"Most nonfiction books could’ve been blog posts—but fiction sticks with you for life." — Nathan Baugh

Is fiction just entertainment—or is it the best self-help you’re not reading? In this episode, Rain Bennett sits down with storyteller, writer, and World Builders creator Nathan Baugh to talk about the power of fiction in a world obsessed with productivity, optimization, and self-help checklists.

Together they explore the overlooked lessons hiding in classic novels, the creative trap of only producing for money, and the rising role of AI in the writing world.

Nathan opens up about how he left a traditional job to build a platform as a writer, how he balances client work with his fantasy novels, and why his mission is to simply write stories he’d want to read.

They also break down what makes a twist land, how storytelling frameworks translate across mediums, and the unexpected ways fiction can deepen human connection. If you're trying to create meaningful work in a noisy digital world, this conversation is a breath of fresh air.

In this episode, you will learn to:

Reframe fiction as a powerful personal development tool, not just an escape or guilty pleasure.
Balance monetized work with meaningful creative output, even if your art doesn’t pay off immediately.
Strengthen your audience connection by telling stories about your own struggles, not just giving advice.
Understand how fiction builds empathy, creativity, and resilience in ways nonfiction often can't.
Navigate the impact of AI on creative work by doubling down on voice, experience, and storytelling fundamentals.

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The Pendulum Swings

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