Beyond Better with Stacy Ennis

Stacy Ennis
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Beyond Better is a podcast that explores a simple but profound idea: we all deserve to live lives that are not just better—but beyond better. I’m Stacy Ennis, an author, mom of two, and long-time location independent entrepreneur living in Portugal. Join me as I talk business, location independence, writing, travel, and so much more, all focused on building a life that is beyond better.

  1. 248. How to use storytelling to lead better and grow your business

    4D AGO

    248. How to use storytelling to lead better and grow your business

    Storytelling shapes decisions. We’ve all been affected by stories in one way or another because they carry emotion and move us to action. It makes sense that using narratives in business can provide the same deep connection with our customers. Today I am joined by Gavin McMahon, CEO and cofounder of fassforward, who has learned the power of storytelling. In our discussion, we cover the various storytelling genres and how they address different business needs—from motivating teams to building trust with customers. Stories create a deeper, more impactful communication that moves beyond mere facts, and as neurological evidence shows, the engagement they foster leads to motivation. Gavin McMahon helps companies shape strategy, leadership, and culture through storytelling. A former engineer who once built submarines, sports cars, and steel plants, Gavin discovered that even the best plans fail without the power of story. After earning an MBA in innovation, strategy, and information technology from the Institute Theseus in France, he shifted his focus from engineering to business transformation. He is the author of Story Business: Why Stories Rule the World and How They Can Reinvent Your Business. If you are interested in growing your business in a profound and impactful way, this insightful episode is for you. Get to know Gavin: WebsiteLinkedInBook recommendations: A Gentleman in Moscow: A Novel, by Amor TowlesGates of Fire: An Epic Novel of the Battle of Thermopylae, by Steven PressfieldFollow me on: Instagram @stacyennisFacebook @stacyenniscreativeLinkedInYouTube @stacyennisauthorTo submit a question, email hello@stacyennis.com or visit stacyennis.com/contact and fill out the form on the page.

    53 min
  2. 247. How to use AI ethically and legally in your book

    APR 8

    247. How to use AI ethically and legally in your book

    Today’s episode tackles a very hot topic: using AI in writing. Human authorship, our innate creativity, is crucial to impactful writing—and impactful living. Storytelling has existed for thousands of years and is an inherent part of our nature. We don’t want to limit our originality or risk uninspired outcomes, which is what happens when we depend on AI for content. AI can also create sticky legal issues, with publishers rejecting works with AI-created text due to copyright issues. Yet there is a way to use AI ethically and legally in the process of writing your book (all with caution, I might add). After you’ve come up with your outline, AI can help with research by finding relevant content without generating text. You can also use AI to enhance your marketing—with definite controls in place—by repurposing your original content. The key to these efforts is to avoid AI-generated text. Join me as I discuss essential points on how to use AI properly in your writing project and experience a richer and more productive writing journey. Instagram @stacyennisFacebook @stacyenniscreativeLinkedInYouTube @stacyennisauthorTo submit a question, email hello@stacyennis.com or visit stacyennis.com/contact and fill out the form on the page. Follow me on:

    24 min
  3. 246. Why your first draft doesn’t have to be perfect

    APR 1

    246. Why your first draft doesn’t have to be perfect

    Completing the first draft of a book is crucial, and you want your manuscript to be the best it can be. It’s hard not to stop and edit what you just wrote. You start backtracking by making little improvements here and there, and perfectionism starts to creep in. Your writing stalls and burnout becomes a real thing. Publishing seems so far away! How do you keep moving forward? Join me in this episode as I discuss essential approaches to maintaining writing momentum—like establishing a solid outline and saving revisions for after the draft is complete. Even gathering community support plays a vital role, especially when struggling with self-doubt and lagging commitment to accomplish what you started out to do. With the right approach, you can successfully reach your goal—and complete that first draft without perfection getting in the way.If you’re struggling with momentum, this episode will help you narrow your focus and get you back on track in your writing journey. Follow me on: Instagram @stacyennisFacebook @stacyenniscreativeLinkedInYouTube @stacyennisauthorTo submit a question, email hello@stacyennis.com or visit stacyennis.com/contact and fill out the form on the page.

