Finding the Throughline with Kate Hanley

Kate Hanley
  • 4.7 (103)
  • Self-Improvement
  • Updated Semiweekly

Finding the Throughline: Conversations about the Creative Process invites you into the minds of writers and other creatives as they open up about their process, their doubts, and what kinds of changes they’re thinking about making. The questions are mildly invasive, honestly, and the answers are unvarnished…and so refreshing!  Whether your creative work is writing, painting, making music, parenting, or simply living, Finding the Throughline can help you get—and stay—inspired. Invigorated, even.  For detailed show notes on each interview, visit katehanley.substack.com. And if you’d like to hear these interviews in one ad-free episode (as opposed to broken up into three shorter episodes with a few ads sprinkled in to keep the lights on), become a paid subscriber once you’re there. .

  1. 4d ago

    [Philip Eil: What’s coming up]: Tackling clutter + how AI is spreading misinformation

    Welcome back to the final part of my interview with Philip Eil, an award-winning freelance journalist based in his hometown, Providence, Rhode Island and the author of “Prescription for Pain” and a work in progress about the history of the Wyatt Detention Facility, a maximum-security prison in Central Falls, Rhode Island.Today we’re going to get a glimpse at where Phil’s throughline is leading him next and end with my fast final five questions about what he’s been reading, watching, listening to, and fantasizing about eating.We talked about:- The local nonprofit news outlet he just joined the board of- Stumbling into being an expert on AI and misinformation (book him for a talk at your local library!)- Why it’s helpful to think about the people whose careers you envy- The parts of being an author he finds especially rewarding and thrilling- The link between clutter and mental health- The novels he recently binged, the brand of coffee he swears by, and the absolute best part of his weekConnect with Phil at philipeil.com, or on Instagram @philip.eil or Bluesky @phileil.For full show notes with links to everything we discuss, plus bonus photos!, visit katehanley.substack.com.Thank you for listening! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    19 min

  2. 6d ago

    [Phil Eil, inner stuff]: The power of writing about mental health challenges (especially as a man)

    Welcome to part two of my interview with Philip Eil, freelance investigative journalist and author of the book “Prescription for Pain: How a Once Promising Doctor Became the ‘Pill Mill Killer’” and a work in progress about the Wyatt Detention Facility in Central Falls, RI, otherwise known as the hometown of Viola Davis.Today we’re talking about the inner stuff involved in writing—the doubts, the beliefs, and the fears that can impact your work whether you’re conscious of it or not.We covered:- The type of writing that just “tumbles out” for him- Why he doesn’t miss writing for outlets that have national name recognition- What his inner critic is telling him as he works on his second book- How being passionate and excited about your work can get you into some tricky situations… and how to avoid that- Why he openly writes about his mental health challenges- How he’s pushing back against our current ideas of masculinityConnect with Phil at philipeil.com, or on Instagram @philip.eil or Bluesky @phileil.For full show notes with links to everything we discuss, plus bonus photos!, visit katehanley.substack.com.Thank you for listening! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    20 min

  3. Jun 8

    [Phil Eil, practical matters]: When the work you’re passionate about doesn’t make a lot of money

    This week my guest is Phil Eil, an author and freelance journalist based in his hometown–and mind–Providence, RI.Phil’s first book, “Prescription for Pain: How a Once Promising Doctor Became the ‘Pill Mill Killer’”, came out in 2024 and was hailed a riveting true-crime page-turner by the Columbus Dispatch. He’s currently working on a new book about the history of the Wyatt Detention Facility in Central Falls, RI, a maximum-security prison that was hailed as an economic lifeline for Rhode Island’s poorest–and geographically smallest–city and is now being used to house people detained by ICE and causing quite a stir in the local community.Phil was the news editor and staff writer at the alt-weekly, the Providence Phoenix, until the paper closed in 2014. Since then, he's contributed to VICE, the Atlantic, Men’s Health, The Nation, Boston Magazine, and Huffington Post, and is a regular contributor to vital local independent news outlets including UpriseRI and the Rhode Island Current.We covered:-How his first clue that he wanted to be a journalist was that he loved writing papers in college (not something most people love)- The continuing education class he took that clicked his career path into place- How meaning and passion can make up for lack of profit- The news story he just broke- How he uses speaking to supplement his income- The link between AI and the spread of disinformation (a subject he speaks about)- A look at the financial realities of being a journalist in 2026- Why he doesn’t get down when reporting on bleak topics- The prescription medication that was a game changer for himConnect with Phil at philipeil.com, or on Instagram @philip.eil or Bluesky @phileil.For full show notes with links to everything we discuss, plus bonus photos!, visit katehanley.substack.com.Thank you for listening! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    26 min

  4. May 22

    [Lori Gold: What’s coming up]: Re-jiggering your schedule so writing comes first

    Welcome back to part three of my interview with Lori Gold, author of the brand new novel “Kiss, Marry, Kill,” about three women who play a spin on the classic sleepover game and wake up the next day in an alternate universe, and “Romantic Friction,” an NPR Book of the Day that satirizes publishing and AI and explores female ambition and friendship.Lori is also the author of Love, Theodosia, Sources Say, Screen Queens, and the Becoming Jinn series, which she published under the name Lori Goldstein.In today’s episode, we’re going to get a peek at where Lori’s throughline may be leading her next, as well as what she’s been reading, watching, listening to, and fantasizing about eating lately, including:- How she comes up with book ideas that have a hooky premise- How reading all of Liane Moriarty’s book was an education (as well as a joyride)- Keeping writing fresh by taking on new storytelling challenges- Re-organizing her time so she can do a deep dive on completing the draft of her next book- The Netflix rom com that’s giving her lifeConnect with Lori on Instagram @lorigoldsteinbooks or at her website, lorigoldsteinbooks.com.For full show notes with links to everything we discuss, plus bonus photos!, visit katehanley.substack.com.Thank you for listening! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    16 min

