Rain or Shine | Marketing & Entrepreneurship Podcast

Quick Summary: Stephanie Long, founder of Launch Your Nutrition Biz and Booked Out Nutritionist, sits down with marketing strategist Kelsey Reidl to untangle a question a lot of established founders quietly wrestle with: how do you build a personal brand on top of a business that already works, without confusing your audience or diluting what's already paying the bills? What starts as a funnel-strategy conversation turns into a much bigger one about identity, monotony, and giving yourself permission to evolve out loud.In This Episode:Why Stephanie paused content creation for months, stuck between two audiences and two programsThe real difference between "beginner" and "next-stage" content — and why most nutritionists get stuck in the messy middleWhy "the money is in the monotony" and what that means for founders who feel bored by what's workingHow to structure one funnel that leads to two offers, instead of running two competing funnelsWhy a personal brand doesn't need a grand announcement — or its own separate businessPractical ideas for finding your "hook" and turning conversations into content without losing your voice to AIKey Takeaways:If your programs solve genuinely different problems, your audience probably doesn't need two content funnels — they need one funnel with a clear self-select moment (a "not sure which one you need?" CTA) and application-style entry into the more advanced offer.Content pillars usually overlap more than founders assume — beginners want to hear what's ahead of them, and advanced audiences want reminders of the fundamentals.A personal brand isn't a rebrand. You can shift a podcast's tone and content gradually — your audience is evolving with you and doesn't need a big announcement unless you're shutting the whole thing down.Protect a few hours a week for creative content with no attached sales outcome — the only metric is whether it felt honest and alive.If AI-assisted content creation starts to feel like it's flattening your voice, the fix isn't to abandon it — it's to feed it your actual unscripted thoughts (via a recorded weekly check-in, a voice memo, or a journaling habit) so it has something real to work with.Memorable Quotes:"I could probably get most of your course information on ChatGPT or Claude... but I can't get your aura, your essence." — Kelsey Reidl"The money is often in the monotony." — Kelsey Reidl"I've been really scared to share my own opinion... this almost feels like a rebellion." — Stephanie LongResources Mentioned:Stephanie’s Instagram: @stephanielong.caStephanie’s Website: stephanielong.caKelsey’s Instagram: @KelseyReidlKelsey’s Website: KelseyReidl.comLaunch Your Nutrition Biz (Stephanie's beginner program)Booked Out Nutritionist (Stephanie's advanced program and podcast)Amy Porterfield's Digital Course Academy → Momentum membership modelThe "Yap Challenge" (short daily video prompts, referenced via a coach named Jessie)Claude, used informally by both hosts for journaling and content organizationAbout the Guest: Stephanie Long is the founder of Launch Your Nutrition Biz and Booked Out Nutritionist, and has hosted a business podcast for nutrition entrepreneurs since 2018. She's currently preparing to go on maternity leave and is rethinking how personal brand fits into an already-established coaching business.

Quick SummaryNicole Crone — co-founder of My Aligned Purpose and host of a podcast with over 600 episodes — joins Rain or Shine for a candid conversation about becoming a mom at 40 after years of not wanting kids, surviving a two-year fertility journey, and navigating one of the hardest eight-week stretches her business has faced. Along the way, she shares the systems, mindset tools, and rituals that keep her grounded — from "duvet days" to yearly word-of-the-year necklaces.In This EpisodeNicole's go-to rituals for decompressing after an overloaded weekHow she uses Claude and Cowork to organize her to-do list into an Eisenhower MatrixHer lifelong love of learning — human design, astrology, Kabbalah, and yogaThe surprising vision that changed her mind about wanting kidsA two-year fertility journey, including a pregnancy loss, and what it taught her about compassion and timingWhat she wishes she'd known about postpartum boundaries as an entrepreneurNavigating the hardest eight weeks in her business's six-and-a-half-year historyHer personal toolkit for processing hard emotions (solo drives, audiobooks, trusted masterminds)Her philosophy on what to share publicly versus keep private as a personal brandWhy My Aligned Purpose builds yearly themes, challenges, and rewards into its coaching programsKey TakeawaysName what your nervous system needs, and ask for it. Vocalizing a specific need — like a full "duvet day" with zero plans — is more restorative than defaulting to "productive" rest.Trust doesn't mean things happen on your timeline. Nicole's fertility journey taught her that "the universe delivers when you know what you want and why you want it" — but not necessarily on schedule.Take the time off you think you don't need. Plan for real postpartum (or any major life transition) downtime rather than assuming you'll want to keep working — you likely won't, and you'll regret cutting it short.Process alone before you process out loud. Solo time (a drive, a cry, a walk) before bringing a hard situation to trusted people helps you find your own direction before outside opinions can sway it.Build structure your community can buy into. Yearly themes, challenges, and rewards — borrowed straight from a teaching background — deepen engagement and retention in a business or program.Memorable Quotes"It's like it does feel really big right now, but it's not going to feel really big if I decide that it's not gonna take any more of my focus, and energy, and attention.""As Dan Martell says, '80% done by somebody else is 100% awesome.'"Resources MentionedNicole’s Website: myalignedpurpose.comPodcast: My Aligned Purpose PodcastInstagram: @myalignedpurposeKelsey’s Website: KelseyReidl.comKelsey’s Instagram: @KelseyReidlTime as a Tool — Benjamin Hardy10x Is Easier Than 2x — Benjamin HardyWho Not HowHuman Design, astrology, numerology, Kabbalah (as ongoing personal studies)Claude + Cowork (for task organization via the Eisenhower Matrix)Melanie Auld (Vancouver-based jewelry brand, for the annual "word of the year" necklaces)Dan Martell (quoted concept: "80% done by somebody else is 100% awesome")About the GuestNicole Crone is the co-founder of My Aligned Purpose, a coaching and educational company she runs alongside business partner Kayla, and host of the My Aligned Purpose Podcast (600+ episodes). A former junior high and high school teacher, Nicole became a mom at 39 to her son, Cruz, after a two-year fertility journey. Her upcoming book, Aligned CEO Method: How to Stop Trading Time for Money and Have Your Most Profitable Year Yet, releases September 18th.

