Inside the Village

Awaken Village Press
  • 5.0 (3)
  • BOOKS
  • UPDATED SEMIMONTHLY

Inside the Village is a podcast sharing conversations from within a living creative ecosystem about writing, creativity, leadership, relationship, and what it means to bring something meaningful into the world without losing yourself in the process. Hosted by Amanda Johnson, founder of Awaken Village Press, the show offers a window into the real, ongoing conversations happening inside the Village, alongside authors, collaborators, and friends who are exploring slower, more relational ways of creating and belonging. Episodes take different forms—gatherings at the table, quiet reflections by the fire, and one-on-one conversations at the threshold—each offering space for honesty, inquiry, and speaking from the middle of the journey, not the polished end. This isn’t a how-to show or a performance of expertise. It’s an invitation into a living conversation, and into a way of creating that values depth, integrity, and connection over speed or scale.

Episodes

  1. MAY 1

    At the Table: The Human Voice in the Age of AI

    This episode of Inside the Village steps into one of the most pressing and complex conversations of our time: the rise of AI and what it means for creativity, authorship, and the human experience. We explore a central question: What makes a human voice truly irreplaceable? As AI becomes increasingly capable of generating content, ideas, and even entire manuscripts, we examine where it can support the creative process and where it risks bypassing it entirely. Through an honest and nuanced conversation, we dive into the tension between efficiency and authenticity, the difference between generated language and lived experience, and the subtle ways we can feel when something is no longer fully human. We also explore how AI is shaping the way we think, write, and express ourselves, and what happens when we rely on it before fully developing our own voice. This episode opens up deeper philosophical questions about intelligence itself. Is intelligence uniquely human? What can we learn from nature, collective systems, and emerging technologies? And how might this moment invite us to reconnect with what is most essential about being human? We also reflect on how AI can be used as a tool for growth. It can challenge our thinking, refine our ideas, and support our creative process, while still asking us to remain in the seat of the creator. At its core, this podcast is about honest conversations. Expansive, sometimes uncomfortable, but always real. It’s a space for creatives, writers, and thinkers navigating what it means to create, express, and evolve in a rapidly changing world. If you’ve been questioning your relationship with AI, your creative process, or what it means to truly use your voice, this conversation is for you. Want to go deeper and be part of what we’re building? Join our Authors’ Village: www.awakenvillagepress.com/authors-village Follow Awaken Village Press on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/awakenvillagepress/ Visit our website to learn more: https://www.awakenvillagepress.com/ Chapters: 00:00 Welcome + Framing the AI Conversation 07:11 What Makes a Human Voice Irreplaceable? 17:28 Finding Your Voice vs Mimicking Others 22:23 AI and the Creative Process 33:16 Humane and Regenerative Relationship with AI 47:29 What Becomes More Valuable About Being Human? 50:11 Rethinking Intelligence (Human, Machine, Nature)

    55 min

  2. APR 17

    At the Table: Creative Tension between Impact and Visibility

    This episode of Inside the Village explores a question many creatives quietly carry: Am I building something meaningful—or just something visible? Through an honest and expansive conversation, we dive into the tension between impact and metrics, the pull of virality versus the slow work of creating something that truly lasts. From the perspective of authors, creators, and builders, we reflect on what it means to show up for the work without always seeing immediate results—and how to stay grounded in purpose when feedback loops are delayed or invisible. We explore the deeper layers of creative work: writing as a process of self-discovery, the role of intuition in creation, and the challenge of trusting that what we’re building matters—even when all we can see are the “bricks.” This conversation also opens up a broader reflection on culture itself—how it’s shaped, how it evolves, and how creatives play a role in redefining it. From slow burns and regenerative systems to gardens, ecosystems, and the long arc of meaningful work, this episode invites you to reconsider how you measure success—and what you’re truly here to build. At its core, this podcast is about honest conversations—expansive, sometimes uncomfortable, but always real. It’s a space for creatives, writers, and thinkers who are choosing depth over speed, and meaning over metrics. If you’ve ever questioned the impact of your work, or felt caught between creating for visibility and creating for truth—you’re not alone in it. Want to go deeper and be part of what we’re building? Join our Authors’ Village: www.awakenvillagepress.com/authors-village Follow Awaken Village Press on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/awakenvillagepress/ Visit our website to learn more: https://www.awakenvillagepress.com/ Chapters: 00:00 Welcome + The Creative Dilemma 02:39 Impact vs Visibility in Creative Work 11:12 Measuring Success Beyond Metrics 18:41 The Slow Burn vs Virality 31:33 Staying Motivated in Long-Term Work 42:59 Slow Work in Publishing + Regenerative Models

