The Author Your Brand Show

Terry Tucker: What Battle Did a Hostage Negotiator Never See Coming?

Terry Tucker has had a diverse career—college basketball player, police officer, SWAT hostage negotiator, and now, a man facing one of life’s toughest battles. Diagnosed with a rare form of cancer, he continues to share his experiences through Motivational Check, where he speaks on leadership, perseverance, and personal growth. His book, Sustainable Excellence: Ten Principles to Leading Your Uncommon and Extraordinary Life, offers practical insights on overcoming challenges and staying focused on what truly matters.

In this episode of The Author Your Brand Show, Terry talks about how his time in law enforcement built his resilience, how facing a life-threatening illness changed his outlook, and why family support has been essential. Now a speaker and author, he helps others push through adversity and find purpose in life’s toughest moments.

Takeaways:

• Challenges test your strength and character.
• Negotiation skills aren’t just for crisis situations—they apply to everyday life.
• Perspective is everything when facing the unexpected.
• The right support system makes all the difference.
• Helping others can bring meaning to your struggles

Get Terry’s book: Sustainable Excellence [ https://amzn.to/3FfBKXR ]

Learn more about what he does at MotivationalCheck.com

Beyond the Book: How Paulette Ensign Sold Millions Through Bulk Sales & Licensing

What if the key to making money as an author isn’t selling books—but renting your content instead?

Publishing expert Paulette Ensign has sold over two million copies of her work without spending a dime on advertising. Instead of relying on traditional book sales, she mastered bulk sales and content licensing, turning a simple tips booklet into a thriving business.

In this episode of The Author Brand Show, Paulette reveals the biggest myths about book monetization and shares real-life strategies to sell more, earn more, and expand your reach—without chasing individual book buyers. From bulk deals to licensing agreements, she explains how authors can turn their content into long-term revenue streams.

If you're looking to maximize your income beyond book sales, Paulette’s insights will show you how to do it.

Key Takeaways:

🔹 Books Aren’t the Only Path to Profit – Bulk sales and licensing create new opportunities.
🔹 Content Licensing = Renting Your Work – A smarter way to generate recurring revenue.
🔹 Relationships Matter – Business growth comes from the right connections.
🔹 Digital Marketing Expands Possibilities – The online world makes content licensing easier than ever.
🔹 Adapt and Evolve – Success comes from thinking beyond the traditional publishing model.

🎧 Ready to unlock the hidden revenue in your content? Tune in now and start making your expertise work for you.

🌐 Learn more about Paulette Ensign at TipsProducts.com

Breaking the Silence: How Sylvain Haché Turned Stuttering Into Strength

Sylvain “Sly” Haché didn’t just overcome stuttering—he turned it into a tool for success. As a transformational speaking coach and creator of a proven speaking system, Sly helps individuals master the art of stress-free communication and storytelling. His journey from chronic stuttering to teaching others how to connect, influence, and inspire is nothing short of remarkable.

In this episode of the Author Your Brand Show, I sit down with Sly to discuss how storytelling transforms ordinary presentations into memorable experiences. We explore the difference between informational and transformational speaking, the importance of understanding audience desires, and why structuring emotions alongside logic is key to success. Sly also reveals why multiple stories (not just one) are essential and how every great presentation should drive action.

Why Listen:

You’ll learn...

• How Sly’s personal struggle with stuttering led to a life-changing speaking system.
• Why storytelling is the backbone of audience engagement.
• The shift from delivering information to delivering transformation.
• Techniques for structuring presentations that leave lasting impressions.
• Why two well-structured stories are the minimum for holding audience attention.

Sly Haché’s insights are perfect for anyone looking to sharpen their public speaking and connect authentically with their audience. Don’t miss this one!

Visit Sly’s website to learn more: NextLevelPublicSpeaking.com/

The Entrepreneur Who Didn’t Want to Be One: Mike Konrad’s Journey

Mike Konrad didn’t plan to start a business, but when environmental regulations like the Montreal Protocol disrupted the electronics industry, he saw an opportunity. Now, the founder and CEO of Aqueous Technologies, Mike shares his unexpected journey into entrepreneurship, filled with legal battles, financial hurdles, and groundbreaking innovation.

