Podcasts about Writing

This episode is brought to you by Blue Chew. Save 10% off your first month with Promo Code: FITZDOG at BlueChew.com Fellow journeyman and long time friend Jay Mohr and I write some bits for Carrot Top and discuss our dads. Check out Mohr Stories: https://www.youtube.com/@UCsCZ5e_UlxeuHXofus5qxnA Subscribe to Greg Fitzsimmons: https://bit.ly/subGregFitz FitzDog Radio is produced by Gotham Production Studios and part of The Gotham Network. Follow Greg Fitzsimmons: Facebook: https://facebook.com/FitzdogRadio Instagram: https://instagram.com/gregfitzsimmons Twitter: https://twitter.com/gregfitzshow Official Website: http://gregfitzsimmons.com Tour Dates: https://bit.ly/GregFitzTour Merch: https://bit.ly/GregFitzMerch “Dear Mrs. Fitzsimmons” Book: https://amzn.to/2Z2bB82 “Life on Stage” Comedy Special: https://bit.ly/GregFitzSpecial Listen to Greg Fitzsimmons: Fitzdog Radio: https://bit.ly/FitzdogRadio Sunday Papers: http://bit.ly/SundayPapersPod Childish: http://childishpod.com Watch more Greg Fitzsimmons: Latest Uploads: https://bit.ly/latestGregFitz Fitzdog Radio: https://bit.ly/radioGregFitz Sunday Papers: https://bit.ly/sundayGregFitz Stand Up Comedy: https://bit.ly/comedyGregFitz Popular Videos: https://bit.ly/popGregFitz About Greg Fitzsimmons: Mixing an incisive wit with scathing sarcasm, Greg Fitzsimmons is an accomplished stand-up, an Emmy Award winning writer, and a host on TV, radio and his own podcasts. Greg is host of the popular “FitzDog Radio” podcast (https://bit.ly/FitzdogRadio), as well as “Sunday Papers” with co-host Mike Gibbons (http://bit.ly/SundayPapersPod) and “Childish” with co-host Alison Rosen (http://childishpod.com). A regular with Conan O'Brien and Jimmy Kimmel, Greg also frequents “The Joe Rogan Experience,” “Lights Out with David Spade,” and has made more than 50 visits to “The Howard Stern Show.” Howard gave Greg his own show on Sirius/XM which lasted more than 10 years. Greg's one-hour standup special, “Life On Stage,” was named a Top 10 Comedy Release by LA Weekly. The special premiered on Comedy Central and is now available on Amazon Prime, as a DVD, or a download (https://bit.ly/GregFitzSpecial). Greg's 2011 book, Dear Mrs. Fitzsimmons (https://amzn.to/2Z2bB82), climbed the best-seller charts and garnered outstanding reviews from NPR and Vanity Fair. Greg appeared in the Netflix series “Santa Clarita Diet,” the Emmy-winning FX series “Louie,” spent five years as a panelist on VH1's “Best Week Ever,” was a reoccurring panelist on “Chelsea Lately,” and starred in two half-hour stand-up specials on Comedy Central. Greg wrote and appeared on the Judd Apatow HBO series “Crashing.” Writing credits include HBO's “Lucky Louie,” “Cedric the Entertainer Presents,” “Politically Incorrect with Bill Maher,” “The Man Show” and many others. On his mantle beside the four Daytime Emmys he won as a writer and producer on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” sit “The Jury Award for Best Comedian” from The HBO Comedy Arts Festival and a Cable Ace Award for hosting the MTV game show "Idiot Savants." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's hump day on the Majority Report On today's program: Canadian Prime Minister, Mark Carney delivers a sobering speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, acknowledging that the West's long-standing marriage of convenience can no longer excuse turning a blind eye to the United States' erratic and dangerous policies. Writing fellow at Type Investigations, Adam Federman joins the program to discuss Trump's push to annex Greenland. Rep. Aisha Gomez who represents district 62A in the Minnesota House of Representatives to provide updates on the ongoing ICE invasion of her state. In the Fun Half: As world leaders convene in Davos, Switzerland, delivering articulate and forceful arguments for distancing themselves from the United States, Donald Trump takes the stage, drooling and babbling into a microphone. Howard Lutnick continues the humiliation of the United States at the World Economic Forum, railing against green energy while peddling climate-denial conspiracies and falsehoods—drawing laughter from other world leaders. Scott Bessent proves just how out of touch he is, suggesting that people might buy five, ten, or even twelve houses to fund their retirement. The police chief of Brooklyn Park, MN speaks on the large number of complaints his and the surrounding police departments have received regarding racial profiling and abuses on behalf of ICE agents. Zohran Mamdani speaks on his support of abolishing ICE while appearing on The View. Rep. Pramila Jayapal explains why she cannot in good conscience vote to fund ICE as they are killing people and violating constitutional rights every day. All that and more To connect and organize with your local ICE rapid response team visit ICERRT.com The Congress switchboard number is (202) 224-3121. You can use this number to connect with either the U.S. Senate or the House of Representatives. Follow us on TikTok here: https://www.tiktok.com/@majorityreportfm Check us out on Twitch here: https://www.twitch.tv/themajorityreport Find our Rumble stream here: https://rumble.com/user/majorityreport Check out our alt YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/majorityreportlive Gift a Majority Report subscription here: https://fans.fm/majority/gift Subscribe to the AMQuickie newsletter here: https://am-quickie.ghost.io/ Join the Majority Report Discord! https://majoritydiscord.com/ Get all your MR merch at our store: https://shop.majorityreportradio.com/ Get the free Majority Report App!: https://majority.fm/app Go to https://JustCoffee.coop and use coupon code majority to get 10% off your purchase Check out today's sponsors: ZOCDOC:  Go to Zocdoc.com/MAJORITY and download the Zocdoc app to sign-up for FREE and book a top-rated doctor. SPOTIFY: Sign up for a $1/month trial period at shopify.com/majority NAKED WINES: To get 6 bottles of wine for $39.99, head to NakedWines.com/MAJORITY and use code MAJORITY for both the code AND PASSWORD.   SUNSET LAKE: Use the code NEWFLOWER—all one word—to get 30% off their new crop of hemp flower and vape carts at SunsetLakeCBD.com  Follow the Majority Report crew on Twitter: @SamSeder @EmmaVigeland @MattLech On Instagram: @MrBryanVokey Check out Matt's show, Left Reckoning, on YouTube, and subscribe on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/leftreckoning Check out Matt Binder's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/mattbinder Subscribe to Brandon's show The Discourse on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/ExpandTheDiscourse Check out Ava Raiza's music here! https://avaraiza.bandcamp.co

What if the most powerful way to strengthen focus, creativity, and connection in your home is…quiet? In this episode, we explore the growing trend of silent reading parties and why shared, sustained reading helps both kids and adults reclaim attention in a scrolling world. We talk about body doubling, device fatigue, reading rituals that actually work, and how simple practices like DEAR time or candlelit reading can change the rhythm of a homeschool day. If your family struggles to settle into books, this conversation offers gentle, practical ways to read together again. Join us—and then grab a book.Resources:Grab a discounted copy of our Brave Writer Guide to the Winter Games!Big props to Christopher Frizzelle, whose Silent Reading Parties are one of the inspirations for this episode.Find Sue Monk Kidd's Writing, Creativity, and Soul in the Brave Writer Book Shop. And don't miss our selection of books that make great companion reads for the Winter Games!Brave Writer class registration is open! Our Building Brave Writers classes are a great pick for a winter jumpstart. Check out the Boomerang for Jack London's The Call of the Wild and White FangShare William Wordsworth's sonnet “The World Is Too Much With Us” with your kidsVisit Julie's Substack to find her special podcast for kids (and a lot more!) Purchase Julie's new book, Help! My Kid Hates WritingFind community in our membership forum, the Brave Learner Home Learn more about the Brave Writer Literature & Mechanics programsStart a free trial of

What happens when childhood is rewired by smartphones and social media? Jonathan Haidt joins Guy to break down how a single decade transformed attention, resilience, and the emotional lives of millions of kids. Drawing from his bestselling book The Anxious Generation, Jonathan explains why Gen Z's spike in anxiety wasn't random — and what we can do to make sure Gen Alpha doesn't suffer the same fate.Jonathan shares the research, the red flags, and the practical reforms that families, schools, and communities can act on today. If you're a parent, educator, grandparent, or anyone who cares about young people, this conversation will change the way you think about childhood in the digital age.---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.

I have a coaching episode for you today, and I'm joined by Lisa. When she filled out her coaching application, she shared an honest snapshot of where she was at the time: “I think I need coaching on the fear and anger I have for starting over at this point in time. The world is scary, men suck, work is slim, my friends feel different now that I am single.” In this poignant conversation, Lisa and I talk about what it really looks like to start over after a 26-year long marriage and how disorienting that in between season can feel. Especially when your identity, your relationships, and your sense of safety all feel up in the air, all at the same time. We explore grief in a way most people do not talk about it, not just the hard parts but the beautiful parts that are just as painful to let go of, and how creativity, boundaries, and honest conversations can become your way back to yourself when everything feels uncertain. In this episode, you'll hear: What it really means to grieve the joy of what you once had (11:50) How internal pressure about “what's next” can keep you stuck (19:37) Why creativity and art are not indulgent but essential tools for processing emotions (27:32) How feeling your feelings is not a weakness but a form of emotional hygiene (32:40) Writing prompts to help Lisa move closer to her grief and begin healing:  “What is stopping you from looking underneath the grief?” (39:20) Having hard conversations with friends and how setting boundaries with compassion can strengthen your relationships instead of breaking them (44:44) Resources from this episode: Write Your Way Through It  Book recommendations: I love a good personal development book, and you do too, right? I've compiled a list of book recommendations, as mentioned in past episodes. Check out these amazing book recommendations here. Happy reading!   MSN is supported by: We love the sponsors that make our show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: andreaowen.com/sponsors/ http://andreaowen.com/podcast/712 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ladies, we've made it to 2026! We're catching you up on what we've been reading and watching (Stranger Things, duh), fangirling over Amy Poehler's podcast, and oh yeah, we made it through writing our book!!CHAPTERS00:00 Welcome to 2026: A Year of Optimism02:20 Good Hang with Amy Poehler12:16 Pop Culture and Nostalgia: A Shared Experience21:36 The Journey of Writing a Book29:35 Excitement for the Olympics and Family AdventuresMORE PODCAST EPISODES: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTGuNbPgq2EartAwwgs_H-LVho3FvWnXpJUST LISTEN TO THE PODCAST: https://link.chtbl.com/imomsohardSEE US ON TOUR:https://www.imomsohard.com/Get our sponsor DISCOUNT CODES here!https://linktr.ee/imshpodcastWATCH OUR AMAZON PRIME SPECIAL: https://www.amazon.com/IMomSoHard-Live/dp/B07VBJ34DTIf you are interested in advertising on this podcast email ussales@acast.comTo request #IMOMSOHARD to be on your Podcast, Radio Show, or TV Show, reach out to talent@pionairepodcasting.comFOLLOW US: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/imomsohardInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/imomsohard/Twitter: https://twitter.com/imomsohardABOUT US Female comedy duo Kristin Hensley and Jen Smedley have been performing, teaching, and writing comedy internationally for a combined 40+ years. They have been moms for one quarter of that time and it shows. How do they cope? They laugh about all of the craziness that comes with being a mom and they want you to laugh about it too! From snot to stretchmarks to sleepless nights, Kristin and Jen know firsthand that parenting is a hard job and they invite you to join them in taking it all a little less seriously (even if for a few short minutes a day). After all, Jen currently has four days of dry shampoo in her hair and Kristin's keys are still in her front door. They try, they fail, they support each other, and they mom as hard as they can.Disclaimer: This podcast is for entertainment purposes only. Views expressed on this podcast solely reflect those of the host and do not reflect the views of Pionaire. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Best in Fest, host Leslie LaPage sits down with Emilio Hughes Martinez — award-winning filmmaker, writer, and former Vice President of Development at Eclectic Pictures (Olympus Has Fallen, The Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard, Lovelace).Emilio shares his journey from studio development executive to independent filmmaker, revealing what production companies really look for in scripts, how to finance films without studio backing, and why the next wave of cinema belongs to bold indie creators.In this episode, we explore:

⭐⭐ SHOW DESCRIPTION / INTRO TEXTTonight on the Typical Skeptic Podcast, Robert welcomes back Christine M. Soltis, founder of Solstice Night Sky Productions, author, investigator, filmmaker, and one of the key organizers behind Pittsburgh's rising metaphysical and paranormal community.Christine is a private investigator, a multi-genre author, and the creator behind countless regional paranormal events—most notably the upcoming April 18, 2026 Cryptid Panel at Bethel Park Library, which she is producing and which Robert will also be appearing on.Her work spans fiction, nonfiction, metaphysics, karma, cryptids, and real-world paranormal case studies. Tonight we'll dive into:✨ Spirit Blocker and the metaphysics of psychic defense✨ Controlling Karma: The Third Dimensional Trap✨ Her views on reincarnation, karmic loops, and dimensional imprisonment✨ Pittsburgh-area cryptids and why the region is a hotspot✨ Investigative cases she's worked privately✨ What's coming with Solstice Night Sky Productions✨ Behind-the-scenes of organizing paranormal conferences✨ Her creative process as an author, screenwriter, and producerThis will be a multidimensional deep-dive into the unseen worlds that shape our reality.⭐ GUEST BIO (Clean & Professional)Christine M. Soltis is an author, investigator, screenwriter, and the founder of Solstice Night Sky Productions, a creative and paranormal-focused media outlet based in Pittsburgh. She has written dozens of books spanning paranormal fiction, metaphysics, sci-fi, sociology, and psychological thrillers. Her works include Spirit Blocker, Controlling Karma: The Third Dimensional Trap, The Haunting of Angel's Landing, and The Death Agent.Christine has been featured on multiple podcasts, film projects, and live events across the region. She works as a private investigator and uses that real-world experience to deepen her research into paranormal cases, psychic phenomena, and cryptid reports.In addition to her writing and investigative work, she produces events such as the Cryptid Panel at Bethel Park Public Library and collaborates with content creators across the paranormal and metaphysical communities. Through her books and productions, Christine explores the hidden mechanics of consciousness, karma, interdimensional interference, and humanity's role within a larger cosmic struggle.Website: https://solsticenightsky.com/about-usInstagram: @solsticenightskyproductions⭐ INTERVIEW QUESTIONS FOR CHRISTINE(Use these to steer a killer show.)❇️ Writing & CreativityWhen did you first realize you had a calling toward paranormal writing and metaphysical topics?Which of your books do you feel is the “core” of your spiritual philosophy?How do your private investigator skills influence your paranormal research?❇️ Spirit Blocker & Psychic DefenseWhat inspired Spirit Blocker?Do you believe certain people are naturally more psychically vulnerable than others?What are the strongest forms of psychic shielding you've encountered?❇️ Karma, Reincarnation & Dimensional TrapsIn Controlling Karma, you call the 3D reality a “trap.” What is the mechanism of that trap?Are karmic contracts chosen, imposed, or manipulated?Do entities exploit karmic loops for their own benefit?❇️ Cryptids & Pittsburgh Paranormal ActivityWhy is Western PA a hotspot for cryptids and interdimensional sightings?What can the audience expect from the April 18th panel?Have you personally witnessed anything unexplained?❇️ Solstice Night Sky ProductionsWhat new projects are coming from your production company in 2026?How can people get involved or volunteer for your events?⭐ HASHTAGSCopy/paste these:#TypicalSkepticPodcast #ChristineSoltis #SolsticeNightSkyProductions #Cryptids #Karma #SpiritBlocker #Metaphysics #ParanormalInvestigation #PittsburghParanormal #OccultKnowledge #3DTrap #AuthorLife #EsotericWisdom #LivePodcast #UFOCommunity⭐ DISCLAIMER (Your Saved Standard Version)The views and experiences shared by the guest are her own and do not necessarily reflect those of the platform we are streaming on. This content is for educational and entertainment purposes only. We are not in any way giving medical or financial advice; always seek help through a professional. This podcast is a space for open thought and conscious dialogue and is a platform for skeptical but open-minded free thinkers.Typical Skeptic Podcast Links and Affiliates:Support the Mission:

Cold email isn't dead — but doing it the old way is.In this episode of Liftoff with Keith, we sit down with AJ Cassata, Co-Founder of Revenue Boost, to break down what's actually working in outbound lead generation today. AJ has helped 440+ startups, agencies, and SaaS companies build predictable revenue pipelines without relying on paid ads, social media algorithms, or massive budgets.We dive into:Why cold email still works — and why most people fail at itHow to build the right outbound list (and why tools matter less than strategy)Writing cold emails that stand out in crowded inboxesThe role of AI in personalization, research, and outbound scaleHow to turn cold outreach into a reliable top-of-funnel growth engineIf you're a founder, marketer, consultant, or agency owner looking to generate leads consistently — this episode is packed with practical insights you can apply immediately.

