Practically Passionate

We’re back with Thomas Umstattd Jr., author, award-winning speaker, and  host of the world’s longest running book marketing show, Novel Marketing Podcast. Thomas has helped thousands of writers think like marketers, creating tools and strategies that help authors turn their books into lasting assets. As the founder of the Patron Toolbox, he continues to teach authors how to build platforms that grow with them, grounded in real data, not guesswork.In this episode, Thomas joins us to talk about the future of book discovery through AI Optimization. We dive into how authors can make their books visible to AI models, why websites and Goodreads pages matter more than ever, what role media coverage and backlinks play in visibility, and how authors can ethically adapt to the rise of generative engines. Thomas also shares the importance of long-term marketing, practical tools for auditing your online presence, and timeless advice for reaching readers in a changing digital world.If you’ve ever wondered how to stay rele

This week, I’m thrilled to be joined by Thomas Umstattd Jr., someone who has shaped so much of my own thinking about book marketing. An author, award-winning speaker, and podcaster best known for hosting the world’s longest running book marketing show, Novel Marketing, Thomas has become a go-to guide for writers who want to reach readers and build sustainable careers through his book Courtship in Crisis, countless conference talks, and more than 500 podcast episodes.In this episode Thomas walks us through his journey from building author websites and launching Novel Marketing to the big shifts that have reshaped publishing including the rise of Kindle and Audible, the hidden indie sales BookScan misses, the boom in courses for nonfiction, and why YouTube behaves so differently from podcasts. We also dive into his newest experiment “AI Thomas,” an assistant trained on everything he has taught to give authors personalized marketing advice.If you are an author or book marketer trying to navigate a crowded and fa

We’re back with Dr. Catherine Gildiner, bestselling author of Good Morning, Monster and Too Close to the Falls. Dr. Cathy’s books have sold over a million copies, landed on the New York Times bestseller list, and translated into 32 languages. After 25 years as a clinical psychologist, she turned her focus fully to writing and has since built a career that blends deep human insight with unforgettable storytelling.In this episode, Dr. Cathy Gildiner pulls back the curtain on how her books reached readers worldwide. She explains how a 30-second mention from Glennon Doyle on Good Morning America set off a sales wave that never slowed, and why that luck only mattered because she had already spent years creating a grassroots buzz. From her 250 book club appearances to the realities of a publisher’s short publicity window, she shares how to build momentum through your own launch, social media done right, and saying yes to every “dinky” opportunity that puts your book in readers’ hands. You will also hear her take on

Joining us today is Dr. Catherine Gildiner, who has worked for over 25 years as a clinical psychologist, guiding patients through trauma and recovery. She went on to share those experiences with the world in her New York Times bestselling book Good Morning, Monster, which has reached more than a million readers in over 30 languages, along with her acclaimed memoir Too Close to the Falls. Dr. Gildiner invites us to see therapy not as abstract theory, but as the practice of learning to live without the weight of old defenses.In this episode, we dive into the real work of therapy, what it takes, why it matters, and how it transforms lives. Kathy shares stories behind Good Morning, Monster, including patients like Peter, Danny, and Alana, whose journeys reveal how culture, silence, the body, and even dreams shape the healing process. We talk about why some people recover while others walk away, how to recognize when you need therapy, how to find the right therapist, and when to move on if it is not working. Along

Today we welcome back Commander Mark Divine, a man who has led Navy SEALs, built multimillion-dollar training companies, and sold hundreds of thousands of books, to unpack the real story of what it takes to write and market a bestseller. Mark is not only a retired SEAL Commander but also the founder of SEALFit and Unbeatable Mind, programs that combine elite physical training with mindfulness, breathwork, and visualization. His books, including 8 Weeks to SEALFit, The Way of the SEAL, Staring Down the Wolf, and Unbeatable Mind, have earned spots on both the New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestseller lists while inspiring leaders, athletes, and readers around the world.In this episode, Mark takes us behind the scenes of his author journey, from the unexpected phone call that led to his first publishing deal, to the freedom and higher royalties of self-publishing, to the tough decision to return to a traditional publisher during COVID. He opens up about the financial trade-offs, the hits and misses of bu

