The Big Self Podcast

Five things that actually moved in publishing this month, and what to do about each. The Authors Guild puts hard numbers on why author income keeps slipping, Audible forces a year-end decision on audiobook royalties, FSG opens a no-fee $15,000 fellowship (deadline July 6), book discovery starts shifting from search to AI, and the indie bookstore "death" turns out to be growth. The channels you don't control are getting harder, so put your weight on the ones you do.Join us at crossroadspublishing.group. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chadprevost.substack.com

How many books on your shelf were actually finished (if they were even began)? This episode is about a different kind of book: short on purpose, beautiful enough to keep, written from the far side of a hard turn for the person standing in it now. A case for concentration over padding, and the first look at Crossings, our new short-form line.Find us at crossroadspublishing.group. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chadprevost.substack.com

Homer gives us a woman who weaves a shroud by day and unravels it by night, holding off a house full of suitors. We call it stalling. Homer calls it devotion. This one is for anyone whose truest work looks, from the outside, like waiting: the patient no, the thing left undone on purpose, the refusal to finish on someone else's terms.Find us at https//:www.crossroadspublishing.group. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chadprevost.substack.com

I did an episode a few weeks back on Jasmine Sun's provocations about independent writing in the AI era. One of those provocations: the value of polish is going down, and the value of personal style, charisma, and weirdness is going up. AI is very good at polished prose. AI is bad at voice—the particular moves only this writer would make, the typos the writer would have caught but didn't, the metaphor that shouldn't work but does because it's coming from this particular mind.Sun's frame and the longhand frame meet exactly here. Voice is the comparative advantage. Voice is what AI cannot generate. And handwriting is one of the most reliable disciplines we have for preserving and developing voice.Here's why. When you type, autocomplete and muscle memory and the smoothness of the keyboard tend to push you toward standard phrasings. The fastest sentence to type is usually the most expected sentence. AI tools accelerate this further by suggesting the most predictable next phrase.Even without AI, typing tends to homogenize prose toward the average.When you write by hand, none of that exists. There is no autocomplete. There is no suggestion engine. There is only the pen and the next word, and the speed limit is your thinking. The sentence you write is the sentence you composed in your head and chose to put down. The sentence is unmistakably yours because nothing intervened between your mind and the page.In the AI era, the handwritten draft is not nostalgic. It is maximally human. It is the most reliable way to produce prose that could not have been generated.Here's something I'd like you to try. Write your next essay—or a chapter—by hand. Don't do it for one session. Do it for a few weeks, long enough to get into a flow. See what emerges that doesn't emerge at the keyboard.If you do it, write me back and tell me what you found.---WHY THIS KEEPS COMING UPI'm writing this partly because the original Medium article keeps showing up in my analytics every month, even though I wrote it years ago. Writers are looking for ways to think about the question of HOW THEY WRITE in a moment when the answer is contested. The longhand discipline is one answer that hasn't gone out of fashion in the lifetimes of the writers I just named, and I don't think it's going out of fashion now. If anything, the AI moment makes it more important.If you're working on something and you want a publisher who'll talk to you about voice and craft and the actual practice of writing—not just the production at the end—Crossroads is that press. Discovery call on the site.Twenty minutes, free.The difficulty in life is the choice.—Chad This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chadprevost.substack.com

TL;DRToday we open the doors. Crossroads Publishing Group—a hybrid publisher of serious nonfiction in Chattanooga—announces the Crossroads Commons, our founding membership. Three tiers; fifty lifetime Founder spots, ever.• Join the Commons → crossroadspublishing.group/commons• Publish with us → crossroadspublishing.group/engagements• The catalog → crossroadspublishing.group/catalog• Questions → chad@crossroadspublishing.groupMost small presses spend their first year trying to look like a big press. We're not doing that. A hybrid publisher of serious nonfiction, based in Chattanooga, founded this year, built around the idea that books are occasions for community—and that the press's job is to take that seriously.The Long StoryA few weeks ago I made a decision about how Crossroads Publishing Group would set itself apart: a real commitment to relationship. Then, on a mountain bike trail a few days ago, the bigger version of the idea arrived. It's not just relationship—one-on-one, editor and author. It's community. And once you see it, you can't unsee it: leadership books end at community. Recovery books end at community. Theology, parenting, loneliness, climate—trace the actual argument and the topic turns out to be the doorway in. Community is the thing itself.So I'm building the press to take that seriously, not as a marketing line, but as operating structure. Today's episode lays out the whole thing.Five structural commitments:* Every Crossroads author gets a direct-purchase URL for their community—their people buy from the press, their royalty is higher, and the relationship stays out of the algorithm.* Every book launches with an event in the author's community, wherever they live.* Every Crossroads author appears on The Difficulty.* Authors meet each other—the catalog becomes a community of minds, not a list of titles.* Readers get a structured way to belong to the press: the Crossroads Commons, open today.The Commons, three tiers:* Reader — $200/year. Every new title shipped to your door on publication day. A quarterly Circle Letter. 20% off direct orders. Your name in the colophon of every title shipped during your membership year.* Patron — $500/year. Everything above, plus a signed limited-edition hardcover each year (printed exclusively for Patrons), an invitation to the annual Crossroads gathering, private author Q&As at every launch, and 30% off.* Founder — $1,000, one time, lifetime. Limited to the first 50, ever. All Patron benefits in perpetuity, your name permanently in the colophon of every title we publish during your lifetime, and one annual meal or coffee with me. When the 50 are filled, that door closes forever.The Commons isn't a subscription to this podcast, The Difficulty stays free, always. It's membership in the press itself. And you shouldn't join from obligation or scarcity pressure. Join because the editorial direction and the community we're forming matter to you, and you want to be part of the early conversation.→ Join the Crossroads CommonsThe four doors, if you're wondering which is yours:* Authors — from a $750 Legacy Audit to the full Compile to Publish engagement (print + ebook + audiobook, six to eight months): crossroadspublishing.group/engagements* Readers — the Circle: crossroadspublishing.group/circle* Writers developing a manuscript in community — the First Draft Cohort, applications open July 13, inaugural class begins September 14.* Just want a book? — crossroadspublishing.group/catalog — William James's The Varieties of Religious Experience is in print now; Virginia Woolf's A Room of One's Own is next (and I'm narrating the audiobook myself)This is your moment to step in.—Chad This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chadprevost.substack.com

This is one of the slower Saturday episodes—no announcements, no news. Just a piece of the book I'm writing, read and thought through out loud.It starts on Circe's island, where Odysseus's men have already been turned into pigs. It passes through Dante's hell, where the greedy push boulders forever, and through Midas's palace, where a father reaches for his daughter and finds cold metal. And it ends somewhere closer to home: the quiet withdrawal, the measured non-engagement, the parts of ourselves we've decided are too valuable or too vulnerable to share.Because here's the thing about Avarice: in its deepest expression, it was never about gold. It's a misdirected search for transcendence. We're not hoarding money, we're hoarding self. Time, warmth, attention, the willingness to be known. And the endpoint of all that protecting isn't wealth. It's isolation.Two questions sit at the center of this one:What are you unwilling to give? And what is that withholding costing the people who need you?If the episode does something to you, here's the assignment, which is also the argument: share it with one person you've been quietly withholding from.—ChadP.S. — Monday's episode is different. I have an announcement about the press, about what we're building, and about how you can be part of it. It's the most excited I've been about anything in a while. Come back Monday. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chadprevost.substack.com

Monday's episode last week was about green-lighting yourself, refusing to wait for institutions to validate your work. Today we go one layer deeper. Green-lighting yourself does not mean publishing whatever you've got. It means doing the editorial work seriously, on your own behalf, so what you publish is actually ready.Editorial direction is more specific than most writers think. Here are six questions a serious editor asks of a manuscript before saying yes to it. You can start asking these of your own work today.* What is this book actually about* Who is the reader* What shelf does this book sit on* What is the reader's journey* Where is the prose working and where is it slipping* What is the work remainingEach question comes with an exercise you can do on your own manuscript right now.This episode also covers when outside editorial direction is most useful (later than most writers think) and what Crossroads's Editorial Framing Brief actually provides for writers who have done their own work and still can't see what they're missing.If you're working on a manuscript and want a publisher who thinks this way about the editorial standard—voice, testimony, weight per paragraph—Crossroads is that press.We're in our founding season through summer 2026 with founding-rate engagements.Discovery call → 20 min, free, let's chat.Author Engagement and First Draft Cohort here!—Chad Get full access to The Descent at chadprevost.substack.com/subscribe

