Wanting In Public

Wanting To Get What We Want (Guest Episode with Kira Matthews)

Xanthe Appleyard + Kaitlyn Kessler — Fri, 10 Apr 2026 07:32:31 GMT

We truly couldn’t imagine a better guest to kick off the month with because Kira LITERALLY helps folks get what they want for a living. Today’s episode is packed with practical advice for pitching yourself so that allll your desires become reality, covering:

• Negotiating rates and understanding the value you bring to table in any collaboration

• How to take brands off the pedestal when you’re pitching

• Unexpected opportunities that you could be monetizing

• Why “boring” industries are an amazing place to look for opportunity

• Advocating for your community to avoid “sell out” energy

• The strategy behind the post that got Kira 10K followers overnight

• How to increase your rejection and vulnerability tolerance

• Staying confident in your decisions as an “impulsive” person

• Opportunities for sponsorship beyond the traditional influencer path

CONNECT WITH KIRA ↓

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kirathebold

Website: https://www.kiramatthews.com

Newsletter: https://kirathebold.myflodesk.com/newspaper

Don’t forget to submit a Q so we can answer it during our April recordings! ↓

https://form.typeform.com/to/s5hsLuoI

To get our Desire Dash for free, use the following link ↓

DOWNLOAD THE DESIRE DASH

Join us in Spain at our week-long retreat (and get a year of coaching and community support, too)! Learn more at cheerstoyournextchapter.com.

Connect with Xanthe on Instagram: instagram.com/xanthe.appleyard

Connect with Kaitlyn on Instagram: instagram.com/kaitlynskessler

See you next week!!

Wanting A Simpler Q2 Strategy + To Stop Worrying “What They’ll Think”

Xanthe Appleyard + Kaitlyn Kessler — Fri, 03 Apr 2026 11:50:22 GMT

Manifesting March has come to a close and THE RESULTS ARE IN! We’re reflecting on our want lists, sharing the things we successfully called in, the unexpected opportunities that came through, and the goals that didn’t happen. We get into some existential convos about how to feel inspired about what’s next when you either have no idea (Kaitlyn) or no societal “milestones” left (Xanthe). In coaching corner, Xanthe asks for support radically removing some “shoulds” off her to-do list to simplify her focus for Q2, and Kaitlyn asks for strategies to stay rooted in her new direction despite how folks perceive the industry she’s stepping into.

Don’t forget to submit a Q so we can answer it during our April recordings! ↓

https://form.typeform.com/to/s5hsLuoI

To get our Desire Dash for free, use the following link ↓

DOWNLOAD THE DESIRE DASH

Join us in Spain at our week-long retreat (and get a year of coaching and community support, too)! Learn more at cheerstoyournextchapter.com.

Connect with Xanthe on Instagram: instagram.com/xanthe.appleyard

Connect with Kaitlyn on Instagram: instagram.com/kaitlynskessler

See you next week!!

Wanting to Build In Private + Create Lifestyle Content with Confidence

Xanthe Appleyard + Kaitlyn Kessler — Fri, 27 Mar 2026 08:15:04 GMT

Today’s ep is such a fun one digging deep into the different circumstances that allow us to find our best ideas, whether it’s a brand evolution like Kaitlyn’s going through, or Xanthe’s determination to find her rhythm with content that extends beyond just social media education. You’ll hear us live-plan Kaitlyn’s visit to Barcelona and learn how she’s mapped out her “hermit mode” mission, while Xanthe asks for advice on how to plan her Q2 with more clarity, focus, and confidence in her direction.

PS. don’t forget you can join our coaching corner, too! If you have a question you’d like us to weigh in on, drop it in the form below!

https://form.typeform.com/to/s5hsLuoI

To get our Desire Dash for free, use the following link ↓

DOWNLOAD THE DESIRE DASH

Join us in Spain at our week-long retreat (and get a year of coaching and community support, too)! Learn more at cheerstoyournextchapter.com.

Connect with Xanthe on Instagram: instagram.com/xanthe.appleyard

Connect with Kaitlyn on Instagram: instagram.com/kaitlynskessler

See you next week!!

Wanting More Aligned Branding and to Get Comfy Being Disliked

Xanthe Appleyard + Kaitlyn Kessler — Fri, 20 Mar 2026 11:23:40 GMT

Today’s episode is all about new identities — Xanthe’s feeling restless around her visual brand (from design to fashion to home decor), while Kaitlyn asks for support navigating the negative sides of being seen on a larger scale. You’ll learn what questions to ask when you’re feeling out of alignment with how you’re showing up, what to do when the trolls come out in the comments, and we also address a submitted Q around how to know what to post on your substack vs. newsletter vs. blog! I

f you have a question you want us to support with, drop it in the form below ↓

https://form.typeform.com/to/s5hsLuoI

To get our Desire Dash for free, use the following link ↓

DOWNLOAD THE DESIRE DASH

Join us in Spain at our week-long retreat (and get a year of coaching and community support, too)! Learn more at cheerstoyournextchapter.com.

Connect with Xanthe on Instagram: instagram.com/xanthe.appleyard

Connect with Kaitlyn on Instagram: instagram.com/kaitlynskessler

See you next week!!