Today, Commander Mark Divine joins us with a rare blend of grit and clarity. He is the author of Unbeatable Mind, a field-tested guide to building calm, focus, and purpose under pressure, a self-published success with seven-figure earnings and an estimated 300,000 to 400,000 copies sold. A former Navy SEAL Commander and New York Times bestselling author, Mark holds a PhD in Global Leadership and Change from Pepperdine, co-founded SEALFIT, Unbeatable Mind, and Coronado Brewing Company, and has trained teams at Google, Nike, SpaceX, Boeing, Harvard, the Olympics, and YPO. He also taught leadership as an adjunct at the University of San Diego and founded the Courage Foundation to support veterans in holistic recovery.In this episode, we put the core disciplines of Unbeatable Mind to work. Mark breaks down box breathing as a reliable reset you can use before a briefing, a hard conversation, a client meeting, or a keynote. He shows how visualization, forward focus, and train-what-you-can protocols guided his recov

Our guest for today’s episode is Blake Erickson, someone whose story of grit and growth is as inspiring as it is practical. From starting in door-to-door sales at 21 and leading teams that generated over $30M in revenue, to becoming a multimillionaire by 25, Blake has proven what’s possible when focus meets ambition. In 2024, he co-founded Scaling.com with Dr. Benjamin Hardy and together they wrote The Science of Scaling, a playbook for achieving exponential growth. More than the milestones, what defines Blake is his passion for turning his own success into a roadmap that empowers others to grow.In this episode, Blake opens up about the mindset and framework that drive exponential growth. He shares how setting “impossible goals” forces you to think differently, raise your standards, and eliminate distractions. You’ll hear his personal story of selling off multiple businesses, cutting out the noise, and focusing entirely on building a company with a $100M target. He also breaks down the 3-part framework from T

We’re back with our very special guest, Tom O’Neill, investigative journalist and author of the bestselling book Chaos: Charles Manson, the CIA, and the Secret History of the Sixties. After more than twenty years of relentless reporting, Tom’s work reshaped one of America’s most infamous stories and became a publishing phenomenon, selling over 750,000 copies worldwide and putting him on track to cross the one-million mark.In this episode, Tom opens up about the marketing journey behind Chaos and how it went from a decades-long investigation to a book that stayed on the bestseller list for months. He shares how podcasts became a surprising launchpad, why his appearance on Joe Rogan changed everything, and what it was like watching his book sell out overnight during the early days of COVID. Along the way, Tom reflects on lessons of persistence, timing, and the unpredictable ways books find their audience, while hinting at what might come next in a long-awaited sequel.It was an absolute privilege to have Tom sha

Today we have a very special guest, and not the kind of guest we usually feature. Tom O’Neill is an investigative journalist who never set out to write a book at all. But what began as a short magazine assignment about the Manson murders turned into a 20-year obsession that became his bestselling book Chaos: Charles Manson, the CIA, and the Secret History of the Sixties.Tom is an award-winning journalist whose work has appeared in Premiere, New York, The Village Voice, and Details. With Chaos, he went far beyond the well-known story of Charles Manson, an inquiry that unearthed hidden connections, challenged official narratives, and revealed just how far-reaching the story really was. The book not only reexamines one of the most infamous cases in American history but also cements Tom’s reputation as a reporter willing to risk everything in pursuit of the truth.In this episode, Tom takes us through the wild, unpredictable ride from that first reluctant “yes” to the moment his book finally hit shelves. We talk a

We are back with Mike Paton, co-author of Process! and Get a Grip in the Traction Library. Mike has spent over 15 years helping leadership teams run stronger, more efficient businesses through the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS). Alongside Gino Wickman and Lisa González, his books have reached tens of thousands of readers worldwide. Process! alone has 75,000 to 85,000 copies in the wild.In this episode, Paton breaks down how he took Process! from first release to widespread readership. From leveraging EOS Worldwide’s platform and a strategic publishing partnership with BenBella Books, to editing your message down to its clearest core, to giving away valuable content at scale, he shares exactly what is working for authors and what to stop wasting time on. He shares stage-by-stage marketing advice for authors at every level, from first-time launchers to those already selling in the tens of thousands, delivering insights that cut through the noise with practical, battle-tested wisdom.Learn how to use part

