Best Creativewriting Podcasts (2025)

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ANNOUNCEMENT: A CREATIVE ADVENTURE FOR JANUARY 1:33

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43m ago1:33

1:33

Listen up troublemakers! From January 12th you're invited to join us for a refreshing, rejuvenating CREATIVE COURSE. Six weeks of prompts, activities and ideas designed to kickstart your practice for 2026. Episodes will drop every Monday as usual, but rather than an interview with an esteemed guest (we'll get back to that in season 3), you'll recei…

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Ep 52 Part 3: God's Purposes and The Invention of Lying 19:08

4h ago19:08

19:08

In this final part of our discussion on The Invention of Lying, we explore how Scripture addresses the complexity of truth and deception. We reflect on the story of Shiphrah and Puah in Exodus 1, where the Hebrew midwives lied to Pharaoh to save innocent lives and were blessed by God for their fear of Him. We wrestle with the difference between sel…

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Ep 52 Part 2: Is Storytelling... Lying? 34:45

4h ago34:45

34:45

In this episode, we explore how The Invention of Lying sparks meaningful conversations about honesty, kindness, and faith. We discuss why the film is generous to atheists and how it can open doors for evangelistic conversations with teens and families. We wrestle with the difference between storytelling and lying, considering whether parables or fi…

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Ep 52 Part 1: The Cost of Honesty in The Invention of Lying 28:13

5h ago28:13

28:13

In part one of our discussion on The Invention of Lying, we take a look at Ricky Gervais's satirical world where no one has ever lied until Mark Bellison discovers how. We walk through Mark's journey from a failing screenwriter to the accidental prophet of the "Man in the Sky," exploring how his lies bring both comfort and chaos. We reflect on the …

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SPA Girls Podcast - EP528 - Effortless Dictation with Sarah Elisabeth Sawyer 1:06:50

3d ago1:06:50

1:06:50

We're delighted to welcome Sarah Elisabeth Sawyer, historical fiction author and writing instructor. We're diving into how dictation can totally transform the way you write: think faster drafts, more creative flow, and less stress on your body. Sarah has written 13 books solely by speaking words into her smartphone. Once she switched from typing he…

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Answering YOUR questions with Grace Petrie and Molly Naylor 1:00:50

36m ago1:00:50

1:00:50

In this season 2 finale, Molly is joined by Grace Petrie to answer your questions and respond to your creative dilemmas. Thanks for listening to this season of Making Trouble! We'll be back in 2026 with more trouble, more fabulous guests and more bath snacks. Until then, happy making! Join Molly's mailing list to be kept up to date with her creativ…

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Season 3, Episode 4: Awesome Big Sisters 17:12

4h ago17:12

17:12

In this episode of Season 3 of SPEAK, Debbie and fin speak to Anna Coulombe about her life, stories and her artwork.

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SPA Girls Podcast - EP527 - Interview with Lucy Lennox, Writing MM Romance (Classic Replay) 1:07:50

3h ago1:07:50

1:07:50

This is a fabulous classic replay of our interview with USA Today Bestseller, Lucy Lennox. Lucy saw extraordinary success straight out the gate, from when she first published her MM romance, Borrowing Blue, in November 2016. In fact, by her second month of publishing, Lucy was earning five figures per month! Since then, Lucy's books have soared the…

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The Trouble with Saying No, featuring Kate Stables (This Is The Kit) 53:51

15d ago53:51

53:51

Musician Kate Stables (This Is The Kit) joins Molly for a chat about saying no. Why it's hard to do in the moment, how to get better at it, what happens when we don't do it, and why we need to say yes to ourselves. Check out the music video for Bashed Out, which featured on Sex Education and Pretty Little Liars. This Is The Kit's website: https://t…

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Bonus: Writing Lessons from Gotham's Underworld (Companion to Ep. 278) 5:41

