The Writing at the Red House Podcast

Kathi Lipp
  • 5.0 (69)
  • Books
  • Updated Biweekly

Welcome to The Writing at the Red House Podcast where we gather at the table to break bread and tell tales with some of our favorite writers and speakers. Our heart is to equip and encourage men and women to be the communicators God has created them to be.

  1. Jun 23

    Stop Planning Too Big or Too Small: How Q3 Goals Can Change Your Writing Trajectory Starting Now

    Do you feel like your writing dreams are always stuck on "someday"? You're not alone. Many writers struggle to move from dreaming about their book to actually making progress—especially when life is full of other responsibilities. In this episode of the Writing at the Red House podcast, Kathi Lipp sits down with Tenneil Register to pull back the curtain on the quarterly planning process used inside the Red House Writers Collective. This isn't about fancy calendars or color-coded spreadsheets. It's about a simple, practical framework that helps writers finally get traction. The Create, Serve, Build Framework Kathi introduces the three-part framework that structures each quarter in the Collective: Create: Focus on your bigger projects—your book, a speech, a paid membership. This is where the 30-Day 10K challenge lives, encouraging writers to produce 10,000 words on their work in progress. Serve: How are you nurturing your audience right now? This could be social media, newsletters, or podcasting—anything that builds connection before your book launches. Build: Growing your business and platform. This might mean attending a conference, developing a coaching practice, or pitching to media outlets. Why Quarters Work for Writers Writing is a long game—books take years. But a quarter is the perfect unit of time to make real, measurable progress. Tenneil shares how quarterly thinking transformed her approach: "What I was missing was traction. I wasn't missing topics. I wasn't even missing a platform. I was missing traction." Making Goals Practical, Not Just Pretty The episode offers honest advice about avoiding common traps—planning too small or waiting for the perfect cabin-in-the-woods writing retreat. Instead, Kathi encourages listeners to break big goals into daily doable steps. Even 333 words a day adds up to 10,000 words in a month. Key Takeaways Start with just one goal for each month: Create, Serve, Build Break those goals into smaller, daily steps You don't need fancy systems—Post-it notes work just fine A realistic goal is one you can pitch in 30 seconds or less Progress beats perfection every time Whether you're just starting your writing journey or you've been at it for years, this episode offers a fresh perspective on how to move from dreaming to doing. Listen now and start planning your next quarter with purpose.

    22 min

  2. Jun 15

    Your Numbers Dropped—Now What? A Real Talk About Staying Anchored When Everything Flatlines

    Every writer or creative entrepreneur has faced it: that gut-punch moment when the numbers take a nosedive. Whether it's email subscribers disappearing, podcast downloads plummeting, or engagement grinding to a halt, the temptation to panic—or quit altogether—is real. In this episode of the Writing at the Red House podcast, Kathi Lipp and her husband Roger Lipp tackle the uncomfortable topic of what to do when the metrics aren't going your way. Drawing from their own hard-won experiences (including losing two-thirds of their email list overnight and watching podcast numbers crater due to algorithm changes), they offer practical wisdom for writers who feel like the ground is shifting beneath them. What Listeners Will Discover This conversation is packed with insights for anyone feeling the pressure of stalled growth or declining numbers: How to reframe a crisis as a season of evaluation—not a reason to shut everything down The danger of over-correcting and how panic decisions can erode audience trust What NOT to change: your core message, your audience, and your values What you CAN tweak: delivery methods, content format, and how you engage your community How to gather feedback wisely—without crowdsourcing or letting outlier criticism define you Key Takeaways Panic shows up in your work. When you're in crisis mode, you may find yourself copying others, working harder with fewer results, or promoting things that don't align with who you are. Recognizing these signs is the first step to course-correcting. Faithfulness beats frantic growth. The goal isn't growth at any cost—it's building something sustainable that you can live with. That means holding fast to your message while being light on your feet about how you deliver it. Feedback informs direction; it doesn't define identity. Not all feedback carries equal weight. Seek out trusted voices, filter the outliers, and remember that you are not the feedback you receive. Whether you're navigating a platform setback or simply feeling the weight of slow growth, this episode offers the encouragement and practical framework to keep moving forward—anchored, not anxious.

