Crush the Rush™: The Female Entrepreneur Podcast for Sustainable Business Growth

What if that launch that didn't quite hit your goals wasn't actually a failure, but a gold mine of data waiting to be uncovered?

In this episode of the Crush the Rush Podcast, Holly sits down with Danielle Klemm, conversion strategist and funnel expert, to unpack why so many entrepreneurs are growing their email lists without actually growing their sales.

With nine years of experience in digital marketing and seven years focused on funnels, Danielle helps course creators and digital product sellers identify what's happening between someone downloading a freebie and becoming a paying customer.<...

Have a book idea sitting in a Google Doc or maybe just living in the back of your mind for months (or years)? Before writing chapter one, there’s a bigger question to answer: Is it the right book for the business?

In this episode of Crush the Rush, Holly sits down with book and publishing coach Holly Ostrout to unpack why successful business books require more than great writing. Holly shares the strategy behind creating a book that readers actually finish, remember, recommend and ultimately use as a pathway into an entrepreneur’s business.

Draw...

Kimberly Roy knows that getting booked on podcasts isn’t about sending more pitches it’s about sending the right pitches.

In this episode of Crush the Rush, Holly sits down with Kimberly Roy, founder of Pitch with Kim, to break down the strategy behind podcast pitching that actually creates business growth. Kimberly shares her three-part framework of angle, fit, and proof, why she prioritizes quality over quantity, and why entrepreneurs may want to stop chasing the biggest podcasts they can find.

Kimberly also explains why a great podcast pitch shouldn’t start with a bio, h...

Planning season is about to start, and everyone is going to sell you a prettier document. In this episode I'm making the case that the December planning day is neither the reason your year works nor the reason it doesn't, walking through the seven numbers we track every week inside The Collective Co-Op (only three of them have a dollar sign), and reading a real member scorecard on air so you can hear what those numbers say when they sit next to each other. The January 2027 waitlist is open now at hollymariehaynes.com/coop. 

00:00:00 — Why a y...

If your business feels more complicated than it needs to be, adding another offer probably isn’t the answer.

In this episode of Crush the Rush, Holly sits down with her longtime friend Shannon Matson, founder of The Social Bungalow, to talk about what’s actually working in the online business space as they head toward 2027.

Shannon knows this conversation firsthand. After building six different courses over the years, she made the decision to retire them and center her business around one signature offer. The result? A simpler business, clearer marketing, and the ability to exce...

What if the reason your messaging isn’t landing has nothing to do with your content strategy and everything to do with whether your brand actually reflects who you are?

In this episode of Crush the Rush, Holly is joined by  Luna Battalia, founder of Caru Creative and creator of Animist Branding, to talk about a completely different way of approaching personal branding, messaging, and marketing.

Instead of constantly trying to reach, convince, and sell to your ideal clients, what if you created a brand world they naturally wanted to step into?

They div...

Does your marketing ever feel like a constant cycle of creating, posting, and starting all over again?

In this episode, Holly is joined by Ashley DiBiase, founder of Dash of Social, to break down her content marketing trifecta and how social media, blogging, and email marketing can work together instead of competing for your time.

Ashley shares why she recommends starting with long-form content and repurposing it across your marketing ecosystem, how to turn the questions your clients are already asking into valuable content, and why your best-performing ideas shouldn’t disappear after one post.

What if growing your business didn’t require more content, more platforms, or more hours?

In this episode, Holly is welcoming Stephanie Gass back to the podcast to talk about how she’s built a multi-seven-figure business with podcasting at the center—without relying on social media or ads.

And now that AI is changing the way people search for and discover content, podcasting may be becoming even MORE powerful.

They are digging into how to make your podcast more searchable in the AI era, why clear titles and keywords matter, and how to dec...

What happens when your business looks successful on paper—but behind the scenes, something feels completely off?

In this episode, Holly sits down with Laura Schoenfeld to talk about what happens when the business you’ve built no longer fits the person—or life—you have today.

