Podcasts about Writing

I discovered a great AI app that you can start using for free and then pay $5.00 per month for an upgrade. This app, Gamma (https://www.aippt.com), allows you to quickly create slide show presentations. And then use the presentation to create a video like the one above.I started with three lines of information, as shown below. I entered these lines into the Gamma app and within a few minutes, Gamma generated a ten-slide presentations that became the basis for the above video.Writer's Block: In Case of an Emergency, Break the GlassThere really is no such thing as writer's block or any other block to getting things done. Blocks only exist if you let them. If you move on, they melt away.As the blue collar comedians, say, “Get ‘er done!” Move on!The text for the video is showcased below. Note how Gamma took three lines and made ten slides with the following extensive content.In case of an emergency, break glass. The truth about writer's block.Writer's block isn't about what you think it is. It's not an immovable barrier, but rather a temporary obstacle that only exists if you allow it to.This presentation explores the reality behind the myth and provides practical solutions to get your creativity flowing again.The Myth of Writer's BlockJerry Jenkins puts it bluntly, writer's block is a myth. No other profession accepts a block as a legitimate reason to stop working. If you wait for motivation or inspiration to strike before writing, you'll be waiting forever.Creativity doesn't appear on demand. What we call writer's block is actually a combination of fear, procrastination, and perfectionism, masquerading as creative stoppage.Rather than accepting blocks, successful writers develop strategies to push through the resistance.Famous writers who struggled and won.Samuel Taylor Coleridge experienced what he called an indefinite, indescribable terror that prevented him from writing for an entire year in 1804.Paul Sylvia, a psychology professor and author on motivation, went nine months without making progress on his own book about motivation.Despite these profound struggles, both men eventually overcame their creative paralysis by fundamentally changing their mindset and establishing new writing habits.What really causes writer's block?This pie chart showcases from Research Insights, a 2024 University of North Florida study.Psychological factors including stress and anxiety. That's the big dark purple pie slice on the right.Next, fear of criticism, the lower, more lavender pie slice.And then perfectionism, which is the next as we rotate around.Procrastination.And then other factors.Two main types of blocks.There are two main types of blocks, plot block and life block.Plot block occurs when story logic stalls. Character or plot feel stuck.This is a craft problem fixable with patience, restructuring, and narrative technique.Life block results from personal issues that can drain creative energy. It can require addressing deeper needs, self-care, mental health support, or lifestyle adjustments.Recognizing your specific block type is a crucial first step to implementing the right solution.Practical hacks to break the block.You can schedule writing. Treat writing like a job. Paul Sylvia committed to two hours daily. No excuses. Consistency builds momentum and trains your brain for creativity.Step two, you can do free writing. Set a timer for 10 to 15 minutes of unfiltered, unedited writing. This bypasses perfectionism and often produces unexpected insights.And you can change the environment. So if one place isn't working, work at a cafe or park or library. Environmental novelty stimulates new neural connections and fresh perspectives.These practical approaches work because they shift focus from outcomes to process, making writing a habitual action rather than a high stakes performance.Embrace fear and imperfection. The best writing is born of humility. That's from mystery writer and thriller writer Dean Kuntz.Fear is natural and justified. Embrace it as a motivation.Perfectionism kills progress. Done is better than perfect.Writing imperfectly today creates a foundation for better writing.The most prolific writers aren't fearless. They've simply learned to write despite their fears.The power of mindset.Move on and melt the block. Blocks only exist if you let them. Writer's block is a construct we create and maintain.Recognize it as a temporary state, not a permanent condition. As the blue-collar comedians say, get 'er done. Simple forward motion is often the best solution. Action creates its own momentum.An act of faith: Writing requires belief in your ability to figure it out as you go. Trust the process and keep moving forward.Your mindset determines whether obstacles become barriers or stepping stones. Choose to see blocks as temporary challenges rather than immovable obstacles.Motivation is not a gift, it's a choice. Waiting for motivation is like waiting for a bus that may never come. You have to start walking.Here's the motivation equation.Traditional belief: motivation inspires action, which inspires results.The reality: action inspires results, which increases motivation.Motivation is generated by the act of writing itself. The more you write, the more you want to write. Start small, but start today.Your emergency glass, smash it and write.The world needs your story, so get ‘er done.Writer's block is a temporary illusion. It dissolves the moment you decide to move forward despite uncertainty, fear, or imperfection.Your words matter. Break the glass, pick up your pen, and start writing right now.Book Marketing Success is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a paid subscriber.Resources: https://www.bookauthorauthority.comBookstore: https://www.bookmarket.com/bookstore This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bookmarketing.substack.com/subscribe

Host Jeff Goldsmith talks to showrunner, creator and writer Lauren LeFranc about her Emmy nominated TV show - The Penguin. Download my podcast here Copyright © Unlikely Films, Inc. 2025. All rights reserved. For more great content check out Backstory Magazine @ Backstory.net

