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Jen Turner turned down two publishing deals to keep full control of her own covers, titles, and voice. In this episode of Penned By Design, the Houston native and author known as Jen With A Pen talks about bold storytelling, creative entrepreneurship, and building a career entirely on her own terms.

Jen is the author of several urban fiction and suspense novels, including Bond and My Ex Is Now My Stepson. A Houston, Texas native, her work explores bold relationships, betrayal, healing, and the consequences of difficult choices, and she has built a brand rooted in originality, persistence, and trusting her own vision.

In this conversation, Jen and Destiny talk about:

Why Jen chose self-publishing over two traditional publishing offers Her unconventional writing process, and why she never writes a full chapter from start to finish What it really means to have thick skin as an author The moment her belief that "no dream is too big" was tested the hardest How she protects her work after another author copied her material Why she refuses to stay in one genre, from street lit to her upcoming fantasy release

If you are a writer, author, or creative entrepreneur trying to figure out how much of your voice you are willing to hand over for exposure, this episode is for you.

Read the full companion blog post: Owning Your Voice

Connect with Jen Turner: 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/author_jenwiththepen/ 

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jenspeaksvictory18 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jen.turner.426491

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What happens when the life you've built no longer fits the person you're becoming?

In this episode of Penned By Design, Destiny Jordan sits down with educator, entrepreneur, and founder of Aziza Afghan Beauty, Waheda Nazir, for a thoughtful conversation about identity, reinvention, and finding the courage to embrace a new season of purpose.

After years in education, Waheda reached a crossroads familiar to many creatives and professionals: the realization that success isn't about staying the same—it's about allowing yourself to grow. Together, they explore what it means to outgrow a career without losing your purpose, the importance of mentorship and community, and how our personal stories shape the businesses and creative work we build.

Waheda also shares how her Afghan heritage inspired the creation of Aziza Afghan Beauty, a brand dedicated to preserving traditional beauty wisdom while offering a different perspective on Afghan culture—one rooted in resilience, craftsmanship, family, and timeless traditions.

Whether you're a writer, author, educator, entrepreneur, or creative navigating your own transition, this conversation offers practical wisdom and quiet encouragement for anyone standing at the edge of a new chapter.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• Why your career is not your identity
• How to recognize when you've outgrown a season of life
• The difference between encouragement and true mentorship
• Why purpose evolves as we grow
• How cultural heritage can inspire meaningful entrepreneurship
• Practical advice for navigating career transitions with confidence
• Why every business begins with a story worth telling

If you've ever questioned whether it's too late to change directions, this episode is your reminder that growth isn't about leaving your purpose behind—it's about discovering a new way to live it.

Connect with Waheda Nazir & Aziza Afghan Beauty:
🌐Website: https://azizaafghan.com/
📱Instagram:  @aziza.afghan.beauty
📨Email:  [email protected] 

🎙 About Penned By Design

Penned By Design is the podcast for writers, authors, and creative entrepreneurs who want their words—and their work—to make a lasting impact. Hosted by Destiny Jordan, each episode explores the stories, strategies, and creative journeys behind meaningful books, businesses, and brands.

Subscribe so you never miss an episode, and if you enjoyed today's conversation, please leave a review—it helps more writers and creatives discover the show.

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What does it look like to write a book not for attention, but out of love? For author, educator, and literacy advocate Jynesis Hawkins, it started with her son.

In this episode of Penned By Design, host Destiny Jordan sits down with Jynesis Hawkins, author of Kai: The Jungle King, a children's book rooted in self-worth, courage, and the power of embracing who you are unapologetically. Jynesis opens up about the real story behind the book, what it means to write for a child who is non-verbal, and how 50 copies selling out in two weeks confirmed that her message was bigger than she imagined.

But this conversation goes far beyond one book. Jynesis and Destiny dig into what it takes to build a purpose-driven creative platform while holding down a full-time teaching career, raising a child with special needs, and still finding ways to pour into yourself along the way.

