Holy heck! It's the very first special episode of TLTQ - and it's a glorious nerdfest. Annie P. Ruggles recently brought her brand of entrepreneurial enthusiasm to the show floor at FAN EXPO Chicago and sat down with 14 phenomenal makers to discuss life at the intersection of art, business, pop culture, and sales. How did they find their own style in a sea of similarity? How has their own fandom inspired their work? How have they built community around shared passions? Let's find out. What's inside: 0:00 Theme Song & Introduction 3:13 Alexandra Brodt Illustration (www.alexandrabrodt.com) 8:35 Andrew Heath Design + Illustration (www.andrew-heath.com) 11:09 Brianne Adelman of FrankenWerks Studios (www.frankenwerksstudios.com) 16:16 Darryl Young Design (www.darrylyoungdesign.com) 19:23 Drew Blank, Arter & Writist (www.drewblank.com) 25:38 Marcelo Biott (www.themarcelo.com) 30:55 Marcus Currie of Soul Bullet Entertainment (soul-bullet-entertainment.square.site) 33:26 Meg Earhart of Sparkle! Designs (www.shopsparkledesigns.com) 38:49 Minerva Fox (www.artbyminervafox.com) 41:50 Red Harkinson of Red Den Studio (www.facebook.com/RedDenStudio) 45:20 Rob Hogan (robhogan.me) 59:31 Tabitha Minnich of Geeky Girl Stitches (www.facebook.com/geekygirlstitches) 1:01:59 Tina Isola (www.tinaisola.com) 1:04:49 Tony Moy (www.tonymoy.art) 1:11:50 Final Thought & Homework *** for a visual companion to this episode, including much of the art mentioned, visit https://www.anniepruggles.com/blog/FANEXPO2022*** This episode contains over 40 pop culture mentions including Lore Olympus, Lord of the Rings, Avatar: The Last Airbender, Kiki’s Delivery Service, Godzilla, the Nintendo Gameboy, Ghostbusters, Mad Max: Fury Road, Aliens, Beetlejuice, SNL's Mr. Bill, Jack Kirby, Empire Records, Parks and Recreation, News Radio, tick, tick...BOOM!, The Muppet Show, Heathers, Clue, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Twilight, My Fair Lady, Dear Evan Hanson, Hans Christian Andersen, Pretty Soldier Sailor Moon, Vincent Van Gogh, The Powerpuff Girls, Elden Ring/Dark Souls, The MCU, Doctor Who, Andy Warhol, Moulin Rouge, Toulouse-Lautrec, Pokemon, My Neighbor Totoro, Star Wars’ Ahsoka Tano, Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Highlander, Spiderman, and The X-Men. Annie conducted most of the interviews while cosplaying as Grandma Yetta from The Nanny. Huge thanks to Jerry Milani and the FAN EXPO PR team for this opportunity. They put on a helluva show all over the US and Canada. For more information, head to FANEXPOHQ.com *Parentpreneur advisory: this episode contains a few bits of colorful language.

Is your definition of success truly your own or has it been cobbled together from other peoples' mandates and expectations? Are you more likely to succeed if you show up fully and frantically every day or if you slow down and act deliberately? And how can you bounce back after major life changes, both voluntary and unexpected? This week, Annie P. is joined by the brave and bold Jessica Butts. Jessica is an expert in personality types, potential, and self-motivation. She recently relocated to Maui to focus on "healing her hustle," and empowering other burned-out women to do the same. The episode is jam-packed with hard-won truths and belly laughs before discussing what listeners can learn from recently liberated pop princess, Kesha. What's Inside: 0:00 - Intro & Theme 01:44 - Main Interview with Jessica 33:15 - Kesha tie-in 50:37 - Final Thought & Homework *Parentpreneur advisory: this episode contains colorful language. Connect with Jessica through her website andfree personality assessment. Don't forget to check out her podcast, Front Seat Life! This episode is part of the Legitimate Divas playlist, also including Lady Gaga, Lizzo, Cher, and Megan Thee Stallion episodes. Craving connection, co-working, and a way to enjoy your time on LinkedIn? Join our free community, The Legitimati, and do your weekly homework with us! It's also the perfect way to rub elbows with our fabulous guests. For full show notes and more visit www.toolegitimatetoquit.com

When you define selling, is your answer more synonymous with greed, manipulation, and regret or to love, empathy, and enthusiasm? You've been sold to horribly and unethically countless times - but have you ever had a sales hero? How can you serve your clients beautifully and step into abundance simultaneously? This week, Annie P. Ruggles (founder of The Non-Sleazy Sales Academy) teams up with the soothing and profound Jason Marc Campbell (author of Selling With Love) to poke holes in the stigma of sales. Jason Marc sees selling as "a mission of curiosity" while Annie's definition is "problem-solving for money." Try these reframes on for size before jumping head-first into the anime and manga sensation, Attack on Titan. What can we learn about compassion and love when our competitors are larger than life? What's Inside: 0:00 - Intro & Theme 01:37 - Main Interview with Jason 27:47 - Attack on Titan tie-in 44:11 - Final Thought & Homework *Parentpreneur advisory: this episode contains colorful language. Connect with Jason through his website and LinkedIn. Don't forget to check out the Selling with Love book and podcast! Craving connection, co-working, and a way to enjoy your time on LinkedIn? Join our free community, The Legitimati, and do your weekly homework with us! It's also the perfect way to rub elbows with our fabulous guests. For full show notes and more visit www.toolegitimatetoquit.com

