In this hands-on episode, Kathi Lipp invites listeners into a live title lab—no hype, just practical help. With guest creators Tenneil Register and Roger Lipp, Kathi models how to use AI as a brainstorming partner (not a writer) to craft clear, connected, curiosity-building titles for blogs, series, pitches, and books.

Listeners will hear:

• A simple prompt that keeps your unique voice while getting better title ideas fast.

• The 3 Cs filter (clarity, connection, curiosity) applied in real time.

• How to iterate: cherry-picking words, combining phrases, and refining subtitles.

• Faith-adjacent, audience-first language that invites readers in—without the hype.

• Kathi's practical "title frames" and the all-important ear test.

Tenneil shares a live case study from her "Christmas through the decades" content, and Kathi workshop-tests options for her next decluttering book (for readers low on money, energy, emotional bandwidth, or time). Plus, Roger shows how AI can speed up production without losing the human touch.

If you want faster, stronger titles that truly serve your reader, press play and follow along with the prompt in the show notes.

Resources Mentioned in This Episode

The Title Editor Prompt

Copy and customize this prompt to generate titles in your unique voice:

Example from the episode: "Act as a title editor for 'What I Learned About Christmas Through the Decades.' Keep Tenneil's voice warm, practical, faith-adjacent. No hype. We need an audience felt need and an outcome promise. Titles only, no explanations."

The 5 Title Frames for Manual Tweaking

Use these elements to strengthen your titles—with or without AI:

1. Specific Noun over general noun
   Example: "paper piles" vs. "clutter" | "decision fatigue" vs. "overwhelmed"

2. Power Verb
   Examples: cut, tame, build, reclaim, map, create, unwrap

3. Concrete Frame
   Examples: in 15 minutes, 40 days, this weekend, for caregivers, when you're low on energy

4. Contrast
   Example: from messy to managed, what we lost and what we found

5. The Ear Test
   Say it out loud repeatedly. If it's hard to say or sounds awkward, keep refining.

The 3 Cs Filter

Rate every title option on these three criteria:

• Clarity – Is it instantly understandable?

• Connection – Does it speak to a felt need?

• Curiosity – Does it make you lean in?

Pro tip: For books, prioritize clarity. For articles and blog posts, lean into curiosity.

Bonus Tips from the Episode

• AI is a collaborator, not the creator. You guide, iterate, and cherry-pick.

• Don't settle for the first batch—keep refining by telling AI what you like and don't like.

• Words you don't use for the title can become subtitles, chapter titles, or marketing copy.

• If working with a traditional publisher, confirm title choices align with their publication standards.

In this fast, practical episode, Kathi Lipp, Tenneil Register, and Roger Lipp help writers move from clever to clear with a simple three-filter system for titles: clarity, connection, and curiosity. If your titles feel “off,” confusing, or too cute, this conversation shows you how to refine them so your audience instantly knows what they’ll get—and wants to click. Listeners will hear how to use AI as a brainstorm partner (not a voice thief) and how to validate your ideas with real humans through Instagram Stories polls, simple Facebook “this or that” posts, and A/B testing. They also unpack a real example (hello, chambray!) to show how a hook can derail your episode if it doesn’t reflect the whole message. You’ll leave with a repeatable process: run every title through clarity, connection, and curiosity; test it with your people; and choose one clear promise. Plus, get ready—next week they’ll invite you to share your title for feedback inside the free Writing at the Red House Facebook group.

In this episode of Writing at the Red House, Kathi Lipp teams up with Roger Lipp and Tenneil Register to help listeners brainstorm titles, hooks, and lead-ins that feel like an invitation—not clickbait. They unpack why the reader’s felt need must be your filter, how to guide AI with your actual voice and audience avatar, and how to avoid those cheesy, off-brand suggestions that make your people cringe. Listeners will learn:

• How to articulate your audience’s felt need so titles land instantly

• What to feed AI (your voice and your avatar) to get better ideas, faster

• A simple Venn diagram approach—audience + voice + information—to keep titles on target

• Why “classy, not clickbait” builds trust (and clicks)

• A short homework assignment to prep for next week’s on-air title workshop

Perfect for overwhelmed writers juggling life and deadlines, this conversation gives you practical steps to move from bland to brilliant—without losing your voice or your values. Stick around for the homework so you’re ready for next week’s “Magic Formula of Threes” title sprint.

Do you ever wonder if you’re being ruthlessly honest in your writing? This is the topic of today’s episode. Kathi is back with Jennifer Dukes Lee to discuss not only why you need to be ruthlessly honest in your writing but also how that impacts you and your readers.

Listen in and learn:

• What ruthless truth-telling is.
• Why ruthless truth-telling is so important.
• How to give yourself permission to be honest.

Do you want to write a book, devotional, or blog but are having a hard time getting the words written? Today Kathi and Jennifer share several ways to put your thoughts on paper and create something beautiful.

