Inspired Writer Collective Podcast

Stephanie Oswald, Ph.D. & Elizabeth Wilson
  • 4.6 (10)
  • BOOKS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Welcome to The Inspired Writer Collective, your memoir-focused writing podcast. If you've ever felt the pull to write your truth, to shape the chaos of real life into something meaningful, and to share your journey with the world, you're in the right place. We’re your hosts Elizabeth Wilson & Stephanie Oswald, Ph.D., writers, coaches & entrepreneurs who believe in you and know how important it is to find a writing community to guide you on your path to self-publishing.  We believe your voice holds power. Telling your story isn't just a personal act of healing or reflection, it's a gift to the world. Pulling the skeletons out of the closet is challenging - unless you’re writing a memoir. Then it’s called “chapter one”. Each week, we explore the art, heart, and craft of connecting personal narrative to your writing, memoir or fiction. Whether you're drafting your first chapter, wrestling with the messy middle, or searching for the courage to hit “publish,” we are honored to be your companions on the journey. The world needs your voice. Memoir is the art of pulling out old skeletons and realizing they were just unspoken chapters of your story.

  1. 6D AGO

    Episode 110: [Anna Dao] Multigenerational storytelling shapes a writer's voice and process

    Send us Fan Mail Elizabeth Wilson chats with memoir writer Anna Dao about the rich oral storytelling tradition that shaped not just how she writes, but why. They talk about what it really takes to find your authentic voice on the page, what happens when fear and people-pleasing get in the way of your truth, and what marketing a memoir actually looks like when you're a first-time author doing it all on your own terms. About our guest, Anna Dao: Born in Paris, raised under many skies —  from Bamako to Brussels, from Dakar to New York — Anna Dao carries the songs of her ancestors in her voice.  Her teachers were the elders of Mali,  the storytellers who gathered under the moon to share the wisdom of the Good Path.  Through her journey — across continents and through her own heart —she became a  bridge between the seen and unseen,  the modern and the ancestral.  In her words, “the world is nothing but conversation —the world is nothing but storytelling.”  A storyteller. A spiritual advisor. A daughter of tradition and transformation. Anna Dao invites us to listen —to remember —  to become the story we were always meant to tell. Website: ​https://thehouseoflalla.com​ Facebook: ​annadao2​ Instagram and Threads: ​@annadao7467  Welcome to the Inspired Writer Collective podcast. If you've ever felt the pull to write your truth, to shape the chaos of real life into something meaningful and to share your journey with the world, you're in the right place. We're your hosts, Elizabeth and Stephanie, writers, coaches, and entrepreneurs who believe in you and know how important it is to find a writing community to guide you on your path to self-publishing. You’re invited to connect with us by joining our Embodied Writing Experience where you’ll get a writer’s retreat directly to your inbox on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays each week. Whether you’re working on a memoir, a novel, or journaling for yourself, this is an invitation to slow down, tune in, and write with embodied intention.    Join our Embodied Writing Experience where you’ll get a writer’s retreat directly to your inbox on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays each week. This is an invitation to slow down, tune in, and write with embodied intention.    Work 1:1 with Memoir Coach Elizabeth Wilson. Book a session here. Feel Good Marketing with Stephanie. Book a session here. If you prefer to watch our conversations, you can find all of them on our YouTube channel. You can find us on Instagram and Threads