Do we expand our skills by learning or by doing? How do you identify what falls inside our expertise and where we have growth options? And - what if we're experts in something that we just don't love anymore? Entrepreneurship is a constant dance of learning and unlearning - all while declaring ourselves worthy of attention and trust. How can we show up ethically and enthusiastically? This week, Annie P. is joined by ethical marketing expert Rachel Kurzyp. Rachel has a profound message for all small business owners - no one can "ethics" for you, and no one can "self-care" for you either. Rachel and Annie discuss validation, haters, leadership, and more before jumping into the opulent, dramatic world of The OC. What can we learn about success from teens who have had everything handed to them? Let's find out! What's Inside: 0:00 - Intro & Theme 01:39 - Main Interview with Rachel 41:41 - The OC Tie-in 57:19 - Final Thought & Homework *Parentpreneur advisory: this episode contains colorful language. Connect with Rachel through her website and Instagram. Don't forget to check out her podcast, The Rachel Kurzyp Show! Craving connection, co-working, and a way to enjoy your time on LinkedIn? Join our free community, The Legitimati, and do your weekly homework with us! It's also the perfect way to rub elbows with our fabulous guests. For full show notes and more visit www.toolegitimatetoquit.com

In order to take ourselves seriously as business owners, do we need to be so dang serious? What are the key differences between savvy self-promotion and sleazy self-serving advertising? Is putting yourself out there emotionally safe? What the heck are the rules? This week, Annie P. is joined by Graphic Design superstar and sassy marketing truth-teller, Deanna Seymour. Deanna is a master of helping people shine online through bold, bright, unapologetically fabulous design. She also shares some no-nonsense feedback for the coaching industry and similar "service-based" entrepreneurial circles. Then, Deanna and Annie dive headfirst into the wonder of Pee-wee's Playhouse. What can we learn about loneliness, inclusion, bravery, anxiety, and good old-fashioned fun from Pee-wee and his motley crew of pals? Let's find out! *Parentpreneur advisory: this episode contains colorful language. Connect with Deanna through her website and Instagram. Don't forget to check out her podcast, Eff That: Breaking The Rules of Online Business! Craving connection, co-working, and a way to enjoy your time on LinkedIn? Join our free community, The Legitimati, and do your weekly homework with us! It's also the perfect way to rub elbows with our fabulous guests. For full show notes and more visit www.toolegitimatetoquit.com

Is LinkedIn just a resume site for job-seekers? Heck no! In fact, your competitors are likely making a whole bunch of money over there! How? By leveraging its business-focus and ever-expanding list of competitive free features! LinkedIn is a thriving social ecosystem and it's hungry for your best and boldest content. How can we rise above the sleaze, SPAM, and stuffiness and really connect? This week, Annie P. is joined by LinkedIn strategist, coach, and power-user, Clarene Mitchell. She delivers an almost 40-minute masterclass on how to show up on the platform for maximum success. Then, Clarene and Annie gush about their mutual she-ro, The Notorious RBG, Ruth Bader Ginsburg. This interview was recorded before the overturning of Roe vs. Wade and raises the questions of how should we talk about human rights issues and politics on our platforms? Is staying quiet an act of privilege? How can we best show up as advocates and marketers simultaneously? What's inside: 0:00 - Intro 2:44 - LinkedIn masterclass interview 40:44 - RBG tie-in 57:20 - Final Thought & homework Connect with Clarene through her LinkedIn profile, obviously! Craving connection, co-working, and a way to enjoy your time on LinkedIn? Join our free community, The Legitimati, and do your weekly homework with us! It's also the perfect way to rub elbows with our fabulous guests. Tired of feeling sleazy when you sell - or avoiding "the ask" altogether? Text the word EASY to 411-321 for Annie P's guide to ditching your sales baggage. (Outside the US? No problem! Just text EASY to 1-909-741-1321 on WhatsApp!) For full show notes and more visit www.toolegitimatetoquit.com

