On this episode of GoalChat, host Debra Eckerling talks about Authorhood with April Davila, Sit Write Here; Brenda Knight, Books that Save Lives; and Rob Lange, The Expert Expert. April focuses on fiction - and taking the stress out of writing, Brenda's is on publishing, and Rob - as his title suggests - gaining attention and authority for your book, so there was a wide variety of information and inspiration. When asked what makes an author or book stand out, Rob says "personality," Brenda's response is "future-thinking," and April believes it's the creativity you bring into your story. The panel shares some of the experiences and activities that put them on their paths, authorhood and author platform tips, and more. Goals - April: Start building your list now - of who to invite to your book launch, what shows to pitch yourself as a guest on - for your future book launch - Rob: Create clarity in how you describe your book - verbally and in text; start developing relationships with media people - Brenda: Start polishing your speaking chops now - find a topic, come up with a tight talk, and get yourself out there Bonus from Deb: Get on podcasts Final Thoughts - April: Just keep writing and find your community - Rob: Just do it; there are more resources - and support - than ever before - Brenda: Outreach to one person a day; that one little action can make a huge difference Learn More About April Davila: AprilDavila.com Brenda Knight: BooksThatSaveLives.net Rob Lange: TheExpertExpert.com Debra Eckerling: TheDEBMethod.com/blog TheBookProposalExpert.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of GoalChat, host Debra Eckerling talks about networking with success strategist Robert Butwin and connector Michael Roderick of Small Pond Enterprises. Whether you are an introvert or extrovert, you can't reach your goals on your own, you need your people. So set networking goals for the new year! Robert and Mike shard a variety of tips and anecdotes. This includes advice for: meeting new people, finding communities, starting conversations, showing up as your best self, and more. Goals - Mike: Write down 2 or 3 people you feel would be open to hearing you share a problem, a challenge, or an issue; practice being real with them so you are ready to be real with strangers - Robert: Remember to REACH: Reputation Matters, Experience, Authenticity, Clarity, Being Helpful - Bonus Goal from Deb: Set Networking Goals Final Thoughts - Robert: Your success is based on the strength of your network, get comfortable networking - Mike: They keys to the doors you need to open are in other people's pockets, you have a pocket full of keys Learn More About Robert Butwin: LinkedIn.com/in/RobertButwin Michael Roderick: SmallPondEnterprises.com Debra Eckerling: TheDEBMethod.com/blog TheBookProposalExpert.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of GoalChat, host Debra Eckerling talks about AI and productivity on GoalChat with Anika Jackson, Stan Robinson, and Jason Van Orden. Anika is founder of Your Brand Amplified, Stan is chief coaching  officer at Social Sales Link, and Jason is an AI strategist. AI requires critical thinking, navigating the tools available, and utilizing what works best for your needs and goals.The panel discusses why they love AI - Anika: first step in any project; Stan: education; and Jason: it's an equalizer - and ways to use it. They also give their takes on where AI has been and where it's going. Goals - Stan: Try NotebookLm from Google; you feed it information and it can give you the Cliff's notes version in text, podcast, or video form  - Anika: Play with AI's capabilities: write a song on Suno, go to Sora and create a video, create a digital clone - Jason: Go for a walk and spend a 1/2 hour talking into your notes or AI app. Tell it what's on your mind, give it context, and ask AI to organize it for you Final Thoughts - Stan: Try AI tools with an open mind - Jason: There's a lot of good that can come from AI. Learn to use it well - Anika: Some AI tools can be used to delegate tasks that would otherwise take your time and energy; then, you can use that found time in more human ways Learn More About Anika Jackson: YourBrandAmplified.com Stan Robinson, Jr: SocialSalesLink.com Jason Van Orden: JasonVanOrden.com Debra Eckerling: The DEBMethod.com/blog TheBookProposalExpert.