Advertise on podcast: The Minute Mastery

What if the confidence you're waiting for only comes after you begin? Many women reach midlife carrying dreams they've put aside for years. Writing a book. Starting a business. Building a new career. Or simply finding the courage to begin again. In this episode of The Minute Mastery Podcast, Ngozi Edema sits down with Reese Wilson, author of the forthcoming memoir The Black Cup and a speaker with more than 20 years of experience. After leaving a difficult 24-year marriage, Reese began rebuilding her life in her 50s. She discovered that starting over doesn't require one dramatic act of courage. Sometimes change happens through the small decisions we make on ordinary Tuesdays. Reese also shares how she began writing her memoir without considering herself a writer. She gave herself permission to write an imperfect first draft, took a creative writing class, and found confidence along the way. And here's something every aspiring author needs to hear: Reese made significant progress on her book by writing during 10-minute breaks at work and setting aside 30 minutes at home. In this episode, you'll discover: Why confidence often comes after action, not before it.How to start over in your 40s, 50s or beyond.Why small, consistent decisions can create lasting change.How Reese began writing her memoir without previous writing experience.Why giving yourself permission to write badly can help you finish your first draft.How to make time for writing even when life is busy.Why it's never too late to rediscover what you're capable of.Memorable moments 05:30 – Giving yourself permission to write a bad book. 12:15 – Overcoming the belief that it's too late to start again. 18:58 – Why starting over is a skill you can practise. 23:09 – The surprising story behind The Black Cup. 25:20 – Writing a memoir in 10-minute and 30-minute sessions. 27:51 – Finding time for yourself when everyone needs something from you. Connect with Reese Wilson Website: https://unstoppable-life.com Learn more about Reese, her work and her memoir The Black Cup. Ready to write your own book? If you've been carrying a children's book idea, memoir or personal story for years, you don't have to wait until life slows down. I help midlife women turn their book ideas into finished manuscripts through clarity, structure and consistent action. Explore the Midlife Book Launch Lab and my book-writing resources: See link below. I also mentioned my clarity worksheet in this episode; Clarity sentence : https://mailchi.mp/ngoziedema.com/clarity-lead Or my checklist on what you need to know before you publish  Your first book starts here https://stan.store/ngoziedema/p/your Remember: Your minutes matter. Keep turning your minutes into milestones. Join my community where I support midlife women to move from Idea to Published Author in 90 days: https://www.skool.com/writers-academy-1893/about?ref=14f4886cfea04b969a41d37a4ebfbc8b And get my Children's Book Blueprint :  Also a mom can be several things in one day! Besides hosting this podcast, I write children's books and will love that check them out and gift a child in your life. Here is a list of books authored by Ngozi Edema: Mama's DaycareMel The Monkey And The AlligatorThe Proud SunflowerBringing Africa Home: A Cookbook Of 52 Easy African RecipesTyson The Lion Who Ignored His Mom's AdviceFreddy and the VeggiesThis podcast is for education only and is not a replacement for therapy. We suggest you seek out the help of a trained professional for help with your specific situation.