11h ago5:41

5:41

In this special bonus episode, we return to the shadowy corners of Gotham to unpack The Penguin — the gritty, character-driven follow-up to The Batman. Colin Farrell's Oswald Cobblepot is a study in power, loyalty, and moral decay — and in this breakdown, I explore five key writing lessons from the series: · How ambition reshapes identity · How set…

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SPA Girls Podcast - EP526 - Interview with Stacia Stark, Amazon #1 Bestselling Romantasy Author 57:16

14d ago57:16

57:16

In just a few years, Stacia Stark gone from unknown new pen name to Amazon #1 Bestselling Author of Romantasy. She has also signed a major trad deal with Avon with her trad debut coming out in December 2025. Stacia is an inspiring guest who breaks down exactly how she approaches hybrid publishing, writing romantasy and meeting spice/story/trope exp…

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125 | An early Christmas present - what we've read in 2025 1:12:36

13d ago1:12:36

1:12:36

It's that time of year again! (Well, almost … it's actually a bit early.) Collected here is a varied selection of 2025's 'What Are You Reading' book recommendations, nice and early so you can get your Christmas shopping started sooner rather than later! Books and authors discussed in this episode: From ep. 110 Translations by Jumaana Abdu (Michelle…

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Flawed Female Leads with guest Heather Snodgrass (Ep204) 56:37

21d ago56:37

56:37

Flawed Female Leads with guest Heather Snodgrass PATREON: Thank you to our existing patrons for believing in our work offline and here in the podcast. Become a patron of the arts at Patreon.com/valerieihsan for books, writing instruction, coaching, and planning. Also, the Planner Plays and Monthly Reflections are always free for all members on my P…

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Be Alert and Sober Minded 41:30

16d ago41:30

41:30

November 9, 2025 This sermon on the first of two beasts in Revelation 13 addresses what it means to trust God's faithfulness in tough times and the reality of hardship. Dan Kent contrasts this with a sanitized God, who, many assume, cannot deal with the world's evil or the spiritual warfare that is being waged. More Resources: https://whchurch.org/…

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The Trouble with Time, featuring Ian McMillan 1:05:54

22d ago1:05:54

1:05:54

It's the bard of Barnsley himself, Mr. Ian McMillan! Ian is a poet and broadcaster. He presents The Verb on BBC R3 and has been a regular on BBC Breakfast, Coast, Pick of the Week, You & Yours, Last Word and The Arts Show. He’s been a castaway on Desert Island Discs! Ian joins Molly for a chat about Time. How do we find more? How do we use it wisel…

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EP 51 Part 3: Patience and Faith in The Pale Blue Eye 20:52

16d ago20:52

20:52

In this final part of our discussion on The Pale Blue Eye, we dive into the theological dimension of the film and connect its themes to Scripture. We explore how verses like Psalm 51:10, Luke 6:45, and Numbers 22 challenge us to examine the heart and avoid the arrogance of thinking we can manipulate God. We reflect on how characters like Landoor an…

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Ep 51 Part 2: What The Pale Blue Eye Sees in Us 27:32

22d ago27:32

27:32

In this part of our episode on The Pale Blue Eye, we explore who the film is really for and challenge ourselves to rethink its deeper messages. We talk about why it's not a movie for kids and the caution needed around its heavy themes like ritual imagery, sexual assault, suicide, and grief. In our Rethink section, we wrestle with the movie's "Jesus…

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Ep 51 Part 1: Misapplied Love in The Pale Blue Eye 23:45

17d ago23:45

23:45

We kick off our spooky season discussion with The Pale Blue Eye by diving into its dark mystery and emotional core. We follow retired detective Augustus Landoor as he investigates a cadet's gruesome death at West Point alongside the eccentric E.A. Poe. As the plot unfolds, we uncover the Marquise family's desperate black magic rituals and Landoor's…

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SPA Girls Podcast - EP525 - Interview with Honey Phillips (Classic Replay) 51:37

