From 2022 Stopped Working and What to Do Instead Navigating Transition Seasons: How to Pivot Your Business (+My Journey From Copywriter to Coach) How to Effectively Sell Your Services in the Age of AI: 5 Things Successful Entrepreneurs Are Doing Differently in 2025
Transcribe →96. How to Be Magnetic + Attract More Clients and Opportunities: 4 Key Traits to Embody
2w ago00:30:02Tap to summarizeThe term attraction marketing makes a lot of people roll their eyes, and for good reason…but it’s undeniable that certain entrepreneurs are naturally magnetic. They effortlessly attract bigger audiences, collaboration opportunities…and, of course, more sales. Today, I’m breaking down that “je ne sais quoi” that makes people want to lean in and learn more. Plus, how you can tap into more magnetism yourself by embodying four key traits! This is the type of energy that’s impossible to fake…and impossible to ignore. Click play to learn: Why authenticity isn't optional in 2026—and how to build real trust with your audience Common masks entrepreneurs wear in their marketing (needing to prove, convince, or be liked) that prevent connection with their audience The sneaky way that feeling like you “need” clients sabotages your sales How to feel more confident marketing and selling your offers Why genuine enthusiasm is your best sales tool Ready to build a sales system that actually lights you up—and gets results? Join the priority waitlist for Sales Liberation: megansmyth.com/waitlist Book a free Clarity Call Join the next round of Sales Liberation Say hi on Instagram or tag @saleswithmeg Join our email community Full show notes and links from this episode If you enjoyed this episode, you might also like: The Power of Detachment: How Letting Go of the Outcome Leads to More Sales The Invisible Factor That Makes or Breaks Every Sale (Master Your Energy in 3 Simple Steps) How to Create an Offer That Sells Itself (No Convincing Required)
Transcribe →95. Master Your Message: The Highest-ROI Skill for Service Providers in 2026
3w ago00:19:58Tap to summarizeThink you need a bigger audience to make more sales? Or a better marketing strategy? The thing that actually moves the needle is something most entrepreneurs overlook entirely… Messaging is the skill of making money. And in a world flooded with AI-generated content that all sounds exactly the same, it's becoming the most valuable skill you can invest in for your business. Today I'm breaking down why the model so many entrepreneurs default to is actually working against them, and what to focus on instead. Click play to learn: Why messaging accounts for 90% of your conversion rate The Marketing First trap that keeps entrepreneurs stuck on the content treadmill 3 surprising signs you have a messaging problem Why AI is actually creating more demand for high-quality copy and marketing The first question to ask yourself if you're getting pricing objections, low engagement, or low conversions Join the waitlist for Sales Liberation—my signature program where you'll get access to 30+ proven templates, plus personal line-by-line copy audits. Waitlist members get first access when doors reopen plus exclusive bonuses: megansmyth.com/waitlist Register for the FREE live training: How to Create a 6-Figure Sales System You’ll Actually Enjoy: megansmyth.com/masterclass If you enjoyed this episode, please take a few seconds to leave a review. It helps us get the show out to more people and gives us valuable feedback on what you love most! Book a free Clarity Call Join the next round of Sales Liberation Say hi on Instagram or tag @saleswithmeg Join our email community Full show notes and links from this episode If you enjoyed this episode, you might also like: How to Choose the Best Marketing Platform + Strategy for YOUR Business Increasing Lifetime Value: The Most Important KPI for Success in 2026
Transcribe →94. The Power of Detachment: How Letting Go of the Outcome Leads to More Sales
May 500:21:50Tap to summarizeThe most powerful shift you can make in your sales right now has nothing to do with your funnel, your script, or your strategy—it’s detachment. Attachment to the outcome is one of the sneakiest things holding entrepreneurs back, and it creates a vicious cycle: the more you need the sale, the less likely you are to get it. If you've ever felt that "I need this client" energy creeping in before a discovery call, this episode is for you! I’m breaking down why neediness repels the clients you want to attract, what healthy detachment looks like, and the simple changes you can make to instantly take your power back. Click play to learn: Why "I need more clients" energy is actually costing you clients What actually happens when you stop fighting slow seasons How to maintain a healthy level of detachment while still deeply serving your clients 3 practical things you can do today to take your power back The simple language flip that turns pressure into empowerment Join the priority waitlist for Sales Liberation: megansmyth.com/waitlist If you enjoyed this episode, please take a few seconds to leave a review. It helps us get the show out to more people and gives us valuable feedback on what you love most. Book a free Clarity Call Join the next round of Sales Liberation Say hi on Instagram or tag @saleswithmeg Join our email community Full show notes and links from this episode If you enjoyed this episode, you might also like: The Invisible Factor That Makes or Breaks Every Sale (Master Your Energy in 3 Simple Steps) How to Stop Spiraling When Sales Are Slow: The Secret to Feeling Secure Even with Inconsistent Income How to Create an Offer That Sells Itself (No Convincing Required)
Transcribe →93. Where to Find High-Ticket Clients in 2026 (Yes, People Are Still Buying!)
