Authors Who Lead - Learn to write a book from bestselling authors and leaders

Memoir Writing Tips from Film and Television Executive Barbara Caver

Send us a textIn 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 journey06:15 Writing progress through collaboration06:56 Writing, reflection, and evolving stories12:17 Overcoming challenges to keep writing16:26 From idea to published book18:49 Second-generation language struggles22:51 Memoir and memory’s subjectivity23:46 Cinder Bottom: a fictional memoir27:13 Unintentional intimacy in writing33:05 Daily writing builds momentum35:00 Seeing and describing deeper37:32 Author updates and Substack contentFull show notesCOMMUNITY PROGRAMS📚 Write and Publish your bookCONNECT📷 Instagram🎬 TikTok👫🏻 Facebook💼 LinkedIn🐦‍⬛ Twitter🤝🏻 Apply to be a GuestLEAVE A REVIEW✍🏻 Review on Apple Podcasts✍️ Review on Spotify🖱️ Episode Webpage

Kathryn Henry: Why Clarity Comes Through Writing, Not Before It

Send us a textWhat 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 healing05:31 Unexpected endings and acceptance08:18 Rediscovering our true essence09:49 Forgiveness: a gift to yourself16:28 Memoir writing and reflection17:19 Intentional introspection and spirituality22:17 Honoring experiences amid challenges24:57 Living a life I love28:52 Peaceful passing and dime moments31:16 Audiobook out now: Katherine HenryFull show notesCOMMUNITY PROGRAMS📚 Write and Publish your bookCONNECT📷 Instagram🎬 TikTok👫🏻 Facebook💼 LinkedIn🐦‍⬛ Twitter🤝🏻 Apply to be a GuestLEAVE A REVIEW✍🏻 Review on Apple Podcasts✍️ Review on Spotify🖱️ Episode Webpage

How Writing a Book Transformed My Life | Azul Terronez

Send us a textIn 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 writing04:26 Rediscovering myself through podcasting08:10 Listening to students wisely11:30 Writing, purpose, and perseverance15:24 Your voice mattersFull show notesCOMMUNITY PROGRAMS📚 Write and Publish your bookCONNECT📷 Instagram🎬 TikTok👫🏻 Facebook💼 LinkedIn🐦‍⬛ Twitter🤝🏻 Apply to be a GuestLEAVE A REVIEW✍🏻 Review on Apple Podcasts✍️ Review on Spotify🖱️ Episode Webpage

Why Writing Your Book Feels Like a Battle with Julia Packwood

Send us a textJulia 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 teaches01:06 The writing battle: deadlines help, but it still feels hard03:04 Reframe: “This is how writing is,” and nothing is wrong with you04:53 Write outside the box, literally07:41 Transcribe later, create first09:11 Intuition vs “business advice” about the right audience14:12 Your expertise is your perspective, not your facts17:19 Nature-led play, and why parents need simplicity20:11 Let go of “chapters” and follow seasons25:14 AI hooks vs human presence28:31 Bold claims, fierce wonderings, and why outlines can trap you34:27 Count words, not time42:05 Feeling exposed, sharing the journey anyway44:51 The takeaway: resistance is the pathFull show notesCOMMUNITY PROGRAMS📚 Write and Publish your bookCONNECT📷 Instagram🎬 TikTok👫🏻 Facebook💼 LinkedIn🐦‍⬛ Twitter🤝🏻 Apply to be a GuestLEAVE A REVIEW✍🏻 Review on Apple Podcasts✍️ Review on Spotify🖱️ Episode Webpage

How to Build TEDx Talks That Actually Move People, with Alexia Vernon and Kaia Vernon-Oliveira

Send us a textIn this episode of the Authors Who Lead podcast, I talk with a mother–daughter duo who live and breathe this work: Alexia Vernon, a communication and leadership expert, and Kaia Vernon-Oliveira, a Davidson Young Scholar, actor, and TEDx speaker whose talk, “The Myth of the Gifted Girl,” is already inspiring people far beyond her age.Together, we unpack what makes a TEDx talk powerful, how to know if your idea is ready, and why this matters so much for authors.Timestamp:00:00 – Intro00:40 – Meet Alexia & Kaia01:35 – Why TEDx is valuable03:00 – How TEDx selection works06:40 – Kaia’s TEDx topic08:00 – Preparing as a young speaker11:30 – Simple structure for a strong talk13:00 – Common mistakes speakers make17:10 – How to truly connect with an audience24:30 – About the Soul Stirring speaker event30:50 – Final advice from Alexia & Kaia33:00 – ClosingFull show notesCOMMUNITY PROGRAMS📚 Write and Publish your bookCONNECT📷 Instagram🎬 TikTok👫🏻 Facebook💼 LinkedIn🐦‍⬛ Twitter🤝🏻 Apply to be a GuestLEAVE A REVIEW✍🏻 Review on Apple Podcasts✍️ Review on Spotify🖱️ Episode Webpage