High-Income Business Writing Podcast

Freelancers are great at pushing through. We hit deadlines, juggle clients, and squeeze productivity out of thin air. But here's the truth many of us avoid: Our physical health often pays the price. In today's episode, we're talking about the side of freelancing that rarely gets airtime — the slow erosion of our health when the business becomes the only priority. And we're doing it with someone who brings deep experience, grounded wisdom, and a refreshingly simple approach: my friend Lucie Robazza, a certified health coach, personal trainer, kinesiologist, and founder of Strenxia. This conversation started because this past summer I made a real commitment to improving my own health. No crisis. No big scare. Just a decision that the way I'd been operating wasn't sustainable. I shifted to a concierge-style medical practice, partnered closely with my doctor, and began tracking meaningful health metrics — the biomarkers that tell the real story of how your body is functioning. With his guidance, I'm working one day at a time to make real improvements through diet, exercise, and other lifestyle changes. As I dug in further, it became impossible to ignore how many freelancers are quietly struggling with the same thing. So I asked Lucie to help us understand what's actually going on, especially for the women in this audience who face unique challenges in midlife that mainstream advice often misses. This episode is practical, simple, and surprisingly encouraging. What You'll Learn · How long hours, stress, and irregular routines affect your key health markers · Why midlife health — especially for women — doesn't follow the "standard" playbook · Why fatigue, brain fog, and stubborn weight changes often aren't moral failings but physiological signals · How to work with your doctor more effectively and ask smarter questions · Simple, sustainable steps to start rebuilding your health without blowing up your life Key Ideas & Takeaways Most freelancers operate in a chronic low-grade stress state: This affects everything from thyroid function to inflammation to metabolic health You can't improve what you don't measure: Baseline labs — cholesterol, triglycerides, thyroid panels, fasting insulin, A1C, and more — are biomarkers, not judgments Midlife changes are real, especially for women: What worked at 25 doesn't work at 45, and that's not a discipline issue Small, consistent improvements beat dramatic overhauls: The "1% better" approach is not only sustainable but often more effective Your doctor is a partner, not a vendor: Preparing questions, bringing context, and understanding your metrics changes the entire experience Download Lucie's 5-Day Writer's Reset Challenge If you're ready to reclaim your energy, improve your daily habits, and build a healthier foundation for your business, download Lucie's 5-Day Writer's Reset Challenge. It's FREE, and it's built for writers who want meaningful change without a complicated program. Disclaimer: Before making changes to your diet, exercise, or health routines, always consult with a qualified medical professional. The information in this episode is for informational purposes only and not to be treated as medical advice. Neither Lucie nor I are doctors. If this episode resonates, share it with another freelancer who's been pushing too hard for too long. This might be the nudge they need.

Freelancers are missing out on AI revenue by not properly packaging their knowledge. Clients crave AI support but often lack the confidence to implement it. The podcast discusses three types of AI helpers and the importance of transforming casual advice into structured services. It reveals common barriers to monetization, encourages actionable steps for creating AI offers, and emphasizes pricing based on outcomes rather than outputs. Listeners learn to build client trust and confidence while charging what they’re worth for their expertise.

Ever faced a client who dropped the ball? Those moments can lead you to question your business strategies. But what if those breakdowns are actually opportunities? Discover how missteps often highlight gaps in communication and expectations. Learn to transform frustration into clarity with tools like change request forms. Understand that clearer boundaries can eliminate chaos and enhance your business model. Embrace the insight that broken promises are invitations for growth and improvement.

Freelancers are feeling a major shift as AI alters the landscape of content creation. The podcast explores how writers' skills are now solving the wrong problems, moving from creation to curation. It emphasizes that clients aren't lacking content, but rather discernment in choices, creating demand for seasoned judgment. A unique analogy compares writers to sommeliers, focusing on storytelling. Listeners learn to identify new value zones and adapt their roles from mere writers to orchestrators, emphasizing risk management and coordination.

Tired of underwhelming AI results? You're not alone! The key lies in reshaping your approach. Instead of bombarding AI with monologues, think of it as a conversation partner. Discover the 3R Prompting Framework to guide your interactions by defining Role, Reference, and Requirements. Building prompts should be like constructing a house: start small, layer your context, and watch your ideas flourish! This strategy not only enhances AI responses but also sharpens your critical thinking skills. Embrace the dialogue and see the difference!