WHAT'S EMERGING AND WHAT IT MEANSThe question is shifting from “should writers use AI” to “what kind of writing is worth doing.” Tim Moon argues the shame regime around AI use is making honest conversation harder. The Atlantic piece shows the detection question is real but temporary — and the deeper question is what's lost when the thinking that produces writing goes away. Ramachandran shows the Commonwealth Prize fiasco was really a story about what we'd been rewarding. Sun and Morine both argue the writer's comparative advantage is not the absence of AI but the presence of voice and testimony and the kind of writing only this writer would do.For the writers I'm trying to publish at Crossroads—for the writers in the cohort, for the writers I'm talking to in discovery calls—this is the frame I want to model. We are not the press that takes a position on AI. We are the press that asks whether every paragraph is bearing weight, whether the voice on the page is the writer's voice, whether the manuscript contains things the writer brought back from somewhere only they have been.Those questions can be asked of a manuscript written entirely by hand or one written with AI assistance or anything in between. The questions are the editorial standard. The tools the writer used to get there are the writer's business.What's freeing about this conversation is that it lets serious writers be honest about their actual practice without performing a position. That's what Sun and Ramachandran and Moon and Morine are doing. That's the tone I want for Crossroads, for the show, and for the writers we're working with.THE READING LIST- Sanjana Ramachandran, The Print — Should we leave writing to AI?- The Atlantic — How to Tell AI Writing (May 2026)- Tim Moon, Substack — AI: The Scarlet Letters- Jasmine Sun, jasmi.news — Comparative Advantage of Independent Writers- Nicholas Morine on LinkedIn — Mile Wide, Inch Deep---If you're working on a manuscript and want a publisher who thinks this way about the editorial standard—voice, testimony, weight per paragraph—Crossroads is that press.We're in our founding season through summer 2026 with founding-rate engagements.Discovery call → 20 min, free, let's chat.Author Engagement and First Draft Cohort here!—Chad Get full access to The Descent at chadprevost.substack.com/subscribe

In Dante's Inferno, the lustful are not burned. They are swept, a great relentless wind moves them endlessly, helplessly, no footing, no direction, just the next gust carrying them where it will. This week's episode is a weekend reflection; slower, more meditative, less about publishing and craft and more about the soul-work questions underneath. Lust in its oldest, broadest sense—unrestrained wanting. The fire the Greeks understood. The Cyclops's single eye. Odysseus making himself Nobody to escape the cave. Emily Dickinson's delight in being Nobody too. And the difference between failure (which you can face) and self-abandonment (which is harder). This is from a nonfiction book I'm working on. If the reflection register resonates, stay close—these weekend episodes will keep coming.The Difficulty is the podcast of Crossroads Publishing Group, a new IBPA-pledged hybrid press based in Chattanooga, TN. We publish serious nonfiction in three lanes—Argument, Reflection, Witness.00:00 What this episode is — the weekend reflection lane01:00 Dante's lustful — swept endlessly by the wind02:30 The id, duende, and Heraclitus on fire03:30 The Cyclops — single eye, all surface, all appetite05:00 Odysseus calls himself “Nobody” — and it saves his life06:00 Emily Dickinson's “I'm Nobody. Who are you?”07:00 The American problem with being Somebody08:00 Personal — what got abandoned along the way09:00 Failure vs. self-abandonment10:00 Soul work, calling, and the descentCrossroads Publishing Group: crossroadspublishing.groupLearn more about two engagement opportunities happening right now: https://crossroadspublishing.group/start/ Get full access to The Descent at chadprevost.substack.com/subscribe

Topics covered:A field report from week one of Crossroads Publishing Group—what's coming in the door, what's surprising, what's confirming.What a hybrid press actually is. A working definition: a publisher where the author shares the financial risk via a fee (broadly $5K to $45K, depending on the engagement), in exchange for real editorial work, professional production, distribution under the press's imprint, and a higher royalty share than traditional contracts.Why the vanity-press confusion exists, and why it's no longer accurate to the category as it stands in 2026.The IBPA Hybrid Publisher Pledge—the trade-association standard the legitimate hybrid presses meet (and the vanity operations don't).Three case studies of serious hybrid presses: She Writes Press (founded by Brooke Warner, 2012; 500+ titles; Industry Innovator Award from the Book Industry Study Group in 2017; Warner is chair of the IBPA) Greenleaf Book Group (Austin; operating since 2003; 1,500+ titles; multiple New York Times bestsellers) Lucid Books (Texas Christian hybrid; 5,000 authors in 20 years of operation)Three structural reasons the hybrid category is growing while the Big Five contracts: * The agent and Big Five pipeline is capped (≈1,000 active US agents, 3-5 new clients each per year) * Platform requirements at traditional imprints have become unworkable for serious working writers * The math of a hybrid contract is often better for the author: The traditional advance reality in 2026: $5K-$25K for non-celebrity nonfiction, declining year over year, with the author doing the marketing anyway, on a 10-15% royalty, with the publisher owning the ISBN.Why this matters for The Difficulty‘s actual listeners — coaches, therapists, consultants, pastors, mission-driven leaders, retired executives in second and third acts, working professionals in midlife transition.Five questions to ask any hybrid press before you give them a dollar:One — Are they IBPA pledged? If not, why not? Two — What is the author royalty split, in a specific number, with accounting schedule? Three — What editorial work is actually included in the price — developmental, line, copy, proofreading; at what stage; how many rounds? Four — Where does your book actually go after publication? Real distribution (Ingram, Amazon, Bookshop.org, library channels like Baker & Taylor and OverDrive) or just a SKU on a website? Five — What is the editorial selection rate? A serious hybrid press turns books down.About Crossroads Publishing Group:Crossroads is a hybrid press for practitioner authors—coaches, therapists, consultants, mission-driven leaders, and working professionals with a serious book and a body of insight. Three main category lanes on the site. 80% net royalties to the author. IBPA-pledged criteria built into the model.Inquiry door: crossroadspublishing.groupCall to action:If you're a practitioner author with a serious book and the hybrid path sounds like it could be yours, visit crossroadspublishing.group to start the conversation. Feedback on the show is welcome — what episodes are speaking to you, what you'd like to hear more or less of. Get full access to The Descent at chadprevost.substack.com/subscribe

Brooke Warner, the founder of She Writes Press, gave a TED talk in 2017 called “Green-Lighting Yourself” that I have been thinking about for years. The argument: the traditional creative industries, publishing and film and music, have shifted toward green-lighting only artists who are already famous or who have celebrity connections. The writers and filmmakers and musicians who refused to wait for those industries to discover them, who chose to publish or produce their own work without permission, have a name. Warner calls them green-lighters.The line from her talk that I cannot let go: “Legitimacy cannot be bestowed. You have to take it.”This episode is about what that line means in 2026.There is a question every writer who has been carrying a book for a long time eventually has to face. Are you going to keep waiting for someone to greenlight your work, or are you going to greenlight it yourself.In this episode I share three of my own green-lighter moments. Co-founding C&R Press at thirty-two. Launching Crossroads at fifty-two. And the book I am writing right now, The Crisis of Being Nobody, which will publish through Crossroads because no traditional gatekeeper is going to greenlight it on my behalf.I also talk about what green-lighting actually requires, beyond the romanticized version. Four specific things. The work has to be good. The practical labor of getting the book into the world has to be done. The waiting for institutional bestowal has to end. And the writer has to return to what made them want to do the work in the first place.The episode closes with an invitation. What is the work you have been carrying that you have not yet greenlighted. Notice what happens in your body when you sit with that question. Whether something opens or something flinches. The answer the institution is not going to give you is one you have always been able to give yourself.The Founding Voice cohort, for the first three writers signing a publishing engagement with Crossroads, is open through August 31, 2026.* Submit a project: https://crossroadspublishing.group/inquire* Book a discovery call: Calendly link here. Get full access to The Descent at chadprevost.substack.com/subscribe

