Ina Coveney
Hello, everybody. Welcome to the podcast. So this is a completely different kind of episode in that I recently found out that there is such a thing as a discussion episode, which I guess is like… If you keep tabs on reality shows, and they do podcasts where it’s just people talking about the episodes. And I’m like, “That’s a discussion episode. And it’s really fun!” Yeah, I want to be in on that. So now we are.

Ina Coveney
But we noticed it requires bare feet and super chill vibes. So if you are watching this on YouTube, this is how we’re rolling with it anyhow.

Ina Coveney
So, this is my friend Elyssa. I say her name wrong, but it’s like… accepted.

Elyssa Smith
It’s accepted because it’s accepted when a person is a native Spanish speaker. The correct way to say my name is Elyssa.

Ina Coveney
Elyssa. Yes.

Elyssa Smith
If you are a non-native Spanish speaker, you would normally say Elyssa.

Ina Coveney
If you’re a non-native speaker, then you would be saying it wrong.

Elyssa Smith
No, it’s not wrong.

Ina Coveney
Did anyone hear me say it’s wrong? It’s not wrong. It’s not incorrect.

Elyssa Smith
It just depends on what your native language is.

Ina Coveney
So, my point—in still trying to introduce this episode—is that this is my friend Elyssa Smith. And she is like an amazing trauma-informed life strategist. I have interviewed her on my podcast twice already, and I have had many, many conversations with her about everything. And I think everybody needs to know who she is.

Ina Coveney
First of all. Okay. And she has a TED talk that, at the time of the release of this episode, is fast approaching 50,000 views. And that is insane! I need everybody to understand what a big deal that is because everybody else who was in the same cohort of TED Talks that day…

Elyssa Smith
Has not cracked that number.

Ina Coveney
No shade.

Elyssa Smith
No shade.

Ina Coveney
No shade. We love all of them. But I’m just trying to convey to you how unique it is for a TEDx talk to just blow up organically. It keeps getting like a thousand views every couple of days, every three days. Boom, there’s another thousand.

Ina Coveney
So, I admire you very much.

Elyssa Smith
Thank you.

Ina Coveney
And I want that. So now you introduce me and say something awesome.

Elyssa Smith
Okay, so this is Ina. She pronounces names incorrectly and keeps really good tabs on your TED Talk. On that note, let’s start the episode.

Ina Coveney
Let’s get started. Thank you, Elyssa, very much for that valuable contribution.

Elyssa Smith
You’re welcome. I know you couldn’t do it without me.

Ina Coveney
Yes. I really couldn’t. I really couldn’t.

Elyssa Smith
It’s the bare feet that attract all that energy.

Ina Coveney
It’s the sparkly pink toenails. Yes.

Elyssa Smith
So thank you.

Ina Coveney
You’re welcome. Appreciate it.

Elyssa Smith
So really, you’re not going to say anything nice about me?

Ina Coveney
No, I can absolutely—

Elyssa Smith
You just cut me off!

Ina Coveney
Oh, okay. I’ll stop talking.

Elyssa Smith
So this is my dear friend and colleague and coach, Ina Coveney. She is an incredible business strategy coach. I first met her when she was doing something really nice for someone else. You will always find her doing something really nice for someone else.

Elyssa Smith
It’s either a client, someone she knows, or someone she admires. She’s always looking for ways to make someone else’s life better or their business better. And I… I very selfishly have benefited from that quite a bit in the last three years, and I’m so grateful.

Ina Coveney
Thank you!

Elyssa Smith
And she’s part of my millionaire business bestie squad. We have a little squad that we talk to on Voxer every day too.

Ina Coveney
Yep.

Elyssa Smith
And, yeah, we know a lot of things about each other. But what I really admire about you is, number one, the way your mind works because you have such a systems-oriented, make-your-life-easier, make-your-business-better…

Ina Coveney
That’s instant for me!

Elyssa Smith
Yes! Your problem-solving is incredible, and I so appreciate how genuine and down-to-earth you are. You’re so validating.

Elyssa Smith
I mean, I can even tell—okay, so if you’re listening to this, you should know—I have had multiple Google Drive meltdowns, funnel-related meltdowns, and actual tears, ugly crying on Zoom with this woman before we became friends, really.

