Finish the Damn Book Podcast
Finish the Damn Book is the podcast for aspiring authors who are done with procrastination, perfectionism, and self-doubt—and ready to finally write, publish, and share their story with the world.
Hosted by Susie Schaefer, publishing expert, book doula, and founder of Finish the Book Publishing, this show is your no-fluff, heart-forward guide through the emotional, spiritual, and tactical journey of becoming an author.
In each episode, you’ll hear from authors who’ve overcome real-life challenges—from PTSD and imposter syndrome to burnout and fear of being seen—and discover how they found the courage to finish their books. You’ll also learn insider tips from editors, designers, and publishing professionals on everything from writing routines to cover design, independent publishing, author branding, and the latest in publishing tech.
Whether you’re writing a legacy memoir, building a business brand, or turning pain into purpose, this podcast will give you the support, tools, and inspiration you need to finish the damn book.
Subscribe now—and every week, one lucky listener who leaves a review on Apple Podcasts will be entered to win a $25,000 VIP Publishing Day with Susie!
Episodes
38 episodes
The Art of Going There: Charlie Daly on Memoir, Intuition & Human Truth - Part 2
In this episode, ghostwriter and developmental editor Charlie Daly reveals how to write stories that truly matter. He and host Susie Schafer dive into intuition, emotional intelligence, vulnerability, and why the deepest truths—messy, im...
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35:59
From War Stories to Words: The Life of Ghostwriter Charlie Daly - Part 1
In this episode, Susie sits down with ghostwriter and developmental editor Charlie Daly to explore the emotional, creative, and deeply human side of ghostwriting. Charlie shares how he helps authors—especially veterans and trauma survivo...
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31:10
Lessons From the Animal Kingdom: Reinventing Leadership with Jennifer Reiser
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 wo...
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39:39
Honoring Veterans Through Storytelling: Inside the Veterans Writing Group
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 A...
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27:41
The Hidden Power of Professional Editing with Susan Crossman
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 ...
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31:01
Joel Mark Harris on Ghostwriting: Crafting Stories That Change Lives
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 aut...
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30:14
How to Heal Toxic Workplaces: Culture Recovery with Dr. Bryan Hughes
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 toxicit...
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32:51
Mindset, Mission & Momentum with Cristian Lopez — Turning Personal Change into a Lifestyle of Impact
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 stra...
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16:55
The Entrepreneur’s Inner Child with Jon Bowerman — Creating from Curiosity and Heart
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. ...
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24:21
Behind “Heroes Live Here”: Amy Forsythe’s Journey From the Battlefield to Bestselling Author
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 a...
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35:56
The Art and Soul of Book Design: A Conversation with Michelle White
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...
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28:49
Rescue, Rehab, and Rewrite: How Sunny Weber Found Her Voice and Helped Thousands of Dogs
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 a...
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26:12
Turning Trauma into Triumph: The Birth of “My Name Is Saffron”
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 pris...
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32:34
Letters of Love & Legacy: Writing Through Grief with Esthela Nunez Franco
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 ho...
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26:47
How Kerrie Lee Brown Turned a Health Crisis into a Movement for Women’s Wellness
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 ...
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33:23
Unswaddled Truths: The Power of Storytelling in Motherhood with Sarah Cassidy
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...
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41:34
Bridging Science and Spirit: The Four Worlds of Consciousness with Dr. Eleanor Haspel-Portner
In this episode of Finish the Damn Book, Susie Schaefer sits down with Dr. Eleanor Haspel-Portner — psychologist, researcher, bestselling author, and creator of the Four Worlds Framework and Noble Energy Maps. With ov...
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33:03
Giving Animals a Voice: Karen Wickerson’s Journey to Bestseller
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...
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30:09
Faith, Intuition & Memoir: How Ralph Patrick Finished His Book
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 <...
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19:43
It’s Your Turn: Shari Biery on Finding Purpose and Finishing Your Book
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 redis...
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27:49
The Power of Story: Bob Vajgrt on Books, Faith & Legacy
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 in...
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32:17
Soul Health & Book Births: Laura Van Tyne’s Path from Blogs to Best Clients
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 ...
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39:36
Boutique Book-Building: Timelines, Teams & Truth with Jeffrey Mangus
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: whe...
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29:49
Designing Work with Purpose: Jan Barlow on Better Job Fit
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.
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29:11
When a Story Becomes a Movement: Shawnee Baker and Bailey’s Wish
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.
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25:03