🌟 Key Takeaways from Elizabeth

• We Are Hardwired for Connection: Citing social science research, Elizabeth highlights that humans are fundamentally wired for relationship networks. Those who intentionally cultivate deep connections are proven to be the most resilient, content, and well-adapted in life and business.

• The Strategic Power of "Uncommon Connection": True connection means standing out. From sending unexpected handwritten postcards across the globe to leveraging Substack's active Notes and Direct Messages, moving beyond generic, automated outreach is what transforms casual readers into an invested community.

• Heart Over Numbers: Growth hacks and numbers-driven strategies mean nothing without actual caring. Building a slower, high-affinity community rooted in generosity and service will always be more fulfilling and sustainable than "throwing spaghetti at the wall".

🌿 The 4 Essential Connections of Life

When life or business feels slightly off-track, Elizabeth teaches that we can look to these four foundational relationships to anchor ourselves and find real alignment:

1. Connection with a Higher Power: Finding a grounding spiritual thread that binds humanity together.

2. Connection with Yourself: Cultivating deep self-knowledge, self-awareness, and personal discernment.

3. Connection with Others: Intentionally building relationships from a place of service and authenticity.

4. Connection with Nature: Stepping into the natural world around us for its vital, therapeutic healing properties.

📝 Final Thoughts & Where to Connect

As Elizabeth beautifully reminded us at the finish line, “Before you can sell, you have to connect, and whether written or spoken, words from the heart will never fail you.” If you are looking to inject more comfort, inspiration, and intentionality into your writing and daily routine, do yourself a favor and subscribe to Elizabeth’s publication, The Heart Spoken Note, on Substack.

Explore her book, blog, stationery insights, and services by visiting her main hub at heartspoken.com.

Thank you , , and many others for tuning into the LIVE episode of Star Maker Talk Show video with guest .

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Here are three key takeaways from our conversation:

• Lynn breaks down her “Offer Therapy Pyramid of Success,” explaining how your marketing naturally falls into place once your mindset and messaging are fully aligned.

• We discuss how to use NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming) predicates to match your target market’s dominant learning style so your copy genuinely resonates.

• Lynn shares a powerful personal story about putting Neville Goddard’s manifestation principles to the test to clear out resistance and achieve a life-changing breakthrough.

Connect with Lynn on Substack and explore her work through the links below:

• Website: https://lynnswayze.com

• LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/lynnswayze/

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lynnswayze

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Thank you to , , and everyone who joined us live for the Star Maker Talk Show!

If you’ve ever felt “too scared” or “too unpolished” to hit the record button, Monica’s “no bullshit” advice will completely shift your perspective on what it means to be the real deal online. She shares her secret sauce for overcoming performance anxiety: forgetting the audience of thousands and speaking directly to one person, her first-ever subscriber, Beverly. You’ll learn how she balances the spontaneity of live video with a smart post-production routine, including her specific tips for editing out those first few awkward seconds of “dead space” and using voice enhancement to ensure her message truly resonates.

Beyond the technical tips, this recording captures the heart-stirring moment Monica discusses her mission to “rewire” the concept of retirement and her plans to launch a charitable foundation for women in crisis. Whether you are a writer, a digital marketer, or someone just looking for the courage to reinvent yourself, you’ll find an escape hatch in Monica’s story of resilience and her belief that “repetition reaps rewards.”

Press play to discover why forty viewers on the livestream couldn’t look away and how you can start facilitating greatness in your own community by simply choosing to be yourself.

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Key Takeaways from the Show

• The Power of the “Untethered” Life Colleen shares how personal loss and life shifts led her to embrace a nomadic lifestyle, proving that you can start a new chapter at any age.

• Demystifying Digital Products A digital product is simply knowledge created and delivered virtually, ranging from simple PDFs to full-scale e-courses.

• The “Decide and Move” Methodology To overcome overthinking, Colleen uses micro-experiments to break down big, bold life changes into manageable, safe steps.

• Consistency Over Complexity Building an audience doesn’t require a massive budget; Colleen has shown up live for over 600 consecutive days 😲… to build trust and community.

• The “Coffee with Colleen” Strategy Authenticity wins on social media, as evidenced by Colleen’s unpolished, “bed-head” morning lives that drive her business growth.

• Repurposing for Profit Live workshops can be recorded, edited to remove gallery views, and sold indefinitely as evergreen digital assets.

• The 50+ Advantage People over 50 are the most qualified humans on the planet, possessing a wealth of expertise that is ready to be monetised.

“We are the most qualified humans on the planet... any human over the age of 50 has multiple skills, interests, and expertise they can translate into digital income.” — Colleen Kochannek

Tech & AI Tools Mentioned

Colleen utilizes a “mixed portfolio” of tools to keep her nomadic business running smoothly:

• Stan Store: Her primary digital storefront for hosting and selling products.

• Skool: The platform used to host her “3rd Act Lab” membership community.

• Zoom: Her go-to tool for hosting live workshops and recording content.

• Gamma: An AI tool that converts Google Docs into full slide decks and workbooks in minutes.

• Loom: Used to transcribe videos for content repurposing.

• ChatGPT / Claude / Gemini: AI collaborators used to analyze transcriptions and identify marketing themes.

Connect with Colleen

• Main Storefront: stan.store/colleenkochannek

• Join the Membership: The 3rd Act Lab

• Substack: Colleen’s 3rd Act Field Notes

• Socials: Instagram | TikTok | Facebook

🏫 Ready to make your move? You can still grab a seat at Colleen’s Decide and Move Workshop to start your own reinvention today.

Thank you , , , and many others for tuning into my live video with ! 🙏

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Episode Highlights

• The Philosophy of Imagine, Believe, Discover: Shannon breaks down her publication’s mission: imagining more to reality than we currently believe, having the courage to believe in one’s curiosity, and discovering through personal experience what is real.

• Transpersonal Psychology & Ancestry: With a Master’s degree from Naropa University, Shannon explains how psychology and spirituality intersect, particularly in how we frame “intuitive” experiences and connections with our ancestors.

