Authors Who Lead - Learn to write a book from bestselling authors and leaders

Send us a textJulia Packwood has the idea. She feels the call. She even has deadlines and bylines. Yet when she sits down to write, it feels like a battle.In this episode, Azul reframes that struggle: the hard feeling is not a problem to be fixed, but rather a rite of passage. Then the conversation turns practical, moving the writing practice out of the office and into nature, separating drafting from editing, and measuring progress by words, not time.A warm, honest episode for anyone trying to write a book while raising kids, building a business, or living a full life.Timestamps:00:00 Who Julia is and what she teaches01:06 The writing battle: deadlines help, but it still feels hard03:04 Reframe: “This is how writing is,” and nothing is wrong with you04:53 Write outside the box, literally07:41 Transcribe later, create first09:11 Intuition vs “business advice” about the right audience14:12 Your expertise is your perspective, not your facts17:19 Nature-led play, and why parents need simplicity20:11 Let go of “chapters” and follow seasons25:14 AI hooks vs human presence28:31 Bold claims, fierce wonderings, and why outlines can trap you34:27 Count words, not time42:05 Feeling exposed, sharing the journey anyway44:51 The takeaway: resistance is the pathFull show notesCOMMUNITY PROGRAMS📚 Write and Publish your bookCONNECT📷 Instagram🎬 TikTok👫🏻 Facebook💼 LinkedIn🐦‍⬛ Twitter🤝🏻 Apply to be a GuestLEAVE A REVIEW✍🏻 Review on Apple Podcasts✍️ Review on Spotify🖱️ Episode Webpage

Send us a textWhat does it really take to deliver a TEDx talk that resonates? In this episode of Authors Who Lead, communication expert Alexia Vernon and TEDx speaker Kaia Vernon-Oliveira share what authors need to know about developing a powerful big idea, connecting with an audience, and building speaking confidence that opens doors.Timestamp:00:00 Introduction to Alexia Vernon and Kaia Vernon-Oliveira01:11 What has changed in the TEDx landscape03:45 Why authors should build speaking experience before TEDx05:13 What event organizers really look for in speakers06:40 Kaia’s TEDx journey and choosing her topic08:46 Why passion matters more than fear10:28 Structuring a talk for impact15:22 Common mistakes speakers make18:12 How to connect with an audience on stage23:40 Practical techniques for presence and eye contact25:27 Soul Stirring event overview30:51 Final advice for aspiring speakersFull show notesCOMMUNITY PROGRAMS📚 Write and Publish your bookCONNECT📷 Instagram🎬 TikTok👫🏻 Facebook💼 LinkedIn🐦‍⬛ Twitter🤝🏻 Apply to be a GuestLEAVE A REVIEW✍🏻 Review on Apple Podcasts✍️ Review on Spotify🖱️ Episode Webpage

Send us a textAfter eight years of hosting Authors Who Lead, Azul finally sits down again with the man who inspired the show from the very beginning: Dr. Gay Hendricks, author of The Big Leap, Conscious Loving, and his new memoir, Loving Life.In this intimate, spiritually rich conversation, Gay shares the stories behind his memoir, the pivotal moment on the ice that changed everything, the quiet teachers in his family (including his Aunt Kat), and how suffering can open the doorway to your genius. This is more than an interview—it’s an invitation to remember who you really are.Timestamp:00:00 – Welcome & intro00:32 – Why the podcast began01:07 – Introducing Dr. Gay Hendricks02:33 – Why he wrote a memoir05:06 – Spiritual moments that shaped him09:27 – Seeking answers at a young age14:43 – Understanding your zone of genius19:10 – Aunt Kat’s influence26:29 – Life stages & growth30:17 – The moment that changed everything35:26 – Why Loving Life is transformativeFull show notesCOMMUNITY PROGRAMS📚 Write and Publish your bookCONNECT📷 Instagram🎬 TikTok👫🏻 Facebook💼 LinkedIn🐦‍⬛ Twitter🤝🏻 Apply to be a GuestLEAVE A REVIEW✍🏻 Review on Apple Podcasts✍️ Review on Spotify🖱️ Episode Webpage

Send us a textYou’re a coach, entrepreneur, or leader with a powerful message. You know a book would expand your influence, elevate your authority, and open doors. So why does it still feel impossible to start?In this solo episode, Azul breaks down why brilliant, experienced leaders get stuck — and why your book is not a side project. You’ll learn the exact mindset shift needed to overcome overwhelm, silence self-doubt, and take the first real step toward becoming a published authority.If you've been “waiting for the right time” to start, this is the episode that will move you into action.Timestamp:00:00 — Why your book idea matters more than you think01:40 — The real reason coaches and creatives feel stuck03:25 — Introducing the private podcast: Born to Write, Scared to Start05:00 — How writing your book builds authority and impact06:52 — A gift to help you take the first step08:16 — Final encouragement + holiday wishesFull show notesCOMMUNITY PROGRAMS📚 Write and Publish your bookCONNECT📷 Instagram🎬 TikTok👫🏻 Facebook💼 LinkedIn🐦‍⬛ Twitter🤝🏻 Apply to be a GuestLEAVE A REVIEW✍🏻 Review on Apple Podcasts✍️ Review on Spotify🖱️ Episode Webpage