Jess here! A while back, Sarina and KJ talked about how much they enjoyed Tess Gerritsen's novel, The Spy Coast, and Sarina reassured KJ she'd enjoy book two of the series even more. I had never read a Tess Gerritsen novel, and while I'd heard her name before and vaguely understood she wrote thrillers, I was starting from square one when I downloaded the audio version of The Spy Coast. Now, I'm not an international spy thriller kind of gal. In the abstract, I understand the allure of books like Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy or Six Days of the Condor. Spies! Intrigue! International [almost exclusively men] of mystery! But they have never really floated my proverbial boat. That said, I loved Tess Gerritsen's spies and the world they inhabit. There's a sense of place - nay, a downright LOVE of place - and a retiring, rural New England domesticity that spoke to this retiring, rural New England reader. Book two, The Summer Guests, is even more rooted in Maine, on its history and the social dynamics of its natives and its summer people. Once I tore through those first two books, I went back to Gerritsen's first book, The Surgeon, one of Time Magazine's top 100 thriller/mystery books of all time and the first in the Rizzoli & Isles series, consequently made into a long-running television series. Gerritsen has a fascinating career trajectory, lots to talk about regarding pantsing and plotting, where the ideas come from, and lots of other geeky details about the writing life. I hope you enjoy it as much as we did. Find Tess at Tessgerritsen.com, or on Bluesky, @TessGerritsen Transcript below!EPISODE 462 - TRANSCRIPTJennie NashHey everyone, it's Jennie Nash, founder and CEO of Author Accelerator, the company I started more than 10 years ago to lead the emerging book coaching industry. In October, we'll be enrolling a new cohort of certification students who will be going through programs in either fiction, nonfiction, or memoir, and learning the editorial, emotional, and entrepreneurial skills that you need to be a successful book coach. If you've been curious about book coaching and thinking that it might be something you want to do for your next career move, I'd love to teach you more about it, you can go to bookcoaches.com/waitlist to check out the free training I have—that's bookcoaches.com/waitlist. The training is all about how to make money, meaning, and joy out of serving writers. Fall is always a great time to start something new. So if you're feeling called to do this, go check out our training and see if this might be right for you. We'd love to have you join us.Multiple SpeakersIs it recording? Now it's recording, yay. Go ahead. This is the part where I stare blankly at the microphone. I don't remember what I'm supposed to be doing. All right, let's start over. Awkward pause. I'm going to rustle some papers. Okay, now—one, two, three.Jess LaheyHey, this is Jess Lahey, and this is the Hashtag AmWriting Podcast. This is the podcast about writing all the things—short things, long things, poetry, prose, narrative nonfiction, fiction, creative nonfiction, queries, proposals. This is the podcast about writing all the things. More than anything else, this is the podcast about the writing life and about getting the work done. I am Jess Lahey. I'm the author of The Gift of Failure and The Addiction Inoculation. And you can find my journalism at The Atlantic and The Washington Post, and my bi-weekly (formerly bi-weekly) column at The New York Times, The Parent-Teacher Conference, ran for about three years I am joined today by Sarina Bowen, who has written 50-odd books. She has written lots and lots of romance, and her most recent addition to the world of publishing has been her thrillers, Dying to Meet You and The Five Year Lie. And she has a book coming out this fall called Thrown for a Loop. The reason I am recording this intro on my own—which, as you may know if you've been listening, is highly unusual for us—is because I know myself. And I know when I'm really excited to talk to someone on the podcast; I'm going to flub the intro. I'm going to forget something. I'm going to forget to introduce them altogether. So today, I'm doing that first, so I don't mess it up. A while ago on the podcast, you may have heard Sarina and KJ read some books by an author named Tess Gerritsen. I had heard of Tess Gerritsen, but I had never read any of her books. I just hadn't yet. I haven't read Nora Roberts yet. I haven't read—there are lots of authors I haven't read yet. And sometimes you don't even know where to start. So when Sarina and KJ recommended Tess Gerritsen's new series set in Maine—the first one being The Spy Coast and the second one being The Summer Guests—I figured I had a good place to start. And you know, as a New Englander, I love a good book about New England, and that was the start of my interest in Tess Gerritsen's work. I have gone back to the beginning and started with her book The Surgeon, which was her first book in the series that became the Rizzoli and Isles Series, as well as a television show. Tess Gerritsen has a—she's written through 33 books at this point. And as I now know, she has also directed a documentary called Magnificent Beast about pigs, which I listened to this morning while I was vacuuming the house. I loved it. She also—she has a lot to say about genre, about publishing, about second careers, about a writing place, and about process. So let's just jump right into it. I am so excited to introduce to you today, Tess Gerritsen. So from the perspective of what our listeners love—this podcast, the Hashtag AmWriting Podcast —is super geek. People who love the nuts and bolts and the dorky details of the writing life. Sarina has a past life in finance, and so she tends to be, like, our “no, but let's talk about the numbers” kind of person. I'm just the research super dork, which is why I spent my morning watching your documentary about pigs.Tess GerritsenOh my god! (Laughing)Jess LaheyMagnificent Beast. I—I've joked in the past that if I could, I would probably just research things in—in, you know, maybe there'll be a book out there, maybe there won't, but I would research things and—and just learn as much as I could. And so I loved—loved—your Magnificent Beast documentary. I thought it was fantastic. But one of the reasons that we wanted to talk to you, just from the very beginning, is that we feel like you do some pretty incredible world-building and relationship-building with your places and your characters. And so I just—I would love to start there, mainly with the idea of starting with the real nuts and bolts stuff, which is, like, what does an average writing day look like for you? And how do you, sort of—how do you set that up? What does it look like, if you have an average writing day? Maybe you don't.Tess GerritsenWell, it's hard to describe an average writing day, because every day is—there are days when you sit at your desk and you just, you know, pull your hair. And there are days when you get distracted by the news. And there are many days when I just do not want to write. But when I'm writing, the good days are when my characters are alive and talking to me. And it's—it's—you talked about world-building and character-building. That is really key to me. What are they saying to me? Can I hear their voices? And it sounds a little—a little crazy, because I am hearing voices. But it's those voices that really make characters come alive.Jess LaheyI—You have said in other interviews that you are very much—sorry to those of you who hate the terms—that you are very much a pantser. And you are sitting on this interview with a consummate plotter. Sarina is our consummate plotter. So could you talk a little bit about how those character—how those voices—influence, you know, the pantsing of the—of the book, and—and how that works for you?Tess GerritsenWell, I mean, it is weird that I am a pantser. And it's funny—I think that people who are plotters tend to be people who are in finance or in law, because they're used to having their ducks lined up, you know. They—they want everything set up ahead of time, and it makes them feel comfortable. And I think a large part of becoming a pantser is learning to be comfortable with unpredictability. Learning to just let things happen, and know you're going to take wrong turns, know you're going to end up in blind alleys—and yet just keep on forging ahead and change direction. So I suppose that what helps me become a pantser, as I said, is hearing a character's voice. If, for instance, when I wrote The Spy Coast, the first thing I heard about that book was Maggie Bird's voice. And she just said, “I'm not the woman I used to be.” And that's an opening there, right? Because you want to find out, Maggie, who did you used to be? And why do you sound so sad? So a lot of it was just—just getting into her head and letting her talk about what a day-to-day life is, which is, you know, raising chickens and collecting eggs and becoming—and being—a farmer. And then she does something surprising in that very first chapter. There's a fox that's killing her chickens, so she grabs her rifle and kills it with one shot. And that opens up another thing, like—how are you, a 62-year-old woman, able to take out a rifle and kill a fox with one shot? So it's—it's those things. It's those revelations of character. When they come out and they tell you something, or they show you they—they have a skill that you weren't aware of, you want to dig deeper and find out, you know, where did they get that skill?Sarina BowenAnd that is a really fun way to show it. I mean, you're talking today with two people who have also kept chickens.Multiple Speakers(All laughing)Jess LaheyAnd had foxes take their chickens, actually.Sarina BowenOh yes, because the two go together.Tess GerritsenYes.Sarina BowenBut yes, I admit I have never shot a fox, and maybe wouldn't.Jess LaheyI have yelled very loudly at a fox, and he actually—I have to say—really mad respect for the fox, because he took one look at me—he did drop the chicken that I was yelling at him for grabbing—and then he went across the street, around the neighbor's house, around the back of the other neighbor's house, and came at the exact same chicken from the other side of the house, where I couldn't see him out the window.Tess GerritsenOh, they are so smart. They are so smart.Jess LaheySo smart. Sarina, it sounded like you had something— you had something you wanted to add, and I interrupted you when we were talking about pantsing and we were talking about world-building and characters speaking to you.Sarina BowenWell, I just had thought that it was a lovely moment to explain why I was so excited to read this book after I heard Tess speak at Thriller Fest 2024, in a packed room where there was nowhere to sit except on the floor. You told the audience a little bit of a story from your real life that—that made you want to write that book. And I wonder if you could tell us what that was, because for me—I mean, we were only five minutes into your talk, and I'm like, oh, I'm—I'm going to download that tonight.Tess GerritsenWell, yes, it was. A lot of my books come from ideas that I've been stewing over for years. I have a folder called the ideas folder. It's an actual physical manila folder. And if I see something in an article or a newspaper or a magazine, I'll just rip it out and stick it in there, and it sometimes takes a long time before I know how to turn this into a book. So the idea for The Spy Coast is a little bit of obscure knowledge that I learned 35 years ago, when I first moved to Maine. My husband is a medical doctor. He opened up a practice, and when he would bring in new patients, he would always get an occupational history. And he used to get this answer—this very strange answer—from his new patients. They would say, “I used to work for the government, but I can't talk about it.” And after he heard that three times, he thought, what town did we land in? And who are these people? And we later found out that on our very short street, on one side of us was a retired OSS person, and on the other side was retired CIA. A realtor told us that our town was full of CIA retirees. So, I mean, of course you want to ask, why did they get here? What are they doing here? What are their lives like? I knew there was a book in there, but I didn't know what that book was. I needed 35 years to come up with the idea. And what I really needed to do was become old and—and realize that as you get older, especially women, we become invisible. People don't pay attention to us. We are over the hill. You know, everybody looks at the young, pretty chicks, but once you start getting gray hair, you fade into the background. And with that experience myself; I began to think more and more about what it's like to be retired. What is it like to be retired from a job that was maybe dangerous, or exciting, or something that you really risked your life to—to achieve? So that was—that was the beginning of The Spy Coast. What happens to CIA retirees—especially women—who are now invisible? But that makes them the best spies of all.Jess LaheyYeah, and we have—we did this really cool thing, this really fun thing for us on the Hashtag AmWriting Podcast. It's like a supporter-only thing, where we call First Pages, where very brave authors—very brave writers—submit their first page to us, and we talk about it and decide whether or not we'd want to turn the page. And you have an incredible skill on your first pages. You're very, very good at first pages. And I was thinking about The Summer Guests, that you had this wonderful line that I'm going to read now:Purity, Maine, 1972. On the last day of his life, Purity police officer Randy Pelletier ordered a blueberry muffin and a cup of coffee at the Marigold Café,Which immediately reminded me of my very, very favorite line from all of literature—my very favorite first line—which is Irving's first line from A Prayer for Owen Meany, in which he ruins the story for you right there in the first line:I am doomed to remember a boy with a wrecked voice—not because of his voice, or because he was the smallest person I ever knew, or even because he was the instrument of my mother's death, but because he is the reason I believe in God.There is this incredible power to first lines. And I'm sort of wondering where—how first lines happen for you. Do they happen first? Do they happen last? Do they happen along the way?Tess GerritsenFirst lines usually happen last. I—it's—I will write the whole book, and I'll think, something's missing in that first chapter. How do I open this up? And, you know, there are things that make lines immediately hypnotic, and one of those things is an inherent contradiction—something that makes you think, wait, okay, you start off this way, but then all of a sudden, the meaning of that line switches. So, yeah, it starts off with, you know, this guy's going to die. But on that last day of his life, he does something very ordinary. He just orders coffee at the local café. So I think it's that contradiction that makes us want to read more. It's also a way to end chapters. I think that—that if you leave your reader with a sense of unease—something is about to go wrong, but they don't know what it is yet—or leave them with an unanswered question, or leave them with, as I said, a contradiction—that is what's page-turning. I think that a lot of thriller writers in particular mistake action for—for being—for being interesting. A car chase on the page is really very boring. But what's interesting is something that—you could feel that tension building, but you don't know why.Sarina BowenI have joked sometimes that when I get stuck on a plot, sometimes I will talk at my husband and—and say, “you know, I'm stuck here.” And he always says, “And then a giant squid attacked.” And it—of course I don't write books that take place where this is possible, so—but it never fails to remind me that, like, external action can sometimes be just, you know, totally pointless. And that if you're stuck, it's because one of your dominoes isn't leaning, you know, in the right spot. So...Tess GerritsenYeah, it's—it's not as much fun seeing that domino fall as seeing it go slowly tilting over. You know, I really learned this when I was watching a James Bond movie. And it starts off—you know, the usual James Bonds have their cold open to those action and chasing and death-defying acts. I found that—I find that really, in that movie anyway—I was like, Ho hum. Can we get to the story? And I found the time when I was leaning forward in my theater seat, watching every moment, was really a very quiet conversation aboard a train between him and this woman who was going to become his lover. That was fascinating to me. So I think that that transfers to book writing as well. Action is boring.Jess LaheyYou and Sarina do something that I feel, as a writer; I would probably not be very good at, which is creating that unease. I—Sarina in particular does this thing... I've read every one of Sarina's books, as a good friend is supposed to do. And I text her, and I say, Why don't they just talk about it and just deal? Get it out in the open! And she's like, you know, we just got to make these people uncomfortable. And you both have this incredible talent for helping—keeping the reader, uh, along with you, simply because there is this sense of unease. We're slightly off-kilter the whole time. And yet in me, as a people pleaser, that makes me very uncomfortable. I want people to be happy with each other. So how do you—if you get to a place where you feel like maybe things aren't off-kilter enough, or things aren't off-balance enough—how do you introduce a little bit of unease into your—into your story?Tess GerritsenWell, I think it comes down to very small points of conflict—little bits of tension. Like, we call it micro-tension. And I think those occur in everyday life all the time. For instance, you know, things that happen that really don't have any big consequence, but are still irritating. We will stew about those for—for a while. And, you know, I used to write romance as well, so I understand entirely what Sarina is doing, because romance is really about courtship and conflict. And it's the conflict that makes us keep reading. We just—we know this is the courtship. So there's always that sense of it's not quite there, because once the characters are happy, the story is over, right?Sarina BowenYeah.Multiple Speakers(All laughing)Sarina BowenAlso, writing the ends of romance novels is the least interesting part. Like, what...? Once the conflict is resolved, like, I cannot wait to get out of there.Tess GerritsenRight, exactly. You know, I—I pay attention to my feelings when I'm reading a book, and I've noticed that the books that I remember are not the books with happy endings, because happiness is so fleeting. You know, you can be happy one second, and then something terrible will happen. You'll be unhappy. What lasts for us is sadness, or the sense of bittersweet. So when I read a book that ends with a bittersweet ending—such as, you know, Larry McMurtry Lonesome Dove—I ended up crying at the end of that book, and I have never forgotten that ending. Now, if everybody had been happy and there had been nobody to drag all those miles at the end, I would have forgotten that book very quickly. So I think—I try—I always try to leave the end of the book either bittersweet—I mean, you want to resolve all the major plot points—but also leave that sense of unease, because people remember that. And it also helps you, if you have a sequel.Sarina BowenThat's so interesting you've just brought up a couple of really interesting points, because there is a thriller—I actually write suspense now—and one of the books that so captured my attention about five years ago was killing it on the charts. And I thought it was actually a terrible book, but it nailed the bittersweet ending. Like, the premise was solid, and then the bittersweet ending was perfect, and the everything between the first chapter and the last chapter was a hot mess, but—but—um, that ending really stuck with me. And I remember carrying it around with me, like, Wow, they really nailed that ending. You know, and—and maybe that has, like, legs in terms of, like, talking about it. And, you know, if it—if—if it's irritating enough, like, the tension is still there—enough to, like, make people talk about it—it could actually affect the performance of that book. But also, um, one thing that I really love about this series—you have—what is the series title for the...?Tess GerritsenMartini—The Martini Club.Sarina BowenThe Martini Club, right? So The Martini Club is two books now. I inhaled the first one last summer, and I inhaled the second one this summer. And The Martini Club refers to this group of friends—these retired spies. And of course, there are two completely different mysteries in book one and book two. And I noticed a couple of things about the difference between those mysteries that was really fun. So in the first case—or in one of the two cases, let's see—in one of them, the thing that happens in their town is actually, like, related to them. And in the other one, it's kind of not. So to me, that felt like a boundary expansion of your world and your system. But also, I just love the way you leaned into the relationship of these people and their town in such a way. And how did you know to do that? Like, how—what does your toolbox say about how to get that expansiveness in your character set? Like, you know, to—to find all the limits of it?Tess GerritsenThat—you know, so much is like—it's like asking a pole-vaulter how they do it. They just—they have just—I guess its muscle memory. You don't really know how you're doing it, but what I did know was—with age, and because I love these characters so much—it really became about them and about what is going to deepen their friendship? What kind of a challenge is going to make them lean into each other—lean on each other? That's really what I was writing about, I think, was this circle of friends, and—and what you will do, how much you will sacrifice, to make sure your friends are safe. No, you're right—the second book is much more of a classic mystery. Yeah—a girl disappears. I mean, there was—there were—there were CIA undertones in that, because that becomes an important part of the book. But I think that what people are—when people say they love this book—they really talk about the characters and that friendship. And we all want friends like this, where we can go and—and—and have martinis together, and then if we—one of us needs to—we'll go help them bury a body.Multiple Speakers(All laughing)Tess GerritsenThat's—they all have shovels, and they're willing to do it. That's the kind of friendship—friends—we want.Jess LaheyWell, and that's funny you mention that—I had an entire question—it wasn't even a question, it was a statement—in here about friendships and being grateful to you for the reminder about the importance of relationships. And this entire podcast was born out of the fact that we were talking writing all the time, and we just wanted an official way to sit down once a week and actually talk about the work. And your work is suffused with just these incredible relationships—whether that's the Rizzoli and Isles—you know, in your first—in the one of your other series—and I'm just—I'm very grateful for that, because we—especially—I think I re—I really crave books about female relationships, especially about older female relationships. And I have been loving your books, and I've—like, as I may have mentioned to you in my initial email—I had—I'm so sorry—never read your books before. And I admitted in the introduction that there are lots of very, very famous authors whose books I have never read. And it's always so exciting to me to dive into someone's series and realize, oh, this person really touches on themes that mean a lot to me, and I can already tell that I'm going to be enjoying a lot of their books to come forward. So thank you for all of the great descriptions of relationships and how we do rely on each other for various aspects of just how we get through all of this stuff.Tess GerritsenYeah—get through life. But you know what's funny about it is that it didn't start that way. For instance, let's go back to Rizzoli and Isles. The very first time they both appear in a book is in The Apprentice. And they don't start off being friends. They start off being—they're so different. As the TV producer once said, “you've really written about Captain Kirk and Mr. Spock.” That's okay—they are—in the books. They are not natural friends. But like real-life friendships, sometimes—just kind of develop slowly, and—and they have their ups and downs. So there are times when—when Jane and Maura are barely speaking to each other because of conflicts they have. But by the time book twelve comes around—or maybe book seven comes around—you know that they would risk their lives for each other. So I think that if you're writing a series like Rizzoli and Isles, or like The Martini Club, it really helps to develop the friendship on the fly and see how they react to certain stresses. The next book, which I just turned in, called The Shadow Friends—it even put—pushes them even further, and it really—it really strains a marriage, because it's—it's more about Ingrid, and an old lover comes back into her life. She used to—they were both spies—and he is, like, hot, hot, hot—Antonio Banderas kind of guy. And here's Ingrid, married to Lloyd, you know, who's just a sweet analyst who cooks dinner for her every night. And I—when I was coming up with that story, I thought, I want to write a book about their marriage. So it wasn't—the plot wasn't about, oh, you know, international assassinations, even though that does occur in the book. It's really about the story of a marriage.Jess LaheyAnd it gives you, it gives you added unease. You know, if you have your two characters not speaking to each other, and you know your readers love those characters and crave those characters to be getting along at some point, then that's just another reason that we're following along. I was just thinking about, uh, Michael Connelly, uh, book the other day, because I really, really like the series he did with Renée Ballard and her relationship with the Bosch character, and how that series is totally about crime, but yet it's also very much about the relationship. And I think I follow—I continue to read those because of the relationship between those two human beings, and less so because of the murder mystery sort of stuff.Tess GerritsenI think it really becomes important if you're dealing also with Hollywood television series. I still remember what the producer first said when he called me up about Rizzoli and Isles. He said, "I love your girls, and I think they belong on TV.” He didn't say, I love your plots. He didn't say, I love your mysteries, you know, all your intricate ups and downs. It was really about the girls. So if you hope to sell to a television series, really, it's about characters again.Jess LaheyAbsolutely.Sarina BowenI was going to ask about longevity, because you have so many books, and you're so obviously still invigorated by the process, or there wouldn't be a book three that you just turned in. So how have you been able to avoid just being sick to death of—of writing suspense novel after suspense novel?Tess GerritsenI refused. That's what it is. You know, I—I don't—I guess I could say that I have a little bit of ADHD when it comes to—to the books I write. I cannot—after 13 books of Rizzoli and Isles, I just had a different idea. And it takes—it takes a certain amount of backbone to say no to your publisher, to your editor, to people who are going, well, when's the next one in this series coming out? And to be able to say, I need a break. I need to do something completely different. So over—how many years I've been a writer—almost 40 now—I've written science fiction and historicals and a ghost story and romantic suspense and spy novels and medical thrillers and crime novels. I've been all over the place, but each one of those books that took me out of what I was expected to do was so invigorating. It was a book that I needed to write. As an example, I wrote a book called Playing with Fire. Nobody wanted that book. Nobody expected that book. It was a historical about World War II, and about music—about the power of music—and having to do with the death camps. I remember my publisher going, "What are you doing?" And, you know, it's—it's true—they're—they—they are marketers, and they understood that that book would not sell as well, and it didn't. But it still remains one of my favorite books. And when you want to write a book, you need to write that book. That's all—even—even if nobody wants it.Jess LaheyI actually was—I'm so pleased that this came up, because that was actually going to be my question, because both you and Sarina have done this—done, you know, 90 degrees—whether it's out of, you know, one genre into another—and that, to me, requires an enormous amount of courage. Because you know you have people expecting things from you. And you in particular, Tess, have people saying, "No, I want the next one. I love this relationship. I want the next one." And—and dealing—you're not just dealing with the disappointment of whether it's an agent or an editor, but the disappointment of fans. And that's a pressure as well. So when I used to do journalism, I remember a question I asked of another journalist was, "How do you continue to write without fear of the comment section?" And essentially, for us, that's our—you know, those are our readers. So how do you find that thing within yourself to say, no, this really is the thing that I need to be writing now?Tess GerritsenWell, that is a really—it's a really tough decision to buck the trend or buck what everybody's expecting, because there's a thing in publishing called the death spiral. And if your book does not sell well, they will print fewer copies for the next one. And then that won't sell well. So you start—your career starts to go down the drain. And that is a danger every time you step out of your tried and true series and do something out of—you know, completely out of the ordinary. I think the reason I did it was that I really didn't give a damn. It was—it was like, Okay, maybe this will kill my career, but I've got to write this book. And it was always with the idea that if my publisher did not want that, I would just self-publish. I would just, you know, find another way to get it out there. And I—I was warned, rightly so, that your sales will not be good for this book, and that will—it will hurt the next contract. And I understood that. But it was the only way I could keep my career going. Once you get bored, and you're—you're trapped in a drawer, I think it shows up in your writing.Jess LaheyI had this very conversation with my agent. The—my first book did well. And so then, you know, the expectation is, I'll write like part two of that, or I'll write something for that exact same audience again. And when I told my agent—I said, "You know, this book on substance use prevention and kids—I—it's—I have to write it. And I'm going to write it even, you know, if I have to go out there and sell it out of the trunk of my car." And she said, "Okay, then I guess we're doing this." And yes...Tess Gerritsen(Laughing) They had their best wishes at heart.Jess LaheyAnd honestly, I love—I loved my book that did well. But The Addiction Inoculation is the book I'm most proud of. And, you know, that's—yeah, that's been very important to me.Tess GerritsenI often hear from writers that the book that sold the fewest copies was one that was—were their favorites. Those are the ones that they took a risk on, that they—I mean, they put their heart and soul into it. And maybe those hurt their careers, but those are the ones that we end up being proud of.Jess LaheyI like to remind Sarina of that, because I do remember we text each other constantly. We have a little group, the three of us, a little group text all day long. And there was—I remember when she first wrote a male-male romance, she was scared. She was really scared that this was going to be too different for her readers. And it ended up being, I think, my favorite book that she's ever written, and also a very important book for her in terms of her career development and growth, and what she loves about the work that she does. And so I like to remind her every once in a while, remember when you said that really scared you and you weren't sure how your readers were going to handle it?Sarina BowenRight? Well, I also did that in the middle of a series, and I went looking for confirmation that that is a thing that people did sometimes, and it was not findable. You know, that was...Jess LaheyWhat? Change things up in terms of—change things up in the middle of a series?Sarina BowenIn the middle of a series. And anyway, that book still sells.Tess GerritsenThat is a great act of courage, but it's also an act of confidence in yourself as a writer. There are ways to do it. I think some writers will just adopt a different pen name for something that's way out there.Jess LaheyIt's funny you should say... it's funny you should say that.Sarina BowenWell, no, and I never have done that, but, um—but anyway, yeah, that's hard. I, uh...Jess LaheyYeah.Sarina BowenIt's hard to know. Sometimes...Jess LaheyWe entertain it all the time. We do talk about that as an option all the time. Shouldn't we just pick up and do something completely different? One of the things that I also—I mentioned at the top of the podcast about, you know, you went off—not only have you done lots of different things in terms of your writing—but you went off and you did an entire documentary about pigs. I have—I have to ask you where on earth that came from and why. And it is a total delight, as I mentioned, and I have already recommended it to two people that I know also love the topic. But, you know, to go off—and especially when you usually, as some of us have experienced—our agents saying, so when am I going to see more pages? or when am I going to see the next book? And you say, I'm really sorry, but I have to go off and film this documentary about pigs.Tess GerritsenYes. Well, you know, I was an anthropology major in college, and I've always been interested in the pig taboo. You know, back then, everybody just assumed it was because, yeah, it was disease or they're dirty animals—that's why they're forbidden food. It never quite convinced me, because I'm Chinese-American. Asia—you know, Asia loves pork. Why aren't they worried about all that? So I was in Istanbul for a book tour once, and I remember I really wanted bacon, and, you know, I couldn't get bacon. And then I thought, okay, I really need to find out why pork is forbidden. This is a—this is a cultural and historical mystery that never made sense to me. The explanations just never made sense to me. It cannot be trichinosis. So I told my son that—my son is—he does—he's a filmmaker as well. And he just said, "Well, let's do it. Let's—we will pose it as a mystery," because it is a mystery. So it took us probably two years to go and—you know, we interviewed anthropologists and pet pig owners and archaeologists, actually, just to find out, what do they say? What is the answer to this? And to us, the answer really just came down to this cultural desire for every—every tribe—to define us versus them. You know, they eat pigs. They're not us, so therefore they're the enemy. And it was fascinating because we—we ended up finding out more about pigs than I was expecting, and also finding out that people who have pet pigs can sometimes be a little unusual.Jess LaheyAnd the people who purchase the clothes for the pigs are also crazy.Tess GerritsenYes. Sew outfits for their pigs and sleep with their pigs. And there was—there was one woman who had—she slept on the second floor of her house, so she had an elevator for her pig who couldn't make it up the stairs, and, you know, ramps to get up onto the bed because they've gotten so fat—they've been overfed. But it was—for me, at the heart of it was a mystery.Jess LaheyAs a nonfiction author whose whole entire reason for being is, "I don't know—let's find out," I think that's just the most delightful thing. And I loved your framing as, "I don't know, we have this question, let's go out there and just ask people about it and find the experts." And that's—oh, I could just live on that stuff. So...Tess GerritsenSo could I. You know, research is so enticing. It's enticing. It is—it can get you into trouble because you never write your book. Some of us just love to do the research.Jess LaheySarina actually has taken skating lessons, done glass blowing—what else have you done? Yoga classes and all—all kinds of things in the pursuit of knowledge for her characters. And I think that's a delight.Sarina BowenYes. If you can sign up for a class as part of your research, like, that is just the best day. Like, you know, oh, I must take these ice skating lessons twice a day for five months, because—yeah—or twice a week, but still.Tess GerritsenYou must be a good ice skater then.Sarina BowenI'm getting better.Tess GerritsenSo you never gave them up, I see.Jess LaheyWell, it's fun because she usually writes about hockey, but she has a figure skater coming up in this book that's coming out this fall. And she's like, "Well, I guess I'm just going to have to learn how to figure skate."Tess GerritsenYeah.Sarina BowenI also—one time I went to see Rebecca Skloot speak about her big nonfiction The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks.Tess GerritsenOh, okay.Sarina BowenAnd she said that all her best ideas had come from moments in her life when she went, "Wait, what?!"Tess GerritsenYes. Yep.Sarina BowenIncluding for The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks. Like, she learned about the cells in high school—she was in high school biology class—and the teacher said, like, "This woman died in the '60s, but we're still using her cells," and she said, "Wait, what?!" And that's—that's what you made me think of with the pigs. Like, I think...Jess LaheyWell, and also your folder of ideas. I mean, I immediately texted Sarina after listening to a podcast where I heard an ad, and the ad made me go, "Oh that could be creepy." And then I'm like, "Okay, this is—this is a plot. This is going in the folder somewhere." And so you have to just think about how those things could unfold over time. And I love the idea of—and even in journalism—there are articles that I've written where I said, this just isn't their time. And then, like, five years later, I'll hear something out there, and I'm like, okay, finally, it's the time for this thing. And there's a reason you put that article in your idea—in your paper—manila folder of ideas.Tess GerritsenWell, I think writers are—we have to be curious. We have to be engaged in what's going on around us, because the ideas are everywhere. And I have this—I like to say I have a formula. It's called "two plus two equals five." And what that means is, sometimes you'll have a—you'll have a piece of information that, you know, there's a book here, but you haven't figured out what to do with it. And you wait for another piece of information from some completely different source, and you put them together, and they end up being like nuclear fusion—bigger than the…Sarina BowenYes!Jess LaheyYes!Tess GerritsenSome of the parts.Sarina BowenMost every book I've ever written works like that. Like, I have one idea that I drag around for, like, five years, and then I have this other idea, and one day I'm like, oh, those two things go together.Tess GerritsenYep.Jess LaheyYeah, absolutely. I think Stephen King mentioned that about Carrie. I think it was like, telekinesis, and that usually starts about the time of menstruation, and it was like, boom, there was Carrie. You know, those two things came together. I love that so much. So you mentioned that you have just handed in your next book, and we don't—we do not, as a rule, ask about what's next for an author, because I find that to be an incredibly intimidating and horrifying question to be asked. But I would love to hear; you know, is this—is this series one that you hope to continue working on? The main series, mainly because we have quite fallen in love with your little town in Maine—in Purity, Maine. Fantastic name for your town, by the way. It's really lovely. It creates such a nice dichotomy for these people who have seen and heard things during their careers that maybe are quite dark, and then they retire to a place called Purity. Is this a place where we can hopefully spend a little bit of time?Tess GerritsenWell, I am thinking about book number four now. I have an idea. You know, it always starts with—it starts with an idea and doodling around and trying to figure out what—you know, you start with this horrible situation, and then you have to explain it. So that's where I am now. I have this horrible situation, I have to explain it. So, yeah, I'm thinking about book four. I don't know how—you never know how long a series is going to go. It's a little tough because I have my characters who are internationally based—I mean, they've been around the world—but then I can't leave behind my local cop who is also a part of this group as well. So I have to keep an eye out on Maine being the center of most of the action.Sarina BowenRight, because how many international plots can you give Purity, Maine?Tess GerritsenThat's right, exactly. Well, luckily…Jess LaheyLook, Murder, She Wrote—how many things happened to that woman in that small town?Tess GerritsenExactly, exactly. Well, luckily, because I have so many CIA retirees up here, the international world comes to us. Like the next book, The Shadow Friends, is about a global security conference where one of the speakers gets murdered. And it turns out we have a global security conference right here in our town that was started by CIA 40 years ago. So I'm just—I'm just piggybacking on reality here. And—not that the spies up here think that's very amusing.Sarina BowenThat is fantastic, because, you know, the essential problem of writing a suspense novel is that you have to ground it in a reality that everyone is super familiar with, and you have to bring in this explosive bit of action that is unlikely to happen near any of us. And those two things have to fit together correctly. So by, um, by putting your retired spies in this tiny town, you have sort of, like, gifted yourself with that, you know, precise problem solver.Tess GerritsenYeah, reminding us.Sarina BowenYeah.Tess GerritsenBut there's only so far I can take that. I'm not sure what the limits... I think book four is going to take them all overseas, because my local cop, Jo, she's never been out of the country—except for Canada—and it's time for her dad to drag her over to Italy and say, "Your dead mom wanted to come to Italy, so I'm taking you." And, of course, things go wrong in Italy for Jo.Jess LaheyOf course, of course. Well, we're going to keep just banging on about how much we love these books. I think we've already mentioned it in three podcast episodes so far in our “What have you been reading lately that you've really loved?” So we're—we're big fans. And thank you so much for sitting down to talk with us and to—you know, one of the whole points of our podcast is to flatten the learning curve for other authors, so we hope that that's done a little bit of that for our listeners. And again, thank you so much. Where can people find you and your work if they want to learn a little bit more about Tess Gerritsen—her work?Tess GerritsenYou can go to TessGerritsen.com, and I try to post as much information there as I can. But I'm also at Bluesky, @TessGerritsen, and what is now called “X”—a legacy person on X—@TessGerritsen, yes.Jess LaheyThank you so, so much again. And for everyone out there listening, keep your butt in the chair and your head in the game.The Hashtag AmWriting Podcast is produced by Andrew Perella. Our intro music—aptly titled Unemployed Monday—was written and played by Max Cohen. Andrew and Max were paid for their time and their creative output, because everyone deserves to be paid for their work. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit amwriting.substack.com/subscribe