Wanting a Multi-Niche Career and a Social Media Sabbatical

Xanthe Appleyard + Kaitlyn Kessler — Fri, 13 Mar 2026 08:00:55 GMT

Today’s ep dives into SOO many juicy topics, from having a more empowering relationship to money, to trusting your desires, to manifesting new friends and unexpected opportunities. In our coaching corner, Kaitlyn shares her plans to take some time away from social and asks for support deciding whether to “build in public” while she makes some changes behind the scenes. Xanthe shares some wobbles she’s having around focusing on endeavors outside her education business, wanting to make sure she isn’t risking her primary income source by making space for her other creative passions. We wrap with a listener-submitted question about how to overcome the fear of being perceived online by people who underestimated or belittled you in a previous career!!

If you have a question you want us to answer this month, drop it in the form below ↓

https://form.typeform.com/to/s5hsLuoI

To get our Desire Dash for free, use the following link ↓

DOWNLOAD THE DESIRE DASH

Join us in Spain at our week-long retreat (and get a year of coaching and community support, too)! Learn more at cheerstoyournextchapter.com.

Connect with Xanthe on Instagram: instagram.com/xanthe.appleyard

Connect with Kaitlyn on Instagram: instagram.com/kaitlynskessler

See you next week!!

Wanting to Manifest Surprise Money and Aligned Brand Deals

Xanthe Appleyard + Kaitlyn Kessler — Fri, 06 Mar 2026 09:40:29 GMT

It’s Manifesting March, babyyy!!! We’re switching things up this month and sharing want lists that are all about receiving inbound opportunities, and exploring how we can call in the things we want without just creating more things to check off on our to-do lists. We also review February’s wants (spoiler alert: we didn’t “get” much) which illuminates that we’ve been approaching our goals with an attitude that is out of alignment with our intentions for this podcast. So, let’s course correct together! In our coaching corner, you’ll also learn about the Pinterest → Substack growth pipeline, and how Xanthe plans to integrate the magic of her three weeks solo into her life with Frank moving forward.

Send us a DM on Instagram to let us know what you’re Manifesting this March, and if you have a question for us for coaching this month, fill out the form → https://form.typeform.com/to/s5hsLuoI

Don't forget to DOWNLOAD THE DESIRE DASH (it's free!)

Join us in Spain at our week-long retreat (and get a year of coaching and community support, too)! Learn more at cheerstoyournextchapter.com.

Connect with Xanthe on Instagram: instagram.com/xanthe.appleyard

Connect with Kaitlyn on Instagram: instagram.com/kaitlynskessler

See you next week!!

Wanting Realigned Routines and Dreamy Daily Schedules

Xanthe Appleyard + Kaitlyn Kessler — Thu, 26 Feb 2026 18:13:44 GMT

Today’s ep covers a LOOOOT of ground!!!!!! We give updates on ALLL areas of our lives, from movement routines to potential relocations to upcoming trips to birthday plans, and then dig into some coaching conversations around time tracking, creative schedules, and building a business model you actually want to sustain, rather than hustling to build something that looks cool, but feels like sh*t. ENJOY.

And if you want us to coach YOU in our next episode: https://form.typeform.com/to/s5hsLuoI

Don't forget to DOWNLOAD THE DESIRE DASH (it's free!)

Join us in Spain at our week-long retreat (and get a year of coaching and community support, too)! Learn more at cheerstoyournextchapter.com.

Connect with Xanthe on Instagram: instagram.com/xanthe.appleyard

Connect with Kaitlyn on Instagram: instagram.com/kaitlynskessler

See you next week!!

Wanting Sales Pages That Sound Like “Me” + Followers That Become Clients

Xanthe Appleyard + Kaitlyn Kessler — Fri, 20 Feb 2026 09:00:50 GMT

Today’s episode is JUICYYYYY! First, we’re reflecting on the “what’s in it for them?” conversation when it comes to content, exploring the line where expressing ourselves online becomes self-serving instead of community-supporting. Then, Xanthe gets support from Kaitlyn around launch timelines (and capacity to execute them) for the coming weeks, while helping Kaitlyn come up with strategies to bring more of her personality into her sales pages. We also have our first listener-submitted coaching Q, all about how to turn followers into clients as a brand + web design agency.

As promised, Xanthe’s social template waitlist: https://ohsierracreative.myflodesk.com/social-templates

And if you want us to coach YOU in our next episode: https://form.typeform.com/to/s5hsLuoI

Don't forget to DOWNLOAD THE DESIRE DASH (it's free!)

Join us in Spain at our week-long retreat (and get a year of coaching and community support, too)! Learn more at cheerstoyournextchapter.com.

Connect with Xanthe on Instagram: instagram.com/xanthe.appleyard

Connect with Kaitlyn on Instagram: instagram.com/kaitlynskessler

See you next week!!

Wanting Leadership Recognition + Better Business Boundaries

Xanthe Appleyard + Kaitlyn Kessler — Fri, 13 Feb 2026 13:48:08 GMT

In today’s episode, we’re remembering that no matter how much we love our businesses, they can’t be our whole life (but actually learning how to put work down in favour of pursuing pleasure outside of it is easier said than done) and that being recognized for our leadership in specific areas requires us to make an effort to hold the conversations we truly want to be known for.

In our coaching corner, Kaitlyn helps Xanthe figure out some systems for holding better boundaries around her working hours, and then Xanthe helps Kaitlyn remember what she’s really known for so that she can lean further in those directions!

If you want us to coach you in our next episode, ask us a question below ↓

https://form.typeform.com/to/s5hsLuoI

Don't forget to DOWNLOAD THE DESIRE DASH (it's free!)