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of GoalChat, host Debra Eckerling starts 2026 in DEBcember with returning guests Chris Cherian, Math @ MoMA; Annie P. Ruggles, founder of the Non-Sleazy Sales Academy; and business strategist and community builder Keith Spiro. Debra et al find it fun and meaningful to check in, support, and cheer on one another. Debra began hosting her annual "Welcome DEBcember" GoalChats in 2020, when everyone was anxious to start 2021. The timing gives everyone a month to simultaneously wrap up the previous year, while ramping up for the next one. This Start2026Now Party starts with a conversation on changing/evolving identity. Chris, Annie, and Keith also share their wins and challenges from 2025, along with their goals for the end of this year and for 2026. Gifted Goals - Keith: Change one word! Instead of saying or writing “but” use “Yes, and” instead and watch what happens! - Chris: Be curious. Allow yourself to be bad at something - Annie: Practice self-forgiveness Final Thoughts - Keith: Say "Yes!" If you curious about things, you will be successful - Chris: You can "yes, and" your own identity - Annie: If you get stuck, remember there are people having a worse time then you. Actively help them! Learn More About Chris Cherian: Linkedin.com/in/christophercherian Annie P. Ruggles: AnniePRuggles.com Keith Spiro: KeithSpiro.com Debra Eckerling: TheDEBMethod.com/Blog TheBookProposalExpert.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of GoalChat, host Debra Eckerling talks about Giving with Rachel Berezin, Genna Rosenberg, and Rick Nahmias. Rachel is CEO of MyZuzah, change maker Genna is CEO of GennComm, and fruit-anthropist Rick is CEO and founder of Food Forward. All three are devoted to bringing good into the world... and not just in giving season! Rachel, Genna, and Rick share philanthropy stories, offer tips for embracing the fun in fun-lanthropy, talk about their favorite giving activities, and more. Define Philanthropy - Rick: Giving without expecting to receive - Genna: Bringing joy to others - Rachel: Knowing what someone loves and giving them what is meaningful to them Goals - Rick: Take something your value - a jacket or something else that has some meaning for you - and give it to someone who really needs it - Rachel: Find someone who can benefit from your knowledge. Be a mentor - Genna: Set intentions around giving and doing good - Bonus from Deb: Introduce two people you believe need to know each other Learn More About Rachel Berezin: MyZuzah.org Genna Rosenberg: GennComm.com Rick Nahmias: FoodForward.org Debra Eckerling: TheDEBMethod.com/blog TheBookProposalExpert.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of GoalChat, host Debra Eckerling talks about Passion Pursuits with PR strategist and storyteller Kathy Berardi; Linda Fisk of LeadHERship Global, which empowers women to pursue their passions; and Lawrence Loh, a doctor, educator, and writer. All three come at passion pursuits from a place of excitement and enthusiasm. The trio shard their take on passion projects, its essential role in quality of life, and more. Goals - Kathy: Consider what you wish to pursue, read about it, and look for a way to do it in a community online or in person - Linda: Be playful about your goals. Stop navigating alone - Lawrence: Take something you are stuck at - reframe your perspective, do something, share it with others Final Thoughts - Lawrence: Get started - Kathy: A life worth living is a passion worth pursuing - Linda: The holidays provide a beautiful time to slow down, pause, and reflect Learn More About Kathy Berardi: LinkedIn.com/in/KathyBerardi Linda Fisk: LeadHERShipGlobal.com Lawrence Loh: LawrenceLohMD.com Debra Eckerling: TheDEBMethod.com/blog TheBookProposalExpert.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of GoalChat, host Debra Eckerling talks about Comfort Food with food writer, baker, and novelist Aaron Hamburger (Hotel Cuba); Natalie Kalmar, founder of Fitness Foodie STL, and Marissa Rothkopf, author of The Secret Life of Chocolate Chip Cookies and host of The Secret Life of Cookies. They cover community, cookies, food advocacy, and so much more. Goals - Natalie: Stop shaming yourself for enjoying things that bring you comfort. Enjoy it! Also remember moderation - Marissa: Share with others, if you are able to, whether it's bake, bring canned food to the local food pantry, or donate to World Central Kitchen - Aaron: Have a great pantry at home, so you always have good food at your fingertips. You will be more likely to want to cook Final Thoughts - Aaron: Make an extra effort to be extra kind to others - Natalie: Wishing everyone a stress free enjoyable holiday season. Find the joy! - Marissa: Anybody can make pie crust. It's only a meal; if it doesn't turn out the way it's supposed to, it's fine. Always keep chickpeas in the kitchen Learn More About Aaron Hamburger: AaronHamburger.com Natalie Kalmar: FitnessFoodieSTL.com Marissa Rothkopf: MarissaRothkopf.Substack.com Debra Eckerling: TheDEBMethod.com/blog TheBookProposalExpert.