Unlock Your Way with STK

A massive wave is coming for the coaching industry, and most coaches have no idea it's heading their way.In this episode of Unlock Your Way with STK, host Suzanne Taylor-King sits down with Townsend Wardlaw — a coach to elite founders and the transformational coaches who serve them — for an honest, unfiltered conversation about where the coaching industry is actually headed, what the top tier of this profession looks like from the inside, and what separates the coaches who quietly build seven-figure practices from the ones who stay stuck chasing their next client.Townsend brings 20 years of consulting experience, a deeply developed philosophy on what true transformational coaching actually is, and a willingness to say the things most people in this industry would rather leave unsaid. Suzanne matches his energy with sharp, pointed questions drawn from her own experience transitioning from a long career in dentistry into coaching and consulting — grounding every insight in the kind of real-world context that makes it immediately applicable.By the time this episode ends, you'll know how to:→ Identify the difference between transactional coaching and true transformational coaching — and understand exactly why this distinction is about to become a survival issue as AI begins reshaping the industry from the ground up→ Shift from selling the experience of coaching to solving high-value problems people will actually write checks to fix — the specific reframe that makes sustainable six- and seven-figure income not just possible, but logical→ Approach enrollment as an act of genuine service rather than persuasion — including the mindset framework Townsend uses that eliminates most of the anxiety coaches carry into client conversations→ Use the undeniable problems framework to identify what your ideal clients can never argue with — and build conversations around that instead of trying to convince anyone of anything→ Build a consistent outreach rhythm that produces real results week over week — including the 100-touches-per-week system that keeps the pipeline moving even on low-confidence days→ Set accurate expectations for what building a real, sustainable coaching practice actually requires in terms of time, effort, and commitment — including an honest timeline most coaches don't want to hear but absolutely need toTownsend also walks through two practical resources he has built specifically for coaches ready to make serious moves: Client Creation Copilot, a custom GPT tool that role-plays, scores, and sharpens enrollment conversations in real time, and Limitless Academy, a small and exclusive container for transformational coaches building toward seven figures.If you have ever wondered why some coaches seem to effortlessly attract clients while others work twice as hard for half the results — this episode answers that question in full.Find all the show notes and links here:  https://www.unlockyourwaywithstk.com/75

Ever feel like LinkedIn outreach is just... icky? Like you're one step away from being that annoying person who pitch slaps strangers?Suzanne sits down with Jack AM Austin, founder of the Authentic LinkedIn Navigators, to completely flip the script on how you think about LinkedIn.Jack went from losing his content marketing agency (thanks, AI and algorithm updates) to building a LinkedIn system that gets 50% connection acceptance rates and 53% reply rates. And no... that's not a typo.In this conversation, you'll discover:Why treating LinkedIn like a numbers game is killing your conversion ratesThe difference between "following up" and actually staying in touch (hint: one feels desperate, one builds relationships)How to use AI as your guide without turning into a robotThe compound interest effect of daily LinkedIn habitsWhy measuring outputs instead of inputs keeps you stuck in feast or famineJack's "Sherpa" system that helps you have authentic conversations at scaleThe truth about why most LinkedIn automation fails miserablySuzanne and Jack also dive deep into the messy middle of entrepreneurship... those moments when your bank account is low and you start getting desperate. They share how consistency in the unsexy basics is what actually keeps your pipeline full.If you've been treating LinkedIn like a necessary evil instead of a relationship-building goldmine, this episode will change everything.Find all the show notes and links here: https://www.unlockyourwaywithstk.com/74

In this powerful conversation, host Suzanne Taylor-King sits down with Sarah Chan, a copywriter who started her business with just $40 in her pocket and no borrowed connections from her wealthy entrepreneurial family.Sarah breaks down exactly how she landed her first client within 48 hours of starting her business and developed an authentic voice that stands out in a sea of copycats. At just 26, she's built authority that rivals entrepreneurs with decades of experience through her deep understanding of buyer psychology.Listeners will discover how to:→ Stop copying what everyone else does on social media and create content that makes you impossible to ignore→ Use buyer psychology to create compelling copy that actually converts→ Navigate age discrimination and skepticism while building a thriving business→ Analyze clients and choose your niche using Sarah's exact framework→ Know when to say no to money (even when you're just starting out)→ Trust yourself enough to be different and break through imposter syndromeSuzanne and Sarah dive deep into the mindset shifts required for entrepreneurial success, why most people fail at LinkedIn DMs (and how to actually nurture relationships), and the simple exercise that will help identify ideal clients.Plus, they get real about high-ticket offers and what it actually takes to charge premium prices. Spoiler alert: it's not about value stacks.Whether struggling with imposter syndrome, playing it safe with content, or wondering why offers aren't converting, this episode reveals exactly what's missing and how to fix it.Find all the show notes and links here: https://www.unlockyourwaywithstk.com/73