24d ago51:37

51:37

This is a classic replay of a very popular episode with USA Today Bestseller, Honey Phillips. Honey joined us in the SPA to talk about Science Fiction Romance – what it is, what are readers looking for, how she got started writing in it, and everything in between. Sci-Fi Romance is a distant cousin to Monster Romance (see episode 368 with Lillian L…

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#293 – Writing Lessons from Off-Broadway: The Other Americans, NYC Mayoral General Election Pick and GOATs Doing GOAT $hit 48:09

30d ago48:09

48:09

Welcome to episode 293 of the Spun Today Podcast, hosted by Tony Ortiz—the show where writing is the anchor, but the content knows no bounds. In this episode, Tony dives into the creative heart of John Leguizamo's latest Off-Broadway ensemble play, "The Other Americans," unpacking the storytelling, set design, and family dynamics that make the work…

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The Trouble with Priorities, featuring Holly Williams 1:06:26

29d ago1:06:26

1:06:26

It's Holly Williams! Holly is a novelist, journalist and theatre critic. This week she joins Molly for a meandering chat about priorities. How do we make time for the things we want to focus on most? What happens when self promotion takes up all of our creative energy? How do we work out what's a good use of our finite time? Plus, why was trying so…

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SPA Girls Podcast - EP524 - Interview with Becca Syme : Planning, Priorities & Publishing 1:10:49

26d ago1:10:49

1:10:49

We're thrilled to welcome back Becca Syme to the SPA to talk about Planning, reducing your Decision Fatigue, the difference between anxiety and intuition, and how to decide what publishing strategies work best for YOU. As a community, indie publishers are so fortunate to have Becca's Clifton Strengths work and writer psychology understanding to hel…

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The Trouble with Ego, featuring Julie Hesmondhalgh 1:10:41

29d ago1:10:41

1:10:41

JULIE HESMONDHALGH! The legendary British actor (Broadchurch, The Pact, Happy Valley, Mr. Bates vs The Post Office, Coronation Street), writer and activist joins Molly for a chat about Ego. What are we trying to protect ourselves from when we become defensive in difficult situations? Why does our ego get challenged by some things and not others? Ho…

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How Point of View Affects Your Story (Ep203) 51:07

1M ago51:07

51:07

How POV Affects Your Story PATREON: Thank you to our existing patrons for believing in our work offline and here in the podcast. Become a patron of the arts at Patreon.com/valerieihsan for books, writing instruction, coaching, and planning. Also, the Planner Plays and Monthly Reflections are always free for all members on my Patreon page. But I don…

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SPA Girls Podcast - EP523 - Mia Brody - Writing Short Romance (Classic Replay) 51:50

1M ago51:50

51:50

Writing compelling short romance targeting the timed short reads categories (2 hours or less) is a real skill and this is a classic replay of one of the Queens of instalove / short romance: Mia Brody. No matter what length book you're writing, there is something in this episode for you, not least of all Mia's inspiring persistence working with heal…

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The Trouble with Losing Heart, featuring Maria Ferguson 1:10:23

1M ago1:10:23

1:10:23

Molly chats with Maria about losing heart. What happens in the weird lull after you've released a major piece of work? How do we keep caring when we're the only ones who do? What happens when we play the character of ourselves on stage? And did Maria really run away to a lighthouse? You'll also learn about the best way to cook baked beans. Buy Mari…

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Finding Voice and Author Identity with Anne Abel (Ep202) 51:29

30d ago51:29

51:29

Main Topic: Finding Voice and Author Identity Through Social Media, with guest Anne Abel. PATREON: Thank you to our existing patrons for believing in our work offline and here in the podcast. Become a patron of the arts at Patreon.com/valerieihsan for books, writing instruction, coaching, and planning. Also, the Planner Plays and Monthly Reflection…

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SPA Girls Podcast - EP522 - Chloe Archer: Juggling A Day Job With Your Author Career 1:01:41