When I was seventeen, I drove my parents' conversion van home from a party with a six-pack in my system and a freshly-dented bumper on a stranger's parked car. The officer who arrived at our house decided not to charge me with driving under the influence. He told me to go inside and sleep it off. I have thought about that night for thirty-five years.This episode is an essay reading. The material is personal. Three stories from my reckless adolescence in Richmond, Virginia, told plainly. The drinking and driving. The LSD afternoon at a Goochland County rock quarry. The way my parents finally put me in rehab and the way I was outraged when they did. I survived my adolescence on a margin of unearned protection that I did not deserve, and the survival did not feel, then, like the gift it was.The essay turns to the strangest passage in the Hebrew Bible. Genesis 32. Jacob wrestling the man who turns out to be God, holding on through the dislocated hip, refusing to let go without the blessing. The man gives Jacob a new name. Jacob leaves with a permanent limp. The limp is, in the strange grammar of the story, the proof that the blessing was real.The argument the essay makes is the argument the book it comes from rests on. The crisis of being nobody is not solved by the world finally recognizing you. The world is busy. The crisis is solved by the wrestling. The wrestling produces a self that can speak. The wrestling produces the work. The wrestling produces a person who has something to say because they have done the work of finding out what they are.The blessing is real. The limp is yours forever. So is the name.→ The Crisis of Being Nobody: forthcoming late 2026 from Crossroads Press → Submit a project: crossroadspublishing.group/inquire → Subscribe to The Descent: chadprevost.substack.com → Book a discovery call: Calendly here Get full access to The Descent at chadprevost.substack.com/subscribe

This week, two things in one episode.I sit down with Andrew Najberg, novelist, poet, editor at Symposium Magazine, co-owner and co-editor-in-chief of Aethon Books: Wicked House, college teacher, husband, father, and my Chattanooga neighbor. Andrew has five novels out, including The Mobius Door, Golotok, The Neverborn Thief, and Eat the Light, which dropped last month from Wicked House. He has two poetry collections out, with Paradise Falls forthcoming.What I wanted from this conversation was to understand how Andrew actually does the work. Day to day. Hour to hour. We talk about:* The book Andrew is writing right now, a horror comedy about a cottage and a Bugaboo, with themes about AI and user-generated material running underneath* The day he scrapped 125 to 150 pages of The Mobius Door because the structure wasn't working* The voice memos he records while driving his kids to school, then refines into prose in his office between teaching and editing* The daily wordcount rhythm that gets him 2,000 words a day while running a press publishing 40 titles a year* His reading recommendations for horror sci-fi* And his clear-eyed read of Amazon's algorithm, including the 25-review threshold, the two-week launch window, and the 90-day placement decision that determines a book's three-year lifeFirst, the news: The Working Publisher news digest. Five stories from the past week in publishing that share a single shape. Authors organized at a 91.3 percent claims rate in the Bartz settlement against Anthropic. Scott Turow and five major publishers filed a class action against Meta. Audible flipped ACX into a Spotify-style royalty pool. Draft2Digital introduced fees for the first time in the platform's history. And Independent Bookstore Day quietly celebrated its fourteenth year, with the indie bookstore count continuing its slow recovery.The pattern: the platform middlemen are tightening their grip on writers, and writers are starting to push back.Find Andrew's books on Amazon. Reviews are how Andrew's press depends on hitting the 25-review threshold that gets his next book in front of new readers.* Andrew Najberg on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Andrew-Najberg/e/[author-page]* Symposium Magazine: https://symposiummagazine.com* Crossroads Publishing Group: https://crossroadspublishing.group* The Founding Voice cohort, for the first three writers signing a publishing engagement, is open through August 31, 2026. Get full access to The Descent at chadprevost.substack.com/subscribe

In 1917, Virginia and Leonard Woolf set up Hogarth Press in their dining room with about forty pounds of operating capital. Five years later, Sylvia Beach published Ulysses from a Paris bookshop after every major publisher refused it. A few months after that, Hogarth Press published The Waste Land — another book the corporate houses had passed on. In a span of five years, two small presses founded by writers and bookshop owners redefined what English-language literature could do in the twentieth century.The publishing moment we are living through in 2026 looks remarkably like that one. The big houses have closed their doors to the writer of serious nonfiction without an existing platform. Agents have become the new editorial gatekeepers. The book that takes seven years to write is structurally homeless in the corporate system.This episode argues for what comes next — a return to the editorial tradition that produced the literary canon. Crossroads Publishing Group is a boutique press in that tradition. Two lanes: Leadership (Covey/Lencioni/Collins) and Reflective (Solnit/Whyte/Hollis/Tooze/Klein). Hybrid model, legitimately operated. IBPA-pledged. CLMP member.The Founding Voice cohort opens today. The first three writers signing a publishing engagement — Editorial Framing Brief or above — receive a dedicated Difficulty episode profile, inclusion in the first seasonal catalog, and permanent recognition on the Crossroads website as a Founding Voice. Pricing is not discounted. The recognition is structural.→ Engagements: crossroadspublishing.group/engagements → Submit: crossroadspublishing.group/inquire → Discovery call: Book on Calendly Get full access to The Descent at chadprevost.substack.com/subscribe

Scott Bedgood started his career covering Little League games at the Tyler Morning Telegraph in Texas. Now Scott is a journalist, author, content marketer, and clean-comedy stand-up opening at The Ryman in just a few days.This is the first interview episode of The Difficulty, and Scott is the right writer to launch the format with. His through-line is storyteller, and the way he's threaded that line — from sports journalism through self-publishing Lessons from Legends (interviews with twelve College Football Hall of Fame coaches including Barry Switzer, Steve Spurrier, and Tom Osborne) into a stand-up comedy career that started as a newsletter project four years ago — is exactly the kind of working-writer path this show exists to surface.

Using Dante's opening in the “dark wood,” host Chad Prevost frames midlife as waking up to being lost after sleepwalking through socially prescribed success, and reframes “abandon hope” as an instruction to stop relying on the old self and tools that created the crisis. He describes needing guidance beyond oneself, like Virgil leading Dante downward into the inferno to see the patterns that trap people, which he links to coaching clients' pervasive belief “I am not enough,” shaped by culture or family systems. Drawing on Epictetus, Adler, Auden, and the Greek concept hamartia, he argues the ego's protective adaptations become traps, and Dante's hell illustrates suffering rooted in lies, from unconscious “errors” to willful avoidance; the series explores this descent as a path to a freer, fuller creative life.00:00 Saturday Series Intro00:58 Waking in the Dark Wood03:10 Midlife Lostness04:08 Abandon Hope as Instruction06:02 Virgil and the Descent07:45 The Not Enough Story10:43 Separating Self from History11:49 Hamartia and Ego Armor13:40 Truth Lies and the Circles15:35 Series Purpose and FarewellFREE — THE DIFFICULTY FIELD GUIDEEight difficulties every working writer faces, and what to ask when each one shows up.→ crossroadspublishing.group/assets/pdfs/The_Difficulty_Field_Guide.pdf—WHERE TO FIND MESubstack — new essays Wednesdays, the Working Publisher news digest Fridays→ chadprevost.substack.comThe Difficulty — Monday (the why), Thursday (the how), Saturday (essay readings) — wherever you listen to podcasts→ chadprevost.com/the-difficultyCrossroads Publishing Group — publishing services, IF/THEN Books, the Iris Blackwood mystery series→ crossroadspublishing.group—“The difficulty in life is the choice.” Get full access to The Descent at chadprevost.substack.com/subscribe

