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If you want to know how bestselling authors find the time to write their books, the methods they use to be productive and how they find their ideas you will love this podcast. Writing coach Azul Terronez shares interviews with clients such as Pat Flynn, of the Smart Passive Income, Jon Vroman, of the Front Row Factor, and Dana Malstaff of Boss-Mom, Jadah Sellner of Simple Green Smoothies. Learn from the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling authors. Want to get behind-the-scenes insights about how first-time authors overcame their fears and found the courage to write? Are you curious about how successful bestselling authors write or learn how to publish and market a book? Have you thought, "I'd like to write a book," but I don't know where to start? I explore authors' journeys, how they craft their stories, become published, and share their art of writing books with the world. You are meant to write the book now and be inspired by those who have done it.
372 Episodes
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Send us a text Novelist Carla Malden joins Azul to discuss her latest book, Playback—a nostalgic, time-traveling story about reconciling past ideals with present reality. They explore the character of Mari Caldwell, Carla’s cinematic writing style, and the emotional process of co-authoring a memoir with her father, Oscar-winning actor Karl Malden. Timestamp: 0:00 — Introducing Carla Malden and Playback 3:10 — The nostalgia and time travel behind Mari Caldwell’s story 8:00 — Writing a novel t...
Send us a text In a world where everything online disappears in 24 hours, why are books still the thing we remember? I recently sat down with Rob Walling — a serial entrepreneur who has started six companies, bootstrapped five of them, and written multiple bestselling books, including Start Small, Stay Small and The SaaS Playbook. What struck me most in our conversation wasn’t just his track record. It was how deeply he believes in books as a creative act and a lasting force in a noisy world....
Send us a text Writing a book isn’t just about putting words on a page — it’s about letting others help you shape your message into its most powerful form. Azul Terronez explains the stages of editing, how to find the right editor, and how collaboration turns a manuscript into a masterpiece. Timestamp: 00:00 Introduction and editing insights 04:02 Editing voice, tone, and flow 07:46 Choosing editors: curated platforms 09:48 Writing with an editor Full show notes COMMUNITY PROGRAMS 📚 Write a...
Send us a text In this episode of the Authors Who Lead podcast, I welcome Dr. Shannon Irvine, an accomplished neuropsychologist, entrepreneur, and founder of the SINC Neurocoach Models. This riveting conversation peels back the curtain on Dr. Shannon’s journey from idea gestation to book launch, giving us an inside look at the neuroscience-driven method she shares in her new book, The 67-Day Year. Her work blends scientific rigor with practical wisdom and timeless principles, helping an...
Send us a text Writing a book is a dream for many, but not every idea deserves 200 pages. In this solo episode of Authors Who Lead, I unpack one of the most common questions I hear from aspiring authors: How do I know if my idea is big enough for a book—or if it’s better off as a blog post, podcast, or talk? This question matters more than people realize. Books take time, energy, and long-term commitment. So before you dive in, let’s figure out what really makes a book-worthy idea—and how to ...
Send us a text What does it really mean to be yourself in a world that rewards conformity and disconnection? In this episode of Authors Who Lead, I sit down with Amy Cerny Vasterling—a public speaker, author, and intuitive—to discuss her powerful new book and what it means to live beyond the model society presents to us. With two decades of research and deeply personal insights, Amy shares how we become disconnected from ourselves—and how to reconnect with our inner truth. This conversation i...
Send us a text If you’ve ever dreamed of writing a book but find yourself stuck in “prep mode,” you’re not alone. In this solo episode of Authors Who Lead, I delve into the real mindset blocks that prevent aspiring authors from taking that crucial first step. After years of coaching writers—and navigating my own resistance—I’ve identified three common myths that stop talented storytellers from sharing their message. Here’s how you can move past them and finally start writing. Timestamp: 00:0...
Send us a text For so many authors, writing a book feels like the pinnacle of their work—the culmination of years of learning, creativity, and leadership. But when the final chapter is written, there’s often a gap. Those powerful ideas don’t always leap from the page into programs, products, or lasting impact. On this episode of Authors Who Lead, I sit down with Charlotte Crowther—founder of Signature Framework—to explore how authors can codify their ideas into clear, visual frameworks that f...
Send us a text In today’s world, where knowledge is abundant and AI can churn out answers in seconds, readers crave something deeper—authenticity. On this episode of Authors Who Lead, I share lessons I’ve learned working with authors who want to lead with their story, not just their expertise. I reflect on my work with bestselling author and negotiation expert Kwame Christian to explore why embracing your uniqueness isn’t just helpful—it’s essential. Timestamp: 00:00 Importance of personal p...
