In this episode I sit down with author and speaker Douglas Schmidt to discuss his upcoming book, The Power of Self-Leadership: The Path to Unleash Your Talents, Strengths, and Superpowers.

We talk about the connection between learning and leadership, why habits matter more than motivation, and how small daily decisions can shape your future. Douglas shares insights from books like Atomic Habits and Learning How to Learn, explains the neuroscience behind procrastination, and reveals why he believes “learning is a superpower.”

We also dive into his publishing journey, building writing habits, using tools like ChatGPT and Grammarly, and the importance of surrounding yourself with mentors and lifelong learners.

If you’re a writer, reader, creator, or anyone trying to grow personally and professionally, this conversation is packed with practical insights and encouragement.

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

🥒 NEW! The Lonely Cucumber — Natasha's latest children's book

A multicultural illustrated story that teaches kids about Healthy Eating in a fun, heartwarming way. Perfect for elementary school children, gift-giving, and classroom read-alouds.

👉 Get your copy on Amazon

⭐ Loved it? Leave a review — it helps more kids discover the book.

About Natasha Natasha Tynes is a Jordanian-American author, journalist, and book coach based in the DC area. Beyond children's books, she writes literary fiction (They Called Me Wyatt, Karma Unleashed) and helps aspiring authors pu…

Most Recent Episodes

June 17, 2026

How A Veteran CNN Editor Built A Writing Career

In this episode, I sat down with John DeDakis, a journalist with 45 years in the newsroom and 25 years at CNN, to get  honest about the upsides and downsides of Artificial Intelligence in writing,...

Listen · 33:08

June 8, 2026

Writing About a Sexless Marriage Without Blame

In this episode, I'm joined by Alisa Kriegel, a Manhattan psychologist with a thriving private practice and the author of From Sexless Marriage to Sex Goddess. Together, we unpack what...

Listen · 47:30

June 3, 2026

She Turned Her Hardest Years Into a Memoir

Jessica Danel built a thriving preschool business, scaling from a home daycare to a 140-student facility. But when the 2008 recession hit at the same time her newborn faced serious medical...

Listen · 46:38

Load More Episodes

Natasha Tynes Author

I’m a Jordanian-American author and communications professional based in Washington, DC. I run my own digital media agency, Suburban Media Group, where I advise clients on the best digital media practices for their brand. I have over twenty years of experience working as a journalist, writer, and social media manager.

I’m a regular contributor to a number of publications inside and outside the United States. Her work has appeared in the Washington Post, Nature Magazine, Elle Magazine, The Post, Esquire magazine, and Aljazeera, among others.

I have appeared on several TV programs, including Larry King Live, PBS’s Foreign Exchange, Paula Zahn show, CBS’s Morning Show, Scarborough Country, BBC’s Up all night, among others.

I host the podcast, Read and Write with Natasha, where I chat with authors, publishers, and book marketers around the world.

I’m the author of the speculative literary novel They Called Me Wyatt. My short stories have appeared in Geometry, The Timerbline Review, The Markez Review, and Fjords. Here is a link to some of my published work. For media inquiries, speaking engagements, and other questions, send an Email to: [email protected]