H.E.R. Amplified: Formerly Project Seed Money

Sharissa Bradley
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H.E.R. Amplified—Hear Every Ripple—is where women's voices, stories, work, ideas, and businesses are given room to travel. Formerly Project Seed Money, the show began by helping women authors discover grants, funding opportunities, and practical publishing resources. Today, host Sharissa Bradley speaks with women authors, entrepreneurs, creatives, and publishing professionals about writing, publishing, business, funding, resilience, and creating meaningful change. Each conversation offers honest stories, practical insight, and resources to help women feel seen, heard, supported, and equipped to move their work forward—because every ripple begins with a voice.

  1. 3d ago

    Unstoppable Storytelling: Sandy Malone on Journalism, TLC's Wedding Island, and Writing Bold Fiction

    What does it take to pivot from political journalism to running a destination wedding empire, starring in a reality TV show, and becoming a bestselling fiction author? In this episode of H.E.R. Amplified, host Sharissa Bradley chats with the multitalented Sandy Malone. Sandy takes us through her colorful life story, from reporting on police beats and writing for The Wall Street Journal to coordinating disaster relief after Hurricane Maria and leading the Police Tribune. She opens up about the vulnerability of publishing fiction, her Jekyll Island book series, her upcoming novel Thicker Than Blood, and her essential advice for aspiring female writers. Timestamps: 00:00 – Welcome to H.E.R. Amplified 00:43 – Early Writing Dreams & High School Newspaper Controversy 02:50 – Journalism at Ohio State, Georgetown & The Wall Street Journal 04:45 – Switching to DC Public Affairs & Discovering Vieques Island 06:20 – Running 19 Weddings a Month & TLC's Wedding Island 08:50 – Hurricane Maria, Emergency Evacuations, and Moving On 12:00 – Writing for Brides, HuffPost, and Becoming Editor-in-Chief of Police Tribune 18:00 – Transitioning to Fiction: Escape to Jekyll Island & Thicker Than Blood 23:15 – Advice for Female Authors: Knowing Your Ending & Ignoring Doubters Connect with Sandy Malone: Website: https://sandymalone.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sandynmalone/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SandyMaloneWIV TikTok:  https://www.tiktok.com/@sandy.malone LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandy-malone-author/  Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/SandyMaloneAuthor/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@SandyMaloneBooks X; https://x.com/SandyMalone_    Watch this on youtube: https://youtu.be/QH72ogV9AgA

  2. Sep 8

    Climbing the Spiral Staircase: Elizabeth Wilson on Divorce, Drastic Rewrites, and Reclaiming Joy

    What happens when writing your memoir changes your entire life? Today on H.E.R. Amplified, host Sharissa Bradley sits down with Elizabeth Wilson to celebrate the launch of her debut book, Lonely Girl: An Unexpected Love Story. Elizabeth gets raw about the emotional and logistical marathon of her publishing journey. She details why she threw out 95% of her original draft, how her writing process forced her to confront her marriage, and what happened when her publication date coincided with moving and her fiancé's major shoulder surgery. If you've ever faced creative burnout or felt like you're starting over, Elizabeth's inspiring "spiral staircase" analogy will give you the perspective shift you need.   Connect with Elizabeth: Website: whisperedwisdompress.com Instagram: @ewilsonwrites Podcast: Inspired Writer Collective Join us on the Project Seed Money Podcast as we delve into the journeys of inspiring female authors, sharing their challenges and triumphs to empower your writing path. Don't miss an episode—subscribe now on your favorite podcast platform. For additional resources and to connect with our community, visit projectseedmoney.com. If you have a story to share, reach out to be featured in an upcoming episode.   Follow H.E.R. Amplified on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/h.e.r.amplified    Watch this on YouTube: https://youtu.be/jaJ7pTpPTlE

  3. Aug 31

    No Regrets: Lindsey Goldstein on Finding Your Writing Rhythm and Small Press Success