Laura knows this firsthand. She was bringing in close to half a million dollars a year, yet she wasn’t keeping enough of that revenue to make the business feel worth it. Eventually, she made a decision most entrepreneurs would be terrified to make: she shut down her multi-six...

Email marketing shouldn’t feel like another box you have to check every week.

If you’re constantly asking yourself, “What am I supposed to email my list about?” there’s a better way.

In this episode, Holly sits down with email strategist and automation expert Cheryl Rerick to talk about how to stop treating email like a broadcast channel and start building an intentional customer journey that works in the background of your business.

They dig into how to reverse-engineer your emails from the sale, why your welcome sequence is one of the best p...

If you’ve ever felt like you’re doing all the things for your health—eating well, exercising, trying to manage stress—and somehow still feel exhausted, overwhelmed, or like you’re constantly starting over, this conversation is for you.

In this episode, Holly is joined by Courtney Townley, a health and self-leadership expert with more than three decades of experience in the wellness industry. Courtney is challenging the traditional wellness playbook and sharing why lasting health isn’t about more willpower, stricter routines, or another protocol.

It’s about learning how to lead yourself.

They talk...

What would change in your business if social media became optional—not essential?

In this special crossover episode, Holly sits down with Sophia Parra to explore how entrepreneurs can grow, nurture their audiences, and make sales without relying on constant social media content.

After becoming a mom, Sophia reduced her workweek from 60 hours to just 18. That shift forced her to identify which activities were truly moving the needle—and which ones were simply keeping her busy.

She shares how she replaced disconnected marketing tactics with a circular visibility ecosystem built around three essential prio...

AI can help you move faster—but speed alone does not guarantee better results.

In this episode, Holly sits down with Cris Valerio, founder of Main Street Operator, to explore how small business owners can use AI more thoughtfully, strategically, and confidently.

After building her career as a financial journalist and working in product roles at companies like Uber and Instacart, Cris left corporate life to create a business that brings enterprise-level AI and operational strategy to Main Street businesses.

Together, Holly and Cris unpack the difference between experimenting with AI and actually de...

What if growing your business didn’t require posting every day, constantly checking your DMs or chasing the algorithm?

In this episode, Holly sits down with Ashley Brock, founder of Paid Ads Academy and an eight-figure business owner who has managed more than $200 million in advertising spend. Ashley shares how entrepreneurs can use paid advertising to become more findable—so the right people discover their businesses without relying entirely on organic social media.

Ashley breaks down why paid ads can be an anti-social, life-first growth strategy that continues working while you spend time with your fami...

What if growing your audience didn’t require posting on social media every single day?

In this closing episode of the PR and AI Visibility series, Holly pulls back the curtain on the exact monthly visibility process she uses to attract new subscribers, students, and qualified leads with a small team.

This isn’t a list of random marketing ideas. It’s a coordinated, repeatable system built around the activities that create the strongest return: strategic partnerships, community speaking, podcast appearances, email marketing, SEO, and generative engine optimization.

You’ll learn how each part of...

What happens when someone asks ChatGPT, Claude, or Perplexity to recommend an expert in your industry? Does your name appear, or does your competitor get the opportunity?

In this episode, Holly welcomes award-winning PR strategist, former U.S. diplomat, and Small Business PR host Gloria Chou back to the podcast for a timely conversation about PR, AI visibility, and the changing way customers discover brands.

You’ll learn how podcast interviews, media mentions, expert quotes, and other third-party features can strengthen your authority signals. Gloria also shares how she uses Perplexity, ChatGPT, and Claude for di...

You know you’re great at what you do, but how do you get more people talking about it?

In this episode of our PR and AI Visibility summer series, Holly sits down with publicist and author KJ Blattenbauer to break down how entrepreneurs can build credibility, attract opportunities, and become known as the go-to expert without spending every day on social media.

With nearly 30 years of experience in public relations, KJ shares why sustainable visibility is less about chasing attention and more about creating a clear message, owning a distinct point of view, and bu...

You don't need another certification...you need more people to know how incredible you already are.