We're back for Part 2 with Jena Oschner, and this one goes deep. In this week's episode, we talk about detoxing your home, ditching everyday toxins, and the products we actually use, without shame or fear. From face taping to Tylenol alternatives to artificial dyes, we're covering the real-life ways we're learning, adjusting, and finding what works for our families. Jena also shares about her journey into homeopathy, ozone therapy, functional testing, and the things she keeps with moderation in mind. If you've ever felt overwhelmed by all the swaps, this episode will help you focus on progress over perfection. Listen to Part 1 if you missed it! Resources & Links: Episode 85. Journey to Wellness with Jena Oschner Episode 138. Girl Talk (with Jena Oschner): Rethinking “Health” Part 1 Good Life Beef Farm Wife Tallow Radiance Rebel Vlasic Purely Pickles (dye-free) Arnica Montana Simply O3 Ozone Generator Redmond Real Salt LMNT electrolytes EWG Healthy Living App Toups & Co Dry Shampoo Zoya nail polish Isle of Paradise self-tanning drops Rebounder 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 Get our FREE resource: 10 Resume Mistakes (and how to fix them) Get our FREE resource: How to Avoid the 7 Biggest Hiring Mistakes Employers Make Email us at hello@ofthewest.co Subscribe to Of The West's ⁠Newsletters List your jobs on ⁠Of The West Connect with Jena: Follow on Instagram @jenaoschner Listen to her podcast Beyond the Crops Visit her website 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

What happens when your research agenda is disrupted by forces completely outside your control?  In this episode, I'm joined by Dr. Lauren Woodard, an assistant professor of anthropology in the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University, for a thoughtful conversation about career pivots, research transitions, and writing through uncertainty. After a year marked by funding instability, forced pivots, and shifting academic priorities, this conversation feels especially timely. Lauren shares her experience overcoming major transitions in her career and inspired her to join Navigate. We talk candidly about what it looks like to continue writing and publishing during periods of disruption, how to manage book and article projects simultaneously, and how Navigate supported Lauren as she clarified her publication pipeline and planned her next season of academic work. We also explore how parenting, caregiving, and seasonality shape writing practices, particularly during the early career years. If 2026 feels like a year to intentionally reset your approach to writing, publishing, and career design, this episode is for you! For full show notes visit scholarsvoice.org/podcast. We're receiving applications for our next cohort of Navigate: Your Writing Roadmap®. Check out the program details and start your application process here.   CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Our 12-week Navigate: Your Writing Roadmap® program helps tenure-track womxn and nonbinary professors to publish their backlog of papers so that their voice can have the impact they know is possible. Apply here! Cathy's book, Making Time to Write: How to Resist the Patriarchy and Take Control of Your Academic Career Through Writing is available in print! Learn how to build your career around your writing practice while shattering the myths of writing every day, accountability, and motivation, doing mindset work that's going to reshape your writing,and changing academic culture one womxn and nonbinary professor at a time. Get your print copy today or order it for a friend here! If you would like to hear more from Cathy for free, please subscribe to the weekly newsletter, In the Pipeline, at scholarsvoice.org. It's a newsletter that she personally writes that goes out once a week with writing and publication tips, strategies, inspiration, book reviews and more.   CONNECT WITH ME:  LinkedIn Facebook YouTube

Send us a textAuthor and former TACP Ethan Brown returns to break down Visual Friendlies, Tally Target Volume Two and the work behind documenting the post-9/11 wars the right way. This isn't a highlight reel of gunfights—it's a deep look at JTACs as humans, coalition partners, policy failures, surges, forever wars, and the weight carried by the quiet professionals who enabled everything from combat to humanitarian missions. Ethan explains why Volume Two goes beyond tactics, why Volume Three is darker and angrier, and how writing these stories became both catharsis and obsession. If you care about accuracy, history, and honoring the work without Hollywood nonsense, this episode matters.⏱️ Timestamps: 00:00 Ones Ready intro and Ethan's return 02:10 Volume Two overview and release timeline 05:00 Why the stories had to get more human 08:30 Coalition JTACs and national caveats 12:45 Surges, policy shifts, and ground truth 17:30 Why the “forever war” never really ended 21:40 The emotional cost of telling these stories 26:00 Extortion 17 and unseen suffering 30:30 Lessons passed down in combat 35:00 Quiet professionals vs silent professionals 40:30 Volume Three, anger, and unfinished business 45:00 Writing history before it disappears 49:00 What comes next: Silent Professionals 54:00 Final thoughts and where to find the books

Tuck and Ozzy chat with author Megan Milks (they/them). Topics include: The queer and trans potential of milk Writing fantastical slug erotica and bull insemination scenes  Dating and writing advice from Samuel Delany What even is a kink, you know? Plus: New Narrative, the "overwhelming influence of The Argonauts," and finally getting out of high school This Week in Gender: Tuck reads their favorite book review of 2025. Find Megan @sklimnagem and meganmilks.com. Mega Milk is available now.  Order Sex Change and the City or catch Tuck on book tour in Baltimore on Feb 12.  Join our Patreon to access our weekly newsletter and monthly Gender Conceal episodes, including last month's episode with Alma Avalle. Submit a piece of Theymail. Find transcripts and starter packs at genderpodcast.com. We're also on Instagram @gendereveal. Senior Producer: Ozzy Llinas Goodman Logo: Ira M. LeighMusic: Breakmaster CylinderAdditional music: Blue Dot Sessions Sponsors: DeleteMe (code: TUCK20) and Max Burns UX (mention Rhubarb!)

Black girls performing in a parade on the streets of Chicago and playing in the surf at Martha's Vineyard offer a glimpse of what it is like, growing up in the United States today. Sisters Salamishah and Scheherazade Tillet are using photographs and words to capture the lives of girls from two very different communities.

