The Daily Writer

Let’s begin with a riddle: When is the perfect time to make your creative work a priority? Answer: There is no perfect time. Life is messy, and if we put off our important creative work until the “right time,” that time will never come. Our guest today knows that dilemma very well, and as a successful realtor, mother, and wife, she still found time to pursue her creativity. As you hear her story,...

Most of the time on this show, we focus on helping you be a better creative entrepreneur. Today we are turning the tables and talking about how we can help our kids be more creative. We have the privilege and responsibility to help the next generation fulfill their God-given creative potential. Whether you are a parent, pastor, teacher, or youth worker, today’s amazing guest will share lots of pra...

As artists and entrepreneurs, we face the constant struggle of how to best use our time. We not only want to produce great creative work, we also have jobs, families, customers or clients, church and community responsibilities … and sleep! It’s far too easy to forget that we need to feed our souls with great art. Our guest today shares her story of becoming an amazing artist, and why we need to co...

Imagine that you and I are having coffee together, and I looked across the table at you and said, “Give me a clear summary of what you do in 1-2 sentences” … what would you say? If you would struggle to answer that question, you have a clarity problem. I can relate, because this is an area where I have struggled as well. We’re in luck because our guest today shares a massive amount of wisdom and p...

We become artists for a variety of reasons. Many of us, perhaps even most of us, are drawn to the stage because we want to escape from ourselves. But what if becoming an artist was all about the journey to discover your authentic self? Today’s guest shares her fascinating story through music, recovery, faith, and the creative arts in the pursuit of discovering her true self. I’m thrilled to bring...

I recently read that around 68% of U.S. households own a pet, which includes 60 millions households that own a dog. If you don’t own a dog, I’m sure you know someone who does. On today’s episode, our guest helps unlock the surprising ways that owning a dog can boost your creativity and improve your life. I’m excited to share my conversation with Faye Ruch from DogLifeMadeBetter.com . Faye is on a...

One of the key questions we ask ourselves as artists is, “How can I be more productive?” We all want the ability to produce more writing, music, art, or other creative work. But how do we actually do it? Are there systems we can implement to help us be more productive? What is the mindset required to produce more creative work? Our guest today addresses all these issues and much more … and the ans...

How well do you truly know yourself? If you and I were really honest, we would have to admit we probably don’t know ourselves as well as we think. Self-knowledge is critical if we are going to do the work we are called to do. On today’s episode, my friend Teresa McCloy walks us through the Enneagram, a fantastic tool to help us know ourselves, impact the world, and do better creative work. Teresa...

It’s been said that over 80% of people want to write a book. However, there is a big difference between wanting to write and actually doing it. If you ever wanted to write a book but aren’t sure how it can benefit your life or how to get started, my guest today will give you the inspiration and practical steps to make your writing dream a reality. Eric Elder is an author, speaker, and contemporary...

This is the first week of 2019, so it’s very likely that you are thinking about changes you want to make in your life. If your goal is get healthier, more fit, or lose weight in 2019, this episode is for you. Today’s guest shares lots of great information and inspiration to help you become the best version of yourself. It’s time to get serious about your health! To read the full show notes, visit...

For as long as I can remember, I have set aside time at the end of December, or early January, to reflect on the previous year. However, it’s usually been somewhat of a haphazard process with no real direction. Over the last couple of years, I have started to do a more intentional annual review. Here are my thoughts on 2018 and what’s in store for 2019. To read the full show notes, visit http://ke...

When you hear the term “classic literature,” what comes to mind? Most people think of books that were written by a bunch of dead white guys and wonder how they are relevant to us today. Today’s guest will help you understand that the classics are much broader than that narrow definition, and why they are essential to your creative life today. I’m excited to bring you my conversation with Anne Sher...

