Turning Expertise Into Authorship | Dr. Amy McMichael
Send us a textWhen I think of someone too busy to write a book, Dr. Amy McMichael immediately comes to mind. She juggles her roles as a professor in the Department of Dermatology at Wake Forest School of Medicine, a practicing dermatologist, and a mentor to countless students. She has every reason not to add “author” to her already full plate. But in our conversation on the Authors Who Lead podcast, it becomes clear that it’s her deep commitment to mentorship that fuels her decision to write her book, Perfect Match: Secure Your Residency Spot and Achieve Greatness in Dermatology.Timestamp:00:00 Inspired to write a book05:31 Editing process and writing insights08:15 Transitioning from handwriting to dictation11:27 Book gains academic support15:12 Joyful writing and mentorship reflection17:03 Mentorship: my lifelong passion18:53 Mentorship in medical education23:01 Supportive mentorship in dermatology28:19 Diverse feedback on written work30:34 Human essays in dermatology34:08 Guidance completes the journey35:58 Dr. Maya Angelou’s adviceFull show notesCOMMUNITY PROGRAMS📚 Write and Publish your bookCONNECT📷 Instagram🎬 TikTok👫🏻 Facebook💼 LinkedIn🐦⬛ Twitter🤝🏻 Apply to be a GuestLEAVE A REVIEW✍🏻 Review on Apple Podcasts✍️ Review on Spotify🖱️ Episode Webpage
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Why Small Ideas Make Great Books | Dan Andrews
Send us a textIn this episode of Authors Who Lead, I sit down with Dan Andrews—writer, entrepreneur, and founder of the Dynamite Circle—to dig deep into what it means to write and lead in today’s creative landscape. Our conversation is a goldmine for aspiring authors who wrestle with the pressure to be original, the fear of starting, and the all-too-familiar sting of writer’s block. Together, we explore how the writing process—far from being mystical or reserved for geniuses—is something deeply human, honest, and accessible.Timestamp:00:00 Internet transparency movement origins06:10 Internet explorations and new paths07:29 Tim Ferriss’ timely insight11:12 Early networking and generosity15:51 Conference speech writing hack18:10 Authors’ need for control21:47 Before the Exit insights25:16 Founder mode’s accelerated influence28:19 The 1000-day principle33:22 High output drives success35:49 Creative limits enhance artistic expression37:52 Creative freedom vs. impactful writing42:29 Overcoming creative doubt46:02 Personal podcast narratives48:48 Writing as a life-changing idea53:39 Impulsive ticket purchase regrets55:03 Apprenticeship success at MeetupFull show notesCOMMUNITY PROGRAMS📚 Write and Publish your bookCONNECT📷 Instagram🎬 TikTok👫🏻 Facebook💼 LinkedIn🐦⬛ Twitter🤝🏻 Apply to be a GuestLEAVE A REVIEW✍🏻 Review on Apple Podcasts✍️ Review on Spotify🖱️ Episode Webpage
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Family Stories to Fiction | Azul Terronez & Steve Vannoy
Send us a textWhen the world slowed during the pandemic, Steve Vannoy and I found an unexpected gift in that stillness. We began recording stories from his father, Smokey Vannoy—vivid tales of a bygone West Virginia filled with cinder-bottom towns, red-light districts, and river adventures. What started as a collection of oral history soon grew into something more—a shared book project, born from legacy and love.Adventures in Cinder Bottom became more than a family story. It turned into a vibrant retelling of time, place, and identity. In this episode of Authors Who Lead, as we reflect on our second book, Greenbrier River, we weren’t just navigating the usual creative hurdles of fiction—we were also carrying the weight of loss. Smokey passed away during the writing process, and that grief wove itself into every chapter. What makes these stories resonate is that they’re rooted in real people, real places, and a real desire to honor someone we both deeply admired.Timestamp:00:00 Smokey’s stories and Cinder Bottom03:08 Greenbrier River: growth through stories08:54 Authentic storytelling for Appalachia11:37 Boom to bust: a county’s journey13:32 Avoiding judgment in polarized times16:41 Early integration in segregated America19:34 Living stories: a father’s legacy25:32 Believe in your story26:46 From starter to finisher29:18 Join Authors Who Lead podcastFull show notesCOMMUNITY PROGRAMS📚 Write and Publish your bookCONNECT📷 Instagram🎬 TikTok👫🏻 Facebook💼 LinkedIn🐦⬛ Twitter🤝🏻 Apply to be a GuestLEAVE A REVIEW✍🏻 Review on Apple Podcasts✍️ Review on Spotify🖱️ Episode Webpage
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The Last Book Written by a Human | Jeff Burningham
Send us a textWhat does it mean to be human in a world increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence? This existential question pulses at the heart of episode 358 of the Authors Who Lead podcast, where I sit down with entrepreneur, investor, and now author Jeff Burningham. Our conversation, anchored in Burningham’s newly released book, The Last Book Written by a Human: Becoming Wise in the Age of AI, explores personal disruption, spiritual awakening, and the bold, hopeful possibilities that AI opens up for humanity.Timestamp:00:00 Unexpected journey: from politics to publishing03:31 Ayurvedic experience awakens creativity07:41 AI: potential and peril11:50 AI and human nature insight14:50 Fostering human connection and flourishing18:21 Embrace humanity over disruption20:23 Embracing AI in education23:31 Embracing transformation: letting go28:14 AI: humanity’s cosmic mirror30:18 Rediscovering humanity amid AI35:29 Present moment, eternal existence39:26 Write without thinking challenge42:38 Jeff burningham’s book pre-sales44:11 Sharing truth from experienceFull show notesCOMMUNITY PROGRAMS📚 Write and Publish your bookCONNECT📷 Instagram🎬 TikTok👫🏻 Facebook💼 LinkedIn🐦⬛ Twitter🤝🏻 Apply to be a GuestLEAVE A REVIEW✍🏻 Review on Apple Podcasts✍️ Review on Spotify🖱️ Episode Webpage
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The Real Reasons You Haven’t Written Your Book—And How to Move Past Them | Azul Terronez
Send us a textHave you ever felt like you had a book inside you, but just couldn’t get started? 81% of North Americans believe they have a book in them—but only a tiny fraction ever see that dream to completion. In this episode, I explore the real reasons people don’t write their books, debunk common myths, and share actionable steps to help you finally move from wishing to writing.Timestamp:00:00 Empowering Aspiring Writers05:09 Defining Your Why in Writing06:51 Overcoming Writer’s Block Myths09:56 Born to Write PodcastFull show notesCOMMUNITY PROGRAMS📚 Write and Publish your bookCONNECT📷 Instagram🎬 TikTok👫🏻 Facebook💼 LinkedIn🐦⬛ Twitter🤝🏻 Apply to be a GuestLEAVE A REVIEW✍🏻 Review on Apple Podcasts✍️ Review on Spotify🖱️ Episode Webpage
About 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? Are you curious about how successful bestselling authors write or learn how to publish and market a book? Have you thought, "I'd like to write a book," but I don't know where to start? I explore authors' journeys, how they craft their stories, become published, and share their art of writing books with the world. You are meant to write the book now and be inspired by those who have done it.
Listen to Authors Who Lead - Learn to write a book from bestselling authors and leaders, PRAATING and many other podcasts from around the world with the radio.net app
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