• A Lifelong Obsession with Scotland: Having visited 16 times, Shannon discusses her deep connection to her heritage and her current Young Adult novel project involving a bagpiper with “second sight” who can communicate with ghosts.

• From the Classroom to the Pitch Room: After three decades as a public school teacher, Shannon discusses her leap into screenwriting with Story Summit, including the nerve-wracking but rewarding experience of pitching a holiday rom-com to Hollywood producers.

• The Solopreneur Journey: Shannon shares the honest challenges of the first 12 months of creative independence, from overcoming the fear of “going live” to finding her unique voice and monetization path on Substack.

Whether you are part of the Scottish diaspora, a writer navigating the “Earth School” of creativity, or simply a deep thinker looking for an authentic conversation, this episode offers a grounded look at following your intuition.

People & Organizations Mentioned

• Story Summit

  A writing school and community founded by David Paul Kirkpatrick that helps writers craft screenplays, memoirs, and fiction.

• David Paul Kirkpatrick

  Former President of Paramount Pictures and founder of Story Summit; a key mentor in Shannon’s screenwriting journey.

• Christine Conradt

  An accomplished producer, writer, and director who teaches the “12 Months of Christmas” screenwriting course.

• Scott Perry A marketing and mindset mentor who helps creatives navigate their “inner circle” and professional path.

• Tom Vaughn

  A veteran screenwriter and teacher providing deep-dive insights into scriptwriting and story structure.

• SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators)

  A global organization for children’s publishing; Shannon serves as the coordinator for the Tacoma, Washington chapter.

Mike Asks You

Shannon mentioned being "totally terrified" to go live for the first time today. Does the idea of hosting or joining a Substack livestream fill you with trepidation, or are you ready to hit the 'Go Live' button? Let us know in a reply email or in the comments!

Mastering the Substack Live Video

• Focus on the Viewer, Not Yourself: Remember that your presentation is for the benefit of your audience; adopting a “how may I serve” attitude helps eliminate self-consciousness and perfectionism.

• The Progression Framework: Start small by speaking to a blank screen or recording audio first to get used to your own voice before transitioning to full live video.

• Slow Down and Drop an Octave: Beginners often talk too fast; slowing your speech and lowering your intonation creates a more authoritative and “FM radio” style tone that keeps viewers engaged.

• Embrace the “Rule of Thirds”: Center yourself within the horizontal and vertical thirds of the screen to ensure your gestures and facial expressions are clearly visible to the audience.

• Don’t Fear the Pause: Silence isn’t a mistake; it’s “timing” that allows your audience to absorb a point before you move on to the next.

• Eye Contact with the Lens: Avoid the temptation to look at your own image on the screen; look directly into the camera lens so your viewers feel you are speaking to them.

• Use What You Have: You don’t need a professional studio; start with your smartphone or a basic laptop webcam and focus on the experience rather than the equipment.

• Leverage Multi-Channel Publishing: A single Substack Live can be repurposed into a recorded article, a YouTube video, and several short-form clips for social media like TikTok or Instagram.

By shifting your mindset from performance to service, you’ll find that going live is less about hitting "record" and more about inviting your readers into a natural, meaningful conversation.

P.S. The former FBI hostage negotiator I was trying to recall during the show is Chris Voss. I was quoting from his book, Never Split the Difference.

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The Gems

• The $70M ROI: Brian traces $70 million in sales over a decade back to the organic audience he built in the early years of CopyBlogger.

• The Anti-Advertising Rule: Why you should stop trying to monetize with ads and instead use the internet as the ultimate direct marketing medium.

• The AI “Wizardry”: Brian reveals the eye-correction AI he uses to look directly at the camera while reading his scripts, and why he’s finally facing his resistance to video.

• Confidence vs. Courage: Brian argues that you don’t need confidence to start; you need the courage to take the leap before a layoff makes the choice for you.

Episode Highlights

• [02:30] What Brian actually did with his initial $1,000 “seed funding”.

• [08:05] The failed business that taught him everything about monetization.

• [13:30] The snowboarding accident and emergency brain surgery that changed his life.

• [17:30] Why Brian is now forcing himself to do “video reps” to stay relevant.

• [22:00] The “Audience First” Philosophy: Why most businesses fail by building products first.

• [30:00] Selling the empire: The moment Brian chose his family over a $100M valuation.

• [39:30] AI Skepticism: Why you won’t lose your business to AI, but to a human using it.

• [46:50] The Longevity Economy: Why your 50’s are the perfect time to take things into your own hands.

Connect with Brian: Join with more than 9,000 other readers and subscribe to his Substack newsletter, Further. “Stop hoping for some mythical "golden years" retirement. Start building a location-independent business at midlife that lets you live anywhere and earn everywhere.”

Star Maker Talk Show Archives

Check out this archive episode: Claudia Faith’s guest appearance on the Star Maker Talk Show. Claudia shares her incredible story and talks about the specific blueprint she’s using to scale ownership and AI on Substack—the perfect follow-up to Brian’s strategy for building a location-independent empire.

Watch the Show: From Zero to 16,000: Claudia Faith’s Blueprint

Thank you , , and many others for joining the Star Maker Talk Show live with ! To catch our future shows as they happen, join me for the live video in the Substack app.

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🌟 Guest Star Spotlight

Tracy Friedlander is the force behind The Second Act Strategist, where she helps professionals trade the corporate grind for a career built on their own terms. A former world-class symphony musician turned audience-building authority, she has mastered the art of “scroll-stopping” engagement and high-conversion networking.

📺 In This Show

• The Orchestral Discipline (00:06:45): Why being a 20-year horn player rewired Tracy’s brain to never give up, even when the “gigs” disappear.

• The “Icky” Marketing Myth (00:21:21): Why promoting your own work isn’t sleazy—it’s actually a service to the people who need your help.

• The Strategy Seat (00:31:52): How Tracy creatively used Substack’s “Founding Member” tier to launch a high-value cohort without a complex sales funnel.

• The Restack Web (00:19:17): Why you should stop obsessing over “Likes” and start chasing the “Big Web” of shares.

• The Amazon Method (00:45:59): A secretive way to find infinite Note ideas by raiding the world’s largest bookstore.

