Shows
Publishing DisruptedOur Takeaways from the Festival of Faith and Writing, 2026David and I discussed our impressions of the FFW writers conference this year where we had many conversations at the Lake Drive Books table about some of our favorite topics--and books.For some reason, none of the big 5 Christian publishers were there. Which is pretty interesting when you realize this is one of the bigger and better-known book conferences that included many well-known Christian authors. Come listen in as we bat around some theories and try to determine whether there's a similar reason the most popular faith-based publishers and mass culture are so monolithic and r...
2026-04-2445 minPublishing DisruptedThe Art of the Almost Said: Talking with Writer, Editor, & Poet Bob HudsonWe're joined in the library studio by our friend and publishing colleague Robert Hudson to talk about his boutique chapbook publishing and the soul of the indie press. Much has been made (and is still being made) about mainstream publishing, their dominance and supposed clout, and the validation of authors they offer. But listening to Bob, an insider who has always cultivated his little garden outside of it, it's clear there's much to be said for the thriving indie press and its indominable spirit. He shares some advice for writers, and we all discussed how we...
2026-04-031h 13Publishing DisruptedCan We Forget Platform, Please? Calling All Pathfinders and Waymakers, with Ivy ZellerDavid and Mick are joined by fellow book editor and Hyponymous literary agent Ivy Zeller to discuss her refreshing response to the disrupted publishing landscape. What can we learn from zine culture? How specific can we get with audiences? How do representation and advocacy inform our publishing path? There was so much to discuss in this vibrant conversation! Please let us know how you responded to the topics and themes we covered.Publishing Disrupted is at PublishingDisrupted.substack.comMick Silva is at MickSilvaEditing.substack.comDavid Morris is at dvdmorris.s...
2026-03-2344 minPublishing DisruptedEmbracing New Cultures, New Languages, & the New Ember ConferenceExtending our theme of how to find new gatherings and community (when the old ones are no longer serving), Publisher David shares his recent experiences with a local German club, and at the progressive-Christian Ember Conference in Oakland, CA. If you're looking to connect with more diverse people, learn new things you never knew, or just seeking new ways to experience a wider world, this is a great conversation. Books and book people are, of course, fascinating and full of exciting, deep ideas. And we want to highlight the opportunities in local communities--especially at the new recent E...
2026-03-0639 minPublishing DisruptedConnections, Creativity, and Chicken Scratch, with PW Religion Writer Ann ByleIn this conversation with long-time journalist, author, and writing coach Ann Byle, she provided us with some industry analysis, career advice, and some opinionated takes on relevant themes, particularly getting creative in modern Christian publishing.The publishing landscape is definitely changing, so she shared the difference between vanity and custom publishing and noted that as part of her work covering Publishers Weekly’s religion section, custom-published books are earning more genuine respect in the marketplace.Connections are still king and take time, but with some "chicken scratch creativity," you can build a career that lasts....
2026-02-1356 minPublishing DisruptedWhere We're Coming From: Our Faith DisruptionsAs snow falls outside the window in Grand Rapids we decided it was finally time to share how our personal faith journeys have been disrupted and how that's affected our deep engagement with the material we edit, represent, and publish.As former Christian publishing professionals, we once assented to certain beliefs. But we currently land in a very different place. And we know we’re not alone.Whether your faith disruption is minor or you've identified some religious trauma, we hope you'll feel welcome to explore this topic with us and recognize something of...
2026-01-2953 minPublishing DisruptedCraft, Community, and Reinvention: An Interview with Author and Coach Jeff ElkinsSo glad to have author and writing coach Jeff Elkins on Publishing Disrupted!What do you do when the education or job you worked so hard for no longer fits the life you’re living?In this episode of Publishing Disrupted, Mick Silva and David Morris are joined by novelist, writing coach, and Dialogue Doctor founder Jeff Elkins for an honest conversation about vocation, disruption, and creative reinvention.Jeff’s story spans theological training, fifteen years as a successful pastor, an exit from church systems, and a gradual rebuilding of professional iden...