In this episode of Crush the Rush, Holly is joined by branding strategist and former investigative journalist Amanda Berg, founder of Liberty Type. Together we're unpacking one of the biggest myths keeping business owners stuck: believing more credentials will solve a visibility problem.

If you've ever thought..."I'm really good at what I do...so why does it still feel hard to book clients?"...this conversation is for you.

Amanda shares why the businesses that become household...

What if you could build a thriving business without constantly chasing the algorithm?

In this episode, Holly sits down with entrepreneur, attorney, author, and founder of an $8 million business, Sam Vander Wielen, to pull back the curtain on the organic growth strategies that have fueled her success. From growing a newsletter of nearly 70,000 subscribers to creating evergreen systems that allow her to prioritize life before work, Sam shares exactly how she has built a sustainable business rooted in email marketing...not endless social media.

If you're ready to create predictable growth, write better emails, and...

Have you ever felt like you've done all the things-read the books, hired the coach, gone to therapy and yet somehow you still find yourself stuck in the same patterns?

In this powerful conversation, Holly sits down with neuro-somatic practitioner and Identity X expert Riana Malia to explore what happens when personal growth reaches a point where traditional mindset work isn't enough. Together, they unpack how subconscious programming, stored emotions, and outdated identities can quietly shape our decisions, relationships, and business success.

If you've ever wondered why you keep repeating the same cycles despite your...

Hey friends, welcome back. Today I'm sharing something a little different — and I think you're going to want to save this one.

This episode is pulled directly from The Anti-Social Shift — my brand new private podcast at hollymariehaynes.com/shift. It's a 9-episode series built around the exact framework I use to run a million-dollar business spending less than 30 minutes a week on social media. The first 5 episodes are the evergreen framework. The last 4 — including this one — drop fresh every quarter. Current playbook, not advice from two years ago.

I'm sharing it here because what we're ta...

What if the answer to more sales wasn't more content, more launches, or more hours at your desk?

In this episode, Holly sits down with marketing strategist and funnel expert Michelle Fernandez to unpack the small shifts that create massive momentum in your business. Michelle shares her signature "1% Conversion Effect" framework and explains why most entrepreneurs stay stuck. It's not because they aren't working hard enough, but because they're making decisions without visibility into what's actually happening inside their funnels.

If you've ever felt like you're doing all the things but still not seeing the...

What happens when a strategy that worked for years suddenly stops working?

In this behind-the-scenes episode, Holly shares the real story behind launching The Anti-Social Shift, a brand-new private podcast designed to help entrepreneurs build a business that grows without relying on social media 24/7.

In today's episode, I share:

If you’ve ever looked at your funnel and thought, “Maybe I just need a new offer,” this episode might completely change the way you approach your marketing strategy.

In this conversation, I’m joined by certified funnel strategist and copywriter Jenn Green to unpack the funnel metrics every female entrepreneur should actually be tracking before rebuilding their entire business from scratch.

Jenn shares how becoming a mom completely transformed the way she approached entrepreneurship, why small funnel tweaks often outperform massive overhauls, and the truth about passive income that most people aren’t talking about onli...

If you’ve ever felt pressure to be louder, more visible, or constantly “on” to grow your business, this episode will completely shift the way you think about leadership, confidence, and success.

In this conversation, I’m joined by Heather Dixon Adams, founder and CEO of Choice Media & Communications, to talk about what it really means to build influence with intention, lead with confidence, and create a business that supports your actual life—not just your goals on paper.

Heather shares the powerful story of how getting laid off became the catalyst for designing a life-first...

In this week's pep talk, I am sharing the simple three-layer website strategy we’re using to organically add 20+ new email subscribers every single week without relying on ads, social media, or constantly creating new content. We’re talking about sustainable audience growth, smarter website conversions, and how to turn your existing traffic into real leads that actually want to hear from you. 

In today's episode, I share:

In this week's pep talk, I am sharing how I plan and run my business during the summer without burning out, overworking, or letting everything fall apart behind the scenes. We’re talking about sustainable business growth, realistic summer schedules, and the systems that help you stay consistent even when life looks completely different.