  Star Maker is the TV-style talk show starring Substack guests with their stories and big ideas.

🎬 End of Show Thoughts

In the second act of your life, you are no longer waiting for a conductor to give you the cue; you are the one holding the baton, and the best music always happens after the first curtain call.

➡️ Here’s More

Subscribe to Tracey’s newsletter: The Second Act Strategist

📼 Star Maker Talk Show Archives

If you enjoyed Tracy’s high-voltage breakdown of the Substack “Strategy Seat,” you’ll want to revisit the show with A-list copywriter . We went deep into “The Billion Dollar Pen” to uncover how high-stakes copywriting creates legendary results.

👉 The Billion Dollar Pen of David Deutsch

👏 Thank you , , , , and many others for tuning into the Star Maker Talk Show with . Join me for our next live show in the app.

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Guest Star Spotlight

David Deutsch is an A-list copywriting legend who has generated over $1 billion in sales for some of the largest companies in the world, including Procter & Gamble. After a storied career on Madison Avenue at Ogilvy & Mather, he now mentors the next generation of writers and shares his deep-rooted wisdom on his Substack, Speaking of Writing.

On This Show

• The Kilt on Madison Avenue (00:04:46): David recalls his time at Ogilvy & Mather and the eccentric brilliance of David Ogilvy, who famously wore a kilt to stand out from the “men in gray flannel suits”.

• The “Accidental Disinheritance” Hook (00:07:22): How to transform dry, technical information into a curiosity-driven sales machine that captures immediate attention.

• The Stand-Up Secret (00:13:18): Why the principles of stand-up comedy, controlling an audience and understanding the impact of specific words, are the ultimate training for written persuasion.

• The Copy Thinking Revolution (00:14:37): Why you should step away from the keyboard and talk to real people to find the “essence” of your message before you write a single word.

• The Human Edge vs. The Bot (00:17:18): David’s take on why AI copy often sounds “soulless” and why your human advantage is more critical now than ever.

End of Show Thoughts

The biggest takeaway from this show is that great writing isn’t about rigid formulas or templates; it’s about accessing your “inner persuader” and having the empathy to understand what your reader truly fears and desires. As David says, don’t just go to the computer and start typing, think about the person whose life you are trying to change.

Here’s More

Subscribe to David’s weekly Substack newsletter: Speaking of Writing
Check out his new offer on better writing: speakingofwriting.com

Star Maker Talk Show Archives

If you enjoyed tonight’s look at the psychology of high-stakes selling, you won’t want to miss our sit-down with Anfernee from Solopreneur Code. We explore how he built a $10,000-a-month empire by using Substack to drive traffic to his digital products on off-platform channels.

👉 Anfernee on Star Maker Talk Show

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“I’ve got to be honest, I was a little worried we’d run out of time with . Not because Casey is slow, but because every time he opens his mouth, a decade’s worth of marketing wisdom falls out. I first “met” Casey through his copywriting courses, and his “Core Message Platform” literally put food on my table for years. Sitting down with him for this episode of Star Maker Talk Show felt like a full-circle moment, especially since we both showed up wearing the same colour shirt (clearly, the memo went out). We got into everything from his days in Hollywood writers’ rooms with Ron Howard (remember Happy Days?) to why the traditional “solo copywriter” model is dying. If you’ve ever felt like your marketing was a bit “icky” or just plain inconsistent, this one is for you. Press play and enjoy watching the show.”

The Show Highlights

• (04:20) The Fearless Dude Formula: Why Casey decided to stop being “too macho” or “too dense” and started writing for regular everyday guys over 50.

• (09:40) The Death of the 2000’s Business Model: Why Casey believes the old way of freelancing is extinct and what the new “Solo Agency” looks like in the age of AI.

• (13:40) Is Your Brand “Wobbling”? The simple table-top test to see if your messaging is morphing and losing you money.

• (16:10) Backstage at Cheers & Happy Days: What Casey learned about audience engagement while sitting behind the writers at Paramount Studios.

• (21:40) The Third Plumber Parable: The exact strategy for selling your services (or your book) without ever making a traditional sales pitch.

The Guest Star Spotlight

Casey Demchak isn't just an "almost celebrity" copywriter; he’s a titan who has spent 20 years crafting the messaging for superstars like Jeff Walker and Tony Robbins. He’s the man who turned "Key Message Platforms" into a science, and he's currently leading the charge for "Fearless Dudes" everywhere on Substack.

End of Show Thought

If you take one thing from Casey today, let it be this: Repetition of message builds the reputation of your brand. Stop making it up as you go!

Connect with Casey Demchak:

• Substack: Brand Message Victory

• Website: Casey Copy

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Special thanks to , , and many others for tuning into my live video with Casey Demchak! Join me for the next episode of Star Maker Talk Show in the Substack app.

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Next on Star Maker Talk Show

If you enjoyed tonight’s episode, don’t miss my sit-down with on how she grew a massive Substack following from zero to 16,000 in just two years. It’s a classic from the archives that fits right in with what we discussed on this show.

👉 From Zero to 16,000: Claudia Faith’s Blueprint for Ownership & AI Scaling

• The “Writing Set Me Free” Philosophy (How moving from investor meetings to a solopreneur journey allows you to finally design a life you actually enjoy)

• The Technical vs. Human Side of “Owning Your Audience” (Why relying on social media algorithms is a dangerous game and how to build a “safe space” for your community instead)

• Why a Former VC Founder “Hated” the Pitching Game (The honest truth about the intense pressure of venture capital and why the Substack model is the ultimate antidote for entrepreneurs)

• The Cozora Strategy: Staying Relevant in an AI World (How to build a high-value community where experts help you keep up with a landscape that changes every single day)

• Mastering Claude over ChatGPT (Why a Master’s degree holder in AI prefers “Claude Code” for connecting files and live searches, and why you might want to switch models too)

• The “Time-Zone Push” Restack Method (A simple, specific strategy for republishing your own Notes to hit different global audiences and give your content a second life)

• Emotional Connection through Short-Form Notes (Why your Notes shouldn’t make people “think too much” and how pictures of your dog can actually drive deeper community engagement)

• The “No-Plan” Plan for Future Growth (Why the most successful creators focus on short-term analysis and showing up daily rather than rigid three-year roadmaps)

Whether you are just starting at zero or you’re ready to automate your marketing systems, Claudia’s insights offer a mini-masterclass in building a business that serves your life, rather than the other way around.

