The Selfish Gift - Go public with your purpose Maggie Langrick

CW: drug use, abuse, and assault

So many of us are moved to write books or create other works of art because of a traumatic life experience that we've suffered through. But when those experiences also carry a stigma, it can be tough to navigate the feelings of shame, self-protection, and privacy issues that come up. How do you free yourself to share your story when you're worried that it might affect your reputation or your career? My guest today knows all about it, and she's here to share her insights.

Mary Beth O'Connor is an addiction recovery advocate who's been clean and sober for nearly 30 years. But in her teens and young adulthood, Mary Beth was addicted to methamphetamines, shooting up daily for years. It nearly destroyed her life. Yet after getting clean, she put herself through law school, became a lawyer, and eventually a federal judge. She chronicles her journey and offers hope to others seeking to break free from addiction and level up their lives in her memoir, From Junkie to Judge: One Woman's Triumph Over Trauma and Addiction.

In this episode, you'll learn:
How writing the book helped restore her self-confidence and self-compassion.How she transformed herself from just a legal writer with no experience in creative writing into an award-winning author. (Hint: Lots of reading, writing classes, and workshop groups were involved!)What her process of getting an agent and publishing deal was like.How she handles criticism from the public.The doors that writing a book can open for you—from media appearances to speaking engagements at conferences and events.For more, check out:
junkietojudge.com
maggielangrick.com
wonderwell.press

And follow:
twitter.com/MaryBethO_
instagram.com/maggielangrick
instagram.com/wonderwellpress
instagram.com/selfishgiftpodcast

This episode is a no-holds-barred, myth-busting conversation with an incredibly smart and successful publishing professional. Richelle Fredson is a book coach, a publishing consultant, and the host of the Bound + Determined podcast. She's been in the industry for close to 20 years, formerly the director of publicity and book marketing for Hay House, and then part of their book acquisitions team. 
Richelle may not use this moniker to describe herself, but many people call her "the six-figure book coach"—and for good reason. She now runs her own business supporting authors in the proposal and book development process, frequently landing them placements with influential agents and Big Five publishers. Today, we're going to scrape all of her best knowledge to expose the blind spots and correct misperceptions that most first-time authors have when starting their publishing journey.

In this episode, you'll learn:
How to make smart publishing decisions and navigate the sea of conflicting advice on the internet.How to decide which publishing path is best for you: self-publishing, hybrid, or traditional. (Hint: Whether or not you want to be in bookstores plays a big part in it.)Why putting the work into a professionally developed book plan/proposal is key—even if you’re self-publishing.What is important and what is not in terms of author platform—size, composition, etc.What a first-time author can reasonably expect, in terms of bestseller lists, advances, and royalties.For more, check out:
richellefredson.com
maggielangrick.com
wonderwell.press
And follow:
instagram.com/richellefredson
instagram.com/maggielangrick
instagram.com/wonderwellpress
instagram.com/selfishgiftpodcast

This episode is a JUICY one—and not just because we're talking about sex! If you want a deeper, more intimate connection with your partner, you should listen to it. If you've been concerned about the rise of anti-feminist spokesmen like Andrew Tate, you should listen to it. And if you want to write a non-fiction book that heals something in our culture—particularly if you're a therapist—you should DEFINITELY listen to it.

Dr. Eric Fitzmedrud is a therapist specializing in relationship and sexual issues, specifically in helping men improve their sex lives by learning to regulate their emotions, removing sexual entitlement, and honing their sexual consent and negotiation skills. Eric is a speaker, a trainer of other therapists, and a teacher of graduate courses in psychology. His book is The Better Man: A Guide to Consent, Stronger Relationships, and Hotter Sex, a compassionate and practical approach to a topic that is courageous and challenging. In this episode, you'll learn:
Why consent isn’t just about fear and safety—about not making harmful mistakes with your partner. It's also the key to some of our greatest pleasures.How the narrow confines of traditional masculinity are harming men and their relationships with others.How patriarchy and capitalism contribute to a sense of entitlement in men—even those who identify as feminists.How Eric overcame his fear of writing the book—how he navigated processing his own errors around consent to honor those he has hurt in the past, and the rigorous vetting process he used to make sure they were okay with their stories being included.His take on book promotion and being a public figure—and how being on social media and doing podcast interviews has made him more confident in his message.For more, check out:
drericfitz.com
maggielangrick.com
wonderwell.press
And follow:
instagram.com/drericfitz
instagram.com/maggielangrick
instagram.com/wonderwellpress
instagram.com/selfishgiftpodcast

