Online Business Launch Podcast

If you've been struggling to show up consistently online — or you keep falling off the content bandwagon because it feels overwhelming — this episode is your permission slip to simplify everything.

Today I'm joined by Aaron Witnish, founder of Content Only, all the way from Australia, and he's walking us through a system so straightforward it honestly made me want to jump back into social media immediately.

Here's what got me fired up: I spent two hours on my flight home from Texas studying AEO — AI Engine Optimization — and one thing was crystal clear. AI tools are pull...

There's a lot of upheaval in the online space right now — and if you're feeling overwhelmed trying to figure out what's actually working, you're not alone.

Today I'm joined by Wes Towers, founder of Uplift 360, all the way from Australia, and we're digging into something that every online business owner needs to understand: how to get found in AI search models, voice search, and all the places your future customers are looking for answers.

Here's the stat that stopped me cold while I was studying on my flight home from Texas: researchers tested four major AI...

If you're the kind of entrepreneur who's begrudgingly putting effort into social media — this one's for you.

Today I'm sitting down with Melanie Gorman, founder of Crownsville Media, and she's pulling back the curtain on something that honestly surprised me: 90% of her clients aren't active on social media — and their businesses are still growing.

We get into the real how-tos here, not just surface-level "go blog more" advice. Melanie breaks down exactly what's shifting in the online search landscape right now and why this moment is genuinely one of the biggest opportunities for small business owne...

Some pivots are planned. And then there are the ones life just hands you — no warning, no time to prepare, no option but to figure it out as you go.

Jessie James was a solo mum in Brisbane, living intentionally, eating well, and preparing to study clinical nutrition, when a series of mysterious symptoms led her to a chiropractor, then an MRI, and then — in the span of three days — emergency brain surgery. No time to process. No time to prepare. Just a ginormous tumor, a scared little boy at school, and a surgery her doctors couldn't guaran...

What do you do when your business idea feels too big? When the vision is massive, the moving pieces are complicated, and there are already a handful of established players in the space? If you're Lindsay Friedman, you get curious — and then you get to work.

Lindsay is the founder of LT Care Nav and Care Bloom, two companies serving the long-term care space with something it's been desperately missing: a clear, personalized plan. With 70% of Americans expected to need long-term care at some point, the system for navigating that reality is broken — overwhelming for families, frustrating for...

If you've ever felt like you have too many gifts, too many interests, and no idea how to package them in a way that makes sense — this episode is for you. Lindsay sits down with Joyce Wheeler, founder of Total Holistic Living, for an honest and inspiring conversation about what it really looks like to build a business around a multi-passionate life without losing your mind or your message.

Joyce's journey into holistic health started with a health crisis — her husband's years-long mystery illness that Western medicine couldn't crack, eventually traced back to mercury poisoning from his dent...

What if the community you're building right now could one day be sold for a life-changing payout? In this eye-opening episode, Lindsay sits down with Carol Tice, founder of Community Growth Academy on School, to talk about something most community builders never even consider — building your community as a sellable asset from day one.

Carol's story starts in journalism, moves through freelance writing, and lands in one of the most quietly powerful business models in the online space: paid community. In 2011 she launched Freelance Writers Den, grew it to 1,500 paying members, and over the life of the bu...

What if you could grow your business, get real help with your workload, and keep your overhead low — all at the same time? In this practical and eye-opening episode, Lindsay sits down with Robyn Miller, founder of Morning Bird Media, to talk about one of the most underutilized strategies in the entrepreneurial world: working with interns.

Robyn's path into digital marketing is anything but conventional. A science major turned radio personality turned digital marketing agency owner, she built Morning Bird Media from freelancing into a full service agency — and interns were a key part of how she scal...

In this profoundly moving episode of The Online Business Launch Podcast, host Lindsay Sutherland sits down with Leon Bloom, the founder of LammyTeon Creations. Leon’s story is nothing short of miraculous: in less than a year, he transitioned from a life of chronic incarceration and homelessness to becoming a successful small business owner and a pillar of his community.

Leon spent a total of 22 years behind bars, a cycle of trauma and alcoholism that began when he was just 16 years old. But during his final stint in recovery, Leon had a realization that changed everything: to re...

What if the reason your business feels so hard isn't about strategy, discipline, or working harder — but about what's happening beneath the surface? In this honest and eye-opening episode, Lindsay sits down with Jessica Ellen, founder of Jessica Ellen Coaching, for a conversation about why willpower alone will only take you so far — and what to do instead.