2M ago1:01:41

1:01:41

Wondering how to juggle a demanding full-time job with having an author career too? We're joined today by the fabulous Chloe Archer, who is doing exactly that! Chloe Archer writes popular queer sci-fi and paranormal rom-coms. And alongside her author career, Chloe also works full-time as a Film Studies Professor, which makes her perfect for this ep…

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The Trouble with Saying Yes featuring Ashley Hickson-Lovence 1:03:54

2M ago1:03:54

1:03:54

Join Molly and Ashley as they discuss the pleasures and perils of SAYING YES. Why does Ashley say yes to EVERYTHING? What will make him say no more? Should he even worry? Who are 'the bum bum creams'? Other topics covered include self-promotion, holidays, inspiration, ambition and friendship. Ashley is a poet, novelist, referee and lecturer of crea…

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#292 – Motivation for Writers: Tracking Progress and Learning from Noir Fiction 42:23

2M ago42:23

42:23

Welcome to Episode 292 of the Spun Today Podcast! In this episode, host Tony Ortiz dives deep into the writing life, inviting listeners into another motivating free writing session. Tony shares his latest writing stats and candidly discusses the ups and downs of creative consistency, including the struggles of writer's block and the magic of findin…

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Writing the Hybrid Memoir (Ep201) 25:33

2M ago25:33

25:33

(Valerie): launching my four-month book coaching container Aligned Author TODAY. The price is drastically cut this week (it's $667 off the regular price, and for 24 hours only starting now, the paid in full price -- with an extra whole month of coaching for free and ANOTHER LIVE discount on top-- is $1333 for FIVE months of coaching. The price will…

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SPA Girls Podcast - EP521 - Marketing Without Paid Ads with Vanessa Vale (Classic Replay) 1:05:37

2M ago1:05:37

1:05:37

Within five years, USA Today Bestselling romance author, Vanessa Vale, forged two pen names from scratch to seven figures, using the strategies and techniques she discusses in this episode and in her Thrifty Tips for Authors class. The beginnings of this program came when she was banned from Facebook ads, forcing her to develop strong branding and …

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124 | How nature can heal your brain with Darryl Jones, author of (Be)Wilder 37:52

2M ago37:52

37:52

In episode 124, urban ecologist and past guest Darryl Jones returns to discuss the power of nature to heal your brain and other topics from his latest book, (Be)Wilder, which delves into elephants in Thailand, bearded pigs in Borneo, and conservationist farmers in the Snowy Mountains. Darryl also speaks about the recent brain surgery he underwent a…

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Ep 50 Part 3: Being Fully Known in K-Pop Demon Hunters 14:20

2M ago14:20

14:20

In this episode, we wrap up our discussion of K-Pop Demon Hunters by reflecting on the film's themes through the lens of Scripture. We explore Romans 3, Psalm 139, John 15, and 2 Corinthians 12, seeing how each passage speaks to hiding, weakness, and the longing to be truly known. We talk about the tension between seeking human approval and receivi…

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Ep 50 Part 2: Engaging Faith in K-Pop Demon Hunters 18:48

2M ago18:48

18:48

In this episode, we dive into the audience and deeper themes of K-Pop Demon Hunters. We reflect on how the film seems tailor-made for younger adult viewers, with vibrant animation and approachable ideas that make it a great "training wheels analyzer" for media engagement. We also wrestle with who this movie might not be for, especially some Christi…

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Ep 50 Part 1: When K-Pop Meets the Powers of Darkness 14:10

2M ago14:10

14:10

In this episode, we break down the story of K-Pop Demon Hunters, where the girl group Huntr/x fights to save the world from demonic forces hidden behind the glitz of the music industry. We explore how their rivalry with the darkly hypnotic Saja Boys escalates into a battle against temptation, deception, and spiritual decay. As we unpack the film's …

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The Trouble with Indecision, Featuring Deborah Frances-White 1:01:08

