Claim OwnershipCrush the Rush™: The Life-First CEO Podcast
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© 2025 Holly Marie Haynes, LLC
Description
You didn’t leave corporate just to build another 24/7 job.
Hosted by Holly Haynes—business strategist, former Fortune 500 executive, and creator of Crush the Rush™—this top-rated podcast helps female entrepreneurs and small business owners design life-first business strategies that create freedom, profit, and sustainability without the burnout.
Each week, Holly shares practical business planning tools, behind-the-scenes lessons, and honest conversations about what it really takes to scale sustainably in a fast-changing online world. From simplifying your systems and using AI intentionally to building a supportive team and protecting your time, every episode helps you work less, think bigger, and grow smarter.
Because success isn’t about doing more—it’s about doing what matters, on your terms.
Tune in every Monday for your strategic pep talk, and start building a business that works with your life, not against it.
635 Episodes
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What if staying fully booked didn’t require posting every day, chasing trends, or hustling on Instagram? In this episode, I’m joined by Jessica Freeman, award-winning designer, SEO strategist, and founder of Jess Creatives. After 10+ years in business, Jess has built a multi-month waitlist—without launches, ads, or the algorithm dictating her success. We dive into how she intentionally designed a life-first business (including 10 years of work-free Fridays), what actually drives her co...
In this week's pep talk, I am sharing how we’re using custom AI bots inside our programs to simplify office hours, streamline prep work, and help clients get faster, deeper results without overwhelming their schedules. In today’s episode, I share: 02:30 – Why office hours often feel repetitive and how AI helps students show up more prepared04:00 – The real reason we rebuilt Antisocial School using micro-topic bots05:12 – How AI now handles the “prep work” so live calls can focus on str...
What if getting press didn’t require a huge budget—just the right strategy and the right story? In today’s episode, I’m joined by Nicole Pearl, award-winning PR coach, journalist, and TV personality. With 25 years in media, Nicole reveals what actually makes a pitch land, how founders can stand out without overwhelm, and the right way to use AI so you sound human, not automated. We get into the mindset behind great pitching, how small business owners can stand out even without huge budg...
In this week's pep talk, I am sharing how we’re using AI and real human support to help clients move faster without sacrificing connection. It’s the behind-the-scenes look at our hybrid model that’s restoring time—not replacing your role. In today’s episode, I share: 02:30 – Why AI speeds things up but never replaces being seen and supported by real humans03:41 – How I leaned into learning AI from scratch and built tools that reduce spinning and increase clarity04:47 – The process of c...
What if letting go isn’t just a business strategy, but the very thing that unlocks your next level of growth? In today’s episode, I’m joined by Nata Salvatori, leadership strategist, founder of Accidental CEO, and creator of the Delegation Playbook. Nata helps high-capacity entrepreneurs redesign how they lead so they can stop white-knuckling their businesses and finally build the support systems they deserve. We talk about why most people think they’re delegating when they’re actually...
In this week's pep talk, I am sharing what I’ve learned from rebuilding the mastermind model into something more sustainable, more supportive, and far more effective — and how you can use the same framework to create programs that actually move people forward. In today’s episode, I share: 02:30 – Why the mastermind model is broken (and what finally pushed me to evolve it)02:47 – The difference between learning vs. doing — and why proximity alone doesn’t create results03:05 – How the Co...
What if you could build a seven-figure business that supports your faith, family, and freedom—without relying on social media? Today's guest is Stefani Gass, Christian business coach, best-selling author, and host of the Online Business for Christian Women podcast. Stefani has built a thriving, seven-figure business through podcasting as her primary growth strategy—and she’s sharing exactly how she did it. We unpack what it means to create a life-first business, how to build structure and s...
In this week’s pep talk, I am sharing what nine retreats and five years of running the Collective Co-Op have taught me about building a business that’s strategic and joyful. From soulful strategy to simplicity and community, these lessons prove that growth doesn’t have to come at the cost of your schedule—or your sanity. In today’s episode, I share: 02:50 – Why growth doesn’t have to come at the cost of your schedule (and how I learned this the hard way)05:00 – How pairing strategy wit...
What does it take to create lasting change—personally and professionally—without burning out? In this episode, I’m joined by Molly Claire, master coach, bestselling author, and seven-figure business builder who helps women coaches create results that actually support their lives. Her philosophy? Coach more, market less. We talk about what it means to build a life-first business, the four fundamentals of lasting change, and how to find balance between ambition, alignment, and emotional ...