Jessica's story is one of radical transformation born from rock bottom. After becoming a mom, she was hit with PTSD, anxiety, panic attacks, burnout, and chronic illness — all while navigating a toxic relationship with zero support. She tried everything Wester...

What do you do when your health, your neurodivergence, or your life circumstances make a traditional career feel impossible — but you still have something powerful to offer the world? In this deeply honest episode, Lindsay sits down with Cathy Ghita, founder of With Kathy, a marketing strategist who specializes in helping people build businesses that actually fit their lives — not the other way around.

Cathy's story is one of late-discovered clarity. Diagnosed with ADHD at 36 after years of misdiagnoses, burnout cycles, and silently struggling through a corporate world that wasn't built for her brain, she eventually found her...

What if you could make a full-length film without a Hollywood budget, a massive crew, or millions of dollars in backing? That's exactly what award-winning filmmaker, tech founder, and educator Lynn Rogoff did — and the result is nothing short of revolutionary. In this episode, Lindsay sits down with Lynn, CEO of America's Productions, to talk about how she leveraged AI tools to bring a decades-old passion project to life in a way that wasn't possible until right now.

Lynn's story is one of extraordinary perseverance. She spent years developing a film about Sacagawea — told from her perspective, wove...

What if the secret to getting more referrals wasn't better marketing — it was a better client experience? In this episode, Lindsay sits down with Stephanie O'Brien, founder of Coach Client Connection, to talk about one of the most overlooked gaps in the coaching world: delivering a transformation so fast and so clearly that your clients can't help but send their friends your way.

Stephanie's path into this work is anything but ordinary. A novelist since age 12 with 14 books under her belt, she followed her mom into the coaching world and quickly noticed a pattern — brilliant coaches who coul...

What does driving a garbage truck for 11 years have to do with building a thriving podcast and social media production company? More than you'd think. In this episode, Lindsay sits down with Nick Yerhart, founder of Infinite Success Media, for a raw and honest conversation about what it actually takes to build a business — and why discipline might be the most underrated ingredient of all.

Nick shares how selling his family's waste removal company launched him into entrepreneurship, eventually leading him to build a media business that now serves 23 clients — half of which came through referrals alone. But...

In a world that feels like the middle of Times Square—blasting over 250 messages at you every minute—how do you make sure your business isn't just background noise?

In this episode, host Lindsay Sutherland sits down with the "Clarity Queen" herself, Orly Zeewy. Orly is a brand strategist, author, and "facilitator of lightbulb moments" who helps entrepreneurs stop the endless explanation and start closing leads. They dive deep into why 90% of startups fail, the "six-second rule" of human attention, and why you can’t read the label of the jar you’re sitting inside.

Whether...

Visibility. It's the word every online entrepreneur knows they need—but most avoid like the plague. Should you show your face? What should you say? What if people judge you? What if you look too salesy? In this refreshingly honest episode, Lindsay sits down with Melanie Whittaker, founder of You Are Your Marketing and a PR coach living in Spain, to break down exactly how to show up, be seen, and stop overthinking the whole thing.

Melanie draws a brilliant distinction most people miss: marketing asks for the sale; PR tells your story. Think of them as tw...

In this episode, I sit down with Scott Finkelstein, founder of Sales Scalers, who's been helping entrepreneurs build sales systems since 2019. With four decades of sales experience—from investment banking to coaching Fortune 500 reps and solo entrepreneurs—Scott breaks down how to remove the overwhelm and negative stigma from sales by creating a repeatable system that feels authentic to you.

Scott's approach is refreshingly human: sales isn't about being pushy or manipulative—it's about helping people. When you shift your mindset from "I'm selling" to "I'm helping," everything changes. You build trust faster, show up with better energy...

What if you could stay home with your kids AND build a thriving business—without sacrificing either? In this inspiring episode, Lindsay connects with Catherine Wilkenson all the way from England to unpack exactly how she did it through online English teaching (ESL) and digital printables.

Catherine's journey started with a familiar struggle: she wanted to be present for her babies, but also needed income. After cramming a teaching qualification into one intense year (while pregnant with her second child), she stumbled onto an industry most people don't even know exists—online ESL teaching. Since 2017, she's been teac...

If you're thinking about leaving your W-2 job but don't know where to start, this episode is your roadmap. Lindsay sits down with Kelly Schuckneckt, founder of Two Mile High Marketing, to unpack exactly how she went from corporate layoff to building a half-million dollar agency in just one year—and how you can do the same by packaging your skills the right way.

Kelly's story starts like so many others: she had a dream of starting her own business, but kept putting it off. For two years, she had a business name, a website, and a vi...

