Best Inciting Incident Podcasts (2025)

1
Near Death, New Life with Jenna Phillips Ballard | #23 1:10:11

Play Pause

1d ago1:10:11

1:10:11

At 17, Jenna Phillips Ballard lay awake at night wishing she could watch her own funeral. A year later, she fell 14 feet through a hayloft, landed on concrete, and slipped into a coma. What should have been the end became the beginning, a second lease on life, a discovery of resilience, and eventually a mission to awaken greatness in others. From t…

1
How to Use Genre as a Revision Tool (with Savannah Gilbo) 1:19:43

2d ago1:19:43

1:19:43

Here’s what to DO with your genre once you know which one you’re writing. So you know your story’s genre. It’s an Action story with a Worldview internal genre. Or it’s a Love story with a Status internal genre. You’re, like, 32% sure of it. Which is great, because you’ve studied story enough to know genre is important. You’ve heard that it shapes t…

1
The Habit of Happiness with Michele Phillips | #22 1:07:09

8d ago1:07:09

1:07:09

When life throws curveballs, do you let circumstances dictate your story, or do you write your own outcome? Michele Phillips, aka “The Light Lady,” has spent 25 years coaching Fortune 500 leaders and teams to rewire their habits, elevate their mindset, and lead from the heart. Her approach blends neuroscience, positive psychology, and a healthy dos…

1
Rick Allen: Left Arm Lost. Rhythm Found. | #21 1:24:10

16d ago1:24:10

1:24:10

One split-second accident could have ended his career. Instead, Def Leppard drummer Rick Allen transformed unimaginable loss into a life of music, art, and service. In this powerful conversation, Rick opens up about his journey from teenage rock prodigy to surviving a devastating car crash that claimed his left arm — and the rebirth that followed. …

1
The 12 Core Genres That Power Every Great Story 23:04

17d ago23:04

23:04

Genre isn’t what you think it is. Here’s how to use it better. Genre. Let me guess: It’s the bane of your existence. A convoluted soup of arbitrary descriptors that almost but not quite mean the same thing. Sci fi or fantasy? Paranormal or supernatural? Upmarket or book club? Do words even have meaning? Or, it’s a restrictive box with tropes and co…

1
Songs from the Unseen World with Lauren Monroe | #20 1:23:06

23d ago1:23:06

1:23:06

Lauren Monroe’s journey began in a Queens, New York, Catholic household filled with folk songs, transcendental meditation, and whispered wisdom from the unseen. By age six, she was channeling mystical experiences into song and hands-on healing long before she had words for what she was doing. In this conversation, Lauren and I travel through the sa…

1
Medicine Beyond the Veil with Dr. Greg Eckel | #19 1:14:28

29d ago1:14:28

1:14:28

When Dr. Greg Eckel followed the Grateful Dead at 17, he didn’t know the trail would lead him through psychedelic awakenings, preschool classrooms, devastating personal loss, and regenerative medicine. In this episode, we get into it all. Dr. Greg and I dive into bioenergetics, whales and soul contracts, protein misfolding, and the radical idea tha…

1
How Great First Lines Make Readers Pay Attention (with Abigail K. Perry) 48:07

1M ago48:07

48:07

It is a truth universally acknowledged that a fiction writer in possession of a brilliant story must craft a captivating opening line. No pressure, right? Your opening line is your story’s first impression. Agents, editors, and even readers decide fast whether they want to keep reading or drop the book altogether. And yes, they can make that judgme…

1
Death, Miracles, and Messages from Beyond with Kimberly Meredith | #18 1:17:55

1M ago1:17:55

1:17:55

What happens when the human body breaks, but the soul breaks open? In this soul-stretching episode, I sit down with Kimberly Meredith, a medical intuitive and trance channeler whose life changed after two near-death experiences. From hospital trauma to healing with her hands, Kimberly’s journey is a story of divine interruption, spiritual downloads…

1
Spiriduality with Dr. Daniel Branco | #17 1:16:42

1M ago1:16:42

1:16:42

Today, I am joined by Dr. Daniel Branco, author on consciousness and spirituality, neuroscientist, astrophotographer, and biotech executive. Daniel’s book, Spiriduality, presents the case that consciousness may be more real than the brain and gives readers the tools to build a better life and a better world based on that new understanding. Tune in …