"God, I feel like I'm still enduring that, like it's this sort of ongoing thing where I'm not sure I ever if I'll ever get to a place where I feel like my work and ambitions for the work and daydreams about writing and art-making ever meet my taste," says Patrycja Humienik.For Ep. 485 we've got Patrycja Humienik. She's a poet and her debut collection is We Contain Landscapes and it is published by Tin House. Patrycja is the daughter of Polish immigrants and is a writer, editor, and teaching artist. You can follow her on the gram @jej_sen. So Patrycja and I had nice little jam sesh about: Trusting the path The Magic of Revision Weekly Writing Rituals with her Work Wife Tension and Textures And writing without the pressure of publicationSome really rich stuff. Her work has appeared in the New Yorker, that rag, Gulf Coast, Poetry Society of America and many others. She works between borders: of disciplines, language, body, art activism, conflict/transformation. She's a true artist, man. You can learn more about her at www.patrycjasara.com.Order The Front RunnerNewsletter: Rage Against the AlgorithmWelcome to Pitch ClubShow notes: brendanomeara.com

Why modern communication still relies on ancient words and narratives.All communication and connection depend on one thing: language. That's why Laura Spinney says understanding language — where it comes from and how it evolves over time — can help us use it more effectively.“Language is incredibly powerful,” says Spinney, an author and journalist published in the Atlantic, National Geographic, Nature, and New Scientist. As “humanity's oldest tool,” language has evolved as we have, which Spinney explores in her latest book, Proto: How One Ancient Language Went Global. In addition to the words themselves, there are also the stories that humans have carried with them for millennia. “Some stories that we still tell today,” Spinney notes, have remained stable for tens of thousands of years — providing more than just entertainment — shaping how we understand the world, share knowledge, and build community.In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Spinney and host Matt Abrahams discuss why language and storytelling are fundamental to being human, what makes a story compelling, and how our ever-evolving language continues to be our best tool for communication and connection.To listen to the extended Deep Thinks version of this episode, please visit FasterSmarter.io/premium.Episode Reference Links:Laura Spinney Laura's Books: Proto / Pale RiderEp.168 How Story Can Change Everything in Your CareerEp.91 Um, Like, So: How Filler Words Can Create More Connected, Effective Communication Connect:Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart PremiumEmail Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedInChapters:(00:00) - Introduction (02:24) - Power & Limits of Language (02:55) - Detecting Lies (04:46) - Origins of Storytelling (07:42) - What Makes a Great Story (10:31) - Proto-Indo-European Language (12:52) - Language Families & Connections (15:06) - Language Clues in History (17:17) - The Final Three Questions (21:56) - Conclusion  *****Thank you to our sponsors: Stanford Continuing Studies. Enroll today for my course starting September 30thStrawberry.me. Get $50 off coaching today at Strawberry.me/smartSupport Think Fast Talk Smart by joining TFTS Premium.     

