Best Beginner Writer Tips Podcasts (2025)

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Episode 64: Yes, And 48:52

Play Pause

6d ago48:52

48:52

It's time for some improve! Join Jared and Chris as they take a prompt and generate the backbone of a story. Can you do the same? Come along for the ride, then see what you can come up with.

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Spotify, Rush, and our upcoming songwriting challenge 35:48

8d ago35:48

35:48

For this special in-the-family episode, we talked about recent changes to artists terms at Spotify, the breaking news about Canadian rock band Rush, and how we’re progressing on our songwriting challenge answers. We talked about: The changes to artist terms with Spotify – and it ain’t good… Recent news about Rush going on tour in 2026 and playing w…

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Frankenstory: Or the Modern Structures 25:10

8d ago25:10

25:10

Host Elijah Curtiss delves into the essential elements of a good story, emphasizing the importance of structure. Various story structures are discussed, including Freytag's Pyramid, the Hero's Journey, Save the Cat, and the classic three-act structure. The episode concludes with insights on how to choose the right structure for your story and the c…

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Easy Article 1 21:40

12d ago21:40

21:40

"Easy Article" is a podcast designed for anyone looking to improve their writing skills and stay updated on the latest trends in content creation. Each episode breaks down complex writing concepts into easy-to-understand tips, offering practical advice for crafting engaging articles, blog posts, and online content. Whether you're a beginner looking…

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Easy Article 2 15:12

12d ago15:12

15:12

"Easy Article" is a podcast designed for anyone looking to improve their writing skills and stay updated on the latest trends in content creation. Each episode breaks down complex writing concepts into easy-to-understand tips, offering practical advice for crafting engaging articles, blog posts, and online content. Whether you're a beginner looking…

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Episode 63: Learning With Liz - An Author's Feedback 1:21:35

13d ago1:21:35

1:21:35

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Alex Whorms and writing with a producer mindset 40:34

14d ago40:34

40:34

Singer, songwriter and keyboardist, Alex Whorms stopped in to talk about writing her latest song “Wrong”. Download the lyrics to follow along. We talked about: Our episode Mistakes that “amateur” songwriters make and feedback from a listener Using syncopation and misalignment of lyrical phrasing and melody to introduce tension Editing your song thr…

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Episode 62: Time For Extremicon 1:12:22

18d ago1:12:22

1:12:22

So much time, so little to do. Strike that. Reverse it. From authors to 3D printers; from crocheting to acting...it's all at Tremendicon. Join Jared and Chris as they sit down with awesome creators. Then go check them out: https://www.richardwgoldsmith.com/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwiTMwuaY2SPVE3ShxZ8aMQ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9…

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Brave New Writers: So, You’ve Decided to Write a Book 19:36

21d ago19:36

19:36

Elijah Curtiss kicks off Don’t Read Into This! with a wry, heartfelt look at what it takes to begin writing a book. No formulas, no gatekeeping—just honest talk about the messy, magical start of a creative journey. From defining what counts as a book to navigating the plotter-vs-pantser spectrum, Elijah blends metaphor, humor, and practical advice …

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Writing a love song with a metaphor with Sherry Jacoby 29:43

21d ago29:43

29:43

Sherry Jacoby is a Newmarket, Canada–based singer-songwriter who brings personal stories to life through song. Blending acoustic pop/rock with indie folk, she crafts music for the romantic heart, drawing inspiration from Sara Bareilles, Ingrid Michaelson, and Colbie Caillat. Her musical journey began with piano lessons from her mother.… Read the re…

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Episode 61: Voo Doo and Portal Fantasies 49:03

26d ago49:03

49:03

It's another visit with authors at the Farmers Market. This time Jared and Chris dive in with Ed Lee and A. M. Aurelia to explore worlds filled with Voo Doo magic, and escape with characters through a portal into alternat universes. Never mind the rain. The mail man ain't got nothing on us!

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Mistakes that “amateur” songwriters make 58:24

29d ago58:24

58:24

For this special theme episode, we reacted to the Song Town podcast video “10 Mistakes that Peg You as an Amateur Songwriter.” We were pleased to have singer-songwriter Jessica Stuart join us as co-host. We covered a few of the mistakes, but be sure to check out the entire Song Town episode below for more.… Read the rest…

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Episode 60: It's All Fun and Games 59:25

1M ago59:25

59:25

Have you ever played any of the versions of Munchkin? If not, you better take a chance on the fun. That's what Jared and his son tried, and they had to learn how to lose...to Chris. Join Jared and Chris as they go on a rambling walk discussing the fun and inspiration that comes with game play.