If you're an indie writer paying attention to what's happening in publishing right now — this week was a tell. Three stories landed inside seven days. Each one pointed at the same answer.Episode 5 of The Difficulty — the first publishing-news episode in the new "How" lane. This week:— Audible's ACX royalty model is being discontinued. Authors must enroll in the new pooled, consumption-based model by year-end. Brandon Sanderson called this out back in 2024; Dave Chesson at Kindlepreneur is openly skeptical. Same playbook Spotify ran for music and KU ran for ebooks. Now it's audiobooks.— Publishing.com hit with a $1.5M FTC settlement — alleged misleading income claims and undisclosed incentivized testimonials. The publishing industry is being told publicly that some of the loudest "publish-your-book-and-get-rich" programs were misleading. Personal aside: I came close to laying out $6K to one of these a few years back. I'm glad I didn't.— Inkers Con runs May 30 – June 12 ($250, fully online). Working authors learning from each other in real time. Worth knowing about even if you don't go.The throughline: in a week where platforms got less predictable AND shady programs got FTC'd, the answer was the same answer indie writers have been circling for a decade. Direct audience. Real community. Owned email list. Less platform dependency.I share what I'm doing about it in real time — including how the Goodreads giveaway for Iris Blackwood pulled nearly 3,000 entrants, and the moment I almost didn't release Iris #1 as an ebook (and what changed my mind).—GO DEEPERFriday's Working Publisher Substack post extends this episode with sources and analysis:→ chadprevost.substack.com — search "The Free Lunch Is Ending"—CHAPTERSThree stories, same answerAudible's royalty pivotPublishing.com's FTC settlementThe $6K I almost spentInkers Con (May 30 – June 12)The throughline — direct audienceIris Blackwood anecdote — the ebook decisionClosing—FREE — THE DIFFICULTY FIELD GUIDEEight difficulties every working writer faces, and what to ask when each one shows up.→ crossroadspublishing.group/assets/pdfs/The_Difficulty_Field_Guide.pdf—WHERE TO FIND MESubstack — The Working Publisher (Fridays) + new essays Wednesdays + weekend essay readings Saturdays→ chadprevost.substack.comThe Difficulty — Monday (the why), Thursday (the how), Saturday (essay readings) — wherever you listen to podcasts→ chadprevost.com/the-difficultyCrossroads Publishing Group — publishing services, IF/THEN Books, Iris Blackwood mystery series→ crossroadspublishing.groupInkers Con:→ inkerscon.com/2026-digital-conference—The difficulty in life is the choice. Get full access to The Descent at chadprevost.substack.com/subscribe

If you finish a paying assignment and feel, instead of relief, a kind of dull resentment — this episode is for you. Or if you sit down to the work that's been pulling at you for years, and the dishes suddenly need doing, the bills suddenly need paying — this is for you, too.Episode 4 of The Difficulty starts the Field Guide series with the foundational difficulty: the work that pays and the work that matters. They're not usually the same work, and most of us pretend they are.In this one I get into the years I spent writing trade journalism in freight and logistics — the compromises that taught me a lot but weren't the calling — and the friends who got the holy-grail book deal and discovered that "making it" was the start of a different grind, not the end of one. Plus Mark Fitten's $10K-publicist-and-NYT-ad story. The Norman origins of the word "courage." And why being 53 doesn't mean you've missed your window. At least I hope not.The challenge at the end: this week, make one move that matters. Even 90 minutes. Notice the resistance. Notice the breaking through.—CHAPTERS00:00 Resentment and Avoidance00:46 Show Format and Big Question02:45 Work That Pays vs Matters04:11 Compromises and Day Jobs06:03 What Is Your True Calling08:37 Renew Commitment and Habits12:10 The Hidden Work After Creating17:31 Choose Courage Over Ambivalence22:54 Time Is Longer Than You Think26:05 Your Work Matters Closing—FREE — THE DIFFICULTY FIELD GUIDEEight difficulties every working writer faces, and what to ask when each one shows up.→ crossroadspublishing.group/assets/pdfs/The_Difficulty_Field_Guide.pdf—WHERE TO FIND MESubstack — new essays Wednesdays, the Working Publisher news digest Fridays, weekend essay readings Saturdays→ chadprevost.substack.comThe Difficulty — Monday (the why), Thursday (the how), Saturday (essay readings) — wherever you listen to podcasts→ chadprevost.com/the-difficultyCrossroads Publishing Group — publishing services, IF/THEN Books, the Iris Blackwood mystery series→ crossroadspublishing.group—Thursday: three things that happened in publishing this week and what they mean if you're building toward a direct audience.The difficulty in life is the choice. Get full access to The Descent at chadprevost.substack.com/subscribe

I almost drowned on the Ocoee River. The thing that saved me wasn't anything I'd thought to ask for.This is the first essay in the Saturday series at The Difficulty — longer pieces from a series I've been writing on Substack called The Descent, about the choices that shape a creative life. Saturday is for the essays that don't fit the news-cycle pace of the rest of the week.Today's is about how hard it is to ask for help — and the deeper, harder thing underneath it: the surrender we resist for years before we know we're resisting it. Drawing on David Whyte, David Hawkins, and Carl Jung's “shoes too small” image, with a near-drowning story I haven't told publicly before.Closing question: What am I holding onto that I already know isn't working?—CHAPTERS00:00 Saturday Series Intro01:01 The Hard Word — Help03:26 The Near-Drowning Lesson04:52 Two Kinds of Help06:52 Surrender vs Giving Up07:57 Shoes Too Small09:40 Letting Go Changes You10:46 Readiness and Courage12:55 Modern Ways to Give Up14:47 The Question to Ask15:07 Closing and Where to Find More—FREE — THE DIFFICULTY FIELD GUIDEEight difficulties every working writer faces, and what to ask when each one shows up.→ crossroadspublishing.group/assets/pdfs/The_Difficulty_Field_Guide.pdf—WHERE TO FIND MESubstack — new essays Wednesdays, the Working Publisher news digest Fridays→ chadprevost.substack.comThe Difficulty — Monday (the why), Thursday (the how), Saturday (essay readings) — wherever you listen to podcasts→ chadprevost.com/the-difficultyCrossroads Publishing Group — publishing services, IF/THEN Books, the Iris Blackwood mystery series→ crossroadspublishing.group—“The difficulty in life is the choice.” Get full access to The Descent at chadprevost.substack.com/subscribe

Episode 2 of The Difficulty.The hardest thing about indie publishing isn't writing the book. It's giving up the fantasy that the book will market itself.In this one I get honest about the ego defenses we run as creators when it's time to put work into the marketplace — the survivorship bias of the "no marketing" success stories, the isolation that breeds false certainty, the asymmetric gap between making (which feels like magic) and marketing (which feels like math).Some of what comes up:— Howard Finster on his farm. Emily Dickinson and her response to Thomas Higginson. Fernando Pessoa's 200 heteronyms in a Lisbon trunk.— The German musician who poured everything into one album, got profoundly little response, and stopped.— My own Iris Blackwood cover that got 14 thumbs up and 38 thumbs down on NetGalley — and what to do with that.— "We haven't failed. We just haven't found our audience yet."The challenge at the end: pick one marketing lane, commit to it for 30–60 days, and report back.If the show is doing something for you, the easiest way to support it is to share this episode with one person you think it'd land for. Or restack the post. Or both.Episode mentions:— The Difficulty Field Guide (free PDF — eight difficulties every working writer faces): https://crossroadspublishing.group/assets/pdfs/The_Difficulty_Field_Guide.pdf— Iris Blackwood and the Curse of Hemlock Island, just out at IF/THEN Books — extras page (Decision Tree map + reading guide): https://crossroadspublishing.group/if-then-books/hemlock-island/New episodes Mondays (the why) and Thursdays (the how).The difficulty in life is the choice. Get full access to The Descent at chadprevost.substack.com/subscribe

The very first episode of The Difficulty. A 50-year-old paperweight on my father's desk turned out to be a line from a 1900 Irish play, and the seed of this show. What you're getting on Mondays vs. Thursdays, what's launching this week at crossroadspublishing.group, the founding-and-selling of C&R Press, the Terminus Magazine “just make it real” lesson, and the $4,000 bestseller campaign I almost said yes to two days ago.00:00 Welcome — we're not about perfectionism, we're about idealizing03:00 The motto: the difficulty in life is the choice04:30 Origin of the quote — my father's rock paperweight, George Moore, 190008:00 What this show is NOT (and is)11:30 The free Difficulty Field Guide12:30 What's launching this week: the show, the site, IF/THEN Books, Iris #117:00 Crossroads Publishing services — for writers with a body of work20:00 Who I am — PhD, ICF coach, Enneagram, C&R Press 1996-2015, 50+ books24:00 Making it real imperfectly — the Terminus Magazine origin story30:00 Who this show is for33:00 The $4,000 Brody bestseller campaign and $2,000 Cohen Groundbreakers38:00 The in-between is the hard part — the real difficulty isn't the choice42:00 What's coming Thursday: how to stop believing your stuff is specialThe Difficulty Field Guide (free PDF — eight difficulties every creative life faces)Iris Blackwood and the Curse of Hemlock Island (launching Tuesday May 5, with freeDecision Tree map and educator's reading guide)Crossroads Publishing Group — IF/THEN Books, Crossroads Press services, free resources.Subscribe to The Descent (the show's hub):YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@chadprevostwriterPersonal site: https://chadprevost.comMentioned in this episode:- George Moore, The Bending of the Bough (1900) — the source quote- C&R Press (founded 2006, sold 2015)- Terminus Magazine (Atlanta literary magazine origin story)- Game Time Books — earlier interactive-fiction venture- Dave Chesson / Kindlepreneur — Publisher Rocket- Paul G. Brody / Brody Consulting — bestseller campaign service- Bryan Cohen / Best Page Forward — Groundbreakers community- Robert Frost — “the road less traveled” Get full access to The Descent at chadprevost.substack.com/subscribe