In this episode you will hear:

• Why children's books are one of the most powerful tools for building confidence and emotional intelligence in young readers
• What the "anti-life" framework is and how writers can use it to design a creative life they actually want
• The real costs and decisions behind self-publishing a children's book, including sizing, printing, and ISBN basics
• How Jynesis used AI tools ethically in her illustration process and what that means for indie authors today
• What habit stacking looks like for a busy creative who keeps breaking promises to themselves
• The question that will stop you cold: is your paycheck worth your peace?

Whether you are an aspiring author, a self-published writer, a parent, an educator, or a creative entrepreneur building something meaningful, this episode will challenge you to stop waiting and start writing the story only you can tell.

Connect with Jynesis Hawkins

Website: jynesishawkins.com 

 Instagram: @jynesismonique

TikTok: @jynesismonique

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Pen your own story, designed by you.

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🌟Free Self-Publishing Guide: Self Publishing 101

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In this episode of Penned By Design, we explore what it truly means to write with purpose and create work that extends beyond the page.

Educator and author Charlie Marcol shares how writing began as a personal outlet and evolved into a vehicle for impact, identity, and legacy. We unpack the difference between being a writer and simply wanting to be an author—and why that distinction matters when building meaningful, lasting work. 

This conversation also dives into storytelling as a form of leadership, the responsibility that comes with shaping young minds, and how creative work can influence confidence, culture, and community. Charlie reflects on how her experiences in education informed the stories she tells and the brand she’s building—one rooted in representation, purpose, and generational impact. 

If you’re writing a book, building a brand, or creating something that you want to last, this episode will help you think more intentionally about your voice, your message, and the legacy you’re leaving behind.

Connect with Charlie:

Website: itsthecoolcollective.com

Instagram: thecoolestbooksever

Facebook: Charlie Marcol

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🌟Free Self-Publishing Guide: Self Publishing 101

Affiliate Links Disclaimer: I only recommend products I would use myself. This episode may contain affiliate links in the show notes. They add no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission that helps support the podcast. Thank you for the support! 😊

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Why do so many students struggle with writing?

In this episode of the Penned By Design Podcast, host Destiny Jordan sits down with Amber Parks, founder of Writing with Design, to explore how writing can be taught in a way that actually works for students and teachers.

After years of teaching in classrooms around the world, Amber noticed a pattern: students didn’t hate writing—they just weren’t being taught how to do it step by step. So she created a writing framework designed to help students move from simple sentences to complex essays with confidence.

In this conversation, we explore:

• Why writing feels so difficult for students
 • The difference between writing talent and writing skill
 • How structure can actually unlock creativity
 • Why brevity is often better than long essays
 • How teachers can make writing manageable again
 • What the rise of AI means for writing education
 • How students build confidence through the writing process

Amber shares insights from over 25 years in education and explains how her program, Writing with Design, is helping schools across the country improve student writing and thinking skills.

If you're a teacher, writer, parent, or creative thinker, this conversation offers a refreshing look at how writing really works—and why it's one of the most powerful skills students can develop.

Connect with Amber Parks

Website: Writing with Design.com

Recommended Book: Best Practices in Writing Instruction by Steve Graham

Follow Amber:
 LinkedIn

 Twitter (X)
Facebook

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🌟Free Self-Publishing Guide: Self Publishing 101

Affiliate Links Disclaimer: I only recommend products I would use myself. This episode may contain affiliate links in the show notes. They add no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission that helps support the podcast. Thank you for the support! 😊

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What if improving children’s reading skills didn’t start in the classroom—but at home?

In this episode of Penned By Design, Destiny Jordan sits down with Margaret Bernstein—former journalist, literacy advocate, and author of the beloved dad-centered children’s books All In a Dad’s Day, Donuts with Dad, and The Father’s Walk—to talk about family literacy, fatherhood, and how everyday reading builds lifelong readers.

Margaret shares her journey from newspaper reporter to children’s author, why she left journalism to fight for literacy, and how her books are designed to help dads connect with their kids through simple, joyful reading rituals. You’ll hear:

• Why 20 minutes of reading a day can change a child’s entire academic future
• How dads play a unique and powerful role in raising confident readers—especially for boys
• The real story behind All In a Dad’s Day and how it’s changing families
• Why literacy should be treated like a family culture, not just a school subject
• How schools and communities are using books to strengthen parent-child bonds
• And how to make reading fun, emotional, and something kids actually want to do

This conversation is about more than books—it’s about breaking cycles, building connection, and creating homes where reading feels safe, joyful, and normal.

