In Episode 76 of The Rise Podcast, Sara Connell sits down with transformational coach, technologist, and author Will Lukang for a powerful conversation on timing, courage, and the art of betting on yourself.

Will—who spent 33+ years in technology before launching his leadership company Kyros Executive Program—shares the core philosophy behind the name:
the right moment isn't someday…it's now.

Together, Sara and Will explore:
✨ Why your next big leap begins the moment you decide to take it
✨ The difference between planning for what if and planning for when—and how this shift changes everything

✨ The mindset reframe that turns rejection into "next opportunity"
✨ How to break the habit of staying small and start behaving like the future you
✨ How AI + human intention can elevate your thought leadership, creativity, and impact
✨ Why betting on yourself is the only strategy that guarantees expansion

Will also shares behind-the-scenes stories about his new collaborative book, the unexpected chain reaction that turned podcast guests into published authors, and the one question that changes his clients' entire trajectory:
"If you couldn't fail, what would you do?"

This episode is a call to action for leaders, writers, and entrepreneurs ready to rise into their next chapter. Whether you're at the start of your career, reinventing yourself, or climbing toward senior leadership—this conversation ignites the courage to move now, not later.

What You'll Learn

• How to recognize the Kyros moment—the precise moment to act on your calling
• A practical framework for making bold decisions without fear
• The simple morning ritual Will uses for peak performance
• How AI can support your creativity without replacing your voice
• How one brave action can unlock a chain of opportunities you never saw coming

#TheRisePodcast #SaraConnell #WillLukang #BetOnYourself #KyrosMoment #ThoughtLeadership #LeadershipDevelopment #WomenStartingMovements #HumanAndAI #NextOpportunity #CareerBreakthrough #QuantumLeapMindset

In this electrifying episode, Sara Connell welcomes powerhouse thought leaders Julie Fedele and Pamela DeRose, founders of Midlife Upgrade and creators of the fast-growing Menapolooza movement. What began as two women navigating their own midlife health challenges has transformed into a worldwide mission to end suffering, build community, and revolutionize the way women experience perimenopause and menopause.

Julie and Pam share their extraordinary origin story—how a raw conversation over symptoms, struggle, and sisterhood sparked a movement neither of them could have predicted. From hosting their first sold-out events to partnering with the leading physicians in the menopause space, to launching their groundbreaking book Midlife Upgrade, these women are showing a generation of women what's possible when you refuse to stay silent.

This episode is a masterclass in courage, resourcefulness, and movement-building.

• How Julie & Pam turned personal suffering into a global mission to help women be seen, honored, and supported during midlife.

• Why menopause remains one of the least understood areas in women's health, and how leaders are stepping up to fill the gap.

• The exact strategies they used to build momentum quickly — including partnering with top medical experts and creating sold-out community experiences.

• How to leverage your book before it's published, using events, partnerships, and visibility to build your movement (Sara breaks this down beautifully).

• What it really takes to start a movement even when you don't have a blueprint, funding, or certainty — just the willingness to say yes.

• The role of community, storytelling, and generosity in becoming a thought leader who genuinely changes lives.

• Why midlife is not a decline — but an upgrade, and how to reclaim passion, vitality, and purpose in the chapters ahead.

If you're a writer, coach, healer, or visionary with a message in your heart, this episode will remind you:
Movements don't happen because someone gives you permission — they happen because you decide to rise.

Julie and Pam show us what's possible when women tell the truth, lead with generosity, and refuse to let other women suffer in silence. Their story is movement-making at its finest.

#WomenSupportingWomen #MidlifeUpgrade #MenopauseSupport #MovementMakers #TheRisePodcast #SaraConnell #ThoughtLeadership #WomenStartingMovements #PerimenopauseSupport #EmpoweredWomen #WomensHealthRevolution #RiseWithSaraConnell

"Joy in the Belly of a Riot" with Poet & Performer Barbara Fant

In this soul-stirring episode, Sara Connell welcomes award-winning poet, performer, and author Barbara Fant to celebrate the launch of her newest collection, Joy in the Belly of a Riot—a book born from prayer, memory, healing, and the radical practice of choosing joy in the midst of pain.

Barbara opens up about the spiritual and creative forces behind her writing, sharing how dreams, images, and intuitive "downloads" shape her poems. She also performs a powerful reading of "I Keep Trying to Write About the Trauma but the Joy Won't Let Me," offering listeners a rare glimpse of her voice, breath, and artistry.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• How to access joy—even when life is hard, through the wisdom that joy is not the absence of pain, but "happiness in spite of it."
• The surprising creative process behind Barbara's poems, including how she receives lines through imagery, dreams, and intuitive insights.
• Why writing can be a form of prayer, healing, and reclamation—and how your own story can become an instrument of wholeness.
• The art of writing for both the page and the stage, and how Barbara edits her work using breath, rhythm, and embodied performance.
• How to preserve your voice through trauma and transformation, and why your words have the power to "save the day."
• What it means to reimagine your future, even when your past feels heavy—and how joy can call you forward.

This episode is a masterclass in artistry, resilience, and the sacred power of storytelling. Whether you're a writer, a creative, or someone seeking healing, Barbara's wisdom will invite you to step into light, possibility, and the page that's waiting for you next.

Want more support? Visit https://www.saraconnell.com

#TheRisePodcast #SaraConnell #BarbaraFant #JoyInTheBellyOfARiot #PoetryCommunity #WritersOnWriting #HealingThroughArt #CreativeProcess #PoetLife #StorytellingMagic #WomenWhoWrite #ThoughtLeaderAcademy #WritingJourney #BookLaunch2025 #WritingAsPrayer #SpokenWordPoetry #RiseWithSaraConnell #AuthorLife #EmotionalHealing #WritingToHeal

In this episode, we’re diving deep into one of the most overlooked tools in your author brand: your website.