What does it really take to build a business that runs without you? In today’s episode, we sit down with Mike Paton, EOS expert, speaker, and co-author of Process!, to unpack the systems behind sustainable growth.Mike Paton is the co-author of Get a Grip and Process!, two cornerstone titles in the Traction Library that help entrepreneurial teams simplify and scale through systems. Beyond his writing, Paton has spent the last 17 years guiding leaders around the world as an EOS Implementer®, keynote speaker, and host of the top-rated podcast The EOS Leader. He succeeded Traction author Gino Wickman as EOS Worldwide’s Visionary and continues to champion the tools and disciplines that help businesses run better and leaders lead more effectively.In this episode, we go deep into Process!, a book that makes building and sustaining systems feel possible even for the most visionary and creative leaders. Mike explains the three-step “process process,” how to document and simplify your company’s core operations, and why

Today we're excited to welcome Navid Nazemian, best-selling author of Mastering Executive Transitions: The Definitive Guide. He is a speaker on leadership and career topics, and an executive coach affiliated with groups like 100 Coaches Agency and Hult Ashridge. Navid draws on 25+ years of global leadership to help executives navigate high-stakes transitions and deliver lasting impact. Recognized as the world’s #1 Coach by CEO Today for three consecutive years, he has supported senior leaders across top firms including BP, Coca-Cola, TikTok, Shell, and SAP.In this episode, Navid shares the hard-won insights behind his book, shaped by decades of experience and a realization that even top companies struggle with executive onboarding. He breaks down why 40% of executive hires fail, the real cost of misalignment, and why transitions should be measured in 12 to 18 months instead of just 90 days. We also explore how Mastering Executive Transitions became the cornerstone of a $1 million ecosystem, from pre-laun

We’re back with bestselling author Jim Murphy, author of Inner Excellence and The Best Possible Life. As a high-performance coach to world champions, CEOs, and elite athletes, Jim brings over 15 years of experience helping people live and lead with purpose. His book Inner Excellence, now translated into 27 languages, has quietly become a global success, rooted in years of research, real-world coaching, and a relentless commitment to inner growth.In this episode, Jim shares the full story behind the moment his book went viral when NFL star A.J. Brown was spotted reading it during a playoff game, and the years of quiet obsession that made that moment possible. Long before any spotlight, Jim was putting in the work, sending handwritten letters, chasing down interviews with some of the biggest names in Major League Baseball, and slowly collecting the 39 conversations that shaped his thinking. He spent years deep in research, poured everything he had into the book, and even went $90,000 into debt, facing serious f

Today’s guest is someone who’s helped some of the world’s top performers not just succeed, but grow into stronger, more grounded people. Jim Murphy is the author of the best-selling book Inner Excellence, a mindset and system he’s shared with professional athletes, CEOs, and world champions around the globe. His work is all about training the heart for peak performance under pressure and finding deep joy, peace, and purpose in the process.A former professional baseball player turned high-performance coach, Jim wrote Inner Excellence after five years of deep research and over 50 interviews with Olympic coaches and sports psychologists. He now works with elite athletes and top executives to help them build inner strength, self-mastery, and extraordinary lives. His philosophy centers on gratitude, growth through adversity, and pursuing excellence not for accolades but for personal transformation. Jim leads global workshops and retreats and works one-on-one with a handful of clients each year, many of whom experi

It’s our pleasure to welcome back Brendan Kane, bestselling author of 1 Million Followers, Hook Point, and now The Guide to Going Viral. Brendan has worked with some of the biggest names in entertainment and business, including Taylor Swift, Rihanna, Katie Couric, MTV, Paramount, and IKEA. But his strategies aren’t just for celebrities or major companies. He’s also helped everyday creators, entrepreneurs, and authors grow real audiences from the ground up, including those starting with no social media presence at all. Brendan is back with us again for a breakdown of the strategy behind his newest book and what it really takes to build lasting influence.In this episode, Brendan takes us behind the scenes of his latest book launch, offering a masterclass in unconventional strategies for lasting impact. He discusses why he chose a self-publishing route, the value of giving away over 100,000 copies to build trust and readership, and the lessons he’s learned from experimenting with pricing and marketing funnels. B