You've been saying "when things calm down, I'll write it" for years. Here's the truth: things never calm down. They just change shape. Twenty years ago, I was juggling a young family, a full-time job, and dreams I kept pushing to "later." Today my kids are mostly grown, and I'm in the sandwich generation: a child still at home, aging parents to care for, and a business to run. Did life slow down? Not even a little. That's why I wrote all eight of my books in the gaps, not in empty calendars. In this episode, I show you how to write your book inside the life you already have. No vacation required. No 5 a.m. alarm (unless you want one). In this episode, you'll learn: Why waiting for free time keeps your book unwritten foreverHow to choose the ONE book idea that won't leave you aloneThe simple math that turns 15 minutes a day into 90+ hours a yearThe one sentence that becomes your writing compassHow to break your book into 40 to 50 bite-sized writing sessionsWhy talking your book can be faster than typing itHow to protect your writing time like a doctor's appointmentWhat to do when life interrupts (because it will)Your homework: Pick your one book idea and write your one sentence: My book helps [who] to [do what]. Share it with me so I can cheer you on! Free resource: Grab my Clarity Worksheet, the same one I use inside the Midlife Book Launch Lab, to get clear on your topic, your reader, and how your book will help them: https://mailchi.mp/ngoziedema.com/clarity-lead Ready to finish your book with support? The Midlife Book Launch Lab is my 90-day program that takes you through four milestones: Clarity, Momentum, Polish, and Published. Children's book, memoir, or biography, we'll get it done together.  Join Here: https://www.skool.com/writers-academy-1893/about?ref=14f4886cfea04b969a41d37a4ebfbc8b Watch next: How to Outline Your Book https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-minute-mastery/id1788830734?i=1000791827650 You are not too old. You did not miss your window. Your story matters. Let's get it written. Join my community where I support midlife women to move from Idea to Published Author in 90 days: https://www.skool.com/writers-academy-1893/about?ref=14f4886cfea04b969a41d37a4ebfbc8b And get my Children's Book Blueprint :  Also a mom can be several things in one day! Besides hosting this podcast, I write children's books and will love that check them out and gift a child in your life. Here is a list of books authored by Ngozi Edema: Mama's DaycareMel The Monkey And The AlligatorThe Proud SunflowerBringing Africa Home: A Cookbook Of 52 Easy African RecipesTyson The Lion Who Ignored His Mom's AdviceFreddy and the VeggiesThis podcast is for education only and is not a replacement for therapy. We suggest you seek out the help of a trained professional for help with your specific situation.

You have lived over 40 years, so you have gathered stories along the way. It's not unusual to have multiple story ideas. But when you have too many, you pick none, and the book stays in your head. In this video, I show you how to take your one idea and turn it into a full outline you can start writing from, in just one day with 30 minutes. You'll learn: How to choose the one idea to write first, and what to do with the rest How to brain dump your ideas from head to paper How to name your one reader and the one promise your book makes to them How to group your ideas into 5 to 8 chapters How to put your chapters in the right order How to give your outline a final reality check before you start writing Grab my free clarity tool in the link below to help you choose the one idea that's right for you to write now. I've also put together a simple booklet covering everything you need to know to go from idea to published, your checklist as you go. Grab that below too. If you want someone in your corner as you write, I'd love to be your cheerleader inside the Midlife Book Launch Lab. There's a video in the description that explains exactly what to expect. Clarity tool: : https://mailchi.mp/ngoziedema.com/clarity-lead Idea to Published booklet: https://stan.store/ngoziedema/p/your-first-book-starts-here Midlife Book Launch Lab: https://www.ngoziedema.com/the_midlife_book_launch_lab.html Join my community where I support midlife women to move from Idea to Published Author in 90 days: https://www.skool.com/writers-academy-1893/about?ref=14f4886cfea04b969a41d37a4ebfbc8b And get my Children's Book Blueprint :  Also a mom can be several things in one day! Besides hosting this podcast, I write children's books and will love that check them out and gift a child in your life. Here is a list of books authored by Ngozi Edema: Mama's DaycareMel The Monkey And The AlligatorThe Proud SunflowerBringing Africa Home: A Cookbook Of 52 Easy African RecipesTyson The Lion Who Ignored His Mom's AdviceFreddy and the VeggiesThis podcast is for education only and is not a replacement for therapy. We suggest you seek out the help of a trained professional for help with your specific situation.

