The Daily Writer

Have you ever looked around at the products you use in your everyday life and wondered, “How did this get created?” It’s a question many people ask, as evidenced by TV shows such as “How It’s Made,” and the many YouTube channels dedicated to showing the creative process behind the products we use. My guest today helps us explore this fascinating world of product development. His name is Chris Bray...

What do you think of when you hear the word “optimize”? Do you think of a robot or some kind of mechanical system? Does it bring to mind some kind of cold, impersonal approach to life?  My guest today shows us that optimizing your life is not only very personal—it’s necessary if we want to be more productive and creative. His name is Mitch Swergold, and he’ll show us how to optimize our performanc...

This episode marks a milestone for a couple of different reasons. First, it’s my longest episode ever! And second, it’s episode #100!  This is by far my longest episode, and for good reason: I was engrossed in a compelling conversation with the one and only Cliff Ravenscraft. Cliff is the host of the Cliff Ravenscraft Show podcast, as well as the founder of the Free the Dream conference. A couple...

When it comes to the creative arts, one of my favorite topics is color theory. Did you know that colors represent different ideas and themes? Understanding even a bit of color theory can help you unlock the riches of visual art and look at the world in a new way.  To help me explore this issue, I’ve invited my friend Melissa AuClair as a guest. Melissa is a talented author and artist, and I’ve adm...

Today I turn 45 years old. It’s hard to believe. I remember being a kid in the 1980’s and thinking, “I’ll be 26 years old in the year 2000!” I surpassed that long ago. So here I am, on my 45th birthday, reflecting on things that I have been learning. Since 45 seems like a halfway point of sorts, I settled on 22 lessons I’m learning, plus another half-lesson for good measure. In no particular order...

What does it mean to be “intelligent”? We typically define intelligence in terms of intellectual ability, as evidenced by grades, IQ, or other measurements. But today’s guest helps us understand the theory of multiple intelligences. This is a critical concept for those of us in creative fields because it’s a reminder that people can be smart in a variety of ways. My guest today is Carrie Naglak, w...

One of the most important skills you can develop is good communication. It doesn’t matter whether you are a writer, painter, dancer, videographer, or any of a hundred other areas of creative work. You will always need to present, create content, and work with customers, readers, or clients. I’m thrilled today to feature a conversation with my friend Nikomas Perez. He is a teaching pastor at Harves...

Have you ever wondered what true creative freedom looks like? People may define “freedom” differently, but for many of us, freedom means being able to do what you want to do, when you want to do it.  My guest today, Vincent Pugliese, will break down what true freedom means as a creative entrepreneur, and how freelancing can be a big part of that process. Vincent was a professional photojournalist...

Have you ever noticed that a high percentage of artists and creative types are passive and “too nice”? Maybe it’s because we don’t want to appear aggressive. Maybe it’s because we feel paralyzed by too many options. Maybe it’s because we don’t want to offend anyone. Whatever the reason, the fact remains that many creatives do not take charge of their destiny. I’m thrilled that my guest today, Ging...

When you hear the word “storyteller,” what do you think? Maybe the first image that comes to mind is a group of people sitting around a campfire, with a wise old sage telling an ancient tale. Maybe you think of a novelist, screenwriter, movie director, or someone giving a TED talk. My guest today is a gifted storyteller, but he’s also a theologian, college professor, writer, and speaker. His name...

Over the years, I’ve heard the statistic that 8 out of 10 people want to write a book. Based on many conversations about writing, it’s probably true. Nearly everybody feels they have a book in them, and many of those would like their book to be a novel. But how do you get it done? Where do you come up with story ideas? How do you ensure that your novel is structured well? What kind of writing habi...

Many of the episodes of this podcast are more light-hearted thematically. We often talk about writing, the arts, curiosity, and related topics. This episode is a little different because I decided to dive into the topic of diversity. I hope that doesn’t scare you away. In fact, I hope it does just the opposite because you absolutely do not want to miss the wisdom and insights that my guest, Heathe...

