Welcome to the show

I had an absolute gem of a conversation with Maxine Cook, who writes under Annie Cook. This woman's journey from criminal psychologist to published author is fascinating - and her mission to help women tell their stories really resonated with me.

Key Points:

• Maxine burned out from her psychology career working with young offenders but used that rich experience to fuel her creative writing
• She's published 8 books in 2 years (yes, you read that right!) in her "Teapot Cottage" series - gentle stories about women rebuilding their lives
• Her books feature a healing cottage in the Lake District built on ley lines, where broken characters find transformation through gentle, non-violent change
• She's passionate about helping older women find their voice in a society that often overlooks them
• Writing can be therapeutic whether published or not - it's about leaving a legacy and healing yourself

Writing Process:

Maxine doesn't plan extensively - she starts with an idea and lets the characters guide the story. "I find myself running to catch up with these books because they gain their own momentum."

The ONE Thing:

Every woman has a story worth telling. The process of writing it down - even if no one else ever reads it - can be profoundly healing and creates an invaluable legacy for future generations.

Maxine's now helping other women tell their stories through her website anniecookwriter.com. Her tagline says it all: "Stories of hope and healing with the help of a little bit of magic."

What story are you waiting to tell?

Welcome to the show.

Had an amazing chat with my dear friend Will Otero from Pennsylvania - a Brooklyn boy who's become my podcasting mentor and guide. We connected a couple years back, and his journey has been nothing short of inspiring.

Will started podcasting in 2020 during the pandemic after being furloughed. What began with a $160 Amazon podcasting studio and his nephew has grown into a media empire including Stuck in My Mind Podcast, RealWise TV, and now RealWise Publishing.

Key Points

• Start imperfect, improve consistently - Will's nephew wanted to scrap their first episode, but Will insisted on releasing it to show the journey

• Put love into your craft - Whether cooking or podcasting, people can tell when you're genuinely passionate vs. just going through motions


• Relationships over monetization - Building authentic connections worldwide matters more than immediate financial returns

• Skills compound unexpectedly - Podcasting led to video editing, book publishing, and speaking opportunities

• Imposter syndrome is universal - You don't need letters after your name; real-world experience and genuine desire to help others matters

The ONE Thing

Coach thyself moment: You don't have to be miles ahead of someone to help them - just one or two steps so they can see the path. The magic happens when you put love into your craft and show up authentically.

Contact Wil:

email: wizeeljefe@stuckinmymindpodcast.com

LInkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wil-otero-producer/

Contact Steve:

https://linktr.ee/sawrightcoach

Welcome to the show.

It was great to be back after a break with an amazing guest - Time Management and Productivity Coach, Clare Evans

Clare's Journey 🎯

I loved hearing how Clare went from secretary to IT coder to project manager, then took voluntary redundancy at 40 to start her coaching business. Her "what now?" moment really resonated with me - that feeling of wanting something more than corporate life.

The Planning Problem 📝

Clare called me out on my biggest issue - I get so caught up in planning the perfect plan that I never actually DO anything! She says just start with 3 things you want to achieve today. That's it. No perfect system needed.

Quick Wins ⚡

• Spend 5-10 minutes each morning planning your day

• Use "action lists" instead of "to-do lists" (love this reframe!)

• Focus on 90-day goals, not 5-year dreams

• Remember: planning gets faster with practice

The Holistic Approach 🌟

Clare doesn't just focus on work productivity. She looks at your whole life - health, relationships, personal development. As guys, we try to compartmentalize, but everything connects.

Neurodiversity Insight 🧠 Many of Clare's clients have ADHD or think they might. She reminded me that we're all neurodiverse - there's no "normal" way to think or work.

The ONE Thing💡

Develop the planning habit. Take 5-10 minutes each day to plan what you want to achieve. It's about the habit, not the perfect system.

Connect with Clare:

https://clareevans.co.uk or grab her Productivity Reset on LinkedIn.

Connect with Steve:

https://linktr.ee/sawrightcoach