2026-01-101h 15Publishing DisruptedYear-End Wrap-Up, New Year Plans, and Our Favorite BooksWhat are we doing, where are we going, and will they have snacks there? David and I talked some about our aims for this podcast, and how we (still) don't want to try to boil things down to five takeaways, or share advice much. Mainly, we love exploring fresh takes, and sharing about humans we're excited about. Toward that end, we discussed whether there's room for "books that don't do anything," and an idea about how writers might be better served by embracing a writing life rather than worrying too much about SEO and book sales. ...
2025-12-1947 minPublishing DisruptedBreaking Out of the %*$# BoxWarning! One unnamed host (who knows who he is) used some choice phrasing that may strip the grease stains out of your earbuds. Our genteel, refined listeners and sensitive types are advised to find a different episode.That said, this one got real. Très piquant! So, you know, don't listen with your kids in the car. And probably don't recommend it to Aunt Darla, who already thinks you're a heathen for watching R-rated movies. In fact, don't listen to it at all. There's nothing here you can't live without. Not a single takeaway of note. Really, w...
2025-12-0456 minPublishing DisruptedAuthor Marla Taviano on How to Build a Career on Frog and Toad Art, Five Years of Daily Posts, and the Spirit of AbundanceAuthor and poet Marla Taviano knows what it's like when publishing chews you up and spits you out. After four Christian books went out of print despite editors calling her writing "brilliant," she reinvented herself through indie publishing, daily content creation, and radical generosity.In this conversation, Marla shares how she followed Rachel Held Evans' blueprint of elevating marginalized writers, connecting young Black pastor Trey Ferguson with Lake Drive Books, and championing authors of color. She talks about five years of posting daily with minimal engagement before something finally shifted, her Frog and Toad poem art, and...
2025-11-211h 00Publishing DisruptedA Better Publishing Model? Why Higher Royalties Matter More Than AdvancesPublishing has been disrupted. There’s now a better way for the vast majority of authors. In this episode, David and I get into the biggest problems with traditional publishing: consolidatation, huge overhead, low royalties, and unearned advances. Much recent evidence bears out the fact that for the vast majority of newer and mid-level authors, big publishing is simply no longer built to serve them. Meanwhile, there's a better hybrid model that partners with authors' upfront investment to create organic, sustainable, and long-term sales, book after book. Listen in as I ask David about the significant benefits and...
2025-11-051h 00Publishing DisruptedHighbrow and Lowbrow: Why Book Categories Don't Serve Avid ReadersFor too long, publishing professionals, ourselves included, have been chasing the largest possible audiences. But in this episode we tried to take our experience and apply some finer lenses to focus on the far-more diverse independent market. We dug into some new research about book readers and their preferences, and discussed the common biases of highbrow and lowbrow book culture. While not immediately obvious, this distinction may offer more helpful way to understand why fiction is dominated by genres, and also why it's such a struggle to find books and book communities that transcend those familiar marketing c...
2025-10-2841 min
The Persistent EntrepreneurHow To Thrive In An AI Disrupted Digital Marketing Environment | Corey MorrisIf your digital marketing isn't driving a clear ROI, you don't have a strategy—you have expensive noise. In this episode, Corey Morris, CEO of Voltage Digital Agency and author of The Digital Marketing Success Plan, joins David Hill to explain how to fix that fast. Episode Summary Digital marketing expert Corey Morris breaks down what every entrepreneur must know about data-driven marketing, ROI accountability, and how to adapt to the rise of AI. After 20 years in the field, Corey has seen too many brands waste money on tactics without strategy—and here, he lays out the...
2025-10-1444 minThe Persistent EntrepreneurHow To Thrive In An AI Disrupted Digital Marketing Environment | Corey MorrisIf your digital marketing isn't driving a clear ROI, you don't have a strategy—you have expensive noise. In this episode, Corey Morris, CEO of Voltage Digital Agency and author of The Digital Marketing Success Plan, joins David Hill to explain how to fix that fast. Episode Summary Digital marketing expert Corey Morris breaks down what every entrepreneur must know about data-driven marketing, ROI accountability, and how to adapt to the rise of AI. After 20 years in the field, Corey has seen too many brands waste money on tactics without strategy—and here, he lays out the...
