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What does it really take to deliver a TEDx talk that resonates? In this episode of Authors Who Lead, communication expert Alexia Vernon and TEDx speaker Kaia Vernon-Oliveira share what authors need to know about developing a powerful big idea, connecting with an audience, and building speaking confidence that opens doors.

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00:00 Introduction to Alexia Vernon and Kaia Vernon-Oliveira
01:11 What has changed in the TEDx landscape
03:45 Why authors should build speaking experience before TEDx
05:13 What event organizers really look for in speakers
06:40 Kaia’s TEDx journey and choosing her topic
08:46 Why passion matters more than fear
10:28 Structuring a talk for impact
15:22 Common mistakes speakers make
18:12 How to connect with an audience on stage
23:40 Practical techniques for presence and eye contact
25:27 Soul Stirring event overview
30:51 Final advice for aspiring speakers

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After eight years of hosting Authors Who Lead, Azul finally sits down again with the man who inspired the show from the very beginning: Dr. Gay Hendricks, author of The Big Leap, Conscious Loving, and his new memoir, Loving Life.

In this intimate, spiritually rich conversation, Gay shares the stories behind his memoir, the pivotal moment on the ice that changed everything, the quiet teachers in his family (including his Aunt Kat), and how suffering can open the doorway to your genius. This is more than an interview—it’s an invitation to remember who you really are.

Timestamp:

00:00 – Welcome & intro
00:32 – Why the podcast began
01:07 – Introducing Dr. Gay Hendricks
02:33 – Why he wrote a memoir
05:06 – Spiritual moments that shaped him
09:27 – Seeking answers at a young age
14:43 – Understanding your zone of genius
19:10 – Aunt Kat’s influence
26:29 – Life stages & growth
30:17 – The moment that changed everything
35:26 – Why Loving Life is transformative

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You’re a coach, entrepreneur, or leader with a powerful message. You know a book would expand your influence, elevate your authority, and open doors. So why does it still feel impossible to start?

In this solo episode, Azul breaks down why brilliant, experienced leaders get stuck — and why your book is not a side project. You’ll learn the exact mindset shift needed to overcome overwhelm, silence self-doubt, and take the first real step toward becoming a published authority.

If you've been “waiting for the right time” to start, this is the episode that will move you into action.

Timestamp:

00:00 — Why your book idea matters more than you think
01:40 — The real reason coaches and creatives feel stuck
03:25 — Introducing the private podcast: Born to Write, Scared to Start
05:00 — How writing your book builds authority and impact
06:52 — A gift to help you take the first step
08:16 — Final encouragement + holiday wishes

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Novelist Carla Malden joins Azul to discuss her latest book, Playback—a nostalgic, time-traveling story about reconciling past ideals with present reality. They explore the character of Mari Caldwell, Carla’s cinematic writing style, and the emotional process of co-authoring a memoir with her father, Oscar-winning actor Karl Malden.

Timestamp:

0:00 — Introducing Carla Malden and Playback
3:10 — The nostalgia and time travel behind Mari Caldwell’s story
8:00 — Writing a novel that stands alone but continues a character’s arc
10:33 — The influence of Carla’s screenwriting background
15:00 — Co-writing a memoir with her father, Karl Malden
20:26 — Writing process and lessons from crafting multiple genres
24:14 — Plotter vs. pantser: How Carla approaches storytelling
27:44 — Shifting trends in Hollywood and timeless storytelling
30:04 — Advice for authors struggling with doubt or imposter syndrome
34:00 — What’s next for Carla

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In a world where everything online disappears in 24 hours, why are books still the thing we remember? I recently sat down with Rob Walling — a serial entrepreneur who has started six companies, bootstrapped five of them, and written multiple bestselling books, including Start Small, Stay Small and The SaaS Playbook.

What struck me most in our conversation wasn’t just his track record. It was how deeply he believes in books as a creative act and a lasting force in a noisy world.

