"If you can read, you can write." - Terri Trespicio, author of Unfollow Your Passion

We don't just have one major passion in life or a single road to success, and fixating on finding yours could be making you miserable and keeping you stuck. That's the core message in Terri Trespicio's book, Unfollow Your Passion. It's also the topic of her TEDx Talk, which has been viewed more than eight million times. In this episode of The Selfish Gift, Terri tells Maggie the surprising story behind that talk—and her unconventional road to success as an author, speaker, brand consultant, and writing teacher. (And did I mention she's also a poet?)

Terri is a licensed instructor of the Gateless Writing Method, developed by Suzanne Kingsbury, which had a huge impact on Terri's writing and personal growth. In this conversation, she describes the Gateless approach to writing, explores the misconception that writing is only for professionals, and emphasizes the power of writing as a tool for self-discovery. She also shares her personal, story-led writing process and the story behind the publication of her book.

If you have ever worried that you're spinning your wheels and need encouragement to trust yourself and keep moving forward, listen in.

Takeaways

• Don't feel pressured to know your purpose or passion; it's okay to try different things and not have it all figured out.
• Failure is a part of the learning process and should not be feared.
• Success often comes from a winding career journey and trying different paths.
• Mindset is important, but it's not everything; skill development and practice are also crucial for success.
• Expanding one's comfort zone is more important than seeking discomfort.
• Writing is a tool for self-discovery and personal growth.
• Craft in writing is essential for effectively sharing one's story or expertise.
• The Gateless Method is a transformative approach to writing that focuses on craft and removes criticism and judgment.
• Sharing one's work can be challenging but is a powerful and transformative experience. Know and love your work before seeking feedback from editors or agents.
• Be flexible in the writing process and trust the inherent qualities of your work.

For more, check out:
territrespicio.com
maggielangrick.com
wonderwell.press

And follow:
instagram.com/ttrespicio
instagram.com/maggielangrick
instagram.com/wonderwellpress
instagram.com/selfishgiftpodcast

It's famously difficult for a first-time, unknown author to get a memoir traditionally published, much less to have traditional publishers get into a bidding war over it. Laura Cathcart Robbins defied all the odds when she burst onto the "quit lit" scene with her brilliant, brave recovery memoir, Stash: My Life in Hiding (Atria/Simon and Schuster, 2023).

Stash is the candid account of an affluent, Hollywood wife and mother struggling with addiction, and her battle to get sober even as her marriage is falling apart. It is relatable, inspiring, courageous, and a real page-turner! The book went on to appear three times in the New York Times, was named a "best memoir of the year" by Elle magazine, and earned its author awards, accolades, and national media coverage.

In this episode of The Selfish Gift, Laura opens up and tells all about her unconventional—and often "surreal"—meteoric rise as a celebrated author, including:
• How the first article she ever published went viral and changed everything
• What it's like being one of the only Black authors in the recovery memoir genre—and why we need more memoirs from authors of color
• The once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that kickstarted her publishing journey, even though the offer itself wound up being a dead-end
• How and why she started her popular podcast, "The Only One in the Room", and what she's learned from her guests
• The tough advice she received after her first book proposal was rejected years ago—and why she followed it
• How she laid down a track for her author career long before her book was published ...and much more!

Tune into this inspiring and revealing conversation and learn how vulnerability, determination, and the love of writing fueled Laura's success.

For more, check out:
https://lauracathcartrobbins.com/
https://maggielangrick.com
https://wonderwell.press

And follow:
https://www.instagram.com/theonlyoneintheroom/ https://www.instagram.com/lauracathcartrobbins https://www.instagram.com/wonderwellpress https://www.instagram.com/maggielangrick

cw: Sexually explicit material

Rena Martine is a former deputy DA turned intimacy coach who helps women discover and express their authentic desires, inside and outside of the bedroom. This week on The Selfish Gift podcast, Rena offers heartfelt guidance on how to safely and courageously explore the outer limits of your sexuality and relationships. From sex parties to ethical non-monogamy to same-sex attraction, Rena reveals all in this explicit conversation. Most importantly, she shares guidance on how to explore your fantasies safely, even when trauma is present.

Aside from Rena's liberating message of sexual sovereignty and empowerment, one of the most inspiring aspects of this conversation is Rena's own journey toward a more authentic way of living, loving, and working. If you're considering making a big career change, you'll love Rena's story of how she made the difficult and rewarding decision to leave her straight-laced legal career and retrain as an intimacy coach and first-time entrepreneur.

Listen in to prompt your own journey of self-discovery, authenticity, and fulfillment.

Learn more at:
https://selfishgiftpodcast.com
https://renamartine.com
https://maggielangrick.com
https://wonderwell.press

Follow us on Instagram:
@_rena.martine_
@maggielangrick
@wonderwellpress
@selfishgiftpodcast

00:00 - Introduction to Rena Martine and her journey
02:16 - Defining Women's Intimacy Coaching
04:25 - Difference between Sex Therapy and Coaching
08:21 - The Connection between Authenticity and Intimacy
09:47 - The Personal Importance of Rena's Work
11:24 - The Target Audience of the Book
13:23 - Embracing Diversity in Women's Intimacy
14:44 - Being Open-Minded and Curious
18:52 - Accessing Disowned Desires and Fantasies
24:39 - The 27 Things List
27:40 - Bisexuality and Same-Sex Attraction
35:45 - Exploring Personal Preferences and Boundaries
36:32 - Understanding What You Crave and What You Don't
37:23 - Navigating Differences in Sexual Interests with a Partner
38:22 - Uncovering the Underlying Needs Behind Desires
39:39 - Making Difficult Relationship Decisions
41:20 - Exploring the Impact of Personal Authenticity
45:27 - Transitioning from a Legal Career to Intimacy Coaching
48:41 - Embracing a Bold and Authentic Identity
52:40 - Structuring the Book for Maximum Impact
56:20 - Navigating the Publishing Process
01:04:17 - The Transformative Power of Writing and Publishing