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of GoalChat, host Debra Eckerling talks about creating and maintaining a Healthy Outlook with intuitive artist Heather Eck and transformation expert Nikki Green. It's the end-of-the-year marathon, and it's important to take stock of your goals - personal and professional - as well as your priorities throughout the holidays and beyond. Heather and Nikki offered  tips for setting boundaries, prioritizing balance, and staying optimistic. They also shared their end of the year goals/future wins, what grounds them (Heather: creativity, Nikki: being outside)  and their specialties: color (Heather) and the chameleon mindset (Nikki). Goals - Heather: Make a daily or weekly win list. Find time for creativity in your day - something with your hands - will relax you and give you space to feel better - Nikki: Play with this writing prompt: think back to one of your favorite holiday experiences - tap into your senses - and write about it. - Deb's Bonus Goal: Make up a holiday. Create your own rules to get you through the end of the year Final Thoughts - Heather: Healthy outlooks are something you can practice and get better at - Nikki: This should be a time of year of fun! Enjoy it!  Learn More About Heather Eck: HeatherEck.com Nikki Green: TheNikkiGreen.com Debra Eckerling: TheDebMethod.com/blog 52SecretsBook.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of GoalChat host Debra Eckerling does a deep dive into Storytelling with Paul Chitlik,  author of The Screenwriting Sensei, and Terrie Silverman, founder of Creative Rites. Paul is an award-winning television, film, novel writer, and educator. Terrie is a story and creativity coach, writer, and performer. Storytelling is all about listening, empathy, and communication. Paul and Terrie talk about their passion for storytelling, along with their storytelling. They also share practical - and inspirational - advice for those who want to do more writing and/or are ready to tap into their story. Goals - Paul: Set writer goals: do you want to publish, write for film of TV. Set a goal. And then do it! - Terrie: Allow yourself to write messy, don't worry about structure and editing while you are creating. - Terrie: Be curious. Tap into wtouches you, what makes you laugh, what fills you with awe and wonder. Final Thoughts - Paul: Writers write. If you want to be a writer, write - Terrie: Fear and courage are intrinsic parts of the creative process; allow for both of them. Remember, everyone is born storyteller Learn More About Paul Chitlik: PaulChitlik.com Terrie Silverman: CreativeRites.com Debra Eckerling: TheDEBMethod.com/blog 52SecretsBook.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of GoalChat, host Debra Eckerling talks about Substack with Jim Fuhs of Fuhsion Marketing and Bob Woods of Social Sales Link. The platform, which launched around eight years ago, keeps gaining popularity. Between Substack's accessibility and community-centric features, it's the perfect online hub for embracing and showcasing your expertise.Jim, Bob, and Deb talk about the benefits of Substack, how it fits in with other social media platforms, such as LinkedIn, ways to use it - from the newbie to more experienced users, and more. Goals - Jim: Create an account, start following people, start engaging - Bob: Like LinkedIn, it's about engagement. Provide good content. - Bob: Show up and keep showing up - Jim: Use Substack as a playground Final Thoughts - Bob: Substack is about showing your authentically; it's about wanting to help people - Jim: Stop resisting change Learn More About Jim Fuhs: JimFuhs.Substack.com Bob Woods: ImBobWoods.Substack.com Debra Eckerling: BookProposals.Substack.com TheDEBMethod.com/blog 52SecretsBook.