What if the book you're meant to write feels totally off-brand?
When Alexia Leachman wrote her first book, she was a business coach working with alpha male CEOs. The book? A guide to overcoming extreme fear of childbirth. It had nothing to do with her brand — and everything to do with what she knew people needed.
What happened next surprised even her.
That one “off-topic” book turned into a bestselling podcast, a suite of digital products, global training programmes, and a worldwide audience who now recognise her as a thought leader in the space.
In this episode, Alexia shares how writing the book she had to write — not the one that made sense — unlocked her most impactful work.
🔑 In This Conversation:
Why your “off-brand” book might be the most powerful thing you write
How a flood of DMs sparked a 108,000-word manuscript written during maternity leave
The podcast strategy that helped her test content and build a loyal audience
How she turned one niche book into a whole new business branch
Why niche books often outperform broader ones when it comes to resonance
The tools she used to write a book (and white paper) in under 60 days
The balance between structure, flow, and letting ideas come through you
How AI can help authors — without compromising voice or originality
What happened when she claimed the title of “world expert” — and backed it up with a book
💬 Standout Quotes:
“I was a business coach working with men. What was I doing writing about birth? But I had to write it.”
“I treated the podcast like a live draft — it helped me refine the book and build an audience.”
“That one book unlocked a body of work I never could have predicted.”
“The book that doesn’t fit your brand might be the one that reveals what you’re really here to do.”
Books: Fearless Birthing, Clear Your Head Trash, and more
Podcasts: Fear Free Childbirth & The Head Trash Show
If you’d like updates on my writing and books — including the ADHD Mum series — along with occasional writing workshops from The Luminous Press, you can stay in touch via my newsletter:
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