Born To Create

When you think of ways to connect with your audience and add value to them, what comes to mind? What usually focus on the more flashy forms of marketing such as social media, Amazon algorithms or Facebook ads. But there's a way to connect with your readers that relies on a decades-old technology we use every day. It's not flashy, it's not the new, hip thing, but it absolutely works. Yes, I'm talking about email newsletters. I'm excited to have a guest today who knows all about email newsletters, and he is going to help us decipher the code to using them successfully. His name is Jared Odle, and he is a missionary, entrepreneur, and freelance copywriter and marketer.  Most of the time, he lives in Ghana, West Africa close to the city of Tamale with his wife and kids. Jared is also working on a book and podcast related to men's loneliness. Jared and I go way, way back. We were both students at St. Louis Christian College in Florissant, Missouri back in the mid-90's. We had many, many classes together, and we al

In a world of equality and opportunity, we usually talk about power as if it’s a bad thing. But power is like time, money, or any other resource. It can be used for good or for bad. Writers don’t think about what we do in terms of power. We use words like creativity, craft, platform, audience, and entrepreneurship. But power? It’s a concept that seems a little old-fashioned, if not outright outdated these days. Power is just influence. When you have power as a writer, you can change people’s mind. You can tell a story that has impact. You can write books, sermons, articles, or other content and know that it can influence other people. On today's episode, Kent helps us understand what power is, and we can use it for good with our writing. *** If you enjoyed this episode, we would be grateful if you leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It helps more people discover the show, and the more people listen, the more we can invest into it and improve the show. Follow Kent Sanders: Facebook: https://facebook.com/kent.san

One of the tropes that seems to follow creative types around is the myth of the “tortured artist.” The myth goes something like this: creative work is very, very difficult, and it requires the artist to give their blood, sweat, and tears to their creative work. This tortured artist myth has been used to describe why so many creative types are depressed or otherwise messed up. And if you look at the number of popular musical artists from the 1970’s and 80’s who died from a drug overdose, it almost seems to be a real phenomenon that great artists are indeed tortured souls. But where does this myth come from? We don’t have time for a long history lesson here, but here is one explanation for why creative types, including writers, like to perpetuate this myth.  On today's episode, Kent challenges us to think of writing as easy, not as the work of a "tortured artist." *** If you enjoyed this episode, we would be grateful if you leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It helps more people discover the show, and the more p

Do you remember what it feels like to be criticized for your writing? Different memories come flooding back for different people. Maybe it was in junior high, when a teacher pointed out all your mistakes. Maybe it was in college when you submitted an essay to a contest, and you didn’t even place. Maybe it was more recently, when you published a blog post or wrote a social media post that someone didn’t like … and they let you know about it in no uncertain terms. These memories can be painful because it feels like people are criticizing us directly. They’re questioning our personal worth and stomping on our creative identity. Don’t they know how important this work is to you? Why don’t they understand that when they criticize your work, they are taking a little bit of your heart away? But that’s precisely the problem. We are usually far too close to our work to be objective about it. What’s more, the criticism often says more about the person doing the criticizing than it does about you. On today's episode, Ke

If you were to make a list of the most creative people from the last hundred years, Steve Jobs would be close to the top of the list. As the co-founder of Apple, he was in large part responsible for many of the devices and apps we use today, such as the Mac, iTunes, the iPhone, the iPad, and lots of others.  Especially in his later years, he was adored and admired for his visionary approach and his absolute refusal to go along with the status quo. But he wasn’t always the cultural icon that he is today. In 1997, Steve Jobs has been gone from Apple for twelve years after a painful exit in 1985. Now that he was back in command trying to turn the struggling company around, there was no magic bullet, no surefire gimmick or product that would help make Apple successful again. On today's episode, Kent reminds us that the crazy ones are indeed those who change the world. *** If you enjoyed this episode, we would be grateful if you leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It helps more people discover the show, and the more