1
Where Progressive Complications Go WRONG (and How to Fix Them) 30:39

2M ago30:39

30:39

Are your readers bored? Disappointed? Confused? Here's what that tells you about your story's middle. You’re stuck in the messy middle. Languishing in the doldrums of your story. The inciting incident is long past, the climax is so far ahead you can’t see it over the horizon, and you’re drifting, lost at sea. What is actually supposed to happen her…

1
The Sacred Art of Imagining with Josiah Brandt | #16 1:22:36

2M ago1:22:36

1:22:36

What happens when an Air Force intelligence briefer turns into a mystic explorer and discovers his soul’s assignment? This week on The Inciting Incident, I get to sit down with Josiah Brandt, founder of the School of Imagination and modern-day steward of Neville Goddard’s teachings. What begins as a story of ambition and military precision soon bec…

1
Freediving into Consciousness with William Trubridge | #15 1:06:47

2M ago1:06:47

1:06:47

When William Trubridge dives into the ocean’s depths, he leaves more than the surface behind—he lets go of time, thoughts, even the sensation of having a body. In this episode, I got to sit down with William to learn how freediving became a gateway not just to world records, but to profound states of consciousness, stillness, and surrender. He open…

1
Make Sense of Your Messy Middle With the Most Underrated Story Element 28:51

2M ago28:51

28:51

You don’t need more filler. You need better progressive complications. Your inciting incident hooks your readers and promises them a story they’ll love. And then comes the middle. The messy middle. The quiet doldrums of your story, where plot momentum goes to die. Where your characters wander, your conflict blurs, and you start to wonder if any of …

1
Sex, Death, and Grief with Dr. Laura Berman | #14 1:24:09

2M ago1:24:09

1:24:09

Warning: This episode may upend everything you thought you knew about sex, intimacy, and grief. This week, Dr. Laura Berman - Oprah’s go-to sex therapist, bestselling author, and spiritual explorer - joins me for an unfiltered, soul-baring conversation that swings from the ecstatic to the excruciating. From the electrifying energy of sex magic to t…

1
AI, Aliens, & the Birth of a New World with John Petersen | #13 1:14:41

2M ago1:14:41

1:14:41

This week on The Inciting Incident, I sat down with renowned futurist John Petersen for a mind-bending journey through time, consciousness, and the unseen forces shaping our world. From out-of-body experiences and remote viewing to the role of extraterrestrials, artificial intelligence, and quantum consciousness, we explore the most urgent question…

1
How Great First Chapters Make Readers Care (with Abigail K. Perry) 1:13:57

2M ago1:13:57

1:13:57

Your first chapter has a monumental task: to make potential readers care about your book right away and hook them to keep reading. Every sentence is a chance to earn your reader’s attention—or lose their fragile, baby-fresh interest before your story even begins. And that’s assuming that your book makes it to the bookstore shelves. If you’re tradit…

1
The Science of Miracles: Psychiatry, Spirituality, and the Soul’s Journey with Dr. Anna Yusim | #12 1:04:18

3M ago1:04:18

1:04:18

In this episode of The Inciting Incident, I get to speak with Dr. Anna Yusim, a Stanford- and Yale-trained psychiatrist, bestselling author, and executive coach to Fortune 500 CEOs and Olympic athletes, about her unexpected transformation from a left-brained math prodigy into a global spiritual seeker. She shares stories from her path: studying wit…

1
A Chef’s Path to Quantum Healing with Aaron Grosskopf | #11 1:13:29

3M ago1:13:29

1:13:29

Aaron Grosskopf is a professional chef by trade who worked through the ranks in the culinary field. He reached his peak as a Chef de Partie at 3 Star Michelin rated Per Se in New York City. During his time as a private chef, a new desire came to the surface: natural health. Studying under some of the best in the field, like Dr. Joe Dispenza and Dr.…

1
Inciting Incident: How to Revise an Unputdownable Beginning 26:59

3M ago26:59

26:59

Your inciting incident sets the stage for everything that follows. Here's what to revise so it can carry the story. A great inciting incident does a lot of heavy lifting. → It hooks your readers, pulling them into the story. → And it sets up everything to come, laying the foundation for a brilliant climax your readers will love. The beginning matte…

