From Amy:

I always knew that I loved writing. But I'm not sure I understood—until I went through a major transition, and not by my own choice—that writing is healing. At first it's writing just for me, raw and unwieldy and terrifying, but I always have the sense that this writing is something that, when I'm ready, is meant to be shared. Because stories tell us we're not alone. And they help people find us so that we can be there for each other.

Meanwhile, I let myself stay in that first stage of book writing as long as I need to, a stage I call ALLOWING. Allowing it all to be whatever it is. And that allowing makes room for the most powerful stories come through. One of the biggest compliments I ever receive as a writer, and how I know my words have landed, is when people feel inexplicably drawn to tell me THEIR stories. It comes from the deepest parts of them, as a welcome release. I can feel it. Because I've processed my hard things, I'm able to listen to theirs and that helps.

And even if we never meet at all, these readers and I, stories of healing help people. Yes, we write for ourselves first, but it doesn't stop there. Memoir is not selfish. It's the most generous thing you can do. Does that make sense? Because if you take nothing else away from this episode, it's that you can write your hardest things, yes, the very worst of them, and you can transform them into beautiful writing. 

So the next question people ask me is: How?

How to you get from that very worst moment of heartbreak to a beautiful completed book? Well...

I remember when Nikki Kindred Halvorson's husband was killed by a drunk driver in March 2020, because a mutual friend reached out to let me know what had happened. Nikki would need to work with me, this mutual friend said. She didn't know when, but she wanted to let me know. And she was absolutely right. I felt called to work on this project as Nikki's mentor and editor in due time. Eventually, she reached out.

After Allowing, you progress into other stages: Composing, Revision, Editing, and now Sharing. That's where I came in.

(Do you see the acronym? ACRES? My shorthand for: If you're transforming a landscape, you do it acre by acre.)

There was nothing expected or pretty about the loss of John Erik Halvorson—Nikki's longtime best friend and husband—a tragedy compounded by so many things. Such as the old house they were restoring together, all torn apart. A pandemic. And more.

But the process of salvaging stories for a beautiful book? (Or several...) There's nothing like it.

So if you're wondering how you do that, write a book about your worst nightmare and feel proud of it and even grateful?

Nikki pulls back the curtain in this episode. You'll want to listen.

Nikki Kindred Halvorson works as a pediatric speech-language pathologist and is active in historical preservation. She realized a lifelong dream in 2014 when she became caretaker of a great old house with her husband, Erik. Widowed in 2020 at age 32, Nikki has continued to rehab her house and has begun building a new life on the foundation of her old one as she heals. She’s currently in the process of realizing another lifelong dream of becoming a published author.

Amy Hallberg is the author of Tiny Altars: A Midlife Revival and German Awakening: Tales from an American Life. She is the host of Courageous Wordsmith Podcast and founder of Courageous Wordsmith Circle for Real-Life Writers. As an editor and writing mentor, Amy guides writers through their narrative journeys—from inklings to beautiful works, specifically podcasts and books. A lifelong Minnesotan and mother of grown twins, Amy lives in the Twin Cities with her husband and two cats.

Get Amy's Books and Audiobooks

Learn about Courageous Wordsmith Circle for Real-Life Writers

Work with Amy 1:1

From Amy:

As long as I've known Sara Taylor, I've thought of her as a gifted writer who—when she gained momentum—would write volumes I want to read. Which is how she was an early participant in what has become my Circle for Real-Life Writers; I've been an up-close witness. Sara's subject matter and how she frames it fascinates me. If I'm interested in the inner working of stories around generational trauma and healing, Sara's a healing practitioner who delves deep into underlying patterns behind stories AND fearlessly applies these lessons in her own life.

Her work is groundbreaking. I really believe that. But writing about such things takes time.

So when Sara sent out a newsletter sharing how she gained traction on a writing practice thanks to the website 750words.com, I took note. The previous day, I'd heard a random podcast where a prolific author credited the same unknown-to-me website with her own momentum. This was a welcome synchronicity. For months, I've been looking for a way back into the earliest drafting stage of book writing. 

It's been a long time since I typed the early free-written content that became my two memoirs, random thoughts I saved in Pages with only the vaguest idea of what my book wanted to be (singular, I thought) in the dark forty-five minutes before I awoke my seven-year-old twins. This followed years to work up a strategy and courage to write, and only after I stole the playroom from my kids where I still write today. Initially Pages worked. Afterwards, I had all these document files to wade through and got bogged down again in subsequent stages.