    55 min

  3. APR 1

    At the Threshold: Editing, Identity, and Letting Your Work Be Seen

    This episode of Inside the Village: At the Threshold is an honest, unfiltered conversation about the creative process—specifically what it means to write, edit, and evolve through the journey of bringing a book into the world. We explore the emotional and psychological layers of editing a manuscript: the vulnerability of having your work seen, the tension between your voice and outside feedback, and the challenge of revisiting past versions of yourself through your writing. This conversation opens up the reality that a book is not just a finished product, but a snapshot of who you were at a moment in time. Together, we reflect on the role of editors as thought partners, the importance of alignment and challenge in the creative process, and the deeper transformation that happens as authors learn to trust their intuition while receiving feedback. We also touch on bigger questions around creativity, identity, and what it means to create something meaningful in an ever-evolving world. At its core, this podcast is about honest conversations—expansive, sometimes uncomfortable, but always real. It’s a space for creatives, writers, and thinkers who are reimagining how we create, share, and grow. If you’ve ever questioned your work, your voice, or your path as a creator—you’re not alone in it. Want to go deeper and be part of what we’re building? Join our Authors’ Village: www.awakenvillagepress.com/authors-village Follow Awaken Village Press on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/awakenvillagepress/ Visit our website to learn more: https://www.awakenvillagepress.com/

    29 min

  4. MAR 20

    At the Table: A New Publishing Model for Creatives (Rooted in Regeneration, Not Extraction)

    This podcast is an open conversation about rethinking how we live, create, and build in today’s world. We explore the purpose behind what we do—questioning current systems, challenging traditional business models, and imagining new ways of working that are sustainable, meaningful, and regenerative. From the way humanity interacts with the planet to how creatives and creators can build differently, this space dives into regenerative models that prioritize long-term impact over short-term gain. We talk about community-based publishing, the “village” model of creation, and what it means to be part of an ecosystem rather than just an individual. At its core, this podcast is about honest conversations—expansive, sometimes uncomfortable, but always real. It’s a place for divergent thinking, cultural creation, and reimagining business and society as a whole. If you’re looking to think deeper, create differently, and be part of something more intentional—you’re in the right place. Want to go deeper and be part of what we’re building? Join our Authors’ Village: www.awakenvillagepress.com/authors-village Follow Awaken Village Press on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/awakenvillagepress/ Visit our website Awaken Village Press to learn more: https://www.awakenvillagepress.com/

    45 min
  • 4 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Inside the Village is a podcast sharing conversations from within a living creative ecosystem about writing, creativity, leadership, relationship, and what it means to bring something meaningful into the world without losing yourself in the process. Hosted by Amanda Johnson, founder of Awaken Village Press, the show offers a window into the real, ongoing conversations happening inside the Village, alongside authors, collaborators, and friends who are exploring slower, more relational ways of creating and belonging. Episodes take different forms—gatherings at the table, quiet reflections by the fire, and one-on-one conversations at the threshold—each offering space for honesty, inquiry, and speaking from the middle of the journey, not the polished end. This isn’t a how-to show or a performance of expertise. It’s an invitation into a living conversation, and into a way of creating that values depth, integrity, and connection over speed or scale.

Information

  • Creator
    Awaken Village Press
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    4
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Awaken Village Press
  • Show Website
    Inside the Village