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In 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 – Intro
00:40 – Meet Alexia & Kaia
01:35 – Why TEDx is valuable
03:00 – How TEDx selection works
06:40 – Kaia’s TEDx topic
08:00 – Preparing as a young speaker
11:30 – Simple structure for a strong talk
13:00 – Common mistakes speakers make
17:10 – How to truly connect with an audience
24:30 – About the Soul Stirring speaker event
30:50 – Final advice from Alexia & Kaia
33:00 – Closing

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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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Writing a book isn’t just about putting words on a page — it’s about letting others help you shape your message into its most powerful form. Azul Terronez explains the stages of editing, how to find the right editor, and how collaboration turns a manuscript into a masterpiece.

Timestamp:

00:00 Introduction and editing insights
04:02 Editing voice, tone, and flow
07:46 Choosing editors: curated platforms
09:48 Writing with an editor

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In this episode of the Authors Who Lead podcast, I welcome Dr. Shannon Irvine, an accomplished neuropsychologist, entrepreneur, and founder of the SINC Neurocoach Models.

This riveting conversation peels back the curtain on Dr. Shannon’s journey from idea gestation to book launch, giving us an inside look at the neuroscience-driven method she shares in her new book, The 67-Day Year. Her work blends scientific rigor with practical wisdom and timeless principles, helping anyone—from new moms to high-powered CEOs—unlock levels of achievement they once thought impossible.

Timestamp:

00:00 Sharing life-changing tools broadly
04:48 Breaking through entrepreneurial barriers
07:00 Neuroscience boosts results effectively
10:37 Mastering change in 67 days
15:25 Aligning your brain for goals
18:29 Overcoming fear to create
21:44 Azul’s vision and goal evolution
25:40 Embracing your writing style
30:02 The call to share wisdom
31:20 Flip fear, share wisdom

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Writing a book is a dream for many, but not every idea deserves 200 pages. In this solo episode of Authors Who Lead, I unpack one of the most common questions I hear from aspiring authors: How do I know if my idea is big enough for a book—or if it’s better off as a blog post, podcast, or talk?

This question matters more than people realize. Books take time, energy, and long-term commitment. So before you dive in, let’s figure out what really makes a book-worthy idea—and how to avoid common pitfalls that keep writers stuck or stalled.

Timestamp:

00:00 Determining if your idea’s a book
05:49 Books: tools for transformation
07:26 Blog posts aren’t books
10:32 Beyond tips: broadening book appeal
16:01 Evaluating your book’s purpose
16:57 Five-day writing challenge

Full show notes

COMMUNITY PROGRAMS
📚 Write and Publish your book

CONNECT
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