What if the biggest problem with your writing isn’t your grammar or structure—but the way you think?

In this eye-opening episode of Gen Mess with Tess, host Tess Brigham sits down with her personal writing coach, Brian Morgan, founder of Think Deeply, Write Clearly, to reveal the transformative link between writing, thinking, and the human condition. Get ready to reconsider everything you thought you knew about creativity, communication, and the very process of making sense of the world.

Brian shares his unconventional journey from struggling actor to billion-dollar report editor, ultimately landing as a leading expert in sense-making through writing. Together, Tess and Brian dive into:

• Why most writing problems are actually rooted in muddled thinking—and why most schools do a terrible job of teaching this.
• The surprising truth about creative careers: Do most artists really want to be artists, or just famous?
• The dangers of trusting leaders who speak in conclusions instead of thoughtful frameworks (with spicy commentary on today’s political climate!)
• Why Gen Z and today’s college students are falling behind in critical thinking and communication—and how our current education structures are failing them
• The one daily practice that can immediately make you a clearer thinker, communicator, and human being

Whether you’re a business leader, educator, or someone wanting to bridge the generational communication gap, this episode is packed with vulnerable stories, tough truths, and actionable takeaways for thriving in the modern world—mess and all.

Timestamped Overview:

00:00 – Tess introduces the Gen Mess with Tess and welcomes Brian Morgan

00:01 – Brian’s background: From acting to editing billion-dollar contracts to writing coaching

00:07 – Are artists really after creative mastery or just fame?

00:14 – What acting teaches about observation, sense-making, and writing

00:17 – Why most writing “problems” are actually thinking problems

00:22 – The danger of conclusions without sense-making frameworks; politics and business examples

00:29 – Is it our individual job to make sense of the world? Stories of self-reflection, failure, and growth

00:43 – The crisis in education: Why today’s students struggle with thinking and writing (COVID-19’s impact and beyond)

00:50 – Rapid fire: Brian’s top writing/communication tip you can use right now

00:53 – Free resource: How to join Brian’s 90-day prolific writing program

Listen, reflect, and discover how you can clean up your own “gen mess”—one clear thought at a time.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.