In this exciting episode of The Uncommon Place, hosts Stacey and J.R. Sparrow sit down with Charles Breakfield and Rox Burkey, the dynamic duo behind the Enigma Series of techno-thrillers. What began as a career in technical writing has now evolved into an action-packed literary journey filled with cyber threats, high-stakes drama, and, yes, a touch of humor.The conversation dives into how two tech professionals transitioned from creating manuals and reports to crafting page-turning thrillers. They share their creative process, the balance of writing as a team, and how they inject humor into the intense world of tech thrillers. Plus, they talk about real-world technology like AI and cryptocurrency—and how fiction can sometimes predict the future.Whether you're a budding writer or simply a fan of gripping, tech-driven narratives, this episode offers unique insights into the intersection of technology and storytelling.Key Topics:​The transition from tech writing to fiction: How they shifted from technical reports to crafting the Enigma Series.​The Enigma Series: The origins and themes of their books, including identity theft and cyber threats.​The creative process: How they divide characters, scenes, and plotlines.​Injecting humor into a techno-thriller: How a bit of comic relief adds depth to their otherwise high-tension stories.​Real-world tech and its impact on fiction: From AI to cryptocurrency, how Charles Breakfield and Rox Burkey​incorporate real-life threats into their thrillers.​Resolving creative conflicts: How they handle disagreements in their writing process, with a surprising twist!Resources Mentioned:​Enigma Series (available on Amazon and major retailers)​Charles and Roxburgh's website: www.enigmaseries.com

This week, we're chatting to Hannah Beckerman. She's been dubbed the 'new Queen of Domestic Noir', and after the success of the bestselling, 'The Forgetting', has published her 5th novel, 'Three Mothers'. If you love Louise Candlish or Liane Moriarty, you'll enjoy how Hannah writes. Here's the blurb...When seventeen-year-old Isla Richardson is killed in a hit-and-run incident, a community's lives are thrown into disarray. For Isla's mum, Abby, it is her second devastating bereavement, having lost her husband five years ago. Tackling friendship, family, social prejudice and the pressures facing young women, Three Mothers how well do we really know our children? And how far would any of us go to protect the people we love?Hannah also works as a broadcaster, journalist and book critic, reviewing for The Guardian, The Observer and BBC Radio 2. She presents as a judge and panellist at book events, and we discuss what pressure that puts on her own writing, and how much she tries to learn from other authors' work.You can hear how much she knows at the start, why she treats it like a 'regular' 9-to-5, and how she makes sure her characters are all unique when writing genre-fiction.This week's episode is sponsored by Faber Academy. Their flagship 'Writing a Novel' course is more than a course, it's a commitment to your craft. Find out more at faberacademy.com/writing-a-novelGet a copy of the book at uk.bookshop.org/shop/writersroutineSupport the show at - patreon.com/writersroutineko-fi.com/writersroutineGet the newsletter - writersroutine.substack.com@writerspodwritersroutine.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Art & Cocktails, Kat Popova sits down with art historian, author, and podcast host Jennifer Dasal to talk about her latest book, The Club: Where American Women Artists Found Refuge in Belle Époque Paris (Bloomsbury, 2025). Jennifer shares the little-known story of the American Girls' Club in Paris—a home-away-from-home for women artists during the late 19th century that became a vital hub for creativity, education, and connection. We dive into her passion for art history, her research process, and why community was just as important for artists in Belle Époque Paris as it is today.   We also discuss: How Jennifer uncovers forgotten stories in art history Why Paris was a critical destination for American women artists The parallels between the struggles of 19th-century women artists and today's ongoing inequities in the art world The importance of building supportive communities for artists at every stage   ✨ Learn more about Jennifer and her work at jenniferdasal.com ✨ Order Jennifer's new book The Club here: Bloomsbury ✨ Join the waitlist for the Art Queens Society, Kat's community for ambitious women artists: createmagazine.myflodesk.com/aqsociety

As Season 1 of Book Lounge by Libby comes to a close, we're getting you ready to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with thoughtful conversations featuring Ann Dávila Cardinal, Isabel Cañas, Cleyvis Natera, Isabel Ibañez, and Tamara Yajía.

What happens when you combine groundbreaking genetic research with deep spiritual wisdom? Meet Francis Collins - the physician-geneticist who led the Human Genome Project, directed the NIH under five presidents, and helped develop the cure for cystic fibrosis. In this fascinating conversation, Francis reveals how he searches for three missing letters among 3 billion, why the COVID vaccine represents one of science's greatest achievements, and how faith and science enhance rather than conflict with each other. From his insights on presidential wisdom to his prescription for healing our divided nation, Francis shares lessons from his book "The Road to Wisdom" that challenge how we think about truth, trust, and what it means to be truly wise.---Guy Kawasaki is on a mission to make you remarkable. His Remarkable People podcast features interviews with remarkable people such as Jane Goodall, Marc Benioff, Woz, Kristi Yamaguchi, and Bob Cialdini. Every episode will make you more remarkable.With his decades of experience in Silicon Valley as a Venture Capitalist and advisor to the top entrepreneurs in the world, Guy's questions come from a place of curiosity and passion for technology, start-ups, entrepreneurship, and marketing. If you love society and culture, documentaries, and business podcasts, take a second to follow Remarkable People.Listeners of the Remarkable People podcast will learn from some of the most successful people in the world with practical tips and inspiring stories that will help you be more remarkable.Episodes of Remarkable People organized by topic: https://bit.ly/rptopologyListen to Remarkable People here: **https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/guy-kawasakis-remarkable-people/id1483081827**Like this show? Please leave us a review -- even one sentence helps! Consider including your Twitter handle so we can thank you personally!Thank you for your support; it helps the show!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Host Jeff Goldsmith talks to co-creator, co-showrunner and writer Kim Rosenstock about her Emmy nominated TV show - Dying for Sex. Download my podcast here Copyright © Unlikely Films, Inc. 2025. All rights reserved. For more great content check out Backstory Magazine @ Backstory.net

"I am a 34-year-old artist living and working in San Francisco, California. My work focuses on my perspective on life, identity, and empathy. I paint and draw people who are close to me, or if they have a story I can relate too. My style consists of meticulous studies of anatomy and form, as well as pieces that explore a more emotional and expressive theme. I have shown in galleries both across the United States and internationally." - Daniel Segrove Topics Discussed In This Episode: Segrove and Yoshino talk about modern technology and how it affects artists (00:02:26) Living peacefully and solitarily as an artist (00:09:12) Self-realization through art (00:14:46) The early phases of Segrove's artistic journey (00:22:29) Intuition vs. impulsivity: balance, process, and letting go of outcomes (00:36:55) Staying spiritually youthful, following the truest path, and sensing others' energy (00:43:30) Writing to process emotions and trusting and owning our unique artistic processes (00:51:59) Breaking through social norms to discover the true self (00:59:53) The weight of stress on the body and how art offers release (01:11:27) artistdecoded.com instagram.com/dsegrove/    

This lecture discusses key ideas from the 20th century philosophical short story writer, essayist, and poet Jorge Luis Borges's story "The Writing Of The God" which can be found in Collected Fictions. It centers on a priest Tzinacán, previously serving at the pyramid of Qaholom, now imprisoned for the rest of his life in a dark cell. There is a jaguar on the other side. Inspired by a legend about the god, he attempts to discern what the writing of the god would be, and eventually deciphers it To support my ongoing work, go to my Patreon site - www.patreon.com/sadler If you'd like to make a direct contribution, you can do so here - www.paypal.me/ReasonIO - or at BuyMeACoffee - www.buymeacoffee.com/A4quYdWoM You can find over 3000 philosophy videos in my main YouTube channel - www.youtube.com/user/gbisadler Get Borges' Collected Fictions here - https://amzn.to/3xZnwHA

In this episode of the Pony Tales Podcast, we sit down with Ben Fisher, a two-summer bookman with the FORCE organization (2011–2012) who now lives in California. Ben attended Concordia University in Nebraska and is the author of the children's book Scribbaloo and the Color Cruncher, available on Amazon in paperback and Kindle, with more than 175 five-star reviews. He's also the Ben behind the classic “I sell books and I love it” video many alumni remember from Sales School.This conversation is filled with reflections, laughs, and lessons: from the opening line of “Were we in a cult?” to stories from the book field, publishing a children's book, and the practical side of decision-making. Ben shares how the simple act of narrowing choices became a powerful tool, and he comes back again and again to the lessons learned selling books — persistence, resilience, and how to talk to people.We close with a fun rapid-fire round, covering favorite turf (New York vs. Maine), territory types, and more. Ben also shares where you can find his book and connect with him.Chapters:00:00 – Intro (California, two summers, FORCE org, Concordia)01:32 – “I sell books and I love it” video03:18 – Scribb Aloo and the Color Cruncher (Amazon; 175 five-star reviews)04:00 – “Were we in a cult?”38:26 – Writing and publishing a book53:04 – Decision-making trick by narrowing options1:12:27 – Lessons from the book field1:15:29 – Rapid-fire round begins1:16:16 – Favorite territory, turf type, and more1:29:39 – Closing thanks and where to find Ben's bookSubscribe to Pony Tales Podcast for more conversations with alumni and the stories that connect us all.

My parenting journey starts with my birth when my own mother was screaming at the sight of me.Helping others to parent has been an integral part of my professional life.Using the latest and best therapy techniques marks my current work to help others heal from injuries delivered by their parents.Writing about parenting and personal growth is my passion.I am a psychologist in private practice and a writer. My recent book: Read, Reflect, Respond: the 3 R's of Growth and Change is a guide to personal growth.  I am currently completing a book for fathers to help them do a better job of raising emotionally intelligent boys.FIND HER HERE:www.drvanderhorst.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/gloria-vanderhorst-ph-d-730826b/https://www.facebook.com/gloria.vanderhorst.7

In this episode, Sean and Lexi chat with Steven Cotti about the upcoming release of 'Hell House LLC: Lineage,' premiering in theaters on August 20th and streaming on Shudder in October. The conversation dives into the sound design and cinematic experience of the film. The hosts then pivot to a humorous and detailed discussion about the movie 'Cursed,' delving into its tumultuous production history involving Wes Craven, the numerous rewrites and reshoots, and the casting changes. 00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction 01:03 Discussing the Release of Hell House LLC: Lineage 01:16 Theater Experience and Sound Design 02:27 Speculations on the Future of Hell House LLC 03:01 Harry Potter Houses and Slytherin Discussion 04:35 Returning to Hell House LLC: Lineage 05:50 The Importance of Sound in Horror Films 09:43 Upcoming Projects and Casting Challenges 12:22 Casual Banter and Personal Stories 18:01 Hollywood Gossip and Industry Insights 23:15 Discussing the Movie 'Cursed' 47:13 Joshua Jackson's Girlfriend and Tinsel Town 48:15 Shannon Elizabeth's Near-Death Experience 50:08 Werewolf Transformation and Suspense 52:32 Kevin Williamson's Writing and Gay Characters 54:00 Judy Greer as the Werewolf 56:42 The Final Showdown and Transformation 01:00:24 Reflecting on 'Cursed' and Wes Craven's Experience 01:05:24 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome, welcome, welcome to the Distraction Pieces Podcast with Scroobius Pip!This week Pip is joined by hilarious comic and now author RHYS JAMES!An immediately bubbly and scattered catchup with Pip and Rhys, as they transmit in podcast-time from Rhys's equivalent of what Adam Buxton refers to as his 'nutty room'. On top of all things book related, centring around his very new 'You'll Like It When You Get There', he and Pip check in on many and much including house layouts and room purposes (where IS the best spot for a shower?), being a hygeine guy, "come and say hello", comedy specials and the wide world within, the joy of a canceled plan, the tightrope of too much or too little in the audiobook space, speed of standup performance relative to himself, and as said, a good amount of book chat. It's of course fascinating to hear about the process and how everything forms and shapes, so even if you're unfamiliar with Rhys you'll likely get a huge amount from the "tech talk" and behind the scenes biz. Enjoy!PIP'S PATREON PAGE if you're of a supporting natureONLINEYOUTUBEYOU'LL LIKE IT WHEN YOU GET THERESPEECH DEVELOPMENT WEBSTOREPIP TWITCH • (music stuff)PIP INSTAGRAMPIP TWITTERPIP PATREONPIP IMDBPOD BIBLE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A quiz on Movies With Foods in the Title for Patreon subscriber Jim Fields! Fact of the Day: Only 3 tv shows have won all 7 main categories of the Primetime Emmys: Angels in America (Limited or Anthology Series), Schitt's Creek (Comedy), and The Crown (Drama). The 7 categories are: Outstanding Series, Lead Actor, Lead Actress, Supporting Actor, Supporting Actress, Directing, and Writing. Triple Connections: Junior, Meadow, Furio THE FIRST TRIVIA QUESTION STARTS AT 01:27 SUPPORT THE SHOW MONTHLY, LISTEN AD-FREE FOR JUST $1 A MONTH: www.Patreon.com/TriviaWithBudds INSTANT DOWNLOAD DIGITAL TRIVIA GAMES ON ETSY, GRAB ONE NOW!  GET A CUSTOM EPISODE FOR YOUR LOVED ONES:  Email ryanbudds@gmail.com Theme song by www.soundcloud.com/Frawsty Bed Music:  "EDM Detection Mode" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ http://TriviaWithBudds.com http://Facebook.com/TriviaWithBudds http://Instagram.com/ryanbudds Book a party, corporate event, or fundraiser anytime by emailing ryanbudds@gmail.com or use the contact form here: https://www.triviawithbudds.com/contact SPECIAL THANKS TO ALL MY AMAZING PATREON SUBSCRIBERS INCLUDING:   Mollie Dominic Vernon Heagy Brian Clough Nathalie Avelar Becky and Joe Heiman Natasha raina Waqas Ali leslie gerhardt Skilletbrew Bringeka Brooks Martin Yves Bouyssounouse Sam Diane White Youngblood Evan Lemons Trophy Husband Trivia Rye Josloff Lynnette Keel Nathan Stenstrom Lillian Campbell Jerry Loven Ansley Bennett Gee Jamie Greig Jeremy Yoder Adam Jacoby rondell Adam Suzan Chelsea Walker Tiffany Poplin Bill Bavar Sarah Dan  Katelyn Turner Keiva Brannigan Keith Martin Sue First Steve Hoeker Jessica Allen Michael Anthony White Lauren Glassman Brian Williams Henry Wagner Brett Livaudais Linda Elswick Carter A. Fourqurean KC Khoury Tonya Charles  Justly Maya Brandon Lavin Kathy McHale Chuck Nealen Courtney French Nikki Long Mark Zarate Laura Palmer  JT Dean Bratton Kristy Erin Burgess Chris Arneson Trenton Sullivan Jen and Nic Michele Lindemann Ben Stitzel Michael Redman Timothy Heavner Jeff Foust Richard Lefdal Myles Bagby Jenna Leatherman Albert Thomas Kimberly Brown Tracy Oldaker Sara Zimmerman Madeleine Garvey Jenni Yetter JohnB Patrick Leahy Dillon Enderby James Brown Christy Shipley Alexander Calder Ricky Carney Paul McLaughlin Casey OConnor Willy Powell Robert Casey Rich Hyjack Matthew Frost Brian Salyer Greg Bristow Megan Donnelly Jim Fields Mo Martinez Luke Mckay Simon Time Feana Nevel