1
From Pain to Presence with Rodney Moll | #10 1:13:36

3M ago1:13:36

1:13:36

This week, I have the pleasure of sitting down with Rodney Moll—entrepreneur, seeker, ocean explorer, and yogi—for a profound and expansive conversation about trauma, transformation, and transcendence. We explore the deeper truths that surfaced after Rodney’s near-death experience, his path to enlightenment through yogic discipline, the wisdom he f…

1
The Mind Affects The Body with Dr. Hemal Patel | #9 1:23:03

3M ago1:23:03

1:23:03

At 17, Hemal Patel thought he’d become a doctor. What he didn’t expect was a path that would weave together molecular biology, philosophy, Catholicism, and meditation. In this episode of The Inciting Incident, Dr. Hemal and I dive into the intersection of science and spirituality, the mysteries of mitochondria, and his groundbreaking work with Dr. …

1
What If You Do Everything Right and the Book Launch Still Goes Wrong? with A.S. King 51:38

3M ago51:38

51:38

“It really broke my heart, actually. . . . For the rest of my life, it will break my heart.” A.S. King gets honest about what happened when the publishing industry failed her book. What happens after you edit your book? What happens after you’ve bared the story of your heart, crafted it into an excellent novel, and presented it to the world? What h…

1
The Hidden Power of Structured Water with Mario Brainovic | #8 1:24:11

4M ago1:24:11

1:24:11

What if the key to healing ourselves and the planet was hidden in something as simple—and as sacred—as water? In this episode of The Inciting Incident, I sit down with Mario Brainovic, CEO of New Earth Technologies, to uncover the science and mystery behind structured water. From improved ATP production to environmental regeneration, this conversat…

1
Radical Gratitude: Rewiring the Soul with Dr. Cynthia Miller | #7 1:12:20

4M ago1:12:20

1:12:20

What happens when a childhood marked by nuclear secrets, pain, and silence sparks a lifelong quest for healing, truth, and transcendence? This week, I’m joined by my friend and mentor Dr. Cynthia Miller, whose extraordinary life journey defies logic and inspires awe. In this episode, we dive into her profound insights on neural rewiring, multidimen…

1
Think You Need a Line Editor? Try This First 28:49

4M ago28:49

28:49

Do you need to hire a line editor? Or should you line edit your manuscript yourself? After all, you want to write an excellent novel. You know that great writing takes shape in revision, and you don’t want to skimp on any layers of editing. Nor do you want to overestimate your writing skills and leave your book littered with clunky sentences that a…

1
The Healing Language of Music with Barry Goldstein | #6 1:09:18

4M ago1:09:18

1:09:18

In this episode of The Inciting Incident, I get to sit down with Grammy-winning producer, sound healing pioneer, and my friend Barry Goldstein. From a promise made to his father at 15 over a cherry sunburst Les Paul to co-producing a track that would win a Grammy alongside the guitar’s very inventor, Barry shares the full-circle story of passion, p…

1
Letting Go: A Psychologist’s Path to Inner Peace with Dr. Tara Deliberto | #5 1:20:15

4M ago1:20:15

1:20:15

What happens when a skeptical, science-driven psychologist experiences a spiritual awakening? In this episode of The Inciting Incident, I get to sit down with Dr. Tara Deliberto, a former Cornell faculty member and renowned eating disorder specialist, to discuss her radical journey from academic success to deep spiritual transformation. She shares …

1
How Surrealist Pantser A.S. King Revises Award-Winning Novels 1:30:39

4M ago1:30:39

1:30:39

“Revising is about making sure that you're saying what you want to say in the way you want to say it. . . . To me, revision is the sport. It's the impact. It's the reason we're writers.” Have you ever read a book and thought, Holy cow, this is amazing. How did this author DO this? Or, maybe you’ve read a book and thought, Wow, I wish I could write …

1
Breaking Patterns: Healing, Consciousness, and True Abundance | #4 1:14:28

5M ago1:14:28

1:14:28

Sean Clayton is an entrepreneur, spiritual guide, and thought leader dedicated to facilitating personal transformation and abundance. He's the founder of Science of Abundance, a program focused on holistic well-being and emotional freedom. Throughout his life, Sean has overcome significant challenges, including incarceration, divorce, sexual abuse,…

