My Rejection Story

What do you do when business slows down, your confidence wavers, and you're tempted to disappear? In this solo episode, Alice gets real about what it looks like to keep showing up in uncertain time, not because things feel easy or clear, but because she’s learned how to minimize regret, even when momentum stalls. She shares the mental tug-of-war between self-protection and putting yourself out...

What happens when you're known for helping people feel seen—but suddenly, you're the one being misunderstood? In this episode, therapist and bestselling author Whitney Goodman joins Alice to talk about the emotional labor of being visible online, the backlash that followed her viral posts, and how she’s built resilience without losing authenticity. But this conversation goes far beyond int...

Why does sharing your story feel like standing naked in a room full of strangers? In this solo episode, Alice reflects on the hidden vulnerability behind visibility . She shares the behind-the-scenes truth of how she promotes her own brand and books guests like Guy Winch and Neil Patel, how most great pitches begin with fear, and what to do when visibility feels like a personal attack. From recoun...

What if your fear of rejection isn’t a flaw—but a survival strategy passed down through generations? This week’s guest is Vera Milan Gervais , a speaker, author, and success mentor who has spent her life pushing against the systems that tried to define her. From being disowned by her father at 19 to rewriting the story of a childhood medical trauma, Vera has learned how to reclaim power in the fac...

Hannah Brencher has built a career around sharing her life openly, but at what cost? In this episode, she gets brutally honest about the dark side of public vulnerability, the pressure to turn your life into content, and the raw reality of rejection. She shares the moment she realized she was burning out from oversharing, the painful lesson of being turned into content herself, and why one friend...

In this episode of My Rejection Story, host Alice Draper speaks with therapist and author Jason VanRuler about the complexities of rejection, particularly in relationships. They discuss the importance of rewriting personal narratives, the necessity of grieving losses, and the journey towards authenticity. Jason shares his experiences with rejection and how they shaped his path to becoming a though...

Why is it so terrifying to truly try? According to writer and creative entrepreneur Jamie Varon, it’s because trying means opening yourself up to rejection. It’s easier to self-reject, to stay small, to convince yourself you didn’t really want it anyway. But what if the real risk isn’t rejection—it’s never trying at all? In this episode, Jamie and Alice unpack the deep emotional weight of putting...

💡 Why does thinness always seem to make a comeback? Chrissy King is a writer, speaker, and the author of The Body Liberation Project . She’s spent years examining the toxic cycles of diet culture, thin privilege, and body liberation—only to watch mainstream culture backslide into the same outdated beauty standards. In this episode, Chrissy and Alice discuss: ✔ Why thinness is “back with a vengean...

What happens when rejection isn’t a person telling you no—but life itself pushing back? We talk a lot about rejection from others—failed pitches, book rejections, heartbreak. But what about the times when rejection comes in unexpected forms ? When your body, mental health, or circumstances force you to hit pause, even when you desperately want to keep going? In this solo episode, I get real about...

Why does heartbreak hurt so much? According to psychologist and bestselling author Guy Winch, it’s not just emotional—it’s biological. Heartbreak hijacks your brain like an addiction, making it one of the most painful experiences a person can endure. In this episode, Guy breaks down the science of heartbreak, the biggest mistakes people make when trying to move on, and why heartbreak needs a mourn...

Meredith Carder is a trailblazing ADHD coach, author, and advocate who knows firsthand the challenges of navigating life with ADHD. From the weight of rejection to the struggle of masking, Meredith has been there—and now she’s helping others rewrite their stories. As the author of It All Makes Sense Now: Embrace Your ADHD Brain to Live a Creative and Colorful Life , she’s a powerful voice for adul...

Grant Faulkner is a creative leader, prolific author, and the former Executive Director of National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo). He’s seen rejection from every angle—both as an author and as someone who supports a global community of creators. With books like Pep Talks for Writers: 52 Insights and Actions to Boost Your Creative Mojo and The Art of Brevity: Crafting the Very Short Story , Grant...

