Before The Bestseller

In this episode, we sit down with Garrett Gunderson to explore the myths and misconceptions that often hold people back when it comes to money and financial freedom. Garrett, a financial expert and entrepreneur who became a multimillionaire by the age of twenty-six, is the author of Killing Sacred Cows: Overcoming the Financial Myths That Are Destroying Your Prosperity and co-author of Curriculum for Wealth. As the founder of Wealth Factory, Garrett has made it his mission to help people rethink conventional financial advice and take a more personalized approach to building sustainable wealth. Garrett opens up about his personal journey, from his frugal beginnings in a coal-mining family to his evolution in understanding what truly drives financial success. He reflects on his childhood, where a scarcity mindset and frugality influenced his financial beliefs, and how over time, he shifted to a more abundant and productive mindset. Garrett also shares the inspiration behind his book, explaining how the loss of his business partner motivated him to complete the project as a lasting legacy. Killing Sacred Cows challenges nine common financial myths, such as the scarcity mindset and misconceptions about debt, insurance, and financial independence. Throughout the conversation, Garrett highlights the importance of focusing on smart strategies for building wealth, including managing cash flow, making educated investment choices, and addressing the mental blocks that often prevent people from taking action. He also emphasizes the need to rethink financial beliefs and adopt smarter, more abundant financial strategies. The episode delves into the practical steps Garrett believes are crucial for achieving financial freedom, as well as the psychological factors that shape our financial decisions. Garrett introduces the idea of the Cash Cabin, where individuals can confront their money stories and resolve limiting beliefs, offering a unique approach that blends financial education with personal development. Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion that could change the way you think about money and set you on a path to unlocking greater financial possibilities.—You can learn more about the book here: https://a.co/d/bf7SAJeYou can visit his website here: garrettgunderson.comDon't forget to follow Garrett on Instagram (@garrettbgunderson) and get an audiobook of Garrett's book Killing Sacred Cows 2.0Make sure to check out these 2 articles here:https://garrettgunderson.com/when-whole-life-insurance-works-when-it-doesnt/https://garrettgunderson.com/common-life-insurance-mistake-can-cost-legacy/—Take a second to follow, review, or share this with someone who might find it useful. Your support helps more people discover the show.—Get the popular weekly book marketing 3-2-1 and get access to our $299 Amazon Ads course when you subscribe to our newsletter here:  https://getshelflife.com/category/newsletter/Head to our new website for more content and updates.: www.getshelflife.comIf you're interested in connecting further or have any questions, feel free to email me at Alex@getshelflife.com

Today we're doing something a bit different from our usual episodes. Throughout the week, I have conversations with many authors, and I thought it would be valuable to share some of those discussions with you. You might hear something that sparks a new idea or something that resonates with your own journey. This way, you'll get a glimpse into the real-life strategies authors are using to market their nonfiction books. These episodes will typically be 15 to 30 minutes—short, but packed with valuable takeaways you’ll want to take note of.For this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Scott J. Vrzal, who brings over 30 years of experience and holds triple certification in Applied Kinesiology. Dr. V teaches nationwide on topics such as headaches, autoimmune conditions, thyroid health, and athletic performance. He is also the author of The Headache Advantage: 7 Pain Patterns as Tools for Total Body Transformation.We dive into strategies for effectively promoting the book, including the importance of giving away free copies and setting specific goals to move thousands of copies. Dr. Vrzal shares ideas for systematizing the marketing process, such as sending promotional boxes to doctors and offering bulk purchases at a discount. Tune in for practical tips on building a successful marketing campaign, increasing book visibility, and generating reviews to ensure long-term success.Learn more about Dr. Vrzal’s book here:  https://a.co/d/j41RlwF—Take a second to follow, review, or share this with someone who might find it useful. Your support helps more people discover the show.—Get the popular weekly book marketing 3-2-1 and get access to our $299 Amazon Ads course when you subscribe to our newsletter here:  https://getshelflife.com/category/newsletter/Head to our new website for more content and updates.: www.getshelflife.comIf you're interested in connecting further or have any questions, feel free to email me at Alex@getshelflife.com