Elyssa Smith
We were just… she was just my coach. And she was like, “It’s going to be okay.” And I was like, “I don’t think it is, though. I really don’t.” And she was like, “No, no, no.” And now I’m a master of Google Drive!

Ina Coveney
I don’t know if I would go that far.

Elyssa Smith
No, it’s a mosquito!

Ina Coveney
You guys, what is happening inside the studio?

Elyssa Smith
Did he go?

Ina Coveney
I think so.

Elyssa Smith
Did I get it?

Ina Coveney
You got it.

Elyssa Smith
If I got it, it’s in my hair now. Oh, no.

Ina Coveney
It’s in your hair!

Elyssa Smith
Thank you so much for saying all those kind words. I didn’t think anybody noticed anything that I did.

Ina Coveney
How is it that you think you’re continuing to find clients?

Elyssa Smith
We do notice.

Ina Coveney
That’s very, very nice of you to say. And I have to tell you, the reason I’m able to keep my composure and think that everything’s going to be okay with technology is because I’ve been around it forever. It’s like my language of understanding, which I admire.

Elyssa Smith
I am to technology as you are to trauma. You can spot trauma three miles away.

Ina Coveney
I try not to say anything unless they’re in a session with me.

Elyssa Smith
It’s a magical mind you have for identifying when people are going through something just by the way they’re talking. You have all of these dog whistles you can hear.

Ina Coveney
So, anyway, this is not meant to be like a… This is mostly going to be another hour of us obsessing over each other. That’s really just what this is going to be.

Elyssa Smith
I will say this out loud: I really hope for this kind of friendship for anybody who’s listening.

Ina Coveney
Yes.

Elyssa Smith
I hope everybody finds their Elyssa.

Ina Coveney
Oh, and their Ina.

Elyssa Smith
And their Ina.

Ina Coveney
And, anyway…

Elyssa Smith
And maybe they’ll pronounce their names right. I mean, that always goes a long way.

Ina Coveney
Minimum requirement, like minimum, is to say someone’s name right.

Elyssa Smith
So, what we wanted to talk about—because I do think it’s related to this—is we wanted to talk about the people, the coaches, the programs that we have joined that have actually inspired us and have made us better. And we’d like to just come here and talk to each other about them.

Ina Coveney
Yes! I have my little list, you have your little list. And we’ve kind of already started this whole love fest. I promise you it wasn’t manufactured. This is literally how we would have introduced each other even if we weren’t going to talk about it.

Elyssa Smith
I thought I was going to introduce, like, we could be talking about podcasting and we would have started this podcast this way because there’s just this genuine affection and appreciation for each other.

Ina Coveney
Exactly. And that’s how we feel about other people in this space that we feel like everybody should know. Elyssa and I talk on Voxer every day in a little squad, and we share information like this all the time.

Elyssa Smith
Yes!

Ina Coveney
So, I told Elyssa, let’s just have a powwow where we talk about something that people would want to be a fly on the wall for.

Elyssa Smith
Absolutely.

Ina Coveney
So, I want to talk about the people that have inspired us—people online, people that other people should follow.

Elyssa Smith
Yes!

Ina Coveney
And when I was preparing for this in my mind, I was like, “Oh, I’m going to start the episode by saying, ‘Okay, Elyssa, I’ll give you $10 if you tell me something bitchy about someone we know.’”

Elyssa Smith
That’s a line from Sex and the City, if nobody knows that.

Ina Coveney
It’s a line from Sex and the City! But then I thought, “No, no, that’s not the vibe.”

Elyssa Smith
That’s not the vibe.

Ina Coveney
Where we can talk about people who have not inspired us and how they have not done it. But we’re not going to say their names.

Elyssa Smith
Okay.

Ina Coveney
Because I think it’s important—

Elyssa Smith
Oh, I quit. I’m out.

Ina Coveney
No, I think it’s important that we don’t say names if we’re not going to say it to their face.

Elyssa Smith
Oh, 100%. I didn’t even know we were going to talk about things that people didn’t do well.