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Episode 57: Learning With Liz - Last Lines - How To Hit The Ending 1:30:31

1M ago1:30:31

1:30:31

First lines are important and all, but what about your last line? How do you leave your readers aching for more? Join Jared and Chris as they sit down for another great discussion with the amazing Liz Verity.

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Episode 59: Talking AI With Miller Thomas 1:06:02

1M ago1:06:02

1:06:02

Ever wondered how a simple chat about AI can turn into a wild ride through creativity, tech, and the future? This week, Jared and Chris go down the rabbit hole with Miller Thomas to explore the crazy potential of AI, from revolutionizing storytelling to sparking bold new ideas.

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Where craft meets emotion with Sean Bertram 29:31

1M ago29:31

29:31

Sean Bertram is a Canadian singer/songwriter, guitar prodigy, multi-instrumentalist, and audio engineer. He graduated at the top of his class from Humber College’s prestigious 4-year music program, has won numerous awards including Best Song in North America from the Intercontinental Music Awards for his song “Against My Will”, and has garnered mil…

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Using a diminished chord with intention with David Leask 30:39

2M ago30:39

30:39

Award-winning Scots-Canadian singer-songwriter, David Leask, is a celebrated writer and performer, known for his emotionally resonant songwriting, soulful voice, and deep musical craftsmanship that flows freely between genres. Throughout his three decade long career, Leask has performed over 3,000 shows and earned accolades across multiple genres.……

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Writing a layered song with Rogan Mei 45:31

2M ago45:31

45:31

Rogan Mei is an indie folk singer-songwriter based in Barrie, Ontario. His music blends northern storytelling, raw emotion, and a deep connection to nature, shaped by his background as a wildland firefighter and smokejumper. Earlier this year, he recorded his upcoming EP Dickies Green Plaid Jacket in the house he grew up in, capturing themes of nos…

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Episode 58: A Trip To The Farmers Market - Round 2 1:06:46

2M ago1:06:46

1:06:46

Back at the farmers' market with more great authors. Some farmers need to come on here and talk about how creativity works with plants and animals, or maybe creatively repairing a tractor. And that's not being facetious... necessity is the mother of invention and there are some really inventive people who come up with great solutions. Anywho, join …

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Writing a classic New Orleans song with The Heavyweights Brass Band 47:49

2M ago47:49

47:49

John Pittman has been a member of The Heavyweights Brass Band since the release of their sophomore album “Brasstronomical” in 2014. He is a trumpet player and composer for the band who just released their fifth full length album “Knockout” in June 2025.… Read the rest

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Writing to the essence of a song with Daniela Soltero 29:58

2M ago29:58

29:58

Daniela Soltero is a 21-year-old singer-songwriter who over the years, developed skills in songwriting, playing guitar, and singing. In just two years of performing publicly she has gotten to play on stages such as “The Horseshoe Tavern” and “Supermarket Bar and Variety, including many other venues, festivals, and songwriter rounds.… Read the rest…

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Writing a song from a poem with Marichka 23:52

3M ago23:52

23:52

Marichka is a Ukrainian-Canadian singer and human rights advocate, winner of the Amnesty International Prize and creator of the folk music website, https://folk-ukraine.com. She has performed at top venues around the world including Carnegie Hall in New York, The Barbican Centre in London and the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and was the former lead si…

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Episode 56: Learning With Liz - Timing And Tension 1:14:44

3M ago1:14:44

1:14:44

To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven. In storytelling, that includes time for tension. So how do you figure out when tension should arise, when it should increase, or when new tension should be introduced to help carry your story. Join Jared and Chris as they sit down with the amazing Liz Verity for another roun…

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Breaking the rules with intention with Zoe Thiessen 32:12

3M ago32:12

32:12

Zoe Thiessen is a singer/songwriter, guitarist and violinist now based in Toronto after years of living abroad. Her finely crafted songs always have a hint of the fairy tale about them, and she delivers them with a warm alto that has a timbre all its own.… Read the rest

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Episode 55: A Trip To The Farmers Market 1:41:24

3M ago1:41:24

1:41:24

There are great people at farmers markets, and this market includes local authors. Join Jared and Chris as they sit down and have a conversation with some great writers from the Springfield Writers' Guild. C.A. Simonson writes inspirational family fiction about children in distress. Coming of age, dysfunctional families, abandonment, and abuse, com…

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5 tips that will make your band sound better today 12:15

3M ago12:15

12:15

In this short show, Phil talks about 5 of the most effective tips he has learned from a lifetime of playing in bands to get everyone sounding better together. Take a listen and let us know the tips you’ve learned.… Read the rest

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Episode 54: Cozy Murders - A Visit With Susan Keene 1:24:25

3M ago1:24:25

1:24:25

Have you ever thought about murdering someone, but in a friendly sort of way so people find it entertaining or amusing? Well, Susan Keene has books that will be right up your alley. Join Jared and Chris as they sit down and talk all things murder, mystery, mayhem, and baking with a prolific Cozy Mystery author as she shares her writing journey and …

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Heather Feather: Children’s songs with a message 37:51

4M ago37:51

37:51

Canadian children’s artist, Heather Feather, is pleased to announce her second studio album, Together, out on June 27, 2025. The 2025 ECMA “Children’s Artist of the Year,” award recipient holds a PhD in Music Theory from McGill, a Bachelor of Music from Memorial University, and is a fearless disability advocate, recently partnering with internation…

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Episode 53: Toothpaste Engineers And Metal Detectors 1:22:44

4M ago1:22:44

1:22:44

How does a conversation jump from metal detecting to toothpaste to strawberry flavoring? Well, you're about to find out. Jared is out this week, so jump into a crazy conversation as Chris is joined, once again, by Caleb, but this time there's no supervision!

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Country-pop songwriting with Cam Brown 29:55

4M ago29:55

29:55

Joining us today is rising Canadian country artist Cam Brown, hailing from Barrie, Ontario. Fresh off opening for Dean Brody at this year’s Troubadour Festival in his hometown, Cam is making waves with his original music. His debut single Pretty Lime Margarita recently climbed to #1 on the Canadian Indie Country Countdown and is now spinning on rad…

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Episode 52: Learning With Liz - Plot Twists vs Plot Reveals 1:07:26

4M ago1:07:26

1:07:26

Bro! Do you even plot? Do you know a plot twist when you see one? One about a plot reveal? Hey, those sound like the same thing, right? Well, they are actually different aspects of plot creation. "But how do they differ?" one might ask, and we're so very glad you did. Join Jared and Chris as they sit down, once again, with the talented Liz Verity t…

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Intentional songwriting with Natalie Reis 35:18

4M ago35:18

35:18

Natalie Reis is an independent folk singer/songwriter whose music is caught between bittersweet narratives and soaring melodies. Following her debut EP ‘Bones on Fire’ in 2020, Natalie has released six singles that have evolved her storytelling-lyricism and solidified her sound as a distinctive emerging artist.… Read the rest…

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All about cadences 45:05

4M ago45:05

45:05

In this special episode, Phil and Neel talked about cadences, or the different ways to bring resolution to your chord progressions. We talked about: The Nashville numbering system and why it’s important to understand and use when talking about cadences Modally interchanging chords – e.g. … Read the rest…

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Songwriting as a meditation with Jessica Stuart 44:03

5M ago44:03

44:03

Toronto-based guitarist, songwriter, vocalist and koto player Jessica Stuart (aka JESSA) has made a music career writing and performing harmonically adventurous, and devastatingly honest indie-jazz-rock tunes around the world. Stuart is also a rare professional female guitarist, with dozens of side-player credits ranging from Mirvish Productions’ S…

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Songwriting through writer’s block with Dexter Sloan 42:07

5M ago42:07

42:07

Dexter Sloan has built his sound around a blissful blend of intimacy and introspection, celebrating the deep connections between nature and humanity. Imbued with fables and folktales, he delivers truth like a puppet show, often playing characters to protect his privacy.… Read the rest

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Songwriting for a band with Brent Jackson and the Sunshine Makers 31:49

5M ago31:49

31:49

“This song is intended to remind us that the love we have for each other is stronger than our pride. Love takes work. If we can overcome our egos, we can remember why love is the most powerful gift we can experience.”… Read the rest

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The Apps and Resources Show 2025 45:50

5M ago45:50

45:50

For this special episode, Phil and Neel talked about their favourite apps and resources for songwriters and musicians. Let us know what yours are! We talked about: Our songwriting challenge to write a song in an odd time signature. … Read the rest

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Episode 51: Know The Rules Before You Break Them 52:27

5M ago52:27

52:27

Is wrestling real? Maybe. But one thing's for sure: wresters are incredible athletes and have to be masters at their craft to pull off the feats they do in the ring. If you want to create great things, you have to work on becoming great and honing your skills, you also have to learn all the rules that make what you're doing good. Once you understan…

