S12 E3: Don’t Burn It Down While Your Life Is ‘Life-ing’

In this episode, I’m talking about storytelling, personal boundaries, and why your stories don’t have to be raw to be real. You get to decide what belongs in your business and what stays private.In this episode, I cover* Why you never have to share intimate details to build trust 00:35* The difference between sharing from a scar and sharing from an open wound 04:02* How to tell stories in the same way you’d tell them to a friend 04:42* Why every story needs a clear reason for being shared 05:29* How an everyday story can help your audience understand a business lesson 09:42* Why transparent marketing helps your audience make an informed decision 08:27* How to start your own story bank with the question, “What happened today?” 11:14Resources mentioned* Daily Story Practice Vault* Rosebud, the journaling app I discuss in the episode* 1K Lab for support using stories in your sales content This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit easydoesitpodcast.substack.com

Moving countries while running an online business sounds simple: have laptop, will travel. In reality, the smoothest transition starts well before landing.In this episode, I walk through what I consider before moving countries, from visa requirements and ongoing travel plans to internet, accommodation, workspace, healthcare, and time away from work. I also explain why the first week in a new country shouldn’t be treated like a normal workweek.In this episode, I cover:* Why an online, location-independent business makes moving countries easier 02:19* The visa considerations I research based on my passport 03:36* Why I recommend having an ongoing ticket out of the country 06:06* What I prioritize during the first 72 hours, including accommodation, internet, workspace, food, and rest 06:23* Why I take the first week off from coaching, membership messages, and most emails 06:41* How I approached finding short-term accommodation before signing a longer lease 07:44* The importance of testing a country with a 90-day stay before committing long term 08:28* What I look for in a work-friendly location, especially fast internet and flexible workspaces 08:43* The healthcare and practical considerations that can influence where I choose to live 10:19* How preparation, clear boundaries, and a location-independent business made the move possible 11:25To learn more about building an online business with systems that support more flexibility, visit hustleandgroove.com/the1klab. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit easydoesitpodcast.substack.com

Perimenopause has affected far more than my sleep and energy. It’s changed how I work, what I enjoy, how I plan, and what I’m willing to tolerate in my business.In this episode, I share:* Why I felt unprepared for perimenopause and didn’t recognize the signs at first* The symptoms that affected me, including brain fog, low energy, poor sleep, irritability, and feeling unlike myself* How perimenopause, a marriage breakup, and moving countries all affected my business at the same time* Why I stopped planning around hours and started planning around energy* How I’ve adjusted from 90-day planning to 30-day and sometimes two-week planning* Why recurring income, evergreen email sequences, and business systems have mattered so much* What it looks like to take a day off when my body has no capacity for work* How I’m using three energy lists to match my tasks to the energy I have that day* Why reviewing my energy patterns monthly helps me understand my personal rhythmDisclaimer: This is not medical advice, so please speak with your own practitioner about your health.Learn more about alignment, energy, and Human Design inside the Human Design for Business Collective. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit easydoesitpodcast.substack.com

When life feels shaky, it can be tempting to start over in your business. I’ve felt that pull repeatedly over the past year, especially while navigating perimenopause, a marriage breakup, and moving countries.In this episode, I’m talking about how to tell the difference between a genuine business pivot and a decision made from panic, overwhelm, or the intoxicating energy of something new.In this episode, I cover:* Why your personal life can affect your business more loudly when you work for yourself 00:00* How “maybe I should start over” can become an urgent inner voice during a difficult season 01:07* Why fresh energy can feel like clarity, even when it’s really a desire for control 04:38* How to identify your personal “burn-it-down tell” 05:44* When six months of consistent effort with no purchases may point to a pivot 06:10* Why I use data before making major business decisions 07:06* The difference between pivoting from alignment and pivoting from overwhelm 08:10If you want support making these kinds of business decisions, learn more about the 1K Lab at hustleandgroove.com/the1klab. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit easydoesitpodcast.substack.com

I’ve been traveling full-time for nearly two years while continuing to run my business. In this episode, I’m sharing how I made the transition, adjusted my business model, chose where to live, and built enough consistency to keep working while moving between countries.In this episode, I cover:* Why I decided to leave Australia, including rising living costs, political concerns, and healthcare access 01:00* The business changes I made before traveling, including removing live workshops and live group coaching for 2025 02:28* How asynchronous support helped members continue receiving what they needed 02:59* Why I chose Southeast Asia and prioritized being within a day of family 03:42* The importance of staying in one location for at least 90 days 04:55* How time zones affect live workshops, coaching calls, and other real-time offers 01:50* What I considered when choosing accommodation, including having a separate workspace 07:12* The visa considerations I encountered in Vietnam, Thailand, and Malaysia 05:45* Why Thailand became my longer-term base and how the Destination Thailand visa works 08:56* How living in Thailand gives me access to healthcare and everyday expenses averaging around $1,500 USD per month 10:17* Why a predominantly asynchronous business makes full-time travel more manageable 10:54The biggest takeawayRunning a business while traveling full-time is doable, but I had to think carefully about time zones, live commitments, visas, accommodation, family access, healthcare, and my own need for routine.If you’re building a business that could give you more flexibility, check out the 1K Lab at hustleandgroove.com/the1klab. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit easydoesitpodcast.substack.com