    26 min

  3. Jun 8

    The Weekly Reality Check: How to Track Your Numbers Without Letting Them Wreck You

    You've been doing the work. Showing up. Posting. Writing. Sending newsletters. And yet... the numbers aren't moving. Maybe they've even dipped. If you've ever wondered whether flat growth means you're failing—or if God is closing a door—this episode is for you. What You'll Learn in This Episode Kathi and Roger Lipp tackle one of the most emotionally loaded topics for Christian writers and creatives: what to do when your metrics aren't growing the way you hoped. With warmth, humor, and practical wisdom, they explore the difference between staying faithful and getting stuck—and why ignoring your numbers isn't the same as trusting God. Key Takeaways Flat doesn't mean finished. A plateau in your numbers doesn't mean your content doesn't matter or that people don't need what you're offering. Avoid spiritual bypassing. Using easy spiritual answers ("God must be closing that door") to avoid doing the hard work of evaluation isn't faith—it's avoidance. Numbers are indicators, not identity. Your follower count doesn't define your worth or the value of your message. Faithfulness still asks questions. Trusting God doesn't mean denying reality. It means bringing experts into the conversation, trying new things, and adjusting as needed. Weekly tracking beats daily panic. Looking at your numbers daily creates noise and anxiety. A weekly reality check gives you trends without the emotional rollercoaster. About the Weekly Reality Check Kathi introduces a practical tool she's using herself: the Weekly Reality Check. This simple practice helps you pay attention to your numbers without being controlled by them. Track your key metrics—social media followers, podcast downloads, newsletter subscribers—on a weekly basis and look for trends over time rather than reacting to daily fluctuations. Don't miss the free download in the show notes to help you implement this practice in your own writing business. Coming Up Next Week Kathi and Roger Lipp will continue this conversation with Part 2: How to Adjust Without Panic. If you've ever felt overwhelmed when your numbers dip, you won't want to miss it.

    22 min

  4. Jun 1

    Raise Your Voice: A Real Talk About Women, Writing, and Having Something to Say

    Have you ever felt like your opinions don't matter? Like you should just keep quiet and not rock the boat? If you grew up in certain church or cultural contexts, you may have learned that being a "good woman" meant making yourself smaller. But what if that's not what Jesus modeled at all? In this powerful conversation, Kathi sits down with author and friend Susy Flory to explore what it really takes to move from being a writer to becoming a thought leader. This isn't about having millions of followers or starting political movements—it’s about having the courage to share your unique perspective and trusting that your voice matters. What You'll Discover in This Episode Writers have a unique gift: the ability to see things others might miss and articulate truths through story. But that gift often gets buried under fear, people-pleasing, and the message that having opinions is somehow wrong—especially for women. Kathi and Susy dive deep into: The difference between having a "take" and having a "position" you actually live out of Why writers are uniquely positioned to build movements (even small ones) How to develop your point of view through reading, writing, and trusted conversations The freedom that comes from looking to Jesus as your model instead of rigid religious rules Practical ways to test your ideas before putting them out into the world How to handle pushback when you share something that challenges the status quo A New Way to Think About Your Voice Susy shares how her doctoral studies reinforced something crucial: your opinion is valid simply because it's yours. When you can back it up with personal experience, scripture, and reputable sources, even better. But disagreement isn't sin—it’s conversation. As Kathi points out, if you're just rehashing what everyone else has already said, the world doesn't need your voice. But here's the truth: you don't believe everything you've grown up with. You've learned things. You've questioned things. And those insights? They matter. Key Takeaways Your opinion is valid. You don't need permission to have thoughts and share them. Writers see things differently. That's not a bug—it’s a feature God gave you. Jesus modeled conversation. He invited questions, dialogue, and even disagreement. Test your ideas with trusted people. Ask "What am I missing?" before going public. The worst that can happen isn't that bad. Someone unfollowing you is not the same as having cancer. Course correction is okay. You don't have to be perfect to share your perspective. Whether you're writing about faith, family, decluttering, or anything else, you have a unique perspective the world needs to hear. It's time to stop making yourself smaller and start raising your voice.