Is there anything more vulnerable (some would say terrifying) than asking for feedback, waiting for the responses, and then actually absorbing them? Why do small criticisms tend to outweigh earnest praise? And - what the heck should we be asking anyway? This week, Annie P. is joined by one of the most recognized voices in small business podcasting, Nick Loper! Nick is a side hustle expert - with over 500 episodes of his podcast "The Side Hustle Show" to show for it. Nick shares his thoughts on validation, existing customers, surveys, and discovery before diving into the seemingly never-ending cultural phenomenon known as The Simpsons. "D'oh!" *Parentpreneur advisory: this episode contains colorful language. Connect with Nick through his website and Facebook community. Don't forget to check out his podcast, The Side Hustle Show. Craving connection, co-working, and a way to enjoy your time on LinkedIn? Join our free community, The Legitimati, and do your weekly homework with us! It's also the perfect way to rub elbows with our fabulous guests. Tired of feeling sleazy when you sell - or avoiding "the ask" altogether? Text the word EASY to 411-321 for Annie P's guide to ditching your sales baggage. (Outside the US? No problem! Just text EASY to 1-909-741-1321 on WhatsApp!) For full show notes and more visit www.toolegitimatetoquit.com

How are you navigating the weird, wild world of digital marketing? Where does your true essence end and your online persona begin? And - is an ethical reckoning coming for coaches, consultants, and other service providers? This week, Annie P. is joined by comedian, whistleblower, and branding all-star, Rachael Kay Albers. Rachael is known for her keen observations, no-nonsense voice, and resilience AND she's been the go-to branding strategist for many of entrepreneurship's biggest, shiniest names. She brings a heaping helping of hilarious truth to this episode and reminds us to look for the best practices that are older than the Internet. Then, the two theater majors (who actually went to college together) pull lessons out of the bohemian Broadway sensation, Rent. *Parentpreneur advisory: this episode contains loads of colorful language. Connect with Rachael through her website and Instagram. Don't forget to check out her Awkward Marketing videos and the Marketing Muckracking podcast. Special shoutout to Columbia College Chicago - put this in the alumni newsletter already! It's a twofer. Craving connection, co-working, and a way to enjoy your time on LinkedIn? Join our free community, The Legitimati, and do your weekly homework with us! It's also the perfect way to rub elbows with our fabulous guests. Tired of feeling sleazy when you sell - or avoiding "the ask" altogether? Text the word EASY to 411-321 for Annie P's guide to ditching your sales baggage. (Outside the US? No problem! Just text EASY to 1-909-741-1321 on WhatsApp!) For full show notes and more visit www.toolegitimatetoquit.com

If you're here, you listen to podcasts (thanks!) but have you explored the highly strategic, life-affirming, and bond-galvanizing art of podcast guesting? In 2021, Annie P. was on dozens and dozens of podcasts and it dramatically changed her audience size, talking points, and overall marketing in tiny and huge ways. Now, all-star podcast connector, host, and agency owner Angie Trueblood is here to break the processes of pitching and preparation down into digestible, exciting chunks. Then, Angie introduces the concept of "vetting for energy" - the perfect way to make sure each of your interviews amplifies the right kind of message, won't alienate your audience, or require you to poach customers away from your competitors. Then, Angie and Annie transition to talking about reality-tv sensation, Survivor, now wrapping up its 42nd season. What can we learn about partnerships and our own strengths from tribal councils, khaki shorts, and relay races? Whom, if anyone, should we vote off of the island that is our small business? *Parentpreneur advisory: this episode contains colorful language. Connect with Angie through her website, LinkedIn and Instagram. Don't forget to check out her own podcast, Go Pitch Yourself! Special shoutout to Jud "Fabio" Birza, winner of Survivor: Nicaragua, and his whole family, for being incredible neighbors to three generations of Annie's family. Craving connection, co-working, and a way to enjoy your time on LinkedIn? Join our free community, The Legitimati, and do your weekly homework with us! It's also the perfect way to rub elbows with our fabulous guests. Tired of feeling sleazy when you sell - or avoiding "the ask" altogether? Text the word EASY to 411-321 for Annie P's guide to ditching your sales baggage. (Outside the US? No problem! Just text EASY to 1-909-741-1321 on WhatsApp!) For full show notes and more visit www.toolegitimatetoquit.com

Do you equate success with stress? Do you believe you'll find your "Tipping Point" faster if you live on the edge of burnout? Or, would you simply love more time to freaking relax? This episode is for you. This week, Annie P. sits down with acclaimed podcaster, strategist, and speaker Kris Ward. Kris believes your business should feed your lifestyle, not eat your life. She has a boatload of great information to share about prioritization, distractions, and infrastructure (no hacks though!). Then, Kris unpacks the strategic gems tucked inside one of her favorite movies, Moneyball. How can Brad Pitt and baseball inspire us to find the best people for our businesses? *Parentpreneur advisory: this episode contains colorful language. Connect with Kris through her website, LinkedIn and TikTok. Don't forget to check out her free gift and her podcast, Win The Hour, Win The Day. Craving connection, co-working, and a way to enjoy your time on LinkedIn? Join our free community, The Legitimati, and do your weekly homework with us! It's also the perfect way to rub elbows with our fabulous guests. Tired of feeling sleazy when you sell - or avoiding "the ask" altogether? Text the word EASY to 411-321 for Annie P's guide to ditching your sales baggage. (Outside the US? No problem! Just text EASY to 1-909-741-1321 on WhatsApp!) For full show notes and more visit www.toolegitimatetoquit.com