Ali Merchant reveals the small shifts you can implement today to become a better leader immediately. — YOU'LL LEARN — 1) How to make difficult conversations easier 2) The three things exceptional managers do3) How to upgrade your one-on-ones with one questionSubscribe or visit AwesomeAtYourJob.com/ep1121 for clickable versions of the links below. — ABOUT ALI — Ali Merchant has spent two decades scaling Learning & Development departments for public companies, tech brands, and the world's largest ad agencies. Today, he's the founder of All-In Manager, a leadership development firm that trains and coaches managers to become leaders. Since 2018, Ali has trained thousands of managers and coached hundreds of senior leaders worldwide. He's also the author of The All-In Manager: Become a better leader today, not someday. Ali lives in Chicago with his wife, Sarah, and their dog, Lenny. • Book: The All-In Manager: Become a better leader today. Not Someday• LinkedIn: Ali Merchant• Website: AllInManager.com— RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THE SHOW — • Study: “The rocky road from actions to intentions” by Elizabeth Newton• Tool: Descript• Tool: Google NotebookLM• Book: Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Life: Life-Changing Tools for Healthy Relationships (Nonviolent Communication Guides) by Marshall Rosenberg and Deepak Chopra• Book: Pre-Suasion: A Revolutionary Way to Influence and Persuade by Robert Cialdini• Book: How to Know a Person: The Art of Seeing Others Deeply and Being Deeply Seen by David Brooks• Book: Firefighter Zen: A Field Guide to Thriving in Tough Times by Hersch Wilson— THANK YOU SPONSORS! — • Monarch.com. Get 50% off your first year on with the code AWESOME.See 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 transformative thing you can do for your writing craft and author business is to face what you fear? How can you can find gold in your Shadow in the year ahead? In this episode, I share chapters from Writing the Shadow: Turn Your Inner Darkness Into Words. In the intro, curated book boxes from Bridgerton's Julia Quinn; Google's agentic shopping, and powering Apple's Siri; ChatGPT Ads; and Claude CoWork. Balancing Certainty and Uncertainty [MoonShots with Tony Robbins]; and three trends for authors with me and Orna Ross [Self-Publishing with ALLi Podcast]; plus, Bones of the Deep, Business for Authors, and Indie Author Lab. This show is supported by my Patrons. Join my Community at Patreon.com/thecreativepenn  Joanna Penn writes non-fiction for authors and is an award-winning, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of thrillers, dark fantasy, and memoir as J.F. Penn. She's also an award-winning podcaster, creative entrepreneur, and international professional speaker. What is the Shadow? The ‘creative wound' and the Shadow in writing The Shadow in traditional publishing The Shadow in self-publishing or being an indie author The Shadow in work The Shadow in money You can find Writing the Shadow in all formats on all stores, as well as special edition, workbook and bundles at www.TheCreativePenn.com/shadowbook Writing the Shadow: Turn Your Inner Darkness Into Words The following chapters are excerpted from Writing the Shadow: Turn Your Inner Darkness Into Words by Joanna Penn. Introduction. What is the Shadow? “How can I be substantial if I do not cast a shadow? I must have a dark side also if I am to be whole.” —C.G. Jung, Modern Man in Search of a Soul We all have a Shadow side and it is the work of a lifetime to recognise what lies within and spin that base material into gold. Think of it as a seedling in a little pot that you're given when you're young. It's a bit misshapen and weird, not something you would display in your living room, so you place it in a dark corner of the basement. You don't look at it for years. You almost forget about it. Then one day you notice tendrils of something wild poking up through the floorboards. They're ugly and don't fit with your Scandi-minimalist interior design. You chop the tendrils away and pour weedkiller on what's left, trying to hide the fact that they were ever there. But the creeping stems keep coming. At some point, you know you have to go down there and face the wild thing your seedling has become. When you eventually pluck up enough courage to go down into the basement, you discover that the plant has wound its roots deep into the foundations of your home. Its vines weave in and out of the cracks in the walls, and it has beautiful flowers and strange fruit. It holds your world together. Perhaps you don't need to destroy the wild tendrils. Perhaps you can let them wind up into the light and allow their rich beauty to weave through your home. It will change the look you have so carefully cultivated, but maybe that's just what the place needs. The Shadow in psychology Carl Gustav Jung was a Swiss psychologist and the founder of analytical psychology. He described the Shadow as an unconscious aspect of the human personality, those parts of us that don't match up to what is expected of us by family and society, or to our own ideals. The Shadow is not necessarily evil or illegal or immoral, although of course it can be. It's also not necessarily caused by trauma, abuse, or any other severely damaging event, although again, it can be. It depends on the individual. What is in your Shadow is based on your life and your experiences, as well as your culture and society, so it will be different for everyone. Psychologist Connie Zweig, in The Inner Work of Age, explains, “The Shadow is that part of us that lies beneath or behind the light of awareness. It contains our rejected, unacceptable traits and feelings. It contains our hidden gifts and talents that have remained unexpressed or unlived. As Jung put it, the essence of the Shadow is pure gold.” To further illustrate the concept, Robert Bly, in A Little Book on the Human Shadow,uses the following metaphor: “When we are young, we carry behind us an invisible bag, into which we stuff any feelings, thoughts, or behaviours that bring disapproval or loss of love—anger, tears, neediness, laziness. By the time we go to school, our bags are already a mile long. In high school, our peer groups pressure us to stuff the bags with even more—individuality, sexuality, spontaneity, different opinions. We spend our life until we're twenty deciding which parts of ourselves to put into the bag and we spend the rest of our lives trying to get them out again.” As authors, we can use what's in the ‘bag' to enrich our writing — but only if we can access it. My intention with this book is to help you venture into your Shadow and bring some of what's hidden into the light and into your words. I'll reveal aspects of my Shadow in these pages but ultimately, this book is about you. Your Shadow is unique. There may be elements we share, but much will be different. Each chapter has questions for you to consider that may help you explore at least the edges of your Shadow, but it's not easy. As Jung said, “One does not become enlightened by imagining figures of light, but by making the darkness conscious. The latter procedure, however, is disagreeable and therefore not popular.” But take heart, Creative. You don't need courage when things are easy. You need it when you know what you face will be difficult, but you do it anyway. We are authors. We know how to do hard things. We turn ideas into books. We manifest thoughts into ink on paper. We change lives with our writing. First, our own, then other people's. It's worth the effort to delve into Shadow, so I hope you will join me on the journey. The creative wound and the Shadow in writing “Whatever pain you can't get rid of, make it your creative offering.” —Susan Cain, Bittersweet  The more we long for something, the more extreme our desire, the more likely it is to have a Shadow side. For those of us who love books, the author life may well be a long-held dream and thus, it is filled with Shadow. Books have long been objects of desire, power, and authority. They hold a mythic status in our lives. We escaped into stories as children; we studied books at school and college; we read them now for escape and entertainment, education and inspiration. We collect beautiful books to put on our shelves. We go to them for solace and answers to the deepest questions of life. Writers are similarly held in high esteem. They shape culture, win literary prizes, give important speeches, and are quoted in the mainstream media. Their books are on the shelves in libraries and bookstores. Writers are revered, held up as rare, talented creatures made separate from us by their brilliance and insight. For bibliophile children, books were everything and to write one was a cherished dream. To become an author? Well, that would mean we might be someone special, someone worthy. Perhaps when you were young, you thought the dream of being a writer was possible — then you told someone about it. That's probably when you heard the first criticism of such a ridiculous idea, the first laughter, the first dismissal. So you abandoned the dream, pushed the idea of being a writer into the Shadow, and got on with your life. Or if it wasn't then, it came later, when you actually put pen to paper and someone — a parent, teacher, partner, or friend, perhaps even a literary agent or publisher, someone whose opinion you valued — told you it was worthless. Here are some things you might have heard: Writing is a hobby. Get a real job. You're not good enough. You don't have any writing talent. You don't have enough education. You don't know what you're doing. Your writing is derivative / unoriginal / boring / useless / doesn't make sense. The genre you write in is dead / worthless / unacceptable / morally wrong / frivolous / useless.  Who do you think you are? No one would want to read what you write. You can't even use proper grammar, so how could you write a whole book? You're wasting your time. You'll never make it as a writer. You shouldn't write those things (or even think about those things). Why don't you write something nice? Insert other derogatory comment here! Mark Pierce describes the effect of this experience in his book The Creative Wound, which “occurs when an event, or someone's actions or words, pierce you, causing a kind of rift in your soul. A comment—even offhand and unintentional—is enough to cause one.” He goes on to say that such words can inflict “damage to the core of who we are as creators. It is an attack on our artistic identity, resulting in us believing that whatever we make is somehow tainted or invalid, because shame has convinced us there is something intrinsically tainted or invalid about ourselves.” As adults, we might brush off such wounds, belittling them as unimportant in the grand scheme of things. We might even find ourselves saying the same words to other people. After all, it's easier to criticise than to create. But if you picture your younger self, bright eyed as you lose yourself in your favourite book, perhaps you might catch a glimpse of what you longed for before your dreams were dashed on the rocks of other people's reality. As Mark Pierce goes on to say, “A Creative Wound has the power to delay our pursuits—sometimes for years—and it can even derail our lives completely… Anything that makes us feel ashamed of ourselves or our work can render us incapable of the self-expression we yearn for.” This is certainly what happened to me, and it took decades to unwind. Your creative wounds will differ to mine but perhaps my experience will help you explore your own. To be clear, your Shadow may not reside in elements of horror as mine do, but hopefully you can use my example to consider where your creative wounds might lie. “You shouldn't write things like that.” It happened at secondary school around 1986 or 1987, so I would have been around eleven or twelve years old. English was one of my favourite subjects and the room we had our lessons in looked out onto a vibrant garden. I loved going to that class because it was all about books, and they were always my favourite things. One day, we were asked to write a story. I can't remember the specifics of what the teacher asked us to write, but I fictionalised a recurring nightmare. I stood in a dark room. On one side, my mum and my brother, Rod, were tied up next to a cauldron of boiling oil, ready to be thrown in. On the other side, my dad and my little sister, Lucy, were threatened with decapitation by men with machetes. I had to choose who would die. I always woke up, my heart pounding, before I had to choose. Looking back now, it clearly represented an internal conflict about having to pick sides between the two halves of my family. Not an unexpected issue from a child of divorce. Perhaps these days, I might have been sent to the school counsellor, but it was the eighties and I don't think we even had such a thing. Even so, the meaning of the story isn't the point. It was the reaction to it that left scars. “You shouldn't write things like that,” my teacher said, and I still remember her look of disappointment, even disgust. Certainly judgment. She said my writing was too dark. It wasn't a proper story. It wasn't appropriate for the class. As if horrible things never happened in stories — or in life. As if literature could not include dark tales. As if the only acceptable writing was the kind she approved of. We were taught The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie that year, which says a lot about the type of writing considered appropriate. Or perhaps the issue stemmed from the school motto, “So hateth she derknesse,” from Chaucer's The Legend of Good Women: “For fear of night, so she hates the darkness.” I had won a scholarship to a private girls' school, and their mission was to turn us all into proper young ladies. Horror was never on the curriculum. Perhaps if my teacher had encouraged me to write my darkness back then, my nightmares would have dissolved on the page. Perhaps if we had studied Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, or H.P. Lovecraft stories, or Bram Stoker's Dracula, I could have embraced the darker side of literature earlier in my life. My need to push darker thoughts into my Shadow was compounded by my (wonderful) mum's best intentions. We were brought up on the principles of The Power of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peale and she tried to shield me and my brother from anything harmful or horrible. We weren't allowed to watch TV much, and even the British school drama Grange Hill was deemed inappropriate. So much of what I've achieved is because my mum instilled in me a “can do” attitude that anything is possible. I'm so grateful to her for that. (I love you, Mum!) But all that happy positivity, my desire to please her, to be a good girl, to make my teachers proud, and to be acceptable to society, meant that I pushed my darker thoughts into Shadow. They were inappropriate. They were taboo. They must be repressed, kept secret, and I must be outwardly happy and positive at all times. You cannot hold back the darkness “The night is dark and full of terrors.” —George R.R. Martin, A Storm of Swords It turned out that horror was on the curriculum, much of it in the form of educational films we watched during lessons. In English Literature, we watched Romeo drink poison and Juliet stab herself in Zeffirelli's Romeo and Juliet. In Religious Studies, we watched Jesus beaten, tortured, and crucified in The Greatest Story Ever Told, and learned of the variety of gruesome ways that Christian saints were martyred. In Classical Civilisation, we watched gladiators slaughter each other in Spartacus. In Sex Education at the peak of the AIDS crisis in the mid-'80s, we were told of the many ways we could get infected and die. In History, we studied the Holocaust with images of skeletal bodies thrown into mass graves, medical experiments on humans, and grainy videos of marching soldiers giving the Nazi salute. One of my first overseas school field trips was to the World War I battlegrounds of Flanders Fields in Belgium, where we studied the inhuman conditions of the trenches, walked through mass graves, and read war poetry by candlelight. As John McCrae wrote: We are the Dead. Short days agoWe lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,Loved and were loved, and now we lie, In Flanders fields. Did the teachers not realise how deeply a sensitive teenager might feel the darkness of that place? Or have I always been unusual in that places of blood echo deep inside me? And the horrors kept coming. We lived in Bristol, England back then and I learned at school how the city had been part of the slave trade, its wealth built on the backs of people stolen from their homes, sold, and worked to death in the colonies. I had been at school for a year in Malawi, Africa and imagined the Black people I knew drowning, being beaten, and dying on those ships. In my teenage years, the news was filled with ethnic cleansing, mass rape, and massacres during the Balkan wars, and images of bodies hacked apart during the Rwandan genocide. Evil committed by humans against other humans was not a historical aberration. I'm lucky and I certainly acknowledge my privilege. Nothing terrible or horrifying has happened to me — but bad things certainly happen to others. I wasn't bullied or abused. I wasn't raped or beaten or tortured. But you don't have to go through things to be afraid of them, and for your imagination to conjure the possibility of them. My mum doesn't read my fiction now as it gives her nightmares (Sorry, Mum!). I know she worries that somehow she's responsible for my darkness, but I've had a safe and (mostly) happy life, for which I'm truly grateful. But the world is not an entirely safe and happy place, and for a sensitive child with a vivid imagination, the world is dark and scary. It can be brutal and violent, and bad things happen, even to good people. No parent can shield their child from the reality of the world. They can only help them do their best to live in it, develop resilience, and find ways to deal with whatever comes. Story has always been a way that humans have used to learn how to live and deal with difficult times. The best authors, the ones that readers adore and can't get enough of, write their darkness into story to channel their experience, and help others who fear the same. In an interview on writing the Shadow on The Creative Penn Podcast, Michaelbrent Collings shared how he incorporated a personally devastating experience into his writing:  “My wife and I lost a child years back, and that became the root of one of my most terrifying books, Apparition. It's not terrifying because it's the greatest book of all time, but just the concept that there's this thing out there… like a demon, and it consumes the blood and fear of the children, and then it withdraws and consumes the madness of the parents… I wrote that in large measure as a way of working through what I was experiencing.” I've learned much from Michaelbrent. I've read many of his (excellent) books and he's been on my podcast multiple times talking about his depression and mental health issues, as well as difficulties in his author career. Writing darkness is not in Michaelbrent's Shadow and only he can say what lies there for him. But from his example, and from that of other authors, I too learned how to write my Shadow into my books. Twenty-three years after that English lesson, in November 2009, I did NaNoWriMo, National Novel Writing Month, and wrote five thousand words of what eventually became Stone of Fire, my first novel. In the initial chapter, I burned a nun alive on the ghats of Varanasi on the banks of the Ganges River. I had watched the bodies burn by night on pyres from a boat bobbing in the current a few years before, and the image was still crystal clear in my mind. The only way to deal with how it made me feel about death was to write about it — and since then, I've never stopped writing. Returning to the nightmare from my school days, I've never had to choose between the two halves of my family, but the threat of losing them remains a theme in my fiction. In my ARKANE thriller series, Morgan Sierra will do anything to save her sister and her niece. Their safety drives her to continue to fight against evil. Our deepest fears emerge in our writing, and that's the safest place for them. I wish I'd been taught how to turn my nightmares into words back at school, but at least now I've learned to write my Shadow onto the page. I wish the same for you. The Shadow in traditional publishing If becoming an author is your dream, then publishing a book is deeply entwined with that. But as Mark Pierce says in The Creative Wound, “We feel pain the most where it matters the most… Desire highlights whatever we consider to be truly significant.” There is a lot of desire around publishing for those of us who love books! It can give you: Validation that your writing is good enough Status and credibility Acceptance by an industry held in esteem  The potential of financial reward and critical acclaim Support from a team of professionals who know how to make fantastic books A sense of belonging to an elite community Pride in achieving a long-held goal, resulting in a confidence boost and self-esteem Although not guaranteed, traditional publishing can give you all these things and more, but as with everything, there is a potential Shadow side. Denying it risks the potential of being disillusioned, disappointed, and even damaged. But remember, forewarned is forearmed, as the saying goes. Preparation can help you avoid potential issues and help you feel less alone if you encounter them. The myth of success… and the reality of experience There is a pervasive myth of success in the traditional publishing industry, perpetuated by media reporting on brand name and breakout authors, those few outliers whose experience is almost impossible to replicate. Because of such examples, many new traditionally published authors think that their first book will hit the top of the bestseller charts or win an award, as well as make them a million dollars — or at least a big chunk of cash. They will be able to leave their job, write in a beautiful house overlooking the ocean, and swan around the world attending conferences, while writing more bestselling books. It will be a charmed life. But that is not the reality. Perhaps it never was. Even so, the life of a traditionally published author represents a mythic career with the truth hidden behind a veil of obscurity. In April 2023, The Bookseller in the UK reported that “more than half of authors (54%) responding to a survey on their experiences of publishing their debut book have said the process negatively affected their mental health. Though views were mixed, just 22%… described a positive experience overall… Among the majority who said they had a negative experience of debut publication, anxiety, stress, depression and ‘lowered' self-esteem were cited, with lack of support, guidance or clear and professional communication from their publisher among the factors that contributed.” Many authors who have negative experiences around publishing will push them into the Shadow with denial or self-blame, preferring to keep the dream alive. They won't talk about things in public as this may negatively affect their careers, but private discussions are often held in the corners of writing conferences or social media groups online. Some of the issues are as follows: Repeated rejection by agents and publishers may lead to the author thinking they are not good enough as a writer, which can lead to feeling unworthy as a person. If an author gets a deal, the amount of advance and the name and status of the publisher compared to others create a hierarchy that impacts self-esteem. A deal for a book may be much lower than an author might have been expecting, with low or no advance, and the resulting experience with the publisher beneath expectations. The launch process may be disappointing, and the book may appear without fanfare, with few sales and no bestseller chart position. In The Bookseller report, one author described her launch day as “a total wasteland… You have expectations about what publication day will be like, but in reality, nothing really happens.” The book may receive negative reviews by critics or readers or more publicly on social media, which can make an author feel attacked. The book might not sell as well as expected, and the author may feel like it's their fault. Commercial success can sometimes feel tied to self-worth and an author can't help but compare their sales to others, with resulting embarrassment or shame. The communication from the publisher may be less than expected. One author in The Bookseller report said, “I was shocked by the lack of clarity and shared information and the cynicism that underlies the superficial charm of this industry.” There is often more of a focus on debut authors in publishing houses, so those who have been writing and publishing in the midlist for years can feel ignored and undervalued. In The Bookseller report, 48 percent of authors reported “their publisher supported them for less than a year,” with one saying, “I got no support and felt like a commodity, like the team had moved on completely to the next book.” If an author is not successful enough, the next deal may be lower than the last, less effort is made with marketing, and they may be let go. In The Bookseller report, “six authors—debut and otherwise—cited being dropped by their publisher, some with no explanation.” Even if everything goes well and an author is considered successful by others, they may experience imposter syndrome, feeling like a fraud when speaking at conferences or doing book signings. And the list goes on … All these things can lead to feelings of shame, inadequacy, and embarrassment; loss of status in the eyes of peers; and a sense of failure if a publishing career is not successful enough. The author feels like it's their fault, like they weren't good enough — although, of course, the reality is that the conditions were not right at the time. A failure of a book is not a failure of the person, but it can certainly feel like it! When you acknowledge the Shadow, it loses its power Despite all the potential negatives of traditional publishing, if you know what could happen, you can mitigate them. You can prepare yourself for various scenarios and protect yourself from potential fall-out. It's clear from The Bookseller report that too many authors have unrealistic expectations of the industry. But publishers are businesses, not charities. It's not their job to make you feel good as an author. It's their job to sell books and pay you. The best thing they can do is to continue to be a viable business so they can keep putting books on the shelves and keep paying authors, staff, and company shareholders. When you license your creative work to a publisher, you're giving up control of your intellectual property in exchange for money and status. Bring your fears and issues out of the Shadow, acknowledge them, and deal with them early, so they do not get pushed down and re-emerge later in blame and bitterness. Educate yourself on the business of publishing. Be clear on what you want to achieve with any deal. Empower yourself as an author, take responsibility for your career, and you will have a much better experience. The Shadow in self-publishing or being an indie author Self-publishing, or being an independent (indie) author, can be a fantastic, pro-active choice for getting your book into the world. Holding your first book in your hand and saying “I made this” is pretty exciting, and even after more than forty books, I still get excited about seeing ideas in my head turn into a physical product in the world. Self-publishing can give an author: Creative control over what to write, editorial and cover design choices, when and how often to publish, and how to market Empowerment over your author career and the ability to make choices that impact success without asking for permission Ownership and control of intellectual property assets, resulting in increased opportunity around licensing and new markets Independence and the potential for recurring income for the long term Autonomy and flexibility around timelines, publishing options, and the ability to easily pivot into new genres and business models Validation based on positive reader reviews and money earned Personal growth and learning through the acquisition of new skills, resulting in a boost in confidence and self-esteem A sense of belonging to an active and vibrant community of indie authors around the world Being an indie author can give you all this and more, but once again, there is a Shadow side and preparation can help you navigate potential issues. The myth of success… and the reality of experience As with traditional publishing, the indie author world has perpetuated a myth of success in the example of the breakout indie author like E.L. James with Fifty Shades of Grey, Hugh Howey with Wool, or Andy Weir with The Martian. The emphasis on financial success is also fuelled online by authors who share screenshots showing six-figure months or seven-figure years, without sharing marketing costs and other outgoings, or the amount of time spent on the business. Yes, these can inspire some, but it can also make others feel inadequate and potentially lead to bad choices about how to publish and market based on comparison. The indie author world is full of just as much ego and a desire for status and money as traditional publishing. This is not a surprise! Most authors, regardless of publishing choices, are a mix of massive ego and chronic self-doubt. We are human, so the same issues will re-occur. A different publishing method doesn't cure all ills. Some of the issues are as follows: You learn everything you need to know about writing and editing, only to find that you need to learn a whole new set of skills in order to self-publish and market your book. This can take a lot of time and effort you did not expect, and things change all the time so you have to keep learning. Being in control of every aspect of the publishing process, from writing to cover design to marketing, can be overwhelming, leading to indecision, perfectionism, stress, and even burnout as you try to do all the things. You try to find people to help, but building your team is a challenge, and working with others has its own difficulties. People say negative things about self-publishing that may arouse feelings of embarrassment or shame. These might be little niggles, but they needle you, nonetheless. You wonder whether you made the right choice. You struggle with self-doubt and if you go to an event with traditional published authors, you compare yourself to them and feel like an imposter. Are you good enough to be an author if a traditional publisher hasn't chosen you? Is it just vanity to self-publish? Are your books unworthy? Even though you worked with a professional editor, you still get one-star reviews and you hate criticism from readers. You wonder whether you're wasting your time. You might be ripped off by an author services company who promise the world, only to leave you with a pile of printed books in your garage and no way to sell them. When you finally publish your book, it languishes at the bottom of the charts while other authors hit the top of the list over and over, raking in the cash while you are left out of pocket. You don't admit to over-spending on marketing as it makes you ashamed. You resist book marketing and make critical comments about writers who embrace it. You believe that quality rises to the top and if a book is good enough, people will buy it anyway. This can lead to disappointment and disillusionment when you launch your book and it doesn't sell many copies because nobody knows about it. You try to do what everyone advises, but you still can't make decent money as an author. You're jealous of other authors' success and put it down to them ‘selling out' or writing things you can't or ‘using AI' or ‘using a ghostwriter' or having a specific business model you consider impossible to replicate. And the list goes on… When you acknowledge the Shadow, it loses its power Being in control of your books and your author career is a double-edged sword. Traditionally published authors can criticise their publishers or agents or the marketing team or the bookstores or the media, but indie authors have to take responsibility for it all. Sure, we can blame ‘the algorithms' or social media platforms, or criticise other authors for having more experience or more money to invest in marketing, or attribute their success to writing in a more popular genre — but we also know there are always people who do well regardless of the challenges. Once more, we're back to acknowledging and integrating the Shadow side of our choices. We are flawed humans. There will always be good times and bad, and difficulties to offset the high points. This too shall pass, as the old saying goes. I know that being an indie author has plenty of Shadow. I've been doing this since 2008 and despite the hard times, I'm still here. I'm still writing. I'm still publishing. This life is not for everyone, but it's my choice. You must make yours. The Shadow in work You work hard. You make a living. Nothing wrong with that attitude, right? It's what we're taught from an early age and, like so much of life, it's not a problem until it goes to extremes. Not achieving what you want to? Work harder. Can't get ahead? Work harder. Not making a good enough living? Work harder. People who don't work hard are lazy. They don't deserve handouts or benefits. People who don't work hard aren't useful, so they are not valued members of our culture and community. But what about the old or the sick, the mentally ill, or those with disabilities? What about children? What about the unemployed? The under-employed? What about those who are — or will be — displaced by technology, those called “the useless class” by historian Yuval Noah Harari in his book Homo Deus? What if we become one of these in the future? Who am I if I cannot work? The Shadow side of my attitude to work became clear when I caught COVID in the summer of 2021. I was the sickest I'd ever been. I spent two weeks in bed unable to even think properly, and six weeks after that, I was barely able to work more than an hour a day before lying in the dark and waiting for my energy to return. I was limited in what I could do for another six months after that. At times, I wondered if I would ever get better. Jonathan kept urging me to be patient and rest. But I don't know how to rest. I know how to work and how to sleep. I can do ‘active rest,' which usually involves walking a long way or traveling somewhere interesting, but those require a stronger mind and body than I had during those months. It struck me that even if I recovered from the virus, I had glimpsed my future self. One day, I will be weak in body and mind. If I'm lucky, that will be many years away and hopefully for a short time before I die — but it will happen. I am an animal. I will die. My body and mind will pass on and I will be no more. Before then I will be weak. Before then, I will be useless. Before then, I will be a burden. I will not be able to work… But who am I if I cannot work? What is the point of me? I can't answer these questions right now, because although I recognise them as part of my Shadow, I've not progressed far enough to have dealt with them entirely. My months of COVID gave me some much-needed empathy for those who cannot work, even if they want to. We need to reframe what work is as a society, and value humans for different things, especially as technology changes what work even means. That starts with each of us. “Illness, affliction of body and soul, can be life-altering. It has the potential to reveal the most fundamental conflict of the human condition: the tension between our infinite, glorious dreams and desires and our limited, vulnerable, decaying physicality.” —Connie Zweig, The Inner Work of Age: Shifting from Role to Soul The Shadow in money In the Greek myth, King Midas was a wealthy ruler who loved gold above all else. His palace was adorned with golden sculptures and furniture, and he took immense pleasure in his riches. Yet, despite his vast wealth, he yearned for more. After doing a favour for Dionysus, the god of wine and revelry, Midas was granted a single wish. Intoxicated by greed, he wished that everything he touched would turn to gold — and it was so. At first, it was a lot of fun. Midas turned everything else in his palace to gold, even the trees and stones of his estate. After a morning of turning things to gold, he fancied a spot of lunch. But when he tried to eat, the food and drink turned to gold in his mouth. He became thirsty and hungry — and increasingly desperate. As he sat in despair on his golden throne, his beloved young daughter ran to comfort him. For a moment, he forgot his wish — and as she wrapped her arms around him and kissed his cheek, she turned into a golden statue, frozen in precious metal. King Midas cried out to the gods to forgive him, to reverse the wish. He renounced his greed and gave away all his wealth, and his daughter was returned to life. The moral of the story: Wealth and greed are bad. In Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol, Ebenezer Scrooge is described as a “squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous, old sinner.” He's wealthy but does not share, considering Christmas spending to be frivolous and giving to charity to be worthless. He's saved by a confrontation with his lonely future and becomes a generous man and benefactor of the poor. Wealth is good if you share it with others. The gospel of Matthew, chapter 25: 14-30, tells the parable of the bags of gold, in which a rich man goes on a journey and entrusts his servants with varying amounts of gold. On his return, the servants who multiplied the gold through their efforts and investments are rewarded, while the one who merely returned the gold with no interest is punished: “For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them.” Making money is good, making more money is even better. If you can't make any money, you don't deserve to have any. Within the same gospel, in Matthew 19:24, Jesus encounters a wealthy man and tells him to sell all his possessions and give the money to the poor, which the man is unable to do. Jesus says, “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” Wealth is bad. Give it all away and you'll go to heaven. With all these contradictory messages, no wonder we're so conflicted about money! How do you think and feel about money? While money is mostly tied to our work, it's far more than just a transactional object for most people. It's loaded with complex symbolism and judgment handed down by family, religion, and culture. You are likely to find elements of Shadow by examining your attitudes around money. Consider which of the following statements resonate with you or write your own. Money stresses me out. I don't want to talk about it or think about it. Some people hoard money, so there is inequality. Rich people are bad and we should take away their wealth and give it to the poor.  I can never make enough money to pay the bills, or to give my family what I want to provide. Money doesn't grow on trees.  It's wasteful to spend money as you might need it later, so I'm frugal and don't spend money unless absolutely necessary. It is better and more ethical to be poor than to be rich. I want more money. I read books and watch TV shows about rich people because I want to live like that. Sometimes I spend too much on things for a glimpse of what that might be like.  I buy lottery tickets and dream of winning all that money.  I'm jealous of people who have money. I want more of it and I resent those who have it. I'm no good with money. I don't like to look at my bank statement or credit card statement. I live off my overdraft and I'm in debt. I will never earn enough to get out of debt and start saving, so I don't think too much about it. I don't know enough about money. Talking about it makes me feel stupid, so I just ignore it. People like me aren't educated about money.  I need to make more money. If I can make lots of money, then people will look up to me. If I make lots of money, I will be secure, nothing can touch me, I will be safe.  I never want to be poor. I would be ashamed to be poor. I will never go on benefits. My net worth is my self worth. Money is good. We have the best standard of living in history because of the increase in wealth over time. Even the richest kings of the past didn't have what many middle-class people have today in terms of access to food, water, technology, healthcare, education, and more. The richest people give the most money to the poor through taxation and charity, as well as through building companies that employ people and invent new things. The very richest give away much of their fortunes. They provide far more benefit to the world than the poor.  I love money. Money loves me. Money comes easily and quickly to me. I attract money in multiple streams of income. It flows to me in so many ways. I spend money. I invest money. I give money. I'm happy and grateful for all that I receive. The Shadow around money for authors in particular Many writers and other creatives have issues around money and wealth. How often have you heard the following, and which do you agree with? You can't make money with your writing. You'll be a poor author in a garret, a starving artist.  You can't write ‘good quality' books and make money. If you make money writing, you're a hack, you're selling out. You are less worthy than someone who writes only for the Muse. Your books are commercial, not artistic. If you spend money on marketing, then your books are clearly not good enough to sell on their own. My agent / publisher / accountant / partner deals with the money side. I like to focus on the creative side of things. My money story Note: This is not financial or investment advice. Please talk to a professional about your situation. I've had money issues over the years — haven't we all! But I have been through a (long) process to bring money out of my Shadow and into the light. There will always be more to discover, but hopefully my money story will help you, or at least give you an opportunity to reflect. Like most people, I didn't grow up with a lot of money. My parents started out as teachers, but later my mum — who I lived with, along with my brother — became a change management consultant, moving to the USA and earning a lot more. I'm grateful that she moved into business because her example changed the way I saw money and provided some valuable lessons. (1) You can change your circumstances by learning more and then applying that to leverage opportunity into a new job or career Mum taught English at a school in Bristol when we moved back from Malawi, Africa, in the mid '80s but I remember how stressful it was for her, and how little money she made. She wanted a better future for us all, so she took a year out to do a master's degree in management. In the same way, when I wanted to change careers and leave consulting to become an author, I spent time and money learning about the writing craft and the business of publishing. I still invest a considerable chunk on continuous learning, as this industry changes all the time. (2) You might have to downsize in order to leap forward The year my mum did her degree, we lived in the attic of another family's house; we ate a lot of one-pot casserole and our treat was having a Yorkie bar on the walk back from the museum. We wore hand-me-down clothes, and I remember one day at school when another girl said I was wearing her dress. I denied it, of course, but there in back of the dress was her name tag. I still remember her name and I can still feel that flush of shame and embarrassment. I was determined to never feel like that again. But what I didn't realize at the time was that I was also learning the power of downsizing. Mum got her degree and then a new job in management in Bristol. She bought a house, and we settled for a few years. I had lots of different jobs as a teenager. My favourite was working in the delicatessen because we got a free lunch made from delicious produce. After I finished A-levels, I went to the University of Oxford, and my mum and brother moved to the USA for further opportunities. I've downsized multiple times over the years, taking a step back in order to take a step forward. The biggest was in 2010 when I decided to leave consulting. Jonathan and I sold our three-bedroom house and investments in Brisbane, Australia, and rented a one-bedroom flat in London, so we could be debt-free and live on less while I built up a new career. It was a decade before we bought another house. (3) Comparison can be deadly: there will always be people with more money than you Oxford was an education in many ways and relevant to this chapter is how much I didn't know about things people with money took for granted. I learned about formal hall and wine pairings, and how to make a perfect gin and tonic. I ate smoked salmon for the first time. I learned how to fit in with people who had a lot more money than I did, and I definitely wanted to have money of my own to play with. (4) Income is not wealth You can earn lots but have nothing to show for it after years of working. I learned this in my first few years of IT consulting after university. I earned a great salary and then went contracting, earning even more money at a daily rate. I had a wonderful time. I traveled, ate and drank and generally made merry, but I always had to go back to the day job when the money ran out. I couldn't work out how I could ever stop this cycle. Then I read Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki, a book I still recommend, especially if you're from a family that values academic over financial education. I learned how to escape the rat race by building and/or accumulating assets that pay even when you're not working. It was a revelation! The ‘poor dad' in the book is a university professor. He knows so much about so many things, but he ends up poor as he did not educate himself about money. The ‘rich dad' has little formal education, but he knows about money and wealth because he learned about it, as we can do at any stage in our lives. (5) Not all investments suit every person, so find the right one for you Once I discovered the world of investing, I read all the books and did courses and in-person events. I joined communities and I up-skilled big time. Of course, I made mistakes and learned lots along the way. I tried property investing and renovated a couple of houses for rental (with more practical partners and skilled contractors). But while I could see that property investing might work for some people, I did not care enough about the details to make it work for me, and it was certainly not passive income. I tried other things. My first husband was a boat skipper and scuba diving instructor, so we started a charter. With the variable costs of fuel, the vagaries of New Zealand weather — and our divorce — it didn't last long! From all these experiments, I learned I wanted to run a business, but it needed to be online and not based on a physical location, physical premises, or other people. That was 2006, around the time that blogging started taking off and it became possible to make a living online. I could see the potential and a year later, the iPhone and the Amazon Kindle launched, which became the basis of my business as an author. (6) Boring, automatic saving and investing works best Between 2007 and 2011, I contracted in Australia, where they have compulsory superannuation contributions, meaning you have to save and invest a percentage of your salary or self-employed income. I'd never done that before, because I didn't understand it. I'd ploughed all my excess income into property or the business instead. But in Australia I didn't notice the money going out because it was automatic. I chose a particular fund and it auto-invested every month. The pot grew pretty fast since I didn't touch it, and years later, it's still growing. I discovered the power of compound interest and time in the market, both of which are super boring. This type of investing is not a get rich quick scheme. It's a slow process of automatically putting money into boring investments and doing that month in, month out, year in, year out, automatically for decades while you get on with your life. I still do this. I earn money as an author entrepreneur and I put a percentage of that into boring investments automatically every month. I also have a small amount which is for fun and higher risk investments, but mostly I'm a conservative, risk-averse investor planning ahead for the future. This is not financial advice, so I'm not giving any specifics. I have a list of recommended money books at www.TheCreativePenn.com/moneybooks if you want to learn more. Learning from the Shadow When I look back, my Shadow side around money eventually drove me to learn more and resulted in a better outcome (so far!). I was ashamed of being poor when I had to wear hand-me-down clothes at school. That drove a fear of not having any money, which partially explains my workaholism. I was embarrassed at Oxford because I didn't know how to behave in certain settings, and I wanted to be like the rich people I saw there. I spent too much money in my early years as a consultant because I wanted to experience a “rich” life and didn't understand saving and investing would lead to better things in the future. I invested too much in the wrong things because I didn't know myself well enough and I was trying to get rich quick so I could leave my job and ‘be happy.' But eventually, I discovered that I could grow my net worth with boring, long-term investments while doing a job I loved as an author entrepreneur. My only regret is that I didn't discover this earlier and put a percentage of my income into investments as soon as I started work. It took several decades to get started, but at least I did (eventually) start. My money story isn't over yet, and I keep learning new things, but hopefully my experience will help you reflect on your own and avoid the issue if it's still in Shadow. These chapters are excerpted from Writing the Shadow: Turn Your Inner Darkness Into Words by Joanna Penn  The post Writing The Shadow: The Creative Wound, Publishing, And Money, With Joanna Penn first appeared on The Creative Penn.

