Authority Builder Podcast | Client-Winning Strategies for Coaches, Consultants, and Creatives Who Want to Lead With Authority.

In this episode of the Authority Builder Podcast, marketing and scaling expert Kirsten Roldan shares how she built a seven-figure business with an email-first strategy, without relying on social media. We unpack why email creates more peace, consistency, and profit, especially for service providers and agency owners.

Key topics covered

• How Kirsten went from healthcare burnout to building an email-led business  
• Why em...

Sandra Booker, founder of Sidekick COO and Creative Scale Society, shares how she went from 60-hour weeks as the “single point of failure” to building an AI-powered advisory board that helps her make decisions faster and execute with less friction. Sandra explains how she uses Claude (including “curated rooms” and role-based AI board members) to challenge her thinking, protect pricing, shape offers, and turn...

Tess Masters, author of three Penguin Random House cookbooks and creator of the Skinny60 60-Day Reset, shares how she built authority through collaborations, brand partnerships, and community-led transformation. 

We unpack what the 60-Day Reset is (a gut health and metabolic reset guided for 60 days across two hormonal cycles), why it is highly personalised for real life, and what drives its 75%+ retention rate. 

Tess e...

Park Howell joins Charlotte to share how he built authority and enterprise-level demand through storytelling, podcasting, and a proprietary framework. Park explains his early transition from running an ad agency to growing Business of Story, including how the US Air Force became a client after discovering his podcast. 

He breaks down why a clear methodology (his Story Cycle System and the and/but/therefore framework) is essenti...

Authentic Growth and Attracting Clients Who Fit with Heather Hubbard

Heather Hubbard, former big law partner turned entrepreneur, joins the Kaffeen Authority Builder podcast to unpack what it really takes to build a sustainable business without burning out. We talk about giving yourself permission to disappoint others, redefining hustle and flow, and why “percolation time” is often the missing ingredient in high ...

The ROI of Being Seen: How to Brand Yourself Without Feeling Cringey, with Jasmine Haitalani

In this episode, Charlotte Ellis welcomes Jasmine Haitalani, founder and CEO of Highflier Powerhouse, to discuss the emotional and strategic journey of personal and business branding. Jasmine shares her story of pivoting from medicine to creative direction, building a seven-figure agency without formal design training, and embracing visibili...

Healing Isn’t Neutral: Brenda Lomeli on Speaking Up and Standing Out in Wellness

Master life coach Brenda Lomeli, creator of the globally recognised Last 10 method, shares why “silence” in the wellness and personal development industry is not neutral, especially during times of injustice. Brenda explains how speaking from lived experience, as a first-generation Mexican American, reshaped her brand, deepened...

Build Authority Through Storytelling With Mariela De La Mora

Mariela De La Mora joins the Authority Builder Podcast to share how women of colour and daughters of immigrants can turn identity, lived experience, and voice into thought leadership that converts. 

We unpack what “leadership before business” looks like in practice, why premium positioning starts with seeing a specific client deeply, and how storyte...

Building Sustainable Business Growth with Kamila von Retteg

In this episode, we welcome Kamila von Retteg, a seasoned business coach and marketing strategist for online coaches, course creators, and service providers. With over 11 years of experience, Kamila shares her insights on building sustainable revenue through scalable group programmes, automated sales systems, and paid ads—without the burnout of constant conten...

From Fractional CMO to Strategic Advisor – Building Deep, Long-Term Client Partnerships in the Attention Economy With Alison Johnston

In this episode, Charlotte Ellis Maldari welcomes Alison Johnston, founder of Electric Alley, to discuss her journey from in-house marketer to trusted fractional CMO and strategic advisor for startups and service-led businesses. Alison shares how her organic career path led her to specia...

In this episode, Tony Rulli flips the script and interviews Charlotte about the real value of building authority as a business owner. 

They dive into why starting a podcast can be a game-changer for consultants, coaches, and agency owners—especially those looking to grow without burning out. 

Charlotte shares practical tips on leveraging existing relationships, batching content, and using podcasts to stay front of min...

In this special episode of the Authority Builder Podcast, Tony Ruilli of Intentional Spark flips the script and interviews Charlotte, founder of Kaffeen, about her Authority Builder programme and the art of building authority as a consultant, coach, or agency owner. 

The conversation dives into the challenges of moving beyond referrals, overcoming imposter syndrome, and the emotional hurdles of stepping into an authority role.&...

Charlotte is joined by Patti Dayleg, MPH Leadership Coach and CEO of Malaya Solutions, to explore what care led leadership looks like when DEI is politicised, funding is uncertain, and mission driven teams are stretched thin. 

Patti shares how leaders can stay grounded, connected, and effective while navigating fear, secondary trauma, and constant change across the nonprofit and social impact landscape.

They discuss why ...

Megan Dowd, certified equity-centred coach and former classical actress, shares how she went from Pilates instructor to copywriter and brand language strategist, and what it really took to build authority. 

We talk about simplifying to one core offer, why “enthusiastic overthinkers” are her favourite clients, and how language that feels good in your brain and body leads to clearer marketing and better-fit leads.
...

Guesting, Growth, and the New Rules of Authority, with Tom Schwab

In this episode, Charlotte welcomes Tom Schwab, founder of Interview Valet and pioneer of podcast interview marketing. Tom shares his journey from engineering and e-commerce to becoming a leading voice in authority building for consultants, coaches, and advisors. The conversation explores why authority—not attention—is the real differentiator for s...

In this episode of the Authority Builder podcast, Charlotte is joined by her coach, Steph Crowder, a sales and strategy coach (and former Director of Sales Training at Groupon) who helps entrepreneurs sell with courage, clarity, and confidence. 

Steph shares why business growth is rarely about doing more, and almost always about doing the right money-making activities consistently, even when it feels repetitive.

They unp...

From Start-Up to Scale-Up: Mark Scrivener’s Guide to Sustainable Growth

In this episode of the Authority Builder Podcast, Charlotte Ellis Maldari welcomes Mark Scrivener—board advisor, fractional COO/CXO, and strategic leader with over 15 years’ experience in scaling tech-driven businesses. Mark shares his journey from small digital agencies to leading large-scale teams, offering practical insights on adapt...

In this episode, we welcome physical therapist and strength coach Ramez Antoun, founder of Spine PT University. Ramez shares his journey from private concierge PT to building a thriving B2B education business, teaching sports physical therapists how to solve sciatica and progress patients back to the gym. He discusses the challenges of shifting from insurance-based to private pay models, the importance of refining messaging, and ho...

In this episode, Charlotte interviews Holly Rustick, world-renowned grant writer, bestselling author, and business coach. Holly shares her journey from international nonprofit work to building a thriving, location-independent grant writing business from Guam. She reveals how her students have secured over $250 million in grants and $7.4 million in business revenue, all while championing a mission to reach $1 billion in funding by 2...