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

Mar 15, 2024 • 50min
Podcast to Published | Abby Medcalf
Send us a textIn this episode of Authors Who Lead, I delve deep into the complexities of the writing process and the essential role of boundaries with renowned psychologist and best-selling author Abby Medcalf. Our insightful conversation uncovers Abby’s strategies for setting specific goals, her dynamic framework for book-writing, and the impact of her works on transforming relationships.Timestamp:00:00 Abby Metcalfe: Relationship expert, author, speaker.06:01 Recognizing boundaries, content creation, and overcoming challenges.06:39 Research-based, actionable podcast with a focus on efficiency.11:55 Efficiently delivering content for my mission.13:11 Framework for book chapters with podcast content.16:25 Sharing for free help, but the paid version prospered.21:08 Focus on the target audience, don't fear niche.25:02 Understanding motivates action; knowledge is valuable.26:38 Book title emphasizes being happily married and setting boundaries.31:51 Commit to daily boundaries for personal growth.33:32 Caring from love, worrying from fear, no negativity.38:26 Boundaries: Take responsibility for your actions.40:15 Take ownership, start with a tiny action.42:54 Schedule time, resources, and balance for success.47:58 Learning and growth, gratitude, and book recommendation.49:33 Grateful and wishing you an amazing day.Full 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

Mar 8, 2024 • 13min
Breaking Through Resistance | Azul Terronez
Send us a textIn this episode of Authors Who Lead, I delve into the concept of resistance in writing. I discuss the challenges that authors face in owning the identity of an author and its impact on the writing process. I share his insights on how resistance can hinder the completion and publication of a book, and why aspiring writers must embrace the title of "author" from the very beginning. I also explore the link between creativity, fear, and the human desire for belonging, offering encouragement and practical advice for overcoming resistance.Timestamp:00:00 Overcoming fear of calling oneself an author.04:52 Embrace being an author from the start.07:27 The Amygdala helps protect us, and resistance signifies newness.10:36 Claim your desires through purposeful writing.Full 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

Mar 1, 2024 • 46min
Imagine, Play, Write | Reid Thompson
Send us a textIn this episode of Authors Who Lead, I delve into the intriguing world of Reid Thompson, an entrepreneur and life coach whose embrace of a playful, high-frequency lifestyle has dramatically transformed his creative journey. Reid’s story is a testament to the power of positive energy, conscious luck, and the law of attraction in reshaping our lives and literary endeavors.Timestamp:00:00 Author interviews, intuition, corporate leader Reid Thompson.05:44 A 12-month experiment leads to transformative abundance and job departure.08:25 Living in the moment, open to inspiration.10:44 Imagining life as a free-spirited unicorn.15:52 Learning to prioritize personal truth and desires.17:40 23 years at the company, substantial pay, retirement offer.23:03 Respect others' choices, embrace authenticity, find joy.23:55 I realized I spent too much time caring for others.27:10 Receptive mode needed for coaching and guidance.32:56 Focus on tuning into the yummy frequency.35:45 Excited to write a book, enjoying the process.39:42 "The War of Art" challenges creatives to resist.42:12 Successful people embrace natural audible expressions positively.43:25 Active on Instagram, website, Facebook, and creative.Full 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

Feb 23, 2024 • 46min
Pitching to Podcasts | Michelle Glogovac
Michelle Glogovac, a skilled publicist and author specializing in podcast pitching, dives into the art of connecting with audiences through storytelling. She emphasizes the importance of authenticity in crafting pitches, sharing insights on how to stand out in a crowded space. Glogovac highlights the role of personal branding in promoting books and offers strategies for creating a compelling media kit. With relatable anecdotes, she stresses the significance of relationships and being media-ready to enhance visibility and sales for authors.

Feb 16, 2024 • 14min
5-Day Writing Challenge | Azul Terronez
Send us a textAre you an aspiring author with a brilliant book idea but unsure of where to start? Do you often find yourself struggling with writer’s block or feeling overwhelmed by the thought of writing a book?In this episode of Authors Who Lead, I explore the common challenges faced by aspiring authors and share insights and strategies to help overcome writer’s block and begin the writing process. I also discuss the upcoming 5-day challenge (challenge.authorswholead.com) designed to help writers clarify their book ideas and develop effective writing habits. The key is to simplify ideas and focus on being a guide rather than an expert to connect with readers.Timestamp:00:00 Brainstorm, visualize, and organize ideas on paper.04:35 Simplify your book idea for reader engagement.09:03 Expertise needs translation - be a guide.11:12 Online community for sharing, inspiring, and connecting.13:31 Listen to Authors Who Lead for updates.Full 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

Feb 9, 2024 • 47min
How Embracing Uniqueness Leads to Changing the World | Alex Charfen
Send us a textIn this episode of Authors Who Lead, I welcome entrepreneur and author Alex Charfen to discuss his book "The Entrepreneurial Personality Type: Your guide to the most important and misunderstood people among us." Despite not meeting in person due to illness, our conversation delves into his journey as an entrepreneur, overcoming challenges, and the importance of understanding and harnessing the unique qualities of entrepreneurial personality types.Timestamp:00:00 Excited to welcome author Alex Charfen. Accomplished and influential.04:37 Personal development books led to frustration and turned into successful people's stories.06:45 Embracing uniqueness leads to changing the world.12:10 Emotional struggle, entrepreneurial personality, and sensitivities.15:17 High sensitivity and awareness lead to behavior changes.18:44 Reducing pressure and noise for self-care.21:02 Help companies grow while prioritizing self-care.24:35 A balanced approach is key to success.28:31 Real estate collapse leads to bankruptcy and struggle.30:15 Learn from losses and achieve success after bankruptcy.35:33 Wrote book as a calling, shared in 2016.36:52 Book brings people to us, it's validation.42:41 Stay open and trust in your instincts.43:18 Writing a book will transform and fortify.Full 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

Feb 1, 2024 • 52min
Slightly Above Average | Sandi Marx
Send us a textIn this episode of Authors Who Lead, I engage in a candid conversation with Sandi Marx, a retired talent agent turned New York-based storyteller. The episode delves deep into the power of embracing mediocrity, the impact of honest storytelling, and the lessons learned from the creation of Sandi’s book, Slightly Above Average: Memoirs of a Successful Village Idiot.Timestamp:00:00 Retired town agent turned acclaimed storyteller and comedian.04:01 Enthusiastic about comedy and storytelling embraces authenticity.07:00 Captivating storytelling ability led to a partnership proposal.10:44 Realizing potential despite feeling mediocre or deceiving.14:47 1st book - childhood, heroes, soulful, life journey.16:42 Reflecting on old stories, rewriting for truth.21:12 Missed video opportunity, Jewish cheerleader for Pele.24:17 Impressed by your determination despite inconvenience.27:49 Embrace empathy and understanding for better lives.30:09 Skilled storyteller captivates audience, gains storytelling gig.34:22 Endorsements, auditions, recording, James Earl Jones, directing.37:41 Hired for a job for mail merge skills.41:00 Underestimating average people doing dumb things.43:34 She helped with the dress and felt out of place.47:58 Switch dialogue, feel important, make connections, and be engaging.49:40 Weekly writing prompts lead to unexpected inspiration.Full 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

Jan 25, 2024 • 17min
Overcoming Procrastination, Perfectionism, and Self-Doubt | Azul Terronez
Send us a textIn this episode of Authors Who Lead, I share valuable insights on how to overcome common challenges such as procrastination, perfectionism, and self-doubt when writing and publishing a book. I emphasize the importance of addressing the underlying factors that contribute to these obstacles and offer practical advice for aspiring authors.Timestamp:00:00 Self-doubt, perfectionism, and procrastination in writing.03:15 Defensive perfectionism shielded by fear of vulnerability.09:03 Seek community support to overcome self-doubt.09:57 Be honest, seek support, and set realistic goals.15:55 Join our small dedicated community author program.16:45 Doubtful? Your voice matters. Subscribe, share, enjoy!Full 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

Jan 18, 2024 • 37min
How to Start Writing a Book | Maryam Munir
Send us a textIn this episode of Authors Who Lead, Maryam Munir engages in a heartfelt and inspiring discussion about the transformative power of writing and trauma-informed parenting. She shares personal experiences, challenges, and triumphs with us, offering a glimpse into the journey of writing and the profound impact of transparent and courageous parenting.Timestamp:00:00 Authors and leaders share writing process insights.03:28 TED talk inspires development program with the story.07:16 Book aims to help parents break the cycle.09:31 Unique, honest book on parenting and relationships.12:48 Pakistani American wants to support communities worldwide.16:38 You helped me break down the book.19:15 Vulnerability makes books engaging, trustworthy, and transformative.23:13 Early feedback on writing brought overwhelming validation.27:33 Encourage action, and value group collaboration in writing.29:27 Valuing group learning for diverse insights and support.33:40 Becoming an author opens up new perspectives.36:18 Subscribe for new episodes, and visit authors who lead.Full 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

Jan 12, 2024 • 34min
How to Avoid Burnout | Marie-Helene Pelletier
Send us a textIn this episode of Authors Who Lead, Marie-Helene shares her profound wisdom from her book The Resilience Plan, designed to empower leaders and professionals to cultivate resilience and thrive personally and professionally. Discover how Marie-Helene challenges the conventional view of resilience as a fixed trait and advocates for it as a strategic investment.Timestamp:00:00 Write for a specific audience, not everyone.04:46 Resilience and personality traits are distinct concepts.07:19 Burnout builds over time, not sudden occurrence.09:58 Self-protection, compassion fatigue, demand, and supply.13:23 Epiphany about book's impact and BEARS framework.18:56 Entrepreneurs thrive on optimism to succeed.21:05 Praise for the book and writing process.25:48 Creating new ideas and birthing something bigger.27:32 Learning from others helps in professional life.30:35 Nurturing a book creates new opportunities.33:26 Expresses gratitude and invites to connect online.Full 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