Sold His Agency, Found His Calling: Steve Guberman’s Story

Episode OverviewSteve Guberman joins Jessica for a wide-ranging conversation that goes far beyond business strategy. From an accidental agency exit to an unimaginable loss, to launching a coaching practice, Steve shares the real, unfiltered story behind his company, Agency Outsight, and why authentic human connection is at the heart of everything he does.Key Topics CoveredThe Accidental Exit Steve never planned to sell his agency. After nine years of building it, burnout hit fast — triggered by losing a seven-figure anchor client and the painful layoffs that followed. On his brother's advice, he put together a pitch deck and ran a "biz dev blitz" to agency owner friends, ultimately receiving three offers and selling to a PR firm he'd known and trusted for years.Life After the Sale Steve stayed with the acquiring firm for five years total — two years on an earn-out, then three more because things were going well. He shares what it felt like to finally let go of payroll stress and operate as an employee rather than a founder.A Season of Loss and Reinvention After leaving the agency in January 2020, Steve joined a new company with a clear CMO-track vision — but three months in, he lost his teenage daughter. Shortly after, COVID hit. He opens up about how that season of grief ultimately redirected his path, and why he's grateful for the unexpected support he found in that otherwise toxic workplace.Launching Agency Outsight After leaving the toxic job, Steve spent time in his garden, reconnected with agency owner friends in his New Jersey network, and was pointed to agency coach Kelly Campbell by multiple people simultaneously. That conversation gave him the blueprint. He launched Agency Outsight in October 2020 and hasn't looked back.Getting Coaching Clients: Then vs. NowEarly days: Personal network outreach, starting with a $600/month clientToday: The Agency Bytes podcast serves as a content library and shortest sales cycle Steve has ever experienced — prospects come in already soldAlso working well: Speaking, webinars, brand partnerships, and in-person events ("IRL over URL")On Selling Without Selling Steve completed Sandler sales training but says he no longer sells at all. If the fit isn't right, he'll refer prospects to five other agency coaches. He wants clients who are ready and willing — not regretful ones he had to convince.Books & Resources MentionedTraction by Gino Wickman (EOS)A Course in MiraclesThe Surrender Experiment by Michael A. SingerEckhart Tolle on Lewis Howes' podcastConnect with Steve Guberman🎙 Podcast: Agency Bytes💼 LinkedIn: @AgencyCoach🌐 Agency OutsightWork with Jessica Ready to get booked as a guest on top podcasts? Visit interviewconnections.com to book a discovery call.

Jessica Rhodes interviews Dr. Tom Sims, author of On Call in the Arctic, about storytelling, perseverance, trust, and the lessons entrepreneurs can learn from memoir. Tom shares what it was like to serve as the only doctor in Nome, Alaska, caring for thousands of people in extreme conditions with limited resources and no margin for error.This episode explores how powerful stories build trust, why memoir matters, and what business owners can learn from Tom’s experience about improvising, staying flexible, and persevering through uncertainty. It’s a moving conversation about leadership, purpose, and finding your way when instinct is all you have.In this episode:Why storytelling matters so much in podcast guesting and businessWhat makes a memoir powerfulLessons from practicing medicine in remote AlaskaHow to earn trust in skeptical environmentsWhy perseverance is essential in entrepreneurshipHow to reconnect with the reason you startedGet the book and connect with TomVisit ThomasJSims.com to learn more about Tom, his book On Call in the Arctic, and join his email list.If you enjoy this episode, grab the book, leave a review for Tom, and share this episode with a fellow entrepreneur or storyteller!Ready to share your story on podcasts? Book a discovery call with me now at https://interviewconnections.com/consult/

Podcast guesting helped Julia Blackwell grow her online wellness program from 15 members to over 120 clients.In this episode, fascia release practitioner and educator Julia shares how she transitioned from a local practice to an online business and why podcast interviews became her most powerful marketing strategy.Jessica Rhodes and Julia discuss:• How podcast guesting generates organic leads • The call-to-action that converts podcast listeners into clients • Why experts should focus on teaching instead of pitching • How Julia is now expanding into practitioner trainingIf you want to grow your business through podcast guesting, this episode shows what’s possible when you turn your expertise into conversations.Learn more about Julia:https://www.thefasciaremedy.com/Book a discovery call with Interview Connections:https://interviewconnections.com/consult/