Apr 2800:33:58Tap to summarizeYou've raised your prices. You know your worth. So why aren't the high-ticket clients showing up? Here's the truth: they're out there, and they're actively looking for someone exactly like you—you just need a new strategy to find and convert them. In this episode, I'm breaking down the exact framework I used to go from charging $20/hour to selling $20,000 packages, and what I teach inside Sales Liberation to help my clients do the same. If you've been told to just "raise your rates" without any guidance on what comes next, this is the missing link! Click play to learn: The 3 strategies that outperform social media for landing high-ticket clients What high-ticket clients need to see before they invest The messaging mistake that's quietly breaking trust with your ideal clients before they even reach out How to show up as an expert on sales calls The "care team" framework for finding high-budget clients through adjacent service providers Free Guide: 28+ Relationship-Based Marketing Ideas (including the Referral Guide that generated over 6 figures for my business!): megansmyth.com/relationship-marketing Join the priority waitlist for Sales Liberation: megansmyth.com/waitlist If you enjoyed this episode, please take a few seconds to leave a review. It helps us get the show out to more people and gives us valuable feedback on what you love most. Book a free Clarity Call Join the next round of Sales Liberation Say hi on Instagram or tag @saleswithmeg Join our email community Full show notes and links from this episode If you enjoyed this episode, you might also like: Increasing Lifetime Value: The Most Important KPI for Success in 2026 How to Effectively Sell Your Services in the Age of AI: 5 Things Successful Entrepreneurs Are Doing Differently in 2025 How to Raise Your Rates Without Losing Clients: My Unconventional & Wildly Effective Process
Transcribe →92. How to Choose the Best Marketing Platform + Strategy for YOUR Business
Apr 2100:33:06Tap to summarize“What's the best marketing platform?" is one of the most common questions I get. But the real question is…what's the best platform for you? There's no universal answer, and chasing one is exactly what's been keeping you stuck. In this episode, I'm sharing where most business owners go wrong with their marketing strategy, plus a three-step framework to help you stop second-guessing and start showing up in a way that actually feels good. If your marketing has felt like a stab in the dark, or you've tried all the things and nothing has stuck long-term, this episode is for you. Click play to learn: Why “go where your audience is” is only half the equation The science that proves enjoyable marketing is more effective marketing Why switching strategies is costing you clients (+ how long it *really* takes to see results) How to tune out the noise and figure out what YOU actually enjoy One powerful question that will give you instant clarity on where to spend your time + energy Ready to stop guessing and build a sales system that gets results? Join the priority waitlist for Sales Liberation—my signature program for coaches and consultants who want more consistent clients, an aligned sales system, and a strategy that doesn't rely on social media. Waitlist members get exclusive first access and bonuses. Head to megansmyth.com/waitlist to add your name to the list! If you enjoyed this episode, please take a few seconds to leave a review. It helps us get the show out to more people and gives us valuable feedback on what you love most. Book a free Clarity Call Join the next round of Sales Liberation Say hi on Instagram or tag @saleswithmeg Join our email community Full show notes and links from this episode
Transcribe →91. What No One Tells You About Becoming a Mom Entrepreneur: Real Talk with Luan Jardine
Apr 1400:51:24Tap to summarizeThere's a very specific image of the Mama CEO being sold to us online. You know the one: laptop open, baby on the hip, effortlessly doing it all. I sat down with my friend and ads expert Luan Jardine for a candid conversation about motherhood and entrepreneurship—and what it actually looks like to run a business alongside growing your family. We cover everything from how Luan intentionally structured her business before getting pregnant, to what the first trimester and early postpartum recovery really did to her work capacity, and what she wishes someone had told her along the way. Luan is a Facebook and Instagram Ads Expert who helps changemakers reach their dream audience. Luan is a strong believer that by connecting entrepreneurs with the right audience through advertising, they can be wildly successful. She’s managed hundreds of thousands of dollars in ad campaigns and achieved a cost per lead as low as $0.50 (19X lower than industry average). Click play to learn: How Luan intentionally built her business to avoid trading time for money The surprisingly simple email Luan sent during pregnancy that landed her multiple new clients Why maintenance packages are the most underrated recurring revenue strategy for service providers (+ how to set one up in any niche) The “spoon theory” and why expecting too much of yourself postpartum is a recipe for burnout What the reality of running a business with a newborn actually looks like, and Luan’s tips for success Join the priority waitlist for Sales Liberation and be the first to know when we reopen enrollment! megansmyth.com/waitlist Book a free Clarity Call Join the next round of Sales Liberation Say hi on Instagram or tag @saleswithmeg Join our email community Full show notes and links from this episode If you enjoyed this episode, you might also like: Mental-Health First Marketing with Laun Jardine The 5 Stages of Purposeful Entrepreneurship with Quinn Tempest The Unplugged Entrepreneur: How Taking Real Time Off Leads to Bigger Results
Transcribe →90. You Need a Sabbatical: A Practical Guide to Taking 4+ Weeks Off From Your Business with Maegan Megginson
