Maybe Your Day Job Is Okay – WNP 089
Are you ready to leave your day job and become a full-time writer? This episode discusses the pros and cons of what writing full time looks like, and helps you set expectations for yourself.
Let’s All Get Out There And Fail Horribly
Creativity Myth #10: Failure is bad. Here’s why it’s a myth!
How Much Do I Make Podcasting?
How much money do I make by podcasting? There are a lot of ways to make money podcasting and a lot of ways to talk about it — notably, direct vs. indirect podcast income.
The Dangers Of Comparison -WNP 088
The comparison race will always be unwinnable. This episode discusses six ways that comparison can be dangerous and how to overcome those dangers to find a path that is right for you.
A Love Letter To Perfectionists
Creativity Myth #9: You need to create a flawless masterpiece.
Isolated vs. Insulated
I thought I was immune, hiding here in my little office in South Dakota; I thought I was exempt somehow, that “I should be so much farther ahead” with all the “extra free time” the pandemic and quarantine have afforded us. I was wrong.
PR for Writers – WNP 087
We’re talking about marketing again! This time, we’re digging into PR (public relations), how to get discovered as a writer, and finding what works for you when it comes to interacting with fans and peers.
Let’s Get Off The Struggle Bus
Creativity Myth #8: I don’t have the time or energy to be creative.
What Do Writers Owe the World? WNP 086
As creators, what do we owe the world? And what do our readers want and expect from us? There’s only so much time and energy in one day — so should we be using it to write, to interact with fans, to market? This episode discusses the importance of protecting your integrity while setting boundaries to fit the expectations of your fans.
Society Doesn’t Want Us
Creativity Myth #7: Society doesn’t want what I’m creating.
Marketing Dos & Don’ts – WNP 085
In part 2 of the marketing series, you will discover how to create a comprehensive marketing plan that suits your needs and aligns with your goals. Ready?
Creative Scarcity
Creativity Myth #6: It’s possible to “run out of” creativity, so be careful with what you have.
Marketing is Not a Dirty Word – WNP 084
What’s the difference between a book that sells and a book that doesn’t sell? I didn’t know it at the time, but that difference was marketing. In this episode we will take a deep dive into the world of marketing.
Original Is Overrated
Creativity Myth #5: You don’t have to be 100% original to be creative.
Searching For Distraction
Have you ever found yourself… searching for distractions? I know, it sounds like…
Creativity First
Even though I know in the depths of my heart that this is the work I am meant to do, and that I am living out my true purpose when I am writing and creating… I still struggle to prioritize it.
Mastering The Craft
A lot of us get frustrated when we jump into something and we’re not good at it right away. For me, this is never more evident than when I go bowling...
Fear of Success – WNP 083
Do you find yourself self-sabotaging, or unconsciously not allowing yourself to grow to your full potential as a creator? You might have fear of success — and yes, it’s 100% a real thing that holds us back without us even knowing it.
The Flyover Creatives
Creativity Myth #4: You need to live in a big city or work at a company with a slide to be creative.
The Fear Never Goes Away
Here’s the thing about fear. It’s not something that you one day decide to banish, and then you never have to deal with it again. Fear is an instinct…
What Surrounds Us
I just counted, and there are no fewer than 26 plants right here in my 8×8′ office. Orchids, pothos, air plants, cacti, Swedish ivy, aloe… I love them all so much. But more than that, I need them.
Making It Stick
How are you with sticking to things? It’s worth asking: what habits are WORTH building? What changes do we ACTUALLY WANT to make?
Your Impending Death
When you realize that you only have ONE LIFE to live… how does that make you feel? How does it affect your creativity?
What Should I Write Next? – WNP 082
“Which one of these projects should I write next?” If that question frequently floats around in your head, this episode is for you. I’ll help you decipher which projects to tackle and when!
Either You’re Creative, Or You’re Not
Creativity Myth #3: “You’re either born creative, or you’re not.” Here’s exactly why this statement is a terrible and dangerous lie.
Writing as Leadership – WNP 081
You’re a writer — but do you think of yourself as a leader? In today’s episode we talk about the 3 keys to being a successful leader through your writing.