This week's Memoir Nation show shares a story of poverty, and shines light on a particular kind of story that's much more prevalent than many of us would like to think. Guest Suzette Partido writes in her new book, Love Will Save Us, Right?, about how she slid into poverty, the struggles she and her family face given that everything is uncertain. And yet, this is a book about love and looking out for family, and about how we survive, and how we brace for what we cannot control. This is a tough but also sweet and heartfelt episode about writing into the challenges of our lives without pity—and even with humor. Suzette Partido has worked as a community developer and non-profit organizer for three decades. She trained as an AIDS chaplain, street outreach worker, substance abuse counselor, reproductive health educator, volunteer coordinator, and public speaker. She managed an HHSA community liaison for children's public behavioral health and served as the Director of Education for a local affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness. She lives with her neurodivergent young adult son and her wife inside a ten-by-ten canvas tent in her mother's backyard in San Diego, and her memoir is Love Will Save Us, Right? .See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode, Diana and Nicole discuss the crucial process of writing a formal research report for the ongoing case study to identify the father of Cynthia (Dillard) Royston. Diana explains that a report is essential for synthesizing details, bringing a research phase to a close, and providing next steps. She outlines the project's objective—to find a candidate for Cynthia's father in Cass County, Georgia, during the 1830s—and notes the constraints, particularly the missing early Cass County deed records. They review previous research, including the systematic elimination of 13 Georgia Dillard candidates and the use of DNA analysis that suggests Elijah Dillard as a probable brother. The hosts share the heart of the research: the Cass County investigation. Diana details how four Dillard households found in the 1840 census were investigated and ultimately eliminated as Cynthia's family line. Nicole then reveals the major breakthrough: an analysis of the 1832 Georgia Gold Lottery identifies three new, high-priority father candidates who drew land lots specifically in Cass County: James Dillard, Joseph B. Dillard, and Roliver (Toliver) Dillard. The episode concludes with Diana's suggestions for future research, including targeted documentary work on these three men and finding a Y-DNA tester for the Elijah Dillard line. Listeners learn key principles for writing a strong genealogy report, such as documenting everything, acknowledging limitations, and creating clear next steps for future research. This summary was generated by Google Gemini. Links Merging and Separating Course - https://familylocket.com/product/merging-and-separating-identities/ Revisiting the Father of Cynthia (Dillard) Royston: Part 6 Writing the Report - https://familylocket.com/revisiting-the-father-of-cynthia-dillard-royston-part-6-writing-the-report/ Cynthia Dillard Father Candidate Phase 4 Oct 2025 - https://familylocket.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Cynthia-Dillard-Father-Candidate-Phase-4-Oct-2025.pdf  Sponsor – Newspapers.com For listeners of this podcast, Newspapers.com is offering new subscribers 20% off a Publisher Extra subscription so you can start exploring today. Just use the code "FamilyLocket" at checkout.  Research Like a Pro Resources Airtable Universe - Nicole's Airtable Templates - https://www.airtable.com/universe/creator/usrsBSDhwHyLNnP4O/nicole-dyer Airtable Research Logs Quick Reference - by Nicole Dyer - https://familylocket.com/product-tag/airtable/ Research Like a Pro: A Genealogist's Guide book by Diana Elder with Nicole Dyer on Amazon.com - https://amzn.to/2x0ku3d 14-Day Research Like a Pro Challenge Workbook - digital - https://familylocket.com/product/14-day-research-like-a-pro-challenge-workbook-digital-only/ and spiral bound - https://familylocket.com/product/14-day-research-like-a-pro-challenge-workbook-spiral-bound/ Research Like a Pro Webinar Series - monthly case study webinars including documentary evidence and many with DNA evidence - https://familylocket.com/product-category/webinars/ Research Like a Pro eCourse - independent study course -  https://familylocket.com/product/research-like-a-pro-e-course/ RLP Study Group - upcoming group and email notification list - https://familylocket.com/services/research-like-a-pro-study-group/ Research Like a Pro Institute Courses - https://familylocket.com/product-category/institute-course/ Research Like a Pro with DNA Resources Research Like a Pro with DNA: A Genealogist's Guide to Finding and Confirming Ancestors with DNA Evidence book by Diana Elder, Nicole Dyer, and Robin Wirthlin - https://amzn.to/3gn0hKx Research Like a Pro with DNA eCourse - independent study course -  https://familylocket.com/product/research-like-a-pro-with-dna-ecourse/ RLP with DNA Study Group - upcoming group and email notification list - https://familylocket.com/services/research-like-a-pro-with-dna-study-group/ Thank you Thanks for listening! We hope that you will share your thoughts about our podcast and help us out by doing the following: Write a review on iTunes or Apple Podcasts. If you leave a review, we will read it on the podcast and answer any questions that you bring up in your review. Thank you! Leave a comment in the comment or question in the comment section below. Share the episode on Twitter, Facebook, or Pinterest. Subscribe on iTunes or your favorite podcast app. Sign up for our newsletter to receive notifications of new episodes - https://familylocket.com/sign-up/ Check out this list of genealogy podcasts from Feedspot: Best Genealogy Podcasts - https://blog.feedspot.com/genealogy_podcasts/

In this podcast, Clay McLeod Chapman talks about getting drunk on ideas, writing and performing with confidence, getting through the first draft, and much more. About Clay McLeod Chapman Clay McLeod Chapman is the author of the novels What Kind of Mother, Ghost Eaters, Whisper Down the Lane, The Remaking, and Miss Corpus. Timestamps Thanks … Continue reading

Garza sits down in-person with Alexia & Anissa Rodriguez from Arizona metalcore band EYES SET TO KILL. https://instagram.com/eyessettokillofficialSWEETWATER: https://imp.i114863.net/rnrmVB00:00 - Baby on Tour06:59 - Anissa Learning Bass08:41 - Spice Girls, Backstreet Boys & NSYNC11:45 - Starting ESTK15:00 - Being Sisters16:35 - Anissa Leaving & Returning22:48 - Die Trying25:41 - Being a New Mom34:38 - Balancing Music & Parenting36:46 - Writing New Music40:08 - Hottest Chicks in Metal Era44:56 - Not Trusting Yourself49:08 - Darling56:45 - Therapy Shows1:00:13 - Writing Broken Frames1:01:36 - Obstacles1:07:57 - Regrets1:12:18 - Alexia Quitting Drinking1:16:22 - Writing First Songs1:19:36 - TP-ing Houses1:33:37 - New Music, Twitch, Cuntrol Band & Tour1:36:43 - Tour Baby1:41:03 - Makeup Routine