Writing tools have evolved since 2011; I'm a different writer too. As in, I think of myself as a writer. Sara talks about this shift too.

There's no one tool to write a book. It's just what works for you. But! Within two days, two women I respect described this site as a game changer. And I was intrigued. Because knowing where you're going to write, with a simple set-up, helps calm down resistance. 

So I signed up for the website, to try it out for myself. The next thing I did was invite Sara to record this conversation.

It's one of many tools, but it might be the one that will get you—finally—writing.

Because we want you to have options for your practice too.

Sara Taylor, PhD, is a neuroscientist turned generational and existential life coach who helps deep thinkers and creatives break free from inherited patterns and lingering existential unease. With a deep understanding of generational trauma, she works with those who’ve done extensive personal work—especially around anxiety and depression—but still feel stuck, disconnected, or like life is passing them by. She helps people recognize and shift the hidden influences shaping their lives so they can move beyond dissatisfaction into greater potential, meaning, and momentum.

Follow here: 

IG: @sarabtaylorphd 

Substack: @sarabtaylorphd

Amy Hallberg is the author of Tiny Altars: A Midlife Revival and German Awakening: Tales from an American Life. She is the host of Courageous Wordsmith Podcast and founder of Courageous Wordsmith Circle for Real-Life Writers. As an editor and writing mentor, Amy guides writers through their narrative journeys—from inklings to beautiful works, specifically podcasts and books. A lifelong Minnesotan and mother of grown twins, Amy lives in the Twin Cities with her husband and two cats.

Get Amy's Books and Audiobooks

Learn about Courageous Wordsmith Circle for Real-Life Writers

Work with Amy 1:1

From Amy:

My junior year in high school, we read Thornton Wilder's play Our Town in English class. My senior year, that same English teacher, Carol Ottoson, directed the play and cast me as the Stage Manager. That role, which spends so much time reflecting on details in life and their meaning, had a huge influence on how I see the world, and I'm certain that's rubbed off on me as a writer of creative nonfiction: how I make sense of small details, the things that matter, the people around me, and how they all connect to each other. It seems to me that I would be a different person if not for that experience, and the understanding that I had a voice that carries, and that I can use it for good in the world.

So when I went with my husband to a recent production of Our Town at a neighboring high school, I was delighted to run into my old castmate (and previous podcast guest) Cory Busse, himself a writer, whose daughter was now in the show. We both agreed that this play was something special, something that had a huge impact on both of us, and something that holds up across time. So I reached out to our former English teacher, Carol Ottoson, and the three of us recorded a reunion conversation. It's the perfect introduction to my latest podcast season.

I am reminded all the time that story is powerful. Connection to each other is powerful. And we have no idea the impact that stories will have on us until long after they're told. Some stories have our attention a moment. But some stories—and some people—make an indelible mark.

And if that's not a worthy reason to make our artwork and write our stories and engage in creative play with each other, I'm not sure what is.

Carol Ottoson (Otto) retired from teaching, coaching, and directing after 36 years in the classroom, including 24 in the Prior Lake Savage (MN) School District. She continues to sub in the district. She directed theater for thirty years and coached speech for 34 years. Carol and her husband Keith have been married for over 51 years and have two adult children, Heather and Andy, two sons-in-law, Collan and Branden, and two grandsons, Zach and Jameson. Carol and her husband enjoy traveling and are frequently on the road somewhere. Carol also occasionally preaches at her local church (htumc.org). They are a reconciling congregation, and promote inclusivity.

Follow Carol on Facebook  or email her directly at [email protected]. 

Cory Busse was once voted "Sexiest Man Alive" by Cory Busse Magazine whose audience boasts more than zero Cory Busses.

Follow "Tales from the Christmas Village," a way to keep the spirit of snark alive in your heart all year long. 

Amy Hallberg is the author of Tiny Altars: A Midlife Revival and German Awakening: Tales from an American Life. She is the host of Courageous Wordsmith Podcast and founder of Courageous Wordsmith Circle for Real-Life Writers. As an editor and writing mentor, Amy guides writers through their narrative journeys—from inklings to beautiful works, specifically podcasts and books. A lifelong Minnesotan and mother of grown twins, Amy lives in the Twin Cities with her husband and two cats.

Get Amy's Books and Audiobooks

Learn about Courageous Wordsmith Circle for Real-Life Writers

Work with Amy 1:1

From Amy:

This year, more than ever, I wanted to honor Black History Month, at a time when attempts have been made to erase it. I invited my friend Terry Newby to help me do that. As a white woman in America, I loved literature, but I did not grow up reading many marginalized voices. While I knew the name James Baldwin, I couldn't have told you what he stood for. And now? I know him as a Black man and a gay author. And what else? I've admired him interview clips. He feels important. How do I talk about his contributions, beyond a surface level?

