Episode 21: The Creative Couple
Now That's A Great Story
Sonya and I chat with Jennifer Miller and Jason Feifer, who co-wrote Mr. Nice Guy, a novel about two sex columnists who sleep with each other and critique their performance in competing publications. Mannnn, our conversation is as fun as their book.
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Episode 20: How to Lead a Still Life
Now That's A Great Story
Are you stressed? Stymied by your writing projects? Well, I talk with Rebecca Pacheco, the author of Still Life: The Myths and Magic of Mindful Living. That book transformed how I see the world. This is one of the best episodes we've done.
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The Power of Strangers
Now That's A Great Story
We're back! Today we've got a special guest, Joe Keohane, author of The Power of Strangers. Sonya and I loved the book and, from within The Salon, we talked with Joe about why you need not only friends but strangers to enrich your life and improve your health. To talk with a stranger is a lot like interviewing someone as a journalist, and Joe and I discuss the practical things you can do to improve your own interviewing techniques.
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Episode 18: Noah Lefevre of Polyphonic: BONUS Episode
Now That's A Great Story
From within The Salon I talk with Noah Lefevre, the creator of the YouTube channel, Polyphonic, which to date has over 84 million views. Noah and I talk about how and why he started his music- and storytelling obsessed channel, the flow state that every creative type knows, entrepreneurship, and blowing up in your early 20s.
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Episode 17: In the Lull
Now That's A Great Story
Sonya and I talk about the travel I plan to do next month and what that means for today, which is nothing, which is rest. We discuss how I've tried in the past to deal with these lulls in the schedule.
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Episode 16: A battle with more What Ifs
Now That's A Great Story
Sonya and I discuss how I'm fully vaccinated and ready to travel—but the archives aren't open. And if the archives aren't open now, what will happen if they never open? This episode, like the last, is less about the physical world than our mental states. There are also practical tips on when you should stop your book research.
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Episode 15: A battle with the funk
Now That's A Great Story
Sonya and I talk about the depressive funk that came over me last week: what caused it, why certain thoughts worsened it, and how I overcame it (for now). If you're a writer who deals with your own depression and anxiety—in other words: calling all writers!—give this episode a listen.
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Bonus Episode: The art of great podcast storytelling, with Jody Avirgan
Now That's A Great Story
Jody Avirgan joins me in this bonus episode. Jody launched ESPN's 30 for 30 serialized podcasts, and now host his own podcast while executive producing Death at the Wing, hosted by Academy Award Winner Adam McKay. Jody and I discuss the differences between a great "talk" podcast and a narrative one. Our conversation occurs within The Salon, the private membership forum I run, of which Jody is a member.
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Bonus episode: Uncommon Success, with John Lee Dumas
Now That's A Great Story
In this bonus episode I talk to the great John Lee Dumas, the entrepreneur and podcaster whose new book, The Common Path to Uncommon Success, inspired me. JLD's been inspiring me for years now. He's one of the reasons I decided to break out on my own. The two of us discuss how the life and career you want are never as far away as you imagine.
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What to think about when you think about structure
Now That's A Great Story
Think about the people who make stuff up for a living—especially if you're writing a nonfiction book. Sonya and I discuss why nonfiction authors should be inspired by novelists when structuring their books. We also talk about some of the novels that have inspired me.
info_outlineSonya and I talk about a quote from Ralph Abernathy's memoir: How the problems he and MLK faced in Birmingham were, he believed, God guiding them to the solution they needed. I read that passage at just the right time in my own book research. We talk about what happens when you hit insurmountable obstacles, and how they can guide you to the solution you need.
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