Jason Ridler is a writer, educator, historian, and expert on unconventional warfare and cold war strategy. He is a Teaching Fellow at John Hopkins and the Official Writing Instructor at Google. He primarily works as an education specialist and workshop leader, leading courses for organizations like Octave, Norwich University Peninsula Bridge, Honors Pathway, and the US Naval War College.

Jason has also written more than 15 novels and has written articles for Diplomacy and Statecraft, Small Wars and Insurgencies, and Defense and Security Analysis.

Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: 

• Jason Ridler’s journey from punk rock to historian
• How to keep writing and stay motivated
• The first steps to get started writing
• Pushing past the initial rejection of your work
• Separating yourself from your work
• Why finding the right audience is just as important as the writing itself
• The importance of relationship building in writing
• Jason’s greatest piece of advice from his mentor

In this episode…

Many people have a passion for writing, but they know how difficult it can be. Even as a hobby, discouragement and obstacles seem inevitable, hindering the creative process. Any forward progress can feel impossible when everything seems to be in opposition. However, this doesn’t have to be the end.

Jason Ridler is a prolific writer and educator, running many courses for established organizations and businesses. His own struggles of writing and finding success have led him to help others with his experience. It is far from easy, but it is possible, and here is what you need to know.

Michael Roderick takes the time to interview Jason Ridler, an author and Teaching Fellow at John Hopkins University, to discuss the writing process and how to keep going. They break down the common hurdles of writing, how to keep your motivation, and dealing with rejection. The two also discuss networking and how to find the right audience for your writing.

Golden Answer

If you could meet any living person, who would it be?

Jason Ridler would sit down with Malcom Gladwell, since he is an incredible storyteller and would love to know how he does it.

https://www.gladwellbooks.com/

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Undefeated: Stay a Writer Against the Odds by Jason Ridler
• Jason Ridler
• Jason Ridler on LinkedIn

Sponsor for this episode…

Small Pond Enterprises LLC helps thoughtful givers become thought leaders by making their brands referable, their messaging memorable, and their ideas unforgettable.

We do this through helping coaches and consultants develop innovative frameworks that get people to think in new ways.

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