If you are struggling with your to-do list and wondering how you'll ever reach the big goals that matter most to you, whether that's writing a book or starting a business, you are going to love learning from today's guest. Tina Wells is a powerhouse who has been featured everywhere from Fast Company to O, the Oprah Magazine. An entrepreneur since the age of 16, she is now a business strategist, speaker, CEO of Relevant Media, and founder of WNDR LN, a chic collection of travel products sold by Target. She's also the author of 20 (going on 21!) books, including a couple of tween fiction series and most recently, The Elevation Approach: Harness the Power of Work-Life Harmony to Unlock Your Creativity, Cultivate Joy, and Reach Your Biggest Goals. 
With all those accomplishments under her belt, you'd think Tina was a workaholic who never slept, but guess what? She's not. The key to her success is the same "Elevation Approach" she teaches her clients, students, and readers—a four-part system for building a life that isn't just balanced with work, but in harmony with it. In this episode, you'll learn:
How to achieve not just work-life balance, but work-life harmony. Hint: It's not just about adding more of either to balance the scales; it's about participating in a process and not just allowing things to happen to you.How the 4 phases of the Elevation Approach are the keys to doing everything you want to do: preparation, inspiration, recreation, and transformation.Why inclusion and representation are so important in storytelling.Why being honest about what you don’t know is actually a crucial strength that enhances your ability to grow.Why discipline is necessary for creativity to flourish.For more, check out:
tinawells.com
maggielangrick.com
wonderwell.press
And follow:
instagram.com/tinawells
instagram.com/maggielangrick
instagram.com/wonderwellpress
instagram.com/selfishgiftpodcast

If you yearn to do something big with your life, but you're feeling held back by your circumstances or your background, this episode is for you. Guess what? You are not defined by your struggles or your trauma, and your career path doesn't need to be defined by those things, either. Your inner child is already whispering the desires of your heart. You just need the motivation to pursue them.

This week's guest is a master at shifting her clients' mindsets, getting them in touch with their inner child, and motivating them to build the successful, fulfilling, abundant lives of their dreams. Allyson Byrd is a renowned speaker, trainer, money minister, and voice alchemist who helps entrepreneurs step into their highest expression. This conversation is going to give every listener great sensations of possibility, joy, and a deep sense of being understood. You'll learn:
Why prioritizing your needs and dreams is NOT selfish.How Allyson's "Spotlight Energetics" methodology can help you live in alignment with your purpose—the spotlight you were born for.How to expand your current mindset and then channel it into transforming your career and your life.How to make a living with your story.How to live a life of abundance while honoring your roots.For more, check out:
allysonbyrd.com
maggielangrick.com
wonderwell.press
And follow:
instagram.com/iamallysonbyrd
instagram.com/maggielangrick
instagram.com/wonderwellpress
instagram.com/selfishgiftpodcast

If you feel called to do good in the world but you aren't sure what that "good" should look like, or if you yearn for a career that aligns with your purpose but struggle with the idea of pairing business with matters of the soul, you're going to want to listen to this week's legendary guest—one of the leading lights of the spirituality and human potential movement, as well as a multimedia trailblazer. 
Tami Simon is the founder of Sounds True, one of the preeminent publishing houses in the new thought spirituality world. She is also a public figure and thought leader in her own right. Tami hosts the very popular podcast, Insights at the Edge, which features conversations with spiritual leaders and visionaries, and has been downloaded more than 15 million times. Tami has also curated and edited several multi-author books, including The Self-Acceptance Project, with contributions from some of the world's most revered spiritual leaders.
In this episode, you'll learn:
What it means to be a spiritual entrepreneur. (Spirituality and business are not mutually exclusive!)How Tami went from being a college drop-out to founding one of the most respected spiritual publishing houses. How to balance rational thought with a sincere openness to divine guidance on the journey to discovering your purpose—and finding the courage to leap into the unknown.How to achieve the optimal level of challenge and stay in your "growth zone."Why relationships and connectivity are the best routes to new business ideas and partnerships.For more, check out:
The Inner MBA: innermba.soundstrue.com
soundstrue.com
maggielangrick.com
wonderwell.press
And follow:
instagram.com/soundstrue
instagram.com/maggielangrick
instagram.com/wonderwellpress
instagram.com/selfishgiftpodcast