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Every journey through a male-dominated field has its challenges. For women in STEM, those challenges often feel both personal and universal. In my latest conversation on the Authors Who Lead podcast, I sit down with Meleah Ashford—author of Fiercely Feminine—as she opens up about her mission: helping women not only enter, but stay and thrive in STEM careers without losing their sense of self. Here is what her story, process, and insights teach us about strength, authenticity, and the power of asking for help.

Timestamp:

00:00 Interview with Malia Ashford
05:50 Struggles of writing a book
08:24 Facing imposter syndrome while writing
09:53 Turning off the editor brain
13:40 Helpful feedback from editors
17:43 Recognizing challenges for women in STEM
20:10 Bringing empathy into STEM fields
25:39 Supporting women's unique expression
29:06 Women leaving STEM fields
32:05 Launching and promoting a book
34:05 Taking Your Time with Promotion
39:22 Closing gratitude and encouragement
40:22 Describing music sounds

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Writing a book isn’t a linear journey. It’s filled with ups and downs, moments of clarity, creative blocks, and the ever-present question: Am I hitting the mark? If you’re feeling overwhelmed or stuck, you’re not alone. 

What transforms a collection of words into a compelling book isn’t the complexity of your knowledge or eloquence—it’s your ability to distill your message, deliver a clear promise, and deeply understand whom you’re writing for. In this post, inspired by the Authors Who Lead podcast, I’ll unpack these pillars to help you craft a book that truly connects with readers.

Timestamp:

00:00 Emphasizing the book's core message
03:39 Simplifying the core message
06:48 Identifying your ideal reader
12:02 Editing for Audience Engagement
15:15 Finding Your Book's Core Message

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🤫 Secret Podcast: Born to Write, Scared to Start
⭐ You're Allowed to Write This Book

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Every writer, whether penning a memoir or crafting a screenplay, seeks that elusive “voice”—the authentic expression of who they are and the stories only they can tell. On this episode of Authors Who Lead, screenwriter and coach Brooks Elms shared an illuminating process for tapping into this unique creative DNA by simply starting with a list of your favorite films.

What unfolded in our conversation was more than a coaching exercise; it was an exploration of how those stories we love most hold a mirror to our deepest values, anxieties, and dreams. If you’re looking for a practical yet profound way to connect with your storytelling core, these lessons are for you.

Timestamp:

00:00 Journey from teaching to writing
04:27 Discussing Our Favorite Films
07:16 Feeling invisible growing up
11:51 Discussing the impact of The Matrix
15:23 Discussing the Lord of the Rings adaptation
16:42 Starting out in Hollywood
21:52 Writing from personal experience
23:32 Discussing creative decision-making
28:30 Evaluating screenplay effectiveness
31:56 The power of subtle storytelling
33:43 Tips for aspiring screenwriters
36:21 Writing a story in one sentence

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📚 Write and Publish your book
🤫 Secret Podcast: Born to Write, Scared to Start
⭐ You're Allowed to Write This Book

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What if your book idea is not something you need to search for outside yourself?

In this solo episode, Azul shares how a recent conversation with screenwriter and writing coach Brooks Elms helped him see something surprising. A simple list of favorite movies became a mirror for the deeper themes, questions, and patterns that have shaped him as a writer, teacher, and book coach.

This episode is an invitation to look at your own life differently. The stories you love, the questions you keep asking, the work you have done, the struggles you have faced, and the things you notice that others miss may all be pointing toward the book inside you.

Azul explores why your book is not just a topic. It is a way of seeing the world. And when you begin to trust your viewpoint, your message becomes clearer.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why your favorite stories may reveal what you care about most
• How life patterns can point toward your deeper message
• Why your viewpoint matters more than more information
• How to begin noticing the clues your book may already be giving you
• Why clarity starts with understanding who you are writing for and why your message matters
• Your book may already be speaking. This episode will help you listen.

Timestamp:

00:00 | A conversation that sparked a deeper question
03:00 | Your favorite stories may be clues
06:00 | Why life patterns matter when writing a book
10:00 | A book idea is not just a topic
13:00 | Questions to help you find your message
16:00 | Why people come to write a book
19:00 | Your viewpoint matters
22:00 | Clarity comes from message, reader, and perspective
25:00 | Your book may already be speaking

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📚 Write and Publish your book
🤫 Secret Podcast: Born to Write, Scared to Start
⭐ You're Allowed to Write This Book

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It’s not every day that a bestselling author invites you into the secret world behind their creative process. In this episode, I sit down with April Henry, acclaimed writer of thirty-two mysteries and thrillers, to discuss how she crafts her gripping stories—making them both intricately plotted and beautifully accessible. Here, we dive into the wisdom and practical strategies April shared about writing, resilience, and reaching all readers.

