EP614 - Michele DeFilippo on how independent publishing is broken

In this episode of Chasing the Insights, I talk to publisher extraordinaire Michael D. Levitt. Michael talks to us about Entrepreneur Burnout. Michael D. Levitt is the founder and Chief Burnout Officer of the Breakfast Leadership Network, a media firm dedicated to addressing burnout and improving workplace culture. As a Certified NLP and CBT Therapist, he hosts the popular Breakfast Leadership Show podcast, ranked a top 20 global podcast on Thought Leadership by Thinkers360, and ranked a top 25 California podcast on Leadership by Feedspot. Michael has authored books on burnout prevention. Michael's expertise stems from his background in HR leadership and executive coaching, which now informs the impactful media content produced by his company.

In this episode of Chasing the Insights, I talk to publisher extraordinaire Michele DeFilippo. Michele talks to us about how independent publishing is broken. Michele DeFilippo has more than 50 years of experience in book publishing. Her company, 1106 Design, makes it easy for authors to release a top-quality book, keep control of it, and earn more money every time they sell a copy. Michele is on a mission to help authors ask the right questions, avoid scams, and make informed decisions when they search for publishing service providers.

In this episode of Chasing the Insights, I talk to SEO Guru Nick Musica. Nick talks to us about Website Design for SEO. Nick Musica is a practicing hands-on SEO expert since 2003. He led SEO efforts at High Point Insurance (Now Plymouth Rock), Esurance and Rocket Lawyer before starting his SEO agency, Optics In, in 2019. Nick and his team provide SEO strategy and execution for small businesses in various sectors, including finance, technology, & cannabis. Nick co-authored When Search Meets Web Usability, a book about SEO and web usability, in April of 2009. He also taught a masters-level class on User Experience at NYU and has presented at SMX in Germany and ClickZ in San Francisco.

In this episode of Chasing the Insights, I talk to serial entrepreneur Joe Rare. Joe talks to us about building and growing a 7-figure a year businesses with the use of remote VA’s. Joe Rare is a serial entrepreneur, investor, and outsourcing expert who owns four digital companies, five wedding venues, and real estate investment properties. His career began with a door-to-door sales business, which expanded from a team of two to 40 employees in under two years before he sold it after 27 months. Joe’s passion for sales evolved into building digital businesses. Despite early failures, he learned to create successful ventures, now running multiple 7+ figure companies and a growing real estate portfolio. He helps small- to medium-sized businesses globally while working from home in Montana, enjoying Big Sky Country with his family. His companies are fully managed by virtual assistants.

In this episode of Chasing the Insights, I talk to writer, musician and songwriter, Ray Hartjen. Sean talks to us about tips on writing and publishing books. Ray Hartjen is a writer, musician and songwriter living in Mission Viejo, California. Throughout his professional career spanning five decades, Ray has pivoted on many occasions, from investment banking to pharmaceuticals, from consumer electronics to SaaS software. However, one constant throughout his career and life has been his deep passion for storytelling. Ray has often been sought out for his insights by the national media, particularly concerning the consumer electronics and retail industries. He has also contributed to several online outlets and platforms, including his personal website, where he shares his views on a wide range of topics — primarily football, hockey and auto racing — and business, particularly revenue team functions like sales and marketing. Additionally, Ray is the co-author of the book Immaculate: How the Steelers Saved Pittsburgh. In March 2019, Ray was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, leading him to channel his resilience into fighting against the disease every day, and eventually writing the book, Me, Myself & My Multiple Myeloma. With the soundtrack of life playing continuously in his head, Ray finds catharsis performing and recording with his two-piece acoustic band, the Chronic Padres.

In this episode of Chasing the Insights, I talk to elite business consultant Sean Delaney Sean talks to us about how your business is broken, but it's not your fault. Sean Delaney is an elite business consultant, speaker, podcaster, and coach. He has worked with clients from the Fortune 500® to solopreneurs, solving some of the biggest to some of the most pervasive problems every business faces. Whether it is as a Fractional COO, the co-host of his Podcast “The Ether,” or as the “Disruptor in Chief” in his “anti-mastermind mastermind,” his focus with Whadif is to disrupt current business thinking to transform businesses of any size into joyful and thriving impact generators. Before turning his attention to helping entrepreneurs, Sean’s client list included MetLife, Nike, Uber, Johnson & Johnson, AIG, and Jet Blue (among others). He has taken that experience and now helps entrepreneurs massively accelerate their business’s growth with his unique, holistic business model system, the HARMONIOUS Business Architecture TM. With his unique blend of knowledge, experience, and humor, he has helped businesses of every size strengthen their operations, innovate for the future, and scale “Further, Faster, Funner.”

In this episode of Chasing the Insights, I talk to author and speaker Russell Rogers. Russell talks to us about creating a movement. Russell Rogers is an entrepreneur, author, speaker and influencer. Russell Launched five kids/family books in June of 2023. The purpose behind these books is to encourage families to get outside and do activities together. These books are great for parents to read to their young kids or awesome for kids learning to read. In June of 2024, Russell launched the First Anniversary Edition to these books in hardback with 3 suggested activities on each page. The books are called Today. A clear and repeated message at the end of each book is, Today is Always the Best Day! These books can be found on his website movetoday365.com or on Amazon. Additionally, Russell launched The Walks, a national and world wide walk that happens every month on the 2nd Saturday. Currently, 20 states are represented and 4 nations, U.S., Canada, Germany and Puerto Rico. The goal is to get as many communities moving as possible. The walk is simple and free…choose a location/time to meet a destination 2 miles away and encourage others to join you!!

In this episode of Chasing the Insights, I talk to the ultra wise Dr. Laura Gabayan. Dr. Laura talks to us about Common Wisdom Dr. Laura Gabayan is a world-renowned highly published physician researcher who scientifically defined wisdom in her book, Common Wisdom. She interviewed 60 wise individuals ages 50-79 years across North America and arrived at the 8 elements of wisdom.

In this episode of Chasing the Insights, I talk to big media expert Mitch Carson. Mitch talks to us about how to utilize Big Media effectively and be the irrefutable expert in your area of expertise. For the past 30+ years, Mitch has helped hundreds of speakers, authors, coaches, consultants, and business owners worldwide land TV and radio interviews, boosting their credibility instantly, and aiding them to charge premium prices for their products and services. And, as a television show host on NBC Channel 3 Las Vegas, he knows what it has done for him and his clients. Mitch is also a celebrated professional speaker and closer who has spoken on stages in 63 countries and produced over 2,000 live events in 19 countries. He has been a Home Shopping Network pitchman who knows how to sell anything and craft a unique message around any product, person, or event. Lastly, he is a published author with John Wiley and Sons and books published in 6 languages.

In this episode of Chasing the Insights, I talk to PR guru, Aidan Sowa. Aidan talks to us about how to brand yourself online. Aidan Sowa is the owner and founder of Sowa Marketing Agency and VelvetVoice PR. He specializes in helping entrepreneurs to get featured into major news outlets such as Forbes and USA Today. At Sowa Marketing Agency, they are not just about PR; they're about creating lasting impressions. With a rich history in the ever-evolving world of public relations and marketing, Aidan and the team's mission is to elevate brands to their fullest potential. Their dedicated team of storytellers and strategists harness the power of authentic narratives, ensuring that your brand doesn't just get noticed—it gets remembered. Whether you're a startup seeking to make a mark or an established brand aiming to redefine its image, Sowa Marketing Agency is your partner in crafting a legacy that resonates.