Meet the Summit Speakers

Get ready to be inspired, educated and engaged by this lineup of industry experts, thought leaders and Substack innovators. Each speaker brings incredible knowledge and experience to this digital table, promising to deliver insightful talks, actionable strategies and valuable insights. Whether you're looking to gain new perspectives, learn practical skills or be motivated to make positive changes, our speakers are here to guide and inspire you on your journey. Explore their profiles below and get ready for an unforgettable experience!

Robert Draper

Robert Draper, a Washington, D.C.-based journalist for The New York Times, is renowned for his incisive coverage of domestic politics. With a background in magazine journalism and authorship, including notable works such as "Dead Certain: The Presidency of George W. Bush," Robert brings extensive experience to his writing. His profiles of influential figures and in-depth analysis of right-wing political dynamics have earned him widespread acclaim. Committed to journalistic ethics, Robert's work reflects his dedication to impartiality and integrity, ensuring readers receive informed and insightful perspectives on key political issues.

Find Robert Draper’s latest writing here.

Alex Elle

is a New York Times bestselling author, certified breathwork coach and restorative writing teacher. Her journey with writing began as a form of therapy and exploration, utilizing journaling and mindfulness for healing. With a focus on building community and fostering healing practices through literature and language, Alex conducts Writing to Heal workshops, courses and retreats. Through her work, she empowers others to find their voices, gain clarity in their lives, and foster healthier relationships. Her Substack, , is an encapsulation of her gratitude practice. Alex lives in Maryland with her family.

Subscribe to Gratitude Journal from Alex Elle here.

Kate Eskuri

is on a mission to simplify wellness. With a background as a registered nurse and a doctorate in integrative health, Kate aims to make wellness accessible and achievable for busy people. Through her Substack, , she covers self-care, nutrition, holistic health and intentional living in a down-to-earth and realistic manner. Despite her extensive credentials, Kate believes in infusing fun into the wellness journey. It’s wellness that's both practical and enjoyable.

Subscribe to The Reset from Kate Eskuri here.

Sarah Fay

is the creator of two bestselling Substack publications, a member of Substack’s Product Lab, and a private consultant helping clients double and triple subscribers, boost revenue and attain Featured Substack status. An award-winning author with HarperCollins, Sarah is also a former advisory editor at The Paris Review, a freelance writer for The New York Times, and a member of Northwestern University’s creative writing faculty. Her Substack, is the expert guide to Substack—to get subscribers, earn an income, build the career you want and produce your best work.

Join the 2024 Substack Success Grow Cohort with Sarah Fay here.

Dr. Kelly Flanagan

Dr.

is an author, speaker, relationship coach and licensed clinical psychologist with two decades of expertise in interpersonal relations. Featured in The 5 Love Languages, the TODAY Show, Reader’s Digest, and Success Magazine, his non-fiction books, Loveable and True Companions, were No. 1 New Releases in Interpersonal Relations. Dr. Flanagan’s bestselling novel, The Unhiding of Elijah Campbell, has earned multiple literary awards. As a sought-after speaker, he has addressed various organizations across industries, including the Green Bay Packers. Dr. Flanagan's proprietary coaching program aids high-achieving entrepreneurs in enhancing their relationships. His Substack, , helps kind people navigate the complexities of human connection.

Subscribe to Humaning with Dr. Kelly Flanagan here.

Amanda Hinton

is a developmental editor and strategist with more than 17 years of experience collaborating with a diverse range of talent, including creatives, professionals in medicine and engineering, and emerging storytellers. As an autistic editor, she brings a unique approach that transcends traditional editing, focusing on the evolving dynamics of content creation and reader engagement. Amanda is dedicated to uncovering the heart of narrative and connection, revealing stories the world eagerly awaits. She writes about it all on Substack at .

Join The Editing Spectrum with Amanda Hinton before July 1 and get a copy of The Reader Connection Blueprint as part of a $6 subscription.

