Episodes
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In this episode, we test Hamody Jasim author of The Terrorist Whisperer and discuss how to take a stand.
The Terrorist Whisperer (documentary)The Terrorist Whisper (book)Hamody Jasim's websiteHamody Jasim grew up in Iraq under the height of Sadam Hussein’s rule. He was arrested and tortured as a young teenager for getting on the wrong side of a corrupt police officer. Then he came of age just as the Iraq War was breaking out, and decided to join the newly formed Iraqi military. He went on to lead a security team that foiled several terrorist attacks on Americans, including catching a mole high up within the Iraq military who was assembling a suicide vest in the Iraq ministry of defense. He now lives in North Carolina with his family.
After our interview, Alice and I will talk about what makes Hamody’s story so powerful.
Character Test Challenge: What do you stand for? What would you die for? I want you to take out a piece of paper and spend ten minutes reflecting and writing down what you stand for. If you were put into a situation where you had to fight or die for something, what would it be.
Character Test is brought to you by The Write Practice Pro, a premium critiquing community for creative writers. You can learn more about The Write Practice Pro and join the community
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In this episode, we test Marta Cabrera from Knives Out, talk to state champion high school wrestling coach Gary Skop, and discuss how to win.
Gary Skop is high school football coach and high school wrestling coach, and in 2019, one of his wrestlers won the state wrestling championship in Michigan.
When we’re talking about how to live a good story, sometimes that involves competition. Many good stories are about winning, and knowing how to win and how to think about competing so that you can win can be an important part of living a good story. We also talk about how to lead others to win and, if you’re a parent, how to help your children have a healthy relationship with competition.
Message Gary by emailAfter the interview, Alice and I talk more about how to compete effectively, and how to create small challenges to grow in areas that are easy for you right now.
Character Test Challenge: Think of a way to challenge yourself, preferrably an area that you’re comfortable in right now or that’s easy, and then start the challenge. Do it for at least a week. Once you’re done, send us an email letting us know how it went at [email protected] .
Character Test is brought to you by The Write Practice Pro, a premium critiquing community for creative writers. You can learn more about The Write Practice Pro and join the community
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Missing episodes?
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In this episode, we test Noelle Kringle from the film Noelle on Disney+, interview Seth Barnes, author of Kingdom Journeys: Rediscovering Pilgrimage, and talk about how taking risks can change your life.
Seth Barnes, the leader of a large nonprofit and the author of a book about pilgrimage, Kingdom Journeys: Rediscovering the Lost Spiritual Discipline. Seth also happens to be my father-in-law, and in my book Crowdsourcing Paris, he’s the one who challenged me to add more adventure to my book project, which completely transformed the book and my whole trip.
Seth Barnes' blogKingdom Journeys (book)Camino de SantiagoLiminal spaceNoelle (film)In this interview we talk about some of Seth’s biggest adventures, including a journey to Cambodia as a young man to work with refugees during the Cambodian genocide and his frequent hikes along the Camino del Santiago pilgrimage trail in Spain and France. At the end of our conversation we talk about the nature of adventure and our need for risk in our lives so that we can live better stories.
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In this episode, we test Anna and Elsa from Frozen 2, interview therapist Lynn Bunting, an expert on personality disorders, and talk about how to avoid drama in your relationships.
Lynn Bunting has been a licensed therapist for over 40 years, specializing in reconciliation in relationships and emotional management. She also happens to be my mom, which is kind of fun.
Together, we're working on a new book, called Crazy: What to Do With the People in Your Life Who Make You Feel Crazy. If you’ve ever gotten into a conflict with someone, whether with someone at a work, a romantic relationship, or a friend, and you’ve felt like a crazy person, like you don’t know what is happening but it’s not normal and you’ve felt hurt and attacked but most of all, confused, this is for you.
If you're interested in learning more about the book as we work on it, or if you want to "vote" for us to write the book, Crazy, please sign up for our interest list here:
Crazy book project interest listAfter the interview, Alice and I talk about how to avoid drama in your life, and the ethics (and benefits) of identifying the people in your life who make you feel crazy.
Character Test is brought to you by The Write Practice Pro, a premium critiquing community for creative writers. You can learn more about The Write Practice Pro and join the community
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Jason Redman is a retired NAVY SEAL, a wounded warrior, and a New York Times bestselling author. His book, OVERCOME, comes out in just a few weeks and it’s so good. If you’ve ever had something HARD or traumatic happen to you and frozen or just not known how to get through it and start making progress in your life again, Jason’s message is for you. It’s really powerful and I think more people need to listen to it.
Jason Redman is a retired Navy SEAL and NY Times bestselling author of *The Trident* and the upcoming book *Overcome: Crush Adversity with the Leadership Techniques of America's Toughest Warriors*. In this interview Jason tells his story of surviving being horrifically wounded in Iraq, how he overcame life ambushes, and the biggest piece of advice he gives to wounded warriors and anyone experiencing tough times (which is all of us, at some point).
We also examine Alice Quinn, a character from *The Magicians* and ask whether she is actually a good character.
Also, there's a free prize.
Character Test is brought to you by The Write Practice Pro, a premium critiquing community for creative writers. You can learn more about The Write Practice Pro and join the community here.
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In this episode, we test Inspector Jean Guy Beauvoir from the Inspector Gamache series, interview Phil Blattenberger the film maker best known for the Vietnam War movie Point Man, and talk about how to fake it until you make it.
Point Man (Amazon streaming)InstagramFacebookPhil Blattenberger is best known for the film Point Man, a film about four men separated from their platoon during the Vietnam war. Three of the soldiers are African American, and they have to fight back to safety while navigating the racism in their unit. The film highlights the racial tension occurring during the civil rights movement which was happening in the U.S. that carried over to the Vietnam war. Point Man was picked up for distribution by Sony pictures, which is unheard of for a debut indie film.
Phil first conceived of the film while in South East Asia during his extensive travels.
In this interview, we talk about how travel can expand your world view, the vast amount of work it takes to accomplish your dream, how to write a screenplay, and how to get your tooth fixed in Thailand.
In the last part of our show, Alice and I discuss how to fake it until you make it.
Plus, as always, there's a free prize related to this episode, which you can get here.
Character Test is brought to you by The Write Practice Pro, a premium critiquing community for creative writers. You can learn more about The Write Practice Pro and join the community
My new book, Crowdsourcing Paris, a real life adventure story set in Paris, is out now. You can order the book here.
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In this episode, we test Kya from Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens, talk to Eric Hanson host of the TV Show Epic Trails, and discuss how to overcome shame.
Eric Hanson is best known as the host for the TV show Epic Trails on Outside TV and Fox Sports. He’s also a writer, outdoor adventure photographer, and outdoor filmmaker whose work has been featured on the Discovery Channel, NBC Universal, and the Weather Channel. You can follow Eric's work here:
Eric Hanson's WebsiteInstagramEpic Trails on Backpacking TVThis conversation is about how adventure (outdoor adventure or adventures, say, in Paris) can lead to personal growth and self-discovery, but also the habits and strategies you need to make it in incredibly competitive careers like television and writing. Those strategies by the way, will work in every career too.
Eric is someone I respect for doing the hard, grinding work mostly behind the scenes, who is finally starting to make a name for himself, and now, he’s at a point where he’s really starting to take off. In a few years, he could be a household name. In this interview, we talk about the hard, very risky work it took to get there.
At the end of our episode, Alice and I discuss how to overcome shame and be open, despite the hard parts of your story.
Plus, as always, there's a free prize related to this episode, which you can get here.
Character Test is brought to you by The Write Practice Pro, a premium critiquing community for creative writers. You can learn more about The Write Practice Pro and join the community
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In this episode, we test Joe Bunting, me, from my new book Crowdsourcing Paris, read a chapter from the book, and talk about how to grow.
You can order the book here:
Crowdsourcing ParisAmazonBarnes & NobleIndieBoundMy new book,Crowdsourcing Paris, is about a real life adventure story set in Paris. To raise the last $600 I needed to make the trip happen, I asked my audience to give me adventures to accomplish in Paris. I got hundreds of ideas, including finding dead authors in Pere Lachaise cemetery and performing a song and dance under Arc de Triomphe. But the biggest adventure was to explore the 100 miles of illegal catacombs 60 feet below Paris. But when I got lost in the tunnel and was abandoned by my guide, I thought I was going to die.
This is an episode about adventure, the cost and the reward.
In our last segment, we talk about how to grow.
Plus, as always, there's a free prize related to this episode, which you can get here.
Character Test is brought to you by The Write Practice Pro, a premium critiquing community for creative writers. You can learn more about The Write Practice Pro and join the community
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In this episode, we test our first real life character, Ernest Hemingway from his memoir A Moveable Feast, have a conversation with writer Max Dubinsky about travel and adventure, and talk about how to be a better person.
Our guest today is Max Dubinksy. Max is a writer, best known for his short fiction. He’s the author of the graphic novel Dislocated, and his short fiction has been published in Longleaf Review, Outlook Springs, and McSweeney’s. You can find his work here:
maxandrewdubinsky.comInstagram | TwitterBooksIn addition to being a brilliant writer, Max is in my new book, Crowdsourcing Paris, and even speaks the very first line in the first chapter when he completely ruins my plans for Paris (you'll have to read the book to find out how).
In our conversation, we talk about how Max left everything to travel around the country for a year, how he abandoned his plans to go see about a girl in Ohio, and how he eventually married that girl six months later on a mountain in Colorado.
We talk about adventure, the importance of getting out of your comfort zone, and share a lot of great stories. This is a fun conversation that I know you’re going to enjoy.
In the last part of our show, we talk about how to become a better person.
Plus, as always, there's a free prize related to this episode, which you can get here.
My new book, Crowdsourcing Paris, a real life adventure story set in Paris, comes out soon. You can pre-oder the book on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and IndieBound.
Character Test is brought to you by The Write Practice Pro, a premium critiquing community for creative writers. You can learn more about The Write Practice Pro and join the community
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In this episode, we test Napoleon from Animal Farm by George Orwell, interview James Victore designer and author of Feck Perfuction, and talk about how to find your voice.
James Victore is a designer whose work has been featured in the Museum of Modern Art, MOMA, in New York City. He is also the author of Feck Perfuction, in which he talks about creativity, courage, strength, and resilience. You can find James' work here:
Feck Perfuction (Amazon)jamesvictore.comInstagramEarlier this year, James was in a motorcycle accident in which he broke several ribs and punctured his lung, beginning a long period of recovery that left him in constant pain for the larger part of a year. In this interview we talk about how he regained his confidence after that experience and how creatives can learn resilience.
In the last part of our show, we talk about how to find your voice.
As always, there's a free prize, which you can get by clicking here.
My new book, Crowdsourcing Paris, a real life adventure story set in Paris, comes out soon. You can pre-oder the book on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and IndieBound.
Character Test is brought to you by The Write Practice Pro, a premium critiquing community for creative writers. You can learn more about The Write Practice Pro and join the community
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In this episode, we test the characters from the show Blue Bloods, interview magician and author Nate Staniforth, and how to make it as an artist.
We begin the episode by testing the characters from the hit show Blue Bloods, now in it's 10th season. (After a month of Netflix binging, Joe is in the fifth season.)
Then we talk to Nate Staniforth. Nate is best known as a magician, he cohosted a Discovery Channel show called Breaking Magic, has a YouTube channel, and performs a magic show all over the US.
Nate is also the author of Here Is Real Magic, a memoir of how he fell in love with magic, became a professional magician, got burnt out, and rediscovered his love for magic by traveling to India to see street performers. Find Nate's work here:
Nate Staniforth's WebsiteHere Is Real Magic, the bookYouTubeIn this interview, we talk about wonder, what it is, why it’s important, how we lose access to it, and how to reconnect with it. If you’ve ever thought, why as adults don’t we have the same ability to experience true joy and wonder, this interview is for you.
In the last part of our show, we talk about how to make it as an artist.
As always, there's a free prize, which you can get by clicking here.
Character Test is brought to you by The Write Practice Pro, a premium critiquing community for creative writers. You can learn more about The Write Practice Pro and join the community
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Kristina McMorris is best known as the author of Sold On A Monday, which spent 20 weeks on the NY Times bestsellers list. The novel is set during the great depression and is about a newspaper reporter who takes a photograph of two boys holding a sign, “2 children for sale.” The photograph kicks off a series of events that leads to a romance with a young woman at the paper, a run in with the mob, and a terrible quest to get to the bottom of the fate of the 2 children in the photograph.
Get Sold on a Monday hereKistina's WebsiteBooksIn this interview, we talk about how McMorris got interested in the great depression, the real photo that she based the novel on, and how she eventually got to meet one of the subjects in that photo.
For our character test, we examine Lydia Bennet from Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen (bet that's not the sister you thought we'd choose).
Finally we talk about how to live a story with a happy ending.
As always, there's a free prize, which you can get by clicking here.
Character Test is brought to you by The Write Practice Pro, a premium critiquing community for creative writers. You can learn more about The Write Practice Pro and join the community here.
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Joanna Penn, also known as J.F. Penn, is the New York Times bestselling author of supernatural thriller novels and a leading voice in the indie publishing movement. In this episode we talk about travel, life and death, and how to get your dream job.
You can find Joanna's work here:
J.F. Penn (for thriller readers)The Creative Penn (for writers)J.F Penn's Books (Amazon)Joanna Penn's Books (Amazon)Books and Travel PodcastSocial: Instagram, Twitter, FacebookBefore Joanna became an international speaker, podcaster, and NY Times bestselling author, she worked a mind-numbing corporate job that she hated. We talk about how she made the intention to find a new dream career, how she built a bridge to accomplish it, and how she's thrived as a result. If you've ever wanted to get your dream job, this interview is for you.
For our Character Test, we test Inspector Armand Gamache, the lead character in Louise Penny's fabulous Inspector Gamache series. If you haven't read this series, you should!
As always, there's a free prize, which you can get by clicking here.
Character Test is brought to you by The Write Practice Pro, a premium critiquing community for creative writers. You can learn more about The Write Practice Pro and join the community here.
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What is your life's core message? The story that, if you look back at your life, you've been telling since you were a kid? What if, by founding out that message, you could re-invigorate your creativity and your work?
In this special edition of Character Test, I share a speech I gave at ATL Ideas where I talk about my core message, Awe, and how I discovered it. Special thanks to Plywood People, the host of the conference, for inviting me to speak and giving me permission to share the talk.
We also examine Malorie Hayes and talk about the tension between creativity and the marketplace.
And, as always, there's a free prize, which you can get by clicking here.
Character Test is brought to you by The Write Practice Pro, a premium critiquing community for creative writers. You can check out their new demo video and join the community here.
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Rea Frey is the author of the suspense novels NOT HER DAUGHTER and BECAUSE YOU'RE MINE. In this episode, she talks about learning from death row inmates, how to empathize with villains, and how to recover from trauma from sexual assault. We also examine Tyrion Lannister from GAME OF THRONES and how to outrun imposter syndrome.
To learn more about Rea and follow her writing, you can find her here:
Rea Frey's booksRea's WebsiteFacebookTwitter (@reafrey_author)Rea has an amazing story of resiliency. She eventually confronted the guy who assaulted her, punched him and knocked him down, which led to an amateur boxing career. When she decided to write her novel, she finished it in less than a month, and even then knew it was going to be published and optioned to become a film. It was.
If you've ever wondered how to get the confidence to accomplish something hard (like confronting someone who hurt you or writing a book), you need to listen to this interview.
We also examine Tyrion Lannister from George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire, the series that became the hit show Game of Thrones.
And, as always, there's a free prize, which you can get by clicking here.
Character Test is brought to you by The Write Practice Pro, a premium critiquing community for creative writers. You can learn more about The Write Practice Pro and join the community here.
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Joshua Becker is the bestselling author and leader of the minimalist movement. In this interview, we talk about how to find the purpose of your home, of each room in your house, and even the purpose of our lives, and how we can use our purpose to enhance our purpose not distract from it.
To learn more about Joshua and follow along with his writing, you can find him here:
Joshua's BooksBecoming Minimalist (Joshua's Blog)Becoming Minimalist Facebook PageInstagram (@joshua_becker)I immediately went and decluttered my house after this interview and it felt amazing. I think you might experience the same thing.
We also examine Hiccup from How to Train Your Dragon and talk about how to become a purpose driven minimalist.
And, as always, there's a free prize, which you can get by clicking here.
Character Test is brought to you by The Write Practice Pro, a premium critiquing community for creative writers. You can learn more about The Write Practice Pro and join the community here.
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Kevin J Anderson is the international bestselling novelist of books in the Dune series, Star Wars, Superman, X-Files, and more. In this episode, he talks about his love of hiking in the Colorado mountains while narrating novels, the importance of professionalism, and how to leave a legacy.
Kevin J. Anderson's booksPublisherTwitter (@TheKJA)FacebookPublishing MFAThis is an interview about professionalism and about how to make it to the top of your field. Kevin upends the myth of the flaky writer. He is disciplined, structured, and turns his books in on time. Even more, he makes the claim that most of the writers at his level do the same. If you want to make it to the top, even the top of the writing world, this interview will inspire you and inform you about the path to get there.
We also examine Lorelai from The Gilmore Girls and talk about how to make it to the top.
Oh, and of course, there's a free prize.
Character Test is brought to you by The Write Practice Pro, a premium critiquing community for creative writers. You can learn more about The Write Practice Pro and join the community here.
More resources related to this episode:
How to Write a NovelWhat Is Plot? The 6 Elements of Plot100 Story IdeasBest Book Writing SoftwareScrivener Review -
My guest is Paul Angone, who worked for 10 years to publish one book. When his wife asked him, "How much longer are you going to do this?" he was close to giving up. But one month later, his blog post 21 Secret for Your Twenties went viral on Pinterest, and a connection from a friend led to his first publishing deal. His book 101 Secrets for Your 20s has now sold over 100,000 copies.
In the interview, Paul talks about what it feels like to achieve something after ten years of trying for it, how to work toward your dreams, and why Warrior remains the most underrated film of the last decade.
You can find Paul's work at the following places:
allgroanup.comBooksFacebookInstagram (@paulangone)We also put Miles Morales from Spiderman: Into the Spiderverse to the test.
There's also, as usual, a free prize.
P.S. I'm teaching a LIVE training this week only about how to come up with award-winning book ideas. You can sign up for free here.
Character Test is brought to you by The Write Practice Pro, a premium critiquing community for creative writers. You can learn more about The Write Practice Pro and join the community here.
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Derek Murphy is a bestselling novelist and creativity guru, and in this interview he talks about his travel nomadic lifestyle, the importance of discipline for any artist or creative career, and how to create things people will love. You can find Derek's work at the following places:
creativindie.comD.S. Murphy, Derek's novelsDerek's NonfictionFacebookInstagramThis is an interview about creativity, and about how to make a living doing creative work. Derek makes the controversial claim that you should care less about your art if you want it to succeed. If you're a creative or want to be one, this interview will challenge you, inspire you, and help you in your work.
We also examine Bilbo Baggins from THE HOBBIT and talk about how to find your artistic passion.
Oh, and of course, there's a free prize?
Character Test is brought to you by The Write Practice Pro, a premium critiquing community for creative writers. You can learn more about The Write Practice Pro and join the community here.
More resources related to this episode:
How to Become a WriterStory IdeasPoint of View Guide -
Marianne Richmond is best known as the author of the bestselling children's books IF I COULD KEEP YOU LITTLE and BE BRAVE LITTLE ONE. Her books collectively have sold over 6 million copies. In our interview, she tells the story of the horrible seizures that left her emotionally disconnected growing up, the breakthrough that led to her first book, how she built her publishing empire only to watch it nearly crumble when Target cancelled a giant order, and how she stays creative.
This is an interview about how to marry your creative life with your work, the tensions inherit in that relationship, and how to stay true to your art while also making a living. Marianne is very vulnerable and totally relateable. Anyone with any desire in creativity or writing will instantly connect.
We also examine Eleanor the protagonist of Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeymoon.
Oh, and of course, there's a free prize?
Character Test is brought to you by The Write Practice Pro, a premium critiquing community for creative writers. You can learn more about The Write Practice Pro and join the community here.
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