Join us in Spain at our week-long retreat (and get a year of coaching and community support, too)! Learn more at cheerstoyournextchapter.com.

Connect with Xanthe on Instagram: instagram.com/xanthe.appleyard

Connect with Kaitlyn on Instagram: instagram.com/kaitlynskessler

Wanting to Increase Embarrassment Tolerance and Go All-in On Long Form

Xanthe Appleyard + Kaitlyn Kessler — Fri, 06 Feb 2026 11:27:55 GMT

WANTING FOR FEB!!! In today’s episode we go through our want lists for the month ahead, which reveal some major realizations about where we’ve been making excuses when it comes to putting ourselves out there. Xanthe untangles some stories she’s been holding around her offline life in Spain, we chat through Kaitlyn’s decision to go all-in on Substack, and share practical actions we’re taking to invite more fulfilment into our lives day to day.

PS, we’re now accepting coaching requests! If you have a question you want us to offer our guidance around, fill out the form below ↓

https://form.typeform.com/to/s5hsLuoI

Don't forget to DOWNLOAD THE DESIRE DASH (it's free!)

Join us in Spain at our week-long retreat (and get a year of coaching and community support, too)! Learn more at cheerstoyournextchapter.com.

Connect with Xanthe on Instagram: instagram.com/xanthe.appleyard

Connect with Kaitlyn on Instagram: instagram.com/kaitlynskessler

Wanting to Stop Overbooking, Make New Friends, and Leave Space for Ideas to Flow

Xanthe Appleyard + Kaitlyn Kessler — Fri, 23 Jan 2026 07:58:06 GMT

This week’s episode starts with some silly-but-honest mental health updates as Xanthe navigates a low mood season, and shifts to practical ways she can create intentional space in her schedule for the things (and people!) that lift her up without bending her boundaries. We chat through Kaitlyn’s new content non-strategy and explore why being strategic can actually hold us back from letting our best ideas flow. You’ll leave with practical tips on how to honour boundaries within your day to day schedule, how to prioritize socializing without sacrificing your non-negotiables, and ideas for how to bring more spontaneity into your content without abandoning your big vision.

At the end, we announce that we’d love to start offering support to listeners via question submissions! If you want us to coach YOU during one of our upcoming coaching corners, just fill out the form → https://form.typeform.com/to/s5hsLuoI

Don't forget to DOWNLOAD THE DESIRE DASH (it's free!)

Join us in Spain at our week-long retreat (and get a year of coaching and community support, too)! Learn more at cheerstoyournextchapter.com.

Connect with Xanthe on Instagram: instagram.com/xanthe.appleyard

Connect with Kaitlyn on Instagram: instagram.com/kaitlynskessler

Wanting Simple Content Systems and Offer Messaging Strategies

Xanthe Appleyard + Kaitlyn Kessler — Fri, 16 Jan 2026 08:32:38 GMT

In today’s episode we help Kaitlyn simplify her content planning systems to remove the friction from idea → execution, and chat through how Xanthe can address the “more is more” mentality in the current social media culture while supporting folks in their experimentation era with a strategic foundation. You’ll learn content categorization strategies that make it easier to understand why each post matters, and offer messaging ideas to that keep your positioning current without being contrarian. We also get into a juicy dialogue about identity vs. role when it comes to leadership, and we’d love to hear your take so we can continue the convo next week!!

Don't forget to DOWNLOAD THE DESIRE DASH (it's free!)

Join us in Spain at our week-long retreat (and get a year of coaching and community support, too)! Learn more at cheerstoyournextchapter.com.

Connect with Xanthe on Instagram: instagram.com/xanthe.appleyard

Connect with Kaitlyn on Instagram: instagram.com/kaitlynskessler

Wanting in 2026: How to Set (and Reach) Your Goals This Year

Xanthe Appleyard + Kaitlyn Kessler — Fri, 09 Jan 2026 08:51:13 GMT

We’re kicking off the year by sharing our want lists for the entire YEARRRR, including the goals we have for our businesses, revenue, social platforms, and all the life-y bits between. We also unpack some of the standards we’ve been not perfect at upholding over the last few months and what we’re changing to keep ourselves accountable to our visions for the year ahead.

Download our free Desire Dash template, and share your 2026 (or just January!) wants with us!

Join us in Spain at our week-long retreat (and get a year of coaching and community support, too)! Learn more at cheerstoyournextchapter.com.

Connect with Xanthe on Instagram: instagram.com/xanthe.appleyard

Connect with Kaitlyn on Instagram: instagram.com/kaitlynskessler

Wanting Lifestyle Visual Strategy and To Feel Like “Enough”

Xanthe Appleyard + Kaitlyn Kessler — Fri, 19 Dec 2025 08:36:12 GMT

WANTING FOR THE LAST TIME IN 2025 and ooouuuu we went out with a bang! This is one of our most candid episodes digging deep into what we’re desiring for the year ahead creatively, and the new standards we need to hold in order to make it possible. We brainstorm lifestyle content visuals for Kaitlyn, and then Xanthe gets really honest about where she’s been believing she is not “enough,” getting distracted by creative identities that aren’t hers to wear, and the frustration she’s been feeling around betraying herself over the past few months.

To put together your own want list this month, DOWNLOAD THE DESIRE DASH (it's free!)

Join us in Spain at our week-long retreat (and get a year of coaching and community support, too)! Learn more at cheerstoyournextchapter.com.