What does it mean to be successful as a writer? It’s a simple question—you might say even deceptively simple. Why? Because we don’t often stop to think about how we define success. We are so accustomed to certain metrics that we seldom question our ideas of success. Like a dog chasing a car, we continue to run after it, never stopping to wonder if we should be chasing that particular car in the first place. We typically define success in terms of achievement. When someone has a successful book launch and reaches a certain number of online reviews, we brand that as a success. When someone sells a certain amount of books, we brand that as a success. When someone gets a publishing deal with one of the top five New York publishing houses, we brand that as a success. On today's episode, Kent challenges the idea that "success" comes only when you launch a book or achieve another major goal. *** If you enjoyed this episode, we would be grateful if you leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It helps more people discover t

The holiday season is in full swing, and most everyone is thinking about the gifts they are going to give others. Just yesterday, my son and I were talking about some gift ideas for my wife. And my wife and I have certainly been talking about gifts to get our son. While we're probably spending a lot of time on Amazon or looking around local stores, the best gifts come from who we are, not just what we buy. As a writer, you are in a unique position to give to others in a variety of ways. As I was thinking of ways to give and serve this holiday season, I thought it would be fun to make a list of a few different ways we can give to others as writers. These are the ten tips we cover in this episode: Mentor another writer. Give helpful feedback to another writer. Buy and promote a friend's book. Leave reviews for books and podcasts. Write that book you’ve been planning. Publish your work. Gather your writer friends for a call or mastermind. Say thank you to clients or others who have helped you. Tell an author ho

There are a lot of challenging aspects of being a writer. But in my experience, some of the biggest obstacles come from inside. If we look at why we sometimes are not achieving the impact and success we want, it's because we are paying attention to the false labels that others have given us, and that we have given ourselves. My guest today is Bee Evans. She is a speaker, coach, and thought leader who is on a mission to help others "Tear Out the Tags." This initiative is all about removing the labels that are holding us back. I have gotten to know Bee over the last few months, and she is not only a genuine encourager, but she helps you see yourself in a new way. I know you are going to be blessed by her incredible wisdom in this interview, which is all removing the labels that hold us back. This is such an important conversation, especially for writers and creative entrepreneurs. Be sure to check out Bee's website, TearOutTheTags.com, as well as her podcast, Tear Out the Tags, which just launched a couple of

Being a writer is a lot like living in The Wizard of Oz. Some days feel like you’ve lost your brain, most days feel like you’re holding onto your heart, and every day feels like a battle for your courage.  That’s how the Cowardly Lion felt just before he and the rest of the gang went in to see the Wizard in Emerald City. In one of the best musical moments of the whole movie, he says,  What makes the elephant charge his tusk, in the misty mist or the dusky dusk?  What makes the muskrat guard his musk? What makes the Sphinx the seventh wonder? What makes the dawn come up like thunder? At the end of each line, the group says, “Courage!” Near the end of the song, the Cowardly Lion says,  What have they got that I ain’t got? And the answer, of course … is courage. On today's episode, Kent questions the conventional wisdom about not having courage ... and shares a powerful reminder to look at courage in a different way. *** If you enjoyed this episode, we would be grateful if you leave a review on Apple Podcasts. I

Are you a glass half empty or a glass half full kind of person? If your answer is that you’re a glass half empty kind of person, it means you tend to focus on what you lack. If your answer is that you’re a glass half full kind of person, it means you tend to focus on what you have. So the question is not about what’s inside the glass. The question is, what’s inside of you? It really comes down to how you see the world. It also affects how you perceive your writing and your potential for success.  On today's special Thanksgiving episode, Kent shares an important reminder to be grateful for all the blessings we have as writers. *** If you enjoyed this episode, we would be grateful if you leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It helps more people discover the show, and the more people listen, the more we can invest into it and improve the show. Follow Kent Sanders: Facebook: https://facebook.com/kent.sanders Instagram: https://instagram.com/kentsanders Twitter: https://twitter.com/kentsanders   

