The Long Game Podcast with Sandra Scaiano

In a world full of "I'll do it tomorrow" and "my expertise isn't enough," today's podcast episode is a breath of fresh air. Sandra Scaiano welcomes Allison Lane who flips the script and disarms the doubters, helping women step into their power and pen their bestselling narratives.With her bold "stop pretending you're not a badass" approach, Allison reveals why so many brilliant women delay sharing their wisdom and how to break through those self-imposed barriers. If you've been thinking "someday I'll write that book," this conversation will change your perspective and show you why the time to claim your authority is NOW!"There is nothing that's so diminishing as 'I wouldn't call myself an expert.' First of all, it's not up to you. You don't get to choose. Everyone else is looking to you for advice. You're an expert." – Allison LaneWhat You'll Learn: The surprising reason you shouldn't write your book first (this counter-intuitive advice could save you months of wasted effort!) How to craft a compelling book proposal that attracts literary agents and publishers Why thinking too small might be your biggest obstacle to becoming a published author The key differences between podcast appearances and traditional media coverage Why your personal favorite podcasts aren't necessarily the best platforms for your message Smart strategies for building lasting relationships with journalists How to position yourself for maximum impact in your field "If you know that you have a book in you, that feeling is not gonna go away, and we don't want you to regret not trying. You don't have to build a brand in order to pitch your book. You're already the expert that you need to be." - Allison LaneLinks from Today’s Episode: Allison's free speaker bio template Author Brand and Bestseller Launch School - Allison's digital course The Author's Edge Podcast - especially episodes 1 & 2 Connect with Allison on LinkedIn Previous guests who've worked with Allison: Tracy Otsuko and Miriam Schulman Allison’s advice isn’t just about writing; it’s about embracing your story and sharing it with the world. Stop waiting for permission. The Long Game is about playing smart, showing up, doing the work, and making a real impact.Listen at The Long Game website. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is the way to kick off 2025! Let it be a stress controlled year!If you've been wondering how to get off the hamster wheel of stress and overwhelm, this episode is going to be your roadmap to taking back control.There is no reason to continue pushing through without a system to manage the mounting pressures of life, business, and everything in between.My guest today is Dr. Camilla Moore, who looks beyond surface-level stress to tackle its root causes using Harvard-proven strategies that cut burnout symptoms by 40%. As a physician and wellness expert, she helps busy professionals and business owners replace scattered self-care attempts with clear, actionable systems.Dr. Moore's approach stands out because she doesn't just offer quick fixes or trendy tips. She digs deep into the science of stress, helping us understand the crucial differences between acute stress, chronic stress, and burnout - because you can't solve a problem you don't fully understand.Our conversation takes us through the unique stressors of running a service-based business, the impact of hormones on stress levels, and how to leverage technology to create a more sustainable work life. We talk about everything from sleep hygiene to AI tools that can help reduce your workload.Whether you're feeling the squeeze of the sandwich generation - caring for both kids and parents - or trying to build a business while maintaining your health, we’re talking practical strategies to help you excel without the exhaustion.Dr. Moore offers real solutions for common challenges like: How to identify your unique stress triggers Ways to create multiple revenue streams without burning out Practical steps to improve your sleep quality This is essential listening for anyone who wants to address their stressors and move forward with awareness.The Long Game is... Taking control of stress before it controls you with Dr. Camilla Moore.The Wellness Cabinet WebsiteDr. Moore on LinkedInTake the How Stressed ARE You quiz with a free 1:1 with Dr. Moore: https://bit.ly/41t9Kck Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Less than 2% of women have broken the million-dollar mark in their business and my guest today is on a mission to change that through helping business owners understand and engage with their marketing better.This episode is full on, marketing for entrepreneurs that you need to hear!My guest is Victoria Hajjar, the founder of Ugli Ventures - business can be ugly and she’s helping entrepreneurs make it beautiful. Clever.An entrepreneur herself, Victoria knows what it is like to be the person wearing so many hats, with little to no support. She teaches the marketing playbook she wishes she had as she began her marketing journey 15 years ago.A Google and Hubspot certified expert, Victoria runs the popular Podcast “The Scalable Marketing Machine” and has been featured on CNN and in numerous webinars and forums. We’re tackling the overwhelm many business owners face when it comes to marketing, how messaging is woven into this, and what you really need to understand to grow your business with marketing.We Discuss: The 4 pillars to Victoria’s marketing framework  Iteration is everything. Small shifts in messaging can hugely impact conversion rates and the art of continuous improvement.  Solopreneur social media marketing mistakes  Social Media algorithm updates. This will make you think about the content you are creating. Embrace the "10% shift" and watch your marketing efforts soar. - Victoria HajjarI love this marketing conversation. It’s smart, realistic and will give you confidence to go out there and do what you need to grow.The Long Game is… Marketing Overwhelm to ROI with Victoria Hajjar.CONNECT WITH USThe Long Game Podcast Website Victoria Hajjar's Website Thank you for listening! If this episode resonated with you, please share it with your friends or leave a review. Both make a big difference. See you next week. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of The Long Game Podcast, host Sandra Scaiano sits down with Beth Jones, author of "Becoming an Empowered Survivor." Beth shares her transformative journey from trauma survivor to healing mentor, discussing the challenges of balancing personal healing with professional responsibilities and the concept of "Second Mountain Ascension." Learn how Beth is creating a movement to support other survivors and her experience with self-publishing her powerful story.Beth Jones is an empowered survivor, healing mentor, and author of "Becoming an Empowered Survivor." With a background in professional services and forensic accounting, Beth now dedicates her life to helping other survivors heal from trauma and abuse.Key Points: Healing Journey • Writing as a tool for processing trauma • The "hope, evolve, and love" framework for healing • Viewing healing as a lifelong journey Life-Work Integration • Navigating personal crisis while maintaining professional responsibilities • The importance of transparency in the workplace • Shifting from work-life balance to life-work integration Second Mountain Ascension • Introduction to David Brooks' concept of the "Second Mountain" • Transitioning from self-centered to service-oriented living • The transformative "valley" between mountains Creating a Healing Community • Beth's approach to mentoring and supporting other survivors • The role of vulnerability and authenticity in the healing process • Sharing resources and tools for healing Writing and Self-Publishing • Beth's journey from collaborative to solo author • Challenges of writing about personal trauma • The decision to self-publish and maintain creative control CONNECT WITH US:• The Long Game Podcast Website https://thelonggamepodcast.net• Beth Jone's Website https://empoweredsurvivors.com---Thank you for listening! If this episode resonated with you, please share it with your friends or leave a review. Both make a big difference. See you next week! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to The Long Game Podcast! I'm your host, Sandra Scaiano. In this episode, we dive into the definition of a “life well lived”. It's a question with countless answers, and today we're exploring it with Sky Bergman, an artist and documentary filmmaker.Sky's documentary, "Lives Well Lived," features interviews with individuals aged 75 to 100, sharing their wisdom and experiences. These interviews cover over 3,000 years of collective experience, revealing secrets and insights to living a meaningful life. From family histories to personal triumphs and tragedies, the film captures the essence of aging with grace and resilience."Lives Well Lived" premiered at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival and has been screened in over 200 cities, winning eight awards. The film is now available on PBS, and organizations like Aging 2.0, AARP's Movies for Grownups, Encore.org, and Leading Age have also showcased it. In our conversation, Sky shares three common themes essential for a life well lived: a sense of purpose, a sense of community, and resilience. She emphasizes breaking down ageism stereotypes and fostering intergenerational connections for a better society. Sky's journey in creating this film is a testament to following your passion and creative thinking.Sky also discusses how she funded the documentary through unique means, emphasizing the importance of artists being paid for their work. Additionally, she highlights the concept of paying it forward and shares tips for those interested in creating similar projects.If you're inspired by Sky's work, check out her website for a list of starter questions for interviews and a video with tips on lighting, audio, and B-roll. It's a fantastic resource for anyone looking to document and share meaningful stories.Thank you for joining us on The Long Game Podcast. Let's continue to explore what it means to live a life well lived. Until next time, keep playing the long game.LINKS:• Lives Well Lived Film: https://lives-well-lived.com• PBS Learning Media: https://pbslearningmedia.org• Take Action Page: https://lives-well-lived.com/take-action• Book on Amazon]:https://amazon.comCONNECT WITH US:• The Long Game Podcast Website: https://thelonggamepodcast.net---Thank you for listening! If this episode resonated with you, please share it with your friends or leave a review. Both make a big difference. See you next week! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Long Game, we talk about maintaining control in your business. A lot of business owners today didn’t start out as business owners. Often, we’ve left the corporate world to branch out on our own. We want to let our true talents and abilities shine. The risk that comes with this, however, is that if we fail to set up our processes right, we end up working hard for someone else's vision and lose the power in our own business. “The more questions you ask, the more expert you look.” - Amy PosnerJoining me today is Amy Posner, an experienced online entrepreneur and business coach specializing in helping digital creative freelancers build successful, sustainable businesses. With years of experience in copywriting and coaching, Amy has developed comprehensive programs like the Complete Breakthrough Freelancer to guide professionals in achieving their business goals.The key points we discuss are: Starting your relationship with your clients the right way. It’s helpful to see your relationship with your client as a partnership. Set up strategies for maintaining communication to keep clients informed and assured. Setting up and sticking to your processes. Clear processes build client confidence, make your workflow easier, and the entire project go smoother. Sticking to your own processes avoids shifts in power dynamics. Setting and managing expectations. Establishing expectations from the very first interaction helps keep you from falling into the order-taker role. It also communicates that you’re the expert, and that you know what you’re doing. “You have to get good at something and you have to be willing to be bad at something to get good at something.” - Amy PosnerAmy acknowledges that building a successful business as a freelancer takes time. It requires building the right foundations, thinking things through and playing the long game.Connect with Amy Posner:WebsiteInstagramTwitterLinkedIn Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of The Long Game podcast, I’m diving deep into understanding human nature and behavior, and learning how we can apply it in our digital businesses. Ever heard of the Hawthorne Effect? Well, applying this century-old observation will change your approach to online courses and memberships for the better.The Hawthorne Effect came from studies of behaviors in the workplace from nearly a century ago. It refers to the phenomenon where individuals behave better and improve their work when they know that they are being observed or watched. But this is only good in the short term. Over time, mental attitudes, proper supervision, and informal social relationships experienced in the workplace proved to be the key to improved productivity.