Beth Brookhart spent her career as an agricultural journalist, writing facts, figures, and public policy. It wasn't until her career was winding down that she finally gave herself permission to write fiction.  In this conversation, Beth talks about relearning the craft of storytelling in a room full of much younger writers, how a chaotic volunteer museum board became the real-life inspiration for her novel, and the long road through rejection before landing with her publisher, Sibylline Press, which publishes women over 50. Key Takeaways You can learn a new craft at any age. Beth took writing classes decades after her last English class and had to relearn the basics from scratch.Inspiration is often hiding in plain sight. Beth's novel grew out of personality clashes and chaos she witnessed while volunteering on a museum board.Real life needs exaggeration to work as fiction. Beth had to blow her real experiences up "fiftyfold" to make them land on the page.Traditional publishing without an agent is possible. Beth queried publishers directly after striking out with agents, and found a home with a publisher built for women writers over 50.Self-rejection is often the biggest barrier. Many women never finish or share their books, not because of an editor's rejection, but because they reject themselves first.Writing routines matter more than talent. Beth discovered she writes best in the early morning and built her process around that, not around what "should" work.Quotable Moments On self-doubt: it will never feel good enough, so at some point you have to decide the story is ready and let it go into the world.On rejection: get honest feedback from a professional, not friends or family, then be proud of what you've made.On starting later in life: your experiences are never wasted. Careers, volunteering, and raising a family all become material for the stories only you can tell.Connect with Beth through her website: https://bethbrookhart.com/ Grab your copy of my new book, Freddy and the Digital Forest here: https://geni.us/yVIDi And my Clarity worksheet:  https://stan.store/ngoziedema/p/get-my-free-hack-now Join my community where I support midlife women to move from Idea to Published Author in 90 days: https://www.skool.com/writers-academy-1893/about?ref=14f4886cfea04b969a41d37a4ebfbc8b And get my Children's Book Blueprint :  Also a mom can be several things in one day! Besides hosting this podcast, I write children's books and will love that check them out and gift a child in your life. Here is a list of books authored by Ngozi Edema: Mama's DaycareMel The Monkey And The AlligatorThe Proud SunflowerBringing Africa Home: A Cookbook Of 52 Easy African RecipesTyson The Lion Who Ignored His Mom's AdviceFreddy and the VeggiesThis podcast is for education only and is not a replacement for therapy. We suggest you seek out the help of a trained professional for help with your specific situation.

Ngozi shares the story that shaped why she does this work: her grandfather, a chef whose recipes and stories died with him because he never wrote them down. She uses his story to make the case that legacy isn't about money or a name on a building. It's a recipe, a survival story, a marriage, the quieter things that only live in memory unless someone writes them down. She speaks directly to midlife women sitting on a story, a memoir idea, or a children's book concept, and makes the case that the story doesn't need to be dramatic to matter. It needs to be honest. Key Takeaways Legacy is often small and personal, not big and public. A recipe or a story can matter more than money or property.Memory fades and gets passed down secondhand until it barely resembles the truth. Writing it down is the only way to keep it real.A book doesn't need to be 300 pages or take five years. Even a short collection of stories or recipes can become a family's most treasured object.You don't need a dramatic story to write a powerful book. You need an honest one.The women most likely to sit on their story are the ones who assume it's "just their life," not a book. That instinct is worth questioning.Notable Quote "You have the chance my grandfather never had. You have the chance to write it down while you still can." I have a simple tool that gives you everything you need for your journey into publishing a book: https://stan.store/ngoziedema/p/your-first-book-starts-here Who This Episode Is For Midlife women who have a book, memoir, or story idea sitting in a notebook or a notes app, and who keep telling themselves it isn't unique or dramatic enough to be worth writing. And if you want more, join my commnity. I am currently welcoming more women to create as many success stories as we can. Join my community where I support midlife women to move from Idea to Published Author in 90 days: https://www.skool.com/writers-academy-1893/about?ref=14f4886cfea04b969a41d37a4ebfbc8b And get my Children's Book Blueprint :  Also a mom can be several things in one day! Besides hosting this podcast, I write children's books and will love that check them out and gift a child in your life. Here is a list of books authored by Ngozi Edema: Mama's DaycareMel The Monkey And The AlligatorThe Proud SunflowerBringing Africa Home: A Cookbook Of 52 Easy African RecipesTyson The Lion Who Ignored His Mom's AdviceFreddy and the VeggiesThis podcast is for education only and is not a replacement for therapy. We suggest you seek out the help of a trained professional for help with your specific situation.