Enjoy the replay and subscribe for more "Go Pro" insights so you never miss the expert guests I bring to the spotlight.

Mike Searles
STAR MAKER
Go pro on video

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Lorrie is a true trailblazer who broke into the “old school” boys’ club of direct response and showed the world that you don’t need “testosterone war language” to shatter sales records. We spent about 40 minutes diving into the soul of what makes people actually click “buy” in 2026.

Here’s a taste of what we covered (you’ll want to watch the full replay for the “how-to”):

• The “TARKET” Concept: That’s not a typo. Why your “Avatar” is probably too broad and how a simple typing mistake led Lorrie to a conversion breakthrough.

• The “Icky” Factor: How to sell to people who hate being sold to (especially the 85% of buyers who hold the purse strings).

• Story-Selling vs. Storytelling: The art of the “eloquent pivot” that turns a mundane anecdote into a high-converting offer.

• The AI Reality Check: Why so many copywriters got fired and then immediately rehired six months later.

• The Bucket Brigade: Lorrie’s “slippery slope” secret for writing headlines and subject lines that demand to be read.

• Acting Your Way to Sales: How Lorrie uses her Hollywood background to “get into character” for her customers.

SPECIAL MENTION: The “Y U Story”

If you’ve ever wondered why someone should pick you over the sea of competition, Lorrie has the answer. She’s developed a specific genre of narrative called the Y U Story. It’s about building instantaneous trust and showing your character rather than just claiming it.

Check it out here: redhotcopy.com/yustory

Connect with Lorrie:

• Substack: Red Hot Inkslinger

• Website: RedHotCopy.com

Thank you , , and many others for tuning into my live video with .

(Stick around for the end where my “end call” button vanishes from my phone and I have a minor tech meltdown 😱 - real life, folks! 😄)

P.S. A Note from the Star Maker: I help Substack writers conquer camera‑fear in one quick, private improv session so they don’t freeze on live video. Think of it as a creative warm‑up for your publishing persona. A safe space where we break the fear barrier. The result? You show up live with personality, presence, and the same energy your readers love in your writing. No scripts. No cringe. Just connection. DM me for details.

~ Mike Searles
STAR MAKER

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Two Melbourne (Australia) mates, plenty of laughs… and a straight-talking breakdown of what actually works on Substack right now.

It Starts Loose… Then Gets Real Fast

This one kicks off exactly how you’d expect when two Aussie blokes who genuinely enjoy each other’s company hit “go live”… a bit of banter, a bit of nonsense about hats, and then before you know it you’re deep into a conversation that’s equal parts entertaining and quietly confronting, especially if you’ve been sitting on the sidelines wondering why your writing isn’t getting seen.

The Shift From Writer to Talent

What I loved about this session with Jason is how naturally it flows between the light and the serious, because one minute we’re joking around like mates over coffee, and the next we’re pulling apart something most people avoid talking about, which is the uncomfortable truth that if you’re not being seen, you’re not getting paid… and most people are stuck because they’re still thinking like writers instead of stepping into the role of talent.

Attention Isn’t Luck. It’s Designed

Jason does a great job throughout of grounding the conversation and pulling things back to what actually matters for everyday Substack users, especially when he starts probing around attention, strategy, and whether this is just noise for the sake of noise or something far more deliberate, and that’s where things start to sharpen, because we get into the difference between chasing attention randomly and designing it with intent.

Personality Is the Missing Edge

From there, the conversation takes a turn into something that I think will hit a lot of people harder than expected, which is personality… not as a nice-to-have, but as the missing piece in a sea of safe, predictable, often AI-flavoured writing that all blends together, and Jason raises a point that many people quietly wrestle with, which is the temptation to copy what seems to be working instead of risking being seen for who you actually are.

The Fear That Keeps You Playing Small

And that’s where things get real, because we don’t dance around it… we talk about fear, the fear of what people will think, the fear of saying the wrong thing, the fear of standing out, and how that fear keeps people stuck playing small, even when they know there’s more they could be doing.

The Realisation That Frees You Up

Jason brings it back beautifully with his own take, cutting through a lot of that hesitation with a blunt reminder that most people aren’t thinking about you anywhere near as much as you think they are, which frees you up more than you realise once it lands, and from there we move into one of the most practical parts of the conversation… video.

No Gear. No Excuses. Just Hit Record

This is where the whole thing becomes very real and very doable, because there’s no theory here, no fancy setup, no excuses left standing… just two guys on phones, no studio, no gear, no polish, proving in real time that you can hit record and start, messy, imperfect, human, and still make something worth watching.

What Happens After You Get Attention

We also dig into what happens next after attention, how followers turn into subscribers, how subscribers turn into buyers, and why some of the smartest operators on Substack are actually making most of their money off-platform, which might change how you think about what you’re building altogether.

Why This One Is Worth Watching Through

And through all of it, there’s this underlying thread that makes the whole thing enjoyable to watch, because it never feels like a lecture, it feels like you’re sitting in on a conversation that’s honest, a bit rough around the edges, sometimes funny, sometimes blunt, but always moving forward, and I’ll say it straight, I had a great time being on with Jason, and I reckon that comes through loud and clear.