Connect with Xanthe on Instagram: instagram.com/xanthe.appleyard

Connect with Kaitlyn on Instagram: instagram.com/kaitlynskessler

Wanting “Valuable Content” + To Show Up More Honestly

Xanthe Appleyard + Kaitlyn Kessler — Fri, 12 Dec 2025 08:49:11 GMT

This episode is heavyyyyy on the content creation of it all!! We brainstorm ideas (hooks included!) for Kaitlyn that connect tangible takeaways to personal storytelling so that she can share more value with her community without abandoning her natural writing style. Xanthe arrives asking to be read to filth re: what’s been pulling her towards (and away from) certain types of content, leaving her feeling out of alignment with how she actually wants to be showing up. If you’ve been wondering how to sell your offers through your impact, help your community take more action through your content, or are sick of feeling like you’re wearing someone else’s creative blueprint, this episode is for YOU, big time. You’ll also get all the silly little life updates from ritualizing unexpected activities, hard-water-hair updates, anddd beyond.

To put together your own want list this month, DOWNLOAD THE DESIRE DASH (it's free!)

Join us in Spain at our week-long retreat (and get a year of coaching and community support, too)! Learn more at cheerstoyournextchapter.com.

Connect with Xanthe on Instagram: instagram.com/xanthe.appleyard

Connect with Kaitlyn on Instagram: instagram.com/kaitlynskessler

Wanting Solo Podcasts + Money Security (Without the Ceiling)

Xanthe Appleyard + Kaitlyn Kessler — Fri, 05 Dec 2025 08:30:21 GMT

HOLIDAY WAAAANTS! Today we share our want lists for December which include lots of festive plans and seasonal intentions. During coaching corner, Kaitlyn unlocks a path forward for her solo podcast on Substack (eee!), and Xanthe uncovers why she’s been feeling some resistance around claiming money goals for 2026. If you’ve been looking for an easeful way to tap into multi-media content creation or are desiring to maintain a your income without getting trapped under an earning ceiling, you’ll love this chat. PS. If you love this pod, please leave us a review! It would mean the world to get your feedback!

To put together your own want list this month, DOWNLOAD THE DESIRE DASH (it's free!)

Join us in Spain at our week-long retreat (and get a year of coaching and community support, too)! Learn more at cheerstoyournextchapter.com.

Connect with Xanthe on Instagram: instagram.com/xanthe.appleyard

Connect with Kaitlyn on Instagram: instagram.com/kaitlynskessler

Wanting Higher Standards + Identity Upgrades

Xanthe Appleyard + Kaitlyn Kessler — Fri, 28 Nov 2025 07:33:53 GMT

It feels like the collective fog has lifted after a year of circling the drain (in a good way??), and in today’s ep we explore the new standards and calm confidence that as revealed itself for both of us as a result. We revisit our November wants which (of course) snowballs into a bigger conversation around Kaitlyn’s creative practices for Substack, Xanthe’s blog-era workflows, long-form content Pinterest strategies, and how we let creative intuition lead us towards our vision rather than forcing it to fit with a specific plan. In our coaching corner we chat through Kaitlyn’s new freebie, and Xanthe gets support with managing her creative capacity when she’s constantly feeling called to do more.

Don't forget to DOWNLOAD THE DESIRE DASH (it's free!)

Join us in Spain at our week-long retreat (and get a year of coaching and community support, too)! Learn more at cheerstoyournextchapter.com.

Connect with Xanthe on Instagram: instagram.com/xanthe.appleyard

Connect with Kaitlyn on Instagram: instagram.com/kaitlynskessler

Wanting With Abbey McGrew, Founder of Tezzera

Xanthe Appleyard + Kaitlyn Kessler — Fri, 21 Nov 2025 08:45:28 GMT

Wanting with a friend!!! This week we’ve got Abbey, a two-time retreat attendee and more impressively, designer-turned-tech-founder who has spent the past year building Tezzera, a CRM exclusively for the design community. In this episode we support one another on topics like holding launch uncertainty, creating a building-in-public content series, and when to ask for support vs. trusting your own skills. We also touch on what we really want from support spaces right now, why the future of service-based leadership is stepping into a founder identity, and how to co-create with your community while holding strong boundaries around your vision.

Connect with Abbey’s design studio here: instagram / inquire / services

Connect with Tezzera here: instagram / waitlist

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Don't forget to DOWNLOAD THE DESIRE DASH (it's free!)

Join us in Spain at our week-long retreat (and get a year of coaching and community support, too)! Learn more at cheerstoyournextchapter.com.

Connect with Xanthe on Instagram: instagram.com/xanthe.appleyard

Connect with Kaitlyn on Instagram: instagram.com/kaitlynskessler

Wanting Offer Pivots and Founder Energy

Xanthe Appleyard + Kaitlyn Kessler — Fri, 14 Nov 2025 08:21:00 GMT

In this week’s ep, we debrief on the retreat, share new clarity that dropped in for the future of both of our businesses while we were in the work with the guests, and sell out 2026 on the recorded line!!! For coaching, Kaitlyn brings Qs about how to pivot an offer she started selling but then realized wasn’t quite right, and Xanthe has MUCH to discuss around creating content that really supports the identity she’ll be prioritizing in in the months to come.

Don't forget to DOWNLOAD THE DESIRE DASH (it's free!)

Join us in Spain at our week-long retreat (and get a year of coaching and community support, too)! Learn more at cheerstoyournextchapter.com.