Many women believe they have nothing worth writing about. The truth? Your greatest qualification isn't a degree. It's what you've lived through. In this episode you'll discover why your hardest seasons may actually be the research for the book someone else desperately needs. You'll Learn  Why midlife women make exceptional authors  The difference between information and wisdom  How lived experience becomes valuable teaching  Why your struggles weren't wasted  How books become the foundation for businesses and personal brands  The first mindset shift every aspiring author needs Who This Episode Is For  Women over 40  Aspiring memoir writers  Future children's book authors  Women with life stories worth sharing  Coaches and educators  Anyone who wants to leave a legacy through a bookMemorable Quotes "We didn't buy our stories. We lived them.""Your life has been the first draft all along.""Information tells people what to do. Wisdom tells them what actually works.""Your experience isn't your limitation. It's your qualification.""You've already done the hard part. Now let's build something with it."Resources If you're ready to write your first book, start here.  From Idea to Published  Book Breakthrough Session  Midlife Author Community click below Join my community where I support midlife women to move from Idea to Published Author in 90 days: https://www.skool.com/writers-academy-1893/about?ref=14f4886cfea04b969a41d37a4ebfbc8b And get my Children's Book Blueprint :  Also a mom can be several things in one day! Besides hosting this podcast, I write children's books and will love that check them out and gift a child in your life. Here is a list of books authored by Ngozi Edema: Mama's DaycareMel The Monkey And The AlligatorThe Proud SunflowerBringing Africa Home: A Cookbook Of 52 Easy African RecipesTyson The Lion Who Ignored His Mom's AdviceFreddy and the VeggiesThis podcast is for education only and is not a replacement for therapy. We suggest you seek out the help of a trained professional for help with your specific situation.

What do you do in a season of grief or other diffifult times? How I kept my business going after losing my dad. It is okay to just breathe, pause nonessentials and be human. What happens to your business when life completely falls apart? A few weeks ago I lost my dad. In this deeply personal video, I share what grief has taught me about productivity, running a business during difficult seasons, and why the 80/20 Principle became more than a business strategy, it became a survival strategy. If you're an entrepreneur, creator, writer, or anyone trying to keep moving while carrying a heavy heart, I hope this reminds you that you don't have to do everything. You'll learn: ✔ How I decided what work could wait  ✔ Why I focused on just ONE social media platform  ✔ How the 80/20 Rule helped me protect my energy  ✔ Why slowing down isn't giving up  ✔ How to keep making progress during grief, burnout, or overwhelming life seasons Whether you're grieving the loss of a loved one, caring for aging parents, raising children, or simply overwhelmed by life, this video is for you. Remember: Progress is still possible. One faithful step at a time. And before I finally say goodbye I am excited to tell you that my new book in the freddy adventure series is finally ready for you! Freddy and the Digital Forest is now available for preorder on Amazon! This story is close to my heart. It comes from my own struggles keeping my children safe online. The internet is fun. It can also pose real threats to vulnerable children. This story, and the worksheets that come with it, are what you need to have internet safety conversations with your little one. Not a lecture. A story they will actually want to hear. 👉 Head over to Amazon to place your order:  https://www.amazon.ca/Freddy-Digital-Forest-Adventures-Book-ebook/dp/B0H8QS7SQ8/ref=sr_1_1?crid=T0JEC89HIIT1&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.vuUSJi58T31RHysqFad0bOJwb5MKS07CReFFXtY9ezQ.LJd975RRO15v6xGM2Bnj3YVSxQaOF0mG_4pk5IlX8ao&dib_tag=se&keywords=FREDDY+AND+DIGITAL+FOREST&qid=1785114072&sprefix=freddy+and+digital+forest%2Caps%2C156&sr=8-1 If keeping our children safe online matters to you too, I'd love for you to like, comment, and subscribe. I can't wait for to hear your review of Freddy and the digital forest Join my community where I support midlife women to move from Idea to Published Author in 90 days: https://www.skool.com/writers-academy-1893/about?ref=14f4886cfea04b969a41d37a4ebfbc8b And get my Children's Book Blueprint :  Also a mom can be several things in one day! Besides hosting this podcast, I write children's books and will love that check them out and gift a child in your life. Here is a list of books authored by Ngozi Edema: Mama's DaycareMel The Monkey And The AlligatorThe Proud SunflowerBringing Africa Home: A Cookbook Of 52 Easy African RecipesTyson The Lion Who Ignored His Mom's AdviceFreddy and the VeggiesThis podcast is for education only and is not a replacement for therapy. We suggest you seek out the help of a trained professional for help with your specific situation.

