Entrepreneur to Author

In this episode of Entrepreneur to Author, host Scott MacMillan speaks with Reverend Dr. Frank C. Spencer, president of the Board of Pensions of the Presbyterian Church and author of The Secrets of Success: How to Build a Great Career and Live a Happy Life.

Frank shares how his career—from real estate and nonprofit leadership to ordained ministry—inspired the stories and insights in his book. Drawing on years of sermon writing and mentoring, he found the process of translating life lessons into book form both natural and fulfilling, completing the manuscript in just a few months.

Frank also explains how he built the book around key themes like commitment, compassion, and curiosity, along with his "Three P’s" framework: product, profit, and process. Writing honestly about professional failures and personal milestones made the work deeply meaningful. Now he’s using the book to spark reflection and growth within his organization, and among youth as well as emerging leaders.

SHOW LINKS  

Get the book on Amazon  
Website: fspencer.com

GUEST BIO  

Theology and finance have combined in Dr. Spencer to create a unique perspective on faith, leadership, entrepreneurship and organization. After earning a BA at UNC-CH where he was a Morehead Scholar and an MBA at Harvard Business School where he was named a Baker Scholar, Frank had a distinguished career in real estate which included taking his company public on the New York Stock Exchange. He was named Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year in the Southeastern Region in 2009. In 2011, Frank entered Union Presbyterian Seminary to pursue his Master of Divinity. He was ordained as a Minister of Word and Sacrament in February of 2015. He earned his Doctorate also at Union Presbyterian Seminary in Charlotte. 
Dr. Spencer has led four non-profit organizations and four profit seeking enterprises. In addition to CEO of Cogdell Spencer Inc., his roles include President of Habitat for Humanity of Charlotte, President of the Board of Pensions of the Presbyterian Church (USA) and Managing Principal of Parhelion Investments.

CONNECT WITH FRANK

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/dr-frank-spencer-3b30a826/

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In this episode of The Entrepreneur to Author Podcast, host Scott MacMillan talks with Dr. Laura Jana—pediatrician, social entrepreneur, and author—about her new book, QI Skills for the Early Childhood Classroom. Dr. Jana shares her path from pediatrics to education and health tech, and how her passion for communication led to a prolific writing career. She introduces QI Skills—key human abilities for thriving in an AI-driven world—and discusses their practical use in early education.

Beyond the classroom, Dr. Jana shows how QI Skills apply to business, leadership, and innovation. She shares insights on writing and publishing, urging authors to act fast, collaborate smartly, and lean into their strengths. With support from Grammar Factory, she turned her ideas into a polished book and encourages others to do the same. She also views books as tools for spreading impactful ideas. More resources and links are available on her website and the QI Skills platform.

SHOW LINKS: QISkills.com

GUEST BIO Laura A. Jana, MD is a pediatrician, early educator, and award-winning author of 30+ books with 25+ years’ experience working with parents, educators, media, academia, government, non-profits and corporations alike. With a focus on the foundational importance of early childhood and the development of critical human skills needed to succeed in an increasingly AI-powered world, she has introduced her innovative QI Skill framework in TED talks, in over 150 keynotes, and to audiences as far-reaching as Delhi Public Schools and the World Forum on Early Childhood to the US Chamber of Commerce, the World Bank and the British Parliament. Dr. Jana is the proud mother of 3 and lives in Omaha, NE.

CONNECT WITH LAURA
Email: drlaura@drlaurajana.com
Website: drlaurajana.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/drlaurajana  

CONNECT WITH SCOTT
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grammarfactory.com

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In this episode of The Entrepreneur to Author Podcast, your host Scott MacMillan is joined by Jonas Van Riel, author of Leading with Capabilities. Jonas shares how his passion for capability-based management (CBM) led him from a career in IT and enterprise architecture to writing a book that translates complex strategic concepts into accessible, practical guidance.

Jonas reflects on the writing and publishing process, including how he structured his ideas, collaborated with editors, and navigated the challenges of turning academic research into a clear, engaging narrative. He also discusses the creative decisions behind incorporating visuals like capability maps to enhance reader understanding.

SHOW LINKS

Ready to take Capability-Based Management further?
Visit capmap.org to explore training opportunities, connect with the community, and access free resources. You’ll find high-resolution versions of the book’s examples, templates to build your own CapMap, and additional materials to help you apply CBM in your organization.

GUEST BIO

Jonas Van Riel is a consultant, lecturer, and researcher with over 15 years of experience in guiding digital and enterprise transformation programs across various industries in Europe. He specializes in Capability-Based Management (or CBM), helping organizations bridge the gap between strategic vision and operational execution through a clear, actionable framework. Jonas holds a position at Ghent University, where his research focuses on how capabilities can drive better decision-making and implementation of operating models.

