Fantasy author Martin R. Nelson joins David Watson for a candid conversation about the brutal reality of the creative life, the deep themes in his high fantasy series "The Annals of Tessian," and the relentless struggle to get noticed in a saturated world.

We dive into his new book, "The Culling of Souls," and its predecessor, "Children of the Dying Hearth," exploring the powerful ideas that fuel them.

Martin breaks down how the first book is about the courage to leave your comfort zone—a theme embodied by a teenage boy who might be the heir to a lost empire, a 600-year-old elf who’s still just a kid, and a noble ruler forced to get his hands dirty.

The sequel, "The Culling of Souls," tackles a more internal battle: the painful but necessary act of cutting away the parts of yourself that hold you back, like a traumatic memory that no longer has to define your tomorrow.

This isn't just a book talk; it's a raw look into the heart of an indie author.

Martin opens up about the crushing self-doubt that comes with asking people to buy your work, the frustration of hitting a wall with gatekeepers and expensive (and sometimes useless) editorial reviews, and the overwhelming noise of 4,000+ books published every single day.

He shares the "empty stadium" feeling of creating incredible work with no crowd watching, and the crucial difference between an athlete's measurable "personal best" and a creator's invisible race.

But the conversation is also filled with hope and hard-won wisdom.

They discuss the power of building a "body of work" and waiting for that one brick to be knocked out of the wall, as described by podcaster Dan Carlin, so the people on the other side can finally see you.

Martin shares stories from the band Stereophonics about how their biggest hit was a song they almost threw away, proving that sometimes you just have to keep showing up.

They also touch on the practical side of book promotion, debating the merits of targeted Amazon ads versus scattergun PR and the hilarious potential (and pitfalls) of using AI to create promotional videos.

If you're a writer, artist, or anyone trying to create something meaningful, this episode is a must-watch.

It's a testament to the idea that even if the stadium is empty, you have to lace up your boots and run the race anyway—because the only thing you can control is showing up for tomorrow.

Timestamps:

0:00 - The Indie Author's Dilemma

Martin https://martinraynelson.com/

In this profound episode of the David Watson Podcast, I sit down with Peter, author of the debut literary fiction novel Passages: The Voids from War to Peace.

Our conversation spans from the majestic coastlines and whale migrations to the deep, often painful corridors of the human mind.

We begin by discussing the simple, awe-inspiring power of nature—watching grey whales migrate off the coast and the profound connection to the wild.

This leads us into a much deeper exploration of trauma, healing, and the moral injury that shapes lives.

Peter, drawing on his extensive career in medicine and military service during the Vietnam era, shares the inspiration behind his novel.

We tackle the complex legacy of the Vietnam War, contrasting its cultural portrayal with the grim reality of combat and the unique challenges veterans faced upon returning home.

The discussion expands to a critical look at modern society, technology, and generational divides.

We explore how the rise of smartphones has stripped away the boredom that fuels curiosity, the dehumanizing effects of constant connectivity, and the challenge of finding hope in a world saturated with negativity.

This is a conversation about resilience, courage, and the quiet acts of kindness that provide a lifeline to those at their lowest point.

We discuss the importance of human connection, the foundations of Western democracy, and the hope that is essential for us to achieve amazing things.

In this episode, we explore: The inspiration and themes behind Peter's novel, Passages: The Voids from War to Peace.

The cultural and psychological impact of the Vietnam War on a generation.

How technology has changed our capacity for boredom, curiosity, and deep thought. The generational shifts in perspective on patriotism, society, and trauma.

The profound power of human connection and hope in the face of adversity.

The courage and resilience found in everyday people confronting extraordinary challenges.

Peter https://www.pkedgewater.com/

You can find Peter's book, Passages: The Voids from War to Peace, on Amazon and through Ingram Spark. David Watson Podcast

Are you struggling to finish your book? Does "writer's block" feel like an unbeatable wall?

In this revealing conversation, author and writing coach April Dávila sits down with David Watson to share the transformative practice that helped her go from struggling writer to published author.

April discovered that the key wasn't more discipline, but mindfulness.

By training her brain to focus, silence the inner critic, and treat writing with the respect it deserves, she unlocked a new level of productivity and joy in her craft.

This isn't about writing more; it's about suffering less while you do it. In this episode, we dive deep into:

The #1 Myth of Writer's Block: What's really stopping you from putting words on the page (and it's not a lack of ideas).

The Power of a Scheduled Appointment: Why treating your writing time like a non-negotiable meeting is the ultimate productivity hack.