In this solo episode, I'm sharing a surprising business lesson that started in a less-than-stellar wash bay and ended in a car wash that felt more like a spa. From broken vacuums and missing towels to free upgrades and genuine customer care, these experiences reminded me that the little things aren't so little. I'll walk you through three takeaways every business can use, whether you're selling beef, running a boutique, managing a member-based organization, or leading a team. If you want to make your customers feel good about paying you (and keep them coming back), it's all about consistency, attention to detail, and showing people they matter. Resources & Links: Join The Directory Of The West Get our FREE resource for Writing a Strong Job Description  Get our FREE resource for Making the Most of Your Internship Email us at hello@ofthewest.co Subscribe to Of The West's ⁠Newsletters List your jobs on ⁠Of The West Connect with Jessie: Follow on Instagram @ofthewest.co and @mrsjjarv Follow on Facebook @jobsofthewest Check out the Of The West website Be sure to subscribe/follow the show so you never miss an episode! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eugene Buchanan drops by for a deep dive into a life built around rivers, paddling, and epic adventure. He's a former editor-in-chief of Paddler magazine, founder of Paddling Life, a Fellow of the Explorers Club, a renowned author, and a man whose stories span over 30 countries and six continents. Show Notes WHAT HAPPENED: I never planned to make a living from rivers. In fact, if you had asked me back in college, I was more focused on seasonal raft guiding and avoiding any “real job” that required shoes. But then a friend called. He had a permit for the Grand Canyon. I packed up, strapped a kayak to my car, and drove down the Alcan Highway. That trip changed everything. I met my wife on that river. Then I quit my job. Took freelance writing gigs. Burned my vacation time to chase rivers in Peru and Ecuador. Eventually, I found myself editing a national paddling magazine... and later, starting my own. I've paddled in Siberia with Latvians who made rafts from military gear and soccer balls. I've seen the rise of pack rafts, drone scouting, and GPS maps. I've watched river communities form in the unlikeliest places. And I've learned the hard way—like, “class V in the Colombian jungle, middle-of-nowhere, CPR-on-the-rocks” kind of hard—that rivers don't care about your itinerary. PRINCIPLE: The river doesn't just test your skills. It reveals your priorities. It reminds you that life—like paddling—isn't about control. It's about choosing the current that calls to you… and having the right crew with you when it all goes sideways. TRANSITION: Too many people think paddling is just about adrenaline. But the truth is, most folks never get beyond the weekend warrior stage—not because they lack passion, but because they don't have a crew, a guide, or a map for what's next. They want to explore more, but they don't know where to start. Or worse—they overestimate what they can handle and end up burned out, discouraged, or worse. THAT'S WHY: That's why this episode with Eugene Buchanan is such a gift. It's not just a story about rivers—it's a deep dive into how adventure becomes a lifestyle, a career, and a calling. From Siberia to the Yampa, Eugene shows what's possible when you follow your curiosity and stay in the current long enough to let it shape you. CALL TO ACTION: If you've ever wondered if you have what it takes to go from weekend paddle trips to something bigger—this is the episode you need. Don't wait for perfect weather. Don't wait until you “feel ready.” The river's already flowing. Jump in.

In this episode of Productivity Smarts, host Gerald J. Leonard dives into an engaging conversation with Don Eggspuehler, author of Letters to Mom: Marine Corps – Boot Camp – Flight School – Vietnam. They explore Don's journey from a Marine Corp fighter pilot to a successful software executive and writer. The discussion highlights the transformative power of journaling, storytelling, and resilience in navigating life's challenges. Don shares the profound impact of military discipline on his productivity and personal balance, and offers invaluable advice for leaders striving to maintain equilibrium between high-stake responsibilities and personal well-being. The episode also shines a light on Don's latest book, offering listeners a unique glimpse into the poignant letters he wrote to his mother during his service, which have become a source of inspiration and healing for many. What We Discuss [00:00] Introduction to Don Eggspuehler [04:54] The Power of Letter Writing and Storytelling [10:57] Balancing Life and Work [21:26] Reflections and Final Thoughts [29:18] Conclusion and Call to Action Notable Quotes [06:08] " Writing letters is kind of a lost art. Most people don't write letters anymore, and it's so important." – Don Eggspuehler [13:10] " As you're going through life, sometimes a lot of stuff happens that we have no control over, but it's not what happens, it's how we deal with what happens now." – Gerald J. Leonard [15:09] “ Be persistent and don't get too upset over things. Keep things even keel and go with the flow a little bit, 'cause in life you're gonna have a lot of situations that are big surprises, and you really don't have any control over that. It's how you react.” – Don Eggspuehler [22:41] " We have the freedom and the ability to have experiences with our loved ones that we care about." – Gerald J. Leonard [24:57] " Life doesn't always go the way you want it to, no matter what you do. It throws you into some situations that you really weren't seeing coming." – Don Eggspuehler Our Guest Don Eggspuehler is a retired Marine Corps officer, author, and former computer software executive. Originally from Iowa Falls, Iowa, he served in Vietnam as a combat pilot flying A-6A jets. After a 23-year marriage to Linda Combs, who passed away from a brain tumor, Don had a successful 30-year career in software sales and consulting. Now retired and married to Lynda Lou Sherman, Don has authored five books, including Letters to Mom: Marine Corps – Boot Camp – Flight School – Vietnam and Life Lessons Learned in Grade School. Resources Don Eggspuehler LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/don-eggspuehler-54b71227b Website: https://www.lifelessonsbooks.net/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doneggspuehler/ Book: https://www.amazon.com/Letters-Mom-Marine-Flight-Vietnam/dp/B0DKXT5KP3 Productivity Smarts Podcast Website - productivitysmartspodcast.com Gerald J. Leonard Website - geraldjleonard.com Turnberry Premiere website - turnberrypremiere.com Scheduler - vcita.com/v/geraldjleonard Kiva is a loan, not a donation, allowing you to cycle your money and create a personal impact worldwide. https://www.kiva.org/lender/topmindshelpingtopminds

[REBROADCAST FROM June 23, 2025] Bill Sherman wears many hats, including as the music director of "Sesame Street," orchestrating and arranging Broadway productions like "& Juliet," and "In The Heights," and also co-executive producer behind one of the latest projects from PBS Kids, "Donkey Hodie," a puppet music video series for preschoolers. Sherman discuss his career in music, and previews the second season of "Donkey Hodie," streaming this summer on PBS Kids and YouTube.

In a world obsessed with scaling the corporate ladder, walking away from it takes real courage! In this inspiring episode, Deborah sits down with Jennie Jolly to discuss what it truly means to rewrite the rules after leaving corporate life behind. If your current job feels out of sync with your purpose, Jennie's journey may inspire you to consider a more fulfilling path forward! Here are the things to expect in the episode:What made Jennie finally decide to leave the corporate worldThe difference between fixed and growth mindsets — and how early beliefs can shape our choicesHow adopting a growth mindset can unlock personal breakthroughs and fuel business successHow Jennie turned her love for words, humor, and chickens into her editing business, Fowl LanguageAnd much more! About Jennie:Jennie Jolly is a lifelong word aficionado and escapee from corporate bureaucracy. After years of hopping around (both states and jobs), she now crafts editorial magic, intertwining passion with profession. When she's not polishing paragraphs and policing punctuation, Jennie's likely hanging out with her family or living the fast life at a Blue Angels air show. Her snarky Fowl Language newsletter combines her love of grammar, chickens, and humor. Connect with Jennie Jolly!Website: https://jenniejolly.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniejolly/ Book Recommendations:Mindset by Carol S. Dweck, PhD The Four Tendencies by Gretchen Rubin The 5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman   Connect with Deborah Kevin:Website: www.deborahkevin.comSubstack: https://debbykevin.substack.com/Instagram: www.instagram.com/debbykevinwriterLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborah-kevin/Book Recommendations: https://bookshop.org/shop/storytellher Check out Highlander Press:Website: www.highlanderpressbooks.comTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@highlanderpressInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/highlanderpressFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/highlanderpress

Welcome to Watch Club, a bi-weekly group discussion and review where the hosts of the what do you say anime podcast, nominate and vote on shows either that we haven't seen or shows that will hopefully lead to a great discussion. On todays episode, we will be reviewing the 2025 movie, KPop Demon Hunters!Socials/Discord - https://linktr.ee/whatdoyousayanime0:00 Intro3:24 First impressions13:58 Synopsis15:34 The animation style of KPop Demon Hunters20:11 Writing for TikTok and going viral22:14 The depth of its themes and storytelling30:16 Favorite tracks (and KPDH's only flaw)39:21 Rumi's struggles and how she handled them44:24 The cast, designs, and Korean folklore50:43 Closing thoughts and scores1:01:54 What we're watching next

You've written the deep history of your world—the fallen empires, ancient gods, and myths that shaped the land. But when you try to share it at the table… your players check out. In this episode of The Bearded Nerd Podcast, Brian reveals 5 secrets to delivering world lore that actually sticks with your players. Learn how to make lore part of the gameplay, not just flavor text.

Tess Sharpe was born in a mountain cabin to a punk-rocker mother and grew up in rural California. She is the award-winning author of many books for kids, teenagers, and adults, including Barbed Wire Heart and the New York Times bestseller The Girls I've Been. NO BODY NO CRIME is her latest novel. Spies, Lies and Private Eyes is copyrighted by Authors on the Air Global Radio Network #authorsofinstagram #authorinterview #writingcommunity #authorsontheair #suspensebooks #authorssupportingauthors #thrillerbooks #suspense #wip #writers#writersinspiration #books #bookrecommendations #bookaddict #bookaddicted #bookaddiction #bibliophile #read #amreading #lovetoread #terrencemccauley #terrencemccauleybooks #bookouture #thrillers #TheTwilightTown #TessSharpe #NoBodyNoCrime

213 In this encore episode, Nadine chats with literary legend Abigail Thomas about the interesting turns her life has taken, how she accesses hard stories, and her unique approach to structure. In this vulnerable interview, Abby shares painful moments and how she's come to embrace acceptance. In this conversation that covers an array of heartfelt topics, Abby also shares the hilarious thing she does when she's blocked. This wisdom-filled episode will resonate with writers and non-writers alike. Covered in this episode: How Abby never had a plan and the interesting twists life has takenWhat prompts she recommends to get people writingThe word that changed Abby's perspective about guiltThe hilarious thing Abby does when she's blockedHow to capture the human experience on the pageWhat she's learned with age and what advice she'd give to her younger selfAbout Abigail Thomas:Abigail Thomas has four children, twelve grandchildren, two great grandchildren, two dogs, eleven books, and a high school education.About Nadine:Learn more about Nadine's Writer Workout membership for women writers here.Nadine Kenney Johnstone is an award-winning author, podcast host, and writing coach. After fifteen years as a writing professor, she founded WriteWELL workshops and retreats for women writers. She interviews today's top female authors on her podcast, Heart of the Story. Her infertility memoir, Of This Much I'm Sure, was named book of the year by the Chicago Writer's Association. Her latest book, Come Home to Your Heart, is an essay collection and guided journal. She has been featured in Cosmo, Authority, MindBodyGreen, Natural Awakenings, Chicago Magazine, and more. She writes a regular newsletter on Substack.

