The Modern Editor Podcast

Tara Whitaker
  • 5.0 (27)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

The Modern Editor Podcast, hosted by Tara Whitaker, goes behind the scenes of what it takes to run an editorial business in today’s world.

  1. FEB 18

    Mental and Emotional Well-Being Tips for Freelance Editors

    Welcome back to our series on self-care! Our last few episodes covered physical/environmental wellness and financial health. In this episode, we’re diving into mental and emotional well-being tips for freelance editors.  Specifically, I’m talking about how our thoughts and emotions show up in our businesses and how I process my emotions. I’m also going to share some self-care ideas that can benefit your mental and emotional health. It goes without saying that this can be a loaded topic, so please remember that I’m not a medical or mental health professional in any way. I’m simply sharing what I’ve learned from fourteen years of running my own editing business so that you can take the insights you like and make them work for you. Resources Mentioned:Jessica StongSet Boundaries, Find Peace by Nedra Glover TawwabRest is Resistance by Tricia HerseyYour Attention is Sacred Except on Social Media by Amelia HrubyHood Wellness by Tamela J. GordonThe Cure for Burnout by Emily BallesterosQuiet by Susan CainNational Institute of Mental HealthCalm app: How to regulate your nervous system and restore calm: 12 proven techniquesEpisode 3: Why Mindset is More than Just a BuzzwordEpisode 7: Why You Need Boundaries in Your BusinessEpisode 26: How to Avoid (or Recover from) BurnoutEpisode 47: Editor Self-Care: How to Use Affirmations in Your BusinessWork with Me:Grab the Editing Contract TemplateJoin the Freelance Editors Club

    32 min

  2. FEB 4

    Cultivating Financial Well-Being for Freelance Editors

    If you want to confront your relationship with money, start a business. Have you heard this saying before? I couldn’t agree with it more. Nothing makes you get up close and personal with your finances than running your own business.  In this episode of The Modern Editor, we’re continuing our series on self-care, but this time we’re talking all things money.  I think it’s safe to assume that most of us didn’t learn about money the way we should’ve and likely have complicated relationships with our finances. We’re diving into how our upbringing affects our relationship with money, how to improve our money mindset, and I’m giving you practical tips on how to run your freelance business as financially effective as possible.  Important Sections:(2:45) The Systemic and Political Issues Involved in Owning a Business(4:23) How to Improve Your Money Mindset(8:09) Money Tips For Freelancers (16:15) Take Your Business Finances Seriously(18:00) How Often Should You Change Your Rates?(19:52) It’s Okay to Seek Financial Aid(20:48) Buy Back Your Time(21:52) Three Money MantrasResources Mentioned:Keeping Finances Personal by Ellyce FulmoreMoving Beyond Broke by Dasha KennedyGet Good With Money by Tiffany AlicheI Will Teach You to Be Rich by Ramit SethiWe Should All Be Millionaires by Rachel RodgersEditorial Freelancers AssociationYNABQuickbooksIRS websiteWork with Me:Grab the Editing Contract TemplateJoin the Freelance Editors Club

    25 min

  3. JAN 21

    Taking Care of Your Physical and Environmental Health as a Freelance Editor

    Welcome to a brand-new series on The Modern Editor Podcast all about health, wellness, and self-care. (I kind of hate those words, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t important 😂) As freelancers, it’s easy to let our health fall by the wayside, especially in busy seasons. In this episode, we’re exploring physical and environmental health and how we can take care of ourselves in a holistic way. Content warning: We’ll be talking about food and exercise.   Important Sections:(0:56) Why You Need to Take Care of Yourself as a Freelancer(3:51) The Importance of Sleep(9:56) Drink Your Water(10:56) Eat to Feel Good(16:00) Move Your Body(18:00) Fix Your Posture(20:31) Take Care of Your Eyesight(22:22) Take Deep Breaths(23:22) Creating a Healthy Work Environment(27:00) How to Incorporate Positive Health Changes With Tiny Habits®Resources Mentioned:Tiny Habits by BJ FoggWork with Me:Grab the Editing Contract TemplateJoin the Freelance Editors Club

    33 min

  4. JAN 7

    Seven Writing Prompts to Help You Ease Into the New Year

    Instead of a typical goal-setting exercise to kick off the new year, I’m walking you through some writing prompts to get your creative juices flowing.  Think of it more as a new year vibe check to help you ease into the year. If you want to set some goals for 2026, I encourage you to join us inside the Freelance Editors Club, where we’re running those exercises! Important Sections:(0:14) Why Writing Prompts?(2:45) Prompt One(3:17) Prompt Two(3:42) Prompt Three(3:58) Prompt Four(4:23) Prompt Five(5:29) Prompt Six(5:55) Prompt Seven(6:18) 2026 is Not a RaceWork with Me:Grab the Editing Contract TemplateJoin the Freelance Editors Club