    29 min

  5. May 25

    DIY Publicity That Actually Works: How One Author Built 20 Years of TV Appearances Without a Publicist

    Have you ever dreamed of seeing yourself on local TV promoting your book or message—but had no idea where to start? You're not alone. Many writers feel overwhelmed by the idea of pitching media, building relationships with producers, and finding that newsworthy angle that gets them booked. In this episode of the Writing at the Red House podcast, Kathi Lipp sits down with Tenneil Register, a writer and entrepreneur who has been appearing on local TV for nearly 20 years. Tenneil shares her practical, relationship-centered approach to building community partnerships that have put her in front of new audiences again and again—without ever feeling salesy or pushy. What You'll Learn in This Episode How to find the newsworthy angle in what you're promoting The key to crafting a pitch that makes a producer's job easier Why serving the audience (not selling your book) is the secret to getting asked back How to build and maintain a media contact database What "aftercare" looks like to strengthen your media relationships The power of leave-behind gifts and personal touches Key Takeaways Lead with service, not self-promotion. The most successful media appearances happen when you focus on solving a problem for the audience rather than promoting yourself. When you serve the producer's goals and their viewers' needs, you become someone they want to book again. Be supremely askbackable. Show up prepared, don't overstep boundaries, deliver everything a producer needs, and make their job as easy as possible. That's how you get invited back. Your pitch should read like a news headline. Producers don't have time to read three-page emails. Be clear, succinct, and include the "why now" that connects your topic to their audience's current needs. Relationships matter more than one-time appearances. Treat producers and hosts like the humans they are. Remember details about their lives, follow up with gratitude, and promote their show on your own platforms. Whether you're a first-time author or a seasoned speaker looking to expand your reach, this episode will give you the confidence and clarity to start building your own community partnerships.

    21 min

  6. May 23

    Stop Planning Too Big or Too Small: How Quarterly Goals Actually Move Your Writing Forward

    Do you find yourself hitting a new quarter and realizing you have no idea what you should be working on? You're not alone. Writing is a long game, and without intentional planning, it's easy for your creative dreams to fall to the bottom of your to-do list. In this episode, Kathi Lipp and Tenneil Register pull back the curtain on the quarterly planning process they use inside the Red House Writers Collective. If you've ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure how to move forward with your writing, this episode offers a simple framework that can change everything. What You'll Learn in This Episode Why quarterly planning is the perfect unit of time for making real progress on your writing goals The Create, Serve, Build framework that helps writers focus on what matters most each month How to set realistic goals that fit your actual life—not some fantasy cabin-in-the-woods scenario Practical tips for keeping your goals in front of you (hint: sticky notes work!) Why 333 words a day can lead to 10,000 words in just 30 days The Create, Serve, Build Framework Create (July): Focus on your bigger projects—your book, a speech, a paid membership. This is the month for the 30-day 10K challenge where you aim to write 10,000 words on your work in progress. Serve (August): How are you currently nurturing your audience? Whether it's social media, newsletters, or guest posting, this month is about showing up for the people who need your message right now—not just when your book comes out. Build (September): This is about growing your business and platform. Maybe you're attending a conference, launching coaching services, or pitching to media. Build is how you create sustainability in your writing career. Key Takeaways A quarter is the perfect balance—long enough to make real progress, short enough to stay focused You don't need a color-coded spreadsheet; three sentences on Post-it notes can get you started Planning too small or too big are both traps—find the realistic middle ground Serving your audience now builds the foundation for readers to care about your future book It's not too early to start planning for Q3—July, August, and September are closer than you think!

