Authors Who Lead - Learn to write a book from bestselling authors and leaders

Send us Fan Mail Writing a book isn’t a linear journey. It’s filled with ups and downs, moments of clarity, creative blocks, and the ever-present question: Am I hitting the mark? If you’re feeling overwhelmed or stuck, you’re not alone.  What transforms a collection of words into a compelling book isn’t the complexity of your knowledge or eloquence—it’s your ability to distill your message, delive...

Send us Fan Mail Every writer, whether penning a memoir or crafting a screenplay, seeks that elusive “voice”—the authentic expression of who they are and the stories only they can tell. On this episode of Authors Who Lead, screenwriter and coach Brooks Elms shared an illuminating process for tapping into this unique creative DNA by simply starting with a list of your favorite films. What unfolded...

Send us Fan Mail What if your book idea is not something you need to search for outside yourself? In this solo episode, Azul shares how a recent conversation with screenwriter and writing coach Brooks Elms helped him see something surprising. A simple list of favorite movies became a mirror for the deeper themes, questions, and patterns that have shaped him as a writer, teacher, and book coach. Th...

Send us Fan Mail It’s not every day that a bestselling author invites you into the secret world behind their creative process. In this episode, I sit down with April Henry, acclaimed writer of thirty-two mysteries and thrillers, to discuss how she crafts her gripping stories—making them both intricately plotted and beautifully accessible. Here, we dive into the wisdom and practical strategies Apri...

Send us Fan Mail At the heart of every aspiring author's journey, before outlines are made or words are penned, a gnawing question lingers: Am I enough? On this solo episode of Authors Who Lead, I cut through the noise of writing tips and publishing strategies to spotlight this deeply personal challenge. Drawing on over a decade of coaching writers, I reveal that the greatest barrier to writi...

Send us Fan Mail Whether you’ve dreamed of being an author for decades or you’re just starting to put pen to paper, there’s one constant truth: writing—and finishing—a book is no small feat. On this episode of the Authors Who Lead podcast, I want to dive into the hidden obstacles that prevent most aspiring writers from becoming published authors. Drawing from my own journey (including a 24-year ga...

Send us Fan Mail Publishing a book is often seen as a milestone—a badge of honor for accomplished leaders and coaches. But as I reveal in my conversation on the Authors Who Lead podcast, writing a book does more than boost your authority. It can crystallize your message, become a launching pad for new opportunities, and ultimately serve as a powerful legacy that outlives you. Timestamp: 00:00 Disc...

Send us Fan Mail Writing a memoir is never an easy feat—especially when the story being told explores the deeply personal terrain of trauma, healing, and the reclamation of one’s agency. In this episode of the "Authors Who Lead" podcast, I sit down with Chelsey Valeri—licensed clinical social worker, trauma therapist, and debut memoirist—as she offers an honest glimpse into how she craft...

Send us Fan Mail For many of you, the journey from idea to manuscript can feel daunting and filled with self-doubt. In this heartfelt solo episode, I share personal insights and experiences from a life devoted to writing, coaching, and the pursuit of dreams. This post explores key takeaways from the episode, offering both encouragement and practical wisdom for anyone standing at the threshold of t...

Send us Fan Mail Behind every aspiring author I meet is a burning question: “Does what I have to say really matter?” I want to shine a light on this today, urging you to look beyond the mechanics of writing and toward the deeper reason you write at all. Writing a book is about so much more than perfect prose or bestseller status—it’s about sharing your unique message, stepping into leadership, and...

Send us Fan Mail Behind every aspiring author I meet is a burning question: “Does what I have to say really matter?” I want to shine a light on this today, urging you to look beyond the mechanics of writing and toward the deeper reason you write at all. Writing a book is about so much more than perfect prose or bestseller status—it’s about sharing your unique message, stepping into leadership, and...

Send us Fan Mail I often feel we take communication for granted, assuming it’s just about relaying information. Yet, in my latest conversation, I sat down with Sage Hobbs—author of Naked Communication —to explore how communication rooted in authenticity and curiosity can radically alter our relationships at work, at home, and within ourselves. Our talk was a candid look at what it really takes to...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Authors Who Lead, I sit down with Samantha Sweetwater to discuss how her book True Human: Reimagining Ourselves at the End of Our World evolved from scattered ideas into a cohesive manuscript through patience, humility, and honesty. We explore what it means to write during a time of ecological, technological, and cultural transformation—and why authorship requir...