I'm no expert in Black literature. I'm still very much learning. But this is knowledge that Terry brings.

I'm also not German, and I taught those stories for seventeen years, within a historical context. That was not an accident. I was trained by some excellent literature teachers. I learned about the authors as people within their life circumstances in concert with reading their writing. For our six-hour comprehensive graduation exam, we German majors were required to know all relevant information, literary terminology, authors, character names, themes, and dates for all literary movements and a selection of eighty German canonical works. And were required to figure out what "relevant" meant for ourselves. It was brutal. I read some in the German original, some in translation, and met with fellow German majors to compare notes. We passed, all six of us, which is to say: We graduated, none of us with honors in our major, not even my classmate who graduated Summa Cum Laude. I will always remember how Julie Klassen, our beloved mentor, brought us strawberry tea and donuts for a break three hours in. It was more than perfect. She gave us a powerful lesson, better than acing the test, honestly. We didn't know everything we were asked, but we could prepare, come close enough, and celebrate our exploration of writers.

This took place in a language that wasn't even mine until I was fourteen. Let that sink in for a moment. Their voices were truly foreign to me. But they came from a context I needed to learn and these were their authentic voices. What a gift. So what I have, really, is the training to ponder the authors I read. Where do they come from, and what does that bring to their writing?

What's there for me to take away from the reading?

Please understand, I don't mean that an author intended to include all the meaningful connections that show up in their writing. I firmly believe that things land in creative works that a writer never consciously intended to add, but readers see them, because I have experienced this in my own writing. It's magic, really. It's the fullest expression of what it is to be human, and it's essential. The writer's gifts take on a life of their own. But what the writer does, and must do, is gather the courage to show up and publish the words. And readers make meaning.

We, the readers, can ask the questions together and individually and trust that it's going to be a good journey, whatever we find.

James Baldwin had courage in spades. I've seen him in those video clips and thought of him as another mentor, albeit not one I know well. And when Terry Newby came into my world, we started having conversations that make us both think deeply, as I once did with my German major peers. (You'll hear this in the interview. I pose some questions where it's clear that I'm formulating. I have no idea where we'll end up. Terry laughs and calls me out and responds with his own surprises. Not all of it makes it into the final product. Terry can attest to that.)

It's a creative process we capture, just as Baldwin was known to say unexpected things on the video clips that I've seen and admired.

This is actually the antidote to that star-student perfectionism that society trains us to reach for. When we don't have to be the expert, this makes room for us to appreciate the experience of all the interesting, diverse voices around us. Terry and I agree: We must do this NOW.

I appreciate how James Baldwin led the way, refusing to be someone that he was not, nor a stereotype of the richly gifted person he was. Baldwin didn't parse words. And because he grounded us so fully in his experience, I can extrapolate. I can learn where I stand and maybe take steps in another direction. And I loved seeing where Terry came from as a writer, with Baldwin as one of his key influences.

Thank you to Terry for introducing me to James Baldwin as one of the authors that influenced him most as a writer.

We ended with a list of Terry's favorite books for Black History Month, or frankly, whenever you want a good read.

Terrance Newby's Recommendations:

• Another Country, by James Baldwin
• The Bluest Eye, by Toni Morrison
• Invisible Man, by Ralph Ellison
• Native Son, by Richard Wright
• Beloved, by Toni Morrison

Think fast: If you enjoyed this conversation and you're in Minnesota, you can see a play by Terry this Friday, February 28 at 7:00. Landmark Center in St. Paul is staging an encore performance of Little Rock, 1942, by Terrance Newby and James Lundy. Terry not only co-wrote this play, but he's in it. I saw the premiere and I learned so much. Seriously good. Buy your tickets in advance here. Only $10, only one night.

Terrance C. Newby is an attorney, novelist, and playwright based in St. Paul, Minnesota. His plays The Cage, The Body Politic, Reunion Forever, and The Piano Teacher have been professionally staged in Twin Cities theaters.

Terry's novel, Dangerfield's Promise, was published in April 2022, and has received five-star reviews from the Seattle Book Review, Manhattan Book Review, Chicago Book Review, and the Midwest Book Review, among others. Terry is currently working on a sequel to Dangerfield's Promise.