Here it is! Another fun-fact-tips-filled episode of Tell The Damn Story! Today, hosts Chris and Alex are joined by two of their favorite returning guests and accomplished writers, Tom Sniegoski and Jeannine Acheson. Together, they dive into the wild world of writing—spanning comics, graphic novels, and original fiction—and share candid insights on navigating creative collaborations, writing for established IPs like Vampirella and Hellboy, and the whirlwind that is San Diego Comic Con.Tom and Jeannine walk us through the ups and downs of tackling well-loved characters, overcoming the infamous imposter syndrome, and finding their voices in new spaces. They discuss the challenges and rewards of pitching, the realities of professional rejection, and the thrill (and intimidation) of adding their mark to iconic franchises.Plus, we get a first look at their original novella, Neera: A Constance Evermore Story, arriving this September, and hear some behind-the-scenes tales from their latest Comic Con adventure—networking, pitching, and navigating the overwhelming world of fandom.Have any questions, comments, or suggestions?Then, please leave them in the Comments Section.Write: TTDSOnAir@gmail.comAnd follow us on ...⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Tell The Damn Story⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.TellTheDamnStory.comwww.Facebook.com/Tell The Damn Story⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube.com/ Tell The Damn Story⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠If you're enjoying these episodes, please take a moment to help wet our whistle by clicking on the link to ... ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Buy Me A Coffee⁠⁠⁠⁠!⁠⁠⁠⁠

Welcome to the DMF! I'm Justin Younts, and today I'm diving deep into my experience with the iconic Crypt Keeper from Tales from the Crypt. As the story editor for the show, I had the unique opportunity to oversee the transition of the franchise from comic books to television. My role was crucial, as I was the last word on every script, ensuring that each episode captured the essence of what made Tales from the Crypt so special. But it wasn't just about the scripts; I also had the incredible task of writing the Crypt Keeper segments. Imagine trying to create a character who didn't exist yet! I had to invest him with personality and depth, and I drew from my own experiences and humor to bring him to life. The Crypt Keeper became my own little personal Groucho, and I wanted to give him a rich interior life. Throughout the third season, we worked hard to reinvigorate the franchise, bringing in big names and creating memorable stories. The Crypt Keeper evolved into a beloved character, and fans often tell me that he was their gateway into the world of horror. It's amazing to see how a character can resonate with so many people, even when they were told not to watch the show. Join me as I share behind-the-scenes stories, the challenges of writing for the Crypt Keeper, and how we created a character that became synonymous with the series. Whether you're a die-hard fan or just curious about the process, there's something here for everyone. Let's explore the magic behind Tales from the Crypt together!00:00:00 - Introduction00:00:05 - The Showrunners of Tales from the Crypt00:01:17 - The Role of the Story Editor00:02:28 - Creating the Crypt Keeper00:04:46 - The Impact of the Crypt Keeper on the Franchise00:05:23 - The Crypt Keeper and Intellectual Property00:06:07 - Joel Silver's Influence00:07:54 - Developing the Crypt Keeper's Character00:08:54 - The Crypt Keeper and Horror Fans00:11:15 - Writing the Crypt Keeper Segments00:14:03 - Conclusion

Neil explores the importance of establishing effective morning routines for tutors, teachers, and coaches. Drawing from his 26 years of experience, Neil emphasises that a well-structured morning can set a positive tone for the entire day, helping individuals feel more in control and productive. He shares practical tips on incorporating essential activities such as exercise, hydration, and journaling into the morning routine, highlighting their impact on overall health and mental clarity. Neil also discusses the significance of planning the day ahead, encouraging listeners to adopt strategies from successful individuals to create their own robust launch pads for daily success. Tune in for actionable insights that can help you start, grow, and love your tutoring business! KEY TAKEAWAYS Importance of Morning Routines: Establishing a morning routine sets a positive tone for the day, providing a sense of control and helping to avoid a chaotic start. Prioritise Key Activities: Focus on doing the most important tasks first in your morning routine, akin to filling a jar with big rocks before adding smaller items, ensuring that essential activities are not overlooked. Incorporate Health and Hydration: Include movement and exercise in your morning routine, as physical health is foundational for overall well-being. Additionally, hydrate upon waking to enhance mental and physical performance. Plan Your Day: Create a daily plan before the day begins. Writing down your tasks helps streamline your activities and reduces decision fatigue, allowing for a smoother transition from sleep to productivity. Adapt and Communicate: Be open to testing and tweaking your routine until it works for you. Share your routine with family members to foster understanding and potentially encourage them to adopt similar strategies for a more harmonious morning environment. BEST MOMENTS "If you start the day with a sense of control, then the whole day is on a good foundation." "When you're building your routine, I think it's important to do what matters most first." "Your health is the bedrock on which everything else in your life sits." "Expect it to be absolutely bloody rubbish to begin with. You're going to be trying stuff out." "Everything begins in the morning. It's the launch pad for the day." VALUABLE RESOURCES www.Neilcowmeadow.com info@neilcowmeadow.com HOST BIO Neil Cowmeadow is a maverick peripatetic guitar teacher from Telford with over 19 years' experience in the business of helping people. Learn how to start, grow and love your business with Neil's invaluable advice and tips without the buzzwords and BS! This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

For Pete's Sake 08.16.25 - Three of the Most Important Stories of the Week

Lydia Sherrer is a USA Today bestselling author and has published multiple novels, including “Love, Lies, and Hocus Pocus,” a delightful urban fantasy with snarky humor. In this episode, we discuss writing urban fantasy fiction and how to add a bit of snark to make it even better. Learn more at www.lydiasherrer.com.

  From the grind of JUCO football to the shelves of Amazon's bestseller list — Nick Peck's journey is proof that resilience wins. In this episode of The Gametime Guru Podcast, former college football player and author of Only Way Out shares his incredible story of overcoming adversity, using sports as a lifeline, and turning his life lessons into a powerful debut novel. Nick opens up about: Growing up in a turbulent home and finding stability through athletics The mental and physical grind of California JUCO football Transitioning from offensive lineman to long snapper to published author The powerful bond with his younger sister that shaped his drive Writing, publishing, and marketing Only Way Out to bestseller status Life after sports — how to keep competing when the game ends Whether you're an athlete, sports fan, or simply love stories of grit and perseverance, this episode offers inspiration you can apply to your own journey.

In this warm and inspiring episode, Kino MacGregor welcomes her dear friend and legendary Ashtanga Yoga teacher David Swenson for a conversation about his new book, Only Dead Fish Go With the Flow. David shares what sparked the idea for the book — a collection of stories, reflections, and wisdom from decades of living yoga on and off the mat. He offers an inside look at the writing journey: the surprises, the challenges of editing, and why he chose the self-publishing route to keep his voice true and unfiltered. David shares a few anecdotes straight out of the book! Kino and David also laugh and reflect on life's simple pleasures — teaching students around the world, staying connected to loved ones, and tending to the fruit trees that thrive under David's careful eye on his Hawaiian land. This episode is a reminder that yoga is more than poses — it's a way of living with courage, humor, and a willingness to swim against the current when your heart says so. Tune in for: Why Only Dead Fish Go With the Flow is a book for every yogi and seeker Practical tips on writing and self-publishing Teaching stories and life lessons from decades of practice Honest reflections on staying rooted in what matters A glimpse into David's island life, fruit trees included! Practice LIVE with me exclusively on Omstars! Start your journey today with a 7-day trial at omstars.com. Limited time Offer: Sign up for an Omstars+ membership and Get my FREE course: Ashtanga Mechanics. Sign up Here! Stay connected with us on social @omstarsofficial and @kinoyoga Practice with me in person for workshops, classes, retreats, trainings and Mysore seasons. Find out more about where I'm teaching at kinoyoga.com and sign up for our Mysore season in Miami at www.miamilifecenter.com.

"I am tyrannical about noise and about quiet. I don't feel that I can control the amount of mess I make. I mean, I know I can, but I kind of can't. And there's just so many things about my character that are really detrimental to having a writing process, which I need, and it's just so opposed to everything that's going on in my disgustoid little spirit," says Rax King, author of Sloppy.As I tell Rax in this conversation, I hadn't been reading a lot of what I'd call “fun” books. I wasn't having much by way of fun reading for a long time and that changed with Sloppy, which isn't to say the book doesn't have its heavy moments, but it's couched in a buoyant and irreverent voice that I found very appealing.Like Melissa Febos, Rax is something of a quote machine with acerbic wit that made this episode really electric. That's something I notice from voice-heavy memoirists and essayists. Like, if you're not throwing heat as an essayist, you gotta work on your game. Maybe there are some who can lyric their way through, but that's not my taste, personally. I need people pointing out the absurdities and their complicity in the absurdity. I don't even know what that means, but it sounded good.Rax King also is the author of Tacky: Love Letters to the Worst Culture We Have to Offer and the co-host of Low Culture Boil with Courtney Rawlings and Amber Rollo. Rax's work has been nominated for a James Beard Award and has appeared in Food & Wine, MEL Magazine, Glamour and Electric Literature. You can learn more about Rax at her website raxkingisdead.com or follow her on the gram @raxkingisdead.We talk about revisions, her sobriety, her sloppiness, money issues, steady-income spouses and a lot of other stuff. She really brought the heat.Order The Front RunnerNewsletter: Rage Against the AlgorithmWelcome to Pitch ClubShow notes: brendanomeara.com

When grief takes you to the edge, how do you find your way back? Author, Diandra Ford-Wing, transformed personal loss into a powerful memoir, "Red Bird," and discovered strength she never knew she had.In this heartfelt episode of Real Things Living, Brigitte Cutshall talks with Diandra Ford-Wing about navigating the loss of her mother and aunt within 14 months, and how writing became a path to healing. From their shared military brat upbringing to the symbolic red bird that now connects her to loved ones, Diandra shares her journey of resilience, family bonds, and the courage it takes to tell your story—truthfully and unapologetically.

VP S5 Ep 160: Part 2 of 2: Fun Writing! The Junk Journal Podcast! The Paper Outpost Podcast! The Joy of Junk Journals! Free to Listen Anytime! Every Tuesday & Thursday! Topics: Junk Journals, Paper Crafting, life of a crafter, answering crafty questions! Come have a listen on Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Podcast or go to https://anchor.fm/the-paper-outpost Also check out my Video Podcasts on M,W, F, S, S on Spotify! :) You can make your own Podcast! It's easy at Anchor: Here is how!: anch.co/outpost Grab a FUNDLE! Now available in my Etsy Shop!: 100 pieces! A mix of antique/vintage ledger pages, hand-dyed papers, old postcards, tea cards, handwritten paper, awesome vintage book pages and so much more! Wonderful to use in your junk journal creations! Free Priority Shipping in the USA! :) Limited supply! :) See a Fundle Video!:) https://youtu.be/KJnWd9RSpOQ Buy a Fundle! :) Etsy Shop: https://www.etsy.com/listing/1007331616/antique-vintage-ephemera-paper?ref=shop_home_active_6&frs=1&crt=1 VINTAGE DIGIKITS! Amazing images to download & print out at home on your printer!: Etsy Shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/ThePaperOutpost PRINT & MAIL Option for Vintage Digikits! :) I heard your call :) No Printer? No Problem! :) I will print & mail 10 Digikits to you! Free Priority Shipping in the USA! :) 1. Select 10 names of digikits, & send me the list via Etsy message or email to pam@thepaperoutpost.com or simply say "Surprise me!" :) 2. Then buy the Print & Mail Digikit option in my Etsy shop! :) Direct Link to Buy here: https://www.etsy.com/listing/1071078687/printed-mailed-digikits-no-printer?ref=shop_home_active_1&frs=1&crt=1 That's 50 Pages total on lightweight cardstock! See All My Digikits! https://www.etsy.com/shop/ThePaperOutpost Sincerely, Pam at The Paper Outpost :)!! I am currently buried in paper and covered in glue ;) Remember that Fun Can Be Simple! Go Forth and Create with Reckless Abandon! :) MY AMAZON STORE!: My Personal Favorite Products & Tools!: Click here to see all my items in one click with pictures in my Amazon Store! https://www.amazon.com/shop/thepaperoutpost NEWSLETTER!: Free Monthly Emailed Newsletter from The Paper Outpost! Sign Up here: https://bit.ly/paperoutpostnewsletter - Free Monthly Digital Printable! - Free The Note From The Book Maker explaining what a junk journal is and how to use it! - Free Page List of Ideas for Junk Journals! - Free Checklist of Junk Journal Supplies! - Junk Journal Tips & Updates from Pam at The Paper Outpost! COME FIND ME AT :) All My Links: https://linktr.ee/thepaperoutpost ETSY Shop: https://www.thepaperoutpost.com ETSY Shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/ThePaperOutpost YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/ThePaperOutpost NEWSLETTER: https://bit.ly/paperoutpostnewsletter INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/thepaperoutpost FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/ThePaperOutpost The Paper Outpost FACEBOOK GROUP: https://www.facebook.com/ThePaperOutpost/ THE PAPER OUTPOST PODCAST: The Joy of Junk Journals!: https://anchor.fm/the-paper-outpost AMAZON STORE: https://www.amazon.com/shop/thepaperoutpost PINTEREST: https://www.pinterest.com/thepaperoutpost TWITTER: https://twitter.com/thepaperoutpost MERCHANDISE STORE!: https://the-paper-outpost-2.creator-spring.com/ #thepaperoutpost #paperoutpost #thepaperoutpostpodcast #digikits #junkjournal #junkjournals #howtomakeajunkjournal #junkjournalpodcast #thejoyofjunkjournals #fundle #thejunkjournalpodcast