Sometimes we make creativity and personal growth more complicated than it needs to be. Although there are countless systems, courses, books, and other resources to help us reach our creative potential, it all begins with one simple concept: your mindset. Your mind controls everything else in your life. I’m thrilled that my guest today, Kenny Aronson, is here to help us grow and develop our mindset...

When you think about your creative output, do you ever wonder what is preventing you from producing more? For many of us, the #1 reason we would give consists of the short phrase, “I’m too tired.” Judging by the popularity of coffee, energy drinks, and all forms of caffeine, we are suffering from an energy crisis in our minds and bodies. My guest today, Julian Hayes, helps shed light on why we are...

As kids, we hear the word “No” constantly from other people. But when we become adults, it’s easy to get into the habit of “No” to ourselves. Why is that? It’s because we’re often afraid or stuck in a rut. I’m thrilled to have a guest today who will help you stop saying “No” to all life has to offer, and instead begin saying YES to the possibilities. Tricia Brouk is a choreographer, director, writ...

As a creative or artist, have you ever struggled with business? Do you love to create, but don’t like messing with the business side of things? Would you like to make more sales and put yourself in a better financial position? If you’ve answered “yes” to any of these questions, you’ll appreciate my guest today. His name is Dan McPherson, and he is a business leader and coach. He’ll share some of t...

Have you ever noticed that some of the most important things we do in life are counterintuitive? They go against our human nature and feel uncomfortable to us. Our guest on this episode is Stephanie Winslow, and she is going to share a lot of wisdom about letting go … which is counterintuitive and usually uncomfortable. As creatives, we like to have control, but she will share her powerful story o...

It’s tempting to think of the creative life as a solitary endeavor. We picture an artist standing at an easel, a musician playing in a studio, or a writer sitting at a desk. But my guest today reminds us that it’s vital to build your community no matter what type of creative work you do. Her name is Jennifer Harshman, and she is the owner of Harshman Services. Jennifer coaches and consults with su...

Think about this simple yet complex question: What is the source of your identity as a person? Is it your DNA? Your family name? Your personality, talents, titles, or achievements? My guest today gives us a surprising answer. He says that we are who we are because of our … memories. His name is Casey Tygrett, who is a writer and speaker living near Chicago, Illinois. He is the author of two books,...

When you hear the word “wealthy,” what image comes to mind? Do you picture someone living in a huge mansion on a hill, surrounded by butlers? Does the word “wealthy” create a negative picture when you hear it? Are there other ways to be wealthy besides just your finances? Money is a sensitive topic, especially for artists and creative entrepreneurs. But my guest today helps give a broader and much...

Do you ever feel like you’re caught between where you are and where you want to be? Are you frustrated because you see your potential, but you feel stuck in the present moment with no clear way forward? If so, you will love this amazing conversation that I have in store for you. My guest today is Stephanie O’Brien-Martin. She is the founder of Moved by Purpose, and she coaches Christ-centered lead...

One of the biggest needs of the human spirit is to have hope in the midst of difficult situations. Our guest today, Abdi Warsame, is a survivor of the civil war in Somalia who will share his story and help us develop a better understanding of issues related to disability. To read the full show notes, visit http://kentsanders.net/hope .

What does it mean to be an entrepreneur? At its core, it’s all about control. The whole idea of entrepreneurship is about taking control instead of giving it up. For artists and creatives, that can be a scary concept since we are often more comfortable creating things than thinking making decisions or thinking about the picture. Today’s guest is the perfect person to help us think through what it...

In her excellent book Walking on Water , the author Madeleine L’Engle wrote, "Jesus was not a theologian. He was God who told stories.” Storytelling was not only a major focus of Jesus’ ministry, it’s also a signifigant part of our calling as artists and creatives. Today’s guest helps us expand our vision as creative storytellers as we talk about music, imagination, invention, worship, and wr...

Creativity is a multi-faceted and multi-dimensional topic. Yet at the end of the day, we operate by one simple truth: God is ultimately the source of our creative powers. The whole point of our lives is to honor Him with our creative gifts. That’s why it’s foundational to have a robust and meaningful worship life. I’m honored today to share a conversation with a friend who gives us practical guida...