In this episode of the Rooted Agritourism podcast, host Dr. Liz Fiedler Mergen sits down with Dr. Mark Hicks of The Learning Love Foundation to discuss personal growth, healthy relationships, and the journey of becoming a published author. Dr. Hicks shares his experiences with love, divorce, and building a life that matters through his book, 'Learning Love Building the Life That Matters and Healthy Relationships That Last.' They dive into the importance of relationships in both personal and professional lives, especially for those in the agritourism industry. Dr. Hicks also talks about his background in mental health counseling, divinity, and ministry, emphasizing the universal importance of learning to love. Additionally, Dr. Fiedler Mergen provides updates on her own projects, including the new event venue and her upcoming book. Tune in to gain insights into cultivating love and success in both personal life and business.00:00 Introduction to Rooted Agritourism00:19 Welcome to the Rued Egg Tourism Podcast00:34 Flowers Bloom Anyway: Personal Growth and Grief00:54 Meet Dr. Mark Hicks01:20 The Journey of Writing and Publishing02:14 Building Healthy Relationships05:24 The Importance of Love in All Aspects of Life07:27 Credentials and Experience of Dr. Mark Hicks09:28 Upcoming Changes and Exciting News11:03 Conclusion and ResourcesPre-Order Flowers Bloom Anyway: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/flowers-bloom-anyway-a-memoir-liz-fiedler-mergen/1148638651?ean=9781636989273Save $25 on your CoolBot: https://storeitcold.referralrock.com/lv1/6R543BWF/Podcast Website: https://www.sunnymarymeadowcoaching.com/rootedagritourismPodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rootedagritourism/Business Coaching: https://www.sunnymarymeadowcoaching.com/Farm Website: www.sunnymarymeadow.comFarmerstoFlorists: https://www.farmerstoflorists.com/Farm Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sunnymarymeadow/Podcast Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/888196709178852

Joe Wong on Stand-Up Comedy: From Social Anxiety to Comedy Central - Asian Comedian Breaks Barriers in American Comedy Join host Keith Reza on Reza Rifts for an in-depth conversation with comedian Joe Wong about his remarkable journey in stand-up comedy. In this episode, Joe Wong discusses overcoming social anxiety to become a successful Asian-American comedian, sharing stories from performing at prestigious comedy venues including the White House Correspondents' Dinner and appearing on late-night television shows like The Late Show and Comedy Central.   Get in touch with Joe Wong IG @joewongcomedy  https://www.instagram.com/joewongcomedy/?hl=en  X @joewongcomedy  https://x.com/JoeWongComedy?lang=en  FB @joewongstandup  https://www.facebook.com/JoeWongStandup/  Website joewongcomedian.com https://joewongcomedian.com/    Chapters 00:00 Technical Difficulties and Setup 03:03 The Joy of Comedy and Celebrity Encounters 06:11 The Boston Comedy Scene 09:02 The Journey to Stand-Up Comedy 11:51 Writing and Performing Comedy 15:00 Navigating Hollywood and Cultural Representation 18:09 Comedy in Different Languages and Cultures 21:00 Performing Around the World 24:00 Experiences with Celebrities 28:59 Navigating the LA Comedy Scene 29:52 Creating a Unique Comedy Show 33:59 Fears and Challenges in Comedy 39:05 Advice to My Younger Self   Follow Keith on all social media platforms: Support the show on https://patreon.com/rezarifts61  FB: https://www.facebook.com/realkeithreza IG:https://www.instagram.com/keithreza  ALT IG:https://www.instagram.com/duhkeithreza  X:https://www.twitter.com/keithreza  TT:https://www.tiktok.com/keithreza  Book Keith on cameo at www.cameo.com/keithreza Check out my website for dates at https://www.keithreza.com/  Subscribe - Rate & Review on Apple Podcasts - Tell a friend :) Be a Rifter!      #JoeWong #StandUpComedy #AsianComedian #ComedyCentral #KeithReza #RezaRifts #ComedyPodcast #SocialAnxiety #CulturalComedy #ComedianInterview

Writing a good mystery for a RPG can be tough to accomplish but it’s not impossible. Get tips from Ross Payton and Caleb Stokes on writing a great whodunit in your game! Threading the line between making the investigation too easy and too hard can be difficult, but we have enough experience to make it easier for you. This panel was recorded at Gen Con 2025. Check out Delta Green Dead Channels to support Caleb! Note: this panel was recorded at the Crowne Plaze hotel, which has an active railroad operating through it. I reduced noise as much as I could.

Struggling with routines, self-doubt, or turning your creative passions into a real career as a late-diagnosed autistic or AuDHD adult? This episode of Adulting With Autism features JD Barker, a New York Times bestselling thriller author with 19 books to his name, co-writing credits with James Patterson, and a late autism diagnosis at 22.​ JD shares his journey from finance to full-time writing in his 40s, including ghostwriting multiple NYT bestsellers before building his own career and imprint. He talks about realistic writing routines (like aiming for 2–3K words a day and then shutting down work at a set time), how he structures his days to protect his focus, and how he uses autistic strengths such as pattern-spotting and deep focus to build complex plots.​ You will hear practical details on co-writing (splitting strengths and tasks), creating believable characters (using sketches and “actor” benchmarks to make them feel real), and reframing feedback—seeing reviews and early drafts as part of finding your voice rather than proof you should quit. JD also offers encouragement for autistic and ADHD creatives who worry they are “too late” or “too inconsistent” to ever finish a project.​ This episode is especially helpful if you: Are a late-diagnosed autistic or AuDHD creator trying to build a sustainable routine Dream of writing novels or long-form work but feel stuck or overwhelmed Want concrete examples of how an autistic author structures work, rest, and creativity If this conversation supports you, follow/subscribe to Adulting With Autism on Podbean, Apple, or Spotify and leave a 5-star review so more neurodivergent adults can find it. Merch for your writing journey: Get 20% off journals, notebooks, and “Storyteller's Edge”–style merch with code PODCAST26 at the Adulting With Autism Fourthwall shop (Linktree). Your support helps keep this podcast free for the community. Resources mentioned: JD Barker's books and updates at jdbarker.com

More about Janelle MartinDoctor of functional medicine, Brain healer Licensedcounselor and founder of The Mind Connection a holistic mental health practicebased in Houston, Texas, where she helps clients heal from trauma, addiction,and emotional dysregulation using an integrative mind-body approach: https://mindconnection.org/ Janelle's Book: Losing Her, Finding Us: A Mother's Fight, ADaughter's Journey and the Road to Recovery - https://a.co/d/7r17SHv Recovery literature (quit-lit) recommendations:  High Achiever: The Incredible True Story of One Addict'sDouble Life by Tiffany Jenkins - https://a.co/d/75xRh9tBeyond the Yellow Brick Road: Our Children and Drugs by BobMeehan - https://a.co/d/aP86wue Best piece of Recovery advice: Let it go Song that symbolizes Recovery to Janelle: My Story by Big Daddy Weave - https://youtu.be/1TKAN-nAsu8?si=ptrgvKQfllYiSSrs SummaryIn this episode of The Way Out Podcast, Janelle Martinshares her profound journey through the challenges of parenting a child withaddiction. She emphasizes the importance of family recovery, the need forunconditional love, and the significance of long-term support systems. Janellediscusses her experiences with treatment, the impact of trauma, and the healingpower of connection. She also highlights her holistic approach to mental healththrough her practice, The Mind Connection, and the importance of ongoingrecovery practices. TakeawaysRecovery is best when families recover together.The whole family gets sick due to addiction.Parent meetings provide a lifeline for families.Letting go is crucial for parents of addicted children.Long-term recovery is essential for lasting change.Unconditional love can be found in recovery communities.Trauma plays a significant role in addiction.Writing a book helped bridge the gap between perspectives.Holistic healing can support brain health in recovery.Daily practices are vital for maintaining recovery. Don't forget to check out “The Way Out Playlist” availableonly on Spotify. Curated by all our wonderful guests on the podcast! https://open.spotify.com?episode/07lvzwUq1L6VQGnZuH6OLz?si=3eyd3PxVRWCKz4pTurLcmA (c) 2015 - 2026 The Way Out Podcast | All Rights Reserved.Theme Music: “all clear” (⁠⁠⁠https://ketsa.uk/browse-music/)byKetsa (https://ketsa.uk⁠⁠⁠) licensed under CCBY-NC-ND4.0(https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd) 

What if better writing doesn't start with a prompt, but with what's already living in a child's mind? On this episode of The Brainy Moms Podcast, Dr. Amy and Sandy sit down with Andrew Pudewa, founder of the Institute for Excellence in Writing, to trace a surprising line from Suzuki violin training to strong language skills. Andrew shares how deep listening, memorized repertoire, and deliberate repetition lay the groundwork for fluent expression—whether you're bowing a cello or crafting a paragraph. Input shapes output: the richer the vocabulary and sentence patterns a child absorbs, the more creative and confident their writing becomes.We unpack the twin engines of memory and imagination and why they share the same neural real estate. That insight reframes everything from read-alouds to comprehension: prior knowledge often outweighs decoding when it comes to understanding, and books ask kids to co-create mental imagery word by word. Andrew contrasts that with today's “cartoons on steroids,” where hypervisual stimulation, thin language, and passive consumption blunt attention and displace inner pictures. The fix isn't anti-tech dogma; it's smarter sequencing—long-form stories first, screen adaptations second, and daily habits that favor focus over flicker.Then we tackle AI. Yes, modern tools can collect and polish at lightning speed, but only students who know the underlying process will use them well. Andrew argues for paper-first drafting to recruit more of the brain—motor planning, spatial processing, and the intuitive, artistic networks that spark better ideas. From there, we walk through his step-by-step method for transforming reluctant writers: start with short source texts, build keyword outlines, ask structured story questions, and move toward inventive writing that recombines known elements. Along the way, parents become coaches who prize process over product and help kids stack small wins into lasting confidence.If you wonder about about attention, language, handwriting, and how to raise resilient thinkers in an AI world, this conversation offers clear tools and a hopeful roadmap. Subscribe, share with a friend who's teaching a reluctant writer, and leave a review telling us one change you'll try this week. ABOUT US:The Brainy Moms is a parenting podcast hosted by cognitive psychologist Dr. Amy Moore and Sandy Zamalis. Dr. Amy and Sandy have conversations with experts in parenting, child development, education, homeschooling, psychology, mental health, and neuroscience. Listeners leave with tips and advice for helping parents and kids thrive. If you love us, add us to your playlist and follow us on social media! CONNECT WITH US:Website: www.TheBrainyMoms.com Email: BrainyMoms@gmail.com Social Media: @TheBrainyMoms Subscribe to our free monthly newsletter Visit our sponsor's website: www.LearningRx.com

Topics: Forgiveness, Rocky Calls, The Monday Song, Writing a Complaint Letter, Pedestrian Speed Bump, Take a Cold Shower, Job Perspective, 37 Cities to Visit, Pre-Existing Conditions, Not My Circus/Not My Monkey; BONUS CONTENT: Honorary Doctorates Quotes: "We've taken the lowering of standards to new levels, academically." "We look to forgive because forgiveness has been extended to us." "This is like Rocky Balboa squared." "I don't need my brown fat activated." . . . We're traveling all the way back to May 2017 for this episode! Forgiveness, health, listener call-ins, and the usual Oddcast fun—this episode has it all. We hope you enjoy!

Subscribe to Greg Fitzsimmons: https://bit.ly/subGregFitz Mike Recaps writing for the Golden Globes, Trump sets his sights on Greenland and Pamela Anderson is mad at Seth Rogen. Thanks to our sponsor: BlueChew.com Promo Code PAPERS for 10% off first month. Sunday Papers t-shirts available at http://FITZDOG.COM Get the Sunday Papers coozie: Venmo: @gibbonstime $10 In the venmo notes, put your name and address Follow Greg Fitzsimmons: Facebook: https://facebook.com/FitzdogRadio Instagram: https://instagram.com/gregfitzsimmons Twitter: https://twitter.com/gregfitzshow Official Website: http://gregfitzsimmons.com Tour Dates: https://bit.ly/GregFitzTour Merch: https://bit.ly/GregFitzMerch “Dear Mrs. Fitzsimmons” Book: https://amzn.to/2Z2bB82 “Life on Stage” Comedy Special: https://bit.ly/GregFitzSpecial Listen to Greg Fitzsimmons: Fitzdog Radio: https://bit.ly/FitzdogRadio Sunday Papers: http://bit.ly/SundayPapersPod Childish: http://childishpod.com Watch more Greg Fitzsimmons: Latest Uploads: https://bit.ly/latestGregFitz Fitzdog Radio: https://bit.ly/radioGregFitz Sunday Papers: https://bit.ly/sundayGregFitz Stand Up Comedy: https://bit.ly/comedyGregFitz Popular Videos: https://bit.ly/popGregFitz About Greg Fitzsimmons: Mixing an incisive wit with scathing sarcasm, Greg Fitzsimmons is an accomplished stand-up, an Emmy Award winning writer, and a host on TV, radio and his own podcasts. Greg is host of the popular “FitzDog Radio” podcast (https://bit.ly/FitzdogRadio), as well as “Sunday Papers” with co-host Mike Gibbons (http://bit.ly/SundayPapersPod) and “Childish” with co-host Alison Rosen (http://childishpod.com). A regular with Conan O'Brien and Jimmy Kimmel, Greg also frequents “The Joe Rogan Experience,” “Lights Out with David Spade,” and has made more than 50 visits to “The Howard Stern Show.” Howard gave Greg his own show on Sirius/XM which lasted more than 10 years. Greg's one-hour standup special, “Life On Stage,” was named a Top 10 Comedy Release by LA Weekly. The special premiered on Comedy Central and is now available on Amazon Prime, as a DVD, or a download (https://bit.ly/GregFitzSpecial). Greg's 2011 book, Dear Mrs. Fitzsimmons (https://amzn.to/2Z2bB82), climbed the best-seller charts and garnered outstanding reviews from NPR and Vanity Fair. Greg appeared in the Netflix series “Santa Clarita Diet,” the Emmy-winning FX series “Louie,” spent five years as a panelist on VH1's “Best Week Ever,” was a reoccurring panelist on “Chelsea Lately,” and starred in two half-hour stand-up specials on Comedy Central. Greg wrote and appeared on the Judd Apatow HBO series “Crashing.” Writing credits include HBO's “Lucky Louie,” “Cedric the Entertainer Presents,” “Politically Incorrect with Bill Maher,” “The Man Show” and many others. On his mantle beside the four Daytime Emmys he won as a writer and producer on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” sit “The Jury Award for Best Comedian” from The HBO Comedy Arts Festival and a Cable Ace Award for hosting the MTV game show "Idiot Savants." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"If AI can write my essay in 30 seconds, why should I spend 30 minutes doing it myself?" I believe students asking this question deserve a thoughtful response ... or even better, an invitation to think critically about their own values and personal philosophy around artificial intelligence. In this episode, I'm offering some tools to help you facilitate these conversations with students, breaking down the neuroscience of why writing matters in ways AI can't replicate. We'll explore three core principles: 1) Writing is brain-building: When students write, they create neural pathways through neuroplasticity. Every time they struggle to find the right word or rewrite a sentence, they're strengthening cognitive infrastructure they'll use for life. When AI does the writing, those pathways never form. 2) Writing is thinking: Writing isn't just a way to show your thinking—it IS the thinking itself. The act of translating thoughts into words forces a level of clarity that thinking alone doesn't require. 3) Writing is uniquely human: Students are still discovering who they are as thinkers and writers. They haven't written enough to find their unique voice yet. When they default to AI, they skip the process of discovering their authentic perspective. I also address the question teachers hear constantly: "Why can adults use AI but students can't?" The answer lies in understanding the critical window of adolescent brain development and why students need to build these skills before they can effectively use AI as a tool. If you're looking for language to help students understand what they're losing when they default to AI—and a framework for teaching them why their thinking and voice matter—this episode is for you. Resources mentioned: "Stay Human: Protect Your Brain Power in an AI World" 3 lesson mini unit  https://shop.truthforteachers.com/products/ai-literacy-lessons-teaching-students-why-writing-and-thinking-matter

