202: Stories That Sell: Engaging Strategies for the Digital Age with Jenn Hanson-DePaula
The Found Podcast with Molly Knuth
Release Date: 05/14/2025
The Found Podcast with Molly Knuth
Mid-September is here. It offers a fresh start, but the final months of the year are looming. That means Q4 energy is buzzing, but so is the pressure. Which got me wondering...How can we as ambitious women stay motivated without burning out or setting ourselves up for disappointment? In this episode of The Found Podcast with Molly Knuth, we dive into the difference between healthy pressure and harmful pressure, how to set meaningful goals, identify non-negotiables, account for seasonal rhythms, and break your work into manageable sprints. I share actionable strategies to celebrate micro-wins,...
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This episode’s intention: Make a brave choice to do the work and follow the framework to begin the process of re-finding yourself. In 2018 my daughter, then five, went through a horrible medical event. It is impossible to summarize, but I attempt in this episode. My community was amazing and rallied around my family during that time. But the hardest part of returning home was running in to well-wishers who asked me how my daughter was doing. I would inevitably cry, which I hate doing, and I would be called so strong, which I hated hearing. To me, strong is...
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This episode’s intention: Be honest with yourself about something you’ve been actively avoiding. In April of 2022 I made a huge investment in “the next big thing” that I was hoping meant a huge boon of cash for my business. Rather than investing in a bookkeeper… which I think I knew I needed… I covered by insecurities by investing in an opportunity to make MORE money because that would magically solve everything. That didn’t work. This episode is your reminder to just do the thing. Avoiding my problem didn’t do me any good and probably made it worse....
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This episode’s intention: Become aware of the correlation between what you eat with your body cues, energy levels, and mental clarity. I’m so annoyed that I have to share this episode. But I (unfortunately) have found a huge correlation between what I eat and how I feel. When I fall out of my positive health routines like drinking a lot of water and exercising regularly, I am tense and irritable. By working with a nutrition coach over the past few years, I’ve learned which foods support and deplete me. I know I feel best when I am intentional and consistent with...
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This episode’s intention: How can I spend intentional time outdoors to ground myself? How can we forget the early days of the pandemic? I remember bursting into tears at the thought of leaving my house to pick up a drive-up pizza. So much was uncertain. I was desperate for activities to keep kids off screens and occupy their brains and bodies. “Nature walks” became a favorite pastime. Nature was kind enough to bless us with a warm spring and we were outside on our property whenever we could be. We loved naming the “sites” on our property, watching the seasons...
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This episode’s intention: Who am I surrounded by, and how can I be an influencer? You’ve heard that you are the average of the five people with whom you spend the most time. Think about the energy and conversations you surround yourself with. Do you feel supported? Does this align with your future? Awesome! If you feel off, consider how you can influence conversations and energy to be more positive. Take the time to assess your circle and see if it is providing the support you need. Maybe it’s time to adjust your average. **NOTE: this episode...
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This episode’s intention: How can I grow my (physical and mental) muscles today? When I reflect back on the times in my life when things seemed to be going really well- when I was really crushing it in other aspects of my life- I was weight training. I find that mind-body connection so fascinating. I know personally, and research supports, that strength training supports self-confidence, mood, and brainpower. Making time for fitness hasn’t always been simple. In yesterday’s episode I shared how I started to value strength training. Sometimes I’m even stronger...
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This episode’s intention: How can I build confidence in myself in just 10 minutes? Back in 2015 I was a 28-year-old stay-at-home mom of three kids in four years. I didn’t feel like I had the time or energy to spend on myself. That spring when a fitness studio opened up in my small town, a friend and I signed up for the daily 5:15 am fitness classes. I don’t know that I was particularly interested in fitness, but the invitation to get out of the house and spend time with friends was enough to get me hooked. I took “before” pictures and continued them for the nine...
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This episode’s intention: What do I need to make me wake up in the morning and actually BE in a good mood? I started what I now call my “unravelling” period in the summer of 2022. For too many times in the same week I found myself staring at the ceiling at 3 am with my mind racing with all of my to-dos. Giving up on sleep, I started my work day. How could this be my dream small business? Was this “balance” sustainable in the future? In this episode I share how I freed up space to dream, create, and just enjoy life again. Dang it if I’m not proud of my Candy...
info_outlineThe Found Podcast with Molly Knuth
This week on The Found Podcast, I’m joined by the incredible Lexi Marek Beeler—a marketer, community builder, and proud ag advocate who has turned her passion for storytelling and connection into a thriving business and a movement. Lexi’s story is one of roots and reinvention. From growing up on a family farm in rural Iowa, to shaping digital marketing strategies for startups, government, and corporate organizations, to now leading her own consulting business and co-creating the Hey Sister! community—Lexi is the epitome of an ambitious, grounded woman making her own path in every...
info_outlineWhat if marketing your book didn’t feel overwhelming, or like you were blindly throwing posts into the social media void? In this episode of The Found Podcast, I sit down with book marketing expert Jenn Hanson-DePaula to talk about sustainable, strategic ways to reach your ideal readers—without selling your soul or spending thousands on fleeting publicity.
And while a majority of our conversation is about marketing books (and what we're currently reading!), the skills and strategies Jenn shares are applicable to any listener who is marketing a product or service.
With over 24 years in the industry, Jenn has helped everyone from first-time self-published authors to New York Times bestsellers craft marketing strategies that actually work because they’re built around clarity, connection, and the author’s unique voice.
We talk about:
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The biggest mistakes authors make when launching a book
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Why you don’t need to be everywhere or do “what everyone else is doing”
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The difference between trend-chasing and relationship-building
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How to create a book marketing strategy that serves you for the long haul
Whether you're preparing for your first launch or trying to revive a backlist, Jenn’s wisdom will help you feel empowered, equipped, and excited to connect with the readers who truly need your words.
Links & Resources:
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Learn more about Jenn & her services here: https://jenndepaula.com/
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Take the free Author Platform Quiz or access other FREE resources here: https://jenndepaula.com/free-downloads
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Follow Jenn on Instagram: @jenndepaulabookmarketing
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Listen to her podcast: Book Marketing Simplified
Sponsor Shoutout:
Today’s episode is brought to you by Hey Sister! — a one-day event created for rural women craving in-person connection, authentic conversation, and fresh inspiration for life and work in small towns. Happening Thursday, May 22, 2025, in Washington, Iowa with incredible speakers, hands-on activities, and tangible takeaways for your personal and professional life.
🎟️ Grab your ticket at heysisterevent.com and come find your community of like-minded women this spring!