2025-10-1444 minPublishing DisruptedInk, Root, and Liberation: Rohadi Nagassar on the Power of Collective CreativityIn this, yet another episode of disruption from the bottom up, co-hosts Mick Silva and David Morris talk with author, creator, minister, and new literary agent Rohadi Nagassar about the shifting landscape of publishing and the rise of community-centered creativity. Rohadi discusses his Ink and Root Collective, a writing space for BIPOC authors emphasizing care and connection over commerce. The trio explores themes of decolonizing publishing, the challenges for marginalized authors post-2020, and the need for authentic community and sustainable models outside traditional, profit-driven systems. Together, they imagine a...
2025-10-1056 minPublishing DisruptedWhat (Really) Makes a Great Author Great?Sit down and listen in as I ask David Morris, publisher and literary agent, what really makes great authors great. Beyond the usual list of necessary qualities like being a good writer with a great concept and a reasonably sized platform, what makes an author someone we want to work with long-term? And surprise! Our definition of "greatness" is a bit different, but let's get real: every creative person dreams of finding this kind of reciprocal cooperation, don't they? #1 is humility / teachability - receiving openly without defensivenessAiming for authenticity and connection over a quick winAnd seeking pr...
2025-09-1743 min
Zero Limits PodcastEp. 228 David Raymond BM APM Queensland Police K9 Unit - Author Vader: A Police Dog StoryOn today's Zero Limits Podcast host Matty Morris chats with David Raymond former Queensland Police K9 Unit.David Raymond BM APM spent 36-years in policing—26 of those years in the K9 Unit and 14 as the officer in charge. David has been involved in numerous high-risk operations and critical incidents. His bravery and service have been recognised with a host of awards including Australian Bravery medal, QPS Valour Award, Australian Police medal, Commendation for Brave Conduct, Meritorious Service Medal and other prestigious commendations. Vader: A Police Dog StoryFor five yea...
2025-09-142h 15Publishing DisruptedThe Joy of DiscoveryJoin the disruption discussion as we welcome two self-employed publishing colleagues to the show, agent Tom Dean, and ghostwriter/editor Andy Rogers. Some highlights of our conversation about why we love what we do: The "platform paradox" - authors with great books choosing to opt out of traditional publishingThe joy of hand-selling and direct reader connectionIndustry insights about corporate publishing culturePractical advice for authors navigating today's landscapeThe human stories that make these industry shifts meaningfulThe opportunities for authors have never been broader--or more confusing. But as our guests helped to prove, if yo...
2025-09-0354 min
Project ZeroEpisode 14: Navigating Role Transitions and AI in Project Management with David MorrisIn this episode of Project Zero, host Alex Tuck interviews David Morris, the head of the PMO at Kinetics Technology (one of Tuck Consulting Group’s clients in the IT Professional Services space). David shares his journey from a business analyst and project manager to overseeing the entire projects department at Kinetics. He discusses his early career at Hertz and Smucker's, the importance of communication skills, recent advancements in AI at Kinetics, and his latest certification as a Portfolio Manager Professional. David also reflects on the importance of mentorship, work-life balance, and the evolving role of AI in project ma...
2025-08-2826 minPublishing DisruptedWhat Does a "Bestselling Book" Mean Anymore?In the shifting landscape of book publishing today, how helpful is the "bestselling book" stamp of approval? As authors face increasingly challenging obstacles to recognition (and sales), is bestseller status a shortcut to fame and fortune? Or is that prize even worth it? Come along as we discuss:New York Times list is not just based on most copies sold.USA Today lists 150 titles without discrimination of type or category.Amazon's velocity-based algorithm is too easy to game. BookScan sales data tracks legitimate sales but is unavailable for mo...
2025-08-2049 minPublishing DisruptedWhy Reading Is Fun (and Sexy)In this wide-ranging conversation, Mick and David dive into their personal reading habits as men, as book-lovers, and as supporters of great independent publishing. They explore their current reads—from Austrian history and Michigan ghost ships to literary fiction and classics like The Little Prince—discussing how reading can serve as both intellectual pursuit and spiritual practice.They examine the stereotype that "men don't read" (spoiler: they definitely do), and share their preferences for physical books over screens, not just because it's "sexier" (according to a recent NYT headline), but because it takes us "out of ourselves" in w...