Key Points Raised During the Show

• Jason sets the tone with an informal, conversational format that makes the discussion accessible and engaging from the start

• Mike introduces his shift in direction on Substack, moving toward helping creators “be seen and get paid”

• Attention is not accidental, it is a deliberate strategy designed to stand out in a crowded platform

• Jason highlights that attention must have purpose, backed by strategy and positioning, not just noise

• Personality is identified as the key differentiator missing from much of today’s writing, especially AI-generated content

• Fear of judgement is the main reason people avoid showing personality and standing out

• Jason reinforces that most people overestimate how much others care about them, which holds them back unnecessarily

• Confidence is reframed as a byproduct, with courage being the actual requirement to take action

• Video is presented as a practical, accessible tool that requires no expensive equipment to start

• The Substack growth path is explained as: notes → followers → subscribers → monetisation

• Off-platform monetisation is highlighted as a major revenue driver for successful creators

• Repetition of ideas is not a problem, because audiences connect with the person delivering the message

- Mike

Mike Searles
STAR MAKER

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“All Substack’s a stage, and we’re all merely players. Play for fame and fortune.
Be seen. Get paid.” ~ Mike Searles

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When It Almost Didn’t Happen (And Why That Made It Better)

This one started with tech hiccups, a bit of dancing between devices, and two people determined to make it work anyway… and somehow that set the tone perfectly for everything that followed, because what unfolded wasn’t a polished, rehearsed “interview.”

This Was Never Going to Be a Polished Interview

It was a lively, fast-moving, honest conversation that kept opening doors you didn’t expect, one after the other, until you realise halfway through you’re not just watching a guest… you’re watching someone who has lived this work for decades and can speak it in real time without hiding behind notes or scripts.

When the Credentials Fade and the Real Work Begins

We covered the obvious on paper, the credentials, the Emmy, the books, the Oprah appearances, the global TV work… but what made this so enjoyable was how quickly that all faded into the background once Rhonda started talking about fear in the way she sees it. Not as something dramatic or rare, but as something running through everyday decisions, shaping behaviour in ways most people never stop to question, from procrastination to people-pleasing to that constant inner voice that says you’re too late, too slow, or somehow not quite right.

The Twist You Couldn’t Script If You Tried

And then, just when you think you’ve got a handle on the conversation, we take a turn into her story towards acting, moving to LA, avoiding the very thing she wanted because of fear, only to later end up on television as herself, which feels like one of those twists you couldn’t script even if you tried.

The Shift That Changes Everything

And from there into public speaking, where she admits she was terrified, standing in her own living room with an audience of four people, worried about her kitchen tiles, her appearance, everything, until something shifted and she stopped focusing on herself and started focusing on what she had to give, and that’s where it all began to open up.

How People Actually Become Known (Not the Version You’re Told)

There’s also a thread running underneath the whole conversation that I enjoyed more than I expected, which is the “behind the scenes” of how someone becomes known, how one appearance leads to another, how credibility compounds, how simply being able to say “I was on Oprah” changes the game in very real, practical ways, not in theory, but in bookings, fees, and opportunities that suddenly show up.

The Energy in the Room You Can’t Fake

And through all of it, there’s this energy, light, playful, quick, sometimes funny, sometimes dead serious, but always moving, which made this one of those conversations where you don’t feel like you’re sitting through a lesson, you feel like you’re in the room while something real is happening, and I’ll say it straight, I had a great time doing this, and I think that comes through.

Stick with it all the way to the end, because Rhonda closes with a short guided moment that lands harder than you expect, simple words, repeated, but they stay with you long after the video ends.

Key Points from Rhonda

• Most daily behaviours people label as personality or circumstance are actually fear responses, including procrastination, people-pleasing, overwhelm, judgement, and self-criticism

• Many successful decisions can still be driven by fear, not just failure or avoidance, so it’s not always obvious what’s really driving you

• Fear often disguises itself so well that people don’t even realise it’s present, including in thoughts like “it’s too late for me” or “I missed my chance”

• Public speaking fear comes from focusing on yourself instead of focusing on what you’re there to give to others

• You don’t need to be like other speakers, your audience responds to your tone, your style, and your way of expressing ideas

• Comparison is a direct expression of fear and immediately disconnects you from your own value

• Starting small, even in a living room with a handful of people, is enough to unlock confidence and skill over time

• Visibility compounds, one major platform appearance can open doors to speaking, media, and higher fees simply through perceived authority

• Creative output doesn’t need to be perfect or over-produced, acting on inspiration quickly often leads to powerful results

• The core message: there is nothing wrong with you, what you’re experiencing is fear, not a personal flaw

If you enjoyed this conversation, or even if one line stuck with you longer than expected, go deeper with Rhonda’s work here: https://fearlessliving.org

And for even more from Rhonda…

Fearless Quiz: https://fearlessliving.org/quiz
Fearless You: https://fearlessliving.org/course
Stretch Risk or Die: https://fearlessliving.org/risk

Until next time, 😃

Mike Searles
STAR MAKER
Be seen. Get paid.

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As we talked, Anfernee dropped a bombshell that made me completely rethink my own strategy. While in my view he is a “Substack famous” creator with over 5,000 subscribers, he revealed that Substack accounts for a mere 1% of his business revenue. So, where is the other 99% coming from? The answer involves a high-speed “digital dollar” strategy that bypasses the usual path of “waiting to get discovered.”

In this Live, we dive into:

• The Corporate Misfit Advantage: Why wanting to be “good at everything” is actually the secret weapon of the modern solopreneur.

• The $4.90 Catalyst: How a tiny donation on Gumroad turned into a massive digital product ecosystem.

• Platform Ecosystems: Why Anfernee chose Substack over Beehiiv or Kit (it wasn’t just about the tools).

• The AI Speed Trap: How to use AI to shorten development phases by 80% and finally achieve true “sovereignty.”

• The Facebook Group “Grind”: The manual, high-activity method he used to generate 1,400 downloads from a single post—and why he eventually walked away from it.

• Content vs. Tools: Why charging for “information” is a dying business model, and what you should be selling instead.

Anfernee’s philosophy is simple: Solopreneurship is the future of business.

If you’ve been over-analyzing your next move, this conversation is the wake-up call you need to start producing instead of just planning.

Press play to watch how to turn a one-person business into a sustainable income engine.

Links

• Connect with Anfernee on Substack: Anfernee’s Profile

• Build a business that works: Solopreneur Code

• Browse the digital product library: Anfernee’s Gumroad Store

~ Mike Searles

PS Apologies for some interruptions in the early parts of the recording due to temporary internet connection issues at my end.

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If you write, lead, coach, sell, or build anything in public, you’re paid for the quality of your thinking long before you’re paid for the quality of your output.