Ina Coveney
I think that could come up.

Elyssa Smith
It could.

Ina Coveney
It might.

Elyssa Smith
Okay.

Ina Coveney
So, everybody’s in. This is our pact. We’re not going to vent and say names.

Elyssa Smith
Say names.

Ina Coveney
I love it, right? But I think that in a conversation, it might come up like, “Oh, yeah, I was in this other… oh, get him!”

Elyssa Smith
The gnat!

Ina Coveney
There are these little fruit flies. It’s just one flying around us.

Elyssa Smith
It keeps going in your face.

Ina Coveney
I think he likes you.

Elyssa Smith
Like, between us.

Ina Coveney
Right.

Elyssa Smith
At least it’s not in my hair.

Ina Coveney
Well, there you go. Callback!

Elyssa Smith
Okay, so I didn’t want to start by saying you were person number one on my list.

Ina Coveney
Oh, come on!

Elyssa Smith
So, again, like, okay, we promised that this wasn’t going to be just a love fest.

Ina Coveney
You just violated it!

Elyssa Smith
I guess. I get that I’m probably on your list. And, like, of course, I’m number one on your list. But I do want to say this: For me, self-awareness in my business is huge. It’s the only way that I can do anything and move forward.

Ina Coveney
Yes!

Elyssa Smith
And you are like that magical little chip for me. Because whenever I feel like… like right now, that I’m launching a brand-new experience, a brand-new podcast, just doing something new…

Ina Coveney
Yes.

Elyssa Smith
I knew that I didn’t need more strategy and more marketing and more time management skills.

Ina Coveney
Right.

Elyssa Smith
I knew that if something was going to fail over the next three months, it was going to be me getting in my own way.

Ina Coveney
Oh, my gosh.

Elyssa Smith
It was going to be me saying, “Oh, well, that’s too hard,” or stopping myself, procrastinating, and putting excuses in front of it.

Ina Coveney
Right!

Elyssa Smith
So, I decided to sign up to work with you during that time.

Ina Coveney
Yes!

Elyssa Smith
Because I need somebody to keep an eye on this and to keep tapping into the things that I’m not aware of.

Ina Coveney
Oh, my gosh.

Elyssa Smith
So, you’re like number one on my list because I feel like everybody needs to know how important that is.

Ina Coveney
I love that.

Elyssa Smith
So, why don’t you tell me somebody that has really inspired you?

Ina Coveney
Okay. I will, but thank you so much for that. That was really sweet.

Elyssa Smith
Of course.

Ina Coveney
Alright, let me tell you about somebody on my list. Her name is Maria Wendt. W-E-N-D-T.

Elyssa Smith
Oh, I think I’ve heard of her!

Ina Coveney
You might have because she is absolutely fascinating. I’ve been so inspired by her because she is violating every rule I have ever heard and making more money than any of the people telling me to follow those rules.

Elyssa Smith
Oh, I love that already.

Ina Coveney
So Maria is a business coach and strategist, and she has programs similar to mine. Like, you know how I have Get Clients First? She has a program called Get Clients Now.

Elyssa Smith
Interesting.

Ina Coveney
Right? And she has this whole framework for people to buy courses from her, and her courses are on everything. But her core offer is this Get Clients Now program because she knows, like I do, that getting clients is really the foundation of your business.

Elyssa Smith
Exactly.

Ina Coveney
It’s not about just creating content online. You need to be getting clients. That’s why that’s her signature offer.

Elyssa Smith
Love that.

Ina Coveney
But here’s where it gets wild. The way she promotes her stuff on social media breaks all the rules we’ve been taught.

Elyssa Smith
Really? Like what?

Ina Coveney
Okay, number one, she sells on every post.

Elyssa Smith
What?

Ina Coveney
Yes, every single post. And she posts three times a day. And all three posts will sell three different things with three different calls to action in each post.

Elyssa Smith
That’s… bold.

Ina Coveney
And we are eating it up!

Elyssa Smith
How dare she?

Ina Coveney
I know, right? It’s completely the opposite of what we’ve been told. We’ve heard the “jab, jab, punch” strategy, right? Like, give value, give value, then sell.