Quick Summary:Recording live from the car en route to a Wave members' event in Prince Edward County, Kelsey reflects on the origin story that started it all — a fully sponsored podcast tour of PEC eight years ago — and unpacks why deciding to stop being a "beginner" changed the trajectory of her business. She also gives an honest, real-time update on prepping for maternity leave.In This Episode:The full story of how a Toronto co-working space event led to a sponsored six-episode podcast series in Prince Edward CountyWhy the word "decide" is about cutting off other options — and how that mindset let her charge money as a beginner podcasterThe concept of "caging yourself" and the subconscious limits we set around time, money, and ambitionAn honest, unfiltered life update on juggling client work, speaking gigs, and a looming mat leaveHow staggered payment plans and SEO/AI visibility made stepping back from the business easierWhy she's choosing to fully pause the podcast rather than "hustle" to pre-record contentKey Takeaways:Getting to the next level often requires a literal decision to stop operating like a beginner — pricing, consistency, and professionalism included.The stories we tell ourselves ("I don't have time," "I'll never...") are self-imposed cages — identifying them is the first step to breaking out.Long time horizons, not quick wins, are where real business and personal growth happen.Staggering client revenue (via 6–12 month payment plans) can make stepping away from a business — for any reason — far less stressful.Consistency, not constant presence, is what builds long-term trust with an audience.Memorable Quotes:On the meaning of commitment: "I'm not gonna hang out in beginner land anymore."On expectations of instant results: "When you stretch the time horizon, success is inevitable."On earning trust: "Consistency breeds trust."Resources Mentioned:Kelsey's Website: www.KelseyReidl.comKelsey's Instagram: @KelseyReidlWave (Kelsey's community for women entrepreneurs)The June Motel — founded by Sarah Slack and business partnerLove Child Social (co-working space, Toronto)Build a New Life blog/program (Prince Edward County business development initiative)Anice Jewelry — founded by BritDrake Devonshire & Frontera Flower Farm (Wave event venues)About the HostKelsey Reidl is an entrepreneur, fractional CMO, and host of Rain or Shine (formerly Visionary Life). She's been podcasting for 8 years, helping entrepreneurs show up consistently and build sustainable businesses. She runs the WAVE Mastermind and specializes in marketing strategy, website design, and business growth. Kelsey is a mom to a 2-year-old, an avid mountain biker, and a firm believer in the "rain or shine" mentality.

