Inspired Writer Collective Podcast Podcast By Stephanie Oswald Ph.D. & Elizabeth Wilson cover art

Inspired Writer Collective Podcast

Inspired Writer Collective Podcast

By: Stephanie Oswald Ph.D. & Elizabeth Wilson
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Welcome to The Inspired Writer Collective, your memoir-focused writing podcast. If you've ever felt the pull to write your truth, to shape the chaos of real life into something meaningful, and to share your journey with the world, you're in the right place. We’re your hosts Elizabeth Wilson & Stephanie Oswald, Ph.D., writers, coaches & entrepreneurs who believe in you and know how important it is to find a writing community to guide you on your path to self-publishing.


We believe your voice holds power. Telling your story isn't just a personal act of healing or reflection, it's a gift to the world. Pulling the skeletons out of the closet is challenging - unless you’re writing a memoir. Then it’s called “chapter one”.


Each week, we explore the art, heart, and craft of connecting personal narrative to your writing, memoir or fiction. Whether you're drafting your first chapter, wrestling with the messy middle, or searching for the courage to hit “publish,” we are honored to be your companions on the journey.


The world needs your voice. Memoir is the art of pulling out old skeletons and realizing they were just unspoken chapters of your story.


© 2026 Inspired Writer Collective Podcast
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Episodes
  • Episode 111: The Not-So-Sexy Side of Your Writer Life
    Apr 6 2026

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    On the podcast this week, we’re chatting about the CEO/Admin tasks that come with your writing life.

    You’re a writer. If you haven’t claimed this identity for yourself, I’d love to hop on a call and dig into what’s standing in your way. I offer this invitation because it took me a long time to finally say “I’m a Writer” and I wish I’d gotten there sooner. I’ve been wanting to write my contemporary romance novels since 7th grade when I was hanging out at the barn with my horse. So, if I can help you find your way to owning your Writer identity sooner, I’d love to support you. You can get on my calendar here: https://calendly.com/oswaldphd/thirty-with-stephanie

    As a writer, you’re an entrepreneur of books. Has anyone ever said this to you?

    I heard it recently and it stuck with me. It’s a powerful thought to have for yourself. Your book is your business. Every book you write is part of your business. You’re the CEO of your Writer life. Even if you traditionally publish your book, you’re still in charge of making sure your book gets in the hands of readers. Sometimes, as a creative thinker, those small organization tasks or the planning of your content calendar are just not top of mind. This week’s episode will help you get into your CEO mindset.

    And, if you’re looking for time to jumpstart getting those business tasks done, we have another Virtual Writer’s Retreat coming up April 17-19. You can save your seat here: https://inspired-writer-collective.kit.com/263e86245e

     Welcome to the Inspired Writer Collective podcast. If you've ever felt the pull to write your truth, to shape the chaos of real life into something meaningful and to share your journey with the world, you're in the right place. We're your hosts, Elizabeth and Stephanie, writers, coaches, and entrepreneurs who believe in you and know how important it is to find a writing community to guide you on your path to self-publishing.

    You’re invited to connect with us by joining our Embodied Writing Experience where you’ll get a writer’s retreat directly to your inbox on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays each week. Whether you’re working on a memoir, a novel, or journaling for yourself, this is an invitation to slow down, tune in, and write with embodied intention.


    Join our Embodied Writing Experience where you’ll get a writer’s retreat directly to your inbox on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays each week. This is an invitation to slow down, tune in, and write with embodied intention.

    Work 1:1 with Memoir Coach Elizabeth Wilson. Book a session here.

    Feel Good Marketing with Stephanie. Book a session here.

    If you prefer to watch our conversations, you can find all of them on our YouTube channel.

    You can find us on Instagram and Threads

    Show more Show less
    26 mins
  • Episode 110: [Anna Dao] Multigenerational storytelling shapes a writer's voice and process
    Mar 30 2026

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    Elizabeth Wilson chats with memoir writer Anna Dao about the rich oral storytelling tradition that shaped not just how she writes, but why.

    They talk about what it really takes to find your authentic voice on the page, what happens when fear and people-pleasing get in the way of your truth, and what marketing a memoir actually looks like when you're a first-time author doing it all on your own terms.

    About our guest, Anna Dao:

    Born in Paris, raised under many skies —

    from Bamako to Brussels, from Dakar to New York — Anna Dao carries the songs of her ancestors in her voice.