Connect with Xanthe on Instagram: instagram.com/xanthe.appleyard

Connect with Kaitlyn on Instagram: instagram.com/kaitlynskessler

Wanting With The Boys

Xanthe Appleyard + Kaitlyn Kessler — Fri, 07 Nov 2025 08:21:21 GMT

WANTING, WITH GUESTS! In this ultra special episode we have our partners on the mic with us and we ALL share our want lists for November. We cover topics like embodying new leadership identities, setting firm call boundaries to create more space, experimenting with creative hobbies, making our Spanish apartments feel more like home, and a few unintentional rabbit holes re: Substack, per usual. We can’t wait to hear what you’re wanting in November! Start a group chat and let us know, and download the Desire Dash below!

Don't forget to DOWNLOAD THE DESIRE DASH (it's free!)

Join us in Spain at our week-long retreat (and get a year of coaching and community support, too)! Learn more at cheerstoyournextchapter.com.

Connect with Xanthe on Instagram: instagram.com/xanthe.appleyard

Connect with Kaitlyn on Instagram: instagram.com/kaitlynskessler

Wanting October List Review + Embracing the “Getting Phase”

Xanthe Appleyard + Kaitlyn Kessler — Fri, 31 Oct 2025 08:45:15 GMT

This week’s episode we review our want lists for October and realize that a lot of our wants weren’t “gotten,” but maybe the getting deserves more credit?! You’ll find insights around our respective de-centering Instagram initiatives, discussions around online community, creative process, and nervous-system friendly visibility, alongside the intentions we’re setting as we host our retreat this week. also, SO MANY GIGGLES.

Don't forget to DOWNLOAD THE DESIRE DASH (it's free!)

Join us in Spain at our week-long retreat (and get a year of coaching and community support, too)! Learn more at cheerstoyournextchapter.com.

Connect with Xanthe on Instagram: instagram.com/xanthe.appleyard

Connect with Kaitlyn on Instagram: instagram.com/kaitlynskessler

Wanting to Rethink Routines + Overcome Fear of Rejection

Xanthe Appleyard + Kaitlyn Kessler — Fri, 24 Oct 2025 07:04:16 GMT

Todays ep is juicyyyy jam packed!! We explore some mutual upheaval around morning routines, self-trust, accountability, unpack some deep rooted fears around rejection as we pursue more visibility, and share ideas on how to embrace lighthearted + lifestyle content without spiralling into the “nobody cares!” mindset. We’d love to keep the conversation going, so start a group chat with us @xanthe.appleyard and @kaitlynskessler on Instagram if you want to share your experience or insight on any of the above!

Don't forget to DOWNLOAD THE DESIRE DASH (it's free!)

Join us in Spain at our week-long retreat (and get a year of coaching and community support, too)! Learn more at cheerstoyournextchapter.com.

Connect with Xanthe on Instagram: instagram.com/xanthe.appleyard

Connect with Kaitlyn on Instagram: instagram.com/kaitlynskessler

Wanting Less Ideation, More Inspiration + Curriculum as Creative Practice

Xanthe Appleyard + Kaitlyn Kessler — Fri, 17 Oct 2025 07:36:51 GMT

Today’s episode (hopefully) closes our our Substack trilogy with the final unlock to Xanthe’s creative block, an existential discussion on monetizing hobbies, how to make staying committed to your business investments feel fun (sans guilt!) and a new approach for Kaitlyn’s course curriculum that supports the way she prefers to create. Short description for an ep packed with majorrrrrr transformations. Start a group chat with us @kaitlynskessler + @xanthe.appleyard to let us know what lands with you!

Don't forget to DOWNLOAD THE DESIRE DASH (it's free!)

Join us in Spain at our week-long retreat (and get a year of coaching and community support, too)! Learn more at cheerstoyournextchapter.com.

Connect with Xanthe on Instagram: instagram.com/xanthe.appleyard

Connect with Kaitlyn on Instagram: instagram.com/kaitlynskessler

Wanting Creative Crashouts + Leading Without Knowing It All

Xanthe Appleyard + Kaitlyn Kessler — Fri, 10 Oct 2025 07:46:35 GMT

“I SWEAR THIS IS NOT A SUBSTACK PODCAST!!!” us 439420 times during this episode. But truly, this is one of our most raw conversations about being in creative wobbles, exploring mediums that don’t come naturally, and the discomfort of feeling bad at things that you’re supposed to be an expert at. We’re so so excited for you to give this one a listen, and can’t wait to hear how it supports your own experience in discovering (or re-discovering) your leadership confidence in the ever-shifting landscape that is: being human.

Don't forget to DOWNLOAD THE DESIRE DASH (it's free!)

Join us in Spain at our week-long retreat (and get a year of coaching and community support, too)! Learn more at cheerstoyournextchapter.com.

Connect with Xanthe on Instagram: instagram.com/xanthe.appleyard

Connect with Kaitlyn on Instagram: instagram.com/kaitlynskessler

Wanting to De-Center Instagram and Create from “Inside the Glass”

Xanthe Appleyard + Kaitlyn Kessler — Fri, 03 Oct 2025 05:54:52 GMT

WANTING IN OCTOBER!! We’re recapping on what we didn’t get in September, and sharing our want lists for the month ahead. While there are tonsss of juicy insights into what we’re focusing on in the coming weeks, the core focus of the ep is on rethinking our approach to socials. You’ll learn why (and how!) we’re both stepping back from our Instagram content strategies, shifting our creative priorities, and getting out of the “screaming into the void phase” on Substack. We share tons of specific strategies for creating content that calls in new community, repurposing between platforms while staying relevant on each one, and how your expertise shows up naturally when you’re creating what you feel most inspired by. Create your own want list this month with our free template below! ↓

Don't forget to DOWNLOAD THE DESIRE DASH (it's free!)