Have you ever found yourself sitting, staring at the wall, thinking about that book you wanted to write? Then a few minutes later, you snap out of it and realize you were completely lost in thought? If so, you’re not alone. Probably every writer can relate to spending more time thinking about a book than actually writing it. But why do we do this? Why do we spend so much time planning, dreaming, visualizing, worrying, fretting, and stressing over a book before we even commit a word to paper? What is it about writers that we spend so much energy living in our heads, but we can’t seem to translate that energy into our hands by taking action? On today's episode, Kent reminds us to look a little deeper if we are feeling creatively blocked. *** If you enjoyed this episode, we would be grateful if you leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It helps more people discover the show, and the more people listen, the more we can invest into it and improve the show. Follow Kent Sanders: Facebook: https://facebook.com/kent.sande

We live in an age when it is easy to get out of almost any commitment. If you’re unhappy with your cable TV service, you can switch companies. If your dinner at a restaurant doesn’t taste good, you can send it back to the kitchen. If you are irritated at someone on social media, you can unfollow or even block them. But what about your relationship to your writing?  The concept of having a relationship with your writing may be new to you. Sometimes we view our writing as a task to be completed. If we approach our work like so many writers do, as a “tortured artist,” then our writing feels like an unbearable burden, a cross we have to carry. But writing is none of those things. It’s a privilege. A treasure. A responsibility. And an opportunity. On today's episode, Kent shares three simple ways to stay committed to your writing. *** If you enjoyed this episode, we would be grateful if you leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It helps more people discover the show, and the more people listen, the more we can invest

When you hear the name J.K. Rowling, what comes to mind?  You probably picture an ultra-successful author whose books are adored by millions of readers all over the world. As the author of the Harry Potter series, she has achieved a level of fame and fortune that very few authors will know. But it wasn’t always that way. Just a handful of years before she published the first Harry Potter book, J.K. Rowling was a poor, jobless single mother who was fresh off a divorce. She had conceived of the idea for the Harry Potter series a few years earlier. Now at a low point in her life she never anticipated, she gave her full attention to her writing. On today's episode, Kent reminds us that the best gifts--including failure--often come in unexpected wrapping. *** If you enjoyed this episode, we would be grateful if you leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It helps more people discover the show, and the more people listen, the more we can invest into it and improve the show. Follow Kent Sanders: Facebook: https://facebook

One of the most common themes I hear from people who want to write is, "Where do I start?" So many people have the desire, even the calling, to write ... yet they don't know where to begin. Rather than do a straight-up teaching episode on this topic, or having a single guest, I thought it would be fun to do a round-table discussion with a few of my writer friends to give different perspectives on getting started. This was so much fun that I've decided to do a monthly round-table format on different topics. I'm thrilled that three good friends have been able to join me for this conversation: Eric Elder is an online pastor, author, pianist, and music producer. Mary Felkins is a novelist who released her first book last year, and Ashley Rescot is a violinist, music teacher, and short story author. Of course each of these friends is much more, but that gives you a little context for what each of them brings to the table. In this conversation, we tackle some topics such as: What would you say to someone who belie

Episode Description (Libsyn & SM Post) Here is the U.S., we like to talk about ownership. In fact, one of the hallmarks of American society is the concept of owning land, owning a house, and owning a car. But when it comes to our careers and the direction of our lives, we often leave that completely up to chance. My guest today is here to help us do a course-correction. His name is Andy Storch, and he is a consultant, coach, speaker, and facilitator specializing in the Talent Development space. Andy is also the host of two podcasts, including The Talent Development Hot Seat and the Own Your Career, Own Your Life Show.  In addition, Andy also heads up the Talent Development Think Tank Conference and Community and can now add "author" to his growing list of achievements. Andy's brand-new book just released on Amazon this past week, and it's called Own Your Career, Own Your Life: Stop Drifting and Take Control of Your Future. I can honestly say this is one of the best professional and personal development