    51 min

  2. MAR 23

    Episode 109: [Cynthia Merrill] Your Writing Process Isn't Broken

    Send us Fan Mail Have you ever tried following someone's writing advice? You've read all the books with guidelines for getting your outline done or advice about setting up your writing schedule, yet you're still feeling like something's not quite right. Like maybe the problem isn't your commitment to the process, but the fact that the method itself was never designed for the way YOU actually think and create? On this week's episode of the Inspired Writer Collective, we welcome editor and writing coach Cynthia Merrill who completely reframed Elizabeth's thinking about the writing process. Cynthia has developed something called the Authentic Writer Archetype Assessment, and in this conversation she walked through Elizabeth's results live. Here's what came up in the conversation: Why writing advice that works well for one writer can actually sabotage anotherInsight into why many memoir writers quit before they finish (hint: it's not what you think)Figuring out the support systems you actually need before spending money on programs, editors, or writing groupsGive it a listen and let us know what resonates. About our guest Cynthia Merrill:  Cynthia Merrill is a developmental editor, writing coach, and creator of the Authentic Writer Archetypes—a system dedicated to helping writers understand their creative needs and build a sustainable, authentic, and joyful writing practice. While she holds a BA in Editing and Publishing, her real education has come from years of working side by side with writers in the depths of the creative process. Cynthia hosts The Way You Write podcast and lives in Phoenix, AZ with her two kids and a dog named Jasper.  Connect with Cynthia Merrill: Website: ​cynthiamerrillediting.com ​ IG: ​https://www.instagram.com/cynthiamerrillediting/​ Free Author Archetype Assessment: ​h  Welcome to the Inspired Writer Collective podcast. If you've ever felt the pull to write your truth, to shape the chaos of real life into something meaningful and to share your journey with the world, you're in the right place. We're your hosts, Elizabeth and Stephanie, writers, coaches, and entrepreneurs who believe in you and know how important it is to find a writing community to guide you on your path to self-publishing. You’re invited to connect with us by joining our Embodied Writing Experience where you’ll get a writer’s retreat directly to your inbox on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays each week. Whether you’re working on a memoir, a novel, or journaling for yourself, this is an invitation to slow down, tune in, and write with embodied intention.    Join our Embodied Writing Experience where you’ll get a writer’s retreat directly to your inbox on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays each week. This is an invitation to slow down, tune in, and write with embodied intention.    Work 1:1 with Memoir Coach Elizabeth Wilson. Book a session here. Feel Good Marketing with Stephanie. Book a session here. If you prefer to watch our conversations, you can find all of them on our YouTube channel. You can find us on Instagram and Threads

    46 min

  3. MAR 16

    Episode 108: [SPECIAL] Day After Our Summit with Sharissa Bradley & Allison Lau

    Send us Fan Mail Our Memoir Summit was absolutely incredible! You’ll hear more about the experience in this week’s episode. We’re joined by Allison Lau & Sharissa Bradley, who not only brought incredible value as panelists but hopped into the webinars as attendees, so we sat down to chat about what we all took away from the experience. If you missed the Summit, you can order the replays here. When you watch the replays you’ll experience the incredible community we’re cultivating at the Inspired Writer Collective. Writing and being a writer does not need to happen in isolation. You want to find the people who are champions for your work. We had 9 women join us to share their brilliant insights about varying aspects of the writing journey. If you’re curious about them, you can find details here.  (And trust us, you want to get to know them). Our hearts are so full!  Welcome to the Inspired Writer Collective podcast. If you've ever felt the pull to write your truth, to shape the chaos of real life into something meaningful and to share your journey with the world, you're in the right place. We're your hosts, Elizabeth and Stephanie, writers, coaches, and entrepreneurs who believe in you and know how important it is to find a writing community to guide you on your path to self-publishing. You’re invited to connect with us by joining our Embodied Writing Experience where you’ll get a writer’s retreat directly to your inbox on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays each week. Whether you’re working on a memoir, a novel, or journaling for yourself, this is an invitation to slow down, tune in, and write with embodied intention.    Join our Embodied Writing Experience where you’ll get a writer’s retreat directly to your inbox on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays each week. This is an invitation to slow down, tune in, and write with embodied intention.    Work 1:1 with Memoir Coach Elizabeth Wilson. Book a session here. Feel Good Marketing with Stephanie. Book a session here. If you prefer to watch our conversations, you can find all of them on our YouTube channel. You can find us on Instagram and Threads