Join us in Spain at our week-long retreat (and get a year of coaching and community support, too)! Learn more at cheerstoyournextchapter.com.

Connect with Xanthe on Instagram: instagram.com/xanthe.appleyard

Connect with Kaitlyn on Instagram: instagram.com/kaitlynskessler

Wanting to Lead with Integrity + Bail on Business Coaching

Xanthe Appleyard + Kaitlyn Kessler — Fri, 26 Sep 2025 10:56:16 GMT

In todays ep we COVER IT AAAALLL from the impact of moving abroad on our nervous systems, creating more “dream days” without resenting the things that get in the way, and the (potentially harmful!) power dynamics we hold in our communities as coaches, mentors, and experts, and how we can ensure we’re sharing our message with nuance and integrity. An evolution is afoot in Xanthe’s world as she “composts” her experience business coaching in favour of a new way she’ll be supporting folks this fall, while Kaitlyn explores ways she can invite her community to follow in her Soft Season footsteps without prescribing a decisions that may not be accessible for everyone. (We also wrap with a little peppering of Substack strategy because we are who we are). We’d LOVE for you to join the conversations we had in this episode because there’s so much to unpack, so don’t hold back from starting a group chat with @kaitlynskessler + @xanthe.appleyard on IG this week!

Don't forget to DOWNLOAD THE DESIRE DASH (it's free!)

Join us in Spain at our week-long retreat (and get a year of coaching and community support, too)! Learn more at cheerstoyournextchapter.com.

Connect with Xanthe on Instagram: instagram.com/xanthe.appleyard

Connect with Kaitlyn on Instagram: instagram.com/kaitlynskessler

Wanting Soft Seasons + New Schedules

Xanthe Appleyard + Kaitlyn Kessler — Fri, 19 Sep 2025 07:00:00 GMT

The web is webbing!!! Xanthe has finallyyyy landed in Spain, which sparks rich dialogue around adapting to a new schedule, ditching her membership to the 5AM-club, and claiming the solo time that makes her feel most connected while releasing rigidity as she adjusts to this rhythm. Kaitlyn shares about her latest decision to claim her “Soft Season,” tabling her Visionary offer to deliver it with more depth later. We also share a bunch of fun lore of our lives before owning businesses, and dig into a BUNCHHH of juicy chats about embodiment vs. strategy, preparedness vs. overthinking, and the action that has been required to call in new opportunities.

Don't forget to DOWNLOAD THE DESIRE DASH (it's free!)

Join us in Spain at our week-long retreat (and get a year of coaching and community support, too)! Learn more at cheerstoyournextchapter.com.

Connect with Xanthe on Instagram: instagram.com/xanthe.appleyard

Connect with Kaitlyn on Instagram: instagram.com/kaitlynskessler

Wanting Brand Partnerships and Substack Strategies

Xanthe Appleyard + Kaitlyn Kessler — Fri, 12 Sep 2025 10:56:12 GMT

Today’s ep kicks off with some follow-ups from last week around Xanthe’s new sales email strategy and Kaitlyn’s process behind the scenes of launching Visionary. In our coaching sesh, Xanthe shares her new goal to secure more brand partnership revenue and gets support on how to savor a season of business that feels really f*cking good without waiting for the other shoe to drop. Kaitlyn gets ready to switch up her rhythm on Substack, so we end up doing a deeeeep deep dive on Substack strategy that will leave you SO inspired around how to show up somewhere new!

Don't forget to DOWNLOAD THE DESIRE DASH (it's free!)

Join us in Spain this November at our week-long retreat (and get a year of coaching and community support, too)! Learn more at cheerstoyournextchapter.com.

Connect with Xanthe on Instagram: instagram.com/xanthe.appleyard

Connect with Kaitlyn on Instagram: instagram.com/kaitlynskessler

Wanting Fewer Sales Emails + Sabrina The Teenage Witch Energy

Xanthe Appleyard + Kaitlyn Kessler — Fri, 05 Sep 2025 14:07:47 GMT

Eeeeee, hi September!! We recap our August wants — specifically, what we didn’t get and why — and then go through our list of desires for the month ahead. In our coaching corner, Kaitlyn seeks reflection on her unique approach, which sparks a conversation around speaking to your audience in a language they understand rather than defaulting to the widely used words in the coaching space. Xanthe’s question this week is around simplifying her sales strategy for her next launch, calling in a high volume of sales while reducing the number of emails sent. This one is packeddd with sales insights, messaging ideas, and new mindsets around creating content that hits with your people and feels easeful to execute for YOUUU.

Don't forget to DOWNLOAD THE DESIRE DASH (it's free!)

Join us in Spain this November at our week-long retreat (and get a year of coaching and community support, too)! Learn more at cheerstoyournextchapter.com.

