After a much-needed break, we’re back—and we’re getting real about why we pressed pause and how to come back stronger. Narelle shares her parotid cancer journey, radiation, and a scary post-treatment blood clot, plus what recovery taught her about letting go of control and living in the present. Susan talks about burnout, dog-sledding in Svalbard, an Iceland blizzard rescue, and why stepping away actually made her writing better. Together, Narelle Todd and S.E. Smith unpack practical self-care for authors: deciding where to spend your limited energy, embracing seasons in business, and using mindset tools to navigate tough times. We also discuss Narelle’s book, It’s All Good (Except When It’s Not): Practical Mindset Tools for Navigating Life’s Challenges, and how authors can apply it day to day. If you’ve felt guilty about slowing down—or you’re rebuilding after a curveball—this episode will encourage and equip you.

👉 Ready to scale your author business? Work with Narelle: https://www.getmybookoutthere.com/learn/.

👉 Looking for an awesome read: https://www.sesmithfl.com