In this conversation, Doug Crowe and Cynthia Kay dig into one of the hardest questions business owners face: Do I stay, or is it time to move on? Cynthia reflects on her path from investigative journalism to entrepreneurship, sharing how each chapter of her career taught her to recognize when something had run its course.

Drawing on her background in broadcasting, she explains how curiosity, pattern recognition, and self-awareness shaped her decision-making over time. Together, they explore what emotional readiness really looks like, why peer-to-peer learning matters so much to entrepreneurs, and how reinvention isn’t a single leap but a thoughtful, often uncomfortable process.

Key Takeaways

• You always have the option to choose differently or to walk away.
• A fading sense of passion is often the first signal that something needs to change.
• Emotional readiness is just as important as financial readiness when making a move.
• Peer-to-peer learning is one of the most powerful tools for business owners.
• Reinvention is a process, not a single decision and it’s more accessible than ever.

Get your copy of "Should You Stay or Should You Go" on Amazon: https://a.co/d/2P4wVuo

This week on the Author Your Brand Show, Doug Crowe sits down with Kathleen Lucente, founder and CEO of Red Fan Communications, to unpack what really happens when leaders face their toughest public moments. Drawing on experiences from 9/11 to global health crises and corporate upheavals, Kathleen explains how smart crisis communication can protect both people and brand reputation. She shows why every CEO needs a clear plan, an aligned leadership team, and an honest narrative before a crisis ever makes the news.

The conversation dives into the psychology of employees after traumatic events, the realities of data breaches and public protests, and the importance of practicing crisis scenarios so leaders can respond with confidence instead of panic. Kathleen also shares why she turns down ethically questionable “fix it” work and how values-driven communication builds long-term trust with customers, investors, and teams. Whether you’re running a startup or a global brand, this episode will change how you think about preparedness, reputation, and leadership under pressure.

5 Key Takeaways

1. Every organization needs a crisis communications plan before a crisis hits.

2. Internal communication and employee trust are just as important as external PR.

3. Practicing scenarios and simulations builds the muscle memory to respond well.

4. Ethical, transparent messaging is the foundation of a lasting reputation.

5. A clear brand narrative helps leaders turn high-stakes moments into opportunities for trust and credibility.

Learn more about Kathleen Lucente and Red Fan Communications at https://redfancommunications.com.

This Is My New Foundation: A Memoir of Loss, Faith, and Redemption — Based on a True Story

In a world upended by trauma, grief, and the unexpected storms of life, This Is My New Foundation tells the unforgettable story of William Bailey—a man who lost everything, only to discover that sometimes, hitting rock bottom is the first step toward building something unshakable.

From the gritty streets of Detroit to the disciplined halls of West Point, from the chaos of military service to the quiet devastation of personal loss during the COVID-19 pandemic, Bailey’s journey is raw, real, and deeply human. What began as a breakdown became something else entirely: a testimony of survival, resilience, and divine intervention.

This memoir is more than a life story—it’s a call to anyone who’s ever felt forgotten, broken, or buried by circumstance. With honesty and grace, Bailey reveals how pain can be a teacher, how faith can be a blueprint, and how healing can begin—even in silence.

Whether you’re facing your own storm or searching for new purpose, this book reminds us: You don’t rebuild with bricks. You rebuild with truth, faith, and a new foundation.