“When we dig in and we find the data backing up our claims, it opens up a whole new arena of confidence in our approach.” – Sandra ScaianoHow can we apply these studies in developing our courses and programs, and in all aspects of our business? Here are 3 practical steps: Establish a system of accountability Keep in touch  Track progress “Value is not more time online. Value is helping your students move through the material.” - Sandra ScaianoBy leveraging our knowledge of the Hawthorne Effect and other behavioral studies, content and program creators can make sure they develop a dynamic learning environment that empowers and encourages participants to finish their goals and succeed. Understanding human behavior is key to driving engagement and maximizing the impact of our online offerings. It’s when we know, understand, and apply that we get to improve what we produce and keep playing the long game.Important Links:https://www.library.hbs.edu/hc/hawthorne/anewvision.html#ehttps://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-the-hawthorne-effect-2795234 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode of The Long Game talks all about messaging and is a must-hear for all business owners. Messaging is at the crux of all our communication: sales, social media, networking, even introductions. Today, Wendy White will be sharing everything we need to know to have effective messaging.“The reason people aren’t clear to the world is they're not clear to themselves.” - Wendy WhiteWendy is a messaging strategist to coaches and consultants who are ready to become thought leaders. She helps business owners communicate what they do and why it matters. She worked in international sales & business development, winning clients for many companies. Since then, she’s worn many hats, but she kept on doing what she’s good at, communicating a clear message that talks about the business and attracts the right clients.In this episode, we talk about: How getting your messaging right (or wrong) affects your marketing The details that go into your introduction Clarity and concept before copy Using A.I. in messaging and marketing The problem with unclear messaging is that you end up sounding just like everyone else. Your audience can’t figure out exactly what you do, who you work with, or who you are. You try to keep up with the ever-changing trends, SEOs and algorithms but still fail to communicate your message to the people who need to hear them.“You have to connect what you do to why it matters to them.” - Wendy WhiteCrafting your messaging is more than just about being clear about what you do. Underneath that lies key paradigm shifts that empower you in your business and any kind of communication you’ll have. Being clear about your own business makes you a better business owner, and it brings you closer to being that thought leader you want to be.Connect with Wendy White:WebsiteInstagramFacebookYouTubeLinkedInInstant Impact WorkshopExtraordinary Impact® Accelerator Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Service business owners always need a strategy. It’s foundational to their business and a part of their work process. It impacts how clients work with them and the quality of service they provide. The problem is that way too often, strategy ends up getting buried under services. As a result, clients don’t appreciate their work, they feel underappreciated, and they don’t charge as much as they should for the value they provide. Today I’m joined by Maggie Patterson, who’ll share her experience and expertise in business strategies. With two decades of experience, Maggie has spent her career in client services and entrepreneurship. She’s the editorial director at Scoop Studios and the founder of BS Free Business, where she works with service-based businesses and agency owners to build BS-free businesses that put trust first in everything they do. Maggie is a podcaster, writer, and vocal advocate for humane business practices rooted in respect, empathy, and trust. As a former freelancer turned agency owner, she knows exactly what it takes to make it when building a business offering services.“Your strategy should be firmly set and semi-rigid.” - Maggie PattersonMaggie shares some important points about strategy: Showcasing your strategy Valuing your strategy Preparing to sell your strategy Going beyond strategy talk, Maggie pulls from her decades' worth of experience and shares how important it is to trust your gut and stick to what’s important to you. You don’t need to follow every hyped-up advice from a business influencer. You don’t need to work with a client who doesn’t value you. You don’t need to sell in a way that feels uncomfortable for you. You’re the business owner. You get to decide how you want to run your business in a way that aligns with your values and goals and still be successful.“The people playing the long game are the people you want to align with.” - Maggie PattersonThis episode is full of amazing insights from Maggie. She freely shares her experience and expertise to help business owners make the most out of their strategy by playing The Long Game.Connect with Maggie Patterson:WebsiteInstagramPodcast: Duped: The Dark Side of Online Business   BS-Free Service Business Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Learn about the new definition of content repurposing, utilizing existing content library, and the long game of content creation with Greg Wasserman of CastMagic. Discover how to turn daily business activities into courses, lead magnets, and more. Embrace open-mindedness and build relationships for content repurposing and business growth.