Apr 700:56:33Tap to summarizeWhat if the most strategic thing you could do for your business right now was step away? Most entrepreneurs start a business to have more time freedom. Yet so many of us end up working more than we did at our old 9-5, and struggle to take time off. My guest today is Maegan Megginson, a spiritual strategist and sabbatical coach who helps modern entrepreneurs recover from burnout, reconnect with their intuition, and design sustainable ways of working through deep rest, ritual, and seasonal planning. Her approach blends practical business strategy with psycho-spiritual integration to create businesses that feel as good on the inside as they look on the outside. She’s also the host of Sabbatical School, a podcast about taking transformative time off from your business. This conversation will forever change the way you think about time off! Click play to learn: Why you need to incorporate regular sabbaticals into your business The difference between a vacation and a sabbatical (it has nothing to do with length) Real examples of entrepreneurs who have taken 4+ weeks off to write books, launch podcasts, rest, travel, and more The 4 different types of sabbatical + how to determine which is right for you How to fund your sabbatical and actually get paid while you're away Join the priority waitlist for Sales Liberation and be the first to know when we reopen enrollment! megansmyth.com/waitlist Book a free Clarity Call Join the next round of Sales Liberation Say hi on Instagram or tag @saleswithmeg Join our email community Full show notes and links from this episode If you enjoyed this episode, you might also like: The Unplugged Entrepreneur: How Taking Real Time Off Leads to Bigger Results The 3 MOST Important Areas to Spend Your Time to Make More Money 7 Things No One Tells You About Digital Nomad Life
Transcribe →89. Break Through Your Income Ceiling: Hidden Money Blocks with Katy Chen Mazzara
Mar 3101:04:26Tap to summarizeYou already know the practical money stuff. You've read the books, done the budgeting, maybe even worked with a financial planner. So why does money still feel so stressful? This episode is about the piece that most money conversations completely miss. I'm joined by Katy Chen Mazzara, a trauma-informed financial wellness coach who has spent years helping entrepreneurs understand that their relationship with money isn't just a practical problem—it's an emotional one. Katy blends financial strategy with nervous system awareness to help high-achieving entrepreneurs break free from scarcity, release trauma and fear, and create sustainable financial freedom. If you've ever hit an income ceiling you couldn't seem to break through, or wondered why you can make money but can't seem to keep it…this conversation is for you. Click play to learn: How to identify the money blocks that are holding your business back Nervous system regulation 101: why mindset work alone isn’t enough The simple 2-minute exercise to feel more secure, even when revenue dips What your “financial set point” is and why it's quietly capping your income The common receiving block that keeps women from making more money Loved this episode? Share it with a friend or leave a quick 5-star review to help us keep bringing you valuable, free content! Reserve your spot at the Money Blocks Workshop Book a free Clarity Call Join the next round of Sales Liberation Say hi on Instagram or tag @saleswithmeg Join our email community Full show notes and links from this episode If you enjoyed this episode, you might also like: The Invisible Factor That Makes or Breaks Every Sale (Master Your Energy in 3 Simple Steps) How To Stop Spiralling When Sales Are Slow: The Secret to Feeling Secure Even With Inconsistent Income The 3 MOST Important Areas to Spend Your Time to Make More Money
Transcribe →88. From Best-Kept Secret to Industry Leader: Closing the Authority Gap with Kristen VanderHoek
Mar 2401:04:10Tap to summarizeYou know your stuff. Your clients get incredible results. So why does it still feel like the right people aren't finding you? Expertise and authority aren't the same thing. Knowing your stuff is one piece of the puzzle, but being known as the leading voice in your space is a separate issue entirely. In this conversation, I'm joined by my friend and brand strategist Kristen VanderHoek, and we're going deep on the work that most established service providers skip: diagnosing your brand strategically before you touch a single visual. Whether you've outgrown your current brand, you're repositioning for a higher-level client, or something just isn't working and you can't quite put your finger on it, this episode will help you figure out exactly where to focus next. Kristen VanderHoek is the founder of Cursor & Ink, where she helps expert-led service businesses build brands that reflect the depth of their expertise. With nearly 20 years of experience in branding and communications, she specializes in guiding established service providers through rebranding or repositioning work to prepare them for their next stage of growth. Click play to learn: The strategic reset you need before your next level of growth (do this before you rebrand) How brand values can eliminate decision fatigue and make hiring 10x easier Why expertise doesn’t equal authority—and how to get potential clients to see you as the expert you are How to build a brand with one foot in the present and one foot in the future, so it reflects who you are now and who you’re becoming Loved this episode? Share it with a friend or leave a quick 5-star review — it helps us keep bringing you free content every week! Book a free Clarity Call Join the next round of Sales Liberation Say hi on Instagram or tag @saleswithmeg Join our email community Full show notes and links from this episode If you enjoyed this episode, you might also like: Find YOUR Path to Growth: Agency vs. Education (Co-Interview on Rebrand with RuthAnn) The Ins and Outs of Rebranding with RuthAnn Rafiq Why That Strategy From 2022 Stopped Working and What to Do Instead How to Grow Your Business FASTER By Thinking Like a Doctor
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