I think this whole country right now is having a collective nervous breakdown that I'm not sure exactly how it's working, but it has something to do with social media and all of that stuff that makes it so easy to be distracted and commercial society always trying to put something in front of you

that's addictive and that's going to draw you away

so that probably 99% of the country are avoiding their artist's journey,

whatever that is.

Hey, hey, anyone listening relate to what Stephen Presfield just said?

Have you perhaps been having trouble focusing on your art?

Not that following the news these days is a time sucker or anything.

Good God.

My name is Linda Sievertson, and this is the Beautiful Writers' Podcast,

where I have the great

pleasure of bringing on some of my favorite writers, some of the most beloved authors alive.

They help us stay sane in what's been feeling like an increasingly insane world.

Because the bottom line is this.

We writers, we have messages of healing to share,

and we need all the help we can get,

staying focused and clear and optimistic

so that we're able to finish our art and share it.

In that vein, I am elated to bring on two of my literary crushes.

Stephen Presfield, who you heard at the top and perhaps listen to on this show back in 2015,

he is back with a new book, The Artist's Journey,

The Wake of the Hero's Journey and the Lifelong Pursuit of Meaning.

I am so smitten.

...