Write About Now

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. 

We all struggle with our self-confidence from time to time. But there are adjustments you can make mentally and physically to help boost your confidence and make a powerful impression. Guest Karen Donaldson is a communication, body language, and confidence coach. She works with politicians, celebrities, and artists to help improve their confidence when they’re speaking or not speaking. Karen is also the author of several books, including Speak Like You Breathe: 30 Lessons to Become a Naturally Confident Speaker. She talks about the steps you can take today to act more confidently. She also shares insight into how other people use their body language to manipulate you. 

Guest Benjamin Dreyer joins the podcast to talk about grammar do's and don'ts. Dreyer is the head copy chief at Random House and the author of the bestselling book, Dreyer's English. On the show, he talks about words and phrases you can go a week without using, the adjective he overuses, his controversial view on adverbs, and the most common mistakes writers make. This is a replay of an episode I recorded in 2019. Enjoy!

In our polarized and highly sensitive culture, it isn't easy being in the comedy business. But guest Ian Abramson has weathered the storm with his rare brand of eclectic and experimental humor. Ian was the creator and star of 7 Minutes in Purgatory on Comedy Central. He also appeared numerous times on Conan. He talks about why he got into comedy, how he crafts his jokes, and what it's like being a comic at a time when comedians such as Chris Rock and Dave Chappelle are attacked on stage, and an off-color joke might get you canceled. 

Guest Laura Vanderkam is a time-management and productivity expert, and author of the new book, Tranquility by Tuesday. A working mother of 5 children, she's had to learn a few things about how to get organized and make the most of your day. On the show, we talk about: What successful people do before breakfast Managing your day by tasks rather than time  What's wrong with to-do lists The best time to set appointments How to cope with your email inbox The importance of accountability groups And much more. There is a ton of good advice you can use to get more done with less effort. 

Have you ever heard of the Enneagram? It's a tool that breaks down personalities into nine types. Guest Dani Abernathy believes it can help reveal your motivations and your fears—and explain why you do the things you do. Dani is a fantasy fiction author and book coach. She swears by the Enneagram, believing it has assisted her with her writing and her personal development. On the show, she talks about how she uses the Enneagram with her clients to help them develop their writing skills and their characters. We also compare notes on our own personality types and how they help and hurt us.  Subscribe to my newsletter @ https://jonathan856.substack.com/ Support the show on Patreon @ https://www.patreon.com/writeaboutnowpodcast Dani Abernathy's Kickass Protagonist Builder: https://bit.ly/3T7YxGX

He's the most notorious murderer you've probably never heard of. Edward Rulloff terrified the nation in the mid-19th century for his wickedness and his brilliance. His oversized brain was so fascinating that it still sits in a dusty jar at Cornell University. Crime historian Kate Winkler Dawson has written a new book about Rulloff called All That is Wicked. She shares his story and its implications for the then-emerging field of criminal psychology. The Rulloff case still raises the essential question: Are psychopathic killers born or made?