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of GoalChat, host Debra Eckerling talks about Scalability with Liz Heiman, Regarding Sales; Camille L. Miller, Soul Professional; and Executive Coach Joe Patneaude. The panel shares their origin stories and thoughts on building a sustainable, scalable business, along with things like customer service, leadership, and "drag." Goals - Joe: Do a self-assessment: Look at what you do on a daily basis as a leader, and decide what has to be you and what can be systemized - Camille: Look at everything that happens from the first conversation and the sale, and see what you can automate - Liz: Read The eMyth Revisited. Figure out all the tasks you do and how you do them, tell ChatGpt, and let it figure out the instructions Final Thoughts - Camille: Scale with yourself in mind - Liz: Scaling: Is it repeatable? What are core values? You have to have both to scale - Joe: It isn't about doing more, it's about doing more of the right things the right way Learn More About Liz Heiman: RegardingSales.com Camille L. Miller: SoulProfessional.com Joe Patneaude: JPCoachingNow.com Debra Eckerling: TheDEBMethod.com/blog 52SecretsBook.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of GoalChat, host Debra Eckerling talks about the business of food, plant-based edition. Her guests - kosher sushi chef Marisa Baggett; Terri Freedman, Eat Healthy Crafty; and Danny O'Malley, Before the Butcher - are truly passionate about being and working in the plant-based/plant-forward space. Their key tenets are lifestyle (Danny), creativity (Marisa), and sustainability/authenticity (Terri). The panel shares their vegan and business backstories, as well as some of their plans and aspirations. Danny, Marisa, Terri, and Danny also talk about the power of a niche, along with the benefits and challenges of this one. Goals - Danny: Understand what your lifestyle is really about: how you want to feel, how do you get to happy and healthy - Terri: Adapt what you like to eat - look up a meal and add "vegan" to find a recipe; self investigate - what has always resonated with you? - Marisa: Be open to challenging yourself; go out of your comfort zone Final Thoughts - Terri: Focus on what brings you joy, because there's enough out there to take it way - Danny: Plant-based is your better half; Find the lifestyle that works for you and live it - Marisa: Find any and every opportunity to say "yes," life is a yes-game Learn More About Marisa Baggett: MarisaBaggett.comTerri Freedman: EatHealthyCrafty.comDanny O'Malley: BeforetheButcher.com Debra Eckerling: TheDEBMethod.com/blog 52SecretsBook.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of GoalChat, host Debra Eckerling talks about Community Building with Nicky Pitman, Keith Spiro, and Dayna Steele. Nicky is director of Shemesh Farms, Keith is a business strategist, community builder, and photographer, and Dayna is a playwright, author, advocate, podcaster, etc. The trio shares their backstories, as well as their first and current communities. They also offer tips for growing community, the role of conversation in connection, and more. Goals - Nicky: Be curious, ask a stranger a question, push yourself out of your comfort zone - Keith: See something, say something - Dayna: Don't forget your past communities. Every day for the next 5 days, call, text, or email someone from a past community. Then get in the habit of doing it every week Final Thoughts - Keith: Create something that supports your community. - Nicky: Say yes whenever possible - Dayna: Support others in your tribe when you can Learn More About Nicky Pitman: ShemeshFarms.com Keith Spiro: KeithSpiro.com Dayna Steele: DaynaSteele.com Debra Eckerling: TheDEBMethod.com/blog 52SecretsBook.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of GoalChat, host Debra Eckerling has a lively conversation about Digital Content with Dr. Judith Briles, aka The Book Shepherd; podcast strategist and host of Entrepreneur's Enigma, Seth Goldstein; and Kevin Winston, founder of Digital LA. All have been in the digital space for years. And, while there were some technical challenges (ignore the static from Kevin), there were tons of useful information and actionable tips. The panel shares how they got involved in the digital space - and the best parts of the digital evolution, content strategies, their takes on branding and more. Digital Content Tips - Judith: Outsource what you can - Seth: Schedule yourself out, get into a rhythm - Judith: Repurpose content - Kevin: Release a regular newsletter - use it to tee up social media and vice versa; keep branding consistent, and coordinate collab posts with guests Goals - Judith: Get her Book Marketing Success plan at TheBookShepherd.com - Kevin: Make sure that your branding for all of your entities match - and is updated - Seth: If you are interested in podcasting, grab his get started guide at PodcastMastery.co Final Thoughts - Kevin: Take photos, tag people, and share it out - Seth: Just get started - Judith: Don't do well, what you have no business doing; get help Learn more about: Judith Briles: JudithBrilesBooks.com TheBookShepherd.com Seth Goldstein: Social.SethGoldstein.me Kevin Winston: @KevinWinston and @DigitalLA on Instagram Debra Eckerling: TheDEBMethod.com/blog 52SecretsBook.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of GoalChat, host Debra Eckerling talks about Relationship Development with Tiffanie Kellog, Speaker in Socks; Larry Levine, Selling from the Heart; and Keith Smith, The Fuel Podcast. Deb met each one of these guests through the power of her own network. Tiffanie came through Innovation Women, Larry (introduced by Brynne Tillman) shares a secret in "52 Secrets for Goal-Setting and Goal-Getting," and Keith's podcast is also part of the Marketing Podcast Network. Keith and Deb co-host MPN's Meta Marketing Show. The panel shares their takes on networking, relationship development, and authenticity, along with their super-powers/superhero names and more. Relationship Development - Keith: It's how you relate to other people - Larry: You have to bring curiosity to the forefront; relate, connect - Keith: Imperfection is part of being relatable - Tiffanie: It's not just about business, we make friends differently as we grow up; all relationships need to follow the rules of friendship Goals  - Tiffanie: Make a list of names of your top 12 referral sources - Keith: Have one or two questions you like to ask. Current favorite: If you could have a superpower, what would it be? - Larry: Have three disciplined, meaningful conversation every single day; in #52SecretsBook Larry's is Chapter 25: "Commit to Conversations" Final Thoughts - Tiffanie: When you find the right people, you see the alignment; relationships should be win win win - Keith: Do what you say you'll do - Larry: Control the controllables Learn More About Tiffanie Kellog: TiffanieKellog.com Larry Levine: SellingfromtheHeart.net Keith Smith: TheFuelPodcast.com Debra Eckerling: TheDEBMethod.com/blog 52SecretsBook.com MarketingPodcasts.net Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of GoalChat, host Debra Eckerling talks about Business Goals with Marcia Macomber, Cornucopia Creations, and Melanie Richards, BVisible with Mel. As you fly into fall, look at it as an opportunity to get moving on those business goals, so you have lots to celebrate at the end of the year. Marcia and Melanie shared their origin - and rebranding - stories, as well as thoughts on brainstorming, trust, and the value of integrating personal with professional goals. Goals - Marcia: Don't edit while you are brainstorming your goals, just writer them out - Melanie: Alignment and realignment, look at return on energy and engagement and roo - return on objectives; make sure everything around you as in the perfect containers, with holes in it to weed out what doesn't need to be there Final Thoughts - Melanie: May the force always be with you - Marcia: These are the goals you are looking for Learn More About Marcia Macomber: cornucopiacreations.com Melanie Richards: bvisiblesolutions.com Debra Eckerling: TheDEBMethod.com/blog 52SecretsBook.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of GoalChat, host Debra Eckerling has a palette-cleanser conversation; about the business of food with Celebrity Chef Katie Chin, host of Bagels & Banter Jessica Fishenfeld; and founder of BakeBot.ai and Bakespace Babette Pepaj. In addition to extolling the virtues and universality of food, the panel swapped food memories, disaster stories, and more.  Goals - Deb: Next time you are stressed - or waiting for someone to respond to something - cook - Katie: Try to make a dish from an ethnic cuisine you have never done before - Jess: Get creative with spices; cook without salt - Babette: Find somebody who is has an old recipe that they love, and ask if you can try it Final Thoughts - Jessica: Excited for food homework and collaboration - Babette: If you can't think of 10 reasons not to do something, do it - Katie: Leap and the net will appear Learn More About Katie Chin: ChefKatieChin.com Jessica Fishenfeld: JessicaFishenfeld.com Babette Pepaj: BakeBot.ai Debra Eckerling: TheDEBMethod.com/blog 52SecretsBook.