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Remote collaboration tips with Mike Rudquist and Neel 49:09

5M ago49:09

49:09

For this special episode, we talked about a collaboration Neel did with Mike Rudquist, a singer-songwriter he met at the At Home Songwriting group for a songwriting challenge. Mike Rudquist is a songwriter from Red Wing, MN who writes songs in Americana, pop/rock, and country.… Read the rest

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Episode 50: Learning With Liz - Diversity Of Characters 1:14:40

6M ago1:14:40

1:14:40

Do you know how to make your characters jump off the page with their own unique personalities? The world you create needs characters, and those characters must have...character! Join Jared and Chris as they chat with Liz about the importance of giving your characters the diverse personalities that will make them each unique and make your readers fa…

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Writing a song based on a book with Mark Ippolito 40:34

6M ago40:34

40:34

Mark Ippolito is a proud member of Seattle’s vibrant community of singer-songwriters and regularly performs his original songs in venues throughout the Pacific Northwest. His debut full length album “New Moon” is steeped in equal measures of folk, roots, jazz and rock and reflects Mark’s abiding interest and celebration of the interconnectedness, b…

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Episode 49: A Chat With Lynn 1:15:33

6M ago1:15:33

1:15:33

More stories after Duncan the Dragon? Absolutely! Author Lynn Combs is back and she is going strong. Join Jared and Chris as they talk about new children stories in the works, progress on on Avalina's tale, and upcoming events with Lynn. And, as always, travel with them down the warrens and ways that twist and turn in unimaginable directions.…

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Episode 48: Preaching and Monologues and Diatribes, Oh my! 1:07:16

6M ago1:07:16

1:07:16

We all have things we're passionate about. Ideas. Moral quandries. Philosophical perspectives. When it comes to story telling, remember: It's about the story. Join Jared and Chris as they talk about the pitfalls of monologuing and embedding your world views into the stories you tell. What does that do to readers? How can you avoid falling into the …

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Revisiting a song with Danny Marks 40:25

6M ago40:25

40:25

Few names carry the weight of Danny Marks in the Canadian blues and roots scene. From his early days as a founding member of Edward Bear, opening for the likes of Led Zeppelin and Humble Pie, to his decades as a torchbearer of the blues with BLUZ FM and beyond, Marks has remained a perennial force—a man whose time comes, again and again.… Read the …

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Episode 47: Caleb's Turn To Write 59:47

6M ago59:47

59:47

Have you tried wring and just can't get the story out of your brain fast enough? Caleb has been there, tried that, and that was enough. For now, he won't be a writer. Join Jared and Chris as they have another discussion with Caleb and dive into his thoughts and challenges around writing a story.

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Songwriting Challenge 2025 Launch: Write a song in an odd time signature 1:14:43

6M ago1:14:43

1:14:43

Our songwriting challenge for 2025 is to write a song in an odd time signature. Award-winning composer and educator Frank Horvat joined us with his pick of odd-time-signature songs. Thanks Frank! We talked about: Our re-discovered Patreon Page – thanks for your support! … Read the rest

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Episode 46: Learning With Liz - Story Stakes 1:19:40

6M ago1:19:40

1:19:40

Steaks... no, stakes! What kind of stakes does your story have? Steaks or stakes? Or, maybe a little bit of both? Stories need stakes, and if your story already has stakes, maybe it needs higher stakes. Join Jared and Chris in another episode with Liz Verity as they talk about the importance of story stakes.…

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Songwriting as a prayer with Steve Harmony 35:28

7M ago35:28

35:28

Toronto’s own Steve Harmony emerged from the heart of Regent Park, navigating a life surrounded by challenges to find his true calling in music. With his smooth blend of R&B and gritty hip-hop influences, Steve’s music reflects his personal journey through repentance, recovery, and redemption.… Read the rest…

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Episode 45: Extras!! 51:22

7M ago51:22

51:22

Sometimes things don't make it into a book, and sometimes those things are still fun to hear, read, or discover. There are plenty of parts that got cut from A Flight From Shadows, and there will be cuts from future books, too. But sometimes readers get a glimpse at those parts that didn't make the final cut. Join Jared and Chris as they share a los…

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Bending the songwriting rules with Roger Beckett 38:28

7M ago38:28

38:28

Roger Beckett is a singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, producer, community builder and artist manager from Pickering, Ontario. He has written and had songs released in various genres, “Fade Away” (Country), “7 Billion” (Pop), with Canadian and US songwriters and artists. He has also performed at various venues in Toronto and at the Bluebird a…