    In this episode of the Project Seed Money Podcast, host Sharissa Bradley sits down with author Lindsey Goldstein to discuss her inspiring journey to becoming a published novelist later in life. Lindsey shares how getting a personal essay published in The New York Times finally gave her the confidence to write her first book. She opens up about the long, arduous reality of the querying trenches, the game-changing community she found through Pitch to Publish, and why parting ways with her literary agent was ultimately the best decision for her career. Whether you are looking to submit directly to small presses, balance a busy life with writing sprints, or overcome the fear of rejection, Lindsey's practical wisdom is the ultimate guide to charting your own path. In this video, you'll learn: How an external validation spark can build your confidence to write. The realities of query letters, beta readers, and page-one rewrites. How to find open, un-agented submission windows with small presses. Balancing 1-hour writing sprints with a busy career, family, and a demanding dog. Why setting concrete, external deadlines is the key to finishing your manuscript. Timestamps: 00:00 – Welcome and Introduction to Lindsey Goldstein. 00:27 – The Confidence Spark: Getting published in The New York Times. 02:17 – The Query Trenches: Learning the hard way and the power of Pitch to Publish. 04:10 – The Page-One Rewrite: Tossing a draft to save the premise. 05:40 – Parting with an Agent & Landing Egret Lake Books. 07:56 – Hidden Resources: Finding free, un-agented publishing guides. 11:07 – Fitting Writing In: 1-hour slots vs. 4-hour refrigerator trips. 12:21 – Deadlines as Tools: Setting agent pitches to finish the book. 16:56 – Final Encouragement: Why it is never too late to start. Connect with Lindsey: Website: lindseygoldsteinauthor.com Instagram/Threads: @GoldsteinLindsey Substack: lindseygoldstein.substack.com

  4. Aug 24

    Building Your Own Stage: Jennifer Lieberman on Creative Agency, Handling Harsh Feedback, and Fighting the Bots

    In this episode of the Project Seed Money Podcast, host Sharissa Bradley sits down with Jennifer Lieberman, the creative powerhouse behind the award-winning solo show and hit novel Year of the What? (originally titled Year of the Slut). Jennifer pulls back the curtain on her multi-hyphenate career as an actor, producer, and author. She gets incredibly raw about the devastating "amateur mistakes" of her early publishing journey, why she shelved her manuscript for an entire year after a brutal editing critique, and how an encounter at a coffee shop completely changed her path. Learn how she navigated online censorship by internet algorithms, built her business Make Your Own Break, and why she believes self-doubt is actually a secret weapon that drives artists to excel. Timestamps: 00:00 – Welcome and introduction to Jennifer Lieberman. 00:31 – The Actor-Writer Shift: Creating your own opportunities. 01:08 – Erotic Poetry and the Fifty Shades catalyst. 01:54 – Bringing Year of the Slut from a 10-character solo show to a chick lit novel. 03:59 – The Crushing Critique: The unvetted editor who made her cry for a week. 05:52 – The Pivoting Trap: Bouncing between screenplays, web series, and books. 06:48 – Reclaiming Her Power: The boyfriend who pushed her to self-publish. 07:22 – Serendipitous Connections: Burning Man nails and The Nanny Diaries editor. 07:55 – Censored by the Bots: Rebranding to Year of the What?. 10:37 – Overcoming the "Icky" feeling of self-promotion. 12:11 – Writing First-Person: The "Carrie Bradshaw" fantasy vs. reality. 13:20 – The Artist's Rollercoaster: Why vulnerability makes us better creatives. 15:43 – Make Your Own Break & where to find Jennifer's books. 16:50 – Final Inspiration: Facing the "big matzah ball" of fear. Connect more with Jennifer:  Website www.MakeYourOwnBreak.com Instagram @iamjenlieberman Facebook @iamjenlieberman LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/iamjenlieberman/ www.YearOfTheWhat.com   Join us on the Project Seed Money Podcast as we delve into the journeys of inspiring female authors, sharing their challenges and triumphs to empower your writing path. Don't miss an episode—subscribe now on your favorite podcast platform. For additional resources and to connect with our community, visit projectseedmoney.com. If you have a story to share, reach out to be featured in an upcoming episode.   Follow Project Seed Money on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/projectseedmoney/    Watch this on YouTube: https://youtu.be/fplzSNjrynw