How to Silence Your Inner Critic: A simple mindfulness technique to recognize that critical voice as just another thought and keep writing anyway.

The Surprising Role of Meditation: How a short pre-writing ritual can get you into a deep flow state faster and more consistently.

Why "Bad" First Drafts are Essential: The truth about rewriting and why you must embrace imperfection to create something great.

Building Unbreakable Writing Habits: How to stop practicing the art of procrastination and start practicing the art of showing up.

Whether you're a seasoned author or just starting to think about writing a book, this interview is packed with actionable advice that will change the way you approach your work.

Timestamps:

When her daughter was diagnosed with autism, a Yale PhD with a background in medical strategy was told by specialists, "There's not really much you can do.

Things usually get worse." She refused to accept that. In this powerful conversation, Dr. Theresa Lions shares her journey from the pharmaceutical industry to becoming a leading autism advocate.

We dive deep into the science that mainstream doctors often miss, including the shocking data that a percentage of children actually lose their diagnosis, and the concrete steps parents can take to find answers.

This isn't about a "cure." It's about understanding the root causes, from gut health and vitamin deficiencies to the complex biochemistry of the brain.

If you or someone you know is affected by autism, this episode is a must-watch for hope, clarity, and a new path forward.

TIMESTAMPS / KEY CHAPTERS:

0:00 - The Biggest Misconception About Autism

3:55 - Why I Struggle to Communicate With My Autistic Nephew

5:05 - The Real Reason for "Yes/No" Answers (It's Not What You Think)

7:23 - The Secret Jokes of Non-Speaking Autistic Kids

10:42 - "Things Get Worse, Not Better": The Devastating Diagnosis

12:55 - The 10% Statistic That Changed Everything

16:07 - From Yale Scientist to Autism Advocate: The Turning Point

18:34 - Why Big Pharma Isn't Solving Autism

20:49 - The "Dharma" That Forced Her Onto YouTube

25:46 - The First Step for Any Overwhelmed Parent

29:12 - The Simple Blood Test That Can Dramatically Improve Mood & Sleep

31:06 - The #1 Diet Change That Helps Most Kids with Autism

35:31 - What Actually Causes Autism? The Answer Will Surprise You

38:07 - The Brain Folate Deficiency Affecting 70% of Kids

40:26 - Is Autism an Identity or a Diagnosis?

42:08 - The Trauma of Watching a Child Harm Themselves

44:33 - A New Way to Communicate with Non-Speaking Individuals

45:54 - Find Dr. Theresa Lions' Resources

Connect with Dr. Theresa Lions: https://awetism.net/

YouTube    / @navigatingawetism  

Website & Platform: https://navigatingautism.com (spelled A-U-T-I-S-M)

YouTube: Search "Teresa Lions" for over a decade of science-backed autism videos. Follow the David Watson Podcast for more deep conversations that challenge the status quo.

In this episode of the David Watson Podcast, I’m joined by Shannon Evans, creator of Tom Bigby Tales, a history podcast and YouTube channel exploring the people, places, cemeteries, and forgotten stories of Columbus, Mississippi and the surrounding area.

We start with the Tom Bigby River, a Choctaw-named river with an unexpected meaning, and quickly move into the deeper theme of the conversation: how much extraordinary history sits right on your doorstep, hidden in plain sight, until someone starts digging.

Shannon explains how Tom Bigby Tales began as a response to local frustration, public money, and accountability, and how that investigative work eventually evolved into history storytelling through cemetery walks, public records, archives, and local research.

The result is a growing collection of stories about inventors, war heroes, designers, community figures, and local legends that often turn out to be more complicated (or more surprising) than the versions people repeat.

We also talk about Mississippi’s “tangible history” and how personal memory connects to major historical eras, including Prohibition, Civil War aftermath, local myths around stately homes, the Dixie Mafia, bootlegging networks, and the way communities create stories that sound great but don’t always stand up to evidence.

Along the way, Shannon shares examples of remarkable people connected to her hometown, including:

• local links to the Dixie Mafia and the bootlegging era

If you enjoy history, local mysteries, and real stories backed by research, you’ll enjoy this episode.

Find Shannon / Tom Bigby Tales

Chapters / timestamps

In this episode of the David Watson Podcast, I’m joined by Barbara Muhika, a former professor and novelist, for a deep conversation about the life, image, and legacy of Mexican film icon Dolores del Río (often called “Lola”).

Barbara explains how she first became fascinated with Lola through her research while writing a novel about Frida Kahlo, and why del Río stood out as a striking contrast to Kahlo’s bold, shocking public persona.