Here's the question this show keeps asking:What does it cost to keep choosing the work?This is The Difficulty — a podcast about the choices that shape a creative life, and the courage it takes to make them.I'm Dr. Chad Prevost — writer, publisher, ICF-certified coach. I've spent years inside the questions creative people actually wrestle with. Not the productivity-hack version. The real one.New episodes weekly. Full episodes, transcripts, and Notes from the cutting-room floor.Subscribe wherever you listen.The Difficulty. Start anywhere. Get full access to The Descent at chadprevost.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, Chad, co-founder of Big Self School and part of the Leading Human podcast team, discusses the transformative power of the Enneagram in long-term relationships. He highlights the common communication pitfalls couples face and how understanding each other's Enneagram types can facilitate deeper connections and growth. This episode also previews the upcoming Enneagram Couples Retreat on February 14th, 2026, in Chattanooga, designed to help couples understand their partner's core motivations and foster compassionate understanding.00:00 Introduction and Welcome00:47 Understanding Relationship Dynamics07:59 The Power of the Enneagram14:01 Enneagram for Couples Retreat21:33 Conclusion and Call to ActionIf you're in Chattanooga this February, check out our Enneagram for Couples Retreat here. Early bird and 2 for 1 pricing while supplies last and ends December 17, 2025.We do trainings all over. We'll bring a communication workshop in person or online. https://bigselfschool.com/trainingsDon't just take it from us, hear what others are saying: https://bigselfschool.com/testimonials.Book a chemistry call. Learn more about what we do, how we might support you, and if the fit is right: https://calendly.com/shelley-bss/disc...

In this podcast episode, Chad Prevost, executive coach and co-founder of Big Self School, delves into the fundamentals of building trust within organizational teams. Chad highlights common communication mistakes that erode trust, such as making vague requests, assuming commitment when it hasn't been clearly given, and handling feedback poorly. He explains the importance of clear, committed communication and outlines a six-element framework for making effective requests, including the necessity of naming the timeframe and conditions of satisfaction. Chad offers strategies for constructive feedback through the SBIA framework (Situation, Behavior, Impact, Ask), emphasizing the importance of daily conversations in trust-building. The episode underscores that effective communication and mutual accountability lead to better organizational outcomes and a healthier workplace environment.We do trainings all over. We'll bring a communication workshop in person or online. https://bigselfschool.com/trainingsDon't just take it from us, hear what others are saying: https://bigselfschool.com/testimonials.Book a chemistry call. Learn more about what we do, how we might support you, and if the fit is right: https://calendly.com/shelley-bss/disc...

In this episode of Leading Human, host Chad welcomes leadership expert and author Jim Karloff to discuss his book, 'The Six Pillars of Effective Leadership: A Roadmap to Success.' Jim shares his journey in leadership, the inspiration behind his book, and how the six pillars—compassion, empathy, stability, focus, humor, and the crucial element of integrity—can be effectively implemented in any organization. Tune in to explore the nuances of these pillars, learn from Jim's professional experiences, and gain insights into building a resilient, people-first team in today's rapidly changing world.00:00 Introduction to Jim Karloff and His Leadership Philosophy00:55 Jim's Journey to Writing 'The Six Pillars of Effective Leadership'03:28 Unveiling the Six Pillars04:26 The Importance of Integrity in Leadership05:38 Identifying and Addressing Leadership Weaknesses07:39 The Role of Compassion and Empathy in Leadership09:29 A Real-Life Example of Compassionate Leadership15:49 Building Trust and Loyalty Through Integrity16:33 Balancing Empathy and Accountability in Leadership17:44 Supporting Employees Through Personal Crises20:25 Challenges of Maintaining Integrity in Leadership23:58 The Importance of Organizational Culture25:22 Rapid Fire Leadership Insights31:38 Book Giveaway and Final ThoughtsWant a communication and wellbeing workshop that actually sticks? Whether you're building trust or leveling up team accountability, we've got you. Book a call to ask questions and learn more about improving how your team communicates here.

In this episode of Leading Human, we sit down with David Spinks, a renowned community builder, coach, and storyteller, to explore his journey of cultivating resilience, belonging, and inner alignment. From founding CMX to dealing with burnout and anxiety, David shares his personal experiences and insights on finding enoughness and leading with heart and clarity. Tune in to hear about his transition from a high-achievement culture, dealing with personal crises, and the importance of authenticity and alignment in leadership. Learn how to navigate challenges, balance ambition, and tap into clean fuel to create meaningful impact in your life and communities.00:00 Introduction to David Spinks01:16 David's Journey to Enoughness02:51 The Turning Point: Burnout and Sabbatical04:15 Facing Personal Challenges06:31 Coaching Leaders Through Inner Work07:25 The Parable of the Second Arrow11:10 Community Leadership and Emergence15:32 Authenticity and Alignment in Leadership19:23 Navigating Transitional Periods20:24 Balancing Ambition and Ego22:16 Dirty Fuel vs. Clean Fuel26:28 Radical Responsibility in Leadership30:09 Rapid Round Wrap-Up32:41 Final Thoughts and ResourcesWant a communication and wellbeing workshop that actually sticks? Whether you're building trust or leveling up team accountability, we've got you. Book a call to ask questions and learn more about improving how your team communicates here.

Join us in this episode of Leading Human as we delve into the importance of team norms, emotional intelligence, and collaborative culture with Vanessa Drucker, author of 'The Emotionally Intelligent Team.' Discover how the right practices can transform team dynamics, optimize interactions, and enhance performance. Vanessa shares insightful stories and practical steps on building psychologically safe and emotionally intelligent teams. Make sure to watch this episode to learn the secrets of high-performing teams and how to implement them in your organization.00:00 Introduction to Emma AI and Today's Guest00:36 The Power of Team-Based Tools01:43 Introducing Vanessa Druskat and Her Work09:46 Vanessa Joins the Conversation09:57 The Importance of Emotional Norms in Teams10:24 Real-World Example: Engineers' Transformation16:09 Building Psychological Safety in Teams17:20 The Role of Leaders in Team Culture18:49 Implementing Team Norms and Accountability23:42 Measuring and Changing Team Culture25:43 Team Building Exercises: Getting to Know Each Other26:46 Establishing Team Norms28:06 The Role of the Leader in Team Culture30:16 Dealing with Difficult Personalities32:48 The Importance of Belonging in Teams40:28 Rapid Fire Questions: Insights on Team Dynamics44:34 Conclusion and ResourcesWhere to find Vanessa Druskat's groundbreaking book.Want a communication and wellbeing workshop that actually sticks? Whether you're building trust or leveling up team accountability, we've got you. Book a call to ask questions and learn more about improving how your team communicates here.

Pankaj Singh is a leadership strategist and founder of Singh Leadership, where he helps high-achieving professionals transform burnout into clarity and purpose using neuroscience-informed frameworks like the Purpose FactorIf Leading Human is where emotional intelligence meets organizational impact, then Pankaj Singh is your kind of guest. A former C-suite leader who began his journey training under a lama, Pankaj now empowers leaders to transform reactive pressures into purpose-driven presence.In this episode of 'Leading Human', Chad welcomes Pankaj Singh, a leadership strategist and founder of Singh Leadership, to discuss turning stress into strategic clarity, the role of purpose in leadership, and how mindfulness can unlock better decision-making. Pankaj shares his journey from a stressful professional experience to developing neuroscience-informed frameworks like the Purpose Factor and the Inner Compass Journey. The conversation covers how leaders can reframe chronic stress, the importance of being present, and specific practices such as micro journaling and mindfulness exercises. Pankaj also discusses the PROGRESS and PIVOT frameworks, and the significant impacts of aligning personal purpose with organizational goals on productivity and employee retention.01:09 Pankaj Singh's Stressful Turning Point02:49 Understanding Chronic Stress and the Brain04:50 Mindful Micro Practices08:07 The Purpose Factor Framework10:12 Micro Journaling and Reflection15:01 The PIVOT Framework for Mindfulness17:37 Impact of Mindfulness on Productivity20:36 Understanding Your Audience21:07 Organizing Your Life: Emotional and Relational Aspects21:26 The Importance of Relationships22:32 Aligning with Your Purpose23:01 The Role of Fulfillment in Coaching23:11 The 14-Week Journey23:34 Practicing Mindfulness and Meditation25:21 Balancing Technology and Humanity26:58 Augmented Intelligence and AI Tools27:15 Conscious Data Framework29:43 Micro-Journaling and Presence33:23 Final Thoughts and ResourcesConnect with PankajWant a communication and wellbeing workshop that actually sticks? Whether you're building trust or leveling up team accountability, we've got you. Book a call to ask questions and learn more about improving how your team communicates here.