In this live Substack session, I sat down with Dr. Michael Hewitt-Gleeson, co‑founder of the School of Thinking and the acknowledged father of X10 Thinking, to talk about:

• Why most of us are still running “medieval” brain software built on right/wrong thinking.

• How his cvs2bvs algorithm helps you move from your current view of a situation to a better view — often a 10x better one.

• How his new, free X10 Thinking AI app uses GBB (Good–Bad–Better) to do something humans struggle to do: generate 10 good, 10 bad, and 10 better points on any idea or decision.

If you’ve ever felt stuck in “this is just how it is,” this is the replay you’ll want to watch.

Who is Dr. Michael Hewitt-Gleeson?

A quick frame, because this is not just another “productivity hacks” chat.

Michael is:

• Co‑founder of the School of Thinking (New York, 1979), originally launched with Edward de Bono.

• Holder of the world’s first PhD in lateral thinking.

• A cognitive scientist who has taught his thinking methods in the White House (Pres. Reagan era), Fortune 500 boardrooms, and to millions of students worldwide through School of Thinking programs.

In the live, we talk about:

• His Vietnam-era officer training and how it led him to question how the world makes decisions.

• Meeting Edward de Bono, moving to New York, and starting the School of Thinking.

• His PhD work in selling, where he challenged the American “close the sale” model and showed that it is always the customer who closes the sale in their own brain.

There’s a through‑line from that early work on “new selling” and Wombat Selling (word‑of‑mouth, buy‑and‑tell) to his current focus on X10 Thinking and the new AI app.

CVS2BVS: Escaping your current view

One of Michael’s key ideas is that at any moment, your brain is secreting a CVS — your current view of the situation.

That CVS is built from:

• Your environment.

• Your upbringing and past experiences.

• Your culture, education, and even genetics.

Once you have a CVS, you have two options:

• Defend it (the default: “I’m right, you’re wrong”).

• Escape it and search for a BVS — a better view of the situation.

Michael’s basic law of thinking is simple: the CVS can never be equal to the BVS.

In the live, we talk about how “speed of thought” is not how fast you calculate, but how quickly you can escape your current view and move to a better one.

His example: if it takes one family member ten years to escape their point of view, and another only one year, the one‑year thinker is the faster thinker — even if a computer beats them both at arithmetic.

For Substack writers, coaches, and founders, cvs2bvs is a direct challenge to the way we cling to “this is my niche,” “this is my pricing,” “this is what my readers will accept,” without exploring better options.

X10 Thinking: Lateral thinking with numbers

X10 Thinking is Michael’s numerical synonym for lateral thinking.

• Lateral thinking uses words and concepts to step outside the obvious.

• X10 Thinking provokes the brain with numbers: multiply your current view by 10 and force yourself out of the old frame.

When you multiply by 10, you’re no longer just tweaking; you’re outside the box and forced to find your way around a completely different landscape.

He illustrates the underlying combinatorics with a simple noughts‑and‑crosses (tic‑tac‑toe) grid:

• Place the numbers 1–9 on the grid in any order and you have one CVS — one arrangement of nine bits of information.

• In reality, there are 362,880 possible arrangements of those nine numbers. 😲

If that’s what nine bits of information can do, how many possible arrangements exist in a business plan, a sales process, a publishing strategy, or a relationship? 🤔

The problem isn’t that 10x better arrangements don’t exist; it’s that while we’re busy defending our current view, we’re not searching for them.

GBB: Good, Bad, Better — beyond judgement

Most of us are black belts in good/bad. We like an idea or we don’t. We’re for it or against it.

GBB is Michael’s way of getting you beyond that binary judgement into design:

• Good: list 10 good points about the idea — what you or others could genuinely like.

• Bad: list 10 bad points — what you or others might see as drawbacks or risks.

• Better: list 10 ways to make it better — adjustments, variations, multiplications, reversals.

Example he often uses in teaching and courses: “Marriage should not be forever, but for five years with an option to renew.”

Brains react instantly. Some nod. Some recoil. GBB forces you to slow down and think:

• Good points (e.g., clearer expectations, structured re‑commitment).

• Bad points (e.g., insecurity, administrative complexity, impact on children).

• Better points (e.g., different time frames, optional reviews, hybrid models).

The punchline: he has been teaching GBB for decades and has never seen a human consistently produce 10 good, 10 bad, and 10 better points unaided. Most stall at three or four.

This is where the new AI app comes in.

The new X10 Thinking AI app

Michael’s newly released X10 Thinking AI app is designed to do the one thing we can’t reliably do at scale: complete a full GBB on any idea or decision, on demand.

Here’s what it does:

• You type in your issue, proposal, or situation — the CVS you’re currently in.

• The app instantly returns:

  • 10 good points.

  • 10 bad points.

  • 10 better points.

It’s free, and he built it specifically to give people practical help in moving from CVS to BVS, not just to talk about the theory.

In the live, we discuss how this intersects with coaching, sport, business, and creative work:

• He recently ran a session with 20 Olympic head coaches at the Australian Institute of Sport on the “brain game” and AI.

• He prefers highly competitive environments — sport, business, military — because the bottom line is brutal and results are measurable.

For writers and creators on Substack, the app is a thinking partner: it doesn’t replace your judgement; it feeds you more options so you can exercise better judgement.

You can explore Michael’s work and the GBB app via the School of Thinking site and his cvs2bvs resources:

• School of Thinking: schoolofthinking.org

• X10 / cvs2bvs material: schoolofthinking.org/the-book and related pages

(You can also try the GBB interface at cvs2bvs.ai/GBB.)

How this applies to you on Substack

We recorded this live with Substack in mind, but the principles travel well beyond publishing notes, articles and newsletters.

A few practical ways to use X10 Thinking, cvs2bvs, and GBB in your own work:

• Designing your offer
  Instead of asking “Is my current tier structure good or bad?”, run a GBB on your pricing, benefits, and cadence, then deliberately search for a BVS — a 10x better arrangement for you and your readers.