Terry's LinkedIn

Amy Hallberg is the author of Tiny Altars: A Midlife Revival and German Awakening: Tales from an American Life. She is the host of Courageous Wordsmith Podcast and founder of Courageous Wordsmith Circle for Real-Life Writers. As an editor and writing mentor, Amy guides writers through their narrative journeys—from inklings to beautiful works, specifically podcasts and books. A lifelong Minnesotan and mother of grown twins, Amy lives in the Twin Cities with her husband and two cats.

Get Amy's Books and Audiobooks

Learn about Courageous Wordsmith Circle for Real-Life Writers

Work with Amy 1:1

From Amy:

Welcome to my 100th Episode! Thank you for celebrating with me.

When I launched this podcast as Frau Amy's World on January 1, 2019, Sarah Bamford Seidelmann was my very first guest. As the original name suggests, I was still transitioning out of my teaching career, through the life coach world, into this literary life as a writer and editor of my own unfolding design. My first true-life novel, German Awakening: Tales from an American Life, had come out in October 3, 2018. This book was much more timely than I anticipated, which made me nervous to talk much about it. As a woman who had stood on both sides of the Berlin Wall at seventeen, two years before it unexpectedly fell, and then went on to teach 20th-century German film and literature for most of my career, I saw too many themes from my book echoing out in my own native land concurrent with publication. How on earth would I talk about that? Such a unique problem for memoir writers.

But / and / also universal to all human beings living on this planet together. We're longing for language to meet these times.

And how did I possibly talk about this life-coaching-meets-narrative-craft world I've been shaping for myself ever since?

Indirectly, via my podcast. The podcast helped me get used to the idea of talking about timely topics. I don't really shape this content. The topics present themselves to me. I read something or I cross paths with somebody. I reach out. Almost invariably they say yes. (Though I must say: ONE famous author that I admire sent me an incredibly gracious no thanks! All I could say was: SHE WROTE ME BACK! But also: I ask knowing she can say no, which likewise requires grace on my part.) I've spoken with many gracious guests, and some amazing humans have partnered with me, especially Will Quie, my first editor, and now Brooke Roy.

All that collaboration requires me to know where I stand, and where others begin. Which gets to this special 100th episode: Boundaries Make Love Possible, also the title of Sarah's most recent beautiful book. And I've seen Sarah live those words.

In saying yes, Sarah was my ideal first guest. Like me, she was a published author (who had graciously blurbed my front cover!) and had left an established career (in her case, as an MD) and gone through Master Coach Training. At the time—and I did look to see—Sarah was the only other Martha Beck Certified Master Life Coach in Minnesota when I graduated. (That name has since changed too. It's now Wayfinder Master Coach Training. Anyway... Sarah is a mentor, a few steps ahead of me in many ways.) The more things change, the more they stay the same, to quote a cliche. I am still a teacher. Sarah is still a healer.

America is still changing fast. It's still hard to talk about it.

But also... we have come a long way in those six years. As I write this, this podcast is nearing 6400 downloads.

Sarah is now known as an artist, and I have always considered myself a working, real-life creative. Which is why it was such an honor to interview Sarah about her most recent workbook that combines Sarah's writing and her distinctive artwork. You really might want to read it. It's lovely and colorful, and I find myself relying on the wisdom inside and quoting sections to friends. Several of them have received Sarah's book from me for birthdays and Christmas. It really is that relevant and timely.

I have a few more episodes with Sarah coming up in April to celebrate my second book's second birthday.

Meanwhile, inspired by Sarah once more, I'm unveiling new show art. Enjoy!

Here's to 100 episodes. And here's to 100 more.

Sarah Bamford Seidelmann is a 4th generation physician, accomplished author, artist and shamanic healer. Her celebrated and unconventional work aims to restore the soul. “Sarah Seidelmann is a true medicine woman and everything she creates is good for what ails us.” —Martha Beck, New York Times bestselling author of The Way of Integrity.

Boundaries Workbook

Amy Hallberg is the author of Tiny Altars: A Midlife Revival and German Awakening: Tales from an American Life. She is the host of Courageous Wordsmith Podcast and founder of Courageous Wordsmith Circle for Real-Life Writers. As an editor and writing mentor, Amy guides writers through their narrative journeys—from inklings to beautiful works, specifically podcasts and books. A lifelong Minnesotan and mother of grown twins, Amy lives in the Twin Cities with her husband and two cats.