    44 min

  4. MAR 9

    Episode 107: [BOOK CLUB] ADHD For Smart Ass Women by Tracy Otsuka

    Send us Fan Mail I recently read a book that stopped me in my tracks: ADHD for Smart Ass Women by Tracy Otsuka. I picked it up out of curiosity. I did not expect to see so much of myself in its pages. As a woman who just turned 50, I grew up in a time when ADHD in girls was rarely part of the conversation. If anything, we were given vague explanations about learning differences or processing challenges, but very little insight into what our brains were actually doing. Reading this book reframed so much of my own story. Instead of treating ADHD as a deficit, Otsuka approaches it from a strengths-based perspective. Curiosity. Creative intensity. Hyperfocus. Pattern recognition. The ability to notice things other people miss. When I read those descriptions, I immediately thought about writers. So many of the traits we associate with ADHD are the exact traits that make someone a powerful storyteller. Writers are curious. Writers observe people closely. Writers connect ideas in ways others might not. And when something truly captures our interest, we can go deep. Many writers worry that they are not disciplined enough to finish a book. They start a project with enthusiasm, life interrupts, attention shifts, and the manuscript sits for months. It can feel discouraging. But what I have started to understand is that this is often not a motivation problem. It is a systems problem. Different brains need different structures. For me, that has meant learning when my brain is ready to write and taking advantage of those moments of deep focus. It has meant finding environments that help me concentrate. Coffee shops have always worked for me. It has meant using tools like body doubling, where simply being in a room with other writers helps my brain settle into the work. And it has meant embracing the reality that writing does not have to be a solitary experience. Community changes everything.   Welcome to the Inspired Writer Collective podcast. If you've ever felt the pull to write your truth, to shape the chaos of real life into something meaningful and to share your journey with the world, you're in the right place. We're your hosts, Elizabeth and Stephanie, writers, coaches, and entrepreneurs who believe in you and know how important it is to find a writing community to guide you on your path to self-publishing. You’re invited to connect with us by joining our Embodied Writing Experience where you’ll get a writer’s retreat directly to your inbox on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays each week. Whether you’re working on a memoir, a novel, or journaling for yourself, this is an invitation to slow down, tune in, and write with embodied intention.    Join our Embodied Writing Experience where you’ll get a writer’s retreat directly to your inbox on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays each week. This is an invitation to slow down, tune in, and write with embodied intention.    Work 1:1 with Memoir Coach Elizabeth Wilson. Book a session here. Feel Good Marketing with Stephanie. Book a session here. If you prefer to watch our conversations, you can find all of them on our YouTube channel. You can find us on Instagram and Threads

    28 min

  5. MAR 2

    Episode 106: [Laura Thomas] The Village Behind the Byline

    Send us Fan Mail You're going to want to listen to this episode, especially leading up to our Memoir Summit. Elizabeth chats with Laura Thomas, who edited Elizabeth’s memoir that’s set to be published in June 2026, about the big picture of self-publishing your memoir. It’s so much more than sitting down to write, and you certainly don’t want to do it alone. If there’s anything to take away from this episode, it’s that you need to find your village who will help you find your way.  It’s why we’re hosting the Memoir Summit. It’s your opportunity to find people who we’ve had as guests on our podcast and offer support or services that can help you reach your goal faster.  Our guest this week, Laura Thomas, is one of those people and you can connect with her live at the Summit, so make sure you get your ticket here.  Elizabeth and Laura’s conversation reflects the importance of finding a developmental editor who can see the magic in your work. Who will help you find your voice and amplify it on the page. It’s okay if the first draft is messy. That’s part of the process. Writing your memoir involves a deep dive into your soul. It's absolutely okay if your first draft is messy. You need to get the words out and then it can be shaped into the story that's meant for your readers.  You’ll hear about why memoir writers often decide to self-publish and the work that goes into getting your book into the hands of readers. Your desire to write your story is one to lean into and follow. It’s your opportunity to find readers who will find themselves on the pages of your book.   Welcome to the Inspired Writer Collective podcast. If you've ever felt the pull to write your truth, to shape the chaos of real life into something meaningful and to share your journey with the world, you're in the right place. We're your hosts, Elizabeth and Stephanie, writers, coaches, and entrepreneurs who believe in you and know how important it is to find a writing community to guide you on your path to self-publishing. You’re invited to connect with us by joining our Embodied Writing Experience where you’ll get a writer’s retreat directly to your inbox on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays each week. Whether you’re working on a memoir, a novel, or journaling for yourself, this is an invitation to slow down, tune in, and write with embodied intention.    Join our Embodied Writing Experience where you’ll get a writer’s retreat directly to your inbox on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays each week. This is an invitation to slow down, tune in, and write with embodied intention.    Work 1:1 with Memoir Coach Elizabeth Wilson. Book a session here. Feel Good Marketing with Stephanie. Book a session here. If you prefer to watch our conversations, you can find all of them on our YouTube channel. You can find us on Instagram and Threads

    48 min

  6. FEB 23

    Episode 105: Do It Scared

    Send us Fan Mail Episode 105: Do It Scared You’ll thank yourself later. It’s Stephanie here, and this message is one that I’ve needed to hear for sure! I wrestle so often with my own fears of showing up and allowing myself to be vulnerable with my writing process, or even just being myself. At the end of the day, there’s nothing better than being yourself and finding the people who love all the parts of you. It’s what writing does and especially the community we’ve built here with the podcast.  Just check out the incredible panelists we’ve brought together for our Memoir Summit here. There’s so much power in taking the scary step to move yourself forward.  James Clear in his book Atomic Habits talks about doing something just 1% better each day. When it’s put that way it doesn’t sound so scary. It’s hitting send on the email you’ve been meaning to send to the book coach you know will help you finish your manuscript. It’s posting on social media about what you’re working on or something you’ve thought about that can help others. Whatever it is, it’s one simple step. This is what I have to keep reminding myself of and also remembering how I feel when I hit send on that email or post to social media.  On this week’s podcast, Elizabeth and I talk about the importance of “doing it scared.” There will be so many moments along the way when you’ll want to hesitate. You’ll doubt yourself. These feelings are SO normal. You’re not alone. We need these reminders as much as you do, and it’s why we show up to share what’s real about being a writer on our podcast.  Your brain will love the hit of dopamine you get when you decide to take that step you’re scared to take. You never know who you’ll meet.  What’s the worst thing that could happen?  Sometimes we have to remind our brains that it’s okay. You have a story following you around that’s meant to be told. It’s what I heard from Reese Witherspoon on her recent book tour for Gone Before Goodbye with Harlan Coben. She had an idea, she’d never written  Welcome to the Inspired Writer Collective podcast. If you've ever felt the pull to write your truth, to shape the chaos of real life into something meaningful and to share your journey with the world, you're in the right place. We're your hosts, Elizabeth and Stephanie, writers, coaches, and entrepreneurs who believe in you and know how important it is to find a writing community to guide you on your path to self-publishing. You’re invited to connect with us by joining our Embodied Writing Experience where you’ll get a writer’s retreat directly to your inbox on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays each week. Whether you’re working on a memoir, a novel, or journaling for yourself, this is an invitation to slow down, tune in, and write with embodied intention.    Join our Embodied Writing Experience where you’ll get a writer’s retreat directly to your inbox on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays each week. This is an invitation to slow down, tune in, and write with embodied intention.    Work 1:1 with Memoir Coach Elizabeth Wilson. Book a session here. Feel Good Marketing with Stephanie. Book a session here. If you prefer to watch our conversations, you can find all of them on our YouTube channel. You can find us on Instagram and Threads