AI SEO Checklist: Key Strategies for 2025 and Beyond | Marketing Essentials with Favour Obasi-Ike | Get exclusive SEO newsletters in your inbox.In this podcast Search Engine Optimization (SEO) essential checklist episode, Favour will be sharing insights into its foundational elements and practical application for businesses. He explains how connecting websites to search consoles like Google Search Console and Bing Webmaster Tools is crucial for online visibility. The conversation also emphasizes the importance of sitemaps as the "brain" of a website, detailing how they transmit crucial information to search engines.Key aspects such as keyword research, on-page SEO (including image optimization and meta descriptions), off-page SEO (like Google Business Profile and backlinks), content strategy, and technical SEO (mobile-friendliness, site speed, and HTTPS) are thoroughly discussed to empower listeners with actionable steps for enhancing their digital presence.Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat are the fundamental basics of SEO that every business owner needs to understand?The foundational basics of SEO begin with proper "setup." This means ensuring your website is connected to Google Search Console and Bing Webmaster Tools. These platforms are non-negotiable for online visibility, acting as the internet service providers that make your website findable by search engines. Just as you need internet service to be online, your website needs to be submitted to these tools to appear in search results. Furthermore, after acquiring a domain, it's crucial to select reliable hosting, which impacts your website's performance and scalability. Understanding that your website is an "intellectual property" capable of attracting traffic is key, and this visibility is achieved by making it readable, accessible, clickable, and findable, not just by its name but by the solutions it offers.Why is a sitemap crucial for a website's functionality and discoverability?A sitemap serves as the "brain" of your website. Without it, your website, despite looking good, lacks the functionality to transmit signals effectively to search engines. The sitemap contains links to all your website's pages, including product links, category links, blog posts, and core pages like the homepage and contact page. When you create and submit a sitemap, you are essentially providing search engines (like Google, Bing, Siri, Alexa, and even AI platforms like ChatGPT) with a structured map of your content. This allows them to index your pages efficiently, making your content discoverable when users search for relevant keywords or phrases. Updating your sitemap with fresh content ensures continuous visibility and relevance in search results.How does effective copywriting and content formatting contribute to SEO and user engagement?Effective copywriting and content formatting are vital for both SEO and retaining user attention. Key principles include:Conciseness: Sentences should ideally be 10 words or less, and paragraphs no more than three to five sentences, making content easy to skim and digest.Action-Oriented Language: Start sentences with verbs or adverbs to encourage engagement.Headings and Subheadings (H1, H2, H3 tags): Use these to break up text, provide clear structure, and help search engine crawlers understand the content's hierarchy. Google's web crawlers read and index these tags, which can improve your visibility in "people also search" sections.Impact Statements: Include a clear thesis upfront and a strong closing statement.White Space and Bullet Points: Utilize these to enhance readability and prevent overwhelming blocks of text.Clarity and Specificity: Your content should be clear, legible (consider font size for various screens), and directly address specific user queries. This ensures that users find value and direction, leading to higher engagement and conversion rates.Ultimately, good copy stops the "scroll" and encourages visitors to stay longer, signaling relevance to search engines and increasing the chances of conversion.How does on-page SEO optimization, particularly image and link optimization, improve website performance?On-page SEO involves optimizing individual web pages to rank higher and earn more relevant traffic in search engines. Key aspects include:Image Optimization: This goes beyond just changing file formats. It involves compressing images (e.g., using compressor.io) to reduce file size without losing quality. Large image files slow down website loading speeds, leading to higher "bounce rates." Renaming image files with relevant keywords also signals content to search engines.Internal Links: Linking to other relevant pages within your website improves user navigation and helps search engines understand the structure and depth of your content.External Links: While some may fear sending users away, strategically linking to credible external sources (like social media profiles, features on other sites, or relevant industry resources) can enhance your website's authority and provide additional value to users.Meta Descriptions and Title Tags: These provide a brief summary of your page's content, influencing click-through rates from search results. A compelling meta description, similar to an email's preview text, encourages users to click.Optimizing these elements ensures a faster, more engaging user experience, which is positively rewarded by search engine algorithms.Why is off-page SEO important, and what are some key strategies?Off-page SEO refers to actions taken outside of your website to improve its search engine ranking. The primary goal is to build your website's authority and credibility through external signals. Key strategies include:Google Business Profile: Essential for local businesses, this profile allows you to list your services, receive reviews, and appear in local searches. Positive reviews, especially those containing relevant keywords like "best pizza" or "amazing service," act as strong validation signals.Backlinks: Obtaining links from high-domain-authority websites (e.g., Medium.com, LinkedIn, Blogger.com, Hubpages.com) significantly boosts your site's credibility and search ranking. These are known as "parasite SEO" techniques. Writing articles on these platforms and embedding links back to your site drives referral traffic and builds authority.Online Reviews: Encouraging reviews on platforms like Trustpilot or the Better Business Bureau (BBB) helps build trust and signals to search engines that your business is legitimate and valued by customers.These off-page efforts extend your online presence beyond your website, validating your business as a trusted source of information and services.How does content SEO contribute to long-term website success, and what are common pitfalls to avoid?Content SEO focuses on creating high-quality, relevant, and engaging content that attracts and retains an audience. Key elements include:Table of Contents: For longer articles, a table of contents enhances user experience and helps search engines understand the content structure.Updating Old Content: Regularly refreshing existing articles ensures they remain current and relevant, signaling to search engines that your content is up-to-date and valuable. This also helps you "stay credible" in the ever-evolving digital landscape.Engaging Intros and Formatting: Compelling introductions grab attention, and using bold sentences, headings, and subheadings (H1, H2, H3 tags) improves readability.Conversational Tone: Engaging with your audience "as a conversation" rather than talking "at them" builds connection and trust.A common pitfall is producing content without a clear understanding of what your audience needs or wants. By actively listening to your community (e.g., through polls) and delivering content that addresses their specific "queries" and "solutions," you build loyalty and ensure your efforts are not wasted.How has the rise of AI impacted SEO, and what technical SEO elements are now more critical than ever?The rise of AI has transformed SEO, making it more critical than ever. AI platforms like ChatGPT, Siri, and Alexa increasingly pull information from structured data on websites to answer user queries. This means:Structured Data (Schema Markup): Implementing schema markup for events, products, recipes, FAQs, and other content types helps AI agents understand your content's context, making it more likely to be featured in AI-powered search results.Authority and Credibility: AI prioritizes information from authoritative sources. Therefore, having a strong online presence with a well-structured and regularly updated website is paramount for being referenced by AI agents.Mobile-Friendliness and Site Speed: These remain crucial. Websites must load quickly on all devices, as slow loading times lead to high bounce rates, negatively impacting SEO.HTTPS Protocol: Ensuring your website uses HTTPS (secure) instead of HTTP is a fundamental SEO requirement. Insecure sites are penalized in search rankings.Broken Link Management: Regularly checking and fixing broken links (e.g., using tools like Siteliner.com) maintains a healthy website and prevents negative user experiences.SEO-Friendly URLs: URLs should be clear, relevant, and incorporate keywords to enhance discoverability.In essence, SEO and AI are "Siamese twins" in the digital world. SEO is evolving into "thought leadership," where a mix of audio, video, and text content (like podcasts and YouTube channels connected to a website) with structured data will be key to success in the AI-driven future. The focus is shifting from merely "ranking" to making an "impact" by reaching the right people and establishing authority in your niche.Digital Marketing SEO Resources:>> ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join our exclusive SEO Marketing community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠>> ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SEO Optimization Blogs⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠>> ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Book Complimentary SEO Discovery Call⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠>> ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe to We Don't PLAY Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Brands We Love and Support⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Loving Me Beauty | Buy Vegan-based Luxury Products⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Unlock your future in real estate—get certified in Ghana today!⁠See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Send us a textYou can't plan for the moments that change you, but you can decide what to do with them. That's what I loved about my conversation with Sarah Gormley.Sarah is a Columbus local and the owner of Sarah Gormley Gallery in the Short North—and she's lived one hell of a story. We got into everything: standing on the porch screaming “F***” with her daughter in response to her mom's cancer diagnosis, dating as an adult while living in her childhood bedroom, getting fired by Martha Stewart, and what it's really like to run an art gallery in a tough market.She's also written a book, The Order of Things: A Memoir About Chasing Joy, that didn't even use the word “joy” until the last chapter — which tells you everything about the journey it took to find it.We talked grief, love, starting over, and the work it takes to quiet that inner critic long enough to build a life you actually want to live. It's proof that joy has a funny way of showing up when you least expect it.

Throughout the 1970s, Southern California residents were held in the grip of terror as multiple serial killers stalked the streets, preying on victims from every walk of life, including the area's gay community. From 1971 to 1983, Randy Kraft kidnapped, tortured, and murdered at least sixteen men and boys, but the real number of victims is believed to be considerably higher. When he was arrested in 1983, investigators searched Kraft's home and found a list with cryptic references to what they believed were sixty-one victims in total. The discovery of that list led the press to dub Kraft “The Scorecard Killer.”Following his arrest in 1983, Randy Kraft was tried and convicted of sixteen counts of first-degree murder and sentenced to death. Although the arrest and trial put an end to Kraft's murder spree, several critical questions remain unanswered, including the most important aspect of the case detectives were never able to solve: who was Randy Kraft's accomplice?Thank you to the Incredible Dave White of Bring Me the Axe Podcast for research and Writing support!ReferencesArnold, Roxane, and Jerry Hicks. 1983. "Kraft suspected in deaths of 14 men in 3 states, Gates says." Los Angeles Times, May 20: 73.Associated Press. 1983. "Five murders charged to computer analyst." Sacramento Bee, May 25: 2.—. 1978. "Police seek link in deaths of 18." San Bernardino County Sun, November 24: 3.—. 1983. "Freeway killing pattern repeats." The Tribune (San Luis Obispo, CA), February 19: 2.Bajko, Matthew. 2016. Gay serial killer breaks silence. November 2. Accessed May 15, 2025. https://www.ebar.com/story/246748.Grant, Gordon. 1983. "How a routine stop led to a big arrest." Los Angeles Times, May 20: 73.Hicks, Jerry. 1988. "Alleged 'death list' made public as Kraft trial opens." Los Angeles Times, September 27: 69.—. 1989. "Kraft condemned to death by jury for serial killings." Los Angeles Times, August 12: 1.—. 1988. "Kraft defense says marine found in car was not dead." Los Angeles Times, September 28: 76.—. 1989. "Kraft guilty of 16 sex slayings, jury decides." Los Angeles Times, May 13: 1.—. 1989. "Orange County jury gets Kraft serial murder case." Los Angeles Times, April 28: 76.—. 1988. "Two other states were closing in on Kraft." Los Angeles Times, January 4: 3.—. 1989. "Witness says Kraft drugged and sexually assaulted him in 1970." Los Angeles Times, June 6: 3.Hughes, Beth. 1982. "L.A. area's missing youths-a trail of mystery and murder." San Francisco Examiner, August 23: B5.Jarlson, Gary. 1983. "Suspect in 4 slayings also investigated in 6 Oregon murders." Los Angeles Times, May 19: 80.Kennedy, J. Michael. 1978. "Four deaths turn into four mysteries." Los Angeles Times, September 2: 17.Los Angeles Times. 1973. "Head of a man found in a bag at paper plant." Los Angeles Times, April 27: 23.—. 1988. "Randy Kraft's scorecard?" Los Angeles Times, October 2: 117.McDougal, Dennis. 1991. Angel of Darkness: The True Story of Randy Kraft and the Most Heinous Murder Spree. New York, NY: Warner Books. Stay in the know - wondery.fm/morbid-wondery.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Download: The ANT Catcher WorksheetHave you ever felt like your mind was invaded by a constant stream of tiny, negative whispers? Like there's an army of ants crawling through your head, each one carrying a toxic message that you're not good enough, you can't handle it, or you're going to fail?In this powerful episode of The Addicted Mind Plus, hosts Duane and Eric reveal the hidden enemy that might be sabotaging your recovery without you even knowing it. They introduce you to ANTs – Automatic Negative Thoughts – those lightning-fast, barely noticeable thoughts that create a vicious cycle of pain, triggers, and destructive behaviors.Drawing from cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), one of the most research-backed therapeutic approaches available, the hosts break down the critical connection between your thoughts, feelings, and actions. They explain how changing just one corner of this triangle can transform your entire emotional experience.But here's the game-changer: most of us try to change our behaviors through pure willpower, completely missing the thoughts that are actually driving the whole cycle. These automatic thoughts happen so fast they're almost subconscious, yet they have the power to hijack your entire day – and your recovery.Duane and Eric don't just identify the problem; they give you practical tools to fight back. They introduce the concept of "metacognition" – thinking about your thinking – and show you how to become a scientist of your own mind. By learning to spot these mental ants, you create psychological distance from them and stop seeing them as the absolute truth.The episode includes a 24-hour mission designed to help you become an "ant hunter," complete with specific steps for catching and labeling these thoughts without judgment. You'll learn why physically writing down these thoughts is so powerful and how this simple practice can be the foundation for lasting change.Whether you're in recovery, supporting someone who is, or just tired of being controlled by negative self-talk, this episode offers hope and practical strategies. The hosts provide a free worksheet to help you track your progress and emphasize the importance of being gentle with yourself as you discover these hidden patterns.This isn't about positive thinking or willpower – it's about awareness, understanding, and gradually taking back control of your mental landscape one thought at a time.Key Topics• ANTs Explained: What automatic negative thoughts are and how they operate below conscious awareness • The CBT Triangle: How thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are interconnected and influence each other • Metacognition Techniques: Learning to observe your thoughts rather than being controlled by them • The Ant Spotting Exercise: Practical 24-hour mission to catch and label negative thoughts • Why Willpower Fails: Understanding why behavior change without addressing thoughts doesn't work • Writing vs. Thinking: The power of physically recording your thoughts for lasting change • Self-Compassion in Recovery: Being gentle with yourself while developing awarenessKey Timestamps• [00:01:00] - Introduction to the "mental infestation" concept and ANTs metaphor • [00:03:00] - Real examples of how automatic negative thoughts trigger destructive behaviors • [00:06:00] - Introduction to CBT and the thoughts-feelings-behaviors triangle • [00:07:00] - Dr. Aaron Beck's research and the science behind automatic negative thoughts • [00:09:00] - The concept of "defusion" - separating yourself from your thoughts • [00:12:00] - The 24-hour ANT spotting mission explained step-by-step • [00:14:00] - Practical tips for tracking thoughts and the importance of writing them downSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What if the most impactful financial advice isn't about picking the right investment—but about understanding human behaviour, simplifying your life, and laughing along the way? In this episode of the Rational Reminder podcast, we're joined by none other than David Chilton, author of the legendary personal finance book The Wealthy Barber. David shares insights from decades of experience helping Canadians improve their financial well-being through simplicity, frugality, and clarity. We dig into the enduring lessons of his 1989 classic, why the new edition took even longer to write, and what's changed (and what hasn't) in the personal finance landscape. From his views on insurance and home ownership to the psychology of spending, his entertaining yet practical approach makes complex ideas feel surprisingly accessible. We also explore the challenges of dollar-cost averaging, the role of financial advisors, and what it really costs to own a home. And yes, you'll also hear how his mom helped launch Canada's most successful cookbook series.   Key Points From This Episode:   (0:20) Introducing David Chilton and his impact on the PWL team (3:22) Why Dave believes the original Wealthy Barber still holds up (6:44) His enduring belief in term life insurance and investing the difference (8:08) What he got wrong: mutual funds, high fees, and underestimating behavioural traps (11:16) How the book's success changed his life—and what stayed the same (13:32) The unexpected tipping point that drove its breakout popularity (15:13) Why he wrote The Wealthy Barber Returns after a long break (16:41) What excites him most about the new revision and who it's for (18:29) His kids, Rob Carrick, and the housing crisis: why now was the time (20:13) Transitioning to videos and podcasts to reach modern audiences (22:41) The best part of being “The Wealthy Barber”—and what he's learned from readers (25:34) The surprising volume of portfolios people send him—and why he still reviews them (27:12) What decades of portfolio analysis taught him about investor underperformance (32:50) On lump sum vs. dollar-cost averaging—and the role of psychology (37:52) Should you pay down debt or invest? Dave's practical framework (39:49) What a good financial advisor should (and shouldn't) do (43:08) The hidden costs of homeownership—and why people underestimate them (48:29) Misleading conclusions about wealth, university, and home ownership (50:40) The biggest home ownership mistakes people make (52:24) Writing the new Wealthy Barber at the same card table (53:25) Should you pay back the Home Buyer's Plan early? Dave says no—and here's why (55:52) Why small optimizations—like minimizing RRSP fees—can really add up (56:55) Spending rises with home size—and the real trap of lifestyle creep (57:05) The most important financial variable of all: saving (and not borrowing too much)     Links From Today's Episode: Meet with PWL Capital: https://calendly.com/d/3vm-t2j-h3p Rational Reminder on iTunes — https://itunes.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-rational-reminder-podcast/id1426530582. Rational Reminder Website — https://rationalreminder.ca/  Rational Reminder on Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/rationalreminder/ Rational Reminder on X — https://x.com/RationalRemind Rational Reminder on TikTok — www.tiktok.com/@rationalreminder Rational Reminder on YouTube — https://www.youtube.com/channel/ Rational Reminder Email — info@rationalreminder.ca Benjamin Felix — https://pwlcapital.com/our-team/ Benjamin on X — https://x.com/benjaminwfelix Benjamin on LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjaminwfelix/ Dan Bortolotti — https://pwlcapital.com/our-team/ Dan Bortolotti on LinkedIn — https://ca.linkedin.com/in/dan-bortolotti-8a482310 Cameron Passmore — https://pwlcapital.com/our-team/ Cameron on X — https://x.com/CameronPassmore Cameron on LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/cameronpassmore/   Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (https://thepodcastconsultant.com)

