The Experience: Conversations with Creatives

Fantasy author Jeffrey Nix talks about writing and reading with intention, rational and trope-aware storytelling, publishing fiction online, inviting readers into the creative process, avoiding burnout, and building sustainable creative habits over the long term.

Read Jeffrey's work: Read Alias & Apocalypses for free on Royal Road

Short fiction: Spectral Supper and other stories

Support Jeffrey Nix: Jeffrey Nix on Patreon

Follow Jeffrey Nix: JeffreyNix.com

Follow Clint Hall: Clint Hall on Instagram Clint Hall on Facebook You can also find me at clinthall.com

Host: Clint Hall Guest: Jeffrey Nix Producer: Clint Hall Music: Milton Gardner

Author and former Air Force pilot James R. Hannibal talks about his journey from military aviation to bestselling thriller fiction, navigating synesthesia and creativity, the realities of secular publishing, the high personal cost of holding firm to Christian convictions, and why he ultimately shifted his focus to faith-driven storytelling and discipleship through projects like Light Raiders and Courser Media.

Check out James's work: Light Raiders James R. Hannibal on Amazon Courser Media

Follow James R. Hannibal: James R. Hannibal on Instagram James R. Hannibal on X

Follow Clint Hall: Clint Hall on Instagram Clint Hall on Facebook You can also find me at clinthall.com

Host: Clint Hall Guest: James R. Hannibal Producer: Clint Hall Music: Milton Gardner

Christian Geek Central founder and podcaster Paeter Frandsen talks about his winding creative journey through music, theater, audio drama, and online ministry; the long road of creating the Spirit Blade audio drama trilogy; engaging geek culture with both discernment and grace; navigating faith-based storytelling in a secular world; and helping Christian creatives and fans find their place in the local church while still embracing the stories they love.

Check out Paeter's work: Spirit Blade Productions Christian Geek Central Podcast

Follow Paeter Frandsen: Christian Geek Central on YouTube Paeter Frandsen on Substack Spirit Blade Productions on X

Follow Clint Hall: Clint Hall on Instagram Clint Hall on Facebook You can also find me at clinthall.com

Host: Clint Hall Guest: Paeter Frandsen Producer: Clint Hall Music: Milton Gardner

Author Kerry Nietz talks about his early career in the software industry, how that experience became his first memoir, the long road of writing multiple unpublished novels, his love of writing curious and heartfelt science fiction, how ideas often fall into his lap, experimenting with dictation, mentoring authors at Realm Makers, and more.

Buy Kerry's books!

Follow Kerry Nietz: Kerry Nietz on Instagram Kerry Nietz on X Kerry Nietz's website

Follow Clint Hall: Clint Hall on Instagram Clint Hall on Facebook You can also find me at clinthall.com

Host: Clint Hall Guest: Kerry Nietz Producer: Clint Hall Music: Milton Gardner

Professional wrestler, actor, and stuntman Luke Hawx talks about discovering discipline through adversity, breaking into the wrestling world, transitioning into major film and television projects, the story behind launching Wildkat Sports, and the mindset that keeps him hungry, creative, and constantly evolving.

Follow Luke Hawx: lukehawx.com wildkatsports.com Luke Hawx on Instagram Luke Hawx on Facebook

Follow Clint Hall: Clint Hall on Instagram Clint Hall on Facebook You can also find me at clinthall.com

Host: Clint Hall Guest: Luke Hawx Producer: Clint Hall Music: Milton Gardner

Author Lauren Smyth talks about growing up as a military kid, being homeschooled with a literature-rich curriculum, signing her first publishing contract at just 13 years old, what she's learned from working on both sides of the editorial desk, her family's entrepreneurial spirit, and her new novel, Warsafe.

Buy Warsafe now!

Follow Lauren Smyth: laurensmythbooks.com

Follow Clint Hall: Clint Hall on Instagram Clint Hall on Facebook You can also find me at clinthall.com

Host: Clint Hall Guest: Lauren Smyth Producer: Clint Hall Music: Milton Gardner

Atlanta Hawks play-by-play legend Bob Rathbun talks about treating every game like a "final exam," finding the story and riding the rhythm of a 48-minute game, on-air chemistry with Dominique Wilkins, lessons from small-town radio, voice craft (the piano trick!), early breaks with Marty Brennaman, why fans remember stories more than stats, Lenny Wilkens' 20-game rule, and why he's bullish on this Hawks roster.

Follow Bob Rathbun: BobRathbun.com Bob Rathbun on X (Twitter) Bob Rathbun on Instagram Bob Rathbun on LinkedIn

Follow Clint Hall: Clint Hall on Instagram Clint Hall on Facebook You can also find me at clinthall.com

Host: Clint Hall Guest: Bob Rathbun Producer: Clint Hall Music: Milton Gardner

Author Hope Ann talks about growing up in a large family with eight younger siblings, her early love for The Chronicles of Narnia, her late entry into fantasy storytelling, how her imaginative childhood shaped her creativity, her experience coordinating volunteers at Realm Makers, her favorite seasons of Doctor Who, and the significance of preparing both practically and spiritually for a hopeful future. Check out the Kickstarter for Hope's new book, Unbanded!

Follow Hope Ann: AuthorHopeAnn.com Sign up for her newsletter

Follow Clint Hall: Clint Hall on Instagram Clint Hall on Facebook You can also find me at clinthall.com

Host: Clint Hall Guest: Hope Ann Producer: Clint Hall Music: Milton Gardner

Josiah DeGraaf, fantasy author and Program Director of the Young Writers Workshop, shares how growing up homeschooled as the oldest of nine shaped his creativity, why constraints and a supportive community help creatives thrive; his journey from teaching high school English to helping young writers, and what fiction writers can borrow from classical rhetoric and reader-first marketing to serve readers with stories of hope.

Buy A Study of Shattered Spells now!

• JosiahDeGraaf.com
• Josiah DeGraaf on Instagram
• Josiah DeGraaf on Facebook

• Clint Hall on Instagram
• Clint Hall on Facebook
• ClintHall.com

Host: Clint Hall Guest: Josiah DeGraaf Producer: Clint Hall Music: Milton Gardner

Claudia Martinez, acclaimed pastry chef and founder of the upcoming dessert and cocktail bar Bar Ana, shares her journey from line cook to pastry chef, how she discovered her creative voice through plating and experimentation, and what she learned staging in Sweden under world-renowned chef David Vidal. She also reflects on the highs and lows of restaurant culture, why community and hospitality matter more than ego, and how perseverance fuels her dream of creating a space where desserts, drinks, and connection come together.

Also, Clint tries (and fails) to win an argument with a friend about cookies.

• ClaudiaVMartinez.com
• Claudia V. Martinez on Instagram
• Bar ANA on Instagram

• Clint Hall on Instagram
• Clint Hall on Facebook
• ClintHall.com

Host: Clint Hall Guest: Claudia V. Martinez Producer: Clint Hall Music: Milton Gardner