In this episode, we dive into the world of book marketing with Brad Stulberg, bestselling author of Master of Change and The Practice of Groundedness. Brad takes us through his journey from a management consultant to a successful writer, sharing the game-changing marketing strategies that helped him sell over 100,000 copies of his books. Whether you're just starting out or looking to take your author career to the next level, Brad reveals actionable tips for building a loyal audience, navigating social media, and maintaining momentum long after your book launch.Brad opens up about the importance of persistence, timing, and shameless self-promotion, while stressing the long-term mindset needed for lasting success. He also shares the "moonshot" strategies that helped him land high-profile media spots—even when his blog had only 100 readers—and how these bold moves led to massive exposure.Plus, Brad offers powerful advice for authors at every stage: From balancing a day job while building your writing career to maintaining flexibility and staying true to your core values as you grow. If you’re looking to unlock the secrets behind successful book marketing and gain insight into what it really takes to make a lasting impact in the literary world, this episode is a must-listen!—Learn more about his book here: https://a.co/d/amtJYp0Visit Brad's website here: www.bradstulberg.com—Take a second to follow, review, or share this with someone who might find it useful. Your support helps more people discover the show.—Get the popular weekly book marketing 3-2-1 and get access to our $299 Amazon Ads course when you subscribe to our newsletter here:  https://getshelflife.com/category/newsletter/Head to our new website for more content and updates.: www.getshelflife.comIf you're interested in connecting further or have any questions, feel free to email me at Alex@getshelflife.com

We’re kicking off 2025 by diving deep into powerful lessons on personal growth, embracing change, and building resilience, all inspired by Brad Stulberg’s book Master of Change. Brad is a professor at the University of Michigan, co-founder of The Growth Equation (a platform helping high performers achieve sustainable excellence and success), and the author of multiple successful books, including Peak Performance, Passion Paradox, and The Practice of Groundedness—which has sold over 50,000 copies, with some selling over 100,000. He regularly writes for The New York Times, and his work has been featured in outlets like The Wall Street Journal and The Atlantic. Brad also coaches executives, entrepreneurs, physicians, and athletes on mental skills and overall well-being.In this episode, Brad shares valuable insights on handling life’s disruptions and why we should embrace change instead of trying to go back to "normal." He explains concepts like homeostasis vs. allostasis, the importance of flexibility, and why having a well-rounded identity is key. Brad also tells the inspiring story of Olympic speed skater Nils van der Poel, showing how expanding one’s identity beyond work and finding meaning in other parts of life can lead to better mental well-being and performance. We dive into behavioral activation—the idea that action creates motivation—and tragic optimism, which is about facing life’s challenges with hope and purpose. Brad emphasizes how we can accept life’s difficulties while still holding onto hope and the drive to make meaningful progress, even when times are tough. Whether you're dealing with a major life change or just looking for practical ways to stay grounded, this episode is filled with actionable strategies to help you thrive in an ever-changing world.—Learn more about his book here:https://a.co/d/amtJYp0 Visit his website here:https://www.bradstulberg.com/—Take a second to follow, review, or share this with someone who might find it useful. Your support helps more people discover the show.—Get the popular weekly book marketing 3-2-1 and get access to our $299 Amazon Ads course when you subscribe to our newsletter here:  https://getshelflife.com/category/newsletter/Head to our new website for more content and updates.: www.getshelflife.comIf you're interested in connecting further or have any questions, feel free to email me at Alex@getshelflife.com

We’re back with Ulrik Lehrskov-Schmidt, a leading expert in B2B SaaS pricing, who has worked with—and is the go-to pricing partner for—some of the biggest names in the industry, including Microsoft Western Europe, SamsungNEXT, Intel IGNITE, SAP.io, Bosch Growth, and top private equity and VC funds.In this episode, Ulrik shares his marketing journey, emphasizing that success comes through trial and error, with persistence being key—even when certain strategies don't work out. He also reveals how he uses LinkedIn to share helpful tips based on real conversations with clients.Ulrik talks about how his book has generated leads for his consulting business by focusing on the niche area of B2B SaaS pricing. He explains why pricing is a critical yet often misunderstood aspect for businesses, creating high demand for expertise in the field. He also highlights the power of specialized knowledge and how it can help businesses stand out in a competitive market.Tune in for valuable lessons on niche marketing, content creation, and leveraging expertise to fuel business growth—and get a sneak peek into Ulrik's upcoming book update, where he’ll dive even deeper into these strategies!—Learn more about his book here: https://a.co/d/66GYGAaVisit his website here: willingnesstopay.com—Take a second to follow, review, or share this with someone who might find it useful. Your support helps more people discover the show.—Get the popular weekly book marketing 3-2-1 and get access to our $299 Amazon Ads course when you subscribe to our newsletter here:  https://getshelflife.com/category/newsletter/Head to our new website for more content and updates.: www.getshelflife.comIf you're interested in connecting further or have any questions, feel free to email me at Alex@getshelflife.com

