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In this episode of Authors Who Lead, I sit down with Samantha Sweetwater to discuss how her book True Human: Reimagining Ourselves at the End of Our World evolved from scattered ideas into a cohesive manuscript through patience, humility, and honesty.

We explore what it means to write during a time of ecological, technological, and cultural transformation—and why authorship requires more than inspiration. Samantha shares the four-year journey of shaping her ideas, letting go of what didn’t belong, and allowing the book to mature into its final form.

Timestamp:

00:00 Reimagining humanity in the Anthropocene
04:10 Writing to reveal oneself
08:56 Guide to radical civilizational transition
10:13 Responses to the personal transformation chapter
13:24 Navigating a transcontextual crisis
16:34 Patience nurtures ideas into form
20:49 Why this book resonates
24:56 AI cover art collaboration
29:09 Authors’ long-term success plan
32:35 Regenerative devotion and resilience
35:01 Books thrive through community
38:03 True Human: the author journey

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If you’re waiting for a surge of confidence before you start writing your book, you’re not alone. I’ve spent years hosting the Authors Who Lead Podcast, talking with authors at every stage of the journey, and one belief comes up again and again: “I just need a little more confidence before I begin.”

Here’s the truth I’ve learned—confidence rarely shows up first. Action does. And waiting for confidence is often the very thing keeping us stuck.

Timestamp:

00:00 Confidence comes through action
05:14 Embracing change and self-expression
08:13 Take action, publish your book
10:47 Purpose drives creation

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In this episode, I sit down with Barbara Caver, a film and television production executive, passionate traveler, and first-time memoirist. Her debut memoir, A Little Piece of Cuba, weaves together Cuban heritage, family memory, and a life-changing trip in a way that resonates far beyond cultural boundaries.

In our conversation, Barbara and I talk openly about the creative process, emotional roadblocks, and how lived experience slowly becomes a finished book. What emerged is a powerful reminder for aspiring authors: memoir isn’t about recording everything that happened — it’s about listening to what memory insists on telling.

Timestamp:

00:00 Cuban heritage memoir journey
06:15 Writing progress through collaboration
06:56 Writing, reflection, and evolving stories
12:17 Overcoming challenges to keep writing
16:26 From idea to published book
18:49 Second-generation language struggles
22:51 Memoir and memory’s subjectivity
23:46 Cinder Bottom: a fictional memoir
27:13 Unintentional intimacy in writing
33:05 Daily writing builds momentum
35:00 Seeing and describing deeper
37:32 Author updates and Substack content

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What if grief wasn’t something to get over, but something that could teach us how to live?

In this deeply moving conversation, Azul Terronez sits down with executive, speaker, and author Kathryn Henry to discuss her memoir, A Dime to Say I Love You. After losing her wife Lisa following a decade-long battle with cancer, Kathryn began writing not just to remember, but to heal, to listen, and to live more fully.

This is a conversation about love, non-attachment, forgiveness, and what happens when writing becomes a spiritual practice. It’s also about trusting the story that wants to be written and letting it change you in the process.

Timestamp:

00:00 Lessons through loss and healing
05:31 Unexpected endings and acceptance
08:18 Rediscovering our true essence
09:49 Forgiveness: a gift to yourself
16:28 Memoir writing and reflection
17:19 Intentional introspection and spirituality
22:17 Honoring experiences amid challenges
24:57 Living a life I love
28:52 Peaceful passing and dime moments
31:16 Audiobook out now: Katherine Henry

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In this episode of Authors Who Lead, I return with a heartfelt update and an honest call to action for anyone dreaming of writing a book. This episode isn’t just an update—it’s a raw exploration of why telling your story truly matters, how the writing process can change your life, and what to do when self-doubt creeps in. 

I’m reminded again that the journey to authorship is about much more than putting words on a page. It’s about finding your truth and having the courage to share it with the world.

Timestamp:

00:00 Behind the scenes of writing
04:26 Rediscovering myself through podcasting
08:10 Listening to students wisely
11:30 Writing, purpose, and perseverance
15:24 Your voice matters

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Julia Packwood has the idea. She feels the call. She even has deadlines and bylines. Yet when she sits down to write, it feels like a battle.

In this episode, Azul reframes that struggle: the hard feeling is not a problem to be fixed, but rather a rite of passage. Then the conversation turns practical, moving the writing practice out of the office and into nature, separating drafting from editing, and measuring progress by words, not time.

A warm, honest episode for anyone trying to write a book while raising kids, building a business, or living a full life.