Connect with Xanthe on Instagram: instagram.com/xanthe.appleyard

Connect with Kaitlyn on Instagram: instagram.com/kaitlynskessler

Wanting Flexible Stories Structure and to Break Free from (Just) Biz Coaching

Xanthe Appleyard + Kaitlyn Kessler — Fri, 29 Aug 2025 13:59:44 GMT

ONE WEEK LEFT TO JOIN US IN SPAIN IN NOVEMBER. Okay, now that that’s out of the way: this week’s episode kicks off with the difference between supportive preparedness vs. unsupportive over-planning (especially with regards to our marketing strategies) and updates on both of our Spain apartment hunts, before diving into a super juicy coaching corner. Xanthe brings a question around staying accountable to posting promotional links in Stories and Kaitlyn identifies why she’s been feeling resistance there and how to move through it. Kaitlyn is seeking support with messaging around her new Visionary offer, and Xanthe shares insights for getting specific about how this offer supports her people without falling into the trap of trying to sell it as a business strategy program when it’s so much more. You’ll walk away with TONSSSS of tricks for more inspired content planning, as well as how to shape messaging around any offer.

Don't forget to DOWNLOAD THE DESIRE DASH (it's free!)

Join us in Spain this November at our week-long retreat (and get a year of coaching and community support, too)! Learn more at cheerstoyournextchapter.com.

Connect with Xanthe on Instagram: instagram.com/xanthe.appleyard

Connect with Kaitlyn on Instagram: instagram.com/kaitlynskessler

Wanting Less Comparison + More Presence

Xanthe Appleyard + Kaitlyn Kessler — Fri, 22 Aug 2025 14:06:16 GMT

WELCOME TO: OUR BEST EPISODE YET, QUESTION MARK? What begins as a life update and grocery-shopping-habits deep dive (fascinating, we swear!) evolves into an incredibly rich conversation about why we really compare ourselves, how momentum can be built in any season, practices for staying present, and the evolutions of identity that future-self journaling can’t prepare us for. We also go deep on the narrative of “fixing” that has become pervasive in the leadership space, and redefining enoughness on the heels of big change.

Don't forget to DOWNLOAD THE DESIRE DASH (it's free!)

Join us in Spain this November at our week-long retreat (and get a year of coaching and community support, too)! Learn more at cheerstoyournextchapter.com.

Connect with Xanthe on Instagram: instagram.com/xanthe.appleyard

Connect with Kaitlyn on Instagram: instagram.com/kaitlynskessler

Wanting Creative Rituals + Rooted Values

Xanthe Appleyard + Kaitlyn Kessler — Fri, 15 Aug 2025 13:21:55 GMT

SOS, WE LOST THE PLOT. Xanthe arrives to this episode feeling so fucking done with being in “fixing energy,” hoping for a way to shake up her morning routine to feel more like LIVING the dream life (instead of just journaling about it). Kaitlyn seeks support on keeping her messaging in alignment with her core values, noticing a tendency to get distracted by ideas that don’t connect back to the big picture. We also touch on how we’re navigating September planning, how we’ve pivoted our processes to support lower capacity over the last few weeks, teaching your nervous system it’s safe to slow down, and how to follow inspiration without confusing your people (or yourself).

Don't forget to DOWNLOAD THE DESIRE DASH (it's free!)

Join us in Spain this November at our week-long retreat (and get a year of coaching and community support, too)! Learn more at cheerstoyournextchapter.com.

Connect with Xanthe on Instagram: instagram.com/xanthe.appleyard

Connect with Kaitlyn on Instagram: instagram.com/kaitlynskessler

Wanting Instagram Stories + Daily Sales

Xanthe Appleyard + Kaitlyn Kessler — Fri, 08 Aug 2025 15:10:00 GMT

The messyyyyy magic of moving to a new country is loud for both of us this week as we candidly confess our July wobbles and share our August wants for both life + business. We coach each other on selling daily, re-shaping our content flow, transforming big ideas into posts that show the applied breadth of our expertise, and making Instagram Stories feel funnnnn after a season of resistance. As Kaitlyn begins the IVF process, we also explore how to plan boldly even in seasons of total unknown, reminding ourselves — and you! — that systems are allowed to evolve as life does.

Don't forget to DOWNLOAD THE DESIRE DASH (it's free!)

Join us in Spain this November at our week-long retreat (and get a year of coaching and community support, too)! Learn more at cheerstoyournextchapter.com.

Connect with Xanthe on Instagram: instagram.com/xanthe.appleyard

Connect with Kaitlyn on Instagram: instagram.com/kaitlynskessler

Wanting Smut Substack Success + A Week In Spain (With You?)

Xanthe Appleyard + Kaitlyn Kessler — Fri, 01 Aug 2025 13:35:51 GMT

A peek behind the curtain, if you will!!! We kick off this ep with a deep dive on our Substack strategies and processes, while Xanthe divulges her big dream of becoming a published smut author and her plan for rolling out more non-fiction writing. In lieu of our usual coaching corner, we develop a marketing strategy for our November retreat in real-time, brainstorming how to promote the IRL transformation and year-long coaching experience while staying true to our individual lanes of expertise and unique content styles. You’ll leave with a bajillion ideas for how to ideate content around your own offers, insight into new practices for staying consistent with your long-form content, and a burning desire to book a ticket to Spain this fall. ;)

Don't forget to DOWNLOAD THE DESIRE DASH (it's free!)

Join us in Spain this November at our week-long retreat (and get a year of coaching and community support, too)! Learn more at cheerstoyournextchapter.com.

