Beautiful Writers Podcast

Rhonda Byrne & Kelly Noonan Gores: Their top secrets for birthing global bestsellers

The magical duo of Rhonda Byrne & Kelly Noonan Gores are rounding out a bucket list week here at the Beautiful Writers Podcast. After years of dreaming, writing, podcasting, and, more recently, recording my latest book, the audiobook for Beautiful Writers: A Journey of Big Dreams & Messy Manuscripts—with Tricks of the Trade from Bestselling Authors (aka the guests of this show!) pubbed just before posting this episode.  When I thought about who, among all the writers in the world, I wanted to share the momentous occasion of my audiobook birthday with, the answer was crystal clear. Kelly is not just a dear friend but also someone whose life and career have been profoundly shaped by Rhonda's work, starting with The Secret film that captivated the world in 2006. As you'll hear, I don't think I'd have ever seen my name on the New York Times bestseller's list (in 2008) without Rhonda's influence, so I had a strong feeling this conversation would be particularly intimate, spiritual, and delightful, which is precisely how it turned out. I hope you feel it, too. Not to mention, Ms. Byrne's writing and publishing stories are mind-blowingly fun, and her FAITH (ALL CAPS) in the Universe is contagious—yes, please. Rhonda's energy feels so pure to me, even angelic, which helps me better understand why she's so beloved and why The Secret has been published in fifty languages and is one of the most successful books of this century. (On the comments on Amazon, for example, I found 33,930 5-star reviews, with a stream of testimonials from readers reporting emotional, life-changing miracles.) With beautiful Kelly, the creator of the hit documentary and book HEAL, by my side, I feel surrounded by love and the highest vibrations, like the luckiest girl at the party. Their work has inspired many millions worldwide, and I hope it inspires you too.Thank you for dreaming your dreams right along with us. Write on!Linda xo

Solo Pod: My published books woke me up at 3 am with intel they wanted us to know . . .

"What happens when your dream comes true after years of work? What happens when that dream twists into what feels like a career-killing nightmare?In this episode, I'm telling the truth like never before—solo, my first in nine years—and it's the most real, vulnerable, and perhaps ill-advised show I've ever done.Catch it quick before my Vulnerability Hangover kicks in, and I decide to take it down . . .Putting these thoughts together for you has felt like writing an entire book. Think of this episode as the short audiobook version of my imaginary title on how not to lose your mind publishing.Book Mama, over and out. I love you, my book family. Doin' the hard work so you don't have to—or something like that.Write On!Linda xo

Dr. Jody Carrington: Self-Pub Superstars, Part 2

I can't with this soulmate client. I'm pressed for words to share how much I love this woman, author, and communicator. I promise you've never met anyone like Dr. Jody Carrington. I call her Canada's Brené Brown (mixed with some Jerry Seinfeld), so that's close. But, well. Just see for yourself.When I met Jody at one of my Carmel retreats at the start of her writing career, it only took two minutes to know that I was sitting with a superstar. I'd never before encouraged someone to forgo traditional publishing and run straight into self-publishing, but that was the vibe. Within months, Jody had sold so many pre-orders for Kids These Days: A Game Plan for (Re)Connecting with Those We Teach, Lead, & Love that she funded her first two printings. A quarter of a million books later and a second in the series (Teachers These Days: Stories and Strategies for Reconnection), Jody was approached by a top-five publisher for her latest book, Feeling Seen: Reconnecting in a Disconnected World.Jody is a mama, a wife, a speaker, and a connector. She's a first responder, the rare psychologist who cherishes going into schools AFTER a school shooting to soothe hearts and minds. Her capacity for caring for her people (and other people's people) is unending. Plus, she has the most delightful potty mouth while simultaneously making you laugh and cry. I could write my own book on her countless accomplishments and benefits, and I will. I want to get this posted now before a day of appointments. But for now, I'll close by saying that if you want to write, speak, and touch the masses, you couldn't be in better hands. Welcome.  

Hal Elrod: Self-Pub Superstars, Part 1 of 2

Ever feel like you need a miracle to realize your big dreams? Let me introduce you to my miraculous client and friend Hal Elrod, author of The Miracle Morning: The Not So Obvious Secret Guaranteed to Transform Your Life Before 8 AM. With over 3.5 million books sold, you'd think he'd have started with a top-five publisher. Instead, he launched a worldwide movement (the book series, a daily app, and a documentary featuring some of your heroes) on his own, self-publishing after his first two agent rejections! Say what? I'd just gotten started sending him out! But thankfully, Hal followed his instincts.It's been a show highlight for me to cover the topic of self-publishing—something I haven't yet done here. Stay tuned if you've ever thought you couldn't make a fortune being your own publisher. Hal (and Dr. Jody Carrington, the author in the second episode) have wildly exceeded anything I thought possible without a traditional publisher's support, earning millions of dollars and more importantly, having a massive impact. As you're about to hear, Hal has repeatedly stared death in the face, overcoming nearly insurmountable tragedy. But you wouldn't know it by his attitude or his gratitude. Luckily, his miraculous mindset is fast, fabulous, and, in many ways, foolproof. Welcome.

Jenny Lawson & Laura Belgray, TMI Queens: The Art of the Overshare

It's open books all the way with these two TMI queens and their no-holds-barred, hilarious ways. They're the perfect duo to break my 6-month hiatus from the show. What a hoot to be back with three-time New York Times best-selling memoirist Jenny Lawson (Broken, Furiously Happy, and Let's Pretend This Never Happened) and her blogtastic comedic twin, Laura Belgray, joining us here while on book tour for her debut memoir, the national bestseller, Tough Titties: On Living Your Best Life when You're the F-ing Worst.Y'all, this one's a mood booster! And a total love match, as you'll see. If you're in the mood to laugh and shake off the funk from your Doomscrolling, this is the show for you.This may be Laura's first book, but she's one of the most successful career writers I know, starting in TV writing for NBC, HBO, USA, Nick at Night, Nickelodeon, TV Land, VH1, and others. Let's just say the girl gets around. Her blog and newsletters at Talking Shrimp are wildly popular (addictive!), as are her programs, like Inbox Hero and The Copy Cure, Laura's creation with Marie Forleo.Join us as we dig into wisdom on crafting headlines, run-on sentences that hypnotize, avoiding husbands as beta readers, and how having children is like living with an undercover agent tapping all your phones. We also dish on hiding during Zoom calls, editing drunk, getting mailed boxes of dildos in the mail (like you do), blowjobs Laura gave in the early 90s, titties that grow back after reduction surgery, and the ghost living under Jenny's house.I'm so happy you're here. Welcome.