Beestie Besties with J & Lo is a monthly menagerie of updates, author interviews, visits with our pals, inspiring tales of best friends taking big leaps, and more; a delightful blend of nonsense and nonfiction. Jess Neiding (J) is the CFO and chief editor and nonsense maker of Wildebeest Publishing Company, while Laura Thorne (Lo) is the CEO and nonfiction queen — together they make an unstoppable pair who giggle and cry their way through any of life and business’s challenges, as any besties should. Tune in for the latest in self and indie-publishing, fun chats and excerpts from books published in the Wildebeest Publishing HERD, educational snippets from our industry expert friends, and other random visits from everyone from our mothers to other Beestie Besties.
E12 - Trust the Process, Writing Through Grief, & the Great Secret Dog Caper
Laura and Jess sit down with multi-genre storyteller Ryan Bryson to talk about moving between books and screenwriting, finding the right creative collaborators, learning to accept feedback, and why writers need to trust their own process. Ryan shares what's behind his upcoming books Black Cyclone 2 and Late Night Show with Mr. Mims, plus the deeply personal inspiration for I'm Not Ready, a story born from losing his father and working through grief. He also shares his advice for creators who ...
8 Sept 2026
E11 - Embracing Change, Breaking Generational Cycles, & Becoming Your Own Life’s Cheerleader
Real change starts with the stories we are willing to face, the support we build around ourselves, and the choices we make next. This week, Jess and Laura welcome Chantala Davis for a conversation about resilience, community, and turning personal transformation into practical tools for other women and families. What’s in this episode: Friends Are Here segment with Chantala Davis, Founder and Executive Director of A Mother’s Arms, Inc. and author of Embrace Change:Redefining What’s...
4 Aug 2026
E10 - Reviews Demystified, Bob Marley Coffee Dates, & the Truth About Getting Your Book Noticed
Whether you're publishing your first book or your fifth, understanding the world of book reviews can help your book reach more readers. This week, Jess and Laura welcome their first industry guest, Joe Walters, for an inside look at what every author should know about book reviews. What's in this episode: • Friends Are Here segment with Joe Walters, founder of Independent Book Review and author of The Truth About Book Reviews, sharing: • What makes meaningful reviews and how authors ...
7 Jul 2026
E9 - Neurodiverse Representation, the Adirondacks, & Traditional vs. Self-Publishing for Kids' Books
Laura and Jess welcome author Kim Adams to talk about Bella and Nash: Our First Camping Trip, her chapter book inspired by her years working with nonverbal students and communication devices, plus her family's deep ties to the Adirondacks. Kim shares her publishing journey with Wilde Beast Publishing and what life as a published author really looks like. The duo also breaks down what to consider when choosing traditional vs. self-publishing for children's books, shares CNY Arts Center w...
2 Jun 2026
E8 - Family Secrets, Finding Your People, & What it Takes to Keep Promoting Your Book after Publication
What does it really take to keep promoting your book after publication? In Episode 8 of Beestie Besties with J & Lo, J and Lo welcome two author friends who are showing up, learning as they go, and doing the work of building real momentum around their books: Roxanne Bocyck, author of Catherine’s Dream, and Kaitlyn Marquart, author of IDK What to Say, Amber Luna, My Bright Light, and Mari’s Light, Burning Bright. Roxanne shares the family secret and Polish immigration history that inspir...
5 May 2026
E7 – Spring Growth, Smart Book Promotion, & Taking the Leap
Spring Growth & Smart Publishing: Taking the Leap Is your book idea still hibernating? It is time to shake off the winter chill and get moving. In this episode, Laura and Jess are talking all things growth, from scaling your business to taking massive leaps in your personal life. The Friends Are Here Segment We are joined by two incredible authors who prove there is no single right way to make it in this industry. Kelly Shrank and Barb Stone stop by to share their polar-opposite (but equa...
7 Apr 2026
E6 – Perseverance, Publishing, & Finding Your Voice
Laura and Jess sit down with Dr. Luissa Kiprono and Rand Timmerman to talk resilience, life after publishing, and what it really takes to share your story with the world. From podcasting success to powerful personal journeys, this episode is all about perseverance, visibility, and using your voice with confidence.
3 Mar 2026
E5 – Creativity, Confidence, & Building Your Brand
Laura and Jess chat with branding expert Aldea Gerard about authentic marketing, creative growth, and building a brand that actually reflects who you are. Plus: author updates, retreat news, and a Beastie Besties story about turning a small side hustle into a thriving business.
3 Feb 2026
E4 - Intentions, Inspiration, & Our Amazing Herd
In this heartfelt and high-energy episode, Laura and Jess reflect on gratitude, intentions, and what it really means to “settle in” without getting stuck. They share updates on upcoming events, including the Association of Writers & Writing Programs (AWP) Conference and their summer writing retreat, before welcoming authors Jess Novak and John Simone to the show. Together, they discuss publishing journeys, creative pivots, and the emotional stories behind their books, including Dare to Be...
1 Jan 2026
E3 – Finding Our Flow with the Right "Herd"
In Episode 3 of Beastie Besties with J & Lo, the conversation centers on how mindset, stubbornness, and community shape our creative lives. The hosts are joined by branding and marketing expert Gina Matusen, who shares insights on author branding and websites, and radio veteran Gomez Adams, who talks about his book Your Caller Number Seven, Please Try Again. The episode also covers author events, retreats, AI in publishing, creative process tips, and a reminder that success often comes fr...
15 Dec 2025
E2 - Meet Our First Guests
In Episode 2 of Beastie Besties with J & Lo, the hosts welcome their very first guests, authors Valerie Cole (The Old Witch’s Home) and Karen Grossman (Listen to Your Heart Song). Together, they talk about writing journeys, second books, publishing later in life, and the power of storytelling to build community and save lives. The episode also dives into publishing news, creative intentions, author events, and a few heartfelt synchronicities along the way.
1 Dec 2025
E1 - Meet the Beestie Besties J & Lo!
Welcome to Beastie Besties with Jay and Lo, the podcast where we share publishing updates, laughs, and all the "Gnu" news in our world. On this debut episode, we're going to just do a quick lap around the corral and give you all an idea what to expect for future fun.
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