Elyssa Smith
Exactly.

Ina Coveney
Maria is like, “Nope, I sell. And guess what? I make $400,000 a month.”

Elyssa Smith
A MONTH?

Ina Coveney
A month. Every 30 days.

Elyssa Smith
Oh my gosh.

Ina Coveney
She’s doing everything “wrong,” but it’s working for her. She doesn’t have an expensive tiered offer system either. She’s a volume-based seller.

Elyssa Smith
Wow.

Ina Coveney
She tells people, “Don’t even buy ads until you’ve made your first million. Don’t build a mailing list until you’ve made your first million.”

Elyssa Smith
That sounds so counterintuitive!

Ina Coveney
It does. But that’s the point—she’s rewriting the rules, and it’s working. It’s been fascinating to watch her.

Elyssa Smith
I need to follow her immediately.

Ina Coveney
You do! And here’s another thing she does. She recently offered 24 of her older courses for $24.

Elyssa Smith
What?!

Ina Coveney
Yeah! She’s been doing this long enough that she can bundle these courses, which are still valuable even if they’re a bit outdated. I bought the bundle because, hello, 24 pieces of knowledge for $24? Even if I learn one golden nugget, it’s worth it.

Elyssa Smith
That’s genius.

Ina Coveney
And her courses are so simple and to the point. It’s like, “Here’s what you need to know. The end.”

Elyssa Smith
I love that.

Ina Coveney
No fluff, no filler, just pure actionable content. Watching her has inspired me to streamline my own process and create offers that are easy to sell.

Elyssa Smith
That’s incredible.

Ina Coveney
It really is. She’s redefined what’s possible and shown me that you can do things your way, break the rules, and still succeed wildly.

Elyssa Smith
I love this. Okay, who’s next on your list?

Ina Coveney
Hold up, it’s your turn now. Tell me someone who’s inspired you.

Elyssa Smith
Okay, let’s talk about Lindsey Schwartz.

Ina Coveney
Oh, yes! Powerhouse Women!

Elyssa Smith
Exactly. Lindsey Schwartz is a must-follow. You introduced me to her, by the way, so thank you for that.

Ina Coveney
You’re welcome!

Elyssa Smith
So, Lindsey has this incredible live event called Powerhouse Women. And when I say I was hesitant to go, I mean I was kicking and screaming.

Ina Coveney
I remember that!

Elyssa Smith
I didn’t want to go because I’ve been burned by “mean girl energy” in women’s entrepreneur spaces before. I was braced for impact.

Ina Coveney
And?

Elyssa Smith
The second Lindsey took the mic, all my walls came down. She has this calming, connected energy that makes you feel safe.

Ina Coveney
That’s so true.

Elyssa Smith
And then the event itself was just magical. She’s a master at building community.

Ina Coveney
Yes!

Elyssa Smith
Her Powerhouse Women podcast, her events, her retreats—everything she does is focused on making women feel seen and supported. She’s changed my life.

Ina Coveney
She’s phenomenal.

Elyssa Smith
And I’ve since done her Six Figure School and her Expanders Retreat. She’s someone I’ll always watch and learn from.

Ina Coveney
She’s the real deal.

Elyssa Smith
Absolutely. Okay, your turn again!

Ina Coveney
Alright, let me tell you about another person who has inspired me. This one is a little different because it’s someone I’ve been following more recently. Her name is Rachel Rogers.

Elyssa Smith
Oh, yes! We Should All Be Millionaires!

Ina Coveney
Exactly! Rachel Rogers is phenomenal. Her book, We Should All Be Millionaires, completely changed my perspective on wealth.

Elyssa Smith
Same here.

Ina Coveney
She reframes wealth as a necessity, not a luxury. Her whole message is that the wealth of the world needs to get into the hands of people who care—people who will use it to make a positive impact.

Elyssa Smith
That’s such a powerful message.

Ina Coveney
It really is. And she has this system where she categorizes your income level and where you are in your business into what she calls H1 through H7.

Elyssa Smith
Yes!

Ina Coveney
It’s a way of identifying exactly where you are and what steps you need to take to get to the next level. She’s so practical about it, and she makes scaling your business feel attainable.