    22 min

  7. May 17

    The Rule of Three: How to Research Your Way to a Book Deal

    If you're planning to pitch a book this year, you might be surprised to learn that the strategies that worked just a few years ago may not cut it anymore. The publishing landscape has shifted dramatically, and understanding these changes could make all the difference in whether your book finds its audience. What You'll Learn in This Episode In this episode of the Writing at the Red House podcast, host Kathi Lipp sits down with literary agent Barb Roose from Books and Such Literary Agency to unpack the critical shifts in book pitching for 2026. Whether you're preparing for conference season or crafting your first query letter, this conversation will help you approach publishers and agents with confidence. The AI Factor in Publishing Barb explains why literary agents can often tell when a query has been AI-generated—and why that matters. She shares practical wisdom about using AI as a tool without letting it undermine your unique voice and intellectual property. The key takeaway? Publishers want books that come from the DNA of humans, especially in faith-based publishing where trust is paramount. Understanding Discoverability in 2026 With 85% of books sold on Amazon and millions of titles competing for attention, how do readers find your book? Barb breaks down the concept of "niche felt need"—the specific problem readers are trying to solve or the exact type of story they're searching for. She offers a practical framework for researching your category and understanding what makes bestselling books in your space successful. The Rule of Three Barb shares her "rule of three" strategy for social media research: find three authors slightly ahead of you in your lane, study their social media comments, and identify what their readers are connecting with. This isn't about copying—it's about understanding what resonates and bringing your unique experience to meet that need. Key Takeaways Good books will always find readers, but you must help readers find your book Your story and experience are what set you apart—don't outsource your thinking to AI Do your Amazon research before pitching to understand what's already in your category Niche down: "Moms who are stressed" is too broad; "moms of small children with control issues" is discoverable Study the comments on successful authors' social media to understand what readers connect with If you're serious about getting your book into the hands of readers who need it, this episode will help you refine your approach and pitch with confidence in 2026.

    25 min

  8. May 4

    Writing to Two Audiences at Once: When Your Book Doesn't Fit the One-Reader Rule

    Have you ever felt stuck trying to narrow down your target reader? What if your book naturally speaks to two very different audiences? In this episode of Writing at the Red House, Kathi Lipp sits down with bestselling author and acquisitions editor Jennifer Dukes Lee to explore what happens when you break the "one ideal reader" rule. Jennifer opens up about the challenge she faced while writing her latest book, How to Love Your Morning. On one hand, she was writing to productivity-loving morning people who wanted to level up their routines. On the other, she was reaching out to those who dread mornings and have convinced themselves they could never change. How do you write—and market—a book that speaks to both? What You'll Learn in This Episode Why Jennifer chose to acknowledge both audiences on the very first page of her book How to identify when your book genuinely serves two different reader groups The three-pronged social media strategy Jennifer uses to reach both audiences What a "negative carousel" is and how it connects with reluctant readers Why neutral content (like famous people's morning routines) attracts everyone How this strategy can apply to other book topics beyond morning routines Key Takeaways for Writers Jennifer's approach challenges the conventional wisdom that every book must have one narrowly defined reader. While she still narrowed her audience to women, she discovered that by being transparent about who she was writing to—and creating targeted marketing for each group—she could serve both audiences well. For writers struggling with the "who is this for?" question, this episode offers permission to think creatively about your audience while still being strategic in your marketing approach. Whether you're in the book proposal stage or knee-deep in promotion, Jennifer's insights will help you think differently about reaching the readers who need your message most.

    14 min
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About

Welcome to The Writing at the Red House Podcast where we gather at the table to break bread and tell tales with some of our favorite writers and speakers. Our heart is to equip and encourage men and women to be the communicators God has created them to be.

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