Get Amy's Books and Audiobooks

Learn about Courageous Wordsmith Circle for Real-Life Writers

Work with Amy 1:1

From Amy:

This episode, in which my dear colleague and peer Orla Collins interviewed me in 2023, introduces my 52-card Tiny Altars oracle deck. My books are available through distributors other than me, and I haven't been interested in opening a storefront to sell these decks. I already tried that with my first book and my first products, and I could do that again, but it's not where I want to put my energy. And I only want to focus on what I am truly here to do as a working creative. I could market the cards to someone else, a distributor who could make them available widely. I do believe they're that good. But I don't want to.

I grew up watching my sign-painter grandpa make branded gifts for his clients, and his remaining golden yardsticks (two that I use daily) bring me profound joy. So instead, I only sell these cards locally in Minnesota and make them available as gifts to my Courageous Wordsmith clients that I work with personally. Which is an intentionally small group. That doesn't make the cards any less powerful or any less profound or any less beautiful. They are in fact the capstone of my self-appointed curriculum on the path to becoming a working creative, my odyssey while I healed myself from the intensive trauma of my teaching career. Now I do what I want. And so... since for all these many reasons, you can't buy the cards on the Internet, I have held off on releasing this episode until now. And then, recently, I listened to the beautiful gift that my friend Orla gave me.

She would not let me deflect my attention away from what I have accomplished with these cards.

These cards represent the complete set of my life-coach-meets-narrative-craft questions around which I framed Tiny Altars. The cards in turn shaped the final book revisions. Both are distilled thanks to that process.

So here's why I'm sharing this episode now:

Because it gives a behind-the-scenes look at what it is to put your creative work into the world, and to remind you that maybe you too feel like hiding as I have, but there's good work that you have to share, however you do. You have choices and agency about how you show up in the world. And furthermore these cards are now, more than ever, at the heart of my work in Courageous Wordsmith, including my recent premiere one-day Writing Revival. So you might want to work with me.

And as I say, for those of you without an artist grandfather to model your life on, who still want to be a real-life working creative, it helps to know what it might look like for you.

Orla Collins, aka the Irish Orlacle, profoundly understands how constant people-pleasing damages relationships, drains energy, producing anxiety, anger and despair. Originally from Dublin, Orla lives in Toronto with her husband, is mum to four, young adults, and a snuggly goldendoodle. Orla loves a well-made cup of tea, speaks with a soft Irish accent, swears occasionally, while using her experience and humour to help her clients dissolve unhealthy, inherited, people-pleasing patterns, strengthen their intimate relationships, and create peace in their homes.

Orla's podcast: Tea with the Irish Orlacle

Instagram: @orlacle_coaching 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/orla.collins.5811/ 

Website: www.orlaclecoaching.com

Subscribe to Orla's newsletter

Amy Hallberg is the author of Tiny Altars: A Midlife Revival and German Awakening: Tales from an American Life. She is the host of Courageous Wordsmith Podcast and founder of Courageous Wordsmith Circle for Real-Life Writers. As an editor and writing mentor, Amy guides writers through their narrative journeys—from inklings to beautiful works, specifically podcasts and books. A lifelong Minnesotan and mother of grown twins, Amy lives in the Twin Cities with her husband and two cats.

Get Amy's Books and Audiobooks

Learn about Courageous Wordsmith Circle for Real-Life Writers

Work with Amy 1:1

From Amy:

When Cara Pacific Campbell first inquired about working with me as a 1:1 Book Writing Mentor, she was reluctant, but not because she was my first book writing client per se. She was reluctant because she'd never written a book, especially about such tender topics, but she was determined to write her book because it wouldn't leave her alone. As in, she was still living the experience she was writing about. A lot of people who end up working with me are like that. They have something to say, and it's tender and personal and ongoing. I can teach them to write in their own language while they bear witness to what's going on.

Cara's trust in me meant a lot because I too was starting over, at least wearing the hat of a developmental editor. People had started to approach me for writing guidance even before I retired from teaching high school languages, and I'd been coaching writers since then, and edited some. But Cara was the first person to hire me for a longitudinal book development project.

And I got to recapture what I love best about teaching languages: seeing fluency, awareness, and pride build over time.

People come to me at all different stages of writing. In Cara's case, she couldn't even get started. So that's what we worked on. Time passed while Cara lived into the rest of the story, and now she's nearing publication of her memoir. So I asked her to reminisce with me about what it's like writing a book when you've never been a writer before. 

I know that many people out there are wondering how you get started, and if it's all worth it. This is how, and in Cara's opinion: Yes. Yes it is.