Elyssa Smith
And she’s all about equanimity, right? Making sure wealth isn’t just for a select few but accessible to everyone, especially women and minorities.

Ina Coveney
Exactly. She’s not just about helping people make money. She’s about creating systemic change.

Elyssa Smith
And her no-nonsense approach is so refreshing.

Ina Coveney
It really is. She cuts through the noise and tells it like it is. Reading her book inspired me to create my own millionaire squad, which has been life-changing.

Elyssa Smith
Our little Voxer group!

Ina Coveney
Exactly! You, Caitlin Locassio King, and Trisha Camacho. That group has been a game-changer for all of us.

Elyssa Smith
Absolutely. It’s not just about business; it’s about supporting each other in every aspect of life—health, relationships, everything.

Ina Coveney
And the fact that we all respect and honor each other’s expertise by actually hiring and paying for each other’s services? That’s key.

Elyssa Smith
Yes! None of this “you’re my friend, so you should do this for free” nonsense.

Ina Coveney
Exactly. It’s about valuing each other’s time and skills. That’s how you maintain healthy relationships in business and life.

Elyssa Smith
Preach! Okay, who’s next on your list?

Ina Coveney
Alright, this one is really special. His name is Kevin Chemidlin.

Elyssa Smith
Oh, I’ve heard you talk about him before!

Ina Coveney
Yes! Kevin is a podcasting genius. I met him at a podcasting conference, and he put out this casual Facebook post saying, “I think I want to teach people how to grow their podcasts.”

Elyssa Smith
And you jumped on it?

Ina Coveney
Immediately! I was one of the first people to join his program, and it has completely changed how I approach my podcast and my business.

Elyssa Smith
That’s amazing.

Ina Coveney
Kevin is one of those rare people who is not only incredibly smart but also genuinely kind. He has this way of breaking things down so you understand exactly what steps to take to grow and monetize your podcast.

Elyssa Smith
He sounds incredible.

Ina Coveney
He really is. And here’s the thing—he’s so much more than just a podcasting coach. Every time I talk to him, we end up discussing business strategy, audience engagement, and content quality. He has this brilliant, multi-faceted mind.

Elyssa Smith
Wow.

Ina Coveney
And he’s also super inspiring on a personal level. Did you know he used to weigh 300 pounds in high school?

Elyssa Smith
No way!

Ina Coveney
Yep. And now he’s in incredible shape. That kind of transformation takes discipline and determination, and he brings that same energy to his business.

Elyssa Smith
That’s so inspiring.

Ina Coveney
It really is. He’s made over $100,000 a month in his business, and now he’s pivoting to something more heart-centered. Watching his journey has been incredible.

Elyssa Smith
I love that.

Ina Coveney
If anyone listening is thinking about starting a podcast or taking their podcast seriously, Kevin is the person to talk to. Send him a message and tell him I sent you.

Elyssa Smith
That’s such a great recommendation.

Ina Coveney
Alright, your turn. Who’s next on your list?

Elyssa Smith
Alright, next on my list is Susie Moore.

Ina Coveney
Oh, I love Susie Moore!

Elyssa Smith
She’s phenomenal. She’s the author of Let It Be Easy, and her whole vibe is about embracing ease in life and business.

Ina Coveney
Yes! I actually interviewed her on my podcast. She’s such a ray of sunshine.

Elyssa Smith
She really is. What I love about her is how she simplifies everything. Her approach to life and business is all about asking, “What if this could be easier?” And it’s such a mindset shift.

Ina Coveney
It really is. When you stop overcomplicating things, everything changes.

Elyssa Smith
Exactly. She has this way of making you feel like you’re capable of achieving anything without burning yourself out.

Ina Coveney
And she walks the talk. Her energy is just so calm and joyful.

Elyssa Smith
Absolutely. Her book was life-changing for me. I recommend it to everyone I know.

Ina Coveney
Same. She’s such an inspiration.

Elyssa Smith
Alright, your turn!

Ina Coveney
Okay, here’s someone who’s been a game-changer for me: James Wedmore.