1
The Future of Healing | #3 1:17:43

5M ago1:17:43

1:17:43

Dr. Todd Ovokaitys is at the forefront of longevity science and rejuvenation, renowned as a global leader, visionary advisor, and sought-after speaker in the fields of anti-aging, regenerative medicine, and cellular optimization. With decades of experience, Dr. Todd blends the most advanced approaches from conventional medicine with cutting-edge in…

1
The Editor Life: 5 Days Behind the Scenes with Alice 47:59

5M ago47:59

47:59

Ever wondered what an editor actually does all day? What it looks like to spend all day supporting writers in their stories? Or what your editor’s doing in all that time when they’re not sharing their feedback with you? If those questions pique your curiosity, you’re in luck. I’m pulling back the curtain to share a week in my life as a developmenta…

1
Journey Back to Love | #2 1:21:47

5M ago1:21:47

1:21:47

David Dayan Fisher is a multi-talented artist known for his work as an actor, writer, painter, and poet. He has portrayed memorable characters in both television and film, including roles in National Treasure, 24, and NCIS. Beyond acting, Fisher is a dedicated writer and poet whose work explores themes of the human experience, emotion, and self-dis…

1
Redefining Healthcare: A Vision for the Future | #1 1:30:43

5M ago1:30:43

1:30:43

Welcome to the first episode of The Inciting Incident, where we explore the catalytic moment that brought somebody from ordinary to extraordinary and put them on the path they are on today. Since I was a young man, I’ve always been captivated by the human journeys that define artists, visionaries, and luminaries. These are the stories behind how to…

1
Episode 150: 7 Easy Ways To Add SUSPENSE To Your Story 28:46

5M ago28:46

28:46

Want to keep your readers on the edge of their seats? In this episode of The Kate and Abbie Show, we’re breaking down 7 easy ways to add suspense to your story and make it impossible to put down.From building tension through your character’s deepest fears to raising the stakes with a ticking clock, these powerful storytelling techniques will help y…

1
How to Use Revision Tools Like the Story Authority You Already Are with Brannan Sirratt 58:42

5M ago58:42

58:42

When to use frameworks to solve your story problems—and when to trust yourself and lean on your own story authority. You’ve heard of Save the Cat! Story Grid. Blueprint for a Book. These are all frameworks designed to help you edit a novel. If you don’t know these names, I bet you know others—Hero’s Journey, Freytag’s Pyramid, 7 Point Story Structu…

1
Ask This Question When You’re Overwhelmed by Your Story 23:54

6M ago23:54

23:54

Escape analysis paralysis with one powerful question. It’s deceptively simple—and yet it unlocks everything. If you’re like most of the writers I work with, you’re pretty savvy about story structure. You know your Story Grid, your Save the Cat!, your Hero’s Journey. You’ve probably analyzed your story six ways to Sunday, and you’ve got the spreadsh…

1
Episode 149: How to Craft a Heartbreaking Villain's Backstory 29:09

6M ago29:09

29:09

Struggling to create a tragic villain backstory that tugs your reader's heartstrings? In this podcast, we'll show you how to write a villain with depth, exploring backstory techniques that make your antagonist unforgettable. Learn the secrets to writing a compelling villain by understanding villain motivation, how to make a villain relatable, and w…

1
How Multiple Layers of Editing Combine to Perfect Your Story (with Cathryn deVries and Kim Kessler) 1:33:11

6M ago1:33:11

1:33:11

The best novels combine rock-solid story structure with scenes that are unputdownable on every page. Here’s how one writer and two editors polished a story at every level. If you want to move your reader in every moment, keep them hooked on every page, you need to refine your scenes until each one is unputdownable. And that refinement? It’s SUCH a …

1
What Is a Manuscript Evaluation? (And Do You Need One?) 33:39

7M ago33:39

33:39

It’s the most common developmental editing service you’ll see. Know what to look for and when (or if) you need one. If you google “developmental editor” and start looking through editors’ websites, you’ll see a common service appear again and again: A manuscript evaluation. (Or assessment, or diagnostic, or critique. A rose by any other name, etc.)…