Send us Fan Mail If you’re waiting for a surge of confidence before you start writing your book, you’re not alone. I’ve spent years hosting the Authors Who Lead Podcast, talking with authors at every stage of the journey, and one belief comes up again and again: “I just need a little more confidence before I begin.” Here’s the truth I’ve learned—confidence rarely shows up first. Action does. And w...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I sit down with Barbara Caver, a film and television production executive, passionate traveler, and first-time memoirist. Her debut memoir, A Little Piece of Cuba, weaves together Cuban heritage, family memory, and a life-changing trip in a way that resonates far beyond cultural boundaries. In our conversation, Barbara and I talk openly about the creative process,...

Send us Fan Mail What if grief wasn’t something to get over, but something that could teach us how to live? In this deeply moving conversation, Azul Terronez sits down with executive, speaker, and author Kathryn Henry to discuss her memoir, A Dime to Say I Love You. After losing her wife Lisa following a decade-long battle with cancer, Kathryn began writing not just to remember, but to heal, to li...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Authors Who Lead, I return with a heartfelt update and an honest call to action for anyone dreaming of writing a book. This episode isn’t just an update—it’s a raw exploration of why telling your story truly matters, how the writing process can change your life, and what to do when self-doubt creeps in.  I’m reminded again that the journey to authorship is about...

Send us Fan Mail Julia Packwood has the idea. She feels the call. She even has deadlines and bylines. Yet when she sits down to write, it feels like a battle. In this episode, Azul reframes that struggle: the hard feeling is not a problem to be fixed, but rather a rite of passage. Then the conversation turns practical, moving the writing practice out of the office and into nature, separating draft...

Send us Fan Mail What does it really take to deliver a TEDx talk that resonates? In this episode of Authors Who Lead, communication expert Alexia Vernon and TEDx speaker Kaia Vernon-Oliveira share what authors need to know about developing a powerful big idea, connecting with an audience, and building speaking confidence that opens doors. Timestamp: 00:00 Introduction to Alexia Vernon and Kaia Ver...

Send us Fan Mail After eight years of hosting Authors Who Lead, Azul finally sits down again with the man who inspired the show from the very beginning: Dr. Gay Hendricks, author of The Big Leap , Conscious Loving , and his new memoir, Loving Life . In this intimate, spiritually rich conversation, Gay shares the stories behind his memoir, the pivotal moment on the ice that changed everything, the...

Send us Fan Mail You’re a coach, entrepreneur, or leader with a powerful message. You know a book would expand your influence, elevate your authority, and open doors. So why does it still feel impossible to start? In this solo episode, Azul breaks down why brilliant, experienced leaders get stuck — and why your book is not a side project. You’ll learn the exact mindset shift needed to overcome ove...

Send us Fan Mail Novelist Carla Malden joins Azul to discuss her latest book, Playback—a nostalgic, time-traveling story about reconciling past ideals with present reality. They explore the character of Mari Caldwell, Carla’s cinematic writing style, and the emotional process of co-authoring a memoir with her father, Oscar-winning actor Karl Malden. Timestamp: 0:00 — Introducing Carla Malden and P...

Send us Fan Mail In a world where everything online disappears in 24 hours, why are books still the thing we remember? I recently sat down with Rob Walling — a serial entrepreneur who has started six companies, bootstrapped five of them, and written multiple bestselling books, including Start Small, Stay Small and The SaaS Playbook. What struck me most in our conversation wasn’t just his track rec...

Send us Fan Mail Writing a book isn’t just about putting words on a page — it’s about letting others help you shape your message into its most powerful form. Azul Terronez explains the stages of editing, how to find the right editor, and how collaboration turns a manuscript into a masterpiece. Timestamp: 00:00 Introduction and editing insights 04:02 Editing voice, tone, and flow 07:46 Choosing edi...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Authors Who Lead podcast, I welcome Dr. Shannon Irvine, an accomplished neuropsychologist, entrepreneur, and founder of the SINC Neurocoach Models.  This riveting conversation peels back the curtain on Dr. Shannon’s journey from idea gestation to book launch, giving us an inside look at the neuroscience-driven method she shares in her new book, The 67-Day Ye...