    8 min
  4. 245. How to protect your focus in a distracted world

    MAR 25

    245. How to protect your focus in a distracted world

    Things feel heavy right now—and if you’re an aspiring author struggling to focus, you’re not alone. In today’s episode, I get real about my own experience navigating the weight of the world while trying to write. I offer some practical habits to help you reclaim your attention and protect your creative energy—from limiting news intake to replacing scrolling with reading, from getting enough sleep to starting your day with morning meditation and changing your work environment. These are a few of the strategies I use to stay focused, creative, and grounded. If you’re a writer or author struggling to find deep focus in a noisy world, this episode will give you simple, actionable shifts you can start today. Book recommendations: Cloud Cuckoo Land: A Novel, by Anthony DoerrThe Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, by V. E. SchwabThe Bean Trees: A Novel, by Barbara KingsolverFollow me on: Instagram @stacyennisFacebook @stacyenniscreativeLinkedInYouTube @stacyennisauthorTo submit a question, email hello@stacyennis.com or visit stacyennis.com/contact and fill out the form on the page.

    18 min
  5. 244. Lean marketing for authors, with Allan Dib

    MAR 18

    244. Lean marketing for authors, with Allan Dib

    In this conversation, Allan Dib and I explore the principles of lean marketing and the importance of integrating marketing throughout the business process. Allan shares insights on how to create valuable marketing content that resonates with your audience, the significance of implementation beyond delivering mere information, and the role of storytelling in nonfiction writing. We also discuss effective email marketing strategies and how to build genuine connections with readers. Allan Dib is best known as the author of The 1-Page Marketing Plan and Lean Marketing. His books have sold over a million copies worldwide and have been translated into over 40 languages. Allan helps businesses implement marketing best practices in-house using his 1-Page Marketing Plan (1PMP) framework and lean marketing methodology. Learn more about Allan: WebsiteInstagram @allandibLinkedInBook recommendation: How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big: Kind of the Story of My Life, by Scott AdamsFollow me on: Instagram @stacyennisFacebook @stacyenniscreativeLinkedInYouTube @stacyennisauthorTo submit a question, email hello@stacyennis.com or visit stacyennis.com/contact and fill out the form on the page.

    39 min
  6. 243. Book Tip | How to write your first book without pressure

    MAR 12

    243. Book Tip | How to write your first book without pressure

    Most aspiring authors freeze before they even start—not because they lack ideas, but because the pressure feels impossible. In today's quick Book Tip episode, I share why your first book doesn't have to be the book, and how one simple mindset shift can finally get you writing. If you've been waiting for the perfect moment, this episode is your sign to start. Listen to the full episode here: SpotifyApple Podcasts

    2 min
  7. 242. How I wrote my way to location independence

    MAR 11

    242. How I wrote my way to location independence

    Do you have a goal you dream about but feel like it’s impossible to achieve? Join me as I share a little of my personal story of pursuing my dream of writing my first book. Along with that dream was a life vision I worked to create of freedom of location, finances, choice, schedule, and availability. I talk about how writing forced me to get clear on my expertise and step into it fully. It wasn’t without fear when I got my first book deal at 26. But I said yes, which set off a chain of events leading to where I am today: living a life of freedom and purpose in Portugal. I invite you to see what’s possible when you commit to the book inside you. Because writing a book doesn’t just change your business. It changes you. Follow me on: Instagram @stacyennisFacebook @stacyenniscreativeLinkedInYouTube @stacyennisauthorTo submit a question, email hello@stacyennis.com or visit stacyennis.com/contact and fill out the form on the page.

    20 min
  8. 241. How to start living a choiceful life

    MAR 4

    241. How to start living a choiceful life

    In this solo episode, I dive into what it truly means to live a choiceful life, and why so many of us are living by default without even realizing it. I share my own journey of breaking free from a prescribed path and how a single piece of advice from a mentor sparked a philosophy I've built my life and work around. We explore how to adopt an active posture toward your life, ask better questions, and find possibilities you didn't know were available to you. I also walk you through how I protect daily discretionary time for deep thinking and creativity, and I challenge you to try just 10 minutes a day to start building a more intentional life. Whether you're navigating a major life transition, craving more purpose in your day-to-day, or simply ready to stop drifting and start deciding, this episode will give you both the perspective and the practical steps to move forward. Don't miss this invitation to step into the life you actually want. Show notes: Growing Influence: A Story of How to Lead with Character, Expertise, and ImpactFollow me on: Instagram @stacyennisFacebook @stacyenniscreativeLinkedInYouTube @stacyennisauthorTo submit a question, email hello@stacyennis.com or visit stacyennis.com/contact and fill out the form on the page.

    29 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Beyond Better is a podcast that explores a simple but profound idea: we all deserve to live lives that are not just better—but beyond better. I’m Stacy Ennis, an author, mom of two, and long-time location independent entrepreneur living in Portugal. Join me as I talk business, location independence, writing, travel, and so much more, all focused on building a life that is beyond better.

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