Beautiful Writers Podcast

Hosted ByLinda Sivertsen

Listen in as author Linda Sivertsen (aka Book Mama) brings together the world’s most beloved bestselling authors for monthly chats on writing, publishing, deal-making, spirituality, activism, and the art of romancing creativity. Now streaming on American Airlines, these up-close conversations are a fan favorite, frequently profiled on “Best Podcast” lists (i.e., The Motley Fool’s “10 Best Podcasts for Women”), and on the top Arts & Books pages of iTunes/Apple Podcasts. Join Linda and her celebrity co-hosts for deep, funny interviews w/ authors who have pulled it off—from breakout success to staying power. Heart-centered encouragement, street-smart advice, and insider success (and failure!) stories for every writer and creative type. Biggest mistakes, best shortcuts, behind-the-scenes agent, press, and publishing stories help you gain the courage to get your book, blog, ballad, or biz birthed into the world. New shows post each month. Guests include: Cheryl Strayed, Joy Harjo, Nia Vardalos, Joel Stein, Deepak Chopra, Elizabeth Gilbert, Tom Hanks, Glennon Doyle, Abby Wambach, Van Jones, Candice Bergen, Meg Wolitzer, Dean Koontz, Ann Patchett, Maria Shriver, Steven Pressfield, Anita Moorjani, Tosca Lee, Brené Brown, Lee Child, Terry McMillan, Anne Lamott, Rob Bell, Dani Shapiro, Gabby Bernstein, Martha Beck, Seth Godin, Danielle LaPorte, Marianne Williamson, Arianna Huffington, Mary Karr, Gretchen Rubin, and WME super-agent Jennifer Rudolph Walsh. If you’ve ever wished you could sit down with your favorite writers to ask them how they do it, year after year, book after book, consider this your new, not-so-guilty pleasure. Take your dreams from idea to done with us. The Beautiful Writers Podcast. Where inspiration is constant, and swearing, optional (although highly appreciated). Find out more: https://www.beautifulwriterspodcast.com

Nell Scovell: Just the Funny Parts & Then Some…

A veteran comedy writer for TV, film, and books, Nell Scovell (who also produces and directs!), is here to chat about her new memoir, JUST THE FUNNY PARTS… And a Few Hard Truths About Sneaking into the Hollywood Boys’ Club. Who is Nell Scovell? You may not know the name, but if you’ve ever watched The Simpsons, NCIS, Murphy Brown, The Muppets, Newhart, Charmed, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Late Night with David Letterman, the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, or Sabrina the Teenage Witch—which she created—you’ve no doubt laughed at something Nell has written.

And, if you’re a fan of the monster bestselling book LEAN IN, by Facebook COO, Sheryl Sandberg (that Nell co-authored), you’ve already spent hours inside her head–which is a fun, heartfelt, intelligent place to hang out! I’m crazy about her and this book—a memoir VOGUE magazine calls: “The new Bossypants meets Lean In.” If you’re someone who writes, can you imagine a dreamier blurb?

Listen in as Nell and I talk about navigating writing collaborations; writing ideas that never pan out, and how to see feedback as constructive, not critical. We discuss pitch meetings—including a word-for-word hilarity she gave to Larry David; accessing creative flow; how not to let men or politics derail your writing, and why she says fearing the blank page is like fearing an empty dog dish.

This no-nonsense Harvard grad (cum laude—sheesh, right?!) will leave you inspired to COMPLETE—and then shamelessly SHARE your work with the world—while standing up for your rights to be seen, heard, and PAID. Nell is an outspoken, longtime advocate for diversity and gender equality in Hollywood; so much so that years before the #metoo movement was on everyone’s lips, she risked everything to go wildly public about the sexist culture, hostile work environment, and lack of female writers in late-night TV. Thankfully, for us, when she gambled it all, her bravery was rewarded, and Nell’s voice was not only not extinguished to a whimper but roared to make it safer for everyone else.

God willing, may Nell Scovell continue to use her voice for the funny parts–and far more–for decades to come.

Welcome.
P.S. Remember to get your copy of JUST THE FUNNY PARTS. And, while you’re at it; prep for next month’s show with Austin Channing Brown’s hit debut: I’M STILL HERE: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness. Austin, a powerful voice for racial justice and a stunning memoirist, is also so much fun—as you’ll see. #Icanteven #bestjobanywhere

P.S.S. Subscribe here so you’ll be the first to know when a new episode airs. (For more info, go to www.BeautifulWritersPodcast.com)

P.S.S.S. If you love the show, please take a sec to give us a 5-star rating on iTunes, which helps spread the word! https://apple.co/2sbpC1J

Subscribe to Our Newsletter