In this episode of The Art of Imperfect Adulting, Amy Stone sits down with Matthew James Jones—a Canadian writer, veteran, and educator living in France—to talk about his decision to leave a secure military career to become a writer. They discuss how his military experiences shaped his creative journey, the challenges of transitioning careers, and the personal cost of confronting trauma through storytelling. The conversation is candid, insightful, and sprinkled with humor about life, art, and the adventure of adulting imperfectly.

About the Guest:

Born in Canada, Matthew James Jones  joined the military at 19 years old and learned to drive ships, eventually deploying to Afghanistan. With 13 years of military experience, including deployment in Afghanistan and work on drone warfare doctrine, Matthew now focuses on writing, teaching, and running a fitness group (the “log gym”) for veterans.

Main Topics Covered:

• Matthew’s journey from Canadian military officer to published novelist.
• The decision to leave the Security of the military and pursue writing.
• How trauma and life experience inform creative work.
• The reality of becoming and being an author, including the ups and downs of publishing.
• Living and teaching in France; building a life abroad.
• The importance of healing, leadership, and redefining masculinity.
• Fun, personal stories—from log gyms to emotional support cats, and his affection for Paris.

Quote from the Episode:

“It’s impossible for me to regret the path that I’ve taken because it’s how I got here. And it is a big step to become an artist and to say, ‘Oh, yeah, that’s what I do now.'” — Matthew James Jones

Timestamps:

• [00:00:32] Matthew’s background: from Canada to Paris, hobbies, and log gym
• [00:02:15] Deciding to join (and leave) the military
• [00:07:34] Always wanting to be a writer—early ambitions and military writing
• [00:11:23] Making the leap: From military to writing, teaching, and global living
• [00:16:42] The personal cost of war, trauma, and the need to heal
• [00:20:10] Leaving Canada, starting over in France
• [00:23:11] The long road to publishing: ‘Predators, Reapers, and Deadlier Creatures’
• [00:25:22] Book excerpt readings: blending reality, trauma, and magical realism
• [00:35:13] Next creative chapters: healing, leadership, and beyond
• [00:39:34] Reflections on regret, creativity, and living authentically
• [00:40:36] Rapid-fire questions: childhood foods, cat games, and learning French

Where to Find the Book:

Predators, Reapers, and Deadlier Creatures by Matthew James Jones available from Double Dagger Books https://www.matthewjamesjones.com/ 

At the time of the publication of this episode, the book is available on Amazon. If you have any trouble finding the book please reach out directly to the guest.

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Amy Stone Host

Amy Stone is a media entrepreneur, storyteller, and founder of The Art of Imperfect Adulting - a growing media platform featuring long-form interviews that explore the messy, non-linear reality of building a life.

Amy is a journalism graduate who started her career as a freelance newspaper photographer. Driven by the desire to be able to pay her bills she took a job in marketing and later client service at a tech startup in the late '90s before building multiple businesses of her own - including an award-winning family portrait studio she ran for 8 years. After closing the studio and moving through fitness and lifestyle coaching, she realized the work that mattered most wasn't offering her own expertise - it was creating a space where real people share real stories about the everyday choices that shape a life.