Today, we’re joined by Ulrik Lehrskov-Schmidt, a leading expert in B2B SaaS pricing, who has worked with—and is the preferred pricing partner of—some of the biggest names in the industry, including Microsoft Western Europe, SamsungNEXT, Intel IGNITE, SAP.io, Bosch Growth, and several top private equity and VC funds. With a strong academic background in analytical philosophy and finance from Harvard, and having successfully exited three businesses, Ulrik is widely recognized for his expertise in optimizing pricing strategies. In his book The Pricing Roadmap, he outlines how businesses can build pricing models that drive revenue while still delivering great value to customers. In our conversation, he shares his top strategies for SaaS pricing, how to avoid common pricing mistakes, and why focusing on outcomes can transform a business’s approach to pricing. Don’t miss this episode as Ulrik reveals powerful strategies for optimizing your SaaS pricing and explains how focusing on outcomes can accelerate growth and unlock new value for your business!Learn more about his book here: https://a.co/d/66GYGAaVisit his website here: willingnesstopay.com—Take a second to follow, review, or share this with someone who might find it useful. Your support helps more people discover the show.—Get the popular weekly book marketing 3-2-1 and get access to our $299 Amazon Ads course when you subscribe to our newsletter here:  https://getshelflife.com/category/newsletter/Head to our new website for more content and updates.: www.getshelflife.comIf you're interested in connecting further or have any questions, feel free to email me at Alex@getshelflife.com

In this episode, we're back with Nir Eyal, speaker, behavioral design expert, and bestselling author of Hooked and Indistractable. Nir takes us through his journey from self-publishing to achieving success as a traditionally published author. He reveals the strategies that helped him build a strong audience, such as creating engaging content, gathering early feedback, and fostering a loyal community. Nir highlights the importance of engaging with readers early on and shares how his innovative crowd-editing strategy helped build a network of contributors who spread the word about his book.Additionally, Nir offers valuable tips for authors, including the importance of crafting original content with fresh perspectives, cultivating genuine connections with readers, and targeting problem-solving communities that are more likely to engage and share the book. This episode provides essential insights on timing, marketing, and community-building—perfect for authors at any stage of their journey.—Learn more about his book here: https://a.co/d/2pcLeT0Check out Nir Eyal’s website here: www.nirandfar.com—Take a second to follow, review, or share this with someone who might find it useful. Your support helps more people discover the show.Subscribe to our newsletter here: https://getshelflife.com/category/newsletter/Head to our new website for more content and updates.: www.getshelflife.comIf you're interested in connecting further or have any questions, feel free to email me at Alex@getshelflife.com—Take a second to follow, review, or share this with someone who might find it useful. Your support helps more people discover the show.—Get the popular weekly book marketing 3-2-1 and get access to our $299 Amazon Ads course when you subscribe to our newsletter here:  https://getshelflife.com/category/newsletter/Head to our new website for more content and updates.: www.getshelflife.comIf you're interested in connecting further or have any questions, feel free to email me at Alex@getshelflife.com

In this episode, we welcome Nir Eyal, a renowned author, speaker, and expert in the field of behavioral design. His curiosity about how people form habits and make decisions shaped his writing, particularly in his books Hooked and Indistractable. Hooked explores the psychology behind building habit-forming products, while Indistractable dives into the root causes of distraction, offering practical tools to help people regain focus and manage their habits. Nir delves into powerful insights on how habits are formed and how we can take control of our attention in a world full of distractions. He shares strategies like his 10-Minute Rule—a simple but effective tool to resist distractions and stay focused—and discusses why most distractions stem from internal emotional triggers. If you're looking to boost your productivity, build lasting habits, or take control of your attention in today's distraction-filled world, Nir’s practical insights and curiosity-driven strategies will guide you to greater focus and self-discipline. Tune in for an eye-opening conversation on human behavior and habit formation!—Learn more about his book here: https://a.co/d/2pcLeT0Check out Nir Eyal’s website here: www.nirandfar.com—Take a second to follow, review, or share this with someone who might find it useful. Your support helps more people discover the show.—Get the popular weekly book marketing 3-2-1 and get access to our $299 Amazon Ads course when you subscribe to our newsletter here:  https://getshelflife.com/category/newsletter/Head to our new website for more content and updates.: www.getshelflife.comIf you're interested in connecting further or have any questions, feel free to email me at Alex@getshelflife.com

