Know Before You Come on Authbition
A guide for guests
Authbition is a podcast where writers explore the real tension between authenticity and ambition—through story, reflection, and thoughtful conversation.
This page is here to answer the questions guests often ask before and after scheduling, and to help you feel comfortable, prepared, and at ease. Nothing here is prescriptive. Think of this as orientation, not instruction.
If you’re considering coming on the show—or you’ve already said yes—welcome. I’m glad you’re here.
Once I Say Yes — What Happens Next
After we connect and decide it feels like a good fit, I’ll send you a scheduling link.
The calendar invite includes:
a Zoom link
a two-hour block of time for recording
That two-hour window is intentional. In practice, conversations almost always go longer than an hour, but so far they’ve all wrapped up comfortably within two. There’s no rushing and no clock-watching.
If nothing on the calendar works well for you, just let me know. I’m happy to accommodate odd hours, weekends, or whatever fits your life best.
The Flow of the Show
Authbition has a loose structure—not a script. The flow is simple and human, and it unfolds in four parts.
1. Candid, unscripted conversation
We start with a relaxed meet-and-greet. No pre-interview. No agenda. Just two people getting to know each other and easing into the space.
2. You read something you choose
You’ll read:
a short essay
a short story
or an excerpt from a longer work (including a book)
This can be something already published, something new, or something you’re currently working on. There’s no “right” choice.
3. We play The Whole Mind Game
After the reading, we reflect together.
I’ll usually surface at least one tension I noticed in your piece—something pulling in two directions. You’re also welcome to bring any tension you want:
something from the reading
a difficult decision you’re facing
or something that feels alive for you that day
This part is improvisational, reflective, and conversational—not a debate or a test. If you’re curious to learn more about the framework itself, there’s a separate post that goes deeper into what The Whole Mind Game is and why it exists.
4. We bring it back to everyday life
We close by asking: How does this conversation apply to real life?
Not as advice or prescriptions—but as practical reflection. What might someone take with them? What might we take with us?
The Themes of Authbition
At its core, Authbition explores the tension between authenticity and ambition.
Some ideas that often show up:
authenticity through vulnerability and nonattachment
ambition through caring and thoughtfulness
whole-mind thinking as the way these forces come together
These aren’t rules or requirements—just shared language. Many guests ask, “What should I read?” The short answer is: anything you want.
The longer answer is: choose something that connects, in your own way, to how you’re finding your voice, navigating ambition, wrestling with uncertainty, or holding tension without rushing to resolve it.
How Long Should the Reading Be?
This is a common question, so here’s some gentle guidance—not hard limits.
5–10 minutes of reading is a sweet spot
Roughly 750–1,500 words, depending on pace
Shorter readings leave more room for conversation
Longer readings are welcome, but they naturally shift the balance
If you’re sharing an excerpt from a longer work, choosing a self-contained section often works well.
If you’re unsure, feel free to ask. I’m happy to think it through with you.
What You Don’t Need to Prepare
You don’t need:
talking points
scripted answers
polished insights
to “perform” or teach
Beyond choosing something you’d enjoy reading, there’s nothing you need to prep. Curiosity and presence are more than enough.
Recording Setup & Environment
We record remotely over Zoom, with video on.
It helps to:
be reasonably comfortable using Zoom
have a relatively quiet space
have a solid internet connection
That said—this is not a studio production.
I might be recording from a bedroom surrounded by bikes, or from an Airstream in the woods. You might hear city noise, birds, wind, dogs, or kids in the background. That’s all okay. Real life is welcome here.
Editing with Care
The show is candid and uncut by default—but that never comes before care.
If anything comes up during the recording that later feels:
too personal
too sensitive
or simply something you’d rather not share
just email me. No explanation required. I’m happy to cut anything that doesn’t feel right in hindsight.
The same applies after publishing. If something needs to be removed, let me know and I’ll take care of it.
Where the Show Is Published
Full episodes are shared on:
YouTube
Spotify
Apple Podcasts
Amazon Music
To help get the show in front of new listeners, I also create short video clips for platforms like TikTok, Instagram, X, and YouTube Shorts.
I use an AI-assisted tool to help with this, but every clip is reviewed by me before publishing. If any platform makes you uncomfortable, just say the word and I’ll skip it for your episode.
If you ever see a clip that doesn’t sit right with you—for any reason—let me know and I’ll pull it down.
After the Recording
I typically publish about one episode per week. Depending on timing, your episode might go live in a couple of days—or a few weeks.
I try to send a personal note when your episode is live with links to the show and newsletter. I’ll be honest: I’m human, and I’ve missed this step before. Please know that I’m genuinely grateful for your time and your presence on the show.
If you’d like assets from your episode—audio, video, or transcripts—just ask. You’re welcome to create and share your own clips or posts on any platform you choose. No restrictions.
A Final Note
Authbition isn’t about soundbites, hot takes, or optimization. It’s about real conversation, real tension, and real people showing up as they are.
If this sounds like your kind of space, I’d be honored to share it with you.