  5. Aug 17

    Curiosity as a Catalyst: Karolina Wudniak on the Art of Nonfiction Book Design

    In this episode of the Project Seed Money Podcast, host Sharissa Bradley sits down with Karolina Wudniak, the creative force behind Paper Wing Studio. Karolina shares her fascinating "full circle" journey—from a journalist and blogger in Poland to a professional book designer in Canada. She explains how her background in writing and photography prepared her to turn manuscripts into "visual language." We dive deep into her collaborative design process, why she specializes in nonfiction and memoirs, and the critical technical questions authors must ask before hiring a designer. In this video, you'll learn: How a background in journalism and travel photography fuels professional book design.   Why the "onboarding call" is like a first date—and why it's essential for a successful book.   The difference between designing for fiction and the factual, spiritual space of nonfiction.   How to protect yourself from copyright infringement and "AI-generated" surprises.   Timestamps: 00:00 – Welcome and Introduction.   01:06 – From Journalist to Designer: Karolina's journey from Poland to Canada.   03:00 – The First Gig: How an audiobook cover led to a seven-year career.   05:00 – Using Curiosity as a Catalyst for visual storytelling.   06:02 – Genre Specialties: Why Karolina chooses nonfiction and memoirs over fantasy.   08:00 – The Onboarding Process: The "first date" check and the detailed questionnaire.   10:40 – Collaborative Design: How revisions help authors market their books.   12:50 – Timing and Planning: When to get on a designer's calendar.   16:05 – Questions for the Interview: Sourcing artwork, fonts, and AI policies.   19:00 – Red Flags: Copyright infringement and the necessity of contracts.   21:51 – Final Advice: Working through creative blocks in nature.   Connect with Karolina: Website https://paperwingstudio.ca/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/paperwing.studio/ Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/anglartkarolina/ Scheduling Link https://client.paperwingstudio.ca/public/discovery-call

  6. Aug 10

    Developing Rhino Skin: Edwina Perkins on Faith, Voice, and Industry Integrity

    In this episode of the Project Seed Money podcast, host Sharissa Bradley sits down with Edwina Perkins, a seasoned publishing veteran, developmental editor, and author of The Colors of Home. Edwina shares her remarkable "full circle" journey—from learning the industry as an acquisition editor and conference director to finally hearing the "whisper" that it was time to publish her own story. We dive deep into the themes of her novel, including navigating racial identity in a small town, parenting children in "rainbow shades of brown," and the beauty of characters with special needs. Whether you are an aspiring author struggling with self-doubt or a writer looking to ensure your work is culturally authentic through sensitivity reading, Edwina's wisdom and industry expertise offer a masterclass in professional resilience. Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction to Edwina Perkins. 00:35 – Stepping back to learn the industry: The journey from writer to editor. 02:29 – The Need for Representation: Why stories from the margins must be told. 04:06 – The Colors of Home: Navigating prejudice and diverse family identities. 07:29 – Overcoming industry doubt and protecting your unique voice. 09:44 – The Full Circle Moment: How a divine connection led to a contract in 48 hours. 13:09 – Expert Services: Coaching, ghostwriting, and sensitivity reading. 19:14 – Final Advice: Why writers need "rhino skin". Connect with Edwina: Website: edwinaperkins.com Instagram instagram.com/edwinaperkins/ Facebook Personal -  https://www.facebook.com/edwina.perkins.3/   Professional - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61581949774839 TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@edwina_perkins LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/edwina-perkins-78197138/ Book: The Colors of Home (Available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble) Join us on the Project Seed Money Podcast as we delve into the journeys of inspiring female authors, sharing their challenges and triumphs to empower your writing path. Don't miss an episode—subscribe now on your favorite podcast platform. For additional resources and to connect with our community, visit projectseedmoney.com. If you have a story to share, reach out to be featured in an upcoming episode.   Follow Project Seed Money on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/projectseedmoney/    Watch this on YouTube: https://youtu.be/8WfvSZ7AYR4

  7. Aug 3

    The Jewelry of Storytelling: Deborah Wilde on Screenwriting, Jewish Mythology, and Indie Success

