The conversation around AI and writing is heating up. But too often, it’s framed as a false choice: AI is either “bad” and deceptive, or it’s the ultimate shortcut to productivity.

In this solo episode, I challenge that binary thinking and unpack the real issues at stake for freelance writers. Sparked by a provocative LinkedIn post from Mariya Delano, CEO of Kalyna Marketing, this discussion dives into the myths and misconceptions that keep us stuck in unproductive debates.

I lay out 10 false assumptions fueling the AI writing controversy. And I explain why the future belongs to freelancers who can master what I call “creative synthesis,” which is the ability to skillfully combine human judgment, lived experience, taste, and AI capabilities into something far greater than either could achieve alone.

If you’ve been wondering how to navigate the AI conversation with clients — or how to position yourself to thrive in an AI-enhanced world — this episode will give you the clarity and confidence you need.

What You’ll Learn

• Why binary debates about AI (“good” vs. “bad”) miss the bigger picture
• The 10 false assumptions about AI that are holding writers back
• How to reframe AI as a tool for amplification (not deception!)
• The concept of Creative Synthesis and why it’s the skill that will set you apart
• The four phases of Creative Synthesis mastery and how to progress through them

Key Insights and Takeaways

• AI doesn’t equal deception: Like Grammarly or Google, it’s a tool. What matters is how you use it and whether you’re transparent.
• Not all AI is the same: There’s a vast spectrum of use cases, from research to brainstorming to drafting, and lumping them all together is misleading.
• Clients care about results, not process: What builds trust is consistent, high-value outcomes. It’s not about whether AI played a role behind the scenes.
• Creative Synthesis is the future: The winning freelancers will be those who can blend AI capabilities with strategic insight, emotional intelligence, and client understanding.

Action Steps You Can Take This Week

1. Audit your AI beliefs: Which of the 10 assumptions have you unconsciously bought into?
2. Experiment intentionally: Spend 30 minutes testing a new AI workflow for creativity and strategy, not just for efficiency.
3. Develop your AI policy: Be ready to discuss openly with clients how (if at all) you use AI in your process.
4. Shift your mindset: Stop asking “AI vs. no AI?” and start asking, “How can I combine AI with my skills to deliver extraordinary value?”

Memorable Soundbites

“The debate isn’t AI good or AI bad. The real question is: how will you use it to create something that only you can?”

“Using AI doesn’t make you less original. What makes your work original is the judgment, taste, and perspective only you bring.”

“The freelancers who thrive won’t be the ones avoiding AI or blindly copy-pasting it. To thrive in the years ahead you’ll need to master Creative Synthesis.”

Listener Challenge

This week, pick one client project (current or past) and ask yourself:

Where could AI have enhanced my process—not replaced me, but amplified my creativity, speed, or strategic value?

Then take one small step to test that approach in your next project.

If this episode resonated, share it with a fellow freelancer navigating the AI conversation. And don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode packed with insights to help you earn more in less time... doing work you love, for better clients.

Hourly billing is the default pricing model for many writers. But it’s also a hidden trap that can sabotage your growth, undervalue your expertise, and limit your income.

If you’ve ever felt frustrated by the ceiling on your earnings or struggled to position yourself as a trusted partner rather than a hired hand, this episode will change the way you view pricing forever.

In today’s episode, I break down 15 compelling reasons why hourly billing is actively working against you — and what you can do instead to unlock your earning potential and build trust-based, outcome-focused client relationships.

What You’ll Learn

• Why hourly billing punishes efficiency and caps your income potential.
• How it undermines your positioning as an expert and devalues your unique expertise.
• The hidden costs of hourly billing: admin burden, client micromanagement, and trust erosion.
• The psychological traps that make it hard to raise your rates under hourly models.
• Why shifting to value-based pricing or project fees can transform your business.
• Steps to reframe client conversations around value and outcomes, not hours.

Key Insights and Takeaways

Hourly billing creates a perverse incentive against efficiency. The faster you work, the less you earn, which is the opposite of how a healthy freelance business should function.

It permanently caps your income potential. There are only so many hours you can sell, and raising your hourly rate eventually hits a ceiling.

It erodes trust and positions you as a commodity. Clients start focusing on hours rather than outcomes, leading to micromanagement and suspicion.

It fails to capture your true value. Your best insights often come from years of accumulated expertise, not the hours it takes to execute a task.

Fixed project fees and value-based pricing aligns your interests with your clients. When you price based on the outcomes and value you deliver, you can grow your income while building stronger client relationships.

Memorable Soundbites

· “Hourly billing rewards incompetence and punishes mastery.”

· “You’re not selling time, you’re selling outcomes.”

· “Hourly billing turns your business into a job you can’t quit.”