Episode SummaryIn this episode, Jessica sits down with her business coach, Kevin St.Clergy, author and host of Beyond Blind Blaming, to talk about why so many entrepreneurs stay stuck even after investing time, money, and effort into “fixing” the problem.Kevin shares the origin story behind the Blind Blaming framework, why traditional “root cause analysis” often fails inside the same circle of influence, and the simple method he teaches to finally see what you have been missing: Reflect, Connect, Decide.They also talk about the real-world results Kevin experienced after hiring Interview Connections, including how a refined one-sheet helped generate over $20,000 in keynote sales before most interviews even went live, and why “readiness” is the most underrated factor in successful podcast guesting.What You’ll LearnWhat “blind blaming” is and how it keeps smart business owners stuck in the blame loopWhy you often cannot identify the true root cause from inside your current environmentKevin’s RCD method: Reflect, Connect, Decide (and how it creates transformation)The mindset shift behind MFD and why decisiveness changes everythingWhy podcast guesting works brilliantly for the “ready” client, and fails fast for the unready oneHow Kevin uses a 77-question readiness assessment + 90-minute intensive to build a 90-day planThe behind-the-scenes story of how Kevin found Interview Connections (and the ROI that followed)Timestamp Highlights0:00 Kevin shows Jessica his backend system that generates AI call prep plans and tracks referrals/upsells5:06 The “Readiness Assessment + 90-minute intensive” becomes Kevin’s main offer12:44 Jessica’s full introduction of Kevin and why she hired him as her business coach14:57 Kevin’s story: finding Interview Connections through Google, fixing the one-sheet, and getting booked fast20:24 The origin of Blind Blaming and how the framework became a book, program, and certification28:00 Jessica shares her dad’s principle: “Just decide” and asks Kevin about MFD28:22 Kevin breaks down RCD: Reflect, Connect, Decide and why outside perspective is required33:35 The “divine timing” story: Kevin’s connection to Jessica’s dad, Jim Palmer36:45 Kevin explains the $997 Readiness Assessment: identifying red flags and building a 90-day plan43:00 CTA strategy: when to send people to Amazon vs your own site, and how to bring buyers back for bonusesMemorable Quotes“How you do anything is how you do everything.”“When everybody in your sphere of influence is stuck in the same loop, it’s almost impossible to see a different way.”“Reflect, Connect, Decide. Awareness creates the transformation.”“Readiness is everything. Podcast guesting is wildly successful when the foundation is solid.”Resources MentionedKevin’s book and home base: Blindblaming.comTake the Business Readiness Assessment now at https://interviewconnections.com/business-readiness-assessment