In this episode, Vincent A. Lanci shares a deeply personal journey as he announces the release of his new book, "TBI Recovery," which marks the 13th anniversary of his traumatic brain injury (TBI). He reflects on the challenges he faced after being struck by a car, transitioning from a college student to a survivor navigating the complexities of recovery. Vincent emphasizes the importance of awareness surrounding TBIs and aims to provide a roadmap for others facing similar struggles through his book, which combines personal anecdotes, practical strategies, and insights from fellow survivors.Vincent discusses the misconceptions surrounding TBIs and the emotional and cognitive challenges that accompany them. He highlights the significance of community support, both from friends and strangers, and invites listeners to engage with him and share their own experiences. The episode culminates in a heartfelt call to action, encouraging listeners to pre-order TBI RECOVERY for 99 cents and to support one another in their journeys of recovery and resilience. Vincent's passion for helping others shines through as he outlines his vision for the future, including his coaching endeavors and the importance of self-care in the healing process.As You Listen00:00 Introduction and Personal Announcement 01:05 The Journey of Writing 'TBI Recovery 02:51 Understanding Traumatic Brain Injuries 05:11 Community Support and Personal Reflections 09:26 Insights from Fellow TBI Survivors 12:02 Powerful Reviews and Testimonials 15:09 Future Endeavors and Coaching Plans 16:32 Closing Thoughts and Call to Action

» Produced by Hack You Media: pioneering a new category of content at the intersection of health performance, entrepreneurship and cognitive optimisationInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/hackyoumedia/Website: https://hackyou.media/Louis Armstrong is back for the annual catch-up — and this time we're talking celibacy experiments, nicotine addiction, and why he thinks I need to go celibate for a month...Louis ditched alcohol, nicotine pouches, and his right hand because he realised easy dopamine was making him deflated and unmotivated.Tune in for a laid-back catch-up with plenty of insight — plus some valuable lessons on discipline, dating, and designing a better 2026.00:00 Introduction02:10 Catching up, lost Airbnb deposit and lessons for creators06:00 Celibacy, dopamine addictions and cutting out vices09:21 Women as a distraction and learning self-control12:25 Relationships vs single life and patterns of avoidance17:07 Trust issues, jealousy and choosing a secure partner20:26 How men can build true security and self-worth22:34 Balancing being a good partner without becoming a simp27:01 Dubai dating culture and the rise of entitlement31:00 Finding quality women and warning signs to watch for38:44 Advice for young men on meeting women offline41:56 Building confidence through small daily interactions43:50 Mentorship, prioritising freedom and business balance48:28 Scaling without burnout and staying focused52:29 Writing, distractions, and designing optimal mornings57:39 The “Let Them” mindset and emotional resilience01:09:52 Reflecting on alcohol, fun vs optimisation01:13:19 Goals for 2024 and building systems around creativity01:19:40 Hosting transformational in-person masterminds and events» Escape the 9-5 and build your dream life: https://www.digitalplaybook.net/» Transform your physique: https://www.thrstapp.com/» My clothing brand, THRST: https://thrstofficial.com» Custom Bioniq supplements: https://www.bioniq.com/mikethurston• 40% off your first month of Bioniq GO• 20% off your first month of Bioniq PRO» Join our newsletter for actionable insights from every episode:https://thrst-letter.beehiiv.com/» Join Whoop and get your first month for free:https://join.whoop.com/FirstThingsThrst» Follow LouisInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/louisarmstrong7/?hl=enCreator Club: https://www.thecreatorclub.co.uk/

Giannina the Cat Giannina the cat lived in a house with a garden. The garden wall bordered a park where children gathered to play. The town was small but charming — from the windowsills of the houses, pots of geraniums and petunias tumbled down like colorful cascades. Her owner, Signora Mafalda, often took her around the town center. All the children knew her, and whenever they spotted her, they would run over and shower her with affection. Giannina was quite the little rascal. During the day she loved chasing lizards, hunting insects, butterflies, and anything that moved. To rest, she would stretch out in the sun on the warm stones, then cool off among the blades of grass. In the garden, among the pomegranate tree, the lemon tree, and the olive with its silvery leaves, she and Mafalda spent their afternoons playing together. But one day, Mafalda began to notice something strange. Giannina would leap to catch her prey, but she kept missing and ending up in the rose bushes. "Ow, ow, ow! I've pricked myself and my tail is tangled in the branches!" she meowed. She barely managed to dodge trees she used to climb with ease. She reached her food and water bowls with an uncertain gait. Worried, Mafalda took her to the Veterinarian. After listening to the little cat's strange adventures, the Doctor smiled and delivered his verdict with a wise air: "This little kitty can't see well. She needs glasses." No sooner said than done — in the blink of an eye, the veterinarian searched through a display case full of frames for pets and, finding the perfect one, exclaimed: "Here we are — a pair of glasses fit for an elegant lady!" As soon as they were placed on Giannina's sweet little snout, the cat looked around in wonder. She could see everything so clearly! She rubbed against the Veterinarian's legs and leaped into Mafalda's arms as if to thank her. The Doctor, touched by her sweetness, gave her a special gift: a golden chain with a small pearl at its center that glowed with its own light. Whispering, he told her: "If you close your eyes and touch this pearl with your little nose, you will gain magical powers that only you will have. They will help you help others." Giannina thought that perhaps this Veterinarian was also a Wizard, but she said nothing to Mafalda. It was a secret between her and the strange Doctor. On the way home, people turned to look at her, thinking: that cat seems mysterious — there's something glimmering around her. At home, Giannina's first wish was to climb onto a chair and gaze out the window. The flowers shone in their colors, and even the grass was a brilliant green, as if covered in dew. She smiled, happier than ever. Mafalda, sharing in her joy, decided to take her to the park. They arrived in no time. Squirrels scampered through the trees, birds sang as they flew from branch to branch. Small creatures popped out everywhere, and the children followed them with curiosity — they ran alongside the lizards, leaped with the butterflies dancing in the air, while red ladybugs landed on their skin like good luck charms. After chases, slides, and ring-around-the-rosy, the children sat down on the grass for their snack. From their colorful backpacks came tasty treats. That's when they arrived. "Vriiip! Vriiip! Vriiip!" At full speed, a platoon of ants zoomed in on rumbling mini-motorcycles. They wore shiny little helmets on their heads, round goggles over their eyes, and tiny boots on their feet. They braked sharply in front of the children, raising little clouds of dust. "Make way! We're here too!" shouted the lead ant, lifting her visor. "Can we collect the crumbs?" The children burst out laughing. "Yes, yes! Munch all the crumbs you want!" The ants parked their mini-motorcycles in a neat row, removed their helmets with theatrical gestures, and got to work carrying crumbs twice their size, singing a little marching song. In this joyful atmosphere, Giannina and Mafalda strolled along the pathways. And suddenly, as they passed, the trees bent their branches in a bow and their leaves rustled in greeting. The roses in the flower beds opened their petals and began to sing. The lizards beat their tails on the ground like drums: "Rattatatà! Rattatatà!" And the millipedes started tap dancing to the lively rhythm. "Oh my, what a wonderful commotion!" exclaimed Giannina, who was beginning to feel a mysterious aura around her. She couldn't help but think of the Wizard Veterinarian. What could these magical powers be? And what would happen if she touched the pearl with her little nose? She told Mafalda, who was carrying a book of fairy tales under her arm. They looked at each other and, understanding instantly, seized the moment. Giannina gathered the children in a circle. Some came quickly, others more shy joined in slowly. The ants too, their bellies full, put on their mini helmets again, did one last rumbling lap on their motorcycles, then climbed off and approached the group. It was the right moment. Giannina closed her eyes and touched the magic pearl with her little nose. A golden spark flashed in the air. She took the book from Mafalda's hands, opened it, and chose the tale that seemed to be waiting for her, glowing among the pages. In a gentle voice, she began to read. "Once upon a time, there was a little rabbit who lived in the woods. He kept tripping over tree roots and pebbles. At school, he made mistakes reading letters and numbers, so he didn't want to go anymore. When the teacher saw his drawings, she said: 'Well done!' His mom and dad said the same: 'Well done!' But to him, the colors seemed faded. The truth was, he couldn't see well, but instead of saying so, he would run away and hide in a burrow beneath a talking tree. And the tree, with the rustle of its leaves, whispered a secret: talk to your parents. So he did, and they helped him get glasses. And the world became beautiful again." Giannina closed the book. She understood: with the magic pearl, she could read the hearts of children, discovering emotions and secrets waiting to be brought to light. "You know," she said to her little listeners, "not long ago, I couldn't see well either. But I put on these glasses and poof! The world became clearer and more beautiful." A boy approached her, almost embarrassed, and whispered in her ear: "Maybe I need them too, like you." Giannina gently stroked him. "I helped you open your heart. Now talk to your parents, and everything will be fine." Just then, a little rabbit appeared suddenly from the bushes. He came up to Giannina, hugged her, and said: "You are magically magical!" And — you won't believe it — that little rabbit was wearing a lovely pair of colorful glasses. From that day on, Giannina took the children of the town by the paw, teaching them to believe in themselves and to have confidence. She became the mascot with the magic glasses, and everyone wanted to wear them just like her. But the true wonder was how she now saw the world from her window: brighter, more colorful, more alive. And every evening, before falling asleep, she would touch the pearl with her little nose and smile, knowing that the next day she would help someone else see the world with new eyes. It almost seemed like it had been a dream. But as we know, reality and fantasy often walk hand in hand. _— Written by Lucia & Marco Ciappelli_ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Always and Forever, 22min., USA Directed by Johnny Thames An obsessive, controlling teenager kidnaps her boyfriend to play a bizarre, self destructive game. But things become complicated when the boy demands a stop. The film comments on how trauma if not confronted and resolved will lead to co-dependent and potentially destructive results, while providing enough empathy toward accountability. https://www.instagram.com/alwaysnforever_film Get to know the filmmaker: What motivated you to make this film? In all honesty, it was a couple of things: the main reason was the way we perceive trauma survivors and the way media depicts these types of stories. We either view them as calm and composed or emotional messes. Additionally, many stories often depict survivors as infantilized victims needing help or as inherent monsters. The point of the film was to show it's not black and white, it's usually somewhere in the middle of all of this. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film? From development to post-production, about a year and a half on and off. How would you describe your film in two words!? Empathetic critique What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film? The biggest obstacle was the casting of Jennifer Baufour as Janice: When I first saw her tape, it stood out to me; I thought she understood the character, so I opted to cast her. The only issue was that the role wasn't fully realized. In response, I wrote the epilogue that plays over the credits, leaning into the nuance the film was going for. Writing the monologue was almost instantaneous, showcasing a woman who had gone through the effects of unresolved trauma and was now trying to make up for the consequences while being the parent she should've been years ago. ———— Subscribe to the podcast: https://twitter.com/wildsoundpod https://www.instagram.com/wildsoundpod https://www.facebook.com/wildsoundpod

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 3 When Star Trek: Strange New Worlds premiered as a spin-off of Star Trek: Discovery, many fans were over the moon with the return to episodic televisions with tie-ins to The Original Series. For a time, it felt as if Trek's golden age was back. But as the series evolved, the producers and writers began to see it as a playground for experimental storytelling within the Roddenberry framework. In this episode of The Ready Room, hosts C Bryan Jones and Larry Nemecek look back at Season 3 and ask how well the limited 10-episode canvas was used and how the writers' strike impacted the quality of the stories and continuity of the stories as we examine each episode one by one. Chapters Intro (00:00:00) Initial Thoughts (00:01:16) The Writers' Strike (00:10:42) There Are Ten Slots (00:16:08) Writing for a Wrap-up? (00:27:57) "Hegemony, Part 2" (00:31:27) "Wedding Bell Blues" (00:39:01) "Shuttle to Kenfori" (00:52:42) "A Space Adventure Hour" (00:57:58) "Through the Lens of Time" (01:10:19) "The Sehlat Who Ate Its Tail" (01:23:11) "What Is Starfleet?" (01:31:39) "Four-and-a-Half Vulcans" (01:36:45) "Terrarium" (01:48:06) "New Life and New Civilizations" (01:54:46) Final Thoughts (02:06:50) Closing (02:19:21) Hosts C Bryan Jones and Larry Nemecek Production C Bryan Jones (Editor and Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer)

A Note from James:Data is oil. Data is the gold of this AI revolution. Imagine you have an AI that has all of everybody's thoughts also—so it's not just learning on tweets and texts, it's learning on the 60,000 or so thoughts that 8 billion people think each day around the world. This sounds like amazing science fiction and magic and everything that one could ever have dreamed of… or it could be the end of the world. Episode Description:In this solo episode, James breaks down a recent AI development that made him pause for the first time: OpenAI's investment in a brain-computer interface startup called Merge Labs. He explains why data is the core asset in AI—and why the next frontier isn't better chatbots, but higher-bandwidth access to human intent, attention, and ultimately thought.James compares Merge Labs' approach with Neuralink, then walks through the practical upsides: medical breakthroughs, hands-free control of devices, and AI-assisted cognition in everyday life. But he also explores the uncomfortable implications: privacy, influence, and the risk that “thought data” could become the most valuable—and most dangerous—resource on Earth. What You'll Learn:Recognize why “data is oil” is still the most important frame for AI power Understand what brain-computer interfaces are, and how they differ across companies Think through real use cases (medical, device control, communication) before the hype takes over Identify the privacy line: what “training on your thoughts” could actually mean in practice Pressure-test your own optimism about AI by asking: “Once data is shared, can it be unshared?” Timestamped Chapters:[02:00] Data is oil: why AI is really a data arms race [02:40] Utopia vs dystopia vs “newtopia” [03:16] The optimist's argument: tech usually helps more than it hurts [04:39] The news: OpenAI invests $250M into Merge Labs [05:29] Why the Sam Altman overlap matters (and why it's unusual) [06:02] What brain-computer interfaces actually do [06:22] Neuralink explained: reading intent from neurons [07:44] Writing signals back to the brain: the scary part (and the helpful part) [09:39] Merge Labs' approach: engineered neurons + ultrasound [12:47] Controlling devices by thought: the “thermostat from bed” future [14:35] Telepathy as technology: brain-to-brain messaging [16:17] Influence risk: persuasion and “writing” thoughts [18:45] The real moat: not software—data [19:55] The next dataset: 60,000 thoughts/day × 8B people [21:36] The irreversible trade: once data is handed over, it's gone [22:17] Why this kind of news is accelerating Additional Resources:OpenAI — “Investing in Merge Labs” (official announcement)WIRED — coverage of OpenAI's investment and Merge Labs' BCI approachTechCrunch — reporting on the Merge Labs seed round and valuationNeuralink — official siteSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode, author Kelly Yang takes us behind the scenes of her new podcast with Kate DiCamillo: StoryKind.

Atlanta Actress & Author: Shaquita Smith on the Imperfectly Perfect PodcastYou may know Shaquita Smith from her work as an actress and producer, but her story extends far beyond the screen. Now an author, mental wellbeing advocate, and powerful voice in her community, Shaquita brings depth, honesty, and courage to every project she takes on, including sharing her own story in the Imperfectly Perfect Campaign Book series.What most people don't see: the pressures of visibility, the inner work behind fame, and the courage it takes to speak your truth in every space you occupy. Through her advocacy, Shaquita encourages others to embrace imperfection, step into their voice, and prioritize mental wellbeing, all while navigating the unique pressures of her career and life in the public eye. In this conversation:Writing her story for the IPC book and why it mattersSpeaking into imperfections and the real pressures behind the spotlightNavigating fame, visibility, and expectation without losing yourselfUsing her platform for impact that truly resonatesGuest: @shaquita_officialHost: @_glennmarsden | glennmarsden.com[Image courtesy of Shaquita Smith]Big thank you to Mike Christensen ( thevoicemonkey.com )

Alexandra Naughton is the editor in chief of Be About It Press. She is the founder of Bring a Blanket Reading Series and the alternative to AWP mini-festival, A Writers Party. Her latest collection, Sick of Being Inside Myself, was published by House of Vlad in 2025. She writes Talk About It on Substack.