2025-08-0750 min
Building Local PowerWhy Clean Energy Is Not Enough: John Farrell on Lessons from David MorrisWhen ILSR co-founder David Morris published his pamphlet The Dawning of Solar Cells in 1975, nearly the only people using solar power were those in the Apollo program at NASA. Yet David saw decades into the future as he laid out a vision for community control and local ownership of a solar power system that was better for the climate and kept much more money in local economies than utility monopolies ever would. In many ways, says ILSR co-director and leader of the Energy Democracy Initiative, John Farrell, the world is still catching up with things David Morris wrote 50 years ago.
J...
2025-07-2426 min
Building Local PowerWhy Clean Energy Is Not Enough: John Farrell on Lessons from David MorrisWhen ILSR co-founder David Morris published his pamphlet The Dawning of Solar Cells in 1975, nearly the only people using solar power were those in the Apollo program at NASA. Yet David saw decades into the future as he laid out a vision for community control and local ownership of a solar power system that was better for the climate and kept much more money in local economies than utility monopolies ever would. In many ways, says ILSR co-director and leader of the Energy Democracy Initiative, John Farrell, the world is still catching up with things David Morris wrote 50 years ago.
J...
2025-07-2426 minBuilding Local PowerWhy Clean Energy Is Not Enough: John Farrell on Lessons from David MorrisWhen ILSR co-founder David Morris published his pamphlet The Dawning of Solar Cells in 1975, nearly the only people using solar power were those in the Apollo program at NASA. Yet David saw decades into the future as he laid out a vision for community control and local ownership of a solar power system that was better for the climate and kept much more money in local economies than utility monopolies ever would. In many ways, says ILSR co-director and leader of the Energy Democracy Initiative, John Farrell, the world is still catching up with things David Morris wrote 50 years ago.
J...
2025-07-2426 minPublishing DisruptedThe Mainstream Is Dead. Long Live Unique Tribes!The publishing industry isn’t just changing—it’s completely fragmenting. In our latest episode, we talked about why two former Christian publishing professionals (Mick Silva and David Morris), have shifted so strongly toward a new model of authors aiming not for everyone, but for the readers that specifically fit them. Based on Kevin Kelly’s “1,000 True Fans“ concept, this episode, as usual, gave us plenty to discuss. Why a massive reach isn't necessary anymore to succeed as an author Why you need to be able to define your specific audience in a sentence How to start finding those "1000 true f...
2025-07-2339 minBuilding Local PowerThe Problems You Can Solve: Stacy Mitchell on David Morris’s LegacyOn this week's episode of Building Local Power, we continue our series honoring ILSR's co-founder David Morris, who passed away in June. One way to measure the impact of someone's work is to measure their influence on those they mentored. And if you ask Stacy Mitchell, the word "influence" isn't even sufficient for what she learned from David Morris. Hired into an entry-level position at ILSR by David Morris in 1997, Mitchell now leads the Independent Business Initiative and co-directs the entire organization. Her time working with Morris led to a long and distinguished career at ILSR and in the broader...
2025-07-1526 minBuilding Local PowerThe Problems You Can Solve: Stacy Mitchell on David Morris’s LegacyOn this week's episode of Building Local Power, we continue our series honoring ILSR's co-founder David Morris, who passed away in June. One way to measure the impact of someone's work is to measure their influence on those they mentored. And if you ask Stacy Mitchell, the word "influence" isn't even sufficient for what she learned from David Morris. Hired into an entry-level position at ILSR by David Morris in 1997, Mitchell now leads the Independent Business Initiative and co-directs the entire organization. Her time working with Morris led to a long and distinguished career at ILSR and in the broader...
2025-07-1526 minBuilding Local PowerThe Problems You Can Solve: Stacy Mitchell on David Morris’s LegacyOn this week's episode of Building Local Power, we continue our series honoring ILSR's co-founder David Morris, who passed away in June. One way to measure the impact of someone's work is to measure their influence on those they mentored. And if you ask Stacy Mitchell, the word "influence" isn't even sufficient for what she learned from David Morris. Hired into an entry-level position at ILSR by David Morris in 1997, Mitchell now leads the Independent Business Initiative and co-directs the entire organization. Her time working with Morris led to a long and distinguished career at ILSR and in the broader...