Ever feel like you're living someone else's life instead of your own?Catherine Sipher knows that feeling intimately. After her entire world flipped upside down in 2019, she discovered something that changed everything... journaling.Not the "Dear Diary" kind you had as a teenager.Real, transformative journaling that helped her:→ Rebuild her identity from the ground up→ Launch TWO successful businesses as a single mom→ Turn her poetry into a published memoir→ Help other women find their voice through guided journaling circlesIn this episode, host Suzanne Taylor-King dives deep with Catherine to explore:• How to use journaling as a business strategy tool (not just emotional processing)• The "Morning Pages" technique that silences self-doubt and unlocks clarity• Why tracking small wins creates unstoppable momentum• How to build unshakable self-trust when everything feels uncertain• The exact journaling prompts Catherine uses to connect with her future self• How to turn inner transformation into outer business successSuzanne brings her signature strategic lens to this conversation... connecting the dots between Catherine's personal journey and the mindset work every entrepreneur needs to do.You'll learn how to stop outsourcing your power to others and start trusting yourself enough to take the risks that lead to real growth.Whether you're rebuilding after a major life change or just ready to finally hear your own voice... this episode will give you practical tools to create space for who you're becoming.Find all the show notes and links here: https://www.unlockyourwaywithstk.com/72

How to actually USE AI to transform your business without getting lost in the tech overwhelm...In this episode, host Suzanne Taylor-King sits down with AI enablement coach Rob Cressy for what might be the most practical AI conversation you'll hear all year. No fluff. No theoretical BS. Just two entrepreneurs who are actually doing the thing... sharing exactly how they're leveraging AI to create proposals in 20 minutes that win $100K contracts, build entire websites in under 5 minutes, and scale their coaching businesses without burning out.You'll discover:→ The exact mindset shift that separates AI dabblers from AI masters (hint: it's not about the tools)→ How to create a "single source of truth" for all your AI outputs so you stop losing brilliant ideas in random Google Docs→ Why your marketing agency competitor just pushed away a lifeline... and how you can avoid making the same invisible mistake→ The "Unlimited Method" framework for going from AI curious to AI dangerous in just one day→ Real examples of how Suzanne uses custom GPTs to create platform-specific content that sounds authentically her (not like obvious AI)→ Rob's game-changing approach to training entire teams on AI in just 7 minutes a dayThis isn't another "AI is coming" conversation. This is two coaches showing you their actual playbook for thriving right now... while 80% of entrepreneurs are still sitting on the sidelines wondering if they should "look into this AI thing."Fair warning: If you're looking for reasons why AI won't work for you, this probably isn't your episode. But if you're ready to stop feeling behind and start building your AI-first business? Buckle up.Find all the show notes and links here: https://www.unlockyourwaywithstk.com/71

What happens when a content strategist who helps entrepreneurs find clarity sits down with someone who scaled from 30K to 160K LinkedIn followers in just 12 months?Pure strategic magic.In this conversation, Suzanne Taylor-King explores the real mechanics behind authentic AI-assisted content creation with Charlie Hills, founder of Linked Agency and one of LinkedIn's fastest-growing voices in the AI space.You'll discover exactly how Charlie uses AI tools like Stanley (from Stan Store) to create compelling content that drives hundreds of hand-raising comments... without sounding like a bot wrote it. He breaks down his approach to "hand-raising posts" that generate massive engagement, how he manages overwhelming response volume, and the operational systems that keep his agency running smoothly.Suzanne brings her signature curiosity and strategic questioning to uncover Charlie's commenting strategy, his approach to learning from top creators, and how he structures his business with done-for-you, done-with-you, and DIY offerings.Whether you're struggling to find time for consistent content creation, wondering how to scale your LinkedIn presence, or trying to figure out which AI tools are actually worth your investment... this episode delivers actionable frameworks you can implement immediately.Plus, they geek out over Notion, discuss the real cost of rapid growth, and share why sometimes ChatGPT and a Google Doc are all you really need.Find all the show notes and links here: https://www.unlockyourwaywithstk.com/70

As an experienced entrepreneur, host Suzanne Taylor-King knows that your website isn't just a digital business card... it's your trust builder, your authority establisher, and often your first (and only) chance to connect with potential clients.In this episode, Suzanne sits down with Michele Kasl, a 20-year veteran of web design and branding who's built her agency on a refreshingly simple principle: websites need to answer two questions... Can you solve my problem? And do I trust you?You'll discover:• Why Michele threw out the "serve everyone" mentality and niched down to WordPress (and how that one decision transformed her business)• The psychology behind website conversions that most designers completely miss• How one word like "boutique" or "bespoke" can completely reposition your brand and attract premium clients• Why AI tools are powerful... but can't replace the strategic thinking that comes from decades of experience• The biggest mistake entrepreneurs make when DIY-ing their websites (hint: it's not what you think)• How to know when it's time to stop doing everything yourself and invest in the right partnershipsSuzanne brings her signature blend of strategic insight and authentic conversation to this discussion, sharing her own journey from health coach to business strategist and what she's learned about showing up consistently in the online space.If you've ever wondered whether your website is working as hard as you are... or if you're ready to move from "version one" of your business to that polished, professional "version two"... this episode is your roadmap.Because as Michele says: You can't connect the dots looking forward. You can only connect them looking back.Find all the show notes and links here: https://www.unlockyourwaywithstk.com/69