Cara Pacific Campbell is an award-winning sales leader, consultant, and author of an upcoming memoir about her battle with Lyme disease and the path to deeper healing. Known for coaching leaders to create thriving, high-performing teams, Cara blends strategy with heart to help people achieve more—without the burnout. Whether she’s teaching reps how to close million-dollar deals or sharing hard-earned life lessons, Cara inspires growth from the inside out. 
 

www.linkedin.com/in/carapacificcampbell
 

https://www.instagram.com/carapacificcampbell/
 

https://www.facebook.com/carapacific

Amy Hallberg is the author of Tiny Altars: A Midlife Revival and German Awakening: Tales from an American Life. She is the host of Courageous Wordsmith Podcast and founder of Courageous Wordsmith Circle for Real-Life Writers. As an editor and writing mentor, Amy guides writers through their narrative journeys—from inklings to beautiful works, specifically podcasts and books. A lifelong Minnesotan and mother of grown twins, Amy lives in the Twin Cities with her husband and two cats.

Get Amy's Books and Audiobooks

Learn about Courageous Wordsmith Circle for Real-Life Writers

Work with Amy 1:1

Bridgette Boudreau is a Master-Certified Coach and Advisor for business owners. Bridgette's coaching philosophy is rooted in compassion and finding one's intrinsic motivation versus pushing or hustling. She acts as a strategic thought partner, providing a confidential and supportive environment for her clients to grow their businesses and themselves. With over 15 years of coaching experience, she has developed the Mosaic Framework which is designed to help people create a fulfilling third act of life. Bridgette’s coaching style is like the love child of Bob Ross and Mary Poppins: She's going to love and encourage the hell out of you to do it your way, and you're going to get it done.

You can find Bridgette and learn more about her offerings at https://www.bridgetteboudreau.com.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/bboudreau/

Amy Hallberg is the author of Tiny Altars: A Midlife Revival and German Awakening: Tales from an American Life. She is the host of Courageous Wordsmith Podcast and founder of Courageous Wordsmith Circle for Real-Life Writers. As an editor and writing mentor, Amy guides writers through their narrative journeys—from inklings to beautiful works, specifically podcasts and books. A lifelong Minnesotan and mother of grown twins, Amy lives in the Twin Cities with her husband and two cats.

Get Amy's Books and Audiobooks

Learn about Courageous Wordsmith Circle for Real-Life Writers

Work with Amy 1:1

From Amy:

I met Nicole Diaz in the life-coaching world around the time that I was first envisioning my online community for real-life writers. She demonstrated a brilliant understanding of the creative process, and I had this idea of hosting Idea Parties as the centerpiece of my work with writing groups, with Parker Palmer's work as my model. Nicole was a Parker Palmer fan too. So for a few years, we collaborated to host once-a-month calls on Saturday mornings where we let beautiful words draw us into our writing.

Afterwards, people spoke their voices into the room, and nobody corrected or coached or edited each other. Instead, we let you be at the heart of your story and reflected your words back. And books began to be written and friendships began to be made.

Together, Nicole and I developed a flexible and potent Idea Party format that works to this day, even after she has moved on.

There were other experiments Nicole and I tried, among them this little series of three podcasts. It was going to be available in the community library only, as one of many exclusive features. Since then I've streamlined my online Writing Circle space to center on writing calls and there's no reason to house a three-part podcast series with a leader who's no longer there.

On the other hand, Nicole and I agree that these three episodes would make a beautiful Winter Solstice gift to YOU, my podcast listeners, at a time when creativity could bring us all comfort if we could just calm down about the creative process itself.

These are shorter than my other episodes, and I find talking with Nicole delightful. I hope you enjoy.

Happy holiday season.

Love, Amy

PS–Nicole sends her love too.

Nicole Diaz is a creativity coach and business strategist. She works with business professionals to access their creative flow, and with creatives to build the structure they need to stay on track without losing inspiration. Through private coaching and workshops, she helps people balance strategy and creativity so they can bring their ideas to life. 

www.nicolemdiaz.com

Amy Hallberg is the author of Tiny Altars: A Midlife Revival and German Awakening: Tales from an American Life. She is the host of Courageous Wordsmith Podcast and founder of Courageous Wordsmith Circle for Real-Life Writers. As an editor and writing mentor, Amy guides writers through their narrative journeys—from inklings to beautiful works, specifically podcasts and books. A lifelong Minnesotan and mother of grown twins, Amy lives in the Twin Cities with her husband and two cats.

Get Amy's Books and Audiobooks

Learn about Courageous Wordsmith Circle for Real-Life Writers

Work with Amy 1:1