The Stories Between Us

Spoken-word poet and author Amena Brown shares her path from introverted poet to performance art. She talks about finding her voice, collaborating with her DJ spouse, and what it's been like to create during a time of such social upheaval. We love her emphasis on trusting your voice and how the life you've been given to live helps you create the art you were meant to create.

Today we have a reason to celebrate! So, we talk about that, examine how we got here, and talk about a few dreams we have for the future.

We also take some time to list a few things giving us life these days. What's giving you life?

Where do ideas come from, and how do you choose which idea to run with? Today we talk about the infamous, brainless sea squirt, how no idea is an original idea, and what our own personal process is in deciding which idea to forge ahead with. Also, Shawn vents about a recent review (having to do with the idea behind his last novel, These Nameless Things), and Maile somehow pulls in a reference to that great 1987 Sylvester Stallone movie, Over the Top.

Smithsonian article referenced: Where Do New Ideas Come From?

Shawn's book, These Nameless Things

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Today we talk about goals--everything from the big hairy dreams you can't quite imagine to the day-to-day expectations you put in place for yourself. What's the difference between the two, and why is that important? We also talk about the miraculous effect of the d-word (not that one)...and how it can help rejuvenate your creativity.

Maile and Shawn talk about the divine partnership that occurs within the creative work. Related to that, they talk about books going out of print and created works that don't accomplish what we would like them to accomplish. They also talk about the lost virtue of magnanimity: having "a lofty vision for your life, to have noble ambitions, to dream great dreams. Simply, you must believe you are worthy as a child of God, and created to do great things."*

*from Father Brian Cavanaugh's "Your Created Goodness"

Maile and I update you on where we are in our writing lives, what our current goals and dreams are, and talk about the nature, and importance, of hope in the life of the writer. I also offer an apology. You can also catch these episodes LIVE as we're recording them on Instagram Live on Tuesdays at 12:30!

Maile and Shawn wrap up their second season with a conversation about the cycles of writing, a letter from a famous writer about the importance of creativity, and each of them give one last piece of encouragement before saying farewell...for now.

To find out more about Jonathan Rogers' 'The Habit' podcast and newsletter, head HERE.

Today we speak with author Marlena Graves about the importance of having those periods of time where we're writing for ourselves. Marlena also shares her journey into blogging, writing books, and what writing itself has done for her.

Be sure to check out Marlena's beautiful new book, The Way Up is Down.

Shawn and Maile talk about being tired, writing while anxious, and a few small things that help them create well during difficult times.

Today we have the distinct honor of speaking with Ruben Degollado, author of the award-winning novel Throw. He tells us what it's like to live in a liminal space in the Rio Grande Valley, where even US citizens are subjected to checkpoints, and where his ancestral stories have infiltrated his fiction. You'll be encouraged by his book's near-30-year path to publication and the redemption he finds in even the darkest tales.

You can find out more about Ruben HERE.