If you’re a fan of the Peanuts comic strip, you may remember one of the ongoing storylines involving Snoopy, Charlie Brown’s loveable dog. Snoopy would be perched on top of his doghouse with a typewriter, trying to begin his novel. No matter what he was writing, he always used the opening line, “It was a dark and stormy night.”  Many readers of Peanuts thought Charles Schulz came up with this phrase since he created the comic strip. However, the phrase has actually been around for nearly two hundred years. It was first written by the English novelist Edward Bulwer-Lytton in 1830 for one of his novels.  Less than a decade later, in 1839, he wrote a historical play called “Cardinal Richelieu.” The play contained a line of dialogue that would come to symbolize the power of writing. Perhaps you’ve heard of the phrase, “The pen is mightier than the sword.”  But what does it mean, exactly? What should we learn from this truth that words can indeed by mighty? There are two lessons—the first one obvious, and the seco

If you’re of “a certain age,” you probably remember watching Bob Ross on his TV show “The Joy of Painting,” which he hosted on PBS from 1983-1994. If you’re a little younger, you’ve probably discovered him on the internet, where he has developed an even bigger following. Each week on his show, Bob painted a mesmerizing landscape in just a half an hour. He was known for his soft-spoken style, his signature permed hair, and his uncanny ability to make you believe that just like him, you could paint a masterpiece. Most of Bob’s viewers didn’t know that he meticulously planned out his paintings in advance. He would create the original, memorize every brushtroke, then paint the scene a second time during the taping of the show.  Every once in a while Bob would make a tiny mistake and then repeat his signature phrase, “We don’t make mistakes, just happy little accidents.” Then he would either paint over the mistake or find a way to blend it into the scene. On today's episode, Kent encourages us to reach for excelle

Have you ever felt jealous of another writer’s success? We’re going for honesty here, so let’s assume the answer is “yes.” The world of writers can be a funny place. We love to support one another, read each other’s books, and collaborate in ways that few other industries do. On the other hand, because our work is creative by nature, it is often intertwined with our sense of self-esteem and security. We are acutely aware at all times of the success our writer friends are enjoying. When a writer friend has a book launch, gets media attention, or get reaches a big goal, it’s easy to feel like it’s a commentary on our own success. And in our moments of weakness, we get consumed with jealousy, also called by a peculiar name, the “green-eyed monster.”  This term comes from Shakespeare’s Othello when the villain Iago says, “Oh, beware, my lord, of jealousy! It is the green-eyed monster which doth mock the meat it feeds on.” On today's episode, Kent shares three lies jealousy loves to whisper in your ear, and how to

Citizen Kane is universally recognized as one of the greatest films of all time. Orson Welles and his collaborators created a masterpiece that was well ahead of its time in storytelling, cinematography, and special effects. Yet for all its achievements, it's one of the saddest movies ever made. The film tells the story of Charles Foster Kane, a wealthy businessman who began his career with good intentions. But over time, he tries to control everyone around him. In the end he dies alone with a mansion full of treasures and a heart full of bitterness and regret. In a powerful scene late in the movie, Kane’s former friend and employee Jed Leeland tells a reporter, “That's all he ever wanted out of life, was love. That's the tragedy of Charles Foster Kane. You see, he just didn't have any to give.” On today's episode, Kent encourages us to develop our love of writing and the people we serve. *** If you enjoyed this episode, we would be grateful if you leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It helps more people discove

One of the staples of the modern music world is the “Greatest Hits” album. When an artist has been around for a while, and they’ve had at least a few hits, it’s customary for their record company to release a new album that re-packages all those hit songs.  Have you ever thought about the work required to actually create enough songs for a Greatest Hits album? If you look at the albums of any popular artist, you’ll see that they generally only have a couple of truly “hit” songs from each one. Occasionally, you’ll have an artist with four or five massive songs from one album such as Richard Marx’s 1987 album “Repeat Offender,” which had at least four massive hits. Or you’ll have a true superstar like country legend Garth Brooks, who was on such a hot streak in the 1990’s that almost every song was a huge hit. And let’s not forget the Beatles, who were so far above everyone else that almost everything they touched turned to gold. But the exceptions prove the rule. Most of the time, a band or solo artist making