What does it really take to go viral? In this episode, we’re joined by Brendan Kane, bestselling author of One Million Followers, The Hook Point, and now The Guide to Going Viral. Brendan is the behind-the-scenes strategist for some of the world’s biggest brands and celebrities, including Taylor Swift, Rihanna, IKEA, Vice, and Sketchers. He once gained over one million followers in 100 countries in just 30 days and has helped clients turn zero visibility into global attention.In this conversation, Brendan breaks down the myth that virality is just luck. We talk through his data-driven framework for reverse-engineering attention online, how storytelling drives retention, and why most content fails before it even begins. He shares the importance of using repeatable formats, explains the “generalist principle” that helps creators scale without losing their niche, and offers real-world examples from luxury real estate agents to leather crafters who have turned everyday topics into millions of views. We also explo

Today marks the final episode of Before the Bestseller, our 18-part series where we’ve broken down the entire audiobook into focused, actionable chapters for nonfiction authors. If you've made it this far, you're not just dreaming about sharing your book with the world—you’re committed to doing it right. This final chapter is all about turning everything you’ve learned into a clear, personalized book marketing blueprint.We’ll walk you through how to take inventory of your assets, set realistic goals for each marketing tool, and build a week-by-week strategy, whether you’re months out from launch or already post-release. From setting copy movement goals across podcast guesting, Amazon ads, and bulk buys, to planning your launch timeline and post-launch rhythm, this episode offers a complete framework you can adapt to your own author journey. It’s not just about hitting a list. It’s about sustaining momentum and knowing what to do, when, and why.Because writing the book was never the whole journey. Ma

We’re down to the final stretch. In episode 17 of our 18-part series, Before the Bestseller, we’re diving into two topics that get a lot of attention in the publishing world: traditional PR and what it really means to make a bestseller list. As we near the end of this audiobook journey, this chapter pulls back the curtain on some of the final, more public-facing tools authors often consider.Some authors found their way into media coverage by paying attention to what was already being talked about and figuring out how their book could genuinely add to the conversation. Others aligned their launch with timely events or simply started local and built from there. We also touch on what it actually takes to make a bestseller list, not just the surface-level criteria but the quiet, behind-the-scenes work that rarely gets discussed.The hard truth? Being called a bestseller doesn’t mean your book is being read. You can buy the label, but you can’t buy real readers. The value isn’t in hitting the list. It’s in becoming

We’re back with episode 16 of our 18-part series, where we're putting the entire book Before the Bestseller up on our podcast for you to listen to. We’re just a couple of episodes away from the final chapter, and we hope you’ve been making great progress since you first started listening. In this episode, we’re talking about building a launch team for your book. This is the part where we start figuring out what that process actually looks like and how to make it work.Putting together a launch team can feel a little awkward at first, especially if you’re not sure who to ask or what to even ask them for. In this episode, we talk through how to start building that early group of supporters, even if it’s just a few people at the beginning. We get into the kinds of help that are actually useful, how to keep things organized without it becoming a full-time job, and why a little consistency often matters more than big gestures. You’ll also hear real examples of what’s worked for other authors, from inviting rea

Today we’re on Episode 15 of our 18-part series Before the Bestseller, and we’re digging into a topic that can quietly make or break your book’s reach: gatekeepers. These are the people your readers already trust—think podcasters, bloggers, authors, and professionals—and earning their support can take your book much further than trying to do it all yourself.This episode unpacks what it really takes to connect with the right people—without spamming or cold pitching. We explore ways to build genuine relationships, offer value in unexpected ways, and stay consistent with outreach across each stage of your launch. Whether you're months out from publishing or deep into post-launch, there's a strategy here that might just open the right doors.The truth is, most books don’t take off from a single post or pitch. They build momentum through thoughtful outreach and the quiet support of people who already have their audience’s trust. It’s not about chasing influencers or gaming the system—it’s about showing up