Andrea Engstrom is the founder of BOLD Mastermind, the author of Bold Confidence, and the host of the Andrea Engstrom Show. Her mission is to help women entrepreneurs gain clarity, confidence, and powerful connections so they can build thriving businesses and lives on their own terms. She specializes in guiding women to turn their expertise into high-value coaching programs that generate significant income while supporting freedom, fulfillment, and intentional lifestyles.But this episode started with something that made me laugh…Andrea shared that she received my marketing texts three times a week for 13 months before signing up to work with Interview Connections — and she never unsubscribed.Why?Because she knew the timing would come.That story turned into a powerful conversation about:• Why consistent follow-up is NOT annoying when done with integrity• How nurturing your list builds long-term revenue• The power of podcast guesting to create alignment and authority• And why coaches have a responsibility to share their messageAndrea’s Origin Story: From Real Estate to $134K in 90 DaysAndrea didn’t stumble into coaching.She built a six-figure income in real estate investing after being inspired by a podcast interview. Later, after hearing Amy Porterfield say “bet on yourself” on The Ed Mylett Show, Andrea walked away from a six-figure position to launch her own coaching program.In her first:• 6 weeks → $63,000 in sales• 90 days → $134,000 in sales• 2 years → Her first millionAnd she did it organically.The 4 G’s of Magnetic Social SellingAndrea shares the exact messaging framework that helped her scale from $50K months to $100K months without feeling spammy in the DMs.Here are the 4 G’s:Gratitude – Thank them for engaging.Genuine Compliment – Notice something real about them.Good Question – Keep it simple. Open conversation.Gift – Offer value before asking for anything.No pitching. No weird energy. Just real conversation that naturally leads to opportunity.Client Acquisition Strategy for CoachesAndrea breaks down her three primary lead generation strategies:• Workshops (low-barrier, high-conversion events)• A strategically built Facebook group• Social engagement turned into conversationsAnd we dive into something I talk about constantly:If you don’t have a conversion strategy after someone discovers you on a podcast… you’re leaving money on the table.Workshops. Masterclasses. Salons. Live trainings.People need time with you before they buy.Team, Authority & Working Only 3 Days a WeekAndrea now works just three days per week and structures her calendar around only high-value activities:• Sales• Coaching• Strategic visibility (like podcast guesting)She shares how she built a small but powerful team to support:• CRM and automation• Marketing and copy• Appointment setting• Client experienceAnd how authoritative positioning (like booking through an assistant) increases conversions.Why Podcast Guesting WorksOne of the biggest takeaways?It wasn’t one of my solo episodes that sealed the deal for Andrea — it was hearing me guest on someone else’s podcast.That conversation created alignment.That’s the power of borrowed authority and authentic storytelling.If you’re a coach, your message matters.And podcast guesting is one of the fastest ways to multiply your impact.Connect with AndreaAndrea is hosting her workshop:100K in 90 DaysWhere she walks through exactly how she generated $134K in her first 90 days as a coach.Grab your spot at:andreaengstrom.comReady to get on podcasts? Schedule a Discovery Call with Jessica today at https://interviewconnections.com/consult/

In today’s episode, Jessica sits down with longtime Interview Connections client Scarlett Stanhope, also known as The Biz Hippie, a money and abundance coach who helps coaches and entrepreneurs transform their relationship with money so they can fully support themselves doing work they love.Scarlett shares how she pivoted from general life coaching into abundance and money coaching after seeing how many coaches were leaking cash, avoiding their numbers, and operating from scarcity. With a background in accounting and finance combined with deep mindset work, Scarlett brings her clients a blend of strategy and energetics to building sustainable coaching businesses.Together, Jessica and Scarlett unpack why scarcity energy can quietly repel clients, how avoiding your finances gives money control over your life, and why stepping into “legit business owner energy” is essential if you want people to trust you with their money.They also dive into the tactical side of growth, including how to track your marketing metrics, why guessing doesn’t scale, and how Scarlett uses podcast guesting and in-person networking as her top client-generation strategies.If you’ve ever felt stressed checking your bank account, unsure what’s really happening in your business, or tempted to chase random marketing tactics instead of following your data, this episode is a must-listen.In This Episode, You’ll Learn:Why your relationship with money directly affects your ability to attract clientsHow scarcity energy can quietly sabotage conversionsWhat it really means to step into “legit business owner” identityWhy knowing your numbers calms fear and creates clarityHow to track marketing and sales metrics instead of shooting in the darkScarlett’s two most effective ways to get clientsHow podcast guesting fits into a sustainable growth strategyWhy tracking your time, energy, and money together leads to smarter decisionsThe difference between guessing and scalingHow to plan for cash flow instead of reacting to financial stressWant to take your relationship with money to the next level?👉 Discover your Money Mindset Type with Scarlett’s free quiz: thebizhippie.com/quiz👉 Learn more about Scarlett’s signature program Empowered Abundance: thebizhippie.com/abundanceReady to get on podcasts? Book a discovery call at https://interviewconnections.com/consult

