The Chris Voss Show

If There Was a 6th Star He’d Get It! Great host, high energy which was infectious to say the least. A great exchange and great questions from him. It is clear why he has the following he has, and I’m now a follower as well.

Just here to be another person to say beware of this podcast and his team. I’ve been getting calls once a week about appearing on this show and asking me to pay thousands to talk about my book. They make it seem like a genuine interest, and goes right into a sales pitch.

Chris is a great host who made me feel comfortable, lighter and less nervous while he interviewed my business partner and I. Chris interviewed us about our children's book series. He understood the messages we wanted his listeners to gain from our discussion. He helped us highlight the main purpose of our book series, which is to help children and families through challenging situations in an entertaining way. Thank you Chris, for giving us this awesome opportunity to appear on your show and share our books with you and your listeners . We are honored to be a small part of something so big!

I’m sharing my experience to caution other authors who may be approached by podcast and marketing solicitations tied to paid “exposure” opportunities. After publishing my children’s book, I began receiving frequent outreach from companies presenting themselves as publishers, podcast bookers, or marketing professionals. One recent interaction involved an invitation to appear on what was described as a “very successful” podcast. The representatives spoke enthusiastically about my book and even referenced specific themes and story elements, which initially made the offer feel personal and legitimate. However, the conversation quickly shifted toward paid packages and marketing fees. The company name also appeared to change between representatives, which raised concerns about transparency and credibility. As I looked deeper, it became clear that the opportunity was contingent on paying for visibility rather than being selected based on editorial interest or audience fit. What felt especially troubling was how personalized and glowing the feedback sounded. For authors—especially those without industry backing or financial resources—this kind of targeted praise can create a sense of validation and urgency that makes it harder to recognize when the primary goal is selling services. I’m not against paid marketing in principle, but authors deserve clarity, consistency, and honesty. If a podcast or platform is genuinely interested in your work, the value proposition should be clear, expectations transparent, and identities consistent across representatives. When the interaction feels scripted, overly flattering, or immediately tied to payment, it’s worth slowing down and doing independent research. To fellow authors: protect your work, your time, and your finances. Ask questions. Verify credentials. Look for independent reviews. And remember that your vulnerability and passion as a creator should never be used as a sales tactic.