Quick SummaryVocal performance coach and PhD, Dr. Shannon Holmes, joins Kelsey to reveal how your voice is constantly broadcasting signals about your confidence, credibility, and authority — whether you realize it or not. From the science of human voice perception to practical body-based techniques for speaking with presence, this episode is a masterclass in one of the most underrated professional skills. Plus, Dr. Shannon shares her inspiring personal story of earning a PhD at 50 while raising six children.In This EpisodeDr. Shannon's journey: having children young, hiding it professionally, and eventually owning her pathGoing back for a master's degree in her early forties and a PhD at 50 — from Montreal, studying in the UKAdvice for working moms on presence, letting go, and asking for helpThe science of human voice perception — how quickly we judge others' voices (and they judge ours)Natural voice vs. habitual voice: why "I'm just monotone" is a mythWhat vocal masks are and how we unconsciously use themThe body-voice connection and why it's the foundation of all vocal workPre-performance rituals: how to take up space, breathe in the room, and walk in with authorityHow to train your voice in everyday low-stakes momentsKey TakeawaysIt's never too late. Dr. Shannon earned her PhD at 50 with six children and a transatlantic commute. The "expiry date" on your dreams is one you invented.Your habitual voice is not your natural voice. The monotone or quiet voice you use under pressure is a protective habit — not who you really are.Body first, breath second, voice third. If your body is tense, your breath is restricted. If your breath is restricted, your voice can't be free. Start there.Stop holding your breath before you speak. We hold our breath to avoid feeling fear — but that's exactly when we need to breathe deepest. Breath signals safety to your nervous system.Leave the voice to chance and you've already lost the room. All the slide prep in the world won't save you if you haven't practiced how you'll actually deliver the content.Memorable Quotes"If the body isn't free, the breath isn't free — and if the breath isn't free, the voice isn't free." — Dr. Shannon Holmes"People confuse their habitual voice for their natural voice. That flat, monotone delivery under pressure? That's not who you are. That's a habit you've built to protect yourself." — Dr. Shannon Holmes"You can have everything — just not all at the same time. I really had to learn that." — Dr. Shannon HolmesResources MentionedDr. Shannon's website: www.shannonholmes.caDr. Shannon on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.shannon.holmes.voice/Kelsey's website: www.KelseyReidl.comKelsey's instagram: @KelseyReidl Wave Event — Friday, April 17th (Rain or Shine community event)Special offer: Mention "Rain or Shine" in your application on Dr. Shannon's website for a special listener rateAbout the GuestDr. Shannon Holmes is a vocal performance coach, professor, and researcher with a PhD earned at 50, specializing in the intersection of voice, body, and authentic expression. With a background in opera and theater performance, she now works with executives, entrepreneurs, and academics to unlock their natural vocal authority. She is a speaker at the Rain or Shine Wave event on April 17th.

Quick SummaryHabits and accountability coach Melanie Killens joins host Kelsey for an honest conversation about hitting rock bottom in 2019, making a $10,000 investment in herself when she had nothing, and how micro habits — not motivation — are the real secret to lasting change. This episode is a masterclass in self-compassion, consistency, and building a life and business on your own terms.In This EpisodeHow Melanie unwinds after a busy week (The Young and the Restless + colouring — no shame)The simple non-negotiable daily habit that keeps her groundedHer rock-bottom moment in 2019: losing her job, her relationship, and her directionWhy she made a $10,000 coaching investment when everything was falling apartHow network marketing became her unexpected entry point into personal developmentWhat habits coaching actually looks like (and why it's not about pushing harder)The single biggest reason people can't stick to habitsHow she balances a part-time teaching job with a growing coaching businessThe morning routine she protects at all costsWhat keeps her going on the stormy, rainy daysKey TakeawaysThe pain of not doing a habit must outweigh the pain of doing it. Connect to how you'll feel on the other side — not in the moment.Micro habits compound. Two workouts a week beats zero. Progress over perfection, always.Accountability is not a weakness — it's the missing ingredient. If you could do it alone, you would have already.Protecting your morning routine protects everything else. When one anchor habit slips, other areas follow.Constraints drive creativity. Having a deadline or a fixed window of time makes you more focused and productive — not less.Memorable Quotes"There are habits you're never going to want to do. I do them anyway because I want that feeling in the morning." — Melanie Killens"If you could do it alone, you would have done it already." — Melanie Killens"It wasn't about fitness and nutrition. It was the mindset behind it." — Melanie KillensResources MentionedMelanie's Instagram: @MoveWellWithMelanieMelanie's Facebook: Melanie KillensMelanie's Website: melaniekillenscoaching.caKelsey's Website: KelseyReidl.comKelsey's Instagram: @KelseyReidlTony Robbins coaching program (year-long accountability program)The Young and the Restless — Melanie's go-to wind-down showAbout the GuestMelanie Killens is a habits and accountability coach who works primarily with women 45-plus who are ready to show up consistently for themselves — without shame or all-or-nothing thinking. After her own transformational journey through rock bottom, a $10K coaching investment, and years of personal development, Melanie now helps clients build small, sustainable habits that compound into real confidence and lasting change.