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#150: Seth Godin – How To Build A Thriving Creative Writing Practice In the Age of AI. Plus, Stop Seeking Validation, Find Your Audience And Overcome Obscurity (From the Vault)

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Jun 21, 2025

Guest

Seth Godin

Seth Godin, the legendary author of 21 bestselling books including Linchpin and Purple Cow, discusses the essence of creative resilience. He emphasizes that writing is about creating conditions for skill rather than innate talent. Godin argues that seeking validation can hinder progress and stresses the importance of understanding your audience. He offers insights on navigating creativity in an age of AI, using it as a tool instead of a threat. Lastly, he highlights building supportive communities that foster creativity and connection.

50:15

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Episode notes

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ADVICE

Price Tells a Story

Price is a story that signals value and identity to buyers before exchange.
Avoid racing to the bottom with pricing; focus on what story your price tells.

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ADVICE

Be Careful Who You Show Work

Avoid showing work too early to friends who may protect you by discouraging it.
Only seek feedback thoughtfully from your actual audience to avoid being talked out of your work.

insights

INSIGHT

Authenticity Is a Trap

Authenticity as bleeding on stage is a trap created by social media.
Audiences want the best version of you, not your raw meltdown or vulnerability.

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Embracing the Creative Journey

01:49 • 10min

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Navigating Creativity and Community

11:23 • 24min

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Navigating Project Life Cycles and AI in Creativity

35:44 • 8min

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Navigating Purpose and Responsibility in Creative Pursuits

43:17 • 3min

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The Ripple Effect of Individual Contributions

46:04 • 2min

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Building a Supportive Creative Community

47:51 • 2min

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#1029

• Mentioned in 39 episodes

Tribes

We Need You to Lead Us

Seth Godin

In 'Tribes: We Need You to Lead Us,' Seth Godin explores the concept of tribes as groups of people connected by a shared interest and a leader. The book highlights that tribes are not created but assembled, and they thrive on faith, respect, and admiration for the leader and the community. Godin argues that effective leadership involves challenging the status quo, creating a culture around the tribe's goal, and fostering connection and growth among members. He emphasizes that great leaders focus on tightening the tribe, using their influence to unite and reinforce the tribe's sense of purpose, and that change is often driven by heretics who challenge existing norms. The book is a call to action for those who want to make a significant impact by leading a tribe and creating meaningful change.

#740

• Mentioned in 48 episodes

The Practice

Shipping Creative Work

Seth Godin

In 'The Practice', Seth Godin emphasizes the importance of consistent creative work and the process of creation over the outcome. The book argues that creativity is a choice driven by the desire to find new truths, solve problems, and serve others. Godin insists that the practice itself is the output, and it is what we can control. He encourages readers to trust the process, commit to the journey, and embrace discomfort and potential failure as part of the creative process. The book also highlights the importance of generosity and serving others through one's work, and it discourages the pursuit of external validation and outcomes.

#948

• Mentioned in 41 episodes

Linchpin

Are You Indispensable?

Seth Godin

In 'Linchpin: Are You Indispensable? ', Seth Godin argues that the modern workplace has evolved beyond the traditional roles of management and labor. He introduces the concept of 'linchpins' – individuals who are indispensable to their organizations because they invent, lead, connect others, and create order out of chaos. Godin emphasizes the importance of creativity, passion, and art in one's work, suggesting that these qualities make an individual irreplaceable. The book encourages readers to stop being mere cogs in a machine and instead strive to become artists who bring unique value and meaning to their work and organizations.

#313

• Mentioned in 90 episodes

Purple Cow

Transform Your Business by Being Remarkable

Seth Godin

In 'Purple Cow,' Seth Godin argues that traditional marketing strategies no longer work in today's saturated market. He advocates for the creation of 'Purple Cows' – products or services that are so remarkable they naturally generate buzz and attract attention. Godin uses the metaphor of a purple cow to illustrate how being ordinary is no longer sufficient; businesses must be bold, innovative, and willing to take risks to stand out. The book is filled with examples from successful companies like Apple, Starbucks, and JetBlue, and it challenges readers to rethink their marketing strategies to focus on creating truly remarkable offerings.