00:00 – Show intro, Episode 2 framing, and community welcome 05:35 – Initial reactions to “Beta Test” and slower pacing vs Episode 1 11:10 – Betazoid canon discussion: telepathy, eyes, and cultural norms 16:45 – Tarima's neural inhibitor and fear of her own abilities 22:20 – Starfleet Academy vs War College explained post-Burn 27:55 – Caleb's leadership arc and why he avoids the War College path 33:30 – Raimi (“Fish Boy”) and the struggle to define his role 39:05 – Comedy beats: Borg gag, barefoot Chancellor, and visual humor 44:40 – Is this still Star Trek? Tone shift and generational appeal 50:15 – Romance tension: Tarima, Caleb, Genesis, and teen-drama tropes 01:01:25 – 90210 comparisons and “college dramedy” intentionality 01:07:00 – Kurtzman-era Trek, Discovery DNA, and legacy expectations 01:12:35 – Writing strengths, character chemistry, and standout performances 01:18:10 – Episode 2 final thoughts and narrative direction going forward 01:23:45 – Closing remarks, audience reactions, and Episode 3 anticipation

Welcome to Whiskey Ginger — a Wave series. Andrew Santino sits down with comedian and writer Phil Hanley for a sharp, funny conversation about stand-up, writing, and why precision matters more than volume in comedy. They talk about Phil's book Spellbound, the discipline behind joke construction, crowd work that actually works, and how subtlety can hit just as hard as chaos. It's a comic-to-comic episode loaded with insight, laughs, and real stand-up shop talk. Rest in peace Bob Weir. Phil Hanley's book: Spellbound Phil Hanley's website & tour dates: https://www.philhanley.com In this episode: • Writing jokes with intention and restraint • The balance between crowd work and prepared material • How Spellbound came together • Santino and Phil break down what separates good comics from great ones #whiskeyginger #AndrewSantino #PhilHanley #Spellbound #ComedyPodcast #StandUpComedy #PodcastClips #Comedians Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jay and a group of friends were teenagers when their interest in the paranormal led them into a condemned hospital near their hometown. Armed with a cheap EMF detector and confidence fueled by Ghost Hunters, they expected little more than a thrill.Inside the building, the atmosphere was stifling and chaotic—broken glass, graffiti, and decay everywhere. As they climbed the stairwell, painted messages on the walls seemed to guide them upward: Third floor is where it gets fun. Keep going.On the third floor, their equipment began to malfunction. An EMF spike occurred in a room marked with a pentagram, followed by the sudden death of their camera. As they attempted to leave, footsteps echoed through the hallway. A tall shadow crossed behind them. Then an empty liquor bottle lifted off the floor, paused, and hurled itself down the corridor.Some first investigations spark lifelong fascination. Others end in panic—and a vow never to return.#RealGhostStoriesOnline #ParanormalPodcast #TrueGhostStory #AbandonedHospital #GhostHuntingGoneWrong #ShadowFigure #HauntedLocations #ParanormalInvestigation #UnseenForce #ParanormalEncounter Love real ghost stories? Don't just listen—join us on YouTube and be part of the largest community of real paranormal encounters anywhere. Subscribe now and never miss a chilling new story:

In this raw, wide-ranging conversation, Darin sits down with Frank Zummo, award-winning drummer for Sum 41, founding member of Street Drum Corps, and current touring drummer for Electric Callboy, to explore what it really takes to sustain creativity, health, and purpose inside the extreme demands of the music industry. From high-pressure fill-in moments and massive tours to mental health, fatherhood, fear, discipline, and recovery, this episode is a masterclass in resilience. Frank opens up about grief, identity, panic, persistence, and how true success comes from staying available when opportunity shows up.   What You'll Learn What it takes to master an entire arena-level set in less than 24 hours The mental and physical demands of high-performance touring How Frank manages recovery, inflammation, and stress on the road Why breathwork, cold exposure, and routine are non-negotiable Hidden health risks of pyrotechnics, heavy metals, and touring environments How discipline becomes freedom when it's built into daily systems Navigating panic, uncertainty, and career transitions at the top level Turning fear into a tool instead of something to suppress The difference between rational and irrational fear How availability creates probability in life and career Lessons from loss, grief, and complicated parent relationships Why creativity can't be replicated by machines or algorithms Staying present as a parent while living an unconventional life Why persistence beats talent over the long run How the music industry, and wellness culture, is changing   Chapters 00:00:03 – Welcome to SuperLife and the mission of sovereignty 00:00:32 – Sponsor: TheraSage and natural healing technologies 00:02:10 – Introducing Frank Zummo 00:02:40 – Life as a professional touring drummer 00:02:56 – Learning a full Electric Callboy set in under a day 00:03:21 – Creativity, technology, and focus 00:04:07 – Frank's respect for Darin's work and health advocacy 00:06:01 – XPT, breathwork, and lifestyle changes 00:07:05 – Heavy metals, pyrotechnics, and detox protocols 00:08:27 – Sauna, ice baths, and recovery on tour 00:10:49 – Down-regulating after high-adrenaline performances 00:12:10 – Warming up smarter, not harder 00:12:53 – Nutrition, protein shakes, and avoiding tour junk food 00:13:52 – Discipline, planning, and long-term consistency 00:15:10 – Frank's relationship with his father and grief 00:16:35 – Learning from trauma instead of repeating it 00:18:30 – Workshops, kids, and mental health conversations 00:19:51 – Writing the book and creative freedom 00:22:25 – Filling in for Tommy Lee and career-defining moments 00:24:07 – Presence, gratitude, and holding onto the good 00:27:13 – Fear, uncertainty, and career transitions 00:28:16 – Breathwork for anxiety and panic 00:29:18 – Staying open when plans collapse 00:30:34 – Electric Callboy and a new chapter 00:31:36 – Family, touring, and being present as a father 00:32:47 – Rethinking fear and emotional programming 00:35:08 – Rational vs irrational fear 00:36:32 – Availability, probability, and opportunity 00:37:29 – Tunnel vision, persistence, and staying the course 00:39:35 – Doing whatever it takes early on 00:41:40 – Building Street Drum Corps from the ground up 00:43:11 – Walking away from success for mental health 00:46:03 – Health, discipline, and longevity in music 00:50:18 – Passion, authenticity, and staying true 00:52:06 – Social media, bullying, and kids today 00:55:00 – Parenting, education, and real-world learning 00:57:06 – Travel, family, and perspective 01:00:14 – Small changes, fatal conveniences, and starting slow 01:01:26 – Closing reflections on persistence and purpose     Thank You to Our Sponsors: Therasage: Go to www.therasage.com and use code DARIN at checkout for 15% off Bite Toothpaste: Go to trybite.com/DARIN20 or use code DARIN20 for 20% off your first order. Caldera Lab: Experience the clinically proven benefits of Caldera Lab's clean skincare regimen and enjoy 20% off your order by visiting calderalab.com/darin and using code DARIN at checkout.   Join the SuperLife Patreon: This is where Darin now shares the deeper work: - weekly voice notes - ingredient trackers - wellness challenges - extended conversations - community accountability - sovereignty practices Join now for only $7.49/month at https://patreon.com/darinolien   Connect with Darin Olien: Website: darinolien.com Instagram: @darinolien Book: Fatal Conveniences Platform & Products: superlife.com   Connect with Frank Zummo: Instagram: @frankzummo Spotify: @frankzummo Watch Street Drum Corps live! Book: Unbreakable Rhythm   Key Takeaway When you stay disciplined, present, and available, life has a way of meeting you with opportunities you could never plan.  

This podcast episode is about being delusional in the healthiest way possible I really think the worst advice I've ever been given is be realistic Because it's such a dream killer and creates this cycle of limiting beliefs in your mind I just think that too often we put ourselves in a box without realizing it and the moment we break out of that box and realize just how capable we are- we can really accomplish anything we want. if we just keep going, just keep getting back up just never stop I believe so much in thoughts become things and the story you tell yourself becomes the life you live And whatever the next level is that you're trying to reach in your life… you can design it in your head and get so clear on it that you believe it before it's actually happened and then you tell yourself this is happening time just hasn't caught up yet. It's like next level manifesting and the law of attraction and realizing the power that we get back when we remove limiting beliefs, and that urge to be realistic. So let's do a podcast on being delusional in the healthiest way possible because that's the only way to achieve things that are extraordinary and keep growing and evolving and progressing and becoming better and stronger every year.  This is the key to all of this… "This is happening. Time just hasn't caught up yet." • What a self-story really is Your self-story is the collection of beliefs you hold about who you are, what you deserve, and what's possible for you. Most people are living out a story they never consciously chose, built from past experiences, other people's opinions, and old limitations. When you change your self-story, you change what you notice, what you attempt, and what you allow in your life. • Why "being realistic" often keeps people stuck So much advice is rooted in other people's fear, history, and unfulfilled dreams. "Be realistic" can quietly become a dream killer. Extraordinary lives are built by people willing to believe before there is proof, act before there is permission, and stay consistent before results show up. • Healthy delusion, manifesting, and identity-based growth There is a direct connection between belief, identity, and behavior. Thoughts become things when they are paired with clarity, emotion, and consistent action. Many of today's top mindset and habit leaders point back to the same truth: your identity drives your behavior, and your behavior reinforces your identity. • Why so many people quit right before the breakthrough The space between vision and results is where most self-stories collapse. The quiet middle is where doubt grows, momentum feels slow, and people often walk away, sometimes just days or weeks before a major shift. Learning to stay when nothing is happening yet is one of the most powerful skills you can build. • How to build an unshakeable self-story Building a new internal identity starts with deciding who you are becoming on purpose. It grows through tiny daily actions that create real proof. It is protected by being intentional about what you listen to, who you allow influence you, and how you speak to yourself. It is strengthened every time you release a limiting belief before it rewrites your future. • Morning and evening routines that reinforce who you're becoming Morning practices help you step into the person you're becoming before the world sets the tone for your day. Evening practices help you gather proof, reframe challenges, and deepen self-trust. Together, they install and reinforce your self-story daily. • Journaling as identity work Journaling is not just reflection, it is direction. Writing clarifies belief, trains focus, and turns vague desire into a lived identity. The way you write about your life becomes the way you experience your life. • The power of not stopping An unshakeable self-story is not built through intensity. It is built through continuation. Momentum comes from returning, recommitting, and refusing to abandon the version of you you are becoming. If you don't quit, you arrive. • Final thought Your life will always move in the direction of the story you tell yourself. You don't need proof to start. You don't need permission to change it. And you don't need approval to live it. Build a self-story so strong that it pulls your actions forward, then protect it, practice it, and become it.   2.0 Habit System https://howtobeawesomeateverything.com/pages/2-0weeklyhabitsandplanningsystem   Cheers!!

"I spent several months trying to narrow down the cast. I had access to so many people with interesting stories. But what [my agent] said to me over and over again was, 'narrative arc, narrative arc,' all the time. What he needed to know in order to sell the book was like, 'Where does this book start? And if you can't tell me where it ends, at least tell me what are the ups and downs? What's gonna happen along the way?" says Alison Lyn Miller, author of Rough House: A Father, a Son, and the Pursuit of Pro Wrestling Glory (Norton).Who is our guest this week? It would appear to be Alison Lyn Miller (@alisonlynmiller on IG), author of Rough House: A Father, a Son and the Pursuit of Pro Wrestling Glory. It's published by Norton.This is a great book and it's an immersive story in an oddball subculture of amateur professional wrestling. It follows Hunter James, a young man who eschewed the traditional path, the path his father wanted for him, to pursue this dream of becoming the next superstar of the WWE. You're gonna think I'm crazy, but this book has so many parallels to being a writer. The luck you need, the timing you need, the skill you need, the perseverance you need, the envy they feel, the subjectivity, voice, style, individuality. But we writers rarely need the abs. But don't we all want the abs.So Alison is a freelance journalist based out of Georgia, which put her in direct overlap with this subculture of “backyarders,” these aspirational wrestlers and hobby wrestlers. It's easy to poke fun at wrestling as fake. Well, it isn't fake, so much as it's scripted brutality. It's danger adjacent, though there's always physical risk when jumping, flipping, and kicking. Alison witnessed it all and delivers a heartfelt tale of ambition and striving, of a blind belief in the self.In this conversation, we talk about: Not being able to throw everything in the book Being motivated by slights Finding the narrative arc The year it took Alison to write her proposal How wrestling mirrors humanity Making the writing approachable And maybe we should all be play fighting in our underwearOrder The Front RunnerNewsletter: Rage Against the AlgorithmWelcome to Pitch ClubShow notes: brendanomeara.com

Welcome to Friday Coaching Clinic Episodes. These are LIVE coaching session snippets where you have the opportunity to learn as both client and coach. I encourage you to think about how you might coach through this topic as a coach or how this situation may support you as a client. A reminder about these episodes: This snippet is just one way of coaching through this topic. Each coach has their own unique voice, personality and confidence to best support their clients and I invite you to find yours.  This week: Stop Writing Emails That Only Your Warm Audience Answers

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 1934: Steve Chou shares hard-earned lessons from scaling an inventory-based ecommerce business, emphasizing the hidden financial pitfalls of managing cash flow and taxes while trying to grow. Learn why strong paper profits can still leave you cash-poor, and how smart planning is essential to avoid being blindsided during periods of rapid growth. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://mywifequitherjob.com/how-to-handle-inventory-for-your-home-business-using-principles-of-microprocessor-design/ Quotes to ponder: "You could be insanely profitable but from a cash flow perspective, you could be broke." "Writing 6 figure checks can be scary. But we make these large purchases because we KNOW that everything will sell over the holidays." "You can only deduct the cost of a product once you've completed the sale."

