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

Azul Terronez - Author, TEDx Speaker, Coach
  • 5.0 (2)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

If you want to know how bestselling authors find the time to write their books, the methods they use to be productive and how they find their ideas you will love this podcast. Writing coach Azul Terronez shares interviews with clients such as Pat Flynn, of the Smart Passive Income, Jon Vroman, of the Front Row Factor, and Dana Malstaff of Boss-Mom, Jadah Sellner of Simple Green Smoothies. Learn from the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling authors. Want to get behind-the-scenes insights about how first-time authors overcame their fears and found the courage to write? Are you curious about how successful bestselling authors write or learn how to publish and market a book? Have you thought, "I'd like to write a book," but I don't know where to start? I explore authors' journeys, how they craft their stories, become published, and share their art of writing books with the world. You are meant to write the book now and be inspired by those who have done it. 

  1. 4 DAYS AGO

    Breaking the Status Quo | Amy Cerny Vasterling

    Send us a text What does it really mean to be yourself in a world that rewards conformity and disconnection? In this episode of Authors Who Lead, I sit down with Amy Cerny Vasterling—a public speaker, author, and intuitive—to discuss her powerful new book and what it means to live beyond the model society presents to us. With two decades of research and deeply personal insights, Amy shares how we become disconnected from ourselves—and how to reconnect with our inner truth. This conversation is one of the most thought-provoking I’ve had, and I know it will resonate with writers, creatives, and anyone feeling the stirrings of something deeper. Timestamp: 00:00 Origins of a book on narcissism 03:06 Writing journey: from months to years 09:25 The status quo of self-deception 11:07 Challenging spiritual models globally 13:24 Questioning educational norms 19:20 Innovative teaching: students as authors 23:08 Future book explores time perception 23:55 Innate intuition and self-discovery 27:34 Rethinking disability and contribution 32:07 Unconventional success in education 36:05 Overcoming fear for self-expression 37:22 Join us on Authors Who Lead Full show notes COMMUNITY PROGRAMS 📚 Write and Publish your book CONNECT 📷 Instagram 🎬 TikTok 👫🏻 Facebook 💼 LinkedIn 🐦‍⬛ Twitter 🤝🏻 Apply to be a Guest LEAVE A REVIEW ✍🏻 Review on Apple Podcasts ✍️ Review on Spotify 🖱️ Episode Webpage

    38 min

  2. 19 SEPT

    Start Before You’re Ready | Azul Terronez

    Send us a text If you’ve ever dreamed of writing a book but find yourself stuck in “prep mode,” you’re not alone. In this solo episode of Authors Who Lead, I delve into the real mindset blocks that prevent aspiring authors from taking that crucial first step. After years of coaching writers—and navigating my own resistance—I’ve identified three common myths that stop talented storytellers from sharing their message. Here’s how you can move past them and finally start writing. Timestamp: 00:00 Dream deferred: the writing struggle 04:08 Embrace creativity over rigid outlines 06:23 Reassess priorities, not time 09:39 Transform self-perception, pursue goals 12:58 Embark on your writing journey Full show notes COMMUNITY PROGRAMS 📚 Write and Publish your book CONNECT 📷 Instagram 🎬 TikTok 👫🏻 Facebook 💼 LinkedIn 🐦‍⬛ Twitter 🤝🏻 Apply to be a Guest LEAVE A REVIEW ✍🏻 Review on Apple Podcasts ✍️ Review on Spotify 🖱️ Episode Webpage

    14 min

  3. 13 SEPT

    How Signature Frameworks Turn Book Ideas Into Impactful Businesses | Charlotte Crowther

    Send us a text For so many authors, writing a book feels like the pinnacle of their work—the culmination of years of learning, creativity, and leadership. But when the final chapter is written, there’s often a gap. Those powerful ideas don’t always leap from the page into programs, products, or lasting impact. On this episode of Authors Who Lead, I sit down with Charlotte Crowther—founder of Signature Framework—to explore how authors can codify their ideas into clear, visual frameworks that fuel growth, clarity, and influence. If you’re writing a book or already have one out in the world, this conversation helps you think bigger about what comes next. Timestamp: 00:00 Visual methodology coaching success 03:14 Challenges in translating books to business 09:20 Overthinking hinders authentic creativity 12:18 Creative incubation strategy 15:41 Courageous leadership through storytelling 18:40 Magic of visual thinking 20:09 Visual aids enhance communication 26:25 From idea to action: Boss Mums 29:47 Clarifying purpose for action-driven results 32:11 Visual branding from written content 35:26 Appreciation for creative guidance Full show notes COMMUNITY PROGRAMS 📚 Write and Publish your book CONNECT 📷 Instagram 🎬 TikTok 👫🏻 Facebook 💼 LinkedIn 🐦‍⬛ Twitter 🤝🏻 Apply to be a Guest LEAVE A REVIEW ✍🏻 Review on Apple Podcasts ✍️ Review on Spotify 🖱️ Episode Webpage