Whether you're launching a book, building a thought leader brand, or growing your expert business—your website is the foundation of your visibility, credibility, and conversions.

Join bestselling author and founder of Thought Leader Academy Sara Connell and special guest Hannah Boeck, conversion copywriter and founder of Amplify Copy, as they unpack what it really takes to build a website that doesn’t just look good—but actually works.

You’ll Learn:

• What makes an author website stand out and convert

• Common website mistakes (and how to avoid them)

• The #1 element that drives people to take action

• Why traditional “pretty” websites often don’t sell

• The strategy behind creating magnetic landing pages, sales pages & opt-ins

• How to position your site as a bridge to your book and brand

Whether you're pre-launch, post-publish, or pivoting to scale your business, this episode is your roadmap to building a website that works as hard as you do.

🎯 Want more support? Visit https://www.saraconnell.com

#AuthorMarketing #WebsiteTipsForAuthors #ThoughtLeaderBranding #SaraConnell #AmplifyCopy #ConversionCopywriting #ExpertBrand #AuthorWebsite #BuildAWebsiteThatConverts #MessageToMovement #BookLaunchTips

If you've ever wondered how to stand out in a crowded online world, this episode is for you.

In Episode 72 of The RISE Podcast, Sara Connell sits down with Rachel B. Lee, personal branding expert and co-founder of Standout Authority, to talk about the REAL keys to building a personal brand that doesn't just look good—but drives real impact and results.

Rachel shares:
✨ The 4 pillars of a magnetic personal brand
✨ Why most entrepreneurs blend in—and how to break out
✨ How to turn your personal story into a visibility superpower
✨ What thought leaders MUST do to connect with modern audiences
✨ Her own journey from corporate marketing at Microsoft to building a multi-six figure brand with her husband

Whether you're a coach, author, or entrepreneur ready to be seen, heard, and PAID—this episode gives you actionable tools to become unforgettable.

🔗 Learn more about Rachel B. Lee and Standout Authority: https://www.standoutauthority.com

📚 Learn more about Sara's programs: https://www.saraconnell.com

🎧 Listen to more episodes of The RISE Podcast: https://www.saraconnell.com/the-rise-podcast

Follow Sara on IG: @saraconnell

#PersonalBranding #ThoughtLeader #SaraConnell #RachelBLee #StandOutAuthority #BrandStrategy #EntrepreneurLife #BookMarketing #MagneticBrand #WomenInBusiness #OnlineBusinessTips #ContentStrategy #TheRisePodcast

What happens when your story becomes the support you never had?

In this episode of The Rise, Sara Connell is joined by Sarah Cassidy—author, coach, and founder of Postpartum With a Plan. What started as a deeply personal experience of new motherhood turned into a powerful movement supporting thousands of women navigating the unexpected gap between what's promised… and what's real.

Together, they explore how to turn your truth into transformation—not only for yourself, but for your community, audience, and brand.

Sarah is a certified coach and the founder of Postpartum With a Plan, a resource-driven support system and coaching platform that empowers new moms with real talk, expert tools, and emotional support. Her personal story of motherhood inspired her to write the book she needed—and to build a platform that continues to change lives.

Get Sarah's book here: https://a.co/d/4Uz5DIx

• How Sarah turned her story into a bestselling book

• The disconnect between motherhood expectations vs. reality

• What it takes to create a mission-driven brand

• How to build community through storytelling

• The secret to turning pain points into platforms of impact

This episode is a must-watch for:

• Authors ready to share personal stories

• Coaches building impact-driven platforms

• Speakers & thought leaders growing communities

• Entrepreneurs who want to write the book they needed

If you're a coach, author, speaker, or entrepreneur ready to elevate your message and grow your thought leadership—subscribe for more weekly episodes and interviews.

#therisepodcast #saraconnell #thoughtleadership #authorlife #momlife #sarahcassidy #postpartumtruth #buildyourplatform #writetoinspire #bookmarketing #coachingbusiness #purposefulplatform

What if your next level of impact isn't in your mind… but in your body?

In this energizing episode of the RISE Podcast, Sara Connell sits down with Helen Birney, a holistic health expert, to uncover how your physical vitality is the secret weapon behind your success as a thought leader.

Helen shares the truth about burnout, the power of energetic alignment, and how entrepreneurs can nourish their minds and bodies for sustainable impact and creative genius. From nutrition and nervous system regulation to spiritual alignment, this episode is a roadmap to becoming the most energized, magnetic version of yourself.

Whether you're scaling your business, writing your next book, or preparing to speak on the world's biggest stages—this conversation will leave you feeling grounded, inspired, and ready to RISE.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• Why thought leaders must prioritize energy to achieve visibility and impact

• The surprising connection between food, boundaries, and burnout

• How to regulate your nervous system to unlock your highest vision

• Helen's personal journey from hustle to holistic alignment

• Actionable tips to create energetic rituals that fuel your purpose

This is for you if:

• You're a coach, author, or entrepreneur tired of pushing through fatigue

• You want to build a business from a place of pleasure, not burnout

• You're curious how to integrate health, purpose, and spiritual alignment

• You're ready to RISE as the leader you came here to be

🎧 Listen on the go:
Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube | Amazon Music

💛 Don't forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this with a fellow visionary.

📲 69Tag us on Instagram @saraconnell and let us know your biggest takeaway from this episode.