Send us a textNovelist 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 Playback3:10 — The nostalgia and time travel behind Mari Caldwell’s story8:00 — Writing a novel that stands alone but continues a character’s arc10:33 — The influence of Carla’s screenwriting background15:00 — Co-writing a memoir with her father, Karl Malden20:26 — Writing process and lessons from crafting multiple genres24:14 — Plotter vs. pantser: How Carla approaches storytelling27:44 — Shifting trends in Hollywood and timeless storytelling30:04 — Advice for authors struggling with doubt or imposter syndrome34:00 — What’s next for CarlaFull show notesCOMMUNITY PROGRAMS📚 Write and Publish your bookCONNECT📷 Instagram🎬 TikTok👫🏻 Facebook💼 LinkedIn🐦‍⬛ Twitter🤝🏻 Apply to be a GuestLEAVE A REVIEW✍🏻 Review on Apple Podcasts✍️ Review on Spotify🖱️ Episode Webpage

Send us a textIn 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.Timestamp:00:00 – Why Rob felt familiar before we even met01:26 – Why books still matter in a world of social media02:57 – How Start Small, Stay Small quietly became a classic04:06 – Being “first to the niche” and serving developers-turned-founders05:06 – Validating a book idea with a landing page and real emails07:29 – Is SaaS creative? How Rob channels his creativity into business and books11:13 – Why I started my podcast to interview Gay Hendricks17:45 – Modeling creativity and entrepreneurship for our kids20:11 – Rob’s take on AI, startups, and the future of content34:22 – The lasting power of books vs. content40:07 – The books that changed Rob’s life47:11 – What his next book will cover and why it mattersFull show notesCOMMUNITY PROGRAMS📚 Write and Publish your bookCONNECT📷 Instagram🎬 TikTok👫🏻 Facebook💼 LinkedIn🐦‍⬛ Twitter🤝🏻 Apply to be a GuestLEAVE A REVIEW✍🏻 Review on Apple Podcasts✍️ Review on Spotify🖱️ Episode Webpage

Send us a textWriting 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 insights04:02 Editing voice, tone, and flow07:46 Choosing editors: curated platforms09:48 Writing with an editorFull show notesCOMMUNITY PROGRAMS📚 Write and Publish your bookCONNECT📷 Instagram🎬 TikTok👫🏻 Facebook💼 LinkedIn🐦‍⬛ Twitter🤝🏻 Apply to be a GuestLEAVE A REVIEW✍🏻 Review on Apple Podcasts✍️ Review on Spotify🖱️ Episode Webpage

Send us a textIn 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 anyone—from new moms to high-powered CEOs—unlock levels of achievement they once thought impossible.Timestamp:00:00 Sharing life-changing tools broadly04:48 Breaking through entrepreneurial barriers07:00 Neuroscience boosts results effectively10:37 Mastering change in 67 days15:25 Aligning your brain for goals18:29 Overcoming fear to create21:44 Azul’s vision and goal evolution25:40 Embracing your writing style30:02 The call to share wisdom31:20 Flip fear, share wisdomFull show notesCOMMUNITY PROGRAMS📚 Write and Publish your bookCONNECT📷 Instagram🎬 TikTok👫🏻 Facebook💼 LinkedIn🐦‍⬛ Twitter🤝🏻 Apply to be a GuestLEAVE A REVIEW✍🏻 Review on Apple Podcasts✍️ Review on Spotify🖱️ Episode Webpage

Send us a textWriting 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 avoid common pitfalls that keep writers stuck or stalled.Timestamp:00:00 Determining if your idea’s a book05:49 Books: tools for transformation07:26 Blog posts aren’t books10:32 Beyond tips: broadening book appeal16:01 Evaluating your book’s purpose16:57 Five-day writing challengeFull show notesCOMMUNITY PROGRAMS📚 Write and Publish your bookCONNECT📷 Instagram🎬 TikTok👫🏻 Facebook💼 LinkedIn🐦‍⬛ Twitter🤝🏻 Apply to be a GuestLEAVE A REVIEW✍🏻 Review on Apple Podcasts✍️ Review on Spotify🖱️ Episode Webpage

Send us a textWhat 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 is one of the most thought-provoking I’ve had, and I know it will resonate with writers, creatives, and anyone feeling the stirrings of something deeper.Timestamp:00:00 Origins of a book on narcissism03:06 Writing journey: from months to years09:25 The status quo of self-deception11:07 Challenging spiritual models globally13:24 Questioning educational norms19:20 Innovative teaching: students as authors23:08 Future book explores time perception23:55 Innate intuition and self-discovery27:34 Rethinking disability and contribution32:07 Unconventional success in education36:05 Overcoming fear for self-expression37:22 Join us on Authors Who LeadFull show notesCOMMUNITY PROGRAMS📚 Write and Publish your bookCONNECT📷 Instagram🎬 TikTok👫🏻 Facebook💼 LinkedIn🐦‍⬛ Twitter🤝🏻 Apply to be a GuestLEAVE A REVIEW✍🏻 Review on Apple Podcasts✍️ Review on Spotify🖱️ Episode Webpage