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...
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Healed Enough: Navigating Complex Trauma, Dissociation, and the Journey of Writing a Memoir
<p>Send us Fan Mail</p><p>Writing a memoir is never an easy feat—especially when the story being told explores the deeply personal terrain of trauma, healing, and the reclamation of one’s agency. In this episode of the "Authors Who Lead" podcast, I sit down with Chelsey Valeri—licensed clinical social worker, trauma therapist, and debut memoirist—as she offers an honest glimpse into how she crafted her book, Healed Enough. Through our conversation, you'll get a multidimensional understanding of complex trauma—from both clinical and lived perspectives—and what it takes to turn such experiences into a story that...
Living Abroad and Writing Books: A Life Transformed by Authorship
<p>Send us Fan Mail</p><p>For many of you, the journey from idea to manuscript can feel daunting and filled with self-doubt. In this heartfelt solo episode, I share personal insights and experiences from a life devoted to writing, coaching, and the pursuit of dreams. This post explores key takeaways from the episode, offering both encouragement and practical wisdom for anyone standing at the threshold of their own writing journey.</p><p>Timestamp:</p><p>00:00 Deciding to write a book<br/>03:38 Pursuing travel through writing<br/>07:23 Importance of finishing your book<br/>11:55 Writing and living in Spain</p><...
The Power of Memoir: Andrea Wilson Woods Shares Her Journey and Writing Process
<p>Send us Fan Mail</p><p>Behind every aspiring author I meet is a burning question: “Does what I have to say really matter?” I want to shine a light on this today, urging you to look beyond the mechanics of writing and toward the deeper reason you write at all. Writing a book is about so much more than perfect prose or bestseller status—it’s about sharing your unique message, stepping into leadership, and leaving a mark on the world that only you can.</p><p>Timestamp:</p><p>00:00 Discussing the book's narrative style<br/>04:02 Navigating medical language...
Stop Agonizing Over Words: Focus on Your Unique Message | Azul Terronez
<p>Send us Fan Mail</p><p>Behind every aspiring author I meet is a burning question: “Does what I have to say really matter?” I want to shine a light on this today, urging you to look beyond the mechanics of writing and toward the deeper reason you write at all. Writing a book is about so much more than perfect prose or bestseller status—it’s about sharing your unique message, stepping into leadership, and leaving a mark on the world that only you can.</p><p>Timestamp:<br/><br/>00:00 Seeking significance through writing<br/>04:34 Message beneath the words<br...
Why Authors Sometimes Hate Their Own Book, And What To Do Next
<p>Send us Fan Mail</p><p>I often feel we take communication for granted, assuming it’s just about relaying information. Yet, in my latest conversation, I sat down with Sage Hobbs—author of Naked Communication—to explore how communication rooted in authenticity and curiosity can radically alter our relationships at work, at home, and within ourselves. Our talk was a candid look at what it really takes to write a book, launch it (twice), and confront your own vulnerabilities.</p><p>Timestamp:<br/><br/>00:00 Writing to connect authentically<br/>05:28 Reflections on teaching and growth<br/>08:18 Writing reveals self-discovery<br/>11...
From Ideas to Manuscript: How True Human Evolved Through Writing and Honesty | Samantha Sweetwater
<p>Send us Fan Mail</p><p>In this episode of Authors Who Lead, I sit down with Samantha Sweetwater to discuss how her book True Human: Reimagining Ourselves at the End of Our World evolved from scattered ideas into a cohesive manuscript through patience, humility, and honesty.<br/><br/>We explore what it means to write during a time of ecological, technological, and cultural transformation—and why authorship requires more than inspiration. Samantha shares the four-year journey of shaping her ideas, letting go of what didn’t belong, and allowing the book to mature into its final form.</p><p>Ti...
How to Find Confidence to Start Writing Your Book | Azul Terronez
<p>Send us Fan Mail</p><p>If you’re waiting for a surge of confidence before you start writing your book, you’re not alone. I’ve spent years hosting the Authors Who Lead Podcast, talking with authors at every stage of the journey, and one belief comes up again and again: “I just need a little more confidence before I begin.”</p><p>Here’s the truth I’ve learned—confidence rarely shows up first. Action does. And waiting for confidence is often the very thing keeping us stuck.</p><p>Timestamp:<br/><br/>00:00 Confidence comes through action<br/>05:14 Embrac...
Memoir Writing Tips from Film and Television Executive Barbara Caver
<p>Send us Fan Mail</p><p>In this episode, I sit down with Barbara Caver, a film and television production executive, passionate traveler, and first-time memoirist. Her debut memoir, A Little Piece of Cuba, weaves together Cuban heritage, family memory, and a life-changing trip in a way that resonates far beyond cultural boundaries.</p><p>In our conversation, Barbara and I talk openly about the creative process, emotional roadblocks, and how lived experience slowly becomes a finished book. What emerged is a powerful reminder for aspiring authors: memoir isn’t about recording everything that happened — it’s about listening to wha...
Kathryn Henry: Why Clarity Comes Through Writing, Not Before It
<p>Send us Fan Mail</p><p>What if grief wasn’t something to get over, but something that could teach us how to live?</p><p>In this deeply moving conversation, Azul Terronez sits down with executive, speaker, and author Kathryn Henry to discuss her memoir, A Dime to Say I Love You. After losing her wife Lisa following a decade-long battle with cancer, Kathryn began writing not just to remember, but to heal, to listen, and to live more fully.</p><p>This is a conversation about love, non-attachment, forgiveness, and what happens when writing becomes a spiritual pr...
How Writing a Book Transformed My Life | Azul Terronez
<p>Send us Fan Mail</p><p>In this episode of Authors Who Lead, I return with a heartfelt update and an honest call to action for anyone dreaming of writing a book. This episode isn’t just an update—it’s a raw exploration of why telling your story truly matters, how the writing process can change your life, and what to do when self-doubt creeps in. </p><p>I’m reminded again that the journey to authorship is about much more than putting words on a page. It’s about finding your truth and having the courage to share it wi...
