Our second episode of The Blank Page Podcast is out now, and it dives into something every creator faces: the blank page. Or rather, how not to.
🎥 Watch the episode here:
In this conversation, Matthew and I explore the origins of the podcast itself — how it grew naturally out of our weekly meetings preparing for an Improving Tech Friday talk. Once the talk was over, we realized we missed those conversations. That time to think out loud, share ideas, and connect dots. So we decided to keep the conversation going — and The Blank Page Podcast was born.
The Power of Systems
We unpack what it really means to never face a blank page. For me, that comes from years of building systems — from Evernote to Obsidian — that let me capture ideas, connect them, and revisit them when the timing is right. Those ideas become a second brain, a personal knowledge base that keeps creative momentum flowing.
Matthew adds his perspective through his Substack writing journey and shares how starting with your voice can be the simplest way to break creative inertia. You don’t need a perfect outline to begin — just speak your thoughts, record them, and refine later.
Authenticity and AI
We also dig into authenticity in AI-assisted writing. Why do so many creators feel the need to hide that they use tools like ChatGPT or Claude? For us, AI isn’t about replacing your voice — it’s about refining it. Just as asking a friend to help you edit can teach us new ways to express ideas, learn new vocabulary, and improve clarity without losing our individuality, these tools can do the same.
Growth and Change
Another big theme is growth — how our voices evolve. We talk about the importance of giving ourselves (and others) permission to change. I’ve written over 500 blog posts in 20 years, and looking back, it’s clear how my views and writing style have evolved. That’s not inconsistency — it’s growth.
Poetry, Lyrics, and Feeling Something
We even take a detour into poetry and songwriting — exploring what makes words feel. Whether it’s a poem, a lyric, or a paragraph in a blog post, the power lies in evoking emotion and reflection. If it makes you pause and think, it’s doing its job.
Learning Through Failure
And of course, we touch on learning and failure — how our education system often conditions us to fear mistakes instead of learning from them. True creativity comes from iteration, curiosity, and play.
🎧 Whether you’re a writer, developer, or just someone trying to capture ideas before they fade — this episode is for you.
📺 Watch it here → https://youtu.be/n4PGFlXAgVQ?si=pD3WzjhyRCgNxb64
And remember: if you ever find yourself staring at a blank page, start with your voice.
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