Episode 47: [BOOK CLUB] Insights from Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey

This week we’re talking about our September Book Club reading of Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey. .It’s a memoir by a celebrity that will surprise you.You’ll stop and think about the aspects of your life that shaped your decision making and paved the path you’re on today.  We’ve all had moments in life when we’re at a crossroads with a decision to make and opportunities present themselves.What were the greenlights that opened new pathways for you whether expected or unexpected? The journey to living your life expressing your true creative self isn’t linear. There will be obstacles in your way and it’s up to you to decide how you’re going to face those moments. Greenlights are a way of seeing a path through when you’re feeling stuck. It might not be a book you’ve thought about picking up, but we found it surprisingly interesting.It doesn’t read like a traditional memoir because it’s structured with stories from McConaughey’s life that illustrate ideas and thoughts he presents for reflection about life.McConaughey shares stories of navigating his relationships with his family, his journey to the screen, and his eventual marriage and role as a father.There’s an interesting sense of connection when reading this memoir, even though he’s a celebrity, because this book allows you to stop and reflect on your own life.We’re all looking to connect with others and this book brings that to the forefront. There’s a sense of humanity and depth of creativity throughout. McConaughey shows a lot of resilience as he navigates the challenges of his upbringing and landing his first acting roles. You’ll find inspiration from the diligence he shows in his dedication to his craft as an actor. He didn’t want to be pigeon-holed into acting in one type of film, so he created the space for himself that he wanted despite pressures from producers to accept certain roles. A great reminder about building space as a creative that works for you.While it doesn’t read like a typical memoir because he spends time helping shape some of the ideas to take away from his stories, there’s a lot in his memoir that anyone can connect with in their own life. Are you ready to start reading? If you don’t have a copy of Greenlights, you can get a copy here. Send us Fan Mail Welcome to the Inspired Writer Collective podcast. If you've ever felt the pull to write your truth, to shape the chaos of real life into something meaningful and to share your journey with the world, you're in the right place. We're your hosts, Elizabeth and Stephanie, writers, coaches, and entrepreneurs who believe in you and know how important it is to find a writing community to guide you on your path to self-publishing. You’re invited to connect with us by joining our Embodied Writing Experience where you’ll get a writer’s retreat directly to your inbox on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays each week. Whether you’re working on a memoir, a novel, or journaling for yourself, this is an invitation to slow down, tune in, and write with embodied intention.   Join our Embodied Writing Experience where you’ll get a writer’s retreat directly to your inbox each week. This is an invitation to slow down, tune in, and write with embodied intention.   If you missed this year's Memoir Summit, we recorded it! You can purchase the replays and get instant access to over 4 hours of memoir-specific content from Elizabeth and our amazing panelists of published memoir authors, indie presses, editors, and industry professionals!Work 1:1 with Memoir Coach Elizabeth Wilson. Book a session here.If you prefer to watch our conversations, you can find all of them on our YouTube channel.You can find us on Instagram.