In this episode of the Author Your Brand Show, Mike discusses being first to market, staying focused on a niche, and why reputation matters more than patents. He also reflects on the lessons behind his book, The Reluctant Entrepreneur, and how writing it clarified his journey.

Why Listen:

You will learn…
• How big challenges can spark big opportunities.
• Why staying focused and being first to market matter.
• Lessons from legal battles, tight budgets, and customer loyalty.

Check out Mike’s story and grab his book, The Reluctant Entrepreneur: Anatomy of a Business Startup From Uncertainty to Unstoppable, for even more insights.

Culture Killers: The Hidden Trauma Sabotaging Your Team's Success

This episode is raw, real, and essential. I sat down with Maya Chylinski, a Boston Marathon bombing survivor, who’s made it her mission to expose what’s quietly chipping away at workplace morale and productivity. Her personal story is a wake-up call for every leader and team member who wants to create a workplace where people feel supported and heard.

We talk about the unspoken struggles many employees face, how trauma (even when unseen) impacts performance, and why companies can’t afford to ignore mental health anymore. Maya offers straightforward ways leaders can foster a healthier work environment and tackle these issues head-on.

If you’re tired of business-as-usual and ready to rethink how your workplace supports its people, this conversation will hit home.

Takeaways

• Trauma’s effects aren’t always visible but can disrupt workplace culture.
• Mental health stigma remains a barrier in many organizations.
• Listening and clear communication are crucial for building trust.
• Presenteeism can be as harmful as absenteeism.
• Real culture change takes leadership commitment and time.

If your workplace isn’t where it needs to be, this episode is a great place to start.

Learn more about Maya’s mission and insights at Alley424.com and ManyaChylinski.com.

Jody Durand-Cultivating Relationships and Delivering Results in Agriculture

Jody Durand, a highly experienced sales trainer, author, and community leader, is our special guest this week on the Author Your Brand Show. He shares insights from his impressive 20-year career in agricultural sales. Known for his strong relationships with farm families and his passion for agriculture, Jody has built a reputation for delivering customized solutions that truly meet his clients’ needs.

Jody is also the author of Country Boy Soul: Pasture to Prosperity, a book that explores the principles of trust, persistence, and community in building a successful career in sales. In our conversation, we explore his journey in the agricultural industry, his approach to leadership, and the valuable lessons from his book that resonate far beyond the sales world.

Key Takeaways:

• Trust and relationships form the foundation of successful sales.
• Custom solutions tailored to clients’ needs result in lasting outcomes.
• Passion and persistence are essential for a thriving, long-term career.
• Community engagement enriches both professional and personal growth.
• Jody’s book, Country Boy Soul: Pasture to Prosperity, highlights ethical principles and strategies for success.

If you’re inspired by Jody’s story and want to learn more, check out his book Country Boy Soul: Pasture to Prosperity on Amazon [ https://amzn.to/4g7snqA ] to uncover the values and strategies that have shaped his remarkable story.

David Orban: Advancing Together-AI, Human Progress, and the Rules of Coexistence

David Orban, a futurist, entrepreneur, and advisor to Beyond Enterprises, joins me on the Author Your Brand Show to explore the fascinating world of artificial intelligence and what it means for our future. As the founder of Network Society Ventures, David has been a leader in the conversation about how technology is reshaping our lives. He’s also the author of Something New, where he explores the rapidly changing landscape of AI and how humans will need to adapt.

In our conversation, we cover big ideas like technological singularity, transhumanism, and the potential for AI to surpass human capabilities. David shares his thoughts on how AI is revolutionizing industries like healthcare and science and why we need to start asking serious questions about empathy, consciousness, and the role of humans in an AI-driven world.

Key Takeaways:

• AI is evolving at an incredible pace, especially in fields like medical diagnosis and scientific research.
• Transhumanism raises big questions about the future of humanity as we move closer to integrating with AI.
• The debate over whether AI can feel empathy is becoming more important as the technology advances.
• While AI is changing the way we work, the human touch in creativity and decision-making is still critical.
• David’s book Something New takes a closer look at these topics and how we can navigate the challenges ahead.