Connect with Xanthe on Instagram: instagram.com/xanthe.appleyard

Connect with Kaitlyn on Instagram: instagram.com/kaitlynskessler

Wanting a F*ckload of Followers + Remembering Who TF You Are

Xanthe Appleyard + Kaitlyn Kessler — Fri, 25 Jul 2025 09:45:00 GMT

WANTING ALL OVER THE WORLD! This week we’re tuning in from two new countries, sharing how our respective relocations have impacted our romantic partnerships, shaken our sense of self, and challenged our creative capacity. During our coaching sesh, Xanthe supports Kaitlyn in recalibrating her online approach from the ground up (after over-planning her content pre-move as a coping strategy) and Kaitlyn guides Xanthe through practical actions she can take to move towards her big social media growth goals. You’ll leave with all the tea around transitioning to life abroad, plus a handful of new perspectives on navigating big shifts while your online community watches in real-time.

Don't forget to DOWNLOAD THE DESIRE DASH (it's free!)

Join us in Spain this November at our week-long retreat (and get a year of coaching and community support, too)! Learn more at cheerstoyournextchapter.com.

Connect with Xanthe on Instagram: instagram.com/xanthe.appleyard

Connect with Kaitlyn on Instagram: instagram.com/kaitlynskessler

Wanting Workshop: The 6 Steps To Getting What You Want

Xanthe Appleyard + Kaitlyn Kessler — Fri, 18 Jul 2025 07:00:00 GMT

Today we’re guiding you through the 6 essential steps to Wanting in Public so you can create your own want list, and start taking action towards actually getting it. Use our free Desire Dash in Notion to start creating your list based on the prompts you’ll learn in the episode!

(Once you get started, we’d love for you to send a DM on Instagram with something you’re wanting. In the next episode, we’ll share how we’d recommend embodying it so you can make your desires your reality even faster.)

DOWNLOAD THE DESIRE DASH

Join us in Spain this November at our week-long retreat (and get a year of coaching and community support, too)! Learn more at cheerstoyournextchapter.com

Connect with Xanthe on Instagram: instagram.com/xanthe.appleyard

Connect with Kaitlyn on Instagram: instagram.com/kaitlynskessler

Wanting More Specific Messaging and a Sales Content Strategy

Xanthe Appleyard + Kaitlyn Kessler — Fri, 11 Jul 2025 14:28:39 GMT

No more pussyfooting!!! In this episode we dive into how Kaitlyn’s been hiding the true potency of her work (with action steps to start saying what you mean without the overwhelm of a total messaging overhaul) and chat through strategic content ideas for Xanthe’s upcoming launch (which turns into a crash course on creating without comparison, showing up within your capacity, and getting more engagement). Also: all the moving things are HAPPENINGGGG and we chit chat about what’s still left to do, handwriting insecurity, new tattoos, and when a $30 salad is actually worth it. Spoiler: it’s the parm.

Join us in Spain this November at our week-long retreat (and get a year of coaching and community support, too)! Learn more at cheerstoyournextchapter.com

Connect with Xanthe on Instagram: instagram.com/xanthe.appleyard

Connect with Kaitlyn on Instagram: instagram.com/kaitlynskessler

Wanting $50k and a New Niche

Xanthe Appleyard + Kaitlyn Kessler — Fri, 04 Jul 2025 10:00:00 GMT

What do you MEAN “cash months”?! In this episode we drop our July Want Lists, including how we approach monthly revenue goals, cash flow, and what a “successful” month means in context. Then we coach each other around Kaitlyn claiming the title of Money Girl (without the scarcity, ego, or oversimplification) and plot the next evolution of Xanthe’s signature course alongside ecosystem updates for a more sustainable + stable model.

Join us in Spain this November at our week-long retreat (and get a year of coaching and community support, too)! Learn more at cheerstoyournextchapter.com

Connect with Xanthe on Instagram: instagram.com/xanthe.appleyard

Connect with Kaitlyn on Instagram: instagram.com/kaitlynskessler

Wanting Mastermind Messaging + More Income (With Less Pressure)

Xanthe Appleyard + Kaitlyn Kessler — Fri, 27 Jun 2025 15:45:13 GMT

What does ~*receiving abundance*~ really mean, and is it… bullshit? This episode is a juicy conversation around moving past financial ceilings, mastermind messaging that hits on the true value of group containers, the pressure that comes from being the sole provider, and the misrepresentation of “rest” that’s become so prevalent in the coaching space.

Join us in Spain this November at our week-long retreat (and get a year of coaching and community support, too)! Learn more at cheerstoyournextchapter.com

Connect with Xanthe on Instagram: instagram.com/xanthe.appleyard

Connect with Kaitlyn on Instagram: instagram.com/kaitlynskessler

Wanting Legacy Money + Lifestyle Content

Xanthe Appleyard + Kaitlyn Kessler — Fri, 20 Jun 2025 14:00:00 GMT

In our intro episode, we give workshop-level insights into the power of claiming your desires publicly and reframing the shame and selfishness we feel around “wanting”. We’ll coach each other (and you!) on pivoting towards lifestyle content without diluting trust or impact and breaking free from the paycheque-to-paycheque cycle (no matter how much money you’re bringing in). From manifesting enough embryos to build a soccer team and calling in enough wealth to buy one, we’re covering it all.

Join us in Spain this November at our week-long retreat (and get a year of coaching and community support, too)! Learn more at cheerstoyournextchapter.com

Connect with Xanthe on Instagram: instagram.com/xanthe.appleyard

Connect with Kaitlyn on Instagram: instagram.com/kaitlynskessler