Timestamp:

00:00 Finding Inspiration for Story Ideas
03:34 Blending Plotting with Pantsing
09:12 Tessa's DNA discovery and implications
12:56 Ensuring accuracy in medical details
15:20 Overcoming writing roadblocks
20:04 Persistence leads to publishing success
23:10 Writing books with teen protagonists
24:43 Making books exciting for readers
30:18 Starting a New Book
33:05 Writing through challenges and goals
37:03 Editing and revising chapters
40:21 Collaborating with an editor
43:23 Finding writing community and resources
47:44 Concerns about book censorship
48:55 Where to find April's work

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🤫 Secret Podcast: Born to Write, Scared to Start
⭐ You're Allowed to Write This Book

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At the heart of every aspiring author's journey, before outlines are made or words are penned, a gnawing question lingers: Am I enough? On this solo episode of Authors Who Lead, I cut through the noise of writing tips and publishing strategies to spotlight this deeply personal challenge. Drawing on over a decade of coaching writers, I reveal that the greatest barrier to writing isn’t a lack of ideas or technical skill—it’s self-worth.

Timestamp:

00:00 Common doubts before writing a book
04:11 Embracing your unique perspective
09:06 The unpredictability of bestsellers
10:34 Confronting book writing fears

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COMMUNITY PROGRAMS
📚 Write and Publish your book
🤫 Secret Podcast: Born to Write, Scared to Start
⭐ You're Allowed to Write This Book

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Whether you’ve dreamed of being an author for decades or you’re just starting to put pen to paper, there’s one constant truth: writing—and finishing—a book is no small feat. On this episode of the Authors Who Lead podcast, I want to dive into the hidden obstacles that prevent most aspiring writers from becoming published authors. Drawing from my own journey (including a 24-year gap between my writing dreams and writing reality!), I lay out three major reasons books go unfinished—and what, exactly, you can do about it.

Timestamp:

00:00 Why your book won’t succeed
05:10 Discovering a teaching career
07:12 Struggling with writing a manuscript
11:32 The impact of a book
14:00 Letting go of writing perfection
18:02 Understanding intrusive thoughts
20:12 Encouragement to subscribe and review

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COMMUNITY PROGRAMS
📚 Write and Publish your book
🤫 Secret Podcast: Born to Write, Scared to Start
⭐ You're Allowed to Write This Book

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Publishing a book is often seen as a milestone—a badge of honor for accomplished leaders and coaches. But as I reveal in my conversation on the Authors Who Lead podcast, writing a book does more than boost your authority. It can crystallize your message, become a launching pad for new opportunities, and ultimately serve as a powerful legacy that outlives you.

Timestamp:

00:00 Discussing Mark's leadership book
06:01 Impact of publishing a book
07:02 Seeking publishing validation
12:54 Writing process and early feedback
14:11 Discovering my writing passion
17:00 Discovering the TED Talk idea
22:36 Turning book into Kindle edition
25:07 Crafting a clear book message
28:27 Writing my first book
32:40 Choosing between fame and fortune
33:51 Using visual models for writing

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COMMUNITY PROGRAMS
📚 Write and Publish your book
🤫 Secret Podcast: Born to Write, Scared to Start
⭐ You're Allowed to Write This Book

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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 resonates.

Timestamp:

00:00 Deciding to write a memoir
05:12 Complex PTSD not in DSM
07:08 Understanding trauma's impact on mental health
10:29 Discussing personal healing journey
14:45 Feeling vulnerable but understood
19:34 Writing during health challenges
21:29 Navigating a patriarchal society
26:06 Healing Foundation and trauma care
29:12 Editing process for publishing
33:12 Discussing book feedback and approach
37:18 Writing a clinician's hand guide
39:40 Challenges in trauma therapy training
43:36 Discussing a valuable trauma book

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COMMUNITY PROGRAMS
📚 Write and Publish your book
🤫 Secret Podcast: Born to Write, Scared to Start
⭐ You're Allowed to Write This Book

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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.

Timestamp:

00:00 Deciding to write a book
03:38 Pursuing travel through writing
07:23 Importance of finishing your book
11:55 Writing and living in Spain

Full show notes

COMMUNITY PROGRAMS
📚 Write and Publish your book
🤫 Secret Podcast: Born to Write, Scared to Start
⭐ You're Allowed to Write This Book

CONNECT
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