Unqualified
Creative Myth #2: You need special knowledge or a degree to create.
Using Our Imaginations
Creativity Myth #1: Imagination is just for children. Here’s why that is a complete load of garbage, and why imagination is essential to our lives as adults.
New: Work With Me!
Exciting news — you now have the opportunity to work with me one-on-one! Whether you’d like creative or strategic coaching or consulting…
Hold Fast
People may scoff at you for having dreams, but having (and holding onto) those dreams is crucial to living a life of meaning and influence.
Dear Creators
I’ve been working on a brand-new email series for you! It’s called “Dear Creators” and…
Is Now The Right Time To Start A Podcast?
Podcasting is booming! But is NOW really the best time to start one? Here are 3 major considerations for making your decision.
Time Keeps On Slipping Away
It’s so easy for me to imagine my life slipping away with each tick of the clock — and it’s so easy for that to turn into fear, anxiety, and really limited thinking…
How Long Should A Podcast Be?
One of the most frequent questions I get asked as a podcast coach & teacher is, “How long should a podcast be, ideally?” Here’s what I tell them.
Crafting Your Unique Voice
“In life, finding a voice is speaking and living the truth.” — John Grisham. I get a lot of questions from both podcasters and writers about how to discover their own unique voice. Most don’t know where to begin…
Slytherin!
Terrible news, everyone — I’m evil! Actually, I got sorted into the Slytherin house by the official Harry Potter website, and I’m afraid it comes with some CONNOTATIONS.
Yesterday’s Accomplishments
“Yesterday’s home runs don’t win today’s games.” — Babe Ruth. It can be SO FRUSTRATING to learn an important lesson or find a particular slice of success… and then to wake up the next day with a clean slate and realize you have to do it ALL OVER AGAIN.
We Need Mystery
We spend a lot of our time focused on solutions and solving problems. And that makes sense. We have a LOT of problems to solve as a society (like… a LOT), and providing solutions is a really good way to improve our quality of life, as well as lessen pain and suffering. But something we don’t talk about enough is…
Who Will You Become?
Who Are You Becoming? We’ve talked a little bit in a previous post about investing in yourself financially. But another huge key to growth and leveling up is evaluating who you’re spending most of your time with. The people we spend time with shape...
You Can Do Hard Things
“If there is no struggle, there is no progress.” — Frederick Douglass. Podcasting is hard. Writing is hard. Gardening is hard. Raising children is hard. Anything worth doing…
How Are You Investing In Yourself?
For years, investing in myself was unthinkable. I grew up poor, and I had stayed poor. Money was for buying off-brand food and secondhand clothing, tithing to church, and paying rent (and later mortgage), car payments, and student loan debt…
I’m Terrible At Following My Own Advice
I don’t always follow my own advice. Heck, I don’t USUALLY follow my own advice. Here’s why I think that might be — and maybe it’s true for you, too.
When In Doubt
Welcome to my #1 piece of podcasting advice. When in doubt… DO IT ANYWAY. Here’s why.
What Haunts You?
I have a compulsion to create, be it via podcasting, writing, bread-baking, etc. Maybe you’re the same way. But if I’m ever in a place where I am not able (or willing) to create…
The Audience Paradox
How do we remain inclusive with our creative projects & products while acknowledging that: a.) we are often creating for a very specific niche, and b.) not everyone will enjoy the work we create?
Creators Are Leaders
As a creator, whether you feel like it or not, you have the opportunity to be a leader. In fact, by publishing your work, you already are. Here’s why.
The Public Ear & Eye
When I first started podcasting, I wasn’t sure if I should put myself “out there” — especially visually. After all, weren’t podcasters meant to be heard, and not seen?
My Biggest Podcasting Mistake
I love talking about all of the mistakes I made when I first started podcasting. First of all, they’re hilarious (and kinda cringe-y). Secondly, those mistakes mark the places where I have learned my most valuable and poignant lessons.
It’s Book Recommendation Time!
These four books changed my life, my creativity, and the way I do business. Here’s what they taught me.