You're stuck. You know what you want, but the path feels impossible. Suzanne Taylor-King and Kevin Monroe break down why waiting for the perfect plan is actually killing your momentum—and reveal the framework that's boosted hope by 42% in a single hour with Fortune 500 leaders.This conversation goes deep into what Suzanne discovered in her study of positive psychology: resilience isn't something you're born with. It's built through daily practices of gratitude, hope, and action. When her mother passed away on her birthday, Suzanne could have spiraled. Instead, she found the gold in that grief—the universe had lined up that final phone call at exactly the right moment. That's not luck. That's what happens when you practice gratitude even in the darkest moments.Kevin Monroe has documented the science. His gratitude encounters have attracted 2,800+ people from 73 countries. He's worked with AWS, Popeyes' former CEO, and leadership cohorts globally. But here's what matters: he shows you exactly how to do this. The 3-dimension gratitude practice (past, present, future). The sensory hack that makes you notice what you see, taste, touch, hear, and feel right now. Then Kevin drops the ABZ method. A is where you are. Z is where you want to be. B is the action you take today. Not the perfect action. Not the "right" next step. Just movement. Because it's easier to steer a moving car than a parked one.Suzanne challenges you with the "moment maker" framework: see the moment, seize it, seal it. When someone does something amazing, don't let it pass. Tell them. Write them a note. Make them feel seen, heard, valued, and appreciated. This is how leaders build teams that flourish. This is how parents raise resilient kids. This is how you stop leaving money on the table in your business.If you're tired of motivational fluff, if you're leading people who need hope, if you're ready to stop analyzing and start moving—this episode is for you. Subscribe now and join so many entrepreneurs and leaders who've shifted from paralyzed to unstoppable.Find all the show notes and links here: https://www.unlockyourwaywithstk.com/68

You know that 3am anxiety spiral about your career? Suzanne Taylor-King knows it intimately. So when she sits down with Dr. Tom Burns—a retired orthopedic surgeon who walked away from medicine to build a real estate empire—something magical happens: two people who've actually lived the "successful career nightmare" finally tell the truth about it.This is what happens when you get two entrepreneurs in a room who've both failed spectacularly, rebuilt, and now mentor others through the same journey.What They Uncover:- The Identity Shift Nobody Prepares You For Tom trained for decades to be a surgeon. Suzanne trained for years to be a hygienist. Both discovered their training was actually preventing them from building wealth. They explore the grief that comes with shedding an identity you've invested everything into—and why that grief is actually a sign you're on the right path.- The "Seven Layers Deep" Framework That Changes Everything Suzanne introduces a proven technique that cuts through the noise. Most people say "I want to make $10 million." But why? Ask seven more times, and you discover the real answer: "I want to have real relationships with my family." That's the insight that changes your entire strategy. Tom and Suzanne show you how to use this with your own goals.- The Vetting Secret That Saved Millions (And Cost Tom $8 Million to Learn) Tom's biggest mistake? Trusting people without doing the work. He lost nearly eight figures to people who looked trustworthy but weren't. Suzanne shares what her 80-year-old mentor Mary taught her: spend more time getting to know people before you partner with them, not less. Coffee. Lunch. Another meeting. Background checks. Third-party corroboration. This isn't paranoia—it's the difference between building wealth and losing it.- Why Your Mastermind Matters More Than Your Income Tom accidentally created a mastermind when people started calling after his book launch. Suzanne explains why the best masterFind all the show notes and links here: https://www.unlockyourwaywithstk.com/67

The moment that changed everything wasn't the 20 points in 4 minutes—it was when the coach finally stopped being the expert.Coach Jim Johnson had 400+ wins, a proven system, and all the answers. Then his team fell apart mid-season. Divided. Losing. And instead of tightening his grip, he did something radical: he sat his players down, put away the playbook, and admitted he didn't have the answer.That vulnerability—and one autistic teen manager's infectious belief in the team—sparked a championship run that would define both their lives forever.In this episode, Coach Jim shares the leadership lessons that took him from 17 consecutive losses early in his career to 6 sectional championships. But more importantly, he reveals the exact moment he realized that the best leaders aren't the ones with all the answers—they're the ones brave enough to ask the right questions.You'll hear:- Why his biggest failure became his greatest teacher (and how to flip yours)- The specific vulnerability that united a divided team overnight- How Jason McElwain's 20-point game beat Kobe Bryant's 81-point game for Best Sports Moment (and why that matters for leadership)- The leadership framework that works in sports, business, parenting, and life- Why most leaders are underestimating the ONE thing that builds unbreakable teamsThis isn't a sports story. It's a masterclass in what happens when someone chooses belief over judgment, and inclusion over exclusion.Find all the show notes and links here: https://www.unlockyourwaywithstk.com/66