• Positioning your publication
  Take your current tagline or “about” copy as the CVS, then ask, “What would a BVS look like if I multiplied ambition by 10?”

• Planning campaigns
  When you’re tempted to “close the sale” hard on a launch, remember Michael’s core finding from his PhD in selling — the customer closes the sale in their own brain — and design your campaign to help readers buy instead.

My own interest in Michael’s work goes back thirty plus years to his early “New Sell” book and subsequent “Wombat Selling” ideas about word‑of‑mouth and buyer‑driven decisions, long before Substack existed.

Now, with this X10 Thinking AI app, he has given us a concrete way to apply that same thinking discipline to our modern problems: business models, creative decisions, and the way we show up in public.

Watch the replay and try the app

If you want to see these ideas in full — with Michael’s stories from Vietnam, New York, the Reagan White House, Olympic coaching, and decades of teaching thinking — watch the replay.

Then open your own stubborn CVS (about your work, your Substack, your business, or your life), run it through a GBB with the X10 Thinking AI app, and see what BVS emerges.

You can start with the School of Thinking here: schoolofthinking.org.

~ Mike

PS I highly recommend you download the free PDF and read Michael’s smartphone edition of his best-seller, Software For Your Brain. This smartphone edition is designed with larger font and less words per page to make it easier for smartphone readers. So there are more pages (415) but faster to read. Previous editions titled ‘Software For Your Brain’ have been international best-sellers since 1989.

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Raj from The Marinade turned the tables and invited me onto his Substack Live, and we went deep on writing, AI, mindset, and making money without losing your soul (or your voice). If you care about Substack, craft, and actually getting paid, this one is worth a watch.

Why this conversation matters

• It’s a rare long-form chat about Substack from two people who are actually in the trenches: Raj as an interviewer-builder, me as a late-blooming “cake” of a creator with a very mixed past.

• We talk bluntly about money, mindset, AI, slop, and sobriety in a way most polished “growth” pieces won’t touch.

• If you’ve ever wondered how to use AI without becoming bland, or how to sell without hating yourself, this is for you.

Highlights from the Live

• My “cake” theory of identity

  • Raj tried to work out what on earth I am: cartoonist, copywriter, PDF guy, numerology nut, ex‑stand‑up, ex‑radio, hypnotherapist – in the end I summed it up with one word: cake.

  • All the strange ingredients of a life – radio, sales, hypnotherapy, copywriting, comedy, recovery – combine into the one slice readers get today.

• Writing to one person (why my Substack “talks to Raj”)

  • Raj said my Substack “talks to him the most” in 2026, and the reason is simple: I deliberately write to one person at a time, not to “you people out there.”

  • I literally picture a single reader – in this case Raj – and write as if I’m emailing just them; paradoxically, that pulls in more of the right readers over time.

• Numerology, forecasts, and Raj’s grandfather

  • We detoured into numerology: my life path is 4 (foundations and structure), which is ironic given my chaotic history, and Raj’s is the “Explorer,” which fits his constant reinvention.

  • Raj connected my weekly numerology forecasts to childhood memories of his grandfather reading from an astrology book in India – my post accidentally stepped into that emotional space for him.

• Using AI to make comics in under 10 minutes

  • I walked through my cartoon process: I start with the caption (copywriter habits), then the scene, then use ChatGPT plus image generation to get from idea to finished cartoon in under ten minutes.

  • I don’t dump everything into one mega‑prompt; I lead the AI step by step, keep it “on a tight leash,” and tweak details until it matches the joke in my head.

• “Slop,” voice, and how not to lose yourself to AI

  • We talked about “slop”: people pasting AI‑generated drafts straight into Substack with no editing, no voice, and no skin in the game.

  • I admitted I’ve been guilty of that in the past and was privately (and rightly) called out by an old newspaper editor – that chewed‑out moment made me far more deliberate about how I use these tools.

• My practical tip for training AI in your own voice

  • I shared a simple method for keeping your own voice at the centre:

    • Feed ChatGPT your three most‑read Substack pieces.

    • Ask it to summarise your style and voice.

    • Paste that description into your ChatGPT custom instructions so it defaults to “you” every time.

  • From there, you still have to read, sleep on it, and revise – the tool drafts, you decide.

• The hard truth about copywriting and AI

  • I said openly I wouldn’t want to be a 30‑year‑old trying to break into copywriting today without deep sales or human‑behaviour experience; AI has raised the floor but also raised the bar.

  • My core advice: don’t obsess over “closing techniques,” obsess over human behaviour – that’s what makes both copy and Substack writing actually move people.

• Human connection in a boxed‑in world

  • Raj talked about moving from topic‑led essays to live interviews because he craves human connection – his “marinade” of stories, people, and conversations.

  • We both worry that younger creators, stuck behind screens and algorithms, are losing the basic muscles of listening, serving, and building trust one person at a time.

• Mindset vs skill: the 80/20 that actually matters

  • I shared a lesson from my copywriting mentor: success is 80% mindset, 20% skill – and that applies just as much to growing a Substack as to writing sales copy.

  • If your mindset is “monetizing is hard,” you’ve put the first obstacle in your own way; Seneca’s line we kept circling back to: you can treat things as hard, easy, or even amusing – it’s in your head.

• Substack, money, and why you’re a publisher (not “just a writer”)

  • I’m blunt about this: Substack was built as a monetization platform; wanting to be paid for your writing is not a moral failing.

  • If you want money involved, stop seeing yourself as “a writer who might monetize” and start seeing yourself as a publisher and a promoter of your own work.

• How I actually monetize: PDFs + paywall

  • I opened my paywall only recently and have seven paid subscribers – all annual, by design, not by accident.

  • In parallel, I sell PDF guides on Gumroad: I pitch them straight from my Substack emails, treating my list as a room full of people and walking through with a clear, honest sign: “Here’s something I made that might help you.”

• The “first dollar” effect

  • I make the case that if you’ve got 50 subscribers, you already have enough to fill a coffee shop – and you only need one person in that room to buy your PDF to become a paid writer.

  • That first dollar is a dopamine tidal wave; it flips a switch from “maybe one day” to “this is real,” and from there you iterate rather than fantasise.