In this episode of 'Leading Human,' host Chad Prevost sits down with Dr. Eva Selhub, a Harvard-trained physician and bestselling author, to explore the intersection of cutting-edge neuroscience and ancient wisdom. Dr. Selhub shares her journey from conventional medicine to studying resilience and the mind-body connection after a life-changing experience. They discuss the importance of emotional intelligence, stress management, and creating healthy habits for leaders. Dr. Selhub outlines six pillars of resilience and provides practical tips on how to translate scientific understanding into everyday practices that enhance performance and well-being. The conversation also delves into the significance of intuition in leadership and how to balance it with data-driven decision-making. Dr. Selhub emphasizes the necessity of self-awareness, compassion, and how to recognize and manage fear-driven behaviors. Listeners will gain valuable insights on how to lead with empathy, adapt to stress effectively, and create a thriving work culture.01:23 A Life-Changing Experience02:06 Exploring Mind-Body Medicine03:40 Transition to Leadership and Coaching04:47 Understanding Emotional Intelligence12:18 The Science of Stress and Resilience16:55 Practical Habits for Leaders17:58 Understanding Stress and the Brain18:32 Managing Stress with Self-Compassion and Mindfulness18:44 Activating the Vagal System19:19 The Role of Neuroplasticity in Stress Management19:40 Practical Techniques for Stress Reduction22:04 The Importance of Intuition in Leadership23:01 Balancing Intuition with Data24:26 Recognizing Fear-Driven Behavior24:46 The Power of Self-Awareness in Leadership27:32 Rapid Fire Wrap-Up33:38 Morning Luxuriating and Final ThoughtsFind her at her website hereMore about Dr. Selhub's course here.Want a communication and wellbeing workshop that actually sticks? Whether you're building trust or leveling up team accountability, we've got you. Book a call to ask questions and learn more about improving how your team communicates here.

In this episode of Leading Human, host Chad interviews Radhika Dutt, author of 'Radical Product Thinking' and the forthcoming book 'Escaping the Performance Trap.' Dutt challenges the conventional wisdom of goal-setting in performance management, arguing that tools like OKRs and KPIs often backfire. Instead, she introduces an alternative framework focused on detailed vision statements, puzzle setting, and puzzle solving, which encourages continuous learning and adaptation. The conversation explores the history of goal-setting, its limitations in complex environments, and practical steps for implementing Dutt's approach. Author of Radical Product Thinking, a speaker and entrepreneur, Radhika Dutt has participated in 5 acquisitions, 2 of which were companies she founded. She's an advisor on Product Thinking to the Monetary Authority of Singapore. She's also an MIT grad with SB and M.Eng in EECS, and speaks nine languages.01:12 Challenging Traditional Management03:38 The History and Problems with Goal Setting07:25 Alternative Approaches to Alignment14:56 Implementing Puzzle Setting and Solving20:30 Overcoming Resistance to Change26:23 Lightning Round and ConclusionRadhika's LinkedIn profileRadhika's WebsiteRadical Product Thinking (website for the methodology and Radhika's first book)Speaker reelLinks to the OHL framework/ toolkitWant a communication and wellbeing workshop that actually sticks? Whether you're building trust or leveling up team accountability, we've got you. Book a call to ask questions and learn more about improving how your team communicates here.

In this episode of Leading Human, host Chad converses with Jen Mueller, a seasoned sports broadcaster, leadership coach, and host of Talk Sporty to Me. Jen shares her unique experiences of interviewing athletes while cooking, and how these interactions reveal vulnerability and human connection. The discussion delves into critical leadership communication strategies, emphasizing the importance of timely, clear, and meaningful feedback. Jen draws parallels between leadership in sports and business, highlighting the role of clear objectives and the nuances of giving accurate praise and constructive feedback. She also provides actionable advice on preparing for and handling challenging conversations, the significance of learning from setbacks, and fostering a resilient team culture.Jen Mueller is a business communication expert and the founder of Talk Sporty to Me, where she helps companies level up their communication skills with actionable strategies inspired by her 25-year career as a sports broadcaster.An Emmy-award-winning producer, Jen is in her 16th season as the Seattle Seahawks sideline radio reporter and has spent 18 years with the Seattle Mariners on ROOT SPORTS. She's known for building strong relationships, delivering meaningful content in short bursts, and expertly handling post-game interviews (while dodging Gatorade baths!).01:11 The Power of Vulnerability in Cooking Interviews01:57 Leadership Communication: A Daily Discipline03:30 The Importance of Clear Objectives in High-Stress Situations05:26 The Dangers of False Praise and Generic Feedback09:08 Setting Clear Expectations and Accountability16:00 Handling Difficult Conversations with Empathy18:54 Learning from Setbacks and Building Resilience21:51 Common Pitfalls in Leadership Feedback24:40 Lightning Round: Quick Insights with Jen MuellerCheck out Jen's impactful and entertaining work here:https://www.youtube.com/@TalkSportyToMehttps://www.instagram.com/TalkSportytoMe/https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenmuellertalksporty/Want a communication and wellbeing workshop that actually sticks? Whether you're building trust or leveling up team accountability, we've got you. Book a call to ask questions and learn more about improving how your team communicates here.

In this episode of 'Leading Human,' host Chad Prevost welcomes Scott Allen, a seasoned leadership development strategist, certified emotional intelligence coach, and Enneagram teacher. Scott delves into his book, 'The Enneagram of Emotional Intelligence,' which correlates the nine Enneagram types to core EQ skills, offering a pathway to radical self-awareness. The conversation explores Scott's insights on how integrating the Enneagram with emotional intelligence can lead to profound personal and professional growth, highlighting the importance of self-awareness in leadership. Chad and Scott also share personal anecdotes and practical advice for embracing emotional awareness to enhance decision-making, relationships, and stress management.00:00 Introduction to Scott Allender00:06 Scott Allen's Background and Achievements01:41 The Importance of Emotional Intelligence05:00 Scott's Journey with Emotional Intelligence and the Enneagram06:28 Understanding Self-Awareness and Emotional Intelligence07:51 Personal Insights and Enneagram Types13:17 Integrating Emotions, Body, and Mind16:25 Coaching Leaders on Emotional Intelligence21:04 Exploring EQ Buckets and Self-Perception23:45 Emotional Repression and Anger25:36 Discovering the Enneagram26:11 Understanding Envy and Healing27:05 The Complexity of Type Four29:45 Practical Applications of the Enneagram31:48 Challenges and Benefits of Enneagram Awareness33:46 Path to Genuine Transformation40:52 Integrating Head, Heart, and Body43:35 Final Thoughts and ResourcesCheck out Scott's book, Enneagram of Emotional Intelligence here. And his Enneaflip, a quick resource for understanding type to type communication.Want a communication and wellbeing workshop that actually sticks? Whether you're building trust or leveling up team accountability, we've got you. Book a call to ask questions and learn more about improving how your team communicates here.

In this episode of Leading Human, Chad sits down with EQ-research pioneer Joshua Freedman.Who's our guest?Joshua Freedman — co-founder & CEO of Six Seconds, the world's largest emotional-intelligence network.Why listen?Led EQ programs in 50+ countries and helped seed regional teams now serving 7 million+ learners.Author of 5 books and creator of 6 validated EQ assessments that turn “soft skills” into hard data.Partnered with brands like FedEx, U.S. Navy, HSBC, Intel, Amazon, and the UN to produce measurable gains in the people-side of performance.Co-architect of the POP-UP Festival with UNICEF World Children's Day—free EQ activities for kids worldwide.Origin story highlightsFirst discovered EQ as a teacher/administrator at Nueva School (later profiled by Daniel Goleman).Serial entrepreneur—once a licensed building contractor—and former theater stage manager/tech director.Big ideaEmotions are data, not baggage. When people realize they have agency over that data, freedom, authenticity, and purpose ignite.Expected takeawaysA simple framework to measure and grow EQ.How compassionate wisdom boosts both well-being and bottom-line results.Practical tips for weaving EQ into teams, kids' programs, and your own daily choices.

