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Crush the Rush™: The Life-First CEO Podcast
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.
Episodes
637 episodes
594 - Confidently Owning Your Business: Why Legal Protection is the Power Move Every Entrepreneur Needs with Attorney Sarah Waldbuesser
What if protecting your business didn’t have to feel overwhelming, scary, or “something you’ll get to later”? In this episode, I’m joined by trademark attorney and online business owner Sarah Waldbuesser, founder of Destination Legal and Twist ...
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29:36
593 - How to Make More Money Without Posting Daily: A Life-First Marketing Strategy That Lasts (The Best of 2025)
We’re wrapping up the year with your most-downloaded episodes—the ones that helped you grow smarter, simplify faster, and work less without losing momentum. What if you could make MORE money while posting LESS on social...
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17:10
592 - How I Built a 10-Year Client Waitlist Without Relying on Social Media with Jessica Freeman
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 b...
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30:38
591 - Behind the Curtain: The AI Squad That’s Changing the Game (Behind the Scenes Series: Part 3 of 3)
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 tod...
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34:06
590 - AI Hacks to Boost Your PR with Nicole Pearl
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 reveal...
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26:45
589 - How We Use AI Combined with Human Support to Help Clients Scale Smarter (Behind the Scenes Series: Part 2 of 3)
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 ro...
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17:19
588 - Let Go To Grow: Using Delegation As A Growth Strategy with Nata Salvatori
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 Delega...
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24:56
587 - The Mastermind Model Is Broken — Here’s How We Fixed It (Behind the Scenes Series: Part 1 of 3)
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...
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19:55
586 - Building Consistent Income Without the Scroll: Stefanie Gass’s No-Social Podcast Strategy with Stefani Gass
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 Bus...
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32:49
585 - 9 Retreats and 5 Years Later… Here’s What I Really Learned About Building a Business That Feels Good
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 less...
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19:14
584 - The 4 Fundamentals of Lasting Change: Start today and change your life with Molly Claire
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 result...
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31:23
583 - How We Doubled Our Podcast Downloads in 30 Days (and the Systems That Made It Sustainable)
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 S...
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18:14
582 - Turn Your Podcast into a Revenue Engine: Funnels, Systems, and Strategy - A Brainstorming Session with Kylee Chandler
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....
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44:21
581 - The Secret to Hitting Your 2026 Goals (That Has Nothing to Do With Strategy)
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 th...
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17:56
580 - Steady + Connected: What Middle School Parenting Teaches Us About Business and Belonging with Bridget KerMorris (CLIENT SPOTLIGHT)
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 hel...
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34:53
579 - Our Revenue Is Down, But Profit Is Up — The Most Honest Episode I’ll Record All Year
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 succ...
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24:14
578 - Turning Views into Sales: How to Convert Instagram Followers into Paying Customers with Katelyn Rhoades
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 ye...
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31:34
577 - The Fast Track Framework: Reset Your Business in 30 Days (Part 2)
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...
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14:54
576 - Organic First, Paid Second: The Ad Strategy Most Entrepreneurs Skip with Melissa Litchfield
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 ...
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33:09
575 - Why DIY is Dead: The New Model That Gets Clients Results Fast (Part 1)
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.
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16:45
574 - Why Your Website and Copy Should Work Harder Than You Do (And How to Fix It) with Laura Kendrick
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, c...
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33:08
573 - Why Quarterly Branded Photoshoots Are My Secret Strategy for Scaling Intentionally
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 ...
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19:04
572 - Out-of-the-Box Customer Delight Strategies to Grow your List and Bottom Line with Nadine Nethery
Tired of cookie-cutter marketing that feels like everyone else’s? In this episode, I chat with Nadine Nethery, a copywriter turned customer experience strategist who helps online business owners stand out by delighting their customers in unexpe...
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32:52
571 - Create your Q4 Content Plan in 1 Hour
In this week's pep talk, I am sharing the exact process I use inside Anti-Social School™ and the CTR Club to create a simple, aligned content plan that actually moves the needle. In today's episode, I share:...
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14:33
570 - Scaling a Boutique Travel Business Without Losing the Personal Touch with Allison Collier (CLIENT SPOTLIGHT)
Dreaming of turning your love for travel into something more? In today’s episode, I sit down with Allison Collier, founder of the Collier Travel Collective, who has built a boutique travel agency specializing in creating unforgettable life expe...
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33:21