Send us a text When we talk about leadership and entrepreneurship, the conversation often veers toward hustle culture, 80-hour workweeks, and the kind of relentless, sleep-when-you’re-dead mentality that’s glorified on social media. But what’s the real cost? In this episode of Authors Who Lead, I speak with Chris Ducker—entrepreneur, mentor, and author—about the deeply personal experiences that inspire his new book, Long Haul Leader. This isn’t just another business strategy book. It’s a can...
Send us a text When I think of someone too busy to write a book, Dr. Amy McMichael immediately comes to mind. She juggles her roles as a professor in the Department of Dermatology at Wake Forest School of Medicine, a practicing dermatologist, and a mentor to countless students. She has every reason not to add “author” to her already full plate. But in our conversation on the Authors Who Lead podcast, it becomes clear that it’s her deep commitment to mentorship that fuels her decision to write...
Send us a text In this episode of Authors Who Lead, I sit down with Dan Andrews—writer, entrepreneur, and founder of the Dynamite Circle—to dig deep into what it means to write and lead in today’s creative landscape. Our conversation is a goldmine for aspiring authors who wrestle with the pressure to be original, the fear of starting, and the all-too-familiar sting of writer’s block. Together, we explore how the writing process—far from being mystical or reserved for geniuses—is something dee...
Send us a text When the world slowed during the pandemic, Steve Vannoy and I found an unexpected gift in that stillness. We began recording stories from his father, Smokey Vannoy—vivid tales of a bygone West Virginia filled with cinder-bottom towns, red-light districts, and river adventures. What started as a collection of oral history soon grew into something more—a shared book project, born from legacy and love. Adventures in Cinder Bottom became more than a family story. It turned into a v...
Send us a text What does it mean to be human in a world increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence? This existential question pulses at the heart of episode 358 of the Authors Who Lead podcast, where I sit down with entrepreneur, investor, and now author Jeff Burningham. Our conversation, anchored in Burningham’s newly released book, The Last Book Written by a Human: Becoming Wise in the Age of AI, explores personal disruption, spiritual awakening, and the bold, hopeful possibilities that...
Send us a text Have you ever felt like you had a book inside you, but just couldn’t get started? 81% of North Americans believe they have a book in them—but only a tiny fraction ever see that dream to completion. In this episode, I explore the real reasons people don’t write their books, debunk common myths, and share actionable steps to help you finally move from wishing to writing. Timestamp: 00:00 Empowering Aspiring Writers 05:09 Defining Your Why in Writing 06:51 Overcoming Writer’s Blo...
Send us a text In the world of authorship and digital entrepreneurship, few names carry as much respect as Pat Flynn. In this episode of Authors Who Lead, I share the story of my apprenticeship under Pat—a journey rooted in service, vulnerability, and taking fast, decisive action. Our conversation delved deep into the principles at the core of Pat’s latest book, Lean Learning: How to Achieve More by Learning Less, and unpacked how stepping forward before you feel “ready” is often the ke...
Send us a text Many aspiring authors feel a pull to share their wisdom—especially about something as universal yet challenging as parenting. In this episode of Authors Who Lead, Scott Jeffrey Miller offers a refreshingly candid perspective. Miller, an eight-time Wall Street Journal and Amazon bestselling author, recently co-authored "Parenting: Wrong Turns, Right Lessons" with his teenage son, Thatcher. For Miller, writing a parenting book wasn’t just inevitable because of his professional ba...
Send us a text Anyone who’s ever thought about writing a book knows the feeling: a mix of excitement, hope, and, yes—fear. In this episode of Authors Who Lead, I dive deep into the emotional realm of writing, pulling back the curtain on the ten most common fears that keep writers from taking the next step. Timestamp: 00:00 Overcoming book-writing challenges 04:23 Organized writing: audience & strategy 08:37 Overcoming writing fears 10:58 Kaizen: power of small steps 15:53 Exclusive podca...
Send us a text In this episode of Authors Who Lead, I sit down with Deborah Hammett, author of Salty at 60: Becoming Better Than Retired. Deborah’s story is the bold, honest tale of how she left her thirty-three-year career in education in pursuit of a freer, purpose-filled second act—sailing solo aboard her boat and, eventually, writing a book about her experience. Timestamp: 00:00 Trading chalkboards for chart plotters 05:16 Sailing while teaching online 09:22 Sailing adventure in retireme...
Send us a text In this episode of Authors Who Lead, I sit down with Brian Andrews and Jeffrey Wilson, the powerhouse writing duo behind the riveting thriller Dark Rising. Both veterans with storied pasts—Brian, a former submarine officer with business acumen, and Jeffrey, a trauma surgeon and Navy veteran—found common ground far from the battlefield: at a thriller writing conference. Their partnership, as Jeffrey jokes, was born of “stalking” at the International Thriller Writers’ ThrillerFes...
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