In the final episode of the Leading Human series about Enneagram type communication dynamics in the workplace, we explore the interactions between Types 8 and 9. The episode delves into the synergies of these neighboring body types, highlighting how their partnership can merge strength with diplomacy and balance leadership with harmony. It also discusses potential conflicts arising from their differing paces and decision-making styles, offering practical strategies for nines to voice their needs and for eights to practice patience. The episode aims to enhance emotional intelligence, promote psychological safety, and provide actionable insights for effective communication and teamwork.00:00 Introduction and Series Overview03:15 Understanding Type 8 and Type 9 Dynamics03:37 Synergies Between Type 8 and Type 907:03 Potential Conflicts and Resolutions10:35 Effective Communication Strategies16:10 Balanced Leadership and ConclusionWant a communication and wellbeing workshop that actually sticks? Whether you're building trust or leveling up team accountability, we've got you. Book your custom team training via the link here.

In this episode of Leading Human, we conclude our series on Enneagram type-to-type communication dynamics in the workplace by focusing on the interaction between Type Seven and Type Nine. We explore how these types can create a harmonious working relationship, highlighting their strengths and synergies as well as the challenges they might face. Practical communication tips are offered to help tailor strategies to building trust, achieving higher emotional intelligence, and ensuring psychological safety. Specific advice includes setting clear deadlines, involving both types in decision-making, proactive communication, and leveraging each other's strengths for optimal team performance. The episode emphasizes the importance of trust and provides insights into handling potential conflicts for a productive and pleasant workplace.00:00 Introduction to Enneagram Type Communication03:08 Understanding Type Seven and Type Nine Dynamics03:15 Strengths and Synergies of Type Seven and Type Nine06:29 Challenges in Type Seven and Type Nine Interactions10:25 Strategies for Effective Communication14:42 Conclusion and Further ResourcesWant a communication and wellbeing workshop that actually sticks? Whether you're building trust or leveling up team accountability, we've got you. Book your custom team training via the link here.

In this episode of 'Leading Human,' the focus is on understanding the communication dynamics between Enneagram Type 7 and Type 8 in the workplace. Broadcasting from Common House in downtown Chattanooga, the episode explores the high-octane interaction between these energetic types. It covers their strengths, such as Type 8's assertiveness blending with Type 7's creativity, and synergies like their shared love of independence. The episode also delves into potential conflicts, addressing issues like control versus freedom and different emotional responses. Practical tips are offered on managing these dynamics effectively, emphasizing the importance of open, respectful communication and leveraging each type's unique strengths. The discussion aims to help listeners improve team collaboration, conflict resolution, and leadership aligned with emotional intelligence and psychological safety.00:00 Introduction and Setting the Scene02:08 Understanding Enneagram Types04:02 Type 7 and Type 8 Dynamics05:24 Synergies and Strengths07:28 Potential Conflicts and Challenges11:48 Strategies for Effective Communication14:19 Conclusion and ResourcesWant a communication and wellbeing workshop that actually sticks? Whether you're building trust or leveling up team accountability, we've got you. Book your custom team training via the link here.

In this episode of Leading Human, we delve into the Enneagram type-to-type communication dynamics, focusing on how Type Nine and Type Six interact in the workplace. We explore the synergies between these types, emphasizing how their complementary styles can create a stable and secure environment. The discussion covers potential conflicts, including decisiveness issues and energy mismatches, and offers practical strategies to mitigate these challenges. Listeners are encouraged to implement frameworks and communication techniques to enhance trust and efficiency within their teams. The episode also calls for listener feedback to share their effective team communication practices.00:00 Introduction to Enneagram Type Dynamics01:22 Building Trust in Teams03:16 Synergies Between Type Nine and Type Six08:05 Challenges in Type Nine and Type Six Interactions11:11 Strategies to Mitigate Friction16:00 Conclusion and Call to ActionWant a communication and wellbeing workshop that actually sticks? Whether you're building trust or leveling up team accountability, we've got you. Book your custom team training via the link here.

In this episode of Leading Human, the focus is on the communication dynamics between Enneagram Types 6 and 8 in the workplace. Hosts discuss how these two types, known for their loyalty and concern for security, can form a powerful team when trust is established. The episode delves into the natural synergies, potential conflicts, and practical strategies for building and maintaining trust between Type 6 and Type 8 individuals. It highlights the complementary strengths of each type and offers tips for fostering effective collaboration, making it an invaluable resource for anyone looking to enhance workplace relationships using the Enneagram framework.00:00 Introduction to Enneagram Type Communication01:18 Understanding Type 8 and Type 6 Dynamics02:19 Synergies Between Type 8 and Type 604:56 Communication Styles and Trust Building07:38 Potential Conflicts and Misunderstandings12:07 Strategies for Building Trust and Effective Collaboration17:08 Conclusion and Additional Resources

In this episode of 'Leading Human in the Workplace,' we dive deep into the communication dynamics between Enneagram types 6 and 7. These 'head types' each manage fear and anxiety in different yet complementary ways—type 6 with caution and planning, and type 7 with optimism and exploration. Despite their differences, this pairing can create a balanced and dynamic partnership rooted in mutual trust, empathy, and support. The episode offers practical strategies to blend the strengths of both types, enhancing emotional intelligence and psychological safety within the workplace.00:00 Introduction and Series Overview01:34 Type 6 and Type 7 Dynamics02:09 Complementary Strengths05:29 Potential Frictions07:56 Building Trust and Effective Communication08:28 Practical Strategies for Collaboration10:54 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsWant a communication and wellbeing workshop that actually sticks? Whether you're building trust or leveling up team accountability, we've got you. Book your custom team training via the link here.

In this episode of Leading Human, we explore the interaction dynamics between Enneagram Types 5 and 9 in a professional setting. Host dives into their strengths, synergies, and challenges, offering practical tips for communication, leadership, and conflict resolution. By understanding how these types complement each other and addressing their passive tendencies, teams can achieve effective collaboration and decision-making. Tune in to learn how to foster trust, emotional intelligence, and proactive communication between Type 5s and Type 9s in the workplace.00:00 Introduction to Enneagram Type Communication00:13 Overview of Type 5 and Type 9 Dynamics02:44 Strengths and Synergies of Type 5 and Type 906:11 Challenges in Type 5 and Type 9 Interactions10:02 Practical Communication Tips13:22 Conclusion and Further ResourcesWant a communication and wellbeing workshop that actually sticks? Whether you're building trust or leveling up team accountability, we've got you. Book your custom team training via the link here.

In this episode of 'Leading Human,' we delve into the communication dynamics between Enneagram Type 5 and Type 8 in the workplace. Explore how these two distinct types—Type 5 strategic thinkers and Type 8 decisive leaders—complement and challenge each other in leadership, conflict resolution, team collaboration, and more. Discover the synergies and potential conflicts of this pairing, along with practical communication strategies to foster greater psychological safety and effectiveness. Whether you're a newcomer or a regular listener, this episode provides high-level insights to encourage better communication and stronger team dynamics.00:00 Introduction to Enneagram Communication Dynamics01:03 The Unexpected Popularity of Enneagram Insights01:45 High-Level Overview of Communication Dynamics02:55 Challenges in Workplace Communication05:12 Understanding Type 5 and Type 8 Pairing06:25 Strengths of Type 5 and Type 8 Collaboration08:38 Potential Conflicts and Power Struggles12:33 Strategies for Effective Collaboration15:57 Conclusion and ResourcesWant a communication and wellbeing workshop that actually sticks? Whether you're building trust or leveling up team accountability, we've got you. Book your custom team training via the link here.

This episode of Leading Human focuses on the communication dynamics between Enneagram types 5 and 7 in the workplace. The discussion covers how these two head types interact, their respective strengths, synergies, and the potential challenges in leadership, conflict resolution, team collaboration, and feedback. Practical tips are provided for improving communication, such as establishing processes and pacing, leveraging each type's strengths, and fostering mutual respect. The goal is to help create a work environment where both types can contribute meaningfully to innovation and project success.00:00 Introduction to Enneagram Type Communication01:45 Overview of Types Five and Seven02:26 Strengths and Synergies05:17 Challenges and Conflicts09:31 Practical Tips for Collaboration13:26 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsWant a communication and wellbeing workshop that actually sticks? Whether you're building trust or leveling up team accountability, we've got you. Book your custom team training via the link here.