Courtney Maum is an accomplished author, writing coach, and publishing industry insider who’s been through it all—devastating rejections, canceled book deals, and the highs and lows of a 15-year career. She’s the author of Before and After the Book Deal: A Writer’s Guide to Finishing, Publishing, Promoting, and Surviving Your First Book and a champion for writers navigating the tricky waters of th...

This episode features EbonyJanice Moore, an activist, author, and thought leader, as she delves into her journey of overcoming rejection, breaking generational cycles, and reclaiming softness as a revolutionary act. EbonyJanice discusses her childhood experiences, personal revelations, and professional successes, offering deep insights into healing, growth, and liberation. Chapters: 00:01 - Welcom...

In this dynamic episode of My Rejection Story, Alice Draper brings together highlights from past interviews with thought leaders who’ve transformed rejection into resilience and success. Through inspiring stories and actionable advice, this episode dives into how to turn setbacks into opportunities, rewrite your personal narrative, and embrace vulnerability as a strength. Featured Clips & High...

Geraldine DeRuiter, a James Beard award-winning writer and author, discusses her experience with a negative review of her book and how her community turned it around to make it a bestseller. Geraldine also reflects on her ambition as a child and the importance of perseverance and authenticity in her writing journey. Geraldine shares her experience of how her blog gained traction and how she naviga...

This episode originally appeared on The Best Advice Show hosted by Zak Rosen. Find the original episode here: https://bestadvice.show/episodes/you-need-to-get-rejected-a-lot-more-with-alice-draper In this episode, Zak speaks with writer and publicist Alice Draper about the transformative power of embracing rejection. Alice shares how taking on the "100 Rejection Challenge" not only improved her fr...

In this episode of My Rejection Story, host Alice Draper speaks with Rohit Bhargava about his experiences with rejection, the importance of non-obvious thinking, and the journey of founding Idea Press Publishing. They discuss how childhood experiences shape our relationship with rejection, the impact of confidence on overcoming challenges, and the significance of storytelling in conversations. Roh...

In this episode, Alice Draper reflects on the journey of her podcast, celebrating its recent award while grappling with feelings of imposter syndrome. She discusses the importance of agency and resilience in the face of rejection, emphasizing the need to embrace vulnerability in content creation. Alice shares insights on navigating the challenges of low status and self-sabotage, encouraging listen...

In this episode of My Rejection Story, host Alice Draper interviews Nick Courtright, the CEO of Atmosphere Press, a hybrid publishing company, and author himself, who shares his journey through rejection and the lessons learned along the way. Nick discusses the impact of rejection on his career, the importance of hybrid publishing, and the support authors can receive in this model. He emphasizes t...

In this episode of My Rejection Story, Alice Draper speaks with Sarah Bullen, a multi-published author, writing coach, and literary agent. They discuss the journey of overcoming rejection in the writing process, the importance of developing a thick skin, and the role of literary agents in navigating the publishing world. Sarah shares insights on market trends, the unpredictability of novel success...

In this conversation, Alice Draper and Ayodeji Awosika explore the multifaceted journey of self-publishing, from overcoming the fear of failure to the intricacies of writing, editing, and marketing a book. They discuss the importance of building an audience, effective time management strategies, and the decision-making process behind choosing self-publishing over traditional routes. Ayodeji shares...

This episode originally aired on ADHD-ish hosted by Diann Wingert. Episode link here: https://www.diannwingertcoaching.com/blog/risk-rejection-resilience   In this conversation, Alice Draper is interviewed by Diann Wingert, the host of the ADHD-ish podcast. Together, they discuss the complex nature of rejection, its historical roots in human survival, and the psychological impacts it has on indivi...

In this episode, Alice Draper reflects on her journey through the first 11 episodes of her podcast, focusing on the theme of rejection and personal growth. She shares her own experiences with rejection, trauma, and caregiving, emphasizing how these challenges have shaped her resilience and identity. The conversation explores the duality of rejection and success, highlighting that both can coexist...

Tina Wells shares her rejection story and the pivotal moment in her life when she felt rejected. She talks about the changes in the agency world and how she had to confront the rejection and make a decision. Tina emphasizes the importance of taking a pause and becoming present with oneself to navigate through rejection. For anyone listening, you can order a copy of The Elevation Approach: Harness...