#319

• Mentioned in 89 episodes

The Dip

A Little Book That Teaches You When to Quit (and When to Stick)

Seth Godin

In 'The Dip,' Seth Godin challenges traditional views on persistence and quitting. He introduces the concept of 'The Dip,' a challenging phase between starting and mastering a skill, which is necessary for growth and mastery. Godin distinguishes 'The Dip' from 'The Cul-de-Sac' (a dead-end situation) and 'The Cliff' (a risky situation), advising readers to quit the latter two but push through 'The Dip' to achieve significant rewards. The book provides practical advice on recognizing when to quit and when to stick with a project, job, or relationship, emphasizing that strategic quitting can lead to extraordinary success.

#1848

• Mentioned in 25 episodes

How to Decide

Annie Duke

#12626

• Mentioned in 4 episodes

The Carbon Almanac

Ann-Laura LeCoumpf

#502

• Mentioned in 65 episodes

This Is Marketing

You Can't Be Seen Until You Learn To See

Seth Godin

In 'This Is Marketing', Seth Godin presents a transformative view of marketing as a generous act of helping others solve problems. The book focuses on key principles such as targeting the smallest viable market, delivering anticipated, personal, and relevant messages, and building trust through permission marketing. Godin argues that effective marketing is about creating positive change and helping people become who they want to be. He provides actionable insights, case studies, and a strategic focus on storytelling, tension, and customer-centric approaches. The book is designed for entrepreneurs, small business owners, freelancers, and marketers looking to reframe their marketing strategies and connect meaningfully with their audiences.

#29

• Mentioned in 332 episodes

The War of Art

Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles

Steven Pressfield

In 'The War of Art', Steven Pressfield identifies the internal force of 'Resistance' that hinders creative endeavors. The book is divided into three sections: 'Resistance: Defining the Enemy', 'Combating Resistance: Turning Pro', and a final section that discusses the role of the muses and the battle between the Self and the Ego. Pressfield provides practical advice on recognizing and overcoming resistance, emphasizing the importance of professionalism, discipline, and continuous work in achieving creative success.

#3335

• Mentioned in 15 episodes

The Art of Possibility

Transforming Professional and Personal Life

Rosamund Zander

Benjamin Zander

In this book, Ben and Rosamund Stone Zander offer practical advice on how to approach life's challenges with a positive and creative mindset. They advocate for changing one's story rather than battling the world as it appears, and provide techniques such as redefining problems, embracing failure as a learning opportunity, and leading from any position. The book emphasizes the importance of mindset, collaboration, and personal growth in both professional and personal contexts.

Legendary Seth Godin, bestselling author of Linchpin, Purple Cow, The Dip, Tribes, and The Practice on wrestling with creative resistance, getting past self-doubt, and how to build a resilient creative practice that thrives—even in an age of AI

We talk about:

Why writing isn’t about talent—but about creating the conditions for skill
Why “Do you like it?” is the wrong question to ask
And how to build a resilient creative practice that thrives—even in an age of AI
How to keep going when there’s no map and no promise of success

About Seth Godin

Seth Godin is the author of 21 bestselling books that have reshaped the way people think about marketing, leadership, and creative work. His books have been translated into 39 languages and include Linchpin, Purple Cow, The Dip, Tribes, and The Practice. He’s also the founder of altMBA, the Carbon Almanac, and multiple pioneering ventures in the online business world. Seth writes one of the most popular blogs in the world and continues to inspire millions of creators to make and ship work that matters.

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Resources and Links:

📄 Interview Transcript (unedited)
The Song of Significance by Seth Godin
The Practice by Seth Godin
altMBA
How to Decide by Annie Duke
The War of Art by Steven Pressfield
The Carbon Almanac
Elizabeth Gilbert on Hobby, Job, Career & Vocation
A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs
purple.space

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