We explore Lola’s elegance, discipline, resilience, and the obstacles she faced moving between Mexico and Hollywood during a period shaped by silent films, the arrival of “talkies,” studio marketing, and changing political attitudes in America.

We also discuss how Hollywood attempted to “rebrand” del Río for US audiences, the realities of the era’s anti-miscegenation attitudes on screen, and how del Río navigated identity, roles, and opportunity as the industry changed.

Barbara shares how del Río’s career evolved as audiences became more xenophobic in the lead-up to war, and why returning to Mexico ultimately opened a new chapter during the Golden Age of Mexican cinema, including work connected to films that helped put Mexican cinema on the international map.

One of the most powerful parts of this episode is a lesser-known side of del Río: her philanthropic work to improve childcare for working women in Mexico’s theatre and film communities, and how that effort helped create a real system of early-years care rather than simple “holding centres.”

We also talk about Barbara’s wider writing life, from academia and teaching Spanish theatre to her work supporting US student veterans, and how themes of war, loss, and the unseen “carnage at home” shape her books.

Guest: Barbara Muhika

Chapters / timestamps

What happens when politics stops being debate and starts behaving like a religion?

In this episode of The David Watson Podcast, I speak with author Steven Ford about his novels No Free Speech for Hate and Destiny of a Free Spirit two books that explore political polarisation, identity ideology, free speech, and the future of human control.

Steven’s work isn’t about taking sides.

It’s about asking uncomfortable questions: why modern societies are fragmenting into echo chambers, why disagreement is increasingly treated as moral failure, and what happens when institutions stop tolerating dissent.

We also explore artificial intelligence, post-war global governance, and whether humanity is drifting toward a world that prioritises control and efficiency over freedom and human instinct.

This is a calm, thoughtful conversation about human nature, history repeating itself, and the risks of pushing any belief system too far whether political, technological, or ideological.

In this conversation:

Steven Ford online:

Website: stevenford.co.uk Books available via major online retailers

In this episode of The David Watson Podcast, I’m joined by Danielle Frank, author of The Wine Lover’s Guide to Parenting, a satirical, illustrated book that uses wine terminology to talk about how kids grow, learn, fail, and eventually stand on their own.

Danielle works in the wine and spirits industry, travels extensively, and brings a refreshing outsider’s perspective to parenting not as a parent, but as a highly observant aunt who understands human behaviour, boundaries, and why over-controlling rarely works.

We talk about why kids need space to breathe, how parenting parallels wine making more than people realise, and why humour may be the most underused parenting tool of all.

Along the way, the conversation moves through wine culture, travel, creativity, dating, modern social habits, and how life looked very different before phones ran everything.

This is a light, thoughtful, and genuinely funny conversation that doesn’t pretend parenting is perfect or that adults have it all figured out either.

In this conversation:

• Why parenting advice doesn’t need to be heavy to be useful

I didn’t know this history of Canada at all and at points in this conversation I’m genuinely speechless.

In this episode of The David Watson Podcast, I’m joined by Angie Elita Newell, an Indigenous historian and author, to talk about the part of Canadian history many people outside Canada (and even inside Canada) were never properly taught: residential schools, forced assimilation policies, and why these stories aren’t just “the past” for Indigenous communities.

Angie shares her own family experience, explains how government policies evolved over time, and why it matters to talk about history in a way that’s honest, nuanced, and human.

We also explore what gets simplified in mainstream history, how stereotypes form, and how we move forward without erasing what happened.

This is a conversation about Canada, Indigenous history, and the reality that modern history can still be living history. In this conversation:

• What residential schools were, and why they lasted so long

Website: www.angieelitanewell.com/all-i-see-is-violence Chapters:

They met in a grief support group after losing their husband and wife and neither of them was looking for a new relationship.

In this episode of The David Watson Podcast, Bob and Tammy Cranston share a rare and genuinely uplifting story about love after loss: how grief brought them into the same room, how a simple “new normal” list turned into ballroom dancing, and how laughter returned for the first time after death.

Tammy also shares the journey of caring for a spouse with stage four cancer, why she became a hospice bereavement volunteer, and what she learned from listening to people at the end of life.

Bob, a neurologist, speaks openly about losing his wife and what it means to move forward without erasing the love that came before.

This conversation is about grief, faith, starting over, and what it looks like when a new relationship honours the old one instead of competing with it.

In this conversation:

• How they met through a hospice-sponsored grief support group

Website: tammycranston.com Books mentioned include: Why Not Me (memoir) and The Blank Journal (plus a children’s series on grief).

Chapters: