Write About Now

When Ithaca College's president asked Jason DeLand to give this commencement address at his alma mater, he didn't hesitate for one second. DeLand, the co-founder of a big-time advertising firm called Anomaly, has quite the inspiring, rags-to-riches story. He grew up penniless on a street called Swamp Road. But he put himself through college and established an agency known for its viral Super Bowl ads. In the episode, DeLand talks about the process of writing his commencement speech, the profound role of teachers in his life, what makes advertisements stick, how that industry is changing, and what he's learned about life and writing over the years. Sign up for Jon Small's online writing masterclass, The Secret Formula to Writing Nonfiction Stories. https://bit.ly/smallmasterclass Get all the latest tips and tricks about writing on the substack newsletter Small Talk. https://bit.ly/smalltalksubstack

There has been a worrisome escalation of anti-Semitism over the past few months around the world. But what's behind it? Israel's war with Hamas in Gaza or something deeper, more complex? Jonathan Small sits down with Gavriel Rosenfeld, President of the Center for Jewish History and author of "Fascism in America, Past and Present," to delve into the historical roots and modern manifestations of this enduring prejudice. Rosenfeld offers insights into the nuanced interplay between anti-Semitism, anti-Zionism, and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, shedding light on a complex but important topic.

Sociolinguist Valerie Fridland explains why common filler words like 'like' and 'literally' are actually beneficial in communication. She discusses the history and psychology behind these words, challenging misconceptions about linguistic decline. Fridland highlights the importance of language diversity, the evolution of words like 'like' in English, and the function of intensifiers like 'literally'. The podcast explores the adaptability of language over time and the significance of slang terms like 'dude' in various subcultures.

On this episode, we go behind the scenes with author Trish Lundy to find out what it takes get a YA novel written, sold, and published by a major house. Trish just released her eminently readable debut YA Thriller novel, "The One That Got Away with Murder." She talks about the process of writing multiple manuscripts before getting it right, her journey in finding an agent, tips and tricks for finding a story and characters that jump off the page, and what she's learned about the craft by going through the process. Speaking of debut books, I have one coming out next month. If you'd like to receive an early copy for review, sign up @ https://bit.ly/3vD4s0B I'm teaching an online masterclass on writing magazine articles that sell. Sign up @ https://bit.ly/smallmasterclass Write About Now is sponsored by AG1. Order with my special code:drinkAG1.com/writeaboutnow

Molly Roden Winter wouldn't seem like the poster child for polyamory. But the married, middle-aged mom's new book, More: A Memoir of Open Marriage, has caught fire, moving the controversial topic from the margins to the mainstream. Winter joins the show to talk about her unexpected open marriage and, with it, a life-changing journey of self-discovery. She also talks about the process of writing her first book, from a vision that came to her during meditation to the arduous trial-and-error journey of getting the story right—and then getting it sold. I have a new book coming out! If you would like to be part of my Launch Squad—a group of people who are willing to read my book and review it online a few days before the official release date—sign up @ https://bit.ly/3vD4s0B

Catherine Coldstream shares the extraordinary tale of joining an ancient and secretive Carmelite monastery in the UK, surrendering completely to a life of poverty, chastity, and obedience. But years into leading this sheltered and isolated life of a silent nun, she started to realize the complexities and dangers of the life she vowed to live. Her experience is captured beautifully in a new memoir called Cloistered: My Years as a Nun. She joins host Jonathan Small to talk about why she gave up her carefree, bohemian life to become a cloistered nun, what life was like inside the monastery, her views on celibacy and isolation from the outside world, and the similarities between her experience and those of cult members. I have a new book coming out and would love for you to be part of my Book Launch Squad. Sign up @ https://bit.ly/3vD4s0B

Hip hop recently celebrated its 50th anniversary. What started off as an underground movement in the 1970s has blossomed into a global phenomenon with no end in sight. How has hip hop managed to not stop after all these years? Why were those who kept calling it a fad so completely wrong? Guest Todd Boyd has curated a comprehensive book called Rappers Deluxe: How Hip Hop Made the World that chronicles hip hop's defining moments each decade. Using photographs, movie posters, fine art, album covers, film and sports stills, he paints an often misunderstood portrait of hip hop's influences. Even the word hip hop is often thought to denote the music, but as Boyd describes it, the culture encapsulates much more. Listen to this sonic journey into hip hop's origins.

Veteran journalist Abby Ellin almost married a pathological liar and convicted criminal, but luckily, her reporter's instincts for the truth kicked in, and she averted disaster. Her crazy story is chronicled in her book Duped and podcast Imposters: The Commander. On the show, she talks about falling for the con, discovering the truth, and what the experience taught her about those who deceive. Subscribe to my newsletter Small Talk @ https://jonathan856.substack.com

Only a few months in, and it's already a bleak year for the media. Journalists lost 500 jobs in January alone, with mass layoffs at the LA Times, Business Insider, Sports Illustrated, and others. I lost my own job at Entrepreneur after working there for five years. But according to my guest Chandra Turner, where one door may be closing, others are swinging wide open. Chandra founded The Talent Fairy, a recruiting agency that places journalists in editorial, brand publishing, and content marketing positions. She sees a bright and lucrative future in content marketing and rejects the belief that these jobs are sellouts. On the pod, she talks about her own career trajectory from magazines editor to job fairy, who's hiring in 2024, and what skills they desire. Subscribe to my newsletter @ https://jonathan856.substack.com/ Watch the interview @ https://bit.ly/WriteAboutNowYouTube

In the fall of 2020, a Canadian farmer named Helen Naslund was sentenced to 18 years in prison for killing her violently abusive husband. That case and the lengthy sentence she received sparked tremendous outrage around Canada, exposing serious issues with how the justice system in that country treats abused women. Guest true crime journalist Jana Pruden spoke to Naslund through multiple interviews and letters from prison. It was the first time Helen opened up publicly about what happened that fateful night and everything that came after. Pruden shares this story of unspeakable violence and a woman's fight for her freedom in the critically-acclaimed podcast, In Her Defence. Read her Globe & Mail story here. Subscribe to the Small Talk substack