If you’re a parent, educator, writer, or anyone who cares about children, literacy, and meaningful storytelling, this episode will stay with you.

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🌟Free Self-Publishing Guide: Self Publishing 101

Affiliate Links Disclaimer: I only recommend products I would use myself. This episode may contain affiliate links in the show notes. They add no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission that helps support the podcast. Thank you for the support! 😊

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In Today's episode meet Dorinda Trick, a seasoned professional counselor who experienced a life-altering transformation after two decades in the field. She's not your average author, teacher, and speaker. She  imparts the divine revelations she and others have received regarding redemptive design, offering answers to pressing cultural questions. Get ready to embark on a journey of self-discovery with a twist, guided by a remarkable woman who's undergone an extraordinary transformation.

🔗Connect with Dorinda🔗
Website: https://dorindatrick.org/
Facebook: Dorinda Trick Page

Instagram: Dorinda Trick
You Tube: Dorinda Trick  : Identity In God

Books Mentioned During the Show:
 Opening the Gift by Dorinda Trick
Blessing Your Spirit by Sylvia Gunter & Arthur Burk
Pure Joy! by Crystal Wade & Arthur Burk

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🌟Free Self-Publishing Guide: Self Publishing 101

Affiliate Links Disclaimer: I only recommend products I would use myself. This episode may contain affiliate links in the show notes. They add no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission that helps support the podcast. Thank you for the support! 😊

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Join us for a transformative episode with Nikishea Robinson. Delving into the complexities of relationships, Nikishea offers profound insights for self-discovery and self-acceptance. Motivated by her past patterns of choosing emotionally distant partners, she embarked on a journey of understanding, unearthing the roots of her insecurities tied to her father's rejection. In this process, she stumbled upon her true self, finding liberation through self-affirmation.

"I'm Enough," written from a Christian perspective, transcends faith, guiding readers on a transformative inward journey. Nikishea's mission is clear: to awaken individuals to their intrinsic value and purpose, empowering them as they navigate life's beautiful tapestry

🔗Connect with Nikishea🔗

Book Mentioned in Show: I'm Enough
Face book: https://www.facebook.com/authorklsterling
Website: https://klsterling.wixsite.com/imenough/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorklsterling/
Free E-Book: https://payhip.com/b/IRiGS

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🌟Free Self-Publishing Guide: Self Publishing 101

Affiliate Links Disclaimer: I only recommend products I would use myself. This episode may contain affiliate links in the show notes. They add no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission that helps support the podcast. Thank you for the support! 😊

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 International recording artist, Nimiwari  will be discussing twists and turns of being an creative entrepreneur . She talks about her own struggles and how to find the courage to keep pressing towards the higher mark with all the pressures of life.

🔗Connect With Nimiwari🔗

Website:  www. nimiwari.com
Face Book: Nimiwari
Instagram: @nimiwari

Recommended Book
Grace over Grind By Shae Bynes

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🌟Free Self-Publishing Guide: Self Publishing 101

Affiliate Links Disclaimer: I only recommend products I would use myself. This episode may contain affiliate links in the show notes. They add no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission that helps support the podcast. Thank you for the support! 😊

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Today's episode we have guest Tamyra Smith Davis help us learn how to manage our relationships with grace and healing. Her powerful story of triumph has been transforming the lives of women and young girl around the world.

Book Link : A Fool In Love ( Affiliate link)

Connect with Tamyra
FB: Tamyra S. Davis
Website: Motivation with Tamyra

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Youtube: Penned By Design Podcast

🌟Free Self-Publishing Guide: Self Publishing 101

Affiliate Links Disclaimer: I only recommend products I would use myself. This episode may contain affiliate links in the show notes. They add no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission that helps support the podcast. Thank you for the support! 😊