    35 min

  7. FEB 16

    Episode 104: [Hannah Gordon] How You Know You're Ready to Write Your Memoir

    Send us Fan Mail In this week’s episode, Elizabeth chats with Hannah Gordon, a writer, editor, and publisher who will be one of the panelists at our Memoir Summit on March 14, 2026. The conversation digs into the power of writing for addressing challenging stories and how this informs whether you’re ready to write your memoir. It’s a very personal decision, but you may also need a coach to support you along the way. Both Elizabeth and Hannah offer coaching for memoir writers, so if this conversation resonates with you, you’re invited to reach out and connect. There’s also insight into the publishing world and process from Hannah’s experience in the industry. Connect with Hannah: @HR_Gordon (FB, IG, Threads, TikTok) Website: https://hannahrgordon.com/  Welcome to the Inspired Writer Collective podcast. If you've ever felt the pull to write your truth, to shape the chaos of real life into something meaningful and to share your journey with the world, you're in the right place. We're your hosts, Elizabeth and Stephanie, writers, coaches, and entrepreneurs who believe in you and know how important it is to find a writing community to guide you on your path to self-publishing. You’re invited to connect with us by joining our Embodied Writing Experience where you’ll get a writer’s retreat directly to your inbox on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays each week. Whether you’re working on a memoir, a novel, or journaling for yourself, this is an invitation to slow down, tune in, and write with embodied intention.    Join our Embodied Writing Experience where you’ll get a writer’s retreat directly to your inbox on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays each week. This is an invitation to slow down, tune in, and write with embodied intention.    Work 1:1 with Memoir Coach Elizabeth Wilson. Book a session here. Feel Good Marketing with Stephanie. Book a session here. If you prefer to watch our conversations, you can find all of them on our YouTube channel. You can find us on Instagram and Threads

    40 min

  8. FEB 9

    Episode 103: Why You Need to Invest in Yourself as a Writer

    Send us Fan Mail This week Elizabeth and Stephanie talk about the importance of investing in yourself as a writer. Find the rooms with people who are writing and moving their dream forward. When you put yourself in the right room you’ll be amazed at what happens. It’s only if you’re doing the work of writing you understand the challenges of what comes with the job. It’s not easy. Which is why you need to find your people and we offer spaces for you to show up and invest in your writing journey. If you’ve been following us for a while, you know how often we talk about the value of community. It’s what keeps us showing up each week for all of you. If you’re here, you’re part of our community and we’re so glad you’re here. We’re here to show you it’s possible. No matter what you’re writing, your work as a writer has value.  Welcome to the Inspired Writer Collective podcast. If you've ever felt the pull to write your truth, to shape the chaos of real life into something meaningful and to share your journey with the world, you're in the right place. We're your hosts, Elizabeth and Stephanie, writers, coaches, and entrepreneurs who believe in you and know how important it is to find a writing community to guide you on your path to self-publishing. You’re invited to connect with us by joining our Embodied Writing Experience where you’ll get a writer’s retreat directly to your inbox on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays each week. Whether you’re working on a memoir, a novel, or journaling for yourself, this is an invitation to slow down, tune in, and write with embodied intention.    Join our Embodied Writing Experience where you’ll get a writer’s retreat directly to your inbox on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays each week. This is an invitation to slow down, tune in, and write with embodied intention.    Work 1:1 with Memoir Coach Elizabeth Wilson. Book a session here. Feel Good Marketing with Stephanie. Book a session here. If you prefer to watch our conversations, you can find all of them on our YouTube channel. You can find us on Instagram and Threads

    28 min
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4.6
out of 5
10 Ratings

About

Welcome to The Inspired Writer Collective, your memoir-focused writing podcast. If you've ever felt the pull to write your truth, to shape the chaos of real life into something meaningful, and to share your journey with the world, you're in the right place. We’re your hosts Elizabeth Wilson & Stephanie Oswald, Ph.D., writers, coaches & entrepreneurs who believe in you and know how important it is to find a writing community to guide you on your path to self-publishing.  We believe your voice holds power. Telling your story isn't just a personal act of healing or reflection, it's a gift to the world. Pulling the skeletons out of the closet is challenging - unless you’re writing a memoir. Then it’s called “chapter one”. Each week, we explore the art, heart, and craft of connecting personal narrative to your writing, memoir or fiction. Whether you're drafting your first chapter, wrestling with the messy middle, or searching for the courage to hit “publish,” we are honored to be your companions on the journey. The world needs your voice. Memoir is the art of pulling out old skeletons and realizing they were just unspoken chapters of your story.

Information

  • Creator
    Stephanie Oswald, Ph.D. & Elizabeth Wilson
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    110
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Inspired Writer Collective Podcast
  • Show Website
    Inspired Writer Collective Podcast