Dive into the nuanced world of AI in freelance writing, where 93% of writers are using AI to enhance their work. Discover surprising survey results that reveal 34% of respondents elevate their offerings, while 41% primarily enjoy time savings. Many writers harbor fears about client perception and quality, yet most plan to boost their AI usage. Learn about the 'integration dividend' that shows substantial growth for fully integrated users, alongside strategies to optimize workflows and redefine client communication. It's a hopeful narrative for the future of writing!

Explore the evolving landscape of AI in the workplace. Discover why relying on large, one-size-fits-all prompts can stifle creativity. Learn about the innovative 3R Prompting framework, which optimizes your interaction with AI. Ed reveals how iterative dialogues can produce sharper insights and foster better problem-solving skills. This fresh approach encourages you to treat AI as a collaborative partner, enhancing both productivity and creativity.

The conversation around AI in writing challenges the binary view of AI as either deceptive or a shortcut. It introduces ten false assumptions that limit understanding of AI's role. AI is framed as a tool for amplification, emphasizing the importance of human judgment. The concept of 'Creative Synthesis' is explored, showcasing how combining AI with personal experience can lead to unique outcomes. Listeners gain insights on mastering AI and navigating its integration into freelance work.

Hourly billing is the default pricing model for many writers. But it's also a hidden trap that can sabotage your growth, undervalue your expertise, and limit your income. If you've ever felt frustrated by the ceiling on your earnings or struggled to position yourself as a trusted partner rather than a hired hand, this episode will change the way you view pricing forever. In today's episode, I break down 15 compelling reasons why hourly billing is actively working against you — and what you can do instead to unlock your earning potential and build trust-based, outcome-focused client relationships. What You'll Learn Why hourly billing punishes efficiency and caps your income potential. How it undermines your positioning as an expert and devalues your unique expertise. The hidden costs of hourly billing: admin burden, client micromanagement, and trust erosion. The psychological traps that make it hard to raise your rates under hourly models. Why shifting to value-based pricing or project fees can transform your business. Steps to reframe client conversations around value and outcomes, not hours. Key Insights and Takeaways Hourly billing creates a perverse incentive against efficiency. The faster you work, the less you earn, which is the opposite of how a healthy freelance business should function. It permanently caps your income potential. There are only so many hours you can sell, and raising your hourly rate eventually hits a ceiling. It erodes trust and positions you as a commodity. Clients start focusing on hours rather than outcomes, leading to micromanagement and suspicion. It fails to capture your true value. Your best insights often come from years of accumulated expertise, not the hours it takes to execute a task. Fixed project fees and value-based pricing aligns your interests with your clients. When you price based on the outcomes and value you deliver, you can grow your income while building stronger client relationships. Memorable Soundbites · "Hourly billing rewards incompetence and punishes mastery." · "You're not selling time, you're selling outcomes." · "Hourly billing turns your business into a job you can't quit." Action Steps 🔹 Reflect: Are you stuck in the hourly billing trap? Track how it limits your income and positioning.🔹 Experiment: Try quoting your next project as a fixed fee based on value rather than time.🔹 Reframe: Start asking clients, "What outcomes are you looking to achieve? What makes this project important?" rather than "How many hours will this take?"🔹 Educate your clients: Share the benefits of non-hourly models and how it aligns your incentives with theirs.🔹 Internal tracking only: Continue tracking your time for your own data and profitability analysis, but avoid sharing these hours with clients. Listener Challenge This week, pick one service you currently bill hourly and write down how you would price it based on the scope and value instead. You don't have to roll it out immediately, but this exercise will shift your mindset toward value-based pricing.

Freelance writers are feeling the impact of rapid changes driven by AI technology. The host discusses the cooling economy's effect on marketing budgets and the urgency for writers to adapt. Different perspectives on AI's long-term effects are explored, alongside the critical capability gaps writers must address. Personal experiences with AI tools offer insights into enhancing client work, while five bold predictions about the evolving landscape encourage writers to blend their skills with tech savvy. Adaptability and human judgment are essential for thriving in this new era.