Timestamp:

00:00 – Why Rob felt familiar before we even met
01:26 – Why books still matter in a world of social media
02:57 – How Start Small, Stay Small quietly became a classic
04:06 – Being “first to the niche” and serving developers-turned-founders
05:06 – Validating a book idea with a landing page and real emails
07:29 – Is SaaS creative? How Rob channels his creativity into business and books
11:13 – Why I started my podcast to interview Gay Hendricks
17:45 – Modeling creativity and entrepreneurship for our kids
20:11 – Rob’s take on AI, startups, and the future of content
34:22 – The lasting power of books vs. content
40:07 – The books that changed Rob’s life
47:11 – What his next book will cover and why it matters

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Writing a book isn’t just about putting words on a page — it’s about letting others help you shape your message into its most powerful form. Azul Terronez explains the stages of editing, how to find the right editor, and how collaboration turns a manuscript into a masterpiece.

Timestamp:

00:00 Introduction and editing insights
04:02 Editing voice, tone, and flow
07:46 Choosing editors: curated platforms
09:48 Writing with an editor

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In this episode of the Authors Who Lead podcast, I welcome Dr. Shannon Irvine, an accomplished neuropsychologist, entrepreneur, and founder of the SINC Neurocoach Models. 

This riveting conversation peels back the curtain on Dr. Shannon’s journey from idea gestation to book launch, giving us an inside look at the neuroscience-driven method she shares in her new book, The 67-Day Year. Her work blends scientific rigor with practical wisdom and timeless principles, helping anyone—from new moms to high-powered CEOs—unlock levels of achievement they once thought impossible.

Timestamp:

00:00 Sharing life-changing tools broadly
04:48 Breaking through entrepreneurial barriers
07:00 Neuroscience boosts results effectively
10:37 Mastering change in 67 days
15:25 Aligning your brain for goals
18:29 Overcoming fear to create
21:44 Azul’s vision and goal evolution
25:40 Embracing your writing style
30:02 The call to share wisdom
31:20 Flip fear, share wisdom

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Writing a book is a dream for many, but not every idea deserves 200 pages. In this solo episode of Authors Who Lead, I unpack one of the most common questions I hear from aspiring authors: How do I know if my idea is big enough for a book—or if it’s better off as a blog post, podcast, or talk?

This question matters more than people realize. Books take time, energy, and long-term commitment. So before you dive in, let’s figure out what really makes a book-worthy idea—and how to avoid common pitfalls that keep writers stuck or stalled.

Timestamp:

00:00 Determining if your idea’s a book
05:49 Books: tools for transformation
07:26 Blog posts aren’t books
10:32 Beyond tips: broadening book appeal
16:01 Evaluating your book’s purpose
16:57 Five-day writing challenge

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What does it really mean to be yourself in a world that rewards conformity and disconnection?

In this episode of Authors Who Lead, I sit down with Amy Cerny Vasterling—a public speaker, author, and intuitive—to discuss her powerful new book and what it means to live beyond the model society presents to us. With two decades of research and deeply personal insights, Amy shares how we become disconnected from ourselves—and how to reconnect with our inner truth.

This conversation is one of the most thought-provoking I’ve had, and I know it will resonate with writers, creatives, and anyone feeling the stirrings of something deeper.

Timestamp:

00:00 Origins of a book on narcissism
03:06 Writing journey: from months to years
09:25 The status quo of self-deception
11:07 Challenging spiritual models globally
13:24 Questioning educational norms
19:20 Innovative teaching: students as authors
23:08 Future book explores time perception
23:55 Innate intuition and self-discovery
27:34 Rethinking disability and contribution
32:07 Unconventional success in education
36:05 Overcoming fear for self-expression
37:22 Join us on Authors Who Lead

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If you’ve ever dreamed of writing a book but find yourself stuck in “prep mode,” you’re not alone. In this solo episode of Authors Who Lead, I delve into the real mindset blocks that prevent aspiring authors from taking that crucial first step.

After years of coaching writers—and navigating my own resistance—I’ve identified three common myths that stop talented storytellers from sharing their message. Here’s how you can move past them and finally start writing.

Timestamp:

00:00 Dream deferred: the writing struggle
04:08 Embrace creativity over rigid outlines
06:23 Reassess priorities, not time
09:39 Transform self-perception, pursue goals
12:58 Embark on your writing journey

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