Have you always wanted to write a book? Or do you have a story you’re not sure you’re allowed to tell? My longtime client Laura DuBois just did both, and I’m so excited to celebrate her new memoir, The Picked Lock, here on the show.

The Picked Lock is Laura’s story of growing up with the rule that what happens in the house stays in the house, and of learning to recognize when a relationship isn’t right for you anymore (or maybe never was). Writing it meant doing a lot of inner work first: getting through the fear of telling a story that wasn’t only hers, and finally giving herself permission to tell it. What she found on the other side, in her words, is that she can breathe. She can show up as fully herself, in her life and in her business.

Laura didn’t start out thinking of this book as part of her business. It began as something she needed to do for herself. Somewhere along the way, it became a way for people to understand not just who she is, but why she is, and the kind of coach that makes her. That shift is something so many coaches, teachers and experts can learn from, whether you’re writing a book, building a talk, or deciding how much of your own story to share.

Listen to learn more about:

• How to decide what’s yours to share when your story involves other people
• The difference between secrecy and privacy
• How unspoken family “rules” can keep you quiet long into adulthood
• What happens when you can finally say out loud the thing you couldn’t say for years
• How years of personal journals can become the source material for a memoir
• How a book written for yourself can become part of your coaching business, from speaking to book clubs
• Why sharing your story helps the right clients find you

If you’ve ever thought “someday I’ll write a book,” or you have a story you’ve been holding in, this one is for you.

Get The Picked Lock: Available for pre-order now and out October 26 in paperback, hardcover, ebook and audiobook. Want a signed copy? Get one directly from Laura.

https://www.headcoachlauradubois.com/book-pre-order-checkout-page

Have a book club? There are discussion questions in the back of the book, and Laura would love to join you, on Zoom or in person.

Find Laura: https://www.headcoachlaura.com/

Ready to talk about working together? Book a call with me to talk about one-on-one coaching or joining the Passionate & Prosperous Academy: https://my.timetrade.com/book/DFGVN

Looking for free support right now? There's a whole resources page on my website: https://www.staceybrassrussell.com/resources

Most people are using AI to create lousy content. And it shows. But there's a much more valuable way to use it in your business. AI can't replace your voice, your stories, or your ideas, and if you're willing to put in the time and effort, it can help you create things you couldn't have created without it.

I'm breaking down the three ways I've been using AI over the last couple of months to create some really exciting assets for my business: one that attracts the right people into my world, one that makes what my paying clients get even better, and one that's helping me create a live experience for the people who'll be in the room.

Listen to learn more about:

• Why AI can't replace you, your stories or your voice, and what it's really good for instead
• The difference between using AI as a thought partner and having it do the work for you
• What you have to be willing to give AI before it can give you anything good back
• Why interactive, customized lead magnets are working so well right now
• Why moving people off social media and onto platforms you own matters more than ever
• How AI can make what your paying clients get even better
• Why I push back on AI constantly, and why you should too

If you've been wary of AI, or you've only been using it to write captions, this episode will get you thinking a whole lot bigger.

Ready to talk about working together? Book a call with me to talk about one-on-one coaching or joining the Passionate & Prosperous Academy: https://my.timetrade.com/book/DFGVN

Looking for free support right now? There's a whole resources page on my website: https://www.staceybrassrussell.com/resources

Building a business has ups and downs at every stage, and none of them automatically mean you're doing something wrong. Sometimes there's too little going on and sometimes there's too much. Things move more slowly than you want, or you don't have enough time to do everything that needs doing. Whether you're just getting started, fully booked, or growing into what's next, there's always some version of it to contend with.

I'm breaking down why that's simply the truth of having a business, and how to recognize where you are right now so you can make a conscious decision about what to do next, instead of making it mean something is wrong with you or your business.

Listen to learn more about:

• Why things moving slower than you want isn't a sign that you're failing
• How the deadlines you set for yourself can turn a normal phase into a crisis
• What to do when you have more time than clients
• What to do when you have more clients than time, and you can already see the next dip coming
• Why doing your work any way you can, even before you're getting paid for it, is what keeps you moving
• How being rigid about what you're willing to do can keep you stuck
• What it looks like to build your body of work instead of waiting for the next client

Wherever you are in your business right now, nothing is wrong. And there's always something you can do.

Ready to talk about working together? Book a call with me to talk about one-on-one coaching or joining the Passionate & Prosperous Academy: https://my.timetrade.com/book/DFGVN

Looking for free support right now? There's a whole resources page on my website: https://www.staceybrassrussell.com/resources

🔗 Ways to Work With Stacey & Free Resources

💚 1:1 Coaching & Mastermind

Book your free Ultimate Impact Blueprint Session to explore private coaching or mastermind support and take your life and business to the next level.

🌟 Passionate & Prosperous Academy

Join the Academy for coaching, mentorship, and community designed to help you build and grow a transformational business without ads or complicated funnels—just powerful offers, relationships, and live delivery.

📈 Free Resource: High-Converting Event Playbook

Learn how to create masterclasses, workshops, and talks that actually lead to clients (not crickets).

💻 Free Mini-Course: Your Irresistible Signature 1:1 Offer

Five simple steps to crafting a premium 1:1 offer your ideal clients are ready to say yes to.

🧘 Passionate & Prosperous Manifestation Toolkit ($47)

An exclusive toolkit featuring a 52-card affirmation deck and a guided journal with custom prompts to help you align, manifest, and take intentional action.

Get Full Show Notes, Event Sign Ups and More Information Here:

http://www.staceybrassrussell.com/podcast