Russell Nohelty

is a USA Today bestselling fantasy author known for novels and graphic novels like The Godsverse Chronicles, The Obsidian Spindle Saga, and Ichabod Jones: Monster Hunter. He is the publisher of Wannabe Press, co-host of the Kickstart Your Book Sales podcast, and co-founder of the Writer MBA training academy and The Future of Publishing Mastermind. Russell co-created the Author Ecosystem archetype system to help authors thrive (take the quiz at authorecosystem.com!), and shares most of his writing on his Substack, .  He lives in Los Angeles with his wife and dogs.

Take 25% off your Author Stack membership with Russell Nohelty and access over 725 member-only posts, articles, courses, interviews and more.

Elin Petronella

is a Swedish expat, artist, writer and mother of two living in the picturesque hills of the Belgian countryside. With over a decade of experience in creative ventures, she runs an online art academy specializing in modern hand embroidery. Elin's work explores the inner turmoil of life-changing events and the journey of listening to one's inner voice in a world that often seeks to silence it. She shares her insights on life, freedom, entrepreneurship, and creativity, particularly from the perspective of motherhood, on her Substack, .

Subscribe to Follow your gut with Elin Petronella here.

Kirsten Powers

is a New York Times bestselling author and writes the bestselling Substack, . She recently left a two-decade career as a political analyst and national columnist, most recently for CNN and USA Today. Her writing has been published in The Washington Post, Elle magazine, The Daily Beast, The Wall Street Journal, The Dallas Morning News, The New York Observer, and Salon.com. 

Subscribe to Changing The Channel with Kirsten Powers here.

Keeley Rees

has over 10 years of experience in the film and television industry, a bachelor’s of writing and extensive expertise as an email marketer, content producer and copy coach. She now focuses on helping creatives share their stories with the world, especially through .

Subscribe to The Substack Soirée with Keeley Rees here.

Sara Tasker

is a creative business coach, award-winning photographer, bestselling author and an Apple Podcast No. 1 business podcast host. As an Instagram expert and Substack enthusiast, she has built a multi six-figure business over the past decade, helping people find their voice—and themselves—online. Find her at .

Subscribe to The Substack Soirée with Sara Tasker here.

Christin Thieme

is editor-in-chief for The Salvation Army in the western U.S., leading content marketing efforts to evidence the impact of the organization and involve others in the effort. She holds a master's degree in specialized journalism from USC's Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism and previously taught journalism as an adjunct professor at California Lutheran University. As host of the 5-star Do Gooders Podcast and recipient of multiple first-place prizes from the Evangelical Press Association, Christin is dedicated to amplifying positive stories that inspire change. Now, on Substack, Christin shares insights gained from her journey to help others create newsletters they love *without the overwhelm* through . Christin lives outside of Los Angeles with her husband and three young boys.

Save 20% on an annual membership to The Content Brief with Christin Thieme here—including access to the quarterly content planning party.

Claire Venus

is an engagement consultant, mentor and Substack bestseller. Her clients include bestselling authors, award-winning artists and organizations like National Trust, Tate Modern, Action for Children and Andersen Press. Passionate about the impact of creativity on wellbeing, Claire has been sharing her "stay creative" message on Substack since April 2023, teaching thousands how to use the platform authentically. As an artist and writer, she has published three creativity and wellbeing journals and writes two Substack publications focused on wholehearted living, along with hosting a popular podcast on the platform. Claire lives in Northumberland, England, with her husband, two children and five pet chickens.

Become a member of Sparkle on Substack with Claire Venus here.

Lucy Werner

is the writer behind the Substack Top 60 business newsletter, , and the founder of HypeYourself.com, an educational platform designed to help individuals build their brand and amplify their presence. With over two decades of communications experience, Lucy has shared her expertise with hundreds of entrepreneurs through workshops, resources and courses at notable institutions such as The Futur, Bayes Business School, Courier magazine, and the University of Arts London. She is also the author of two bestselling books, Hype Yourself and Brand Yourself. Recognized for her impact in the industry, Lucy has been featured in the Alt Marketing Power 100, The Dots Rising Stars, and Start-Up Magazine's Female Founders to Watch. Additionally, she serves as a global Adobe Express ambassador and instructor at Domestika.

Get 20% off an annual subscription to Hype Yourself with Lucy Werner here.