2025-07-1526 minPublishing DisruptedMore Than a Book Deal: Cara Meredith on Faithful Writing in a Changing IndustryIn this episode of Publishing Disrupted, co-hosts Mick Silva and David Morris sit down with their first-ever guest, author Cara Meredith, for an honest and layered conversation about life as a working writer navigating faith, publishing, and purpose.Cara is the author of the new book Church Camp: Bad Skits, Cry Night, and How White Evangelicalism Betrayed a Generation, a memoir-meets-cultural-critique that examines how white evangelical institutions shaped—and in many cases harmed—a generation.Together, we unpack what it really means to pursue writing as vocation, the spiritual and...
2025-07-1058 minBuilding Local PowerWhat Cities Can Do: Remembering David MorrisHere at the Institute for Local Self-Reliance, we recently received some shocking news as we learned of the sudden passing of our beloved co-founder, David Morris. A giant in the antimonopoly field, an innovative thinker ahead of his time, and a crucial mentor to so many of us here at ILSR, David will be missed. I imagine I wasn’t alone in diving into ILSR’s archives to understand and revisit David’s work and legacy in the wake of his death. Reading David’s work from the last 50 years reminded me just how much he deeply understood about building local po...
2025-07-0333 minBuilding Local PowerWhat Cities Can Do: Remembering David MorrisHere at the Institute for Local Self-Reliance, we recently received some shocking news as we learned of the sudden passing of our beloved co-founder, David Morris. A giant in the antimonopoly field, an innovative thinker ahead of his time, and a crucial mentor to so many of us here at ILSR, David will be missed. I imagine I wasn’t alone in diving into ILSR’s archives to understand and revisit David’s work and legacy in the wake of his death. Reading David’s work from the last 50 years reminded me just how much he deeply understood about building local po...
2025-07-0333 minBuilding Local PowerWhat Cities Can Do: Remembering David MorrisHere at the Institute for Local Self-Reliance, we recently received some shocking news as we learned of the sudden passing of our beloved co-founder, David Morris. A giant in the antimonopoly field, an innovative thinker ahead of his time, and a crucial mentor to so many of us here at ILSR, David will be missed. I imagine I wasn’t alone in diving into ILSR’s archives to understand and revisit David’s work and legacy in the wake of his death. Reading David’s work from the last 50 years reminded me just how much he deeply understood about building local po...
2025-07-0333 minPublishing DisruptedHow to Develop Your Authentic Voice and Give Readers What They WantIn this fifth episode, we get into another fundamental shift in the publishing world: book development. The old playbook of “authority from on high” is dead. Long live the authentic voice!There's the three elements of book proposals: platform (your ability to reach readers), concept (a current, but time-honored topic), and craft (your “method” and ability to deliver the goods). But the craft must now derive primarily from an authentic voice emerging from your personal process, rather than from presumed or external authority.Which helps explain why “for the Bible tells me so” doesn’t work so well a...
2025-06-2540 minPublishing DisruptedAuthor Marketing Should Be Disruptive (or at least not suck)Everyone knows the worst part about selling books is the selling part. That darned author-marketing! So in this episode, we break down a recent post by popular author-marketing guru, Dan Blank, and discuss the difference between being "intentional" and being *integrative*--replacing the agenda-driven drudgery with some creative fun while generating interest in your books.You really can find and craft your authentic voice in today's online world!Also, David has some takeaways from the Independent Booksellers Association conference, and gets a bit personal about my social media posts, as examples of creative marketing that...
2025-06-1139 minPublishing DisruptedNavigating the New Publishing Maze"Do I need an editor?" "Is my book any good?" "Do I need an agent?" These have been the common questions of hopeful writers for generations. But these days, looking to navigate the ever-shifting landscape of publishing is far more complex. In this conversation, we pull back the curtain on what really happens behind the scenes in book publishing, and offer some honest insight and guidance about what authors need to succeed, regardless of whether they're publishing conventionally or going independent.Whether you're pursuing traditional or independent publishing, in this episode we aimed to help answer the...