Brea and Mallory discuss their most anticipated books for the start of 2026! Plus, they talk to Danika Ellis from Book Riot about their 2026 Read Harder Challenge! Email us at readingglassespodcast at gmail dot com!Reading Glasses MerchRecommendations StoreThe Reading Glasses Book!Sponsors -Apron Notebookswww.apronnotebooks.comCODE: GLASSESGreenChefwww.greenchef.com/GLASSESGRAZACODE: GLASSESGRAZALinks -Reading Glasses Facebook GroupReading Glasses Goodreads GroupWish ListNewsletterLibro.fmTo join our Discord channel, email us proof of your Reading-Glasses-supporting Maximum Fun membership!www.maximumfun.org/join2026 Read HarderThe LesbraryDanika EllisRead Harder Newsletter Books Mentioned -Bright Young Women by Jessica KnollLove in Exile by Shon FayeJoy to the Girls by Rachael Lippincott and Alyson DerrickReally Cute People by Markus Harwood JonesLu and Ren's Guide to Geozoology by Angela HsiehJanuaryCall Me Ishmaelle by Xiaolu GuoLiterary fiction, feminist retelling of Moby DickThe Hitch by Sara LevineMagical realism, funny, woman trying to help nephew who is possessed by a dead corgiIs This a Cry for Help? by Emily AustinLiterary fiction, queer, lesbian, librarians fighting book bannersIf I Ruled the World by Amy DuboisLiterary fiction, late 1990s, hip hop, magazine industryScavengers by Kathleen BolandLiterary fiction, dysfunctional mother-daughter team looking for buried treasureThe Charmed Library by Jennifer MoormanMagical realism, books about books, small town, librarian protagonist, book magicThe Jills by Karen ParkmanThriller, Buffalo Bills cheerleader solving the murder of a fellow cheerleadersThe Unwritten Rules of Magic by Harper RossFantasy, magic typewriter, grief, three generations of women, family historyDandelion is Dead by Rosie StoreyContemporary romance, woman sets up a date on her dead sister's dating appThe Future Saints by Ashley WinsteadLiterary fiction, music executive trying to bring band back from the brink, sisters, friendshipLost Lambs by Madeline CashLiterary fiction, humor, family dysfunctionThe Old Fire by Elisa ShuaLiterary fiction, translated, family drama in a crumbling house in the French countrysideSheer by Vanessa LawrenceLiterary fiction, beauty industry, female mogul, secrets, queerHow to Commit a Postcolonial Murder by Nina McConigleyLiterary, historical, 1980s, murder mystery, Indian-American tween protagonist who murders her uncle but she blames it on the BritishThe Seven Daughters of Dupree by Nikesha Elise WilliamsLiterary, multi-generational epic family saga, secretsThe Last of Earth by Deepa AnapparaHistorical, 1800s Tibet, journey, Indian schoolteacher spying for the empire, English lady explorer disguising herself as a manThe Bookbinder's Secret by A.D. BellHistorical fiction, thriller, bookbinder finds confession hidden in a burned book and hunts a story of murder and loveWomen of a Promiscuous Nature by Donna EverhartHistorical fiction, 1940s North Carolina, a young woman subjected to involuntary medical treatment fights backMeet the Newmans by Jennifer NivenHistorical fiction, behind the scenes drama on a 1960s family sitcomNowhere Burning by Catriona WardHorror, Peter Pan inspired, gothic, two fleeing siblings find sanctuary at mysterious ranchDefinitely Maybe Not a Detective by Sarah FoxMystery, romcom, woman's fake detective agency accidentally hired to solve a real murderCross Your Heart and Hope He Dies by Jenny Elder MokeMystery, romcom, rich people behaving badlyAll the Little Houses by May CobbThriller, 1980s Texas, mean girls and mean moms, family secretMy Husband's Wife by Alice FeeneyThriller, mind-bending psychological marriage mysteryThe Storm by Rachel HawkinsThriller, Alabama, hurricane, old hotel, gothic, old murderMissing Sam by Thrity UmrigarThriller, queer, lesbian, missing wife, suburban dreadHumboldt Cut by Allison MickHorror, eco-horror, northern California, dark humor, bark monstersHollow by Celina MyersHorror, paranormal romance, romantasy, vampires, found familyOn Sundays She Picked Flowers by Yah Yah ScholfieldHorror, southern gothic, Georgia, ghosts, haintsA Box Full of Darkness by Simone St. JamesHorror, siblings returning to childhood home after being called by dead brotherThis House Will Feed by Maria TureaudHistorical horror, 1840s Ireland, haunted house, gothic, suspenseNine Goblins: A Tale of Low Fantasy and High Mischief by T. KingfisherYA fantasy, novella, humor, band of hapless goblins on a questA Midnight Pastry Shop Called Hwawoldang by Lee Onhwa, translated by Slin JungFantasy, Korean, cozy, woman who inherits magical bakeryThe Poet Empress by Shen TaoRomantasy, epic fantasy, historical, hot evil prince, poetry magicThrough Gates of Garnet and Gold by Seanan McQuireNext Wayward Children bookWe Who Have No Gods by Liza AndersonRomantasy, witches, gothic, dark academia, magic academy, secret societiesGraceless Heart by Isabel IbañezRomantasy, historical, renaissance Italy, competition hosted by secret immortal familyThe Wolf and His King by Finn LongmanQueer retelling of Bisclavret the werewolf, historical, 12 century, court intrigueA Vow in Vengeance by Jaclyn RodriquezRomantasy, tarot, magic, dark academia, enemies to lovers, forced proximityThe Book of Blood and Roses by Annie SummerleeRomantasy, sapphic, paranormal, vampires, mysterious universityThe Elsewhere Express by Samantha Sotta YambaoCozy fantasy, train that takes you to your life's purposeTwo Left Feet by Kallie EmblidgeQueer romance, MLM, contemporary sports romance, British premier league footballMost Eligible by Isabelle EngelContemporary romance, journalist sneaks onto a reality TV dating showThe Shop on Hidden Lane by Jayne Ann KrentzParanormal romance, romantic suspense, psychic dangers, warring paranormal familiesGreta Gets the Girl by Melissa MarrContemporary sapphic romance, forbidden romance, publishingThe Lust Crusade by Jo SeguraContemporary romance, librarian and archaeologist fake dating, Greek mythologyLast First Kiss by Julian WintersQueer romance, contemporary, MLM, second chance, rom comAin't Nobody's Fool: The Life and Times of Dolly Parton by Martha AckmannNonfictionThe Royal Insider: My Life with the Queen, the King, and Princess Diana by Paul BurrellNonfiction, memoirFly, Wild Swans: My Mother, Myself, and China by Jung ChangNonfiction, memoir, three generations of womenThe Flower Bearers by Rachel Eliza GriffithsNonfiction, memoir, grief, death of a sister, friendship, marriageBlood Bible: An American History by DaMaris HillNonfiction, history, racism, slave trade history, national identity, personal identityWinter: The Story of a Season by Val McDermidCreative nonfiction, history of winter community events, ScotlandWhen Trees Testify: Science, Wisdom, History, and America's Black Botanical Legacy by Beronda L. MontgomeryNonfiction, history of Black botany through seven treesHalf His Age by Jennette McCurdyLiterary fiction, drama, age gap romance,Catch Her if You Can by Tessa BaileyRomance, contemporary, sports, baseball, marriage of convenienceVigil by George SaundersLiterary fiction, magical realism, eco-drama, dying oil CEOFruit of the Flesh by I.V. OpheliaHistorical fantasy, gothic romance, marriage of convenience, dark appetitesThe Bones Beneath My Skin by T.J. KluneQueer thriller, MLM, 1990s, gay couple helping little girl with powersFootball by Chuck KlostermanNonfiction about footballCry Havoc by Rebecca WaitHistorical mystery, 1980s failing English boarding school, dark academia, funny, strange contagion among studentsHemlock by Melissa FalivenoLiterary, gothic, queer, woman investigating mother's disappearenceFebruaryLaws of Love and Logic by Debra CurtisLiterary fiction, love triangle - first love vs devoted husbandOne of Us by Elizabeth DayLiterary thriller, drama between old friends and wealth, murderEverything Lost Returns by Sarah DometLiterary fiction, historical, twin timelines, 1910s and 1980s, friendshipWhere the Wildflowers Grow by Terah Shelton HarrisLiterary fiction, fugitive hides out at rural Alabama flower farm, found familyBad Asians by Lillian LiLiterary fiction, friend group sagaI Hope You Find What You're Looking For by Bsrat MezghebeLiterary fiction, historical, 1990s Washington DC, Ethiopian immigrant communityThis Book Made Me Think of You by Libby PageLiterary fiction, woman receives books recommended by her dead husbandRoyal Spin by Robin Benway and Omid ScobieLiterary fiction, workplace drama inside Buckingham PalaceSuperfan by Jenny Tinghui ZhangLiterary fiction, popstar and his superfan collide, fandom, lonelinessBelgrave Road: A Love Story by Manish ChauhanLiterary fiction, two young immigrants in a forbidden romanceThis is Not About Us by Allegra GoodmanLiterary fiction, funny, multi generational family drama, griefRebel English Academy by Hanif MohammedLiterary fiction, Pakistan, political power, language, friendshipThe Secret of Snow by Tina Harnesk, translated by Alice MenziesLiterary fiction, elderly couple crosses paths with two twentysomethings and discovers surprising shared historyThe Renovation by Kenan OrhanLiterary fiction, woman discovers her bathroom has been remodeled into a prison cellMessenger Cat Cafe by Nagi Shimeno, translated by M. JeanMagical realism, cozy, cat in the afterlife who must deliver 5 messages to people on earth before he can see his beloved owner againA Crown of Stars by Shana AbéHistorical fiction, retelling of the last days of the LusitaniaThe Fourth Princess by Janie ChangHistorical fiction, gothic, 1910s Shanghai, crumbling mansion, secretsCleopatra by Saara El-ArifiHistorical fiction, retelling of Cleopatra's life from her POVBook of Forbidden Words by Louise FeinHistorical fiction, 1500s Paris, 1950s NYC, book banning, inspired by Voynich manuscriptThe Pohaku by Jasmi ‘Iolani HakesHistorical fiction, generations of women tasked with protecting Hawaiian historyA Slow and Secret Poison by Carmella LowkisHistorical Gothic thriller, 1900s England, young gardener at lush manor falls for her mysterious bossMurder Will Out by Jennifer BreedloveMystery, gothic, Maine, heartwarmingI'm Not the Only Murderer in My Retirement Home by Fergus CraigMystery, recently released from prison serial killer moves into retirement home when a murder happens and she has to prove she didn't do itDirty Metal by Allison LaMotheHistorical mystery, 1990s NYC, reporter investigating two huge storiesWolf Hour by Jo Nesbø, translated by Robert FergusonThriller, Minnesota, true crime, serial killer, secretsThe Final Problem by Arturo Perez-Reverte, translated by Frances RiddleHistorical mystery, locked room, 1960s Greek island resort, washed up actor turned detectiveHer Last Breath by Taylor AdamsThriller, two friends go on a cave expedition and one gets murdered!!!Murder Mindfully by Karsten Dusse, translated by Florian DuijsensThriller, lawyer finds peace through mindfulness and will do anything to protect it, even murderPinky Swear by Danielle GirardThriller, an expecting mother whose surrogate disappears days before birthThe Girls Before by Kate Alice MarshallThriller, search and rescue expert looking for missing womanPaper Cut by Rachel TaffThriller, woman infamous for escaping a cult as a teen has secrets that come back to haunt herMaria the Wanted by V. CastroHorror, thriller, newly turned vampire in Mexico is on the runDead First by Johnny ComptonHorror, private investigator hired by mysterious billionaire to find out why he can't dieShe Made Herself a Monster by Anna KovatchevaHorror, gothic thriller, 1800s Bulgaria, fake vampire slayer joins forces with teen to make a monsterThe Body by Bethany C MorrowHorror, woman must survive bizarre attacks on her failing marriageDollface by Lindy RyanHorror, serial killer, 1990s, Barbie meets ScreamThe Glowing Hours by Leila SiddiquiHorror, gothic, retelling of the fabled summer Mary Shelley wrote Frankenstein, as told by her Indian housemaid, Mehrunissa “Mehr” BegumWeavingshaw by Heba Al-WasityFantasy, gothic, young woman who can see the dead strikes a deal with a mysterious and ruthless merchant to save her brother's lifeAfter the Fall by Edward AshtonSci fi, buddy comedy, alien invasion, humans as petsThe Fox Hunt by Caitlin BreezeFantasy, boarding school, secret society, girl transforms into magical beastOperation Bounce House by Matt DinnimanFantasy, a man must fight for his planet when gamers from Earth attempt to remotely annihilate itSing the Night by Megan Jauregui EcclesFantasy, inspired by Phantom of the Opera, musical magician competitionThe Hospital at the End of the World by Justin C. KeySci fi, near future where AI runs the world, medical student unravels family secretsThe Forest on the Edge of Time by Jasmin KirkbrideSci fi, Future of Another Timeline meets The Bone Clocks, time travel, cli-fiNightshade and Oak by Molly O'NeillFantasy, Iron Age goddess must grapple with becoming human, historical, magicThe Astral Library by Kate QuinnFantasy, book about books, magic books that are portals to worldsThe Iron Garden Sutra by A.D. SuiSci fi, locked room murder mystery, monk and researchers trapped on a spaceshipThe Obake Code by Makana YamamotoSci fi, caper, hacker forced by gangsters to take down crooked politicianThe Daughter Who Remains by Nnedi OkoraforSci fi, She Who Knows book 3Wicked Onyx by Debbie CassidyRomantasy, magical academy, girl must unravel dark family secrets, make alliances, and get revengeAgnes Auburt's Mystical Cat Shelter by Heather FawcettRomantasy, gentle fantasy, woman running cat rescue in 1920s Montreal and a grouchy charming magician who helps save her shelterHalf City by Kate GoldenRomantasy, young demon hunter enrolls in Harker Academy for Deviant DefenseThe Legend of the Nine-Tailed Fox by Katrina KwanRomantasy, a nine-tailed fox and the hunter who captured her are banished to the underworld togetherThe Lies that Summon the Night by Tessonaja OdetteRomantasy, world where making art is illegal, revenge, sexy monster hunterCrown of War and Shadow by J.R. WardRomantasy, fated mated, magic, hot mercenary, only one bed, touch her and dieThrone of Nightmares by Kerri ManiscaloRomantasy, librarian, dangerous book magic, perilous questThe Ballad of Fallen Dragons by Sarah A. ParkerMoonfall, book 2Dawn of the North by Demi WintersAshen, book 3The Heir and the Spare by Harper L. WoodsA Of Flesh and Bone novellaBrawler by Lauren GroffLiterary fiction, short storiesKin by Tayari JonesLiterary fiction, lifelong female friendship in the American SouthLove and Other Brain Experiments by Hannah BrohmContemporary romance, academic rivals to lovers, two neuroscientists fake datingInsignificant Others by Sarah JioSci fi romance, woman stuck in time loop of one day relationships with past boyfriendsSkate It Till You Make It by Rufaro Faither MazaruaContemporary sports romance, female hockey player, fake dating, rom-comThe Ex-Perimento by Maria J MorilloContemporary romance, woman enlists her favorite musician to win her ex back, rom-com, VenezuelaTwo Can Play by Ali HazelwoodContemporary romance, novella, enemies to loves, world of video gamesGet Over It, April Evans by Ashely Herring BlakeContemporary romance, sapphic, lake town resortAnd Now, Back to You by B.K. BorisonContemporary romance, competing meteorologists, opposites attractIn Her Spotlight by Amy SpaldingContemporary romance, sapphic, second chance, film industryA Hymn to Life by Gisele PelicotNonfiction, memoirThe Company of Owls by Polly AtkinMemoir, chronic illness, owlsBernie for Burlington: The Rise of the People's Politician by Dan ChiassonNonfiction, biographyStarry and Restless: Three Women Who Changed Work, Writing, and the World by Julia CookeNonfiction, biography of three groundbreaking female journalistsThe Last Kings of Hollywood: Coppola, Lucas, Spielberg—and the Battle for the Soul of American Cinema by Paul FisherBiographyLeaving Home: A Memoir in Full Colour by Mark HaddonMemoir of the author who wrote The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night TimeUnread: A Memoir of Learning (and Loving) To Read on TikTok by Oliver JamesMemoir about learning how to read as an adultNonviolent: A Memoir of Resistance, Agitation, and Love by James Lawson Jr & Emily YellinNonfiction, posthumous memoir of Rev. James Lawson Jr, a principal architect of a nonviolent resistance movementWe the Women: The Hidden Heroes Who Shaped America by Norah O'DonnellNonfiction, history I Told You So!: Scientists Who Were Ridiculed, Exiled, and Imprisoned for Being Right by Matt KaplanNonfiction, science, historyA World Appear: A Journey into Consciousness by Michael PollanNonfiction, scienceThe Price of Mercy: Unfair Trials, a Violent System, and a Public Defender's Search for Justice in America by Emily Galvin AlmanzaNonfictionThe People Can Fly: American Promise, Black Prodigies, and the Greatest Miracle of All Time by Joshua BennettNonfictionCitizenship: Notes on an American Myth by Daisy HernándezNonfictionFear and Fury: Bernie Goetz, the Reagan '80s, and the Rebirth of White Rage by Heather Ann ThompsonNonfictionOn Morrison by Namwali SerpellNonfiction, dive into work of Toni Morrison 

In this episode of The Kelly Roach Show, Kelly pulls back the curtain on the eight biggest unexpected shifts that reshaped her companies this year (many of which came from frustration, pressure, or deep uncertainty).  From radically overhauling live events and flipping the entire portfolio business model, to narrowing the company's niche, shifting ad strategy, ending beloved programs, launching Substack, and rebuilding around daily sales — this episode is a masterclass in strategic adaptability. Kelly explains what changed and why, and how you can apply these same lessons inside your own business as you plan for 2026. If you're rethinking your offers, questioning your model, or feeling called to simplify and scale differently, this episode will help you see your challenges as leverage, not liabilities. TIMESTAMPS: 01:46 – 06:10: Completely revamping our event strategy with a sponsor-led model 06:11 – 09:05: Ending long-running programs, narrowing authority and deepening market ownership 09:06 – 11:20: Writing a traditional book proposal, why this shift matters for global brand expansion, and the role Substack plays in the long-term straetgy 11:21 – 16:05: Replacing $30K offers with ~$1K trust builders (and eiminating the need for a "traditional" sales team 16:06 – 18:55:  Building daily sales through ecosystem expansion, and why we shifted ad spend to email and audience building 18:56 – 20:45: Why faith work must be accessible without barriers 20:46 – 23:10: Building daily sales systems and using launches as amplification, not dependency 23:11 – 25:15: Changing the tech stack and going all-in on Substack RESOURCES: Learn our complete daily sales system for generating predictable revenue online inside the Virtual Business School: https://www.virtualbusinessschool.com/  Looking for more advanced support for scale? Virtual Business School GOLD layers on advanced strategies for launching and one-to-many selling, brand growth, and increasing customer LTV: https://go.virtualbusinessschool.com/gold  Subscribe to my Substack, The Sacred Art of Selling, and get the behind-the-scenes breakdown on monetization, book proposals, and brand expansion when you become a FOUNDING member: https://kellyroachofficial.substack.com/  Join us on October 1st in Boca Raton, Florida for the Call to Lead Movement: https://www.sandiglandt.com/called-to-lead  Know a girl aged 7-14 who might be a fit for the Courage Club? This is where we instill leadership, confidence, and real-world skills for the next generation: https://courageclubforgirls.com/ 

In this weekly Ask Me Anything episode, Ryan and Kipp open with reflections on consistency, discipline, and what long-term success actually requires. They then tackle listener questions on deeply held beliefs, fatherhood, masculinity, and how perspectives change with age and experience. The conversation moves into practical advice on building strong male circles, writing and publishing a book, and preparing for marriage with clarity and intention. As always, the episode blends personal insight, hard-earned lessons, and actionable guidance for men committed to growth. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 - Welcome and Consistency 09:08 - Question on Strong Beliefs and Doubt 17:00 - Fatherhood, Leadership, and Manhood Expectations 29:09 - Finding High-Caliber Men and Brotherhood 36:32 - Writing and Publishing a Book 44:27 - Preparing for Marriage 50:24 - Iron Council Update and Closing Battle Planners: Pick yours up today! Order Ryan's new book, The Masculinity Manifesto. For more information on the Iron Council brotherhood. Want maximum health, wealth, relationships, and abundance in your life? Sign up for our free course, 30 Days to Battle Ready