The best writing makes the author disappear.

In this episode Brett and Sam dive into FIVE writing craft tips, showing you how to hook readers and let your story do the shining. But along the way tensions boil over and there’s a Dope Quotation
Usurpation and a TOD Takeover! Don’t miss the drama!

In this episode you’ll learn:
- Why you should raise the stakes and lower the hopes (and how to do so)
- The “because of that” engine that turns scenes into a page-turning chain reaction
- How to show more than you tell — and when a clean tell actually serves the story
- Why cutting adverbs/adjectives sharpens voice and momentum
- How to “disappear as the author” so readers get lost in the story

Whether you’re just starting out or already seasoned, these five golden craft tips will sharpen your storytelling and help you hold readers from first page to last.

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“If a man is a street sweeper, he should sweep streets even as Michelangelo painted…” — Martin Luther King Jr.

In this episode Brett and Sam unpack a robust, Christian vision of calling: God delights in all good work. From bridges that don’t collapse to stories that ring true, Christians shine the light of Christ not only by what we say but by how faithfully and excellently we do our work.

For young writers, that means you can tell compelling, soul-shaping stories without forcing a conversion scene — and still honor Jesus.

You’ll hear:

- Why every honest job is holy work (and how that frees writers)

- The NASA janitor story and the dignity of “small” tasks

- What Martin Luther and Gene Edward Veith say about vocation

- Why you don’t have to “Christianize” your art to honor Christ

- Esther as a biblical example of a faithful story without explicit “God language”

This conversation is full of practical encouragement to write excellent, truth-telling stories. Plus, Sam finally gets it off his chest how much he wants to hit Bestselling Brett.

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“Life is long if you know how to use it.” — Seneca the Younger

In this episode, S. D. Smith and Brett Harris wrestle with how young writers (and really anyone) should think about time, calling, and pursuing multiple passions.

The pressure is real: “Pick one thing for life” vs. “Do it all at once.” But both approaches miss the truth. You don’t have to do everything right now—but you have far more time than you think.

You’ll hear:

- Seneca’s wisdom on time—and how wasting it is our greatest danger

- Why you can’t do everything at once, but you can do more than you think in a lifetime

- How investing time (instead of wasting it) creates whole new opportunities

- Encouragement for young writers torn between writing and other callings

- Real-life examples of artists and storytellers who pursued multiple passions—just not all at once

This conversation is full of hope, perspective, and practical encouragement for every writer who feels the clock ticking.

Subscribe now and share this episode with a young writer who needs it.