Welcome back to the Shift with Elena Agar Podcast! In this episode, Elena sits down with Nana Twumasi, an accomplished publisher with a rich background in both editing and building imprints within the book industry. Nana shares her fascinating journey from aspiring novelist and photo researcher to leading her own publishing imprint, Balance, under the Hachette Book Group umbrella. Together, they dive deep into the realities of the publishing world—breaking down how books get made, the role of numbers and business acumen behind each title, and why most books won’t top bestseller lists (but that doesn’t mean they’re not successful).Nana opens up about what publishers are really looking for in a potential book or author, especially in nonfiction and the personal growth space. She also unpacks the long timelines, the importance of marketing versus the quality of the work, and gives us a candid look at how trends, technology, and even AI are reshaping the industry. Whether you’re dreaming of writing your own book, curious about how publishing really works, or just passionate about storytelling, this episode is packed with practical insights and honest advice straight from the heart of book publishing. Tune in for a conversation that’s both eye-opening and inspiring!Time Stamps:00:00 Editorial Journey at Jossey-Bass05:02 Callisto Media's Rapid Publishing Innovation09:33 Bestsellers Fuel Publishing Success12:18 Bestseller Success: Marketing vs. Quality16:16 Publishing Success: Assessing Potential Books19:32 Sustaining Book Visibility Beyond Release21:43 Supporting Authors: Process and Timelines24:59 December Book Release Planning27:58 Publishing Obstacles for OB GYNs31:32 AI Usage Disclosure in Creative Works33:39 "Fears of AI Impact on Learning"37:20 Conflicted Reader's Routine40:16 "Balance Imprint Overview"Connect with Nana on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nanaktwumasi/Company website: https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/Personal website: https://nanakt.com/about-nanakFollow Elena: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elenaagaragimova/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elenaagaragimova/Website: https://elenaagar.com/Listen on:Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/shift-with-elena-agar/id1530850914Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5UKh6dWcuQwJlmAOqD8wij

Welcome back to the Shift with Elena Agar Podcast! In this episode, Elena reconnects with Millree Williams, a certified career and retirement coach, for an eye-opening conversation about what it really means to transition into retirement in today’s rapidly changing world. As more baby boomers cross the traditional retirement age—and as economic shifts and workplace uncertainties push some to consider retiring earlier than planned—Millree shares his insights into the unique challenges facing professionals over 40 and beyond. But this isn’t about financial planning. Instead, Elena and Millree dive into the emotional and psychological aspects of retirement, why purpose and identity matter so much in this new chapter, and how individuals – no matter their age - should always be considering the many chapters of their lives. How organizations can better support employees as they prepare for life after work. And, finally, why this support benefits the organization’s bottom line. Whether you’re years from considering retirement or it’s coming up fast, this episode is sure to inspire you to think intentionally about your next chapter and begin equipping you with ideas for navigating the path ahead. Tune in for a candid, uplifting look at how to design a fulfilling retirement—and why it’s never too early to start planning for what comes next.Time stamps:00:00 Navigating Career Transition After 4003:59 Retirement Coaching Challenges07:45 Life Transitions as Novel Chapters10:09 Shifting Job Market and Retirement Challenges14:50 "Plan for Career Change Early"18:47 Employee Well-being and Succession Benefits20:05 Retirement: Employees as Brand Ambassadors23:47 "Supporting Aging Workforce Talent"28:58 Prioritizing Time with Aging Parents30:45 Redefining Retirement for Non-Professionals35:03 "Gratitude for Discussing Key Topic"Connect with Millree on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/millreewilliams/Website: https://www.willekop.com/Email: millree@willekop.comFollow Elena: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elenaagaragimova/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elenaagaragimova/Website: https://elenaagar.com/Listen on:Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/shift-with-elena-agar/id1530850914Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5UKh6dWcuQwJlmAOqD8wij

In this episode of Shift with Elena Agar, we welcome the insightful Zeev Wexler, a digital marketing expert with over 20 years of experience. Zeev discusses the transformative power of AI and its rapid integration into our daily lives, emphasizing the shift from mere technological curiosity to essential tool for efficiency and growth. He shares his journey into AI, starting with his fascination for marketing automation, leading to a deeper understanding and advocacy of AI's potential. Zeev likens AI to revolutionary technologies like fire and electricity, stressing it as a tool we discovered rather than invented. Throughout the conversation, Zeev addresses common fears about AI, its adoption in various industries, particularly its potential in enhancing business processes and personal productivity. He emphasizes the importance of learning and adapting to AI to harness its benefits, rather than being left behind. Tune in to explore AI's role in reshaping how we approach tasks like content creation, sales, and even personal growth.Time stamps:00:00 Podcast on AI and Tech Shifts04:38 Rapid AI Adoption Outpaces Smartphones08:53 Personalized Health Tech and AI Acceptance10:54 Embracing Technology at Any Age13:21 AI: Enhancing Efficiency, Not Replacement17:59 "Maximizing Time with AI"20:21 "Building Consistent Pipeline Strategy"23:53 AI Tool Accelerates Research and Writing28:15 AI Authenticity in Speech Mimicry30:43 AI Implementation Challenges & Starting Points32:08 Custom AI for Business Growth35:43 Creative Ideas Transformed into Contest39:58 "AI Amplifies Expertise, Not Skill"Connect with Zeev on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zeevwexler/Visit website: https://www.wexlermarketing.com/Follow Elena: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elenaagaragimova/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elenaagaragimova/Website: https://elenaagar.com/Listen on:Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/shift-with-elena-agar/id1530850914Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5UKh6dWcuQwJlmAOqD8wij