Elyssa Smith
Oh, yes, the Mind Your Business guy!

Ina Coveney
Exactly. James Wedmore is the person who really helped me understand the power of mindset in business.

Elyssa Smith
He’s brilliant.

Ina Coveney
He has this way of breaking down how your thoughts and beliefs directly impact your results. It’s not just about strategy—it’s about how you show up.

Elyssa Smith
Yes!

Ina Coveney
And his program, Business by Design, completely shifted how I approach my offers and systems. He’s all about creating businesses that work for you, not the other way around.

Elyssa Smith
I love that.

Ina Coveney
And his podcast, Mind Your Business, is one of my favorites. He mixes strategy, mindset, and storytelling in a way that’s so engaging and actionable.

Elyssa Smith
He’s one of those people who can make you believe in your potential while giving you the tools to achieve it.

Ina Coveney
Exactly. He’s helped me see that the only thing standing between me and my goals is my own mindset.

Elyssa Smith
That’s so powerful.

Ina Coveney
Alright, who’s next for you?

Elyssa Smith
I have to mention Jenna Kutcher.

Ina Coveney
Oh, Jenna! She’s amazing.

Elyssa Smith
She really is. Jenna Kutcher is the queen of authenticity and balance. Her podcast, The Goal Digger, is such a treasure trove of actionable advice for entrepreneurs.

Ina Coveney
And she’s so relatable!

Elyssa Smith
Exactly. She talks about the struggles of entrepreneurship in such an honest way. She makes you feel like you’re not alone in this journey.

Ina Coveney
I love how she emphasizes balance and boundaries, too. She’s all about building a business that supports your life, not consumes it.

Elyssa Smith
Yes! She’s been such an inspiration for me in finding that balance between ambition and self-care.

Ina Coveney
She’s a great role model for entrepreneurs who want to succeed without sacrificing their well-being.

Elyssa Smith
Absolutely.

Ina Coveney
Alright, do we have time for one more?

Elyssa Smith
Yes! Let’s each do one more.

Ina Coveney
Okay, this one is a big one for me. It’s Denise Duffield-Thomas.

Elyssa Smith
Oh, Get Rich, Lucky B!

Ina Coveney
Yes! Denise is the queen of money mindset. Her work helped me uncover and shift so many limiting beliefs I had about wealth.

Elyssa Smith
She’s incredible.

Ina Coveney
Her approach is so practical and no-nonsense. She’s like, “Here’s how you deal with money blocks, here’s how you manifest abundance, and here’s how you enjoy it guilt-free.”

Elyssa Smith
I love how she makes money a neutral, positive topic. There’s no shame, no judgment—just empowerment.

Ina Coveney
Exactly. And her course, Money Bootcamp, is a must for anyone who wants to transform their relationship with money.

Elyssa Smith
She’s a legend.

Ina Coveney
Alright, who’s your last one?

Elyssa Smith
I’m going to go with Marie Forleo.

Ina Coveney
Oh, the original online business queen!

Elyssa Smith
Yes! Marie is such a pioneer in the online space. Her book, Everything is Figureoutable, is one of my favorites.

Ina Coveney
It’s so empowering.

Elyssa Smith
Her message is all about resilience and resourcefulness. She makes you feel like there’s no challenge you can’t overcome.

Ina Coveney
And B-School! That program is legendary.

Elyssa Smith
Absolutely. It’s been a game-changer for so many entrepreneurs, including me. Marie has this ability to make complex business concepts feel doable and exciting.

Ina Coveney
She’s such a trailblazer.

Elyssa Smith
Alright, I think that wraps it up for today.

Ina Coveney
Yes! This was so much fun.

Elyssa Smith
It really was.

Ina Coveney
Thank you so much for doing this with me.

Elyssa Smith
Thank you for having me.

Ina Coveney
Alright, everyone, if you enjoyed this episode, make sure to follow and subscribe. And let us know if you want a part two because we have so many more people to talk about!

Elyssa Smith
Yes! Send us a DM and let us know.

Ina Coveney
Alright, thanks for listening, and we’ll see you next time on Superhumans!

Elyssa Smith
Bye, everyone!