Season 3, episode 9 is here!

In this episode, Taylin John Simmonds and I talk about what it really takes to build a creative business from scratch without losing your sense of purpose or burning out.

Teaching music, ghostwriting at 3am, building an online brand that supports a life of freedom… we cover it all. This is an honest, practical conversation packed with insights for anyone trying to make writing work long term.

What we covered:

- The unlikely path from musician and teacher to full-time online creator

- Why success isn’t about becoming a better writer, but about stacking the right complementary skills

- How to build confidence when your identity hasn’t yet caught up with your success

- What it really means to find your niche and why lifestyle is a valid form of positioning

- The most useful way to think about AI (as a creative assistant, not a replacement)

- Why long-form content builds trust faster than any viral post ever could

- The one piece of advice that will change how you think about progress and patience

Make sure to subscribe to Taylin’s publication before you go!

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thedavidmcilroy.substack.com/subscribe