"Fantasy isn't just fiction—it's transformation." In this deeply layered episode, J.R. steps inside the world of award-winning author Tricia Copeland, whose creative journey began with personal healing and grew into an epic fantasy universe. From her first YA series about battling anorexia to the magical depths of The Realm Chronicles, Tricia shares how writing became both refuge and revolution.

This week, we're chatting to award-winning global bestseller, Faith Hogan.Faith has published many uplit/ women's fiction novels - the last one 'The Bookshop Ladies' won the An Post Irish Book Award for Best Popular Fiction Novel of the Year. Faith's writing journey has taken her from working in many different jobs, never quite sure if she will admit that she wants to be a writer, to becoming a Kindle #1 bestseller across the world. We discuss how she's ended up finally being a full-time writer. Faith has also published crime fiction as Geraldine Hogan.Her novels are often set on fictional Irish islands, which help her bring to life specific elements of the story - she reveals why. Also, she's a perfectly happy pantser, and we discuss what Faith needs to know before starting her novels. You can hear how she knows her readers so well, what drew her to write Uplit, and what a Faith Hogan novel needs to be.Her new novel is 'The Women at Ocean's End', here's the blurb -Constance Macken, in her ninth decade, is looking back on a life filled with laughter and loss, tragedy and triumph, but knows it is time to right the wrongs from her past that have always haunted her.Heather Banks arrives on the island to bury her mother. Already adrift with her business sold and her divorce finalised this may be the perfect opportunity to change the course of her future.Ros Stokes has managed to slip into the perfect job, the perfect cottage and friends that feel like family. However, when the stitches of her life begin to unravel, she must find a way to hold onto the things that have become most dear to her and let go of what holds her back.Now, in a faded art deco house near the ocean's end, these women must come together to save the house they love, and each other, because they might have run from their troubles but only time will tell if they can overcome their past. This episode is sponsored by Faber Academy's 'Writing a Novel' course. Find out how it covers everything you need to master your craft - https://faberacademy.com/writing-a-novel/Support the show -patreon.com/writersroutineko-fi.com/writersroutine@writerspodwritersroutine.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Brent Johnson of  "Dollar Milkshake" fame and CEO of Santiago Capital joins me for a talk about the past, present, and future of the so-called Rules Based Order and how that intersects with our worldviews on markets and potential investments.Brent describes his education and training in the post-WWII institutional framework and his evolution into the realist approach he takes to these subjects today.Show Notes:Brent on XSantiago CapitalTom on XGGnG on Patreon

Welcome to another wide-ranging "Random Show" episode that I recorded with my close friend Kevin Rose (digg.com)! We cover Kevin's sobriety journey and marking 100 days without alcohol, my results with the ketogenic diet and intermittent fasting, GLP-1 agonists, home security, the future of Venture Capital, AI, authenticating yourself online in a world of deepfakes and anonymity, the cultural shift toward human-to-human connection, Roblox, and more. Enjoy!This episode is brought to you by:Momentous high-quality creatine to sharpen the mind: https://livemomentous.com/Tim (Code TIM for up to 35% off.)David Protein Bars with 28g of protein, 150 calories, and 0g of sugar: https://davidprotein.com/Tim (Buy 4 cartons, get the 5th free.)AG1 all-in-one nutritional supplement: https://DrinkAG1.com/Tim (1-year supply of Vitamin D plus 5 free AG1 travel packs with your first subscription purchase.)Timestamps:[00:00:00] Start.[00:06:54] Kevin celebrates 100 days sober! Why and how?[00:15:16] Nanoblocks: Kevin's new Japanese micro-building hobby.[00:18:16] The Slow TV movement and Craig Mod's ambient recordings.[00:20:58] Craving analog experiences and wilderness trekking.[00:22:24] Writing with background movies.[00:23:42] High hopes for The Naked Gun reboot.[00:24:35] Kevin's improved communication since quitting alcohol.[00:26:28] My health interventions for cognitive protection.[00:29:00] How ketogenic diet and 16/8 intermittent fasting led to my best lab results in 10+ years.[00:33:35] Weight control regimens we don't recommend.[00:39:51] Exogenous ketones: Qitone vs. premium options.[00:50:32] How glucose tolerance tests work.[00:51:58] Microdosing GLP-1 (tirzepatide) for glucose control.[00:54:12] DORA sleep medications and neuroprotective effects.[00:56:55] Belsomra trial and cost considerations.[00:57:52] Sauna temperature optimization based on Rhonda Patrick's research.[01:00:28] There are no biological free lunches.[01:03:27] The time Kevin found a homeless person in his closet.[01:06:11] Modern home security and privacy measures.[01:19:42] Pondering how we survived childhood.[01:24:23] AI-driven venture capital landscape changes.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

SEASON 2 - EPISODE 154 - Tracy Letts - Actor / Writer In this episode of the Team Deakins Podcast, we speak with actor and writer Tracy Letts (AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY, BUG, HOMELAND). Born and raised in Oklahoma, Tracy struck out for Chicago after high school to find work as an actor in the city's active theatre scene, and we learn why Tracy began writing plays himself. We also discuss cinema's role as a messenger for exposing the stories of the stage to rural American communities without access to the theatre, and he shares his mixed experiences adapting his plays into films, from director William Friedkin's tense vision of BUG to the Hollywood ensemble version of his Pulitzer Prize winning play AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY. An accomplished actor as well, Tracy reflects on seeking advice for performing for the camera from his seasoned HOMELAND castmates Claire Danes and Mandy Patinkin, and he reveals how he felt when, after being replaced on a film he had written, he was asked to act in additional scenes invented for his character. Plus, Tracy quotes a critical review that ironically sold out the remaining shows of his first play KILLER JOE.  - This episode is sponsored by Barco & Aputure

A big Thank You to Belinda for requesting this episode! On a remote stretch of highway in the Australian Outback, a young couple's road trip turned into a nightmare. Peter Falconio, a British backpacker, vanished without a trace, and his girlfriend, Joanne Lees, was found battered and distraught, having escaped a terrifying ordeal. But as police began to unravel the events of that night, people started to doubt Joanne's story. Was she a brave survivor, or was she hiding a dark secret? Join Jen & Cam as they discuss 'Into the Never-Never: Peter Falconio & Joanne Lees' Come to Italy with us in 2026! Call to speak to an agent ⁠1-800-438-7672 ⁠ ⁠https://groups.goaheadtours.com/tours/zvrg-true-crime⁠ If you have any questions, RSVP with the link below for our Zoom meeting on August 19th at 6 PM CST. Can't wait to meet you! https://tinyurl.com/3sbzz7cz Thank you to our team Listener Discretion by ⁠⁠⁠Edward October ⁠⁠⁠ Research & Writing by Lauretta Allen Executive Producers Nico & Jesse of The Inky Pawprint ⁠⁠⁠https://theinkypawprint.com⁠ Sources: https://youtu.be/1ecev-s1S3Y?si=RzWiYo9FiD7XzqcH https://youtu.be/EOI6HiMayK4?si=ip07xi1aaONpVjoK https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_Territory https://www.newspapers.com/image/259639810/?match=1&terms=Joanne%20Lees https://www.newspapers.com/image/727358980/?match=1 https://www.newspapers.com/image/720094814/?match=1&terms=Joanne%20Lees https://www.newspapers.com/image/752702312/?match=1&terms=Joanne%20Lees https://www.newspapers.com/image/121437746/?match=1&terms=Joanne%20Lees https://www.newspapers.com/image/121591385/?match=1&terms=Joanne%20Lees https://www.newspapers.com/image/257729313/?match=1&terms=Joanne%20Lees https://www.newspapers.com/image/1052210791/?match=1&terms=Joanne%20Lees https://www.newspapers.com/image/1140309498/?match=1&terms=Joanne%20Lees https://www.newspapers.com/image/1179747398/?match=1&terms=Joanne%20Lees https://www.newspapers.com/image/1049290141/?match=1&terms=Joanne%20Lees https://www.newspapers.com/image/752436797/?match=1&terms=Joanne%20Lees https://www.newspapers.com/image/726001238/?match=1&terms=Joanne%20Lees https://www.newspapers.com/image/752434849/?match=1&terms=Joanne%20Lees https://www.newspapers.com/image/753330238/?match=1 https://www.newspapers.com/image/723422920/?match=1&terms=Joanne%20Lees https://time.com/archive/6952425/terror-australis/ https://www.news.com.au/national/northern-territory/the-unanswered-questions-about-peter-falconios-murder-as-outback-killer-dies-aged-67/news-story/9e85d77b4d33e26fbceb00d7b22defe0 https://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/outback-murder-mystery-of-peter-falconio-remains/news-story/c24596ba385b0b0751e616cf75235139  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder_of_Peter_Falconio https://www.theage.com.au/national/doubt-over-dna-test-in-falconio-case-20071224-ge6ji5.html https://www.theguardian.com/world/2005/nov/02/australia.uk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ja-Y3vw0WDQ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihObH8e3jvQ&t=1128s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ov-S8ZoLgE Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jeff DeGraff shows you how to go from managing change to mastering it. — YOU'LL LEARN — 1) Why facts don't actually change minds—and what does 2) Why you should seek out constructive conflict3) What to do when you're overwhelmed with choice Subscribe or visit AwesomeAtYourJob.com/ep1084 for clickable versions of the links below. — ABOUT JEFF — Jeff DeGraff is a top academic speaker, professor at the University of Michigan's Ross School of Business, and founder of the Innovatrium Institute of Innovation. Known as the “Dean of Innovation,” he has worked with Fortune 500 leaders like Google, GE, and Apple and advised key military and government leaders globally.• Book: The Art of Change: Transforming Paradoxes into Breakthroughs• LinkedIn: Jeff DeGraff• Website: JeffDeGraff.com• Website: TheArtofChange.net— RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THE SHOW — • Book: The Participatory Mind: A New Theory of Knowledge and of the Universe by Henryk Skolimowski— THANK YOU SPONSORS! — • Strawberry.me. Claim your $50 credit and build momentum in your career with Strawberry.me/Awesome• Plaud.ai. Use the code AWESOME and get a discount on your order• LinkedIn Jobs. Post your job for free at linkedin.com/beawesome• Quince. Get free shipping and 365-day returns on your order with Quince.com/AwesomeSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It's only fools who fly off the handle, it's the immature who say the first thought that pops into their head, it's the irresponsible who act without thinking.