Many aspiring authors dream of publishing a book, but what does it take to build a lasting writing career? In this episode of the Minute Mastery Podcast, I sit down with award-winning international bestselling author and ghostwriter Lana Mcara, whose books have sold more than one million copies worldwide. Lana shares what separates hobby writers from career authors, how the publishing industry has changed over the years, and why building real-world connections may be more important than chasing social media algorithms. Whether you're writing your first children's book, memoir, novel, or nonfiction book, this conversation will help you think beyond publishing one book and start building a long-term author career.  What We Discussed:  What the writing landscape looks like today How authors can stand out in a marketplace flooded with books The mindset shift from writer to career authorWhy your book should be treated like a businessThe importance of building a body of work Traditional publishing vs self-publishing Alternative publishing models beyond Amazon Why community and networking matter for authors The qualities every successful author needs Advice for writers facing rejection from publishersMemorable Quote "Writing a book is one step, but building a writing career requires intention, strategy, and support." Connect with Lana McAra Visit Lana's websites: Lana McAra Official Website https://www.lanamcara.com/mediahttps://www.vendelapublishing.com/About Your Host I'm Ngozi Edema, productivity coach, children's book author, and host of the Minute Mastery Podcast. I help midlife women stop procrastinating, create more time, and finally write and publish the children's book they've been carrying in their hearts for years. Join the Midlife Book Launch Lab If you've been saying "one day I'll write my book," this is your invitation to make one day become today. One hour a day. One book in 90 days. Join my community where I support midlife women to move from Idea to Published Author in 90 days: https://www.skool.com/writers-academy-1893/about?ref=14f4886cfea04b969a41d37a4ebfbc8b And get my Children's Book Blueprint :  Also a mom can be several things in one day! Besides hosting this podcast, I write children's books and will love that check them out and gift a child in your life. Here is a list of books authored by Ngozi Edema: Mama's DaycareMel The Monkey And The AlligatorThe Proud SunflowerBringing Africa Home: A Cookbook Of 52 Easy African RecipesTyson The Lion Who Ignored His Mom's AdviceFreddy and the VeggiesThis podcast is for education only and is not a replacement for therapy. We suggest you seek out the help of a trained professional for help with your specific situation.

Have you been carrying a children's book idea in your heart for months, years, or even decades? If your story is still sitting in a notebook, living in your head, or waiting for the "right time," you're not alone. In this episode, Ngozi Edema shares a heartfelt conversation for midlife women who dream of writing a children's book but haven't taken the next step. The truth is, you are not lazy. Most aspiring authors are juggling careers, families, responsibilities, and countless demands on their time. The challenge isn't a lack of desire. It's often a lack of time, clarity, and confidence. In this episode, you'll learn: • Why waiting for a large block of free time keeps your book stuck • How to find time to write even during a busy season of life • Why clarity is more important than motivation • The questions every children's book author must answer before writing • How fear of failure quietly prevents many women from publishing • Why your first book doesn't need to be perfect • The simple next step that can move your idea forward today Memorable Quote: "Your book does not need to be perfect. It needs to exist." Resources Mentioned: • Children's Book Idea Audit • Midlife Book Launch Lab Connect with Ngozi Edema: Children's Book Author Coach Time Management Coach Host of The Minute Mastery Podcast Helping midlife women finally write and publish the children's book they've been carrying for years. If this episode encouraged you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with another woman who has a story waiting to be written Join my community where I support midlife women to move from Idea to Published Author in 90 days: https://www.skool.com/writers-academy-1893/about?ref=14f4886cfea04b969a41d37a4ebfbc8b And get my Children's Book Blueprint :  Also a mom can be several things in one day! Besides hosting this podcast, I write children's books and will love that check them out and gift a child in your life. Here is a list of books authored by Ngozi Edema: Mama's DaycareMel The Monkey And The AlligatorThe Proud SunflowerBringing Africa Home: A Cookbook Of 52 Easy African RecipesTyson The Lion Who Ignored His Mom's AdviceFreddy and the VeggiesThis podcast is for education only and is not a replacement for therapy. We suggest you seek out the help of a trained professional for help with your specific situation.

