Write About Now

We are amidst a pop music revolution largely dictated by an algorithm. Should we be afraid? John Seabrook joins the show to discuss his latest article in The New Yorker, "So You Want to Be a TikTok Star?" TikTok now has over 1 billion users and the app is transforming how artists create and market their music and how we listen to songs — for better and worse. Seabrook has written for the venerable New Yorker for over 30 years, specializing in stories about music, culture, and technology. His book "The Song Machine" detailed how hits were manufactured in the early 2000s, and this article picks up where that story left off.

Guest @davidhochman is a veteran journalist and founder of Upod Academy, an online writing school for freelancers. On this replay of one of WAN's most popular episodes, David dives into the hacks that writers can incorporate into their daily routines to increase their creativity and skills. More information on Write About Now @writeaboutnowmedia.com Subscribe to my newsletter @Small Talk on substack Support the show @ patreon.com/writeaboutnowpodcast

Mindful meditation has been shown to reduce stress, anxiety, and pain, but many of us don't have the time or patience to make it a regular practice. Guest Jake Eagle says he has the solution - micro-dosing mindfulness. In his new book The Power of AWE, he and co-author Michael Amster, MD, share a simple mindfulness practice that can help you achieve the benefits of meditation in a matter of 20 seconds. For more information: linktr.ee/jonathansmall

Only 8 percent of us will stick to our New Year's resolutions before the end of the year. Guest Amy Morin says that's because our goals are often too lofty or not specific enough. She offers some smart strategies for making and not breaking resolutions this year that will make you feel better about yourself. Amy is the editor-in-chief of VeryWellMind.com and the author of a series of bestselling books on strategies mentally strong people use. Her TedTalk is one of the most listened to of all time.

Live from The Bourbon Room in Hollywood, an interview with pop music songwriter Sam Hollander. His new book 21-Hit Wonder: Flopping My Way to the Top of the Charts details the many spectacular failures he endured until he finally hit it big in his early 40s. Sam has written chart toppers for such artists as Panic! At the Disco, Fitz and the Tantrums, Katy Perry, Weezer, Jewel, and Train. We spoke in front of a packed crowd about his many mishaps, his music industry rollercoaster ride, and how he writes hit songs despite not being able to play an instrument or read music. With special guest performances by Chris Pierce, Jordan Topf, and Terese Curatolo. Write About Now @ www.writeaboutnowmedia.com Sign up for my newsletter Small Talk @ https://jonathan856.substack.com/ Support the show on Patreon @ https://www.patreon.com/writeaboutnowpodcast

Award-winning journalist Sam Quinones tells the terrifying story of how the deadly new synthetic drugs plaguing the country have lead to mental illness and a surge in homelessness across the United States. Quinones has a fascinating book out on the subject called The Least of Us, which chronicles how designer drugs such as methamphetamine and fentanyl took the place of opiates such as OxyContin and heroin. The powerful drugs are more addictive and lethal than anything we've seen before. Quinones also offers stories of hope as communities come together to combat addiction.

College professor and author Thomas C. Foster joins the show to give a masterclass on the five steps needed to structure an awesome article. Foster's latest book is How to Write Like a Writer, part of a series of smart and useful guides he has written on understanding the fine arts of writing, reading, and researching. From the lead to the kicker, these are the key elements to making any story soar.

Scientist Leah Elson joins the show to give fascinating and insightful answers to my dumb questions, including: Why do men have nipples? What's the deal with pubic hair? Why is the sky blue? Is teleportation possible? ..and many more Elson is an infinitely patient teacher. She has an upcoming book called There Are (No) Stupid Questions in... Science, in which she addresses a wide range of perplexing topics from the ridiculous to the sublime.

"Friluftsliv" is what Swedish people do outside all day before they cuddle up in front of the fireplace with their wool socks on and a cup of hot chocolate. It's also the subject of the terrific new book The Open-Air Life written by Write About Now guest Linda Akeson Mcgurk. From walking barefoot around the neighborhood to foraging for mushrooms, Mcgurk talks about why and how we should spend more time outside and how friluftsliv can combat stress, anxiety disorders, depression, and burnout. Even if you're not the outdoorsy type, you'll find this interview a nice anecdote to our frantic, plugged-in society.

In a world of misinformation and con artists gone wild, we need to be even more vigilant about who's lying to us and who's telling the truth. Guest David J. Lieberman, Ph.D., is a psychotherapist and the author of eleven books, including his latest Mindreader, which offers ways to decipher what people really think and want. Lieberman is a lie-detection expert who trains the FBI, CIA, and other security agencies on how to read minds. On this episode, he shares telltale signs of deceit in people's words and actions. He also offers his verdict on why lying has become an epidemic in today's society and what we can do about it.