• Authenticity, sobriety, and when “real talk” goes wrong

  • I shared a story from recovery circles: the phrase “stinking thinking” (negative thinking) and how I mis‑applied that language to someone on Substack, which landed as an attack on their identity instead of their behaviour.

  • It’s a cautionary tale: authenticity isn’t a license to swing at people; it’s an invitation to bring your real experience, including your mistakes, without forgetting there’s a human on the other end.

• Personality‑driven content and the “wisdom economy”

  • I argue that the way out of the slop economy is personality‑driven writing: putting your lived perspective into your work so it couldn’t possibly be written by anyone else.

  • That’s what I call the “wisdom economy” – less about volume of content, more about distilled experience: the lessons, scars, and stories you’ve actually earned the right to talk about.

Why you might want to watch

• You’re on Substack and secretly (or not so secretly) want to get paid without becoming a content machine.

• You’re curious how an old copywriter, ex‑comedian, and recovering human uses AI daily without losing his voice.

• You want to hear two very different lives – an Indian‑Australian software leader and a 68‑year‑old Australian “cake” – meet in the middle on writing, work, and meaning.

If any of that sounds like you, put the kettle on, grab a slice of cake (naturally), and watch the replay of my conversation with Raj of The Marinade. This time, I was the guest – but the whole thing is really about you, your writing, and what you choose to do with it next.

~ Mike

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What started as a casual larrikin chat turned into a proper deep dive into where Substack is heading, what small creators get wrong about numbers, and why some big names might be missing the point entirely.

Here’s what we covered:

• Jason’s Substack origin story – from Dungeons & Dragons hobby writing to documenting his long-term side-hustle journey.

• Why Notes feels like “old Twitter” and why that matters for building real relationships.

• The difference between broadcasting and participating on Substack.

• A spirited take on how big creators should engage with community culture. Let’s just say… there was some heat.

• The psychological trap of milestone numbers. Why 30 subscribers can feel small online but would fill a coffee shop in real life.

• Public speaking lessons that apply directly to writing online.

• Why writing to one person beats writing to “you people out there.”

• The shift from “posts” to “articles” and what that signals about Substack’s direction.

• Why “old Substack” is gone. Writing-only safe haven? That era is fading. Audio, video, Live, short clips, AI narration – the platform is now a full media engine.

• Practical tips for repurposing Live sessions into shorts and cross-platform content.

One idea that stood out for me:

If you had 50 people in a room listening to you speak, you’d call that a win. So why dismiss 50 subscribers?

Perspective changes everything.

If you’re building on Substack, feeling small, wondering if it’s worth it — watch this.

It might recalibrate how you see your numbers, your voice, and the opportunity in front of you.

Full video replay above.

And if something hits, let me know in the comments.

Thank you , , , and many others for tuning into my live video with ! Join me for my next live video in the app.

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I sat down live with , a wedding photographer who somehow manages to be a photographer, writer, marketer, and calm human all at once.

Chris publishes Inside Wedding Photography on Substack and writes about what he calls the “inside game” of weddings.

Early on, Chris made a point that stuck with me. You can teach photography. You can’t teach empathy. And if you’ve ever been around a wedding, you know exactly why that matters.

We talked about Substack, why it works so well for photographers, and why it’s more than just “a place for writers.” We also got into wedding stories, including a three-tier cake that slowly collapsed in real time. Moral of the story: always get the photos early.

And then… I nearly killed the live stream.

About halfway through, I realised I’d broken one of my own rules. I forgot to charge my phone. Cue me scrambling for a cable, unplugging the wrong thing, tilting the camera like we were on a fishing boat, apologising to everyone, and watching my battery percentage drop like a wedding cake with no internal supports. Chris, to his credit, handled it like a pro and even ran an impromptu PSA while I crawled around on the floor looking for power. (Thank you, Chris!)

Somehow, we survived.

One of the most useful parts of the conversation was Chris walking through his PDF product on Gumroad. It’s called Wedding + Event Photo Processing Blueprint, and it’s a proper, practical guide based on years of experience processing thousands of images under pressure. He also showed how he’s using Gumroad’s newer page features (AI generated sales pages) to create a clean, impressive sales page without over complicating things. Take a look. I’m blown away at how good it looks.

If you’re curious, you can see the sales page here:
https://gum.new/gum/cmkrq555x000l04l42e8j70cj

Even if you’re not a photographer, it’s a solid example of how to turn real-world know-how into a paid PDF without hype or nonsense.

Big thanks to Chris for being generous with his time, calm during my technical meltdown, and honest about what actually matters in creative work. And thanks to everyone who watched live or caught the replay, battery anxiety and all.

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A Conversation About Writing, Courage, and Not Waiting for Permission

is a professional storyteller and copywriter, but labels don’t really capture what she does. She writes like someone who has lived long enough to stop pretending. Her Substack Notes are funny, sharp, self-aware, and human in a way that’s hard to manufacture. And judging by her engagement, a lot of people feel that.

In this conversation, we talked about why her writing works without being polished or scheduled. Why she doesn’t plan content months ahead. Why she trusts instinct over calendars. And why trying to sound “professional” often drains the life out of writing instead of improving it.

We also went deeper than tactics.

We talked about self-belief. About why confidence is overrated and courage matters more. About the fear of pressing publish and why waiting to feel ready is usually the thing that keeps people stuck. Andrea shared what it was like to finally take the handbrake off her own writing after decades of doing work for clients.

There’s also plenty of colour in here.

A singing rescue dog. Children’s books. Midlife writing. Substack Notes. Selling PDFs without apologising for the price. Blocking trolls without guilt. And the simple realisation that nobody is watching as closely as you think they are.

If you’re writing but hesitating…
If you’re publishing but overthinking…
If you keep telling yourself you’ll “start properly” once you feel more confident…

This conversation will land.

The full replay is above. Watch it like a long coffee with someone who tells the truth without posturing.

Sometimes that’s exactly what’s needed.

Follow Andrea at: substack.com/@whatarethechances
Andrea on Gumroad: andreahoffmann.gumroad.com

Until next time…
Mike 😃

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