Finishing a book is a huge accomplishment. But for many aspiring authors, reaching the end of the manuscript creates a new question: "What do I do next?" In this episode of The Minute Mastery Podcast, Ngozi Edema shares the five essential steps that take you from finished manuscript to published author. We save time when we are clear about next steps! Drawing from her own experience as a children's book author and coach, Ngozi breaks down the publishing process into simple, practical steps any author can follow. In This Episode You'll Learn:  Why your manuscript needs a resting period  The four levels of editing every author should understand  Why professional editing matters, especially for writers whose first language is not English  How to create a book cover that attracts readers  What makes an effective book description  Self-publishing versus traditional publishing  How to prepare for a successful launch  Common mistakes first-time authors make Key Takeaway Writing the book is not the finish line. It is the beginning of the publishing journey. Take the next step, then the next one after that. Your readers are waiting. Connect with Ngozi Helping midlife women finally write and publish the children's book they've carried for years. Book a Children's Book Breakthrough Session, https://ngoziedema.store/shop/16c00448-fefa-4f84-bb1b-f03c640a0122 Join the Midlife Book Launch Lab community. Check out link below Visit: https://www.ngoziedema.com/ Memorable Quote: "The world doesn't need another unfinished manuscript sitting in a drawer. It needs your story." Subscribe If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with another aspiring author who needs encouragement today. Join my community where I support midlife women to move from Idea to Published Author in 90 days: https://www.skool.com/writers-academy-1893/about?ref=14f4886cfea04b969a41d37a4ebfbc8b And get my Children's Book Blueprint :  Also a mom can be several things in one day! Besides hosting this podcast, I write children's books and will love that check them out and gift a child in your life. Here is a list of books authored by Ngozi Edema: Mama's DaycareMel The Monkey And The AlligatorThe Proud SunflowerBringing Africa Home: A Cookbook Of 52 Easy African RecipesTyson The Lion Who Ignored His Mom's AdviceFreddy and the VeggiesThis podcast is for education only and is not a replacement for therapy. We suggest you seek out the help of a trained professional for help with your specific situation.

What separates women who achieve their goals from those who don't? According to Debbie DiMaggio, it comes down to three things: clarity, community, and action. In this inspiring conversation, Debbie shares lessons from her career, her experience as a six-time author, and the mindset shifts that helped her navigate major life transitions. Key Takeaways:  Get clear on one goal before chasing many Believe in the goal before you see the evidence Share your dreams with supportive people Find mentors who have already achieved what you want Stop trying to do everything alone Action creates momentum and confidence Community accelerates successMemorable Quote: "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together." This episode is especially valuable for midlife women, aspiring authors, entrepreneurs, and anyone ready to stop overthinking and start moving toward their goals. And while you are here, I am inviting to join my community of women who want to write their children's book. If you have an idea and you want to try it out, please book a clarity call:  https://ngoziedema.store/shop/16c00448-fefa-4f84-bb1b-f03c640a0122 Connect with Debbi Dimaggio  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GHLHWSNL?linkCode=ssc&tag=onamzdebbidim-20&creativeASIN=B0GHLHWSNL&asc_item-id=amzn1.ideas.1E90I1I2LV8LZ&ref_=aip_sf_list_spv_ofs_mixed_d_asin and on  linkedin:  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GHLHWSNL?linkCode=ssc&tag=onamzdebbidim-20&creativeASIN=B0GHLHWSNL&asc_item-id=amzn1.ideas.1E90I1I2LV8LZ&ref_=aip_sf_list_spv_ofs_mixed_d_asin Join my community where I support midlife women to move from Idea to Published Author in 90 days: https://www.skool.com/writers-academy-1893/about?ref=14f4886cfea04b969a41d37a4ebfbc8b And get my Children's Book Blueprint :  Also a mom can be several things in one day! Besides hosting this podcast, I write children's books and will love that check them out and gift a child in your life. Here is a list of books authored by Ngozi Edema: Mama's DaycareMel The Monkey And The AlligatorThe Proud SunflowerBringing Africa Home: A Cookbook Of 52 Easy African RecipesTyson The Lion Who Ignored His Mom's AdviceFreddy and the VeggiesThis podcast is for education only and is not a replacement for therapy. We suggest you seek out the help of a trained professional for help with your specific situation.