You've heard it a thousand times: "Make money from what you love." "Build passive income while you sleep." But how do you actually DO it? How do you take something you're passionate about and turn it into a thriving digital business with multiple revenue streams?

In this episode, Lindsay sits down with Michelle Heberling, founder and author of The Guts of Fermentation, to unpack exactly how she transformed her catering expertise and love of food into a multi-layered online business—and how you can do the same with YOUR passion.

Michelle shares her journey from gr...

Think summits are dead? Think again. In this tactical, strategy-packed episode, Lindsay sits down with Jessyka Coulter, founder of ACE Cookie Tutoring, who has hosted over 20 virtual summits in just five years—and made them her primary lead generation engine.

If you've ever wondered whether summits are worth the effort, how to find speakers, or what actually converts attendees into paying clients, this conversation will answer every question you didn't know you had.

Jessyka walks us through her entire summit journey—from her very first event (which took three chaotic months to pull together) to her...

Ever feel like you're so deeply invested in your clients' outcomes that their wins and losses feel like your own? You're not alone—and it might be holding you back.

In this episode, Lindsay sits down with Shelli Hendricks, founder of Blue Horizon Solutions and a veteran entrepreneur with nearly 10 years of experience helping business owners build sustainable, scalable ventures. Shelli shares a perspective shift that changed everything for her coaching practice: learning to treat her business as its own identity, separate from her personal worth.

Shelli walks us through the emotional trap many consultants an...

Feeling overwhelmed by your business processes? You're either overcomplicating or oversimplifying—here's how to find the sweet spot.

In this episode, I'm joined by Sabena Miller, founder of Kairos XP, a systems and process consultant who's spent decades helping companies—from the New York Stock Exchange to small businesses—streamline their operations. If you've ever felt paralyzed trying to figure out what comes first (the website? the CRM? the email forms?), this conversation will give you clarity.

Sabena's superpower is assessing what's working and what's not, then rebuilding processes so everyone—from employees to customers—can unders...

Feeling overwhelmed by all the business advice online? Here's how one health coach tuned out the noise and found her path.

In this episode, I'm joined by Vera Jackson, a holistic therapist and health coach who helps women navigate hormonal issues like PCOS, fibroids, perimenopause, and blood sugar management. Vera's journey is a masterclass in filtering through the overwhelming amount of business advice available online to find what actually works for you.

After spending three years studying nutritional therapy—completing multiple exams, clinic hours, and case assessments—Vera got her diploma and realized she was star...

Think entrepreneurship is hard when you're juggling life? You're not alone—and you don't have to stay stuck.

In this episode, I'm joined by Maranda Taylor, founder of Charm and Strategy, a business consultant who's mastered the art of building a business while navigating single parenthood and financial pressure. If you've ever felt like you're just surviving instead of thriving, Maranda's story and strategies will hit home.

Maranda's journey is anything but linear—from studying metallurgical engineering to owning a martial arts school, getting a real estate license, running a craft business that hit six figu...

Are you exhausted from trying to be everywhere at once? Posting on every social platform, chasing the latest trends, and wondering if any of it is actually paying off?

In this episode of the Freedom Entrepreneur Podcast, host Lindsay Sutherland sits down with KJ Blattenbauer, founder of Hearsay PR, who spent nearly three decades behind the scenes shaping narratives for founders and experts. KJ shares a refreshing truth: the most successful entrepreneurs aren't always the most talented—they're the most well-positioned and strategic about how they use their time.

What You'll Learn:

KJ br...

What does it take to go from brand-new business owner to six figures in just six months? Stacey Jordan, founder of Redley Workshop, shares exactly how she did it—and her story will blow your mind.

After spending 23 years working in the commercial Christmas installation industry (yes, that's a thing!), Stacey made the bold decision to leave her VP of Sales position and start her own business. Just six months later, she's already crossed six figures in revenue by helping residential Christmas light installers break into the lucrative commercial space.

In this episode, Stacey breaks do...

Thinking about building a community on Skool? Want to know if it's the right platform for your business? This episode gives you an unfiltered, behind-the-scenes look at what it's really like to build and grow a community-based business.

Daniel Faust, founder of Military Marriage Warriors on Skool, joins me to share his journey from nearly divorcing after seven years of marriage to building a thriving multi-faceted community business. His story is proof that our biggest struggles often become our greatest missions.

Daniel introduces us to his "MESS" method—dealing with Mental, Emotional, Social, Sexual, and Sp...

How do you make yourself the obvious choice for your ideal client?