1
Scene Workshop: Hook Your Readers in Chapter One with Cathryn deVries 1:39:42

7M ago1:39:42

1:39:42

You get one shot to grab their attention. Don’t waste it with characters staring off into space. You've put all this work into uncovering your character's internal arc. You know them SO WELL. When you step into a scene, you're giving your absolute all to uncovering the deep meaning and purpose behind it, the profound arc of character transformation…

1
Episode 148: 10 Hacks to Write FASTER in Less Time 28:13

8M ago28:13

28:13

Are you ready to write faster than you ever have? Ready to charge into your writing projects with reckless creativity and write more words than you thought possible? In today's podcast, Kate and I will share our top 10 unique writing hacks for getting more words on the page FASTER (without rushing!) Grab a notebook and get ready to be inspired. Let…

1
The Unskippable Process to Create Unputdownable Books 27:02

8M ago27:02

27:02

It’s unpopular, but essential if you’re aiming to craft your best work. Picture this: one year from now, you’re holding your book in your hands. You see the gorgeous cover art, feel the slight resistance when you open the cover for the first time, run your hands over the soft, smooth paper, flip the pages and smell that delicious new book smell. Do…

1
Episode 147: How to Write MORE Words FASTER in 2025 28:27

8M ago28:27

28:27

Whether you're embarking on a New Year's goal or you're getting ready to tackle a big writing project whose time has come, Abbie and I are here to share with you our secrets for writing the book of your dreams FAST. We believe that writing a book doesn't have to be a never-ending project or a pipe dream; in fact, it can be something that you finish…

1
Why You Should Watch Oppenheimer Today (The Plot Pals #7) 1:28:43

8M ago1:28:43

1:28:43

In this episode, Maral and Anna analyze Oppenheimer! We talk all about what really worked, what blew us away, and what could have been different. Is Oppenheimer Christopher Nolan’s masterpiece and a future classic? Watch this episode AFTER watching Oppenheimer yourself to avoid spoilers! Original Release Date: July 29, 2023…

1
Honest Barbie REVIEW from Two Fanatics (Plot Pals #6) 53:37

8M ago53:37

53:37

In this special episode, Plot Pals Maral and Anna give an honest review of the new Barbie movie by Greta Gerwig and their experience of watching the movie. We both share what we liked and disliked about the Barbie movie. Is the Barbie movie overrated or magical? You'll find out by watching this episode! Original Release Date: July 22, 2023…

1
Episode 146: How to Build a WRITING HABIT with NaNoWriMo 28:22

9M ago28:22

28:22

Do you struggle to commit to creative time every day? Are you ready to build a writing habit that lasts long after NaNoWriMo ends? In today's podcast, we're sharing our best advice for creating a bulletproof writing habit that sticks. So if you've been struggling to show up for your book, this episode will give you the tools you need to make writin…

1
Episode 145: How to Prepare to Write a Novel for NaNoWriMo 2024 29:24

10M ago29:24

29:24

Writing a novel (or 50k words) in one month comes with unique challenges. Whether you're embarking on the adventure of tackling NaNoWriMo 2024 or simply starting a new literary endeavor, we're here to help you prepare yourself to write your best novel. We will cut through the clutter and overwhelm and focus on the FEW vital things that will help yo…

1
Episode 144: How to Make INSTA-LOVE Just as Swoonworthy as Slow Burn Romance 😍 24:11

11M ago24:11

24:11

Is it possible to write "insta-love" romance that actually feels believable and earned? That's the big question we're tackling in today's podcast. We'll explore six powerful tried-and-true methods for making your couple's relationship feel well-developed and compelling, even if you're working with a short timeline for your story. So, if you need tw…

1
Episode 143: 5 Easy Ways to Make Your Characters More FLAWED and LOVABLE 24:35

12M ago24:35

24:35

Do you want to write flawed, lovable, and relatable characters? In this new podcast episode, we're exploring five simple techniques for making your characters more unique and realistic by giving them vices and virtues that will make your readers fall in love. Ready to take your characters to the next level? Grab a notebook, and let's dive into this…