To learn more, visit davidorban.com or check out Something New on Amazon.

Joe Pici: Dialing for Success- The Art of Sales Calls

Joe Pici brings over three decades of sales training expertise as the co-founder of Pici & Pici Inc. He's dedicated to enhancing business sales performance with practical, hands-on techniques. Joe’s approach is direct and results-focused, with an emphasis on mastering phone communication and making lead generation a daily discipline.

In this episode of the Author Your Brand Show, Joe covers the key elements of effective sales training and explains why accountability is critical for driving sales success. He also shares advice on how to keep remote teams engaged and why practicing in real-world scenarios is more effective than role-playing.

Key Takeaways:

• Sales is a learnable skill that anyone can develop with the right approach.
• Phone communication is still one of the most effective tools for closing deals.
• Consistent lead generation is essential for keeping sales efforts on track.
• Accountability and structure are crucial for keeping sales teams focused, especially when working remotely.
• Real-world practice is more valuable than role-playing in improving sales techniques.
• Building strong, authentic relationships is the foundation of successful selling.

Looking to boost your sales skills? Visit Pici & Pici Inc. for free downloads and webinars, or check out SellMoreVirtually.com for a free 45-minute webinar. Text "SalesEdge" to 59925 for more resources. For personal advice, call Joe at 407-947-2590 for a complimentary chat.

Keeping Your Voice in the Age of AI: Carma Spence on Writing and Publishing

Carma Spence, best-selling author of Public Speaking Super Powers and an expert in book marketing, knows exactly how to make a mark in the crowded world of publishing. With years of experience and a successful cookbook under her belt, Carma has helped countless authors use their books to build credibility and authority.

In this episode of the Author Your Brand Show, Carma talks about why so many authors struggle with marketing their books and offers practical advice on how to avoid those pitfalls. She also introduces her Author Diagnostic System, a tool that helps writers figure out where they’re strong and where they need to focus more attention to get the best results.

We also cover how speaking engagements can boost book visibility and the growing influence of AI in publishing. While AI can be helpful for brainstorming, Carma makes it clear that the creative process and editing are best left to the human touch.

Key Takeaways:

• Publishing a book builds authority and credibility, but you have to market it right.
• Many authors fall short when it comes to promotion—don’t make that mistake.
• Know your audience and tailor your marketing to them if you want to stand out.
• Speaking engagements are an effective way to promote your book and grow your audience.
• AI is useful for ideas, but the final product should always be shaped by a human writer.

If you’re looking for practical, step-by-step advice on book marketing, be sure to read Carma’s latest book, Serve Up Your Book: How to Market Your Book To Attract Clients and Leads in All Five Phases of Book Marketing (The Authorneer's Journey Series 4) on Amazon.

Randy Peyser: Mastering the Pitch-Avoiding Costly Mistakes in the Publishing World

Randy Peyser, founder of Author One Stop, Inc., is a trusted name in the publishing world with over 20 years of experience helping authors land book deals with top literary agents and publishers. Her clients' works have appeared in Oprah Magazine, TIME Magazine, and The Wall Street Journal, and some have even been optioned for Hollywood films. Randy is also the author of Crappy to Happy and The Power of Miracle Thinking.

In this episode of the Author Your Brand Show, Randy explains how authors can successfully pitch to traditional publishers, build relationships with agents, and avoid common mistakes that can block their path. She emphasizes the value of a solid platform, an active social media presence, and understanding the business side of publishing. Randy also explores the differences between self-publishing and traditional publishing while helping authors make informed decisions about their next steps.

Key Takeaways:

• Relationships Matter: Building connections with agents and publishers is key to landing book deals.
• Strong Platform: A solid online presence can help attract publisher interest.
• Avoid Mistakes: Stay focused on the business side and follow the right pitching process.
• Publisher’s Role: Traditional publishers handle marketing, distribution, and bookstore placement.
• Self vs. Traditional Publishing: Self-publishing offers more control, while traditional publishing brings wider reach and credibility.

Randy’s guidance provides a clear path for authors looking to enter the publishing world. Learn more through Author One Stop, Inc., or check out her books Crappy to Happy on Amazon.