    37 min

  4. 5 SEPT

    Embracing Authenticity | Azul Terronez

    Send us a text In today’s world, where knowledge is abundant and AI can churn out answers in seconds, readers crave something deeper—authenticity. On this episode of Authors Who Lead, I share lessons I’ve learned working with authors who want to lead with their story, not just their expertise. I reflect on my work with bestselling author and negotiation expert Kwame Christian to explore why embracing your uniqueness isn’t just helpful—it’s essential. Timestamp: 00:00 Importance of personal perspective 03:43 Kwame’s early negotiation journey 06:55 Finding confidence through conflict 12:50 Authenticity over completeness in writing 14:47 Join Authors Who Lead for writing success 16:42 Book whisperer Azul Terronez Full show notes COMMUNITY PROGRAMS 📚 Write and Publish your book CONNECT 📷 Instagram 🎬 TikTok 👫🏻 Facebook 💼 LinkedIn 🐦‍⬛ Twitter 🤝🏻 Apply to be a Guest LEAVE A REVIEW ✍🏻 Review on Apple Podcasts ✍️ Review on Spotify 🖱️ Episode Webpage

    18 min

  5. 29 AUG

    The Long Haul Leader: Redefining Success and Burnout | Chris Ducker

    Send us a text When we talk about leadership and entrepreneurship, the conversation often veers toward hustle culture, 80-hour workweeks, and the kind of relentless, sleep-when-you’re-dead mentality that’s glorified on social media. But what’s the real cost? In this episode of Authors Who Lead, I speak with Chris Ducker—entrepreneur, mentor, and author—about the deeply personal experiences that inspire his new book, Long Haul Leader. This isn’t just another business strategy book. It’s a candid, thoughtful guide to lasting success—without sacrificing your health, relationships, or joy. Timestamp: 00:00 Struggling post-sabbatical return 04:28 Adrenal fatigue and burnout 06:25 Leadership chaos guide 12:06 Hustle: season, not lifestyle 13:45 Balancing entrepreneurship and family life 18:24 Importance of relationships and hobbies 19:43 Boost productivity: rediscover nature 23:54 Embracing diverse ideas 28:48 Choices impact recovery journey 31:01 Focus over followers: embrace clarity 33:19 Finding joy in simple living 37:23 Chris’s reflective return to England 39:40 Prioritizing relationships over hustle 45:34 Book cover decision reflections 47:43 Writing journey and future books 49:46 Long Haul Leader launch details Full show notes COMMUNITY PROGRAMS 📚 Write and Publish your book CONNECT 📷 Instagram 🎬 TikTok 👫🏻 Facebook 💼 LinkedIn 🐦‍⬛ Twitter 🤝🏻 Apply to be a Guest LEAVE A REVIEW ✍🏻 Review on Apple Podcasts ✍️ Review on Spotify 🖱️ Episode Webpage

    50 min

  6. 1 AUG

    Turning Expertise Into Authorship | Dr. Amy McMichael

    Send us a text When I think of someone too busy to write a book, Dr. Amy McMichael immediately comes to mind. She juggles her roles as a professor in the Department of Dermatology at Wake Forest School of Medicine, a practicing dermatologist, and a mentor to countless students. She has every reason not to add “author” to her already full plate. But in our conversation on the Authors Who Lead podcast, it becomes clear that it’s her deep commitment to mentorship that fuels her decision to write her book, Perfect Match: Secure Your Residency Spot and Achieve Greatness in Dermatology. Timestamp: 00:00 Inspired to write a book 05:31 Editing process and writing insights 08:15 Transitioning from handwriting to dictation 11:27 Book gains academic support 15:12 Joyful writing and mentorship reflection 17:03 Mentorship: my lifelong passion 18:53 Mentorship in medical education 23:01 Supportive mentorship in dermatology 28:19 Diverse feedback on written work 30:34 Human essays in dermatology 34:08 Guidance completes the journey 35:58 Dr. Maya Angelou’s advice Full show notes COMMUNITY PROGRAMS 📚 Write and Publish your book CONNECT 📷 Instagram 🎬 TikTok 👫🏻 Facebook 💼 LinkedIn 🐦‍⬛ Twitter 🤝🏻 Apply to be a Guest LEAVE A REVIEW ✍🏻 Review on Apple Podcasts ✍️ Review on Spotify 🖱️ Episode Webpage