In this week's pep talk, I am sharing the real strategies behind how we doubled our yearly podcast downloads in just 30 days—without going viral or spending a cent on ads. It’s all about sustainable systems, smarter repurposing, and a few key SEO tweaks that changed everything. In today’s episode, I share: 02:51 – Why this growth came from systems, not trends, and the power of sustainable visibility05:00 – How refocusing on one platform (the podcast) created more consistency and connec...
What does it look like to make your podcast the cornerstone of your business instead of an afterthought? Today, I’m sitting down with Kylee Chandler—podcast strategist, growth expert, and creator of the Podcast Growth Toolkit. Kylee has spent nearly a decade helping shows like Online Marketing Made Easy with Amy Porterfield and Don’t Keep Your Day Job with Kathy Heller grow to millions of downloads. She knows what it takes to build a show that doesn’t just get listens—it builds a business. &n...
In this week’s pep talk, I am sharing the real secret to hitting your 2026 goals—and it’s not another funnel or a new content plan. It’s about surrounding yourself with the right people, finding true accountability, and finally building with the support you deserve. In today’s episode, I share: 02:49 – Why the biggest difference in your results isn’t strategy—it’s who’s walking beside you 04:35 – How community, not more information, builds real momentum and follow-through 06:21 – The i...
What does it look like to stay grounded as both a parent and a business owner? Today, I sit down with Bridget KerMorris—mom of seven, therapist, parenting coach, and creator of the Steady + Connected Parenting Method. Bridget helps parents navigate the middle school years with calm and connection, and she shares how those same tools can transform how you run your business. We talk about emotional regulation, navigating anxiety, setting tech boundaries, and how finding her niche le...
In this week’s pep talk, I am sharing one of the most honest conversations I’ve ever had—how our revenue went down this year, but our profit went up (on purpose). This episode is about scaling smarter, protecting your peace, and redefining success on your own terms. In today’s episode, I share: 02:20 – Why lowering revenue can actually increase long-term profit (and why ours was intentional)05:29 – How simplifying launches and systems created more time, space, and sanity08:25 – The beh...
Want to make your content actually work for you? In this episode, I sit down with Katelyn Rhoades—social media strategist, keynote speaker, and host of the Call Her Creator podcast. With over 200K Instagram followers and 15 years of marketing experience, Katelyn knows how to blend storytelling, trends, and strategy to turn followers into clients. We talk about what’s working on Instagram right now, how to build real connection through content, and how to show up consistently without losing yo...
In this week's pep talk, I am sharing about the Fast Track Framework—a 30-day reset designed to give you clarity, a 90-day roadmap, and AI-powered systems that actually do the heavy lifting. In today's episode, I share: Why traditional courses have a 10–15% completion rate (and what actually works instead)How to run a full client + income gap audit before you make your next moveThe exact 90-day planning process Holly uses in her own business and with clientsHow AI bots can turn your id...
Thinking about running ads to scale your business? Before you hit “go,” you’ll want to hear this one. In today’s episode, I sit down with Melissa Litchfield, founder of Litchfield Media and seasoned digital ads strategist, to talk about what’s really working with ads right now—and what’s not. From the importance of building a strong organic foundation before investing in paid traffic to knowing when your offer is truly ready for ads, Melissa shares practical insights that will help you spend ...
In this week's pep talk, I am sharing what’s really working right now—and why more information isn’t the answer your clients are looking for. Instead of DIY overwhelm, buyers in 2025 are craving speed, clarity, and human support. In today's episode, I share: The truth about course completion rates (and what they mean for your offers)Why the “fast track” model—expertise + systems + accountability—is converting higher than everReal examples of how service providers, podcasters, and coach...
Ever looked at your website or copy and thought, this kind of sounds like me… but not quite? In this episode, I sit down with Laura Kendrick, copy co-conspirator and conversation strategist at Cheeky Copy, to talk all things clarity, copy, and websites that actually convert. Laura shares why clarity is the foundation of messaging that sells, how to think differently about your website so it works harder than you do, and why you can’t just copy and paste someone else’s process and expect resul...
In this week's pep talk, I am sharing why quarterly brand photoshoots are one of the most strategic tools I use to scale my business—without the burnout. In today's episode, I share: Why each season is a vibe (and how to capture it in your photos)How branded photoshoots force you to update essentials like your Instagram grid, press page, and websiteThe personal story of how we used our family suitcases (covered in travel stickers) to highlight our life-first business model—and why thos...
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thank you it's really helpful😍🤍