  5. May 20

    [Lori Gold, inner stuff]: On writing what you *don’t* know

    Welcome back to part two of my interview with Lori Gold, whose brand new novel is “Kiss, Marry, Kill,” a book about three friends who are sent into alternate universes after playing the classic sleepover game during a company trip.Today, we’re getting into the psychology and mindset side of writing–the thoughts, ideas, and beliefs that play such a big part of this very interior profession.We covered:- Why “Kiss, Marry, Kill” took two years to revise- How she determines when she’s done enough book promotion- What she tells herself when the doubts start coming- How getting older has changed what she writes about- Infusing a fictional story with your real-life feelings- Feeling your gravitational pull tilt away from ambition as you enter your 50s- Why “write what you know” isn’t true- A plug for the power of planningConnect with Lori on Instagram @lorigoldsteinbooks or at her website, lorigoldsteinbooks.com.For full show notes with links to everything we discuss, plus bonus photos!, visit katehanley.substack.com.Thank you for listening! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    20 min

  6. May 18

    [Lori Gold, practical matters]: Listening to the voice that says “I want to do something different”

    This week my guest is Lori Gold, author of the just-released “Kiss, Marry, Kill” about three women who play a spin on the classic sleepover game and wake up the next day in an alternate universe, and last year’s winning breakthrough, “Romantic Friction” – a comedic look at a rivalry between two writers seasoned with a dash of AI that was an NPR Book of the Day.Her other books, published under the name Lori Goldstein, include the adult historical novel, “Love, Theodosia”, a Romeo & Juliet for Hamilton fans, and four novels for young adults: “Sources Say,” “Screen Queens,” and the “Becoming Jinn” series.Lori is also a creative writing instructor and founder of Think Write, which holds creative writing classes and writing retreats.We covered:- Making the leap to fiction from journalism- The first manuscript she ever wrote that was 800 pages long- The writing class that changed everything- How the right encouragement at the right time–plus stubbornness–can fuel you- The importance of having a cheerleader- Why her husband was the only person who knew she was trying to write a book- Her belief that no writing is wasted–even the complete manuscripts that don’t get picked up by a publisher- Protecting your writing time amidst the side hustles- Realizing when you need to get back to a more writing-centric routine- The different tools she uses for different parts of the writing processConnect with Lori on Instagram @lorigoldsteinbooks or at her website, lorigoldsteinbooks.com.For full show notes with links to everything we discuss, plus bonus photos!, visit katehanley.substack.com.Thank you for listening! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    24 min

  7. May 8

    [John Glynn: what’s coming up]: Savoring the sensation of (finally) being on the right path

    Welcome back to the final installment of my interview with John Glynn, author of the brand new novel “The Lost Book of Lancelot,” a queer retelling of the legend of Camelot–think Heated Rivalry set in King Arthur’s court.John is also the author of “Out East: Memoir of a Montauk Summer” that oprah.com called "A moving account of the particular sort of loneliness that descends when you know you're unhappy but don't quite know why."In addition to being an author and freelance writer, John is the editorial director of Hanover Square Press, an imprint of HarperCollins.In today’s episode we’re talking about where John’s throughline may be leading him next and we’ll also talk about some lighter, yet still vitally important topics, like what he’s been watching, reading, listening to, and fantasizing about eating lately.We covered:- Toying with two different ideas on what book to work on next- The memoir he reads a few pages of before he sits down to write- How he’s navigating this really busy time of promoting a new book while also working full-time- Why he drinks iced coffee year round- The brand new memoir he stayed up too late to finishConnect with John on Instagram at @glynner85.For full show notes with links to everything we discuss, plus bonus photos!, visit katehanley.substack.com.Thank you for listening! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    13 min

  8. May 6

    [John Glynn, inner stuff]: Taking your doubts as a sign you’re on the right track

    Welcome to part two of my interview with John Glynn, a novelist, memoirist, and the editorial director of Hanover Square Press, an imprint of HarperCollins. His brand new novel (out May 12!) is “The Lost Book of Lancelot,” a queer retelling of the legend of Camelot that Publisher’s Weekly called “a fresh, fun take on a classic” that’s “entertaining, vivid, and immersive.”Today we’re talking about the inner stuff involved in writing and the literary arts–the doubts, the beliefs, and personal development that writing both requires and delivers.We covered:- A peek into the process of how publishers sell and market books- And a peek into why many would-be authors get a “no” from publishers- Why feeling insecure and vulnerable are signs you’re on the right track- The two times the inner critic is the loudest–and how he approaches it- Feeling nostalgic for earlier times in his life when writing felt more urgent because it was a lifeline- What RuPaul gets wrong about relationships- The psychic parties his aunt used to throw (a genius idea that I totally want to steal!)Connect with John on Instagram at @glynner85.For full show notes with links to everything we discuss, plus bonus photos!, visit katehanley.substack.com.Thank you for listening! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    21 min
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About

Finding the Throughline: Conversations about the Creative Process invites you into the minds of writers and other creatives as they open up about their process, their doubts, and what kinds of changes they’re thinking about making. The questions are mildly invasive, honestly, and the answers are unvarnished…and so refreshing!  Whether your creative work is writing, painting, making music, parenting, or simply living, Finding the Throughline can help you get—and stay—inspired. Invigorated, even.  For detailed show notes on each interview, visit katehanley.substack.com. And if you’d like to hear these interviews in one ad-free episode (as opposed to broken up into three shorter episodes with a few ads sprinkled in to keep the lights on), become a paid subscriber once you’re there. .

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