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Creative careers look glamorous from the outside. The inside is usually…a little messier.

In episode 160, I sit down with Liz Astrof, TV writer ("Stumble," "King of Queens," "Pivoting," etc.) and author of Stay-At-Work Mom, to talk about the real mechanics of building a career in entertainment and publishing. Not the highlight reel. The actual process.

Liz shares what it’s like to write for television while also stepping into the world of books. Different mediums. Different pressures. Same core truth: Good work takes time to find its footing.

We talk about the long stretch between idea and green light. The pitches that don’t land. The projects that stall. And why collaboration is both the magic and the madness of working in TV (and being an author!).

She also shares a candid look at her version of resilience. Not the motivational-poster version but the practical version, where you keep showing up, keep refining, and keep creating—even when the timeline isn’t cooperating (which, let's face it, is the one constant).

If you’ve ever wondered how creative careers actually unfold—or questioned whether persistence alone is enough

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Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry. 

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