He served as Program Director for the Master of Science in Enterprise Architecture for six years and has been a senior lecturer for over a decade, sharing his insights with both students and professionals. Most recently, Jonas founded CapMap, an initiative aimed at making Capability-Based Management accessible and practical for organizations worldwide. His mission? To empower leaders, architects, and strategists with a shared language and practical tools to align their strategy and execution—one capability at a time.

CONNECT WITH JONAS

Book Website: amazon.ca/Leading-Capabilities-Capability-Based-Management-Implementation/dp/1998528227/
Websites: capmap.org and facete.org
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jonasvanriel/    

CONNECT WITH SCOTT
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grammarfactory.com
scott@grammarfactory.com

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In this episode of The Entrepreneur to Author Podcast, your host Scott MacMillan speaks with Russell Cullingworth, the founder and CEO of ProDio Audio Learning, Inc.—the world’s first formal mobile audio learning company. Russ shares his journey from a finance career into emotional intelligence training, and how his frustration with traditional e-learning led him to pioneer StoryStyle™ audio learning—an immersive, story-driven approach that boosts engagement and knowledge retention.
Together, they explore Russ’s latest innovation: Book to Reality, a unique audio companion experience designed to bring nonfiction books to life through dramatized, real-world scenarios. If you’re an author, expert, or thought leader looking to deepen your impact and extend the life of your book, this conversation is packed with insight.

SHOW LINKS
prodio-learning.com/booktoreality  

GUEST BIO

Russell Cullingworth is the CEO and founder of ProDio Audio Learning Inc., the world's first formal mobile audio learning company. Since launching ProDio in 2017, he has pioneered StoryStyle™ Audio Learning, transforming expert-led professional development into immersive, story-driven audio courses that engage the imagination, enhancing learning engagement and effectiveness. 

Russell is a thought leader in StoryStyle™ audio learning for professionals, leveraging neuroscientific principles to enhance imagination, engagement and knowledge retention through storytelling and scenarios. His vision for ProDio continues to drive its success as the go-to platform for fully accredited, instructor-led professional audio learning.  

CONNECT WITH RUSS

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/russcullingworth/
Facebook: facebook.com/prodiolearning
YouTube: youtube.com/@prodioaudio    

CONNECT WITH SCOTT

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grammarfactory.com

LinkedIn (@scottmacmillan): linkedin.com/in/scottmacmillan
Instagram (@scottamacmillan) instagram.com/scottamacmillan
Medium (@scottamacmillan): scottamacmillan.medium.com

In this episode of The Entrepreneur to Author Podcast, your host Scott MacMillan talks with Anthony Moss, director of Lead Your Industry and author of The CEO Game Changer. Anthony shares his journey from New York to Australia and discusses the challenges and rewards of writing a book which aims to simplify advisory boards and provide a practical roadmap for CEOs.  

Anthony's insights offer valuable lessons for entrepreneurs and authors, highlighting the power of structured advice and the fulfillment of completing a book.

SHOW LINKS  

Website: www.leadyourindustry.com
Get the Book: leadyourindustry.com/the-ceo-game-changer-book

GUEST BIO

Working with CEOs and boards, Anthony helps companies discover the Right Strategy and the Right Governance structure. Strategy that sits at the centre of an organisation’s Purpose, their Potential and their Appetite for growth and risk. The right governance framework provides accountability for execution and a model for decision-making focused on ensuring a sustainable future.

In a corporate and consulting career spanning more than 30 years, Anthony has worked with more than 180 medium to large private companies.
Before establishing his management consulting business, he worked in the UK, Europe, the United States, and Australia in services, manufacturing, and distribution industries, holding CEO and director positions.

As a passionate advocate of their value to private company CEOs, Anthony chairs several Advisory Boards. Anthony is also the non-executive Chair of Makinex Pty Ltd, a global supplier of innovative tools and power equipment to the construction industry.

CONNECT WITH ANTHONY

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/anthonymoss    

CONNECT WITH SCOTT

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In this episode of The Entrepreneur to Author Podcast, Scott MacMillan sits down with Myriem Slater—career coach, purposeful entrepreneur, and founder of Purposeek Coaching. Myriem shares her transformative career journey, transitioning from a successful finance director to an inspiring coach and author.
She discusses her structured approach to career transitions, drawing insights from her book, Career Changes Chaos, Unless You Find Your Purple Purpose. Myriem explains how her early passion for writing made the book-writing process more fulfilling and how her problem-solving skills from finance shaped her structured writing style.
Additionally, she shares her experiences working with editors, how her analytical mindset helped her organize ideas, and why the publishing journey was both enlightening and rewarding.  