Have you ever felt stuck between having a dream and actually taking action on it? In this episode of the Minute Mastery Podcast, Ngozi shares a personal story from when she first moved to England and accidentally got on the wrong train while navigating the London Underground with her two young children. What started as a confusing travel experience became a powerful life lesson about asking for help, finding the right community, and giving yourself deadlines that create momentum. In this episode, we discuss: Why asking the right questions can save you years of frustrationThe power of supportive communities and accountabilityWhy deadlines help dreams move from “someday” to realityHow fear keeps many women stuck in overthinkingWhy it is never too late to change directionSmall practical steps to finally move forward on your goalsThis episode is especially for midlife women, aspiring authors, creatives, entrepreneurs, and anyone carrying a dream they have delayed for too long. You do not need to have everything figured out before you begin. You just need the courage to take the next step. If this episode encouraged you, share it with a friend and leave a review. And if you are a woman who has always wanted to write a children’s book, join the Midlife Book Launch Lab community where we help women finally move from idea to published book. Join my community where I support midlife women to move from Idea to Published Author in 90 days: https://www.skool.com/writers-academy-1893/about?ref=14f4886cfea04b969a41d37a4ebfbc8b And get my Children's Book Blueprint :  Also a mom can be several things in one day! Besides hosting this podcast, I write children's books and will love that check them out and gift a child in your life. Here is a list of books authored by Ngozi Edema: Mama's DaycareMel The Monkey And The AlligatorThe Proud SunflowerBringing Africa Home: A Cookbook Of 52 Easy African RecipesTyson The Lion Who Ignored His Mom's AdviceFreddy and the VeggiesThis podcast is for education only and is not a replacement for therapy. We suggest you seek out the help of a trained professional for help with your specific situation.

Why do so many smart, capable women still feel stuck, second-guess themselves, and wait until they feel “ready” before pursuing their dreams? In this powerful episode of The Minute Mastery Podcast, Ngozi Edema sits down with Dr. Heidi Heron, clinical psychologist, author, master coach, and internationally recognized NLP trainer, to explore the hidden emotional patterns that quietly shape our confidence, decisions, and ability to move forward. Together, they discussed how childhood beliefs, fear of failure, perfectionism, external validation, and self-doubt can keep women stuck for years, even when they are highly intelligent and deeply capable. This conversation is especially important for women over 40 who dream of writing and publishing a children’s book but struggle with procrastination, fear, or feeling “not good enough.” Dr. Heidi explains why confidence is not something you are born with, but something you build through awareness, action, and self-belief. If you’ve been delaying your dream, overthinking your next step, or waiting for permission to start, this episode will encourage you to move forward anyway. In This Episode, We Discuss:  Why smart women still struggle with self-doubt  How childhood experiences shape adult confidence  The hidden patterns that keep people stuck  Fear of failure vs fear of success  The difference between confidence and competence  Why perfectionism keeps women from finishing projects  How to stop focusing on what you don’t want  Small mindset shifts that help you build momentum  Why confidence grows through action, not waitingDr. Heidi Heron is a clinical psychologist, author, master coach, and internationally recognized trainer in neuro-linguistic programming (NLP). Her work helps people discover the unconscious emotional patterns that hold them back so they can live more authentically and confidently.  You can reach her through her website, https://www.heidiheron.com/ Ready to Write Your Children’s Book? If you are a woman over 40 who is ready to stop saying “someday” and finally publish your children’s book, join the Midlife Book Launch Lab, a supportive community designed to help you go from idea to published book in 90 days. See below: Join my community where I support midlife women to move from Idea to Published Author in 90 days: https://www.skool.com/writers-academy-1893/about?ref=14f4886cfea04b969a41d37a4ebfbc8b And get my Children's Book Blueprint :  Also a mom can be several things in one day! Besides hosting this podcast, I write children's books and will love that check them out and gift a child in your life. Here is a list of books authored by Ngozi Edema: Mama's DaycareMel The Monkey And The AlligatorThe Proud SunflowerBringing Africa Home: A Cookbook Of 52 Easy African RecipesTyson The Lion Who Ignored His Mom's AdviceFreddy and the VeggiesThis podcast is for education only and is not a replacement for therapy. We suggest you seek out the help of a trained professional for help with your specific situation.

Welcome back to the podcast! In today’s episode, we are talking directly to illustrators and creatives who have spent years bringing other people’s stories to life but secretly dream of creating their own children’s book. Many illustrators believe writing is the hard part. But the truth is, you already have one of the biggest advantages a storyteller can have: vision. In this episode, we discuss:  Why illustrators are already ahead in the storytelling journey  The emotional shift from illustrator to storyteller  Why children’s books do NOT need complicated writing  How illustrations already carry much of the story  The danger of perfectionism for creatives  A simple exercise to help you start writing immediatelySimple Writing Exercise Shared in This Episode:  What is happening here?  What is the character feeling?  What happens next? Then write ONE sentence for each illustration. Remember:  Children’s books are built on simple, emotional, guided moments, not perfection. If you are an illustrator who has been waiting for the “right time” to write your story, consider this your sign to begin. Connect with Ngozi Edema:  Website: Ngozi Edema ngoziedema.com   Subscribe for more content on writing, publishing, creativity, and productivity for women 40+.Join my community where I support midlife women to move from Idea to Published Author in 90 days: https://www.skool.com/writers-academy-1893/about?ref=14f4886cfea04b969a41d37a4ebfbc8b And get my Children's Book Blueprint :  Also a mom can be several things in one day! Besides hosting this podcast, I write children's books and will love that check them out and gift a child in your life. Here is a list of books authored by Ngozi Edema: Mama's DaycareMel The Monkey And The AlligatorThe Proud SunflowerBringing Africa Home: A Cookbook Of 52 Easy African RecipesTyson The Lion Who Ignored His Mom's AdviceFreddy and the VeggiesThis podcast is for education only and is not a replacement for therapy. We suggest you seek out the help of a trained professional for help with your specific situation.

I don't know about you, but for me, it doesn't take much to feel my day with activities. Busy but still wonder where your time went? In this episode of the Minute Mastery Podcast, I break down a simple yet powerful tool that can completely change how you manage your day: a time audit. A time audit is a fancy way of saying: pay attention to how you actually spend your time. And when you do that, everything shifts. If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, stretched thin, or stuck in a cycle of busyness without real progress, this episode will give you a practical, step-by-step system to help you regain control of your time and start living more intentionally. What You’ll Learn in This Episode  What a time audit really is (and why it works)  Why you feel busy but not productive  How to track your time without overwhelm  The hidden “time leaks” stealing your day  How to make small changes that create big results  How to move from reactive living to intentional planning Key Takeaway It’s not about having more time.  It’s about understanding how you’re using the time you already have. When you start tracking your time, you stop reacting to your day,  and start designing it. Want Support With This? If you’re ready to go beyond just tracking your time and actually use it to create something meaningful, you don’t have to do it alone. Inside my community, I help busy women:  Find hidden time in their day  Stay consistent (even with a full schedule)  Build routines that actually work  Finally write and publish their children’s books Book a Clarity Call or Join the Community: Join my community where I support midlife women to move from Idea to Published Author in 90 days: https://www.skool.com/writers-academy-1893/about?ref=14f4886cfea04b969a41d37a4ebfbc8b And get my Children's Book Blueprint :  Also a mom can be several things in one day! Besides hosting this podcast, I write children's books and will love that check them out and gift a child in your life. Here is a list of books authored by Ngozi Edema: Mama's DaycareMel The Monkey And The AlligatorThe Proud SunflowerBringing Africa Home: A Cookbook Of 52 Easy African RecipesTyson The Lion Who Ignored His Mom's AdviceFreddy and the VeggiesThis podcast is for education only and is not a replacement for therapy. We suggest you seek out the help of a trained professional for help with your specific situation.