    40 min

  7. 18 JUL

    Why Small Ideas Make Great Books | Dan Andrews

    Send us a text In this episode of Authors Who Lead, I sit down with Dan Andrews—writer, entrepreneur, and founder of the Dynamite Circle—to dig deep into what it means to write and lead in today’s creative landscape. Our conversation is a goldmine for aspiring authors who wrestle with the pressure to be original, the fear of starting, and the all-too-familiar sting of writer’s block. Together, we explore how the writing process—far from being mystical or reserved for geniuses—is something deeply human, honest, and accessible. Timestamp: 00:00 Internet transparency movement origins 06:10 Internet explorations and new paths 07:29 Tim Ferriss’ timely insight 11:12 Early networking and generosity 15:51 Conference speech writing hack 18:10 Authors’ need for control 21:47 Before the Exit insights 25:16 Founder mode’s accelerated influence 28:19 The 1000-day principle 33:22 High output drives success 35:49 Creative limits enhance artistic expression 37:52 Creative freedom vs. impactful writing 42:29 Overcoming creative doubt 46:02 Personal podcast narratives 48:48 Writing as a life-changing idea 53:39 Impulsive ticket purchase regrets 55:03 Apprenticeship success at Meetup Full show notes COMMUNITY PROGRAMS 📚 Write and Publish your book CONNECT 📷 Instagram 🎬 TikTok 👫🏻 Facebook 💼 LinkedIn 🐦‍⬛ Twitter 🤝🏻 Apply to be a Guest LEAVE A REVIEW ✍🏻 Review on Apple Podcasts ✍️ Review on Spotify 🖱️ Episode Webpage

    58 min

  8. 4 JUL

    Family Stories to Fiction | Azul Terronez & Steve Vannoy

    Send us a text When the world slowed during the pandemic, Steve Vannoy and I found an unexpected gift in that stillness. We began recording stories from his father, Smokey Vannoy—vivid tales of a bygone West Virginia filled with cinder-bottom towns, red-light districts, and river adventures. What started as a collection of oral history soon grew into something more—a shared book project, born from legacy and love. Adventures in Cinder Bottom became more than a family story. It turned into a vibrant retelling of time, place, and identity. In this episode of Authors Who Lead, as we reflect on our second book, Greenbrier River, we weren’t just navigating the usual creative hurdles of fiction—we were also carrying the weight of loss. Smokey passed away during the writing process, and that grief wove itself into every chapter. What makes these stories resonate is that they’re rooted in real people, real places, and a real desire to honor someone we both deeply admired. Timestamp: 00:00 Smokey’s stories and Cinder Bottom 03:08 Greenbrier River: growth through stories 08:54 Authentic storytelling for Appalachia 11:37 Boom to bust: a county’s journey 13:32 Avoiding judgment in polarized times 16:41 Early integration in segregated America 19:34 Living stories: a father’s legacy 25:32 Believe in your story 26:46 From starter to finisher 29:18 Join Authors Who Lead podcast Full show notes COMMUNITY PROGRAMS 📚 Write and Publish your book CONNECT 📷 Instagram 🎬 TikTok 👫🏻 Facebook 💼 LinkedIn 🐦‍⬛ Twitter 🤝🏻 Apply to be a Guest LEAVE A REVIEW ✍🏻 Review on Apple Podcasts ✍️ Review on Spotify 🖱️ Episode Webpage

    30 min
See All (367)

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

If you want to know how bestselling authors find the time to write their books, the methods they use to be productive and how they find their ideas you will love this podcast. Writing coach Azul Terronez shares interviews with clients such as Pat Flynn, of the Smart Passive Income, Jon Vroman, of the Front Row Factor, and Dana Malstaff of Boss-Mom, Jadah Sellner of Simple Green Smoothies. Learn from the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling authors. Want to get behind-the-scenes insights about how first-time authors overcame their fears and found the courage to write? Are you curious about how successful bestselling authors write or learn how to publish and market a book? Have you thought, "I'd like to write a book," but I don't know where to start? I explore authors' journeys, how they craft their stories, become published, and share their art of writing books with the world. You are meant to write the book now and be inspired by those who have done it. 

Information

You Might Also Like