Listen in and learn:

• How to think of deep questions to ask yourself.
• Why you should write down your thoughts.
• How to stay narrowly focused.

It’s easy to get stuck with writer’s block if we don’t take the necessary steps. Tune in next week for another conversation between Kathi and Jennifer.

Kathi’s new book, Accidental Homesteader, came out August 29th.

Inside Scoop: Sign up for the Writing Tips Newsletter at Writing at the Red House to get Kathi’s 7 Day Platform Plan for free.

In this listener-focused follow-up on DIY events, Kathi Lipp and guest Tenneil Register break down how to confidently plan and host your own gathering—without burning out or breaking the bank. If you’ve been waiting for an invitation, this episode hands you a plan. Listeners will learn:

• A simple 90-minute run-of-show (welcome, teaching, reflection, Q&A) that keeps people engaged.

• How to choose dates, venues (from cozy coffee shops to church basements), and a smart, speaker-first budget.

• Why your event promise should drive your schedule and your marketing.

• How to build partnerships (coffee shops, bookstores, churches) that add credibility and community.

• An 8-week timeline to launch: from graphics and event pages to volunteers, tech checks, and promotion.

• Practical promotion that works: warm audience first, ready-made posts for partners, and why posters still matter.

Perfect for writers and speakers who want to build community, grow an email list, and deliver a meaningful experience—without waiting for someone else to make the magic happen.

In this episode, Kathi Lipp and guest Tenneil Register get practical about planning in-person events that actually serve your audience. Using the 3 P’s—Purpose, People, Promise—they show you how to design gatherings that create belonging, offer real results, and gently grow sales at your book table. Listeners will hear:

• How to start with the feeling and promise your event delivers—before you pick the date or venue - Ways to serve (not sell) at your book table, including simple bundles and integrity-first recommendations

• Real-world event formats for writers and speakers: launch parties, workshops, and retreats

• Ideas for specialized ministry events like grief workshops during the holidays

• A “scrappy to sacred” story of launching events with limited space and budget—and why that’s more than enough

If you’ve wanted to connect your message to people in real life—but felt overwhelmed or unsure where to start—this conversation will help you plan an event that’s doable, meaningful, and built around the people you’re called to serve. Stay tuned for next week’s nuts-and-bolts episode on creating your minimum viable event.

In this episode of Writing at the Red House, Kathi Lipp sits down with author (and soon-to-be Dr.) Susy Flory to unpack how a quiet, three-word Facebook post—“Jesus was non-violent”—became a 30-day conversation and, ultimately, a coauthored book with pastor Scott Johanningsmeier, published by Kregel. If you’re a writer who wants to test ideas without adding to the online noise, this story offers a practical, hope-filled roadmap. Listeners will hear how Susy used micro-posts to invite gentle dialogue, watched for authentic reader engagement, and let the idea simmer before shaping it into a proposal—despite industry hurdles like not being a megachurch pastor and pitching a compilation. You’ll learn how to create safer spaces for thoughtful discussion, discern when an idea has legs, and embrace unexpected partners and publishers who truly “get” your project. If you’ve ever wondered whether that one post might be the seed of your next book, this episode will help you listen to your readers—and to the Spirit—as you write.

Ever wondered why some writers walk away from collaborative writing or how to spot the green lights (and red flags) in a writing partnership? In this honest and hope-filled conversation, Kathi Lipp and bestselling co-author Susy Flory dive deep into the world of Christian collaborative writing. You’ll hear Susy’s experiences working with celebrities, having books turned into movies, and why she insists on getting her name on the cover. Listeners will learn practical tips for building trust, having hard conversations, and protecting their voice and values—plus the warning signs that signal when a partnership is heading off track. If you’re navigating your own writing journey and long for healthy, faith-based collaboration, this episode is packed with wisdom, relatable stories, and encouragement to tell your unique God-story. Plus, get the scoop on the upcoming West Coast Christian Writers Conference and why Susy and Kathi insist you belong there!

Are you feeling overwhelmed by the tech side of newsletters? In this episode of Writing at the Red House, Kathi Lipp returns with guests Roger Lipp and Tenneil Register to demystify email marketing for Christian writers. If you’ve ever wished you could focus on your words instead of wrestling with automation, subject lines, or newsletter templates, you’ll find hope, plenty of laughs, and concrete tools here.  Together, the trio shows how to harness AI for subject lines and structure, why templates keep things simple (and readers coming back), and the heart-centered reasons every busy writer should keep reaching out—even if it’s just once a month. Plus, discover Roger’s secrets for using platforms like MailerLite, Mailchimp, and ConvertKit, and hear Tenneil’s wisdom on showing up authentically (and why your readers would rather see your dog than a new color scheme).

Access this episode's complete show notes and resource links here.