2M ago1:01:08

1:01:08

In this conversation with award-winning writer and podcaster Deborah Frances-White, Molly and Deb discuss indecision, ego, the biggest obstacles to creative expression and the importance of collaborating with people who make you feel talented. Deborah introduces Molly to the concept of 'trusting your obvious', and shares lots of useful tips on scre…

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#291 – Crafting Horror and Humanity: Behind the Scenes with The Night Visitor's Blu Topalli and Peter Stass 1:39:26

2M ago1:39:26

1:39:26

On today's episode of Spun Today, host Tony Ortiz sits down with the powerhouse creative duo Blarime 'Blu' Topalli and Peter Stass—veteran writers, filmmakers, and the minds behind the atmospheric new horror podcast, The Night Visitor. Together, they dive deep into the art of collaboration, exploring how blending backgrounds in gothic fiction, come…

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Onboarding Ghostwriting Clients: How to Identify Needs, Set Scope, and Build Trust (Ep200) 48:42

2M ago48:42

48:42

Free masterclass: The Alchemy of Memory — Writing the Hybrid Memoir (Wed, Oct 8, 2025). Learn to braid personal narrative with research, family history, and big ideas—plus structures, privacy choices, and momentum tools. Includes a short meditation + oracle card pull. Save your seat → valerieihsan.com/hybrid *** Segment 1 (Announcements/Author Upda…

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SPA Girls Podcast - EP520 - What We've Learned In 10 Years of Podcasting 42:46

2M ago42:46

42:46

On 2.10.2015 we published our very first SPA Girls Podcast episode and OH THE NERVES! But we persisted and here we are, ten years later, ten years wiser, 520 episodes later and a million magic moments of inspiration, advice, publishing wisdom and fellow author interviews and shenanigans recorded. So what are our "acorns of wisdom" we've learned fro…

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Love is Not Proud 44:54

2M ago44:54

44:54

September 28, 2025 Dan Kent introduces the problem of pride and how it is rooted in hierarchical systems where we measure ourselves against others. We are unable to love others when we are constantly evaluating them and ourselves. We must opt out of this system and learn to see all as equals, all equally loved. More Resources: https://whchurch.org/…

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The Trouble with Sharing, featuring Rob Auton 1:08:12

2M ago1:08:12

1:08:12

In this episode with the sensational poet, comedian and artist Rob Auton, Rob and Molly talk about the performer's relationship with the audience. They also discuss tricky rooms, strange dynamics, being conscientious and anxiety. Rob has a strong take on how a writer/performer should feel about their own work in comparison to that of other artists …

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Intentionality in Writing: Hendrika de Vries on Resistance, Feminism, and Telling the Truth (Ep199) 1:04:27

2M ago1:04:27

1:04:27

Main Topic: "Intentionality in Writing: Hendrika de Vries on Resistance, Feminism, and Telling the Truth" PATREON: Thank you to our existing patrons for believing in our work offline and here in the podcast. Become a patron of the arts at Patreon.com/valerieihsan for books, writing instruction, coaching, and planning. Also, the Planner Plays and Mo…

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Bonus: Daredevil's Writing Lessons (Companion to Ep. 288) 3:30

2M ago3:30

3:30

Daredevil isn't just a great superhero story — it's also packed with lessons for writers. In this bonus episode, I pull together key takeaways from our Episode 288 breakdown and frame them as quick, standalone insights you can apply to your own creative work. And don't miss the free companion guide that goes along with this episode! The Spun Today …

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SPA Girls Podcast - EP519 - Marketing For Authors with Olivia Zugay 1:00:53

2M ago1:00:53

1:00:53

Author Business and Marketing Strategist, Olivia Zugay, is here with some wonderful tips on gaining discoverability, improving reader retention and focussing on long-game thinking without overly relying on chaotic social media! Olivia Zugay is a business and marketing strategist for self-published fiction authors. As the founder of Story Flow Solut…