More Than Just: Conversations with Misfits, Entrepreneurs and Change-makers Mel McSherry

In this fun and upbeat episode, I’m talking with Founder & CEO of Conquer Your Business, Erin Marcus (she/her). 
Together, we talk about the importance of taking responsibility for your life and working with our brains – not against them – to get the best outcomes for ourselves and our businesses.
We also explore:
Figuring out what you suck at and not doing itGiving yourself a break, but not letting yourself off the hookThe helpfulness of embracing exclusively low-brow mediaFinding out what you’re good at and exploiting it in service to othersHow it’s all possible

Links:
Visit the Conquer Your Business WebsiteListen to the Ready Yet?! PodcastFollow Erin on InstagramFollow Erin on LinkedInFollow Mel on Instagram @mel_mcsherryFollow the podcast on Instagram @morethanjustpodcast
🙌 This podcast is supported by listeners like you! If you enjoyed this episode, we'd appreciate it if you could make a donation of any amount at this link. You rock!

In this episode I’m joined by Rob Deptford (he/him). Together, we discuss the podcast industry, storytelling, and how audio can help build a strong brand identity.
We also discuss:
The state of podcasting and where it is post-pandemic boomHow McDonald’s used a podcast in its brand strategy (and brought back the infamous Szechuan sauce)Podcasting as an evergreen product that continues to add value over timeThe power of the personal element in brandingWhy the numbers aren’t the best measure of your podcast’s successBeing willing to go off-brand and share yourself more holistically with your audience

Links:
Visit the Bizcastly WebsiteVisit Rob’s WebsiteListen to Rob’s Podcast Dirt Road JourneysBuy Rob’s Books on AmazonFollow Mel on Instagram @mel_mcsherryFollow the podcast on Instagram @morethanjustpodcast
🙌 This podcast is supported by listeners like you! If you enjoyed this episode, we'd appreciate it if you could make a donation of any amount at this link. You rock!

In today’s episode, I’m joined by Jennifer Ramirez, founder of the women’s group & Rise. 

Together, we discuss her decision to rebuild her life as a single mother and abuse survivor and how she’s using her experience to empower other women on their journeys.

We also get into:
Choosing yourself firstTurning down distractionsSitting with the discomfort of the changes you need to makeThe power of women sharing their stories with each otherHow Jennifer educates her daughter on speaking up to stay safe
Links:
Visit the Women Rise Chicago WebsiteContact Jennifer Directly: jennifer@womenrisechicago.orgFollow & Rise on InstagramFollow & Rise on TikTokFollow & Rise on FacebookFollow Mel on Instagram @mel_mcsherryFollow the podcast on Instagram @morethanjustpodcast
🙌 This podcast is supported by listeners like you! If you enjoyed this episode, we'd appreciate it if you could make a donation of any amount at this link. You rock!

In this episode, I’m joined by phenomenal human, “Spider” Meka Hemmons. Together, we discuss how magic can occur when we accept our whole selves in front of the camera and how we can better embrace the whole story of our lives.
We also discuss:
Embracing the full circle of life, including the down timesThe scary concept of complacencyHow photography chose MekaTaking ownership of our lives and our choicesThe importance of doing the pre-work before opening the door to the rest of your life
Links:
Visit Meka’s WebsiteFollow Meka on InstagramFollow Mel on Instagram @mel_mcsherryFollow the podcast on Instagram @morethanjustpodcast

👏 This episode is sponsored by The Inner Circle Business Network, an exclusive community of business professionals looking to connect, make quality introductions, and grow business. Learn more about this truly remarkable professional network by checking out their events or taking their membership quiz today.
🙌 This podcast is supported by listeners like you! If you enjoyed this episode, we'd appreciate it if you could make a donation of any amount at this link. You rock!

In this episode, I’m talking with Mallika M Thoppay, a volunteer educator for children living in rural India and the author of two children’s books — Unfair and Lovely and the upcoming Tangled Roots. 
Together, we discuss her experiences as an educator and the impact she hopes her book will have. We also explore:
Finding the right volunteer opportunities for you and your lifestyleWhat inspires Mallika’s commitment to her volunteer workHow technology is helping connect children in rural India to educational opportunitiesColorism and its impact on children’s sense of self worthWhat Mallika hopes her book helps accomplish
Links:
Get Free Kindle version of Mallika’s Book Unfair and LovelyVisit Mallika’s WebsiteFollow Malllika on InstagramFollow Mallika on TwitterFollow Mallika on LinkedInFollow Mel on Instagram @mel_mcsherryFollow the podcast on Instagram @morethanjustpodcast
🙌 This podcast is supported by listeners like you! If you enjoyed this episode, we'd appreciate it if you could make a donation of any amount at this link. You rock!

Today I’m joined by writer, teacher, podcaster and small business owner Amelia Hruby. I first met Amelia at her book launch party in 2018, and I’m so excited to have her on the podcast now, five years later.
Together, we have an honest and vulnerable conversation about the realities of being self-employed, giving and receiving feedback, and running a business without social media.

We also explore:
How to be flexible with your time in busy seasonsThe boundaries we create around workLearning to sit with feedback and respond with integrityThe myths social media platforms tell small business ownersEmbracing experimentation in life and business
Links:
Learn more about Amelia at ameliahruby.comLearn more about Softer Sound at softersounds.studioListen to Off the Grid podcastGet the free Leaving Social Media ToolkitFollow Mel on Instagram @mel_mcsherryFollow the podcast on Instagram @morethanjustpodcast

👏 This episode is sponsored by Amelia's business, Softer Sounds, a feminist podcast studio for entrepreneurs & creatives. If you want to launch a podcast, they’re the team you need to sound good and feel great! Head to softersounds.studio to learn more.
🙌 This podcast is supported by listeners like you! If you enjoyed this episode, we'd appreciate it if you could make a donation of any amount at this link. You rock!