This episode of the 'Leading Human' series delves into the communication dynamics between Enneagram Type 5 and Type 6 personalities in the workplace. It explores their strengths, such as analytical rigor, risk-aware strategies, and their synergies in creating effective strategic partnerships. Challenges and potential conflicts due to their differing thinking styles are also discussed, along with practical communication tips to maintain trust and transparency. The episode emphasizes the importance of emotional intelligence, active listening, and creating a psychologically safe work environment for both types.00:00 Introduction to the Series02:10 Overview of Type 5 and Type 6 Dynamics02:14 Strengths and Synergies06:55 Challenges and Watch Outs10:32 Practical Communication Tips14:17 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsWant a communication and wellbeing workshop that actually sticks? Whether you're building trust or leveling up team accountability, we've got you. Book your custom team training via the link here.

In this episode of 'Leading Human Well,' the 36-episode series on Enneagram type to type communication dynamics in the workplace continues with a deep dive into the interaction between Type 4 and Type 9 personalities. The discussion covers their collaborative strengths, such as fostering a compassionate and inclusive culture, and highlights potential challenges, like avoidance of conflict and passive communication. The episode offers practical communication tips to improve interactions, emphasizing the importance of explicit communication, emotional intelligence, and psychological safety to create a harmonious work environment.00:00 Introduction to Enneagram Communication Dynamics02:47 Understanding Type 4 and Type 9 Synergies06:27 Communication Challenges Between Type 4 and Type 908:57 Practical Tips for Effective Interaction12:04 Managerial Insights and Final ThoughtsWant a communication and wellbeing workshop that actually sticks? Whether you're building trust or leveling up team accountability, we've got you. Book your custom team training via the link here.

In this episode of 'Leading Human Well,' the 36-episode series on Enneagram type to type communication dynamics in the workplace continues with a deep dive into the interaction between Type 4 and Type 9 personalities. The discussion covers their collaborative strengths, such as fostering a compassionate and inclusive culture, and highlights potential challenges, like avoidance of conflict and passive communication. The episode offers practical communication tips to improve interactions, emphasizing the importance of explicit communication, emotional intelligence, and psychological safety to create a harmonious work environment.00:00 Introduction to Enneagram Communication Dynamics02:47 Understanding Type 4 and Type 9 Synergies06:27 Communication Challenges Between Type 4 and Type 908:57 Practical Tips for Effective Interaction12:04 Managerial Insights and Final ThoughtsWant a communication and wellbeing workshop that actually sticks? Whether you're building trust or leveling up team accountability, we've got you. Book your custom team training via the link here.

This episode of the Enneagram communication dynamics series explores the interaction between Enneagram Type 4 and Type 7 personalities. It delves into the synergies and challenges of their relationship, focusing on leadership, conflict resolution, team collaboration, and feedback. The discussion highlights the emotional intelligence and psychological safety necessary for effective communication. Type 4s contribute depth and emotional authenticity, while Type 7s bring ideation and momentum. Potential friction points, such as mismatched emotional processing and communication styles, are also examined, with practical tips for improving harmony and productivity in various settings.00:00 Introduction and Overview01:22 The Importance of Psychological Safety03:43 Type Four and Type Seven Dynamics04:52 Strengths and Synergies09:01 Friction Points and Challenges11:27 Practical Solutions and Tips14:32 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsWant a communication and wellbeing workshop that actually sticks? Whether you're building trust or leveling up team accountability, we've got you. Book your custom team training via the link here.

In this episode of Leading Human, the focus is on the communication dynamics between Enneagram Type 4 and Type 6 in the workplace. The discussion highlights the strengths and synergies of Type 4's individualistic vision combined with Type 6's team-defending vigilance. Key insights address potential frictions, such as the Six's fear-driven queries feeling like criticism to the Four, and the Four's emotional ebbs unsettling the Six. The episode provides practical tips for fostering collaboration, including co-writing decision memos and holding weekly check-ins. Ultimately, by leveraging each type's unique strengths, these teams can transform doubts into aligned actions. Listeners are encouraged to explore further resources and services available from Big Self School and MyEmmaAI.00:00 Introduction to the Series01:46 Understanding Type 4 and Type 6 Dynamics02:03 Strengths and Synergies of Type 4 and Type 607:26 Potential Frictions and Solutions11:20 Manager Tips and Feedback Formula13:18 Conclusion and Additional ResourcesWant a communication and wellbeing workshop that actually sticks? Whether you're building trust or leveling up team accountability, we've got you. Book your custom team training via the link here.

In this episode of Leading Human, broadcasting from Signal Mountain, Tennessee, we delve into the unique interplay between Enneagram types Four and Five. The host shares insights into their emotional and intellectual approaches, potential for collaboration, and the intricacies of their communication styles. Addressing both similarities and friction points, the episode offers practical guidance on how these types can enhance team dynamics, tackle mutual challenges, and understand each other's methodologies. Featuring a shoutout to the Cento Creature Creation album and practical tips on improving collaboration, this episode is a comprehensive guide to leveraging the strengths of types Four and Five.00:00 Introduction and Welcome01:06 The Enneagram and Its Unique Insights02:41 Type Four and Type Five Dynamics04:37 Communication Styles and Synergy06:54 Potential Frictions and Solutions08:52 Enhancing Collaboration12:01 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsWant a communication and wellbeing workshop that actually sticks? Whether you're building trust or leveling up team accountability, we've got you. Book your custom team training via the link here.

In this episode of Leading Human, the focus is on the interaction dynamics between Enneagram Type 3 and Type 9 in the workplace. Presenting insights on their collaborative strengths and potential friction points, the show explains how each type complements the other. Type 3's ambition and clarity paired with Type 9's inclusiveness and steadiness create a harmonious yet efficient work environment. Potential conflicts can arise from Type 9's passive resistance and Type 3's constant push for progress, but these can be mitigated through proactive communication and mutual understanding. Practical tips for improving team dynamics and maintaining a balanced and emotionally intelligent workplace are also discussed.00:00 Introduction and Overview02:17 Exploring Type 3 and Type 9 Dynamics02:57 Strengths and Synergies06:42 Potential Friction Points08:36 Improving Communication12:45 Conclusion and ResourcesWant a communication and wellbeing workshop that actually sticks? Whether you're building trust or leveling up team accountability, we've got you. Book your custom team training via the link here.

In this episode of Leading Human, recorded at the Common House in Chattanooga, the focus is on the communication dynamics between Enneagram Types 3 and 8 in the workplace. The speaker discusses their leadership styles, strengths, synergies, and potential conflicts. Type 3s are characterized by their strategic positioning and charisma, while Type 8s are known for their decisive authority and directness. The episode highlights how these types can either form a dynamic duo or clash due to differences in communication and values. Practical tips are provided for managing these dynamics effectively, emphasizing the importance of mutual respect, truth, and transparency.00:00 Introduction to Enneagram Communication Dynamics00:48 Overview of Enneagram Types in Leadership02:07 Introducing Type Three and Type Eight02:53 Strengths and Synergies of Type Three and Type Eight05:39 Challenges and Opportunities in Type Three and Type Eight Dynamics08:16 Strategies for Effective Communication and Collaboration12:01 Conclusion and Additional ResourcesWant a communication and wellbeing workshop that actually sticks? Whether you're building trust or leveling up team accountability, we've got you. Book your custom team training via the link here.

In this episode of Leading Human, we delve into the communication dynamics between Enneagram types 3 and 7 in the workplace. Highlighting their strengths, synergies, and potential friction points, we provide practical tips for optimizing collaboration between these energetic and ambitious types. The discussion covers various aspects including leadership, conflict resolution, and team collaboration. Emphasis is placed on emotional intelligence, active listening, and building trust to enhance workplace interactions.00:00 Introduction to Enneagram Type Communication04:11 Global Reach and Listener Appreciation04:40 Type 3 and Type 7 Synergies07:07 Potential Friction Points08:40 Optimizing Collaboration09:15 Challenges and Countermeasures10:36 Managerial Tips for Type 3 and Type 712:05 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsWant a communication and wellbeing workshop that actually sticks? Whether you're building trust or leveling up team accountability, we've got you. Book your custom team training via the link here.