    In this episode of the Project Seed Money Podcast, Sharissa Bradley is joined by Deborah Wilde, the powerhouse author behind over 25 "funny, sexy, urban fantasy" novels. Deborah pulls back the curtain on her 12-year career in screenwriting and explains why a "useless" degree in film theory actually became the foundation for her storytelling success. She discusses the pivotal moment a traditional agent told her to "pick a lane," her decision to reclaim her authority through indie publishing, and the radical move she made for her mental health: leaving the Amazon Kindle Unlimited "sticky" game to go wide and open her own Shopify store. Timestamps: 00:00 – Welcome and Introduction. 00:45 – The "White Men in New York" Myth: Deborah's path to authorship. 02:44 – The YA Experiment: Lessons learned from her first pen name. 03:22 – Finding the Sweet Spot: Mixing spicy romance with screwball banter. 04:22 – The Metadata Struggle: Mastering Publisher Rocket and the Amazon algorithm. 06:10 – The Power of Authority: Why Deborah runs her own publishing company. 09:30 – Refusing to "Pick a Lane": Rejecting traditional publishing demands. 11:00 – Mental Health & Publishing: The leap from KU to Wide. 14:26 – Jewish Heroines and Mythology in Urban Fantasy. 16:56 – Advice for Authors: Why writing a book is like mining for jewelry. Connect with Deborah: Website www.deborahwilde.com Instagram https://www.instagram.com/wildeauthor/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/DeborahWildeAuthor TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@deborahwildeauthor Buy Books Directly: deborahwildebooks.com Join us on the Project Seed Money Podcast as we delve into the journeys of inspiring female authors, sharing their challenges and triumphs to empower your writing path. Don't miss an episode—subscribe now on your favorite podcast platform. For additional resources and to connect with our community, visit projectseedmoney.com. If you have a story to share, reach out to be featured in an upcoming episode.   Follow Project Seed Money on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/projectseedmoney/    Watch this on YouTube: https://youtu.be/jNaGLFr8sKc

  8. Jul 27

    The Author's Next Chapter: Shamayne Olivia Kotfas on Vulnerability, Legacy, and the Shoes That Fit

    In this update episode of the Project Seed Money Podcast, Sharissa Bradley welcomes back Shamayne Olivia Kotfas to celebrate the successful launch of her book and workbook, Shoes That Fit Her Soul. Shamayne gets raw and real about the "birthing process" of publishing—from navigating months of delays to the surprising wave of vulnerability and overwhelm that hit once the book was finally live. She shares how she "cried it out" to find her stride and describes the incredible feedback she's received from women of all ages. We also dive deep into her unique 8-step shoe framework for emotional healing and identity reclamation. In this episode, you'll learn: How to handle the "anticlimactic" feeling of a book launch. The power of the "Better Together" community for authors. A breakdown of the "Shoes That Fit Her Soul" framework: from the "sole" of your values to the "stitching" of your journey. Why every woman's story is a unique contribution the world needs. Timestamps: 00:00 – Welcome back, Shamayne Olivia Kotfas! 01:05 – Life after the launch: Orders, workshops, and speaking engagements. 02:30 – The Vulnerability Hangover: Dealing with post-launch fear and overwhelm. 06:00 – Impact beyond midlife: How a 30-year-old reader was moved to tears. 09:21 – Transitioning to a marketing mindset and the power of author conferences. 11:48 – Deep Dive: The "Shoes That Fit Her Soul" framework explained. 20:46 – Final Inspiration: Why you must share your unique voice. Connect with Shamayne: Website www.ShoesThatFitHerSoul.com   Instagram https://www.instagram.com/shoes.that.fit.her.soul/   Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/1211720383153305   LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/shamayne-olivia-kotfas-06404a72/ Join us on the Project Seed Money Podcast as we delve into the journeys of inspiring female authors, sharing their challenges and triumphs to empower your writing path. Don't miss an episode—subscribe now on your favorite podcast platform. For additional resources and to connect with our community, visit projectseedmoney.com. If you have a story to share, reach out to be featured in an upcoming episode.   Follow Project Seed Money on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/projectseedmoney/    Watch this on YouTube: https://youtu.be/2N9gDrMpEEw

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H.E.R. Amplified—Hear Every Ripple—is where women's voices, stories, work, ideas, and businesses are given room to travel. Formerly Project Seed Money, the show began by helping women authors discover grants, funding opportunities, and practical publishing resources. Today, host Sharissa Bradley speaks with women authors, entrepreneurs, creatives, and publishing professionals about writing, publishing, business, funding, resilience, and creating meaningful change. Each conversation offers honest stories, practical insight, and resources to help women feel seen, heard, supported, and equipped to move their work forward—because every ripple begins with a voice.

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