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of GoalChat, host Debra Eckerling talks about Visibility with Bobbie Carlton, Carlton PR and Marketing and Innovation Women; Erik Deutsch, ExcelPR; and Karen Gunther, Stay Visible Marketing. Whether you are an entrepreneur, consultant, creative, or other expert, to be "visible" you need to be "credible" (Bobbie), "heard" (Erik), and "stay ahead of the changes" (Karen). The panel shares their career journeys - and how visibility has changed over the years. They also talk about the relationship between networking and visibility, how AI and other tools come into play, and more. Goals  - Karen: Take time to reach out to others (daily to a few times a week); call or message someone you haven't spoken to in a while - Erik: In terms of communications/visibility, think POST: People Objectives Strategy Tools - Bobbie: Go somewhere and see people IRL Final Thoughts - Erik: Just do it. Get comfortable talking about yourself - Karen: Take action - Bobbie: The role of the pr person is to shine the light on others, but don't forget about yourself; be self-promotional - let people know what you do so they can potentially hire you Learn More About Bobbie Carlton: CarltonPRandMarketing.com and InnovationWomen.com Erik Deutsch: ExcelPR.com Karen Gunther: Stay Visible Marketing Debra Eckerling: TheDEBMethod.com/blog 52SecretsBook.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of GoalChat, host Debra Eckerling talks about Art and Soul with Heather Eck, an artist and synesthete; Jessie-Sierra Ross, a former ballerina and founder of Straight to the Hips, Baby; and Dayna Steele, an author, entrepreneur, playwright, and caregiver advocate. For 52 Secrets for Goal-Setting and Goal-Getting, which just celebrated it's 1/2 Birthday, Debra interviewed achievers in business, tech, food, entertainment, and more, including Heather, Jessie-Sierra, and Dayna. Whatever your specialty, chances are there is an art to it. Put your soul into your work, and the passion you share benefits you, the people around you, and even people you may not even know. Goals - Jessie-Sierra: Identify your passion: Find what speaks to you that you love that you can share; keep doing it. To figure it out, write down 5 things you like, try them out, and see what fits - Dayna: Journal every night for 6 weeks. Ask, "Where was I happiest today?" After 6 weeks, read your entries and find your answers - Heather: Tune in; identify how you feel when you do different things. Look at the things that lit you up as a kid Final Thoughts - Dayna: There is no such thing as failure; keep going - Heather: Pay attention to the colors around you; if you have questions, reach out - Jessie-Sierra: Plant the seeds of opportunity Learn More About Heather Eck: HeatherEck.com Jessie-Sierra Ross: StraighttotheHipsBaby.com Dayna Steele: DaynaSteele.com Debra Eckerling: TheDEBMethod.com/blog 52SecretsBook.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of GoalChat, host Debra Eckerling talks about Navigating Chaos with John S. Couch, author, "The Art of Creative Rebellion;" Deb Krier, Host of The Business Power Hour™, among other endeavors; and Michele Risa of Collaborative Solutions. While John, Deb, and Michele all specialize in business leadership, the conversation definitely took a holistic and existential turn. The trio shares their chaos - and in some instances, health - stories, advice for approaching chaos, and more. What is Chaos? - John: Disruption that is not always constructive - Michele: It's the unknown; positive and negative are both sides of the same coin - Deb K: The unplanned Goals - Michele: Have the desire to celebrate amid the gloom and doom - Deb K: Advocate for yourself, whether it's health, career, personal life - John: Meditate and workout - Bonus Goal: Ask 237 questions a day Final Thoughts - Michele: Trust - Deb K: Give yourself grace - John: Be kind Learn More About: John S. Couch: John-Couch.com Deb Krier: TheBusinessPowerHour.com Michele Risa: Collaborativesolutions.global Debra Eckerling: TheDEBMethod.com/blog 52SecretsBook.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices