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Rachael Maddox is an author, trauma resolution educator and poet. She joins me today at her home in La Jolla, California for a conversation about creativity, sex, and her writing process. Rachael’s Website Secret Bad Girl by Rachael Maddox Rachael’s Instragram

Bryan Reeves is a blogger, author and someone who is passionate about relationships. Bryan and I met up in his home just north of LA on a rainy day to talk about his journey as a writer. Bryan’s Blog — bryanreeves.com

Luke Wade joins me again for a fun conversation about his career, songwriting, living in LA and what’s been inspiring him lately. Luke is one of my good friends and it’s always a pleasure to have him on the podcast. Check out his new album! It’s called Only Ghosts and it’s available now on iTunes or wherever you get your music. Only Ghosts by Luke Wade on iTunes Luke’s Website Ep.47 Songwriting, Success and Pouring Out Your Heart w/Luke Wade

Margot Anand is an international best selling author and the world’s leading authority on Tantra. She also happens to be a good friend of mine. We sat down on a beautiful afternoon in Hawaii to talk about her new book Love, Sex and Awakening and she shares many stories, including how Osho inspired her to write her first book. Love, Sex and Awakening by Margot Anand on Amazon.com Ep.22 Ecstatic Writing and the Perfect Bali Writing Nest w/ Margot Anand Margot’s website

A mini-episode about Trump, art and why we might look back on this time period and be grateful. Art is Disagreement on Boodaism.com

Aly Tadros is a New York based singer/songwriter who just released her latest album “Hungry Ghost”. Aly and I have been friends for many years, and met while she was living in Austin, Texas. There’s not many people I love talking about the creative process with more than Aly because she’s so raw, so honest and so much fun to laugh with. Aly’s new album Hungry Ghost on iTunes Aly’s Website Aly on Episode 10 of Darken the Page

Writers Who Don’t Write is a podcast with Jeff Umbro and Kyle Craner about the writing process. Hooray for peers! I was excited to meet them and we had a great conversation about writing groups, identity, blogging, editing, critiquing people’s work and much more.  Writers Who Don’t Write Podcast Jeff Umbro on Twitter Kyle Craner on Twitter

Matt Farley is one of a kind. As of this recording he has written and published 18,300 songs. He is the poster child for anti-perfectionism. I spent some time with him in the basement where he writes and records while I was home with my family in Massachusetts and we talked about his mindset, his routines and his secret dreams. I had so much fun recording this. Motern Media (Matt’s Record Label) Follow Matt on Twitter Motern Media Infomercial Podcast Call Matt at 603-644-0048

August McLaughlin is a nationally recognized health and sexuality writer, author and host and creator of Girl Boner® and Girl Boner® Radio. Her work appears in DAME Magazine, the Huffington Post, LIVESTRONG.com and more. Known for melding personal passion, artistry and activism, August uses her skills as a public speaker and journalist to inspire other women to embrace their bodies and selves, making way for fuller, more authentic lives. Embraceable by August McLaughlin Girl Boner Radio (August’s Podcast about sex) Sleep With Me Podcast Simply Being App

Mark Manson is a super popular blogger who is known for his irreverent writing style and simple wisdom that doesn’t suck. I interviewed him at his apartment in New York City in preparation for his new book The Subtle Art of Not Giving A Fuck.           The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fuck by Mark Manson Mark’s World Famous Blog Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert

Amir is one of my closest friends and also the author of 5 books. He joins me at my house for a lively conversation about the perils of “trying to write a best seller”, the new book I’m currently writing and more. Do Nothing to Get EVERYTHING by Amir Karkouti Lessons From My Coach by Amir Karkouti amirkarkouti.com

Monica Day is a writer, artist, creator, producer, performer, coach, entrepreneur and instigator, with a deep commitment to an ever-unfolding personal journey. She brings a unique combination of training in creativity, sensuality, diversity, and business to her work. Our conversation happens at the end of a 3-day writing retreat Monica did outside of San Diego, and she stopped in to debrief with me. We share lots of laughs, some great wine and great stories. Monica’s website

Today’s conversation is with Charley Kempthorne. I heard about Charley recently after reading an article about him in the Wall Street Journal. My Mom cut it out of the newspaper and gave it to me, the title was “The Power of Daily Writing in a Journal”. Charley has been keeping a journal for 52 years and by rough calculations he has written about 10 million words. He currently writes about 1 million words a year. He now helps senior citizens recall and record their life experience by sharing the power of journaling. Charley’s website Charley’s book “For All Time: A Complete Guide to Writing Your Family History” WSJ Article “The Power of Daily Writing” Show Sponsor: Penzu.com, the worlds most popular online journal platform Use the code “darken” for $5 off the pro version.

Karan Bajaj was born and raised in the Indian Himalayas and now lives in Brooklyn New York. This conversation reminded me in a big way of why I do this podcast. Immediately in this interview I’m inspired by Karan’s life and how he balances work and play. He does something he calls 4:1:4, which is 4 years of work, 1 year sabbatical. Karan has a new book called The Yoga of Max’s Discontent, which is now available wherever fine books are sold. Karan’s New Book: The Yoga of Max’s Discontent Karan’s Website Show Sponsor: Penzu.com, the worlds most popular online journal platform Use the code “darken” for $5 off the pro version.

Today’s guest is Paula Marie Coomer. I’m happy to have Paula back on the show, she was a guest on episode 35 and we had such a memorable conversation that I was really looking forward to having her back. We talk about the sex scenes in her new book and what makes a great sex scene vs a boring sex scene. She also tells some amazing stories surround the passing of her father two months ago. I was amazed. It turned into a very moving conversation. Jagged Edge of the Sky by Paula Marie Coomer Paula’s Website Paula on Facebook Troubadors of Divine Bliss Ep.35 with Paula Marie Coomer (1st Interview) Our sponsor! penzu.com, the world’s most popular online journaling platform. Use the code “darken” for $5 off if you decide to go pro.

I’m back after a short break. This is a mini-episode where I talk about some lessons learned from successfully blogging once a week for all of 2015 and more.

Brett Randell and I met several years ago at a songwriting workshop and funny enough, I had no idea he wrote novels until we talked about him being on the show. I really enjoy his songwriting and it was great to hear about his book and story writing as well. We talk about NaNoWriMo, which for those of you who aren’t familiar stands for National Novel Writing Month, where thousands of writers from around the world commit to writing 50,000 words in 30 days. Brett is currently writing 1750 words a day and we talk about how he’s doing that and how he balances a careers as a musician with his writing. The song in the introduction is one of Brett’s and throughout the episode I’ll be playing songs from his new album which I’ll link to in the show notes, darkenthepage.com/051. He’ll also be playing a segment of one of his new songs live in the middle of the episode. Brett’s new album “Rise” on iTunes brettrandell.com Daily Rituals by Mason Currey

This is bonus content from episode 50 with Steven Memel, it’s a conversation we had after the interview was over and I was still recording.

Steven Memel is the creator of “The Science Of Switching On”, a system that enables him to achieve rapid and dramatic results with all performers in helping them get into the zone and stay there. I’ve personally worked with him and I’m proud to call him a friend and a mentor. Since I’ve started this podcast I’ve been wanting to have him on the show and I’m happy it’s finally worked out. In this episode we talk about his discovery that there is only one art, and why that made such a difference in all his artistic pursuits. We also dive deep into what the feeling of being in the flow is. I would say we really geek out on that, so for the creativity geeks out there you’ll love it. The Science of Switching On stevenmemel.com Robin Williams Inside the Actor’s Studio [Bonus Content] conversation between Steven and Dave Booda about careers & patience Today’s episode is sponsored by Stride Health, visit stridehealth.com/darkenthepage for more. Today’s music was Cherrywood by Dawn & Hawkes, who were guests on Episode 44. Check out their new album on iTunes.

Michael Hauge is a screen writing coach and is has worked with screenwriters, producers, stars and directors on projects for every major studio and network. the best selling author of Selling Your Story in 60 Seconds, as well as the new 20th Anniversary Edition of his classic book Writing Screenplays That Sell. Selling Your Story in 60 Seconds by Michael Hauge Writing Screenplays That Sell by Michael Hauge Michael’s website storymastery.com Big thank you to our sponsor Stride Health. Here is a special landing page for Darken the Page listeners, if you need health insurance and want the process to be easy, this company is your best friend. stridehealth.com/darkenthepage