Timestamps:
00:00 Who Julia is and what she teaches
01:06 The writing battle: deadlines help, but it still feels hard
03:04 Reframe: “This is how writing is,” and nothing is wrong with you
04:53 Write outside the box, literally
07:41 Transcribe later, create first
09:11 Intuition vs “business advice” about the right audience
14:12 Your expertise is your perspective, not your facts
17:19 Nature-led play, and why parents need simplicity
20:11 Let go of “chapters” and follow seasons
25:14 AI hooks vs human presence
28:31 Bold claims, fierce wonderings, and why outlines can trap you
34:27 Count words, not time
42:05 Feeling exposed, sharing the journey anyway
44:51 The takeaway: resistance is the path

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What does it really take to deliver a TEDx talk that resonates? In this episode of Authors Who Lead, communication expert Alexia Vernon and TEDx speaker Kaia Vernon-Oliveira share what authors need to know about developing a powerful big idea, connecting with an audience, and building speaking confidence that opens doors.

Timestamp:

00:00 Introduction to Alexia Vernon and Kaia Vernon-Oliveira
01:11 What has changed in the TEDx landscape
03:45 Why authors should build speaking experience before TEDx
05:13 What event organizers really look for in speakers
06:40 Kaia’s TEDx journey and choosing her topic
08:46 Why passion matters more than fear
10:28 Structuring a talk for impact
15:22 Common mistakes speakers make
18:12 How to connect with an audience on stage
23:40 Practical techniques for presence and eye contact
25:27 Soul Stirring event overview
30:51 Final advice for aspiring speakers

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After eight years of hosting Authors Who Lead, Azul finally sits down again with the man who inspired the show from the very beginning: Dr. Gay Hendricks, author of The Big Leap, Conscious Loving, and his new memoir, Loving Life.

In this intimate, spiritually rich conversation, Gay shares the stories behind his memoir, the pivotal moment on the ice that changed everything, the quiet teachers in his family (including his Aunt Kat), and how suffering can open the doorway to your genius. This is more than an interview—it’s an invitation to remember who you really are.

Timestamp:

00:00 – Welcome & intro
00:32 – Why the podcast began
01:07 – Introducing Dr. Gay Hendricks
02:33 – Why he wrote a memoir
05:06 – Spiritual moments that shaped him
09:27 – Seeking answers at a young age
14:43 – Understanding your zone of genius
19:10 – Aunt Kat’s influence
26:29 – Life stages & growth
30:17 – The moment that changed everything
35:26 – Why Loving Life is transformative

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You’re a coach, entrepreneur, or leader with a powerful message. You know a book would expand your influence, elevate your authority, and open doors. So why does it still feel impossible to start?

In this solo episode, Azul breaks down why brilliant, experienced leaders get stuck — and why your book is not a side project. You’ll learn the exact mindset shift needed to overcome overwhelm, silence self-doubt, and take the first real step toward becoming a published authority.

If you've been “waiting for the right time” to start, this is the episode that will move you into action.

Timestamp:

00:00 — Why your book idea matters more than you think
01:40 — The real reason coaches and creatives feel stuck
03:25 — Introducing the private podcast: Born to Write, Scared to Start
05:00 — How writing your book builds authority and impact
06:52 — A gift to help you take the first step
08:16 — Final encouragement + holiday wishes

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Novelist Carla Malden joins Azul to discuss her latest book, Playback—a nostalgic, time-traveling story about reconciling past ideals with present reality. They explore the character of Mari Caldwell, Carla’s cinematic writing style, and the emotional process of co-authoring a memoir with her father, Oscar-winning actor Karl Malden.

Timestamp:

0:00 — Introducing Carla Malden and Playback
3:10 — The nostalgia and time travel behind Mari Caldwell’s story
8:00 — Writing a novel that stands alone but continues a character’s arc
10:33 — The influence of Carla’s screenwriting background
15:00 — Co-writing a memoir with her father, Karl Malden
20:26 — Writing process and lessons from crafting multiple genres
24:14 — Plotter vs. pantser: How Carla approaches storytelling
27:44 — Shifting trends in Hollywood and timeless storytelling
30:04 — Advice for authors struggling with doubt or imposter syndrome
34:00 — What’s next for Carla

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In a world where everything online disappears in 24 hours, why are books still the thing we remember? I recently sat down with Rob Walling — a serial entrepreneur who has started six companies, bootstrapped five of them, and written multiple bestselling books, including Start Small, Stay Small and The SaaS Playbook.

What struck me most in our conversation wasn’t just his track record. It was how deeply he believes in books as a creative act and a lasting force in a noisy world.

Timestamp:

00:00 – Why Rob felt familiar before we even met
01:26 – Why books still matter in a world of social media
02:57 – How Start Small, Stay Small quietly became a classic
04:06 – Being “first to the niche” and serving developers-turned-founders
05:06 – Validating a book idea with a landing page and real emails
07:29 – Is SaaS creative? How Rob channels his creativity into business and books
11:13 – Why I started my podcast to interview Gay Hendricks
17:45 – Modeling creativity and entrepreneurship for our kids
20:11 – Rob’s take on AI, startups, and the future of content
34:22 – The lasting power of books vs. content
40:07 – The books that changed Rob’s life
47:11 – What his next book will cover and why it matters

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