Action Steps

🔹 Reflect: Are you stuck in the hourly billing trap? Track how it limits your income and positioning.
🔹 Experiment: Try quoting your next project as a fixed fee based on value rather than time.
🔹 Reframe: Start asking clients, “What outcomes are you looking to achieve? What makes this project important?” rather than “How many hours will this take?”
🔹 Educate your clients: Share the benefits of non-hourly models and how it aligns your incentives with theirs.
🔹 Internal tracking only: Continue tracking your time for your own data and profitability analysis, but avoid sharing these hours with clients.

Listener Challenge

This week, pick one service you currently bill hourly and write down how you would price it based on the scope and value instead. You don’t have to roll it out immediately, but this exercise will shift your mindset toward value-based pricing.

What do you do when a dream referral turns into a nightmare-in-the-making?

One of my coaching clients recently found herself in a tricky spot. Her best referral partner had sent her what initially seemed like a solid lead. But after a few back-and-forths, things started to feel… off.

The red flags were waving, and she could sense this prospect would likely become a difficult client. She wanted out. But she didn’t want to burn bridges with either the potential client or the trusted source who referred them.

In this week’s short episode, I share the guidance I gave her — a simple, thoughtful way to bow out gracefully while preserving both relationships. It’s a nuanced dance, but once you know the framework, you’ll be ready to handle these moments with professionalism and clarity.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• A simple strategy to walk away from a referral without damaging key relationships
• Why these situations are more common than most freelancers think
• The importance of protecting your boundaries, even when referrals are involved
• Sample language and scripts you can adapt to your own client communications

Key Takeaway:

Saying “no” doesn’t have to feel like burning a bridge. With the right framing, you can protect your time and energy and preserve the relationships that matter most.

Listener Challenge:

If you're currently navigating a tricky referral or client dynamic, take a few moments to draft your “graceful opt-out” message. Use this episode as your guide. And remember, professionalism and honesty go a long way.

What if a story that’s haunted you for years… was never true?

In this short but powerful episode, we dive into a jaw-dropping true story that will make you question the narratives you’ve been carrying — especially the ones that have shaped your identity and decisions for years.

It’s the story of Derek Sivers, entrepreneur and author, who spent 16 years believing he had ruined a woman’s life in a devastating car accident. The guilt became part of who he was — until a shocking encounter revealed the truth: the story he’d built his life around was never real.

And that revelation opens up a much bigger conversation for all of us as freelancers and solo professionals.

What beliefs are you holding onto that no longer serve you? What if the story that’s limiting your potential is a lie you’ve been telling yourself for years?

Key Takeaway:

We all carry stories about ourselves, our worth, our abilities, our mistakes. But sometimes, those stories aren’t rooted in fact. They’re rooted in fear, shame, or incomplete information. And they keep us stuck.

When we challenge those narratives, we create space for healing, growth, and a more empowered future.

Listener Challenge:

This week, carve out 15 minutes to reflect on a belief or story you've been carrying, especially one that weighs you down. Ask yourself:

• Is it 100% true?
• Where did it come from?
• What would change if I let it go?

Episode Summary

Looking back on the past 30 years of my career, I’ve faced challenges, doubts, and moments of pure grit. Through all of it, I’ve realized there are three core rules that have guided me — rules that I didn’t define at the time but, in hindsight, have made all the difference.

These aren’t just feel-good ideas. They’re battle-tested principles that have helped me push through fear, uncertainty, and roadblocks. And if you’re looking to build a meaningful, successful freelance career, these rules might just change the way you approach your work.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

· Why obstacles often contain hidden opportunities... if you’re willing to see them.

How belief in your goal can override doubt and fear.

Why bold action always beats overthinking.

How these three rules can create real, tangible success in your freelance career.

Key Takeaways

1. Obstacles Are Opportunities in Disguise

• Most people see obstacles as stop signs, but they often hold the seeds of greater success.
• The key is how you respond. Do you stop in your tracks or look for the opportunity within?
• Every major breakthrough in my career started as a challenge that I chose to push through.

2. Belief in Your Goal is More Powerful Than Doubt

• We’re constantly told to “be realistic” and lower our expectations.
• But our perception shapes our reality; if we believe in the obstacle more than the goal, the obstacle wins.
• A little bit of “crazy” is necessary to achieve big results. If you’re going to believe in something, believe in your vision.

3. Bold Action Beats Overthinking Every Time

• The perfect plan doesn’t exist. Progress happens when you start moving.
• Clarity, creativity, and solutions emerge when you’re in motion, not when you’re stuck analyzing every possibility.
• The biggest breakthroughs in my business didn’t come from waiting for the perfect moment. They came from taking the leap.

Actionable Exercises

· Reframe an Obstacle: Think of a challenge you’re facing right now. Instead of focusing on what’s stopping you, ask: What hidden opportunity does this contain?

Challenge Your Own Doubts: Identify one area where you’ve been playing it safe because of fear. What’s one small, bold step you can take today?

Take Imperfect Action: Stop overanalyzing and commit to one meaningful action this week that moves you forward.

Listener Challenge

This week, take one bold action... even if you don’t feel fully ready. See what happens when you stop waiting and start moving.