    8 min

  5. 12/24/2025

    The Top Six Lessons I Learned in 2025

    I can’t believe I’m typing this, but we’ve made it to the final episode of The Modern Editor of 2025. Naturally, I decided to use this episode to reflect on what I’ve learned this year, both personally and in my business. I could easily talk about all the things that went wrong and the goals I didn’t hit this year, but I want to focus on the good instead. Two things can be true at once: The world can feel like it’s on fire, and I can be excited about my business. I can feel proud of what I’ve built and also wish it were growing faster. I think it’s important to hold space for the good and the bad, but celebrating the good doesn’t mean you're ignoring the bad. So without further ado, let’s celebrate the best of 2025. Important Sections:(4:07) Lesson One: The Importance of Systems(7:00) Lesson Two: It’s Okay for Priorities to Shift(9:53) Lesson Three: My Business Comes After My Family and Loved Ones—Always(11:25) Lesson Four: Things Are Going to Take Longer than You Expect or Want(13:48) Lesson Five: Find Something Outside of Your Business That Lights You Up(16:05) Lesson Six: Action is Always Going to WinWork with Me:Grab the Editing Contract TemplateJoin the Freelance Editors Club

    22 min

  6. 12/10/2025

    From the Vault: Freelance Editing Contracts 101

    Do you have clear professional boundaries for your business? In this episode, we discuss what boundaries you should have as an editor, why they’re important, and how you can enforce them using contracts. Disclaimer: This is not legal advice. I’m not a lawyer, but I am related to one, and we created an editing contract template that you can use with your editing clients. Find it here. This episode originally aired on 9/25/24 as episode 37. Important Sections:(1:48) Do Boundaries Destroy Creativity?(3:28) The Basic Definition of a Contract(4:58) Adding Boundaries to Your Contracts Through Scope of Work(6:52) Setting Boundaries With Payment Arrangements(8:36) Creating Boundaries Around Deadlines(10:42) Boundaries Around Communication(13:15) Setting Boundaries Around Generative AI(15:31) Defining Boundaries Around Acknowledgments(18:31) How to Handle Contract Termination(19:52) Introducing My Editing Contract TemplateResources MentionedEpisode 7: Why You Need Boundaries in Your BusinessEditorial Freelancers AssociationEditors CanadaThe Paper It’s Written On bookMy new Editing Contract TemplateWork with Me:Book a free 15-minute callJoin the Freelance Editors ClubBook a 1:1 coaching session

    24 min

  7. 11/26/2025

    Why You Need Friction in Your Editing Business

    As today’s fast-paced world races toward AI and hyperproductivity, I find myself wanting to slow down and take a different route. However, every once in a while, I start to second-guess myself. Am I making things harder by not maximizing every minute of my life? Should I be doing things faster? This is a topic that’s been on my mind for a while, so I wanted to open up an honest discussion about it in this episode of The Modern Editor. Specifically, let’s talk about when friction can be good for our lives and editing businesses. Important Sections:(1:42) Does Convenience Drain Meaning Out of Life?(4:30) How Friction Adds Humanity to Our Editing Businesses(6:27) Experience Can’t Be Rushed(7:22) You Don’t Need to Take Friction Out of Your Business(8:10) When Friction is Unhelpful(10:10) There Are No Shortcuts to Experience(12:20) Find Your Community in the Freelance Editors ClubResourced MentionedFour Thousand Weeks by Oliver BurkemanTiny Habits™ MethodWork with Me:Grab the Editing Contract TemplateJoin the Freelance Editors Club

    13 min

  8. 11/12/2025

    Does Your Editing Business Need a Newsletter?

    Are you utilizing email marketing for your editing business? Unlike social media, your newsletter subscriber list is something you own that no one can take away from you.  In this episode of The Modern Editor, we’re getting back to the basics of what a newsletter is, what it entails, and whether or not you need one for your business. Listen in as we explore a powerful communication tool that can help free you from the social media circus. Important Sections:(1:10) What is an Email Newsletter?(3:35) Do You Need a Newsletter?(5:36) Newsletter Ideas For Freelance Editors(7:00) The Importance of Consistency(8:12) How to Pitch Your Services in Your Newsletter(11:57) Keep Your Newsletter Simple in the Beginning(13:36) Questions to Ask Yourself Before You Start a Newsletter(17:53) You’re In Control of How You Market Your BusinessResources Mentioned:Kit email platformSilver Scribe Editorial ServicesWork with Me:Grab the Editing Contract TemplateJoin the Freelance Editors Club

    21 min
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5
out of 5
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About

The Modern Editor Podcast, hosted by Tara Whitaker, goes behind the scenes of what it takes to run an editorial business in today’s world.

Information

  • Creator
    Tara Whitaker
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    70
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2022-2025 | Tara Whitaker
  • Show Website
    The Modern Editor Podcast

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