Episode DescriptionWhat’s actually working for coaches in 2026 when it comes to client acquisition?In this episode, Jessica sits down with Wendy McCallum—former lawyer turned business coach and founder of the Business Building Bootcamp—to unpack how Wendy has built a thriving coaching business for more than 15 years… and why she’s doubling down on podcasts, conversations, and human-first marketing.Wendy shares:Why she still uses the same “old-school” strategies she relied on in the early daysHow her podcast became her top-of-funnel growth engineThe one-to-many “open house” strategy that converts listeners into clientsHow SEO and blogging quietly drive new leads every weekWhy AI search tools like ChatGPT are now sending clients her wayAnd how coaches can grow without forcing themselves into marketing that feels misalignedIf you’re a coach in your first five years—or simply tired of chasing shiny marketing tactics—this conversation is a must-listen.What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeWhy relationship-driven marketing is making a comebackHow Wendy structures her Business Building Bootcamp and open housesThe real role podcasts play in building trust and authorityHow to choose podcast topics your ideal clients are already searching forSimple SEO strategies that compound over timeWhy voice notes, Looms, and personal outreach outperform automation for many coachesThe importance of finding a marketing strategy that actually brings you joyResources & Links MentionedWendy’s Website: https://wendymccallum.comBusiness Building Bootcamp Info: http://wendymccallum.com/bbbWendy’s Podcast: The Coaching Edge Loved This Episode?If you enjoyed this behind-the-scenes look at how real coaches are growing their businesses, subscribe to the podcast and leave a review—it helps more coaches discover these conversations.And don’t forget to share this episode with a fellow coach who’s rethinking their marketing strategy in 2026!

What really turns listeners into clients?In this episode, Jessica sits down with longtime entrepreneur, SaaS founder, author, and podcasting OG Lynette Young to unpack exactly how she attracts high-quality coaching clients through podcasting, storytelling, and consistent long-form content—especially while navigating a major business shift.Lynette is the creator of the 7 Seas Framework, a cyclical model for the stages of business growth she has refined since 1999. She is also the host of The Entrepreneur’s Voyage podcast and one of the earliest podcasters in the iTunes directory, landing six figures in sponsorships before most people even knew what podcasting was.Together, Jessica and Lynette dive into:How Lynette is reinventing her business while expanding from SaaS into coaching and consultingWhy podcasting beats short-form content for deep trust and authorityThe importance of consistency and keeping promises to your audienceHow sharing your “messy middle” activates buyers already in your worldWhy storytelling attracts the right clients and repels the wrong onesLynette’s strategy for using multiple podcast formats and fast publishing cadencesTurning your existing audience into your best source of new clientsWhat type of entrepreneur Lynette works best withHow vulnerability and real-time sharing build credibility, not weaken itThis episode is a must-listen for coaches, consultants, and entrepreneurs who feel stuck, are navigating change, or want a more authentic way to grow their client base through podcasting.Connect With LynetteVisit 7seasvoyage.com to explore:The Entrepreneur’s Voyage podcastLynette’s articles and resourcesHer new course, Entrepreneur’s Quick StartA 30-day emergency business triage for entrepreneurs who need to stabilize revenue fastReady to Get Booked on Podcasts?If you are ready to turn podcast interviews into real clients, head to interviewconnections.com and book a discovery call.Jessica and her team would love to help you get in front of the right audiences and grow your business through podcast guesting.

In this episode of the Interview Connections podcast, Jessica sits down with Laura Wright to unpack the power of podcasting both as a guest and a host, for growing a coaching business. Laura shares her insights on how she's using podcast interviews to build her list of prospective clients and expand her mastermind programs.Who is Laura?Laura A. Wright is a coach and business consultant who transforms overworked and underpaid business women into seven-figure empire builders by creating structure in their business and showing them how to completely reframe how they think about their business model.In the past 20 years, Laura has closed over $43 million in sales, sold over $47 million worth of goods and services, helped 4,800 artists sell tens of thousands of dollars worth of work, sold and filled multi-million dollar events and turned over 6-figure profits in real estate.She is the founder of EPIC at sales and is responsible for over 200 women reaching their fullest income. Laura believes that when smart women hold true wealth, that is how we change the world. She is committed to helping brilliant-minded women who have amazing service to give to the world understand how to do it in a way that has them at their highest potential and making the most amount of money. Her big desire is for women to create their own economy.Tune in for a lively conversation that covers not only the strategy behind leveraging podcasts for lead generation but also the art of making a sales pitch feel natural and inviting. If you’ve ever wondered how to convert listeners into clients without the sleaze factor, Laura has some gems to share. Don't miss it!Links:Laura’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/epicatsales/Laura’s website and free book: https://epicatsales.comLaura's quiz: epicatsales.com/quizReady to turn podcast interviews into dream coaching clients? Go to https://interviewconnections.com/

Join me for this solo episode to hear what's going on behind the scenes at Interview Connections. Ready to turn podcast interviews into dream coaching clients? Go to https://interviewconnections.com/