“It’s a Wonderful Life” is a heartwarming story of redemption that keeps our interest with a lot of twists and turns. But what if we add a twist of our own? What if George Bailey had dared to dream bigger dreams and left Bedford Falls? To read the full show notes, visit  http://kentsanders.net/george . 

A dream is like a knife. It’s very powerful when you use it the right way. But if you’re careless with it, you can do a lot of harm to yourself and others. Today’s guest helps us view our dreams in the correct light so we can chase them in a God-honoring way that blesses our families and brings more value into the world. I’m excited today to be speaking with Zech Newman. He is a husband, father of...

A number of years ago, the country group Rascal Flatts released a song called “These Days.” It tells the story of a guy in a small town who accidentally runs into an old flame. She has since moved on with her life, but he can’t stop dreaming about her.   In verse 1 he sings,   Yeah, life throws you curves, But you learned to swerve. Me, I swung and I missed and the next thing you know, I’m reminis...

I started listening to podcasts around 2006, when podcasting was still in its infancy. Now, well over ten years later, podcasting has exploded in popularity, with literally tens of thousands of podcasts to choose from. Maybe you have considered adding your voice to the mix and starting your own show. If so, this episode is for you! I’m thrilled today to bring you this conversation with my good fri...

In 2008, I almost got a Warner Bros. employee fired.   One day, a friend of mine from church called. He said a friend of his, John, had a daughter, Becky, who worked for Warner Bros. (John and Becky are not their real names.) Becky organized movie screenings for theater reps and asked her father if he knew anyone who might like to see Speed Racer before it was released in theaters.   John invited...

It seems like we spend the first part of our lives learning to give all the correct answers. But what if the creative journey was less about giving the right answers and more about asking better questions? Today’s guest helps us navigate this tension between questions and answers, and also encourages us to explore our curiosity. Dan Drake is the co-host of the Better Questions Podcast, a show that...

I don’t know about you, but I often overthink the creative process. Sometimes we need a guide who can help us simplify things so we can get some traction and make forward progress.  In this post, Michael S. Rogers  shares the lessons on creativity he learned while writing the novel Passing Lincoln . The book features a unique story about a 5-dollar bill that travels through the hands of various ci...

Today’s episode is a little different because we are tackling a heavy topic: mental illness. It’s an issue that affects all of us in one way or another. If you haven’t personally struggled with some type of mental illness, chances are very high that you know someone who has. In today’s conversation, we have a guest who digs deep into his personal experience with this issue and helps point the way...

Someone once said that it takes a village to raise a child. If it’s also true that it takes a village to write a book, one of the most important villagers is the editor.  On today’s episode, I talk with a good friend who also happens to be a great editor. He helps us understand how why editors are such an important part of the book-making process, and how to choose the right editor for your next b...

For many years, “education” meant sitting at a desk in a classroom, listening to a teacher give a lecture. Today that is no longer the case. The world of education, especially for adults, is changing at a rapid pace. I’m thrilled to bring you a conversation with a great educator who helps us think about the future of education and what it means for us, both as learners and teachers. Today I’m thri...

As an artist and a creative, one of the most valuable skills you can learn is how to engage people with storytelling. Stories are the way we process information and make sense of the world around us. I’m excited today to bring you this conversation with a friend who helps us learn from the greatest storyteller of all time: Jesus. Today I’m thrilled to be talking with Doug Phillips, who is the Prof...

Have you ever felt discouraged because you started writing a book but didn’t finish it? If so, you’re not alone. Many writers, myself included, have started writing a book … only to later abandon it. Today’s guest helps us understand how to break through procrastination and finally get that book finished. His name is Jim Woods, and he’s an author, editor, writing coach, and storyteller. Jim unders...

What does it mean to have creative freedom in your life? And what’s more, how do you get it? Our guest shows us how he and his family followed a surprising path to creative freedom, and how he is helping others do the same. His name is Jared Latigo, and he is a personal development consultant who works with individuals, families, and companies in corporate settings. Jared’ s writing has reached mi...