In this episode, Pascal Bornet, award-winning AI and automation expert, keynote speaker, influencer, and best-selling author, shares how he became successful in his field and built a strong personal brand. His book, Irreplaceable: The Rise of Human-AI Collaboration, has sold over 4,000 copies within just six weeks of its release, with a goal of reaching 20,000 to 25,000 copies in the next year.Pascal frequently shares articles, updates, and insights on LinkedIn about AI, automation, and the future of work. His posts include personal reflections, industry trends, thought leadership pieces, and practical advice on how businesses and individuals can leverage AI. He also engages directly with his audience by sharing real-life use cases, success stories, and discussions on human-AI collaboration. In addition to LinkedIn, Pascal runs the website irreplaceable.ai, where he shares articles and resources designed to help individuals and organizations thrive in an AI-driven world. The site also promotes his book Irreplaceable and offers tools for staying relevant in the age of automation.His career took off with the release of his first book, Intelligent Automation, in 2020. Published during the COVID-19 pandemic, it addressed the urgent need for automation solutions as businesses faced unprecedented challenges. This success helped him grow his LinkedIn following, secure speaking engagements, and ultimately leave his corporate job to become an independent entrepreneur. Pascal emphasizes that authenticity, passion, and offering real value are the key ingredients for building a personal brand and growing an engaged online following. With over 2 million followers across social media platforms—1.4 million of them on LinkedIn alone—he discusses how focusing on genuine, impactful content—whether educational, emotional, or even humorous—has played a major role in his success.With Irreplaceable, Pascal’s goal is to help people remain relevant in the face of increasing automation, aiming to train more than 1 million people to become irreplaceable in their careers. Those interested can join the community on his website or find the book on Amazon.Whether you're an aspiring author, entrepreneur, or content creator, this episode is packed with actionable advice on how to share your passion, stay authentic, and create a lasting impact online.—Learn more about his book here: https://a.co/d/bdUsTTlCheck out Pascal Bornet’s website here: www.irreplaceable.ai—Take a second to follow, review, or share this with someone who might find it useful. Your support helps more people discover the show.—Get the popular weekly book marketing 3-2-1 and get access to our $299 Amazon Ads course when you subscribe to our newsletter here:  https://getshelflife.com/category/newsletter/Head to our new website for more content and updates.: www.getshelflife.comIf you're interested in connecting further or have any questions, feel free to email me at Alex@getshelflife.com

Today, we’re diving into the captivating world where humanity meets artificial intelligence with award-winning AI & Automation Expert, Keynote Speaker, Influencer and Best-Selling Author with over two million followers, Pascal Bornet. Join us as we chat with thought leader Pascal, who unpacks his groundbreaking book, Irreplaceable.We explore how AI is reshaping our world and what it means for our uniquely human abilities. From genuine creativity and critical thinking to social authenticity, Pascal reveals the essential skills we need to thrive in an increasingly automated future. Tune in to discover practical insights on embracing our humanity while leveraging technology to create value and connection. Don't miss this enlightening conversation that challenges us to redefine what it means to be human in the age of AI!—Learn more about his book here: https://a.co/d/bdUsTTlCheck out Pascal Bornet’s website here: www.irreplaceable.ai—Take a second to follow, review, or share this with someone who might find it useful. Your support helps more people discover the show.—Get the popular weekly book marketing 3-2-1 and get access to our $299 Amazon Ads course when you subscribe to our newsletter here:  https://getshelflife.com/category/newsletter/Head to our new website for more content and updates.: www.getshelflife.comIf you're interested in connecting further or have any questions, feel free to email me at Alex@getshelflife.com