SHOW LINKS
Amazon book link: www.amazon.com.au/Career-Change-Chaos-Unless-Purpose/dp/199875698X
Barnes and Noble book link: barnesandnoble.com/w/career-change-is-chaos-myriem-slater/1146642612?ean=9781998756988
Book page on my website: purposeekcoaching.com.au/the-book/  

GUEST BIO Myriem Slater is a Purposeful Entrepreneur, Career Coach, and Founder of Purposeek Coaching. She previously worked as a Finance Consultant with leading global firms such as Accenture, EY, and Deloitte, and later served as Finance Director at the NSW Department of Justice.

Now, as the Co-founder and General Manager of three businesses in the construction industry and the author of Career Change is Chaos... Unless You Find Your Purple Purpose, Myriem shares her journey of transitioning from corporate roles to purposeful entrepreneurship. She is passionate about helping people align their careers with their values, achieve personal fulfilment, and live with purpose.  

CONNECT WITH MYRIEM 

Book Website: purposeekcoaching.com.au/the-book
Website: purposeekcoaching.com.au
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/myriem-slater-coaching/
Instagram: instagram.com/purposeekcoaching
Facebook: Facebook.com/myriem.slater

CONNECT WITH SCOTT
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scott@grammarfactory.com

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In this episode of The Entrepreneur to Author Podcast, your host Scott MacMillan is joined by Andrea Kates, author of From Stuck to Scale and former Silicon Valley Tech CEO. Andrea is passionate about ensuring great ideas don’t die on the vine. She shares her expertise in helping corporate leaders, entrepreneurs, and scale-ups harness the tools needed to successfully transform innovative ideas into scalable, breakthrough businesses.

GUEST BIO  

Andrea Kates focuses on taking business from stuck to scale, by addressing critical questions: Why don’t the best ideas become the best businesses? Why do important initiatives die on the vine? She works with entrepreneurs and leaders of large organizations to break through barriers and drive growth.

Andrea is a former Silicon Valley tech CEO, MIT Entrepreneur-in-Residence, Sloan School of Management, and Senior Fellow at The Conference Board. She’s advised companies across 5 continents like Ford, Fujitsu, Intel, KK Wind, Mayo Clinic, and Tata.

Her new book, From Stuck to Scale, integrates insights from working with 13,000 teams and diagnoses exactly what it takes to help corporate teams and ecosystem leaders succeed in bringing new initiatives all the way across the finish line.

A highly sought-after speaker, Andrea has keynoted on the TED main stage, CXO Forum in Tokyo, Edison Awards, Qintess (Brazil), Dubai 2020, Connect Bogota, and RUFORUM Africa. Above all else, Andrea loves to help leaders achieve higher levels of impact.

SHOW LINKS  

andreakates.com/category/all-products
andreakates.com/diagnostic
andreakates.com/about

CONNECT WITH ANDREA  

Email: andrea@andreakates.com 
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/andreakates/
Instagram: instagram.com/andrea.kates
Vimeo: vimeo.com/user157124071

CONNECT WITH SCOTT
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grammarfactory.com

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Medium (@scottamacmillan): scottamacmillan.medium.com

Writing a book is just the beginning—real impact and income come from what you do beyond the book. In this episode of The Entrepreneur to Author Podcast, your host Scott MacMillan breaks down why some authors thrive while others struggle to gain traction. Discover how successful thought leaders turn their books into powerful business assets and leverage them for high-ticket opportunities, premium speaking engagements, and scalable revenue streams.

Scott walks through five proven business models that can transform your book into a thriving business. Whether you're an aspiring author or have already published, this episode provides a roadmap to maximize your book’s potential and establish lasting influence.  

CONNECT WITH SCOTT

entrepreneurtoauthor.com
grammarfactory.com

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Instagram (@scottamacmillan) instagram.com/scottamacmillan
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In this episode of The Entrepreneur to Author Podcast, your host Scott MacMillan speaks with Keenan Wardrope. Keenan is the Audiobook Director and Head of Production at SquareSound Studios Australia. SquareSound specializes in producing high quality audiobooks and podcasts.

Keenan takes us behind the scenes of audiobook production, explaining his role and offering expert advice on adapting written works into audio, choosing between self-narration or hiring a narrator, and much more.  

SHOW LINKS:   squaresound.com.au    

GUEST BIO Keenan is an award-winning Audio Engineer and Director with over a decade working in the Audiobook Industry. Passionate about audio, storytelling, and people he enjoys helping storytellers bring their words to life and keeps the audiobook productions on schedule.  

CONNECT WITH SoundSquare Studios  
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/squaresound
Instagram: instagram.com/squaresoundstudio  

CONNECT WITH SCOTT
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scott@grammarfactory.com

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