    Her teachers were the elders of Mali,

    the storytellers who gathered under the moon to share the wisdom of the Good Path.

    Through her journey — across continents and through her own heart —she became a

    bridge between the seen and unseen,

    the modern and the ancestral.

    In her words, “the world is nothing but conversation —the world is nothing but storytelling.”

    A storyteller. A spiritual advisor. A daughter of tradition and transformation. Anna Dao invites us to listen —to remember —

    to become the story we were always meant to tell.

    Website: ​https://thehouseoflalla.com​

    Facebook: ​annadao2​

    Instagram and Threads: ​@annadao7467

     Welcome to the Inspired Writer Collective podcast. If you've ever felt the pull to write your truth, to shape the chaos of real life into something meaningful and to share your journey with the world, you're in the right place. We're your hosts, Elizabeth and Stephanie, writers, coaches, and entrepreneurs who believe in you and know how important it is to find a writing community to guide you on your path to self-publishing.

    You’re invited to connect with us by joining our Embodied Writing Experience where you’ll get a writer’s retreat directly to your inbox on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays each week. Whether you’re working on a memoir, a novel, or journaling for yourself, this is an invitation to slow down, tune in, and write with embodied intention.


    Join our Embodied Writing Experience where you’ll get a writer’s retreat directly to your inbox on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays each week. This is an invitation to slow down, tune in, and write with embodied intention.

    Get on the waitlist for the Memoir Master Plan cohort here.

    Apply to join the Finish Your First Draft in 90 Days program here.

    If you prefer to watch our conversations, you can find all of them on our YouTube channel.

    You can find us on Instagram and Threads

    Show more Show less
    51 mins
  • Episode 109: [Cynthia Merrill] Your Writing Process Isn't Broken
    Mar 23 2026

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    Have you ever tried following someone's writing advice? You've read all the books with guidelines for getting your outline done or advice about setting up your writing schedule, yet you're still feeling like something's not quite right. Like maybe the problem isn't your commitment to the process, but the fact that the method itself was never designed for the way YOU actually think and create? On this week's episode of the Inspired Writer Collective, we welcome editor and writing coach Cynthia Merrill who completely reframed Elizabeth's thinking about the writing process. Cynthia has developed something called the Authentic Writer Archetype Assessment, and in this conversation she walked through Elizabeth's results live. Here's what came up in the conversation:

    • Why writing advice that works well for one writer can actually sabotage another
    • Insight into why many memoir writers quit before they finish (hint: it's not what you think)
    • Figuring out the support systems you actually need before spending money on programs, editors, or writing groups

    Give it a listen and let us know what resonates.

    About our guest Cynthia Merrill:

    Cynthia Merrill is a developmental editor, writing coach, and creator of the Authentic Writer Archetypes—a system dedicated to helping writers understand their creative needs and build a sustainable, authentic, and joyful writing practice. While she holds a BA in Editing and Publishing, her real education has come from years of working side by side with writers in the depths of the creative process. Cynthia hosts The Way You Write podcast and lives in Phoenix, AZ with her two kids and a dog named Jasper.

    Connect with Cynthia Merrill:

    Website: ​cynthiamerrillediting.com ​

    IG: ​https://www.instagram.com/cynthiamerrillediting/​

    Free Author Archetype Assessment: ​https://www.cynthiamerrillediting.com/assessment

     Welcome to the Inspired Writer Collective podcast. If you've ever felt the pull to write your truth, to shape the chaos of real life into something meaningful and to share your journey with the world, you're in the right place. We're your hosts, Elizabeth and Stephanie, writers, coaches, and entrepreneurs who believe in you and know how important it is to find a writing community to guide you on your path to self-publishing.

    You’re invited to connect with us by joining our Embodied Writing Experience where you’ll get a writer’s retreat directly to your inbox on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays each week. Whether you’re working on a memoir, a novel, or journaling for yourself, this is an invitation to slow down, tune in, and write with embodied intention.


    Join our Embodied Writing Experience where you’ll get a writer’s retreat directly to your inbox on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays each week. This is an invitation to slow down, tune in, and write with embodied intention.

    Get on the waitlist for the Memoir Master Plan cohort here.

    Apply to join the Finish Your First Draft in 90 Days program here.

    If you prefer to watch our conversations, you can find all of them on our YouTube channel.

    You can find us on Instagram and Threads

    Show more Show less
    46 mins
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