In this episode, I'm joined by Chad Smith, founder of Five Lions Marketing based in Maryland. Chad brings a unique perspective to marketing—he spent 25 years in the fitness industry owning gyms before transitioning into helping entrepreneurs craft winning messages that attract and retain ideal clients.

What makes Chad's approach so valuable is that he doesn't think like a typical agency guy. He's a coach at heart, and he brings that coaching mentality to marketing strategy. His background in one of the most co...

Building a coaching business while working full-time? Here's how one coach is making it work on TikTok.

In this episode, I sit down with Laura Garces, a spiritual coach who helps women break free from repetitive relationship patterns. What makes Laura's story particularly valuable for those just starting out is that she's building her business in her spare time while maintaining a full-time job—and she's doing it strategically using TikTok.

Laura's journey into coaching began after her own divorce led her to discover family constellations therapy with a coach in Colombia. The transformation was so...

Ever feel like you're doing everything your coach told you to do... but it's just not working?

In this episode, I'm joined by husband-and-wife duo Kristina and Herb Heagh-Avritt, co-owners of Vibrant Family Education. Their journey is a masterclass in trusting your gut when the traditional playbook doesn't fit—and still building something meaningful.

After 27 years in public education, Kristina left the classroom to help families outside the broken system. But starting their business came with its own challenges. They hired coaches, followed all the "right" strategies, and tried to build the perfect sales funnel wi...

What happens when passion meets reality in online business?

In this episode, I sit down with Kameran Thompson Al-Areqi, founder of Recognizing Potential Coaching and a certified relationship coach through the Gottman Institute. Kameran's journey from elementary school teacher to full-time marriage coach wasn't overnight—it took four years of grinding while teaching full-time, solo parenting, and trying to do everything herself.

This conversation is packed with real talk about the mistakes we make when starting out. Kamera n shares how comparing herself to other coaches making "10 grand a month" led her down a rough pa...

"I backed into it."

That's how Barbara Grassey describes building a six-figure ghostwriting business that's allowed her to move to Portugal and work from anywhere. No grand plan. Just one friend asking for help with a 37-page "book" written in 14 different fonts.

Twenty years later, Barbara has ghostwritten for real estate gurus, business coaches, and consultants across the country. Her projects start at $25,000. But here's what nobody tells you about the writing business: Even after 20 years, you're never quite sure if your work is good enough.

In this conversation, Barbara reveals:

...

Your emails are going to spam. Your open rates are tanking. And that list you bought? It's about to get your account shut down.

Welcome to 2026, where email marketing got a whole lot more complicated—and a whole lot more important.

Melissa Seideman didn't plan to become an email marketing expert. She was a high school history teacher for 15 years, selling curriculum online to make extra money because daycare was too expensive. Then something happened: She started sending emails. Really good emails. The kind that made a couple thousand dollars per send.

Other te...

What if you could create one piece of content that reaches people at every stage of awareness—and keeps working for you for years?

Morgane Rose got made let go from her job twice in five months. When a dream job offer landed in her lap, everyone expected her to say yes. Instead, she felt crushing anxiety. Something was telling her: Don't do it.

So she didn't. She started her own business instead—even though she had no concrete plan.

That leap led her from personal development coaching to discovering a strategy most onli...

Most business owners treat their bookkeeper and tax preparer like two separate entities—and it's costing them thousands.

Matt Green, founder of Ledger Medial, didn't start out in accounting. He moved to Nashville to become a musician, studied audio engineering, and played drums in a band. But when he moved back to South Carolina in 2009 with three kids and zero job security, he made a dramatic pivot: from the most unstructured career (music) to the most structured (accounting).

That unconventional path gave him a perspective most accountants don't have—and it's why he's built his firm...

What if the secret to building a thriving business isn't hustling harder—it's letting it grow organically without the pressure of survival mode?

Johanna Godinez, founder of BAY Lifestyle (Beyond Asana Yoga), started her wellness journey in 2008 with a Yellow Pages directory and zero online presence. Today, she runs a globally recognized yoga teacher training school on three acres in Puerto Rico—complete with immersive retreats that attract students from Australia, France, Chile, and beyond.

But here's what makes Johanna's story different: She's never put her business in survival mode.

In this conversation, Joha...

Welcome to the Online Business Launch Podcast

This is your library of crowdsourced wisdom for building, launching, and scaling an online business.

What Makes This Podcast Different:

Every episode is titled with the KEY TAKEAWAY you can expect—not clickbait, not vague promises. Think of it like a reference library where you can jump straight to exactly what you need, when you need it.

Whether you're just starting out or you're a seasoned pro looking to scale, you'll hear from entrepreneurs in the trenches with you—people solving real problems, building real...