In today's episode, I share:

If you’ve ever thought, “I’m sending emails… but I know I’m leaving money on the table,” this episode is going to completely change how you think about email marketing.

In this conversation, I’m joined by Kieryn Wang, founder of Allmost, to talk about how female entrepreneurs can build intentional email systems that create more connection, more conversions, and more predictable revenue—without relying on hustle marketing or constant social media posting.

We go far beyond basic newsletters and dive into the email strategies that actually move the needle, including welcome sequences that turn subscr...

In this week's pep talk, I am sharing a full, honest launch debrief—what actually worked, what didn’t, and the unexpected insight that is changing how I approach sustainable business growth moving forward.

In today's episode, I share:

If your income feels like a rollercoaster with one month high and the next uncertain, this episode will completely change how you think about money in your business.

In this conversation, I’m joined by Gina Knox, financial strategist, former QuickBooks researcher, and founder of Small Business Money School, to talk about how to create financial stability even when your revenue isn’t consistent. Gina has helped entrepreneurs save millions and build real wealth by doing one thing incredibly well: making money feel calm, predictable, and in your control.

We break down what it actually look...

In this week's bonus pep talk, I am sharing the 3 specific AI skills I’m using right now to save hours every week and how you can use them to simplify your workflow and support sustainable business growth.

In today's episode, I share:

Ever hit a milestone in your business that you thought would feel life-changing… only to find yourself wondering why it suddenly feels heavier, more confusing, or even a little anticlimactic? In this episode, I’m joined by operations and growth mentor Michelle M. Ghassemi, who brings her signature no-fluff clarity to what really happens after you reach big goals and why success can be just as emotionally complex as the climb.

Michelle shares the mindset gaps founders don’t anticipate, the data habits that build true confidence, and the micro-pivots that keep your business moving without...

If you’ve ever had something in your business not go as planned and felt like everyone was watching… this episode is your reminder that failure isn’t the end, it’s the beginning of building something better.

In this episode, I’m joined by Frenchie Ferenczi, business strategist, fractional executive, and growth advisor, to talk about what it really looks like to rebuild after public failure and how to create a more sustainable, values-driven business on the other side. Just a few years ago, over 12,000 people wanted her fired. Instead of walking away, she made a bold decis...

If you’re tired of posting every day, overthinking your content, and wondering why your business still feels heavy… it’s not because you’re doing it wrong, it’s because you’ve been taught a strategy that depends on constant visibility.

In this episode, I’m joined by Kate Kordsmeier, certified life and business coach and founder of Success with Soul, to talk about what it really looks like to build a profitable, sustainable business without social media.

Kate hasn’t posted, scrolled, or engaged on social platforms in over four years—and her business is still...

In this week's pep talk, I am sharing how we used simple business systems, strategic spending, and points to fund our entire spring break and how you can build a business that supports your life too.

In today's episode, I share:

If you’re tired of posting every day, chasing the algorithm, and still wondering where your next client is coming from… it’s not because you’re inconsistent, it’s because your marketing strategy is built on visibility that disappears.

In this episode, I’m joined by Becky Launder, CEO of Oh My Hi, to talk about how to get found, seen, and paid without relying on social media.

We break down her Capture → Convert method, why social media alone isn’t enough anymore, and how to create simple, evergreen systems that actually drive sales. Becky also share...

If you’ve been curious about using AI in your business but feel unsure where to start—or worried it might make your content sound generic—this episode will completely shift the way you think about it.

In this episode, I sit down with AI educator and strategist Kinsey Soderberg to talk about how female entrepreneurs can use AI intentionally to support sustainable business growth without burnout.

We dive into the biggest mistake most entrepreneurs make when using tools like ChatGPT (and why it leads to robotic content), how to train AI to actually understand your b...

In this week’s pep talk, I am sharing the off-social marketing strategies quietly driving sustainable business growth right now, and how female entrepreneurs can get clients without relying on daily social media posting.

In today's episode, I share: