Recs and Resources!

I talk endlessly about staying focused, listening to your gut, and blocking out distractions.

There is SO much information in the world and it can be difficult to determine who you should listen to, what you should focus on, and what information is good information.

So, this month I’m checking in about podcast resources you might find helpful, depending on where you are in your author journey. Plus, why I listen to them (or at least recommend that you do).

To be clear, I’ve listened to a LOT of podcasts over the years. I still subscribe to about eight of them, but I’ve learned to listen selectively. I don’t fit them all in every week (though I used to try). My time is precious and if the episodes don’t serve me, I don’t listen. And that’s okay! It’s like a book you feel you have to finish, even if you’re not enjoying it. YOUR TIME IS PRECIOUS. You can and should be selective.

Here are a few things to consider if you get sucked into the “rabbit hole” of podcasts:

1.     PODCASTS ARE FREE. Don’t let apps trick you into buying a plan. You can listen to all of these podcasts for free on MANY platforms, including Castbox (what I use), Audible, Google, Spotify, etc. There are so many!

2.     It’s okay to skip the episodes that don’t serve you.

3.     If you don’t have time to listen, save them for later. They will be there when you’re ready.

4.     If you don’t like it, unsubscribe. Seriously. There’s a weird guilt that accompanies signing up for things sometimes. Don’t let the notifications clog up your app and make you anxious because you have “unread” episodes.

Ok, now it’s time for my top three podcast recs…

But first – I have not listened to every book and author/publishing related podcast there is. I’m not saying there aren’t great ones out there, but of the many I have listened to, these are the ones that have served me best. And no, I am not getting any kickback or payment from these folks. I find them helpful in my weekly listening rotation. Here’s why…

PUBLISHING + MARKETING: Publish and Prosper with Matt Briel and Lauren Vassallo

This is a great podcast for newbie authors because they discuss a lot of foundation building for your author business, like email marketing and selling direct. They are also my favorite to listen to. Their banter cracks me up.

INDUSTRY NEWS + UPDATES: Sell More Books Show with Bryan Cohen

This podcast takes key industry beats for the week and breaks them down. It’s like listening to the news but book related. They are short episodes (about 30 minutes). As of 2025, Bryan has rotating co-hosts offering their perspectives on what’s going on, which can be helpful.

AUTHOR LESSONS + REFLECTIONS: Wish I’d Known Then…For Writers

This podcast invites a new author each week to chat about their success and the lessons they’ve learned along the way. It doesn’t hurt to learn from other author mistakes to help you save time building your business.