Over the past 12 months, I’ve been through three major life transitions: a marriage separation, officially entering perimenopause, and moving to a foreign country. Any one of those is a lot. All three together? Business became very much a secondary thing.And yet my business kept running. Was it running perfectly? Nope. But the things that make money kept making money, and that’s what this episode is about.I’m sharing exactly how I set my business up so I don’t have to hustle through the hard seasons, the three things I can do even on my lowest-energy days, and why giving yourself grace is part of the strategy.In this episode, we talk about* Why most of us never plan for “life is lifing” (and why we really should)* What I learned from reading about complex trauma, and why multiple smaller hits can add up to something huge* Why I gave myself three full days off, and why pushing through isn’t always the answer* The recurring income “floor” I set up five years ago, and why it’s been a lifesaver* My daily cash flow checklist, and the three things that keep the lights on:* Recurring income (the floor)* A daily email that presents the opportunity to buy* Collaborations* Plus the podcast, which is the one thing I’ve kept showing up for consistently* What I said no to: live workshops, Zoom calls, and group coaching. I moved member calls to asynchronous support instead.* How I’m using an AI assistant trained on my brand voice to rewrite my old launch emails, so I can launch the next First Draft Formula cohort without burning outLinks and resources* Daily Cash Flow Checklist (with companion video): https://hustleandgroove.com/dcfchecklist* Magai (where I create all my AI assistants): https://hustleandgroove.com/magai** The 1K Lab (ongoing support): https://hustleandgroove.com/the1klab* First Draft Formula (next cohort, if writing a book is on your list for visibility and reach): https://lisecartwright.com/fdflive*This is an affiliate link. Should you choose to sign up for this tool through my link, I will receive a small commission. This does not increase the price to you. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit easydoesitpodcast.substack.com

I believe a book-first business can change how you share your expertise and reach the people who need it. In this final episode of Season 11, I’m showing you why you may have already written your book without realizing it.The conversation focused on how your existing content, including emails, blog posts, podcast episodes, videos, and social media posts, can become the foundation for a nonfiction book. You don’t need to start with a blank page or plan a 600-page manuscript.In this episode, I cover:* Why a book can help coaches, speakers, experts, and content creators reach more people than their offers can alone 01:27* How your existing content may already contain one or more book ideas 02:24* Why the story, lesson, action framework works as a simple foundation for book chapters 03:34* How to use the Book Finder tool to identify the book hiding in your content 04:56* Why your unique perspective and lived experience matter, even when similar books already exist 05:35* Why I want your perspective in the first draft before using AI to support the writing process 05:50Continue the process:Learn more about First Draft Formula at lisecartwright.com/firstdraftformula. In the program, I’ll help you turn the content you’ve already created into a first draft with a viable audience in mind. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit easydoesitpodcast.substack.com

Selling your offer doesn’t have to feel awkward, forced, or constant. In this episode, I’m sharing how storytelling can help you present an offer as a natural next step for the people you serve.I talk about the mindset shift required when moving from employee to business owner, why withholding your offer can be a disservice, and how to think about selling like you’re recommending something helpful to a friend.In this episode, I cover:* Why asking for the sale can feel uncomfortable when you’re new to running a business 00:00* How storytelling makes selling feel more natural 01:17* Why online businesses can learn from the way brick-and-mortar businesses present offers 01:36* Why presenting opportunities to buy is different from trying to convince people 04:00* How timing affects whether someone is ready to purchase 04:22* The Nurture and Sell Framework: story, lesson, action step, and CTA 05:27* How shifting a belief can help your audience see a new option 06:25Resources:Learn more about using the Nurture & Sell Framework when you join The $1K Lab at hustleandgroove.com/the1klab. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit easydoesitpodcast.substack.com

I’m sharing how to borrow stories from clients, members, email conversations, and online communities without compromising anyone’s privacy.You don’t need to personally live every story you tell. You can use a client’s struggle, a question someone asked, or a transformation you’ve observed to help your audience bust a myth, shift an incorrect belief, or see what’s possible on the other side.In this episode, I cover* How I use questions and struggles from client conversations as story material at 00:31* Why you don’t need to disclose someone’s identity when sharing a story at 00:49* How borrowed stories can support behind-the-scenes content and show an Island A to Island B transformation at 01:51* When you need permission to share specific details, testimonials, or case studies at 02:42* Why keeping a running story bank makes it easier to find relevant content at 02:58* How to find story signals in Reddit communities and private communities if you don’t have clients yet at 05:05* Why you should never repost screenshots or use someone’s words verbatim at 05:35* How the Daily Story Practice Vault helps organize stories, categories, lessons, and polished content at 06:15The key distinctionI can borrow a short version of someone’s story when I protect their privacy and avoid details that would make them easily identifiable.If I want to share a specific transformation with all the details, I need permission. At that point, the story becomes a testimonial or case study at 02:42.Resources:* Review Episode 4 here: https://easydoesitpodcast.substack.com/p/s11-e4-you-dont-need-new-stories* You can store and organize these stories in the Daily Story Practice Vault at dailystorypractice.com* Get support and accountability inside the 1K Lab at hustleandgroove.com/the1klab. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit easydoesitpodcast.substack.com

In this episode, I answer that question and explain why a story doesn’t need five paragraphs to make a point. Most of the time, a couple of sentences can set the stage, create a clear picture, and lead into the lesson your reader needs.In this episode, I cover:* Why story length matters less than resonance 00:44* How the daily story practice turns a raw brain dump into a story with a relevant lesson 00:54* Why too many details can make your reader lose interest 02:22* How to trim the “waffle” without losing the moment your audience needs to picture 03:42* Why brevity is especially useful when you’re busting a myth or shifting a belief 04:33* When a longer story may still be necessary 05:09Resources:* The Daily Story Practice* The 1K Lab Accelerator* The $1K Lab Membership This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit easydoesitpodcast.substack.com