2025-06-0335 min
Catch The Zenith#205: David Morris – The 6 Coaching Client Types That Make or Break Your Business#205: David Morris is a Business Coach, E-learning Consultant, and Chief Operating Officer.Most coaches struggle with client retention. They get stuck with unengaged students, low renewal rates, and flaky behavior they can’t explain. David breaks it down. He’s identified six client archetypes that make or break a program — and built systems that raised retention rates to over 70%.Get ready to learn the six client types that shape your coaching business, how to turn “bad” clients into your top performers, what most coaches get wrong on day one, why content without outreach fails, what David lear...
2025-05-261h 41Publishing DisruptedDo Big Profit-Driven Publishers Produce a Positive Predicament?Even our AI assistant had trouble titling this one! But in this second episode, Mick and David picked up their discussion of the major factors disrupting modern publishing, hitting some highlights: Big mergers and their impact on book acquisitionsHow authors (and small publishers) can deal with truncated selling cycles Why publishing has become so much more dependent on author publicityand How personal stories (memoirs & author-centered nonfiction) are making a comebackWe close out with some hope that cultural conversations can take center stage in small grassroots publishing again, as the shifting landscape grows ever more diverse...come al...
2025-05-1442 minPublishing DisruptedWelcome to the DisruptionA new podcast from two "former book industry experts." Editor Mick Silva and publisher and literary agent David Morris cover all manner of things for professional authors trying to navigate the ever-changing publishing landscape. In this first episode, we introduce some bigger questions: Why books still matter Can you make money at "creative expression?"Is being "indy" better than being corporate? Can authors find more fun and less frustration?David also shared a bit about the biggest disruptor--digital publishing--and what it means for authors. Publishing Disrupted is at PublishingDisrupted.substack.comMick...
2025-04-2926 min
AcquiredTSMC Founder Morris ChangWe flew to Taiwan to interview TSMC Founder Morris Chang in a rare English interview. In fact, the last long-form video interview we could find was 17 years ago at the Computer History Museum… conducted by the one-and-only Jensen Huang! This episode came about after asking ourselves a version of the Jeff Bezos “regret minimization” question: what conversations would we most regret not having if the chance passed Acquired by? Dr. Chang was number one on our list, and thanks to a little help from Jensen himself, we’re so happy to make it happen.Dr. Chang shares t...
2025-01-272h 56
The KBB Unstoppable Business Owner Podcast (UBO)24. What Does 2025 Hold For The KBB Retail Market? With David MorrisSend us a textIn this episode of The KBB Unstoppable Business Owner Podcast, host Kevin D Bannister sits down with David Morris, Sales Director for MHK UK, to discuss the evolving landscape of the kitchen, bedroom, and bathroom (KBB) retail market. David shares his insights from over 48 years in the industry, including the rising importance of digital marketing, the value of buying groups, and strategies for staying competitive in 2025.Discover how MHK supports independent retailers with innovative tools like AI-enhanced customer engagement and tailored financial plans. Plus, learn actionable tips to future-proof y...
2024-11-2542 min
The Macademia NutsEpisode 0085: Lindsey attempts to watch all the scary moviesLindsey is watching scary movies, and David has opinions. All of the Nuts have opinions about Halloween costumes, with much reflecting on childhood memories and current trends. Lindsey and Alec have cute kids in cute Halloween costumes. As always, somehow food becomes a topic of conversation, and Alec drags Lindsey and David into a conversation about America's Got Talent (AGT), and the implications of winning such competitions. They explore the evolution of entertainment choices, particularly in the context of streaming services, and reflect on parenting in the digital age, highlighting the challenges and changes in how children engage with...
2024-11-251h 04The Macademia NutsEpisode 0084: Alabama football and other disastersIn this episode, the Nuts discuss their experiences with Hurricane Helene, the impact of natural disasters on communities, and the misinformation that often arises in the aftermath. They explore the role of media in disaster response, the prevalence of conspiracy theories, and the psychological effects of chaos and uncertainty. The conversation shifts towards sports, highlighting the unpredictability of both natural events and athletic competitions. Lindsey has issues with her alma mater and Vanderbilt. She takes solace in the fact that she will be attending the Eras tour. David and Alec are indifferent. Lindsey shares her experiences with iconic horror...
2024-10-161h 14