The Alchemy of Writing Podcast

Is it possible to overcome crippling shyness and become a confident communicator at work and in your social life? Absolutely, says TJ Guttormsen, who has helped countless clients achieve just such a transformation.

How do you make your writing connect with readers? Vera Sprothen is a gifted storyteller who wrote for The Wall Street Journal and co-authored an influential book on the gig economy. 

How are Ted Talks chosen? And how are they edited to make an impact? Della Zhuang has the enviable task of picking Tedx Talks for her district in Sydney, Australia. Here she shares her insights into how to get your talk selected. 

The key to communicating fearlessly is being authentic, says Weh Yeoh, who stays true to himself whether he’s networking with strangers, blogging on controversial topics, or delivering a Ted Talk.

How do you craft engaging content for a niche audience? We ask Nicolas Johnson, a senior editor for Bloomberg News in Tokyo before he returned to Toronto to start life as a blogger.

How do you craft engaging content for a niche audience? We ask Nicolas Johnson, a senior editor for Bloomberg News in Tokyo before he returned to Toronto to start life as a blogger.

In this episode we explore my newfound love of Korean drama, why set-ups and payoffs matter in stories, the importance of structure in storytelling, the difference between "plotter" and "pantser" writers, how to create characters, not caricatures, how to deal with publishers and editors, and productivity hacks for writers.

There is an art to writing a bestselling novel, says author and writing coach Jessica Brody. But how can new novelists get noticed in an increasingly competitive book market?