The Nonlinear Path: From Public Health to Published Author with Ted Neill

In this episode of The Art of Imperfect Adulting, host Amy Stone welcomes Seattle-based writer and public health expert Ted Neill. Ted shares his journey from an early passion for writing, through a career dedicated to public health and humanitarian work across the globe, to finally embracing a full-time career as an author. Their conversation dives deep into the challenges of career pivots, self-care, the reality of non-linear adult lives, and the lessons learned from service in vulnerable communities.About the Guest:Ted Neill is a writer, journalist, and former global health professional whose work spans five continents. His books, including Two Years of Wonder and Twenty Years of Unraveling, explore themes of resilience, justice, and personal transformation. With a background in social advocacy and storytelling, Ted shares powerful insights on overcoming adversity, navigating identity, and embracing life's unexpected turns. His work has been featured in The Washington Post and Recovery Today, and he is a recipient of the Martin Luther King Jr. Torch of Peace Award.Main Topics Covered:Ted's journey from aspiring writer to journalist, to a career in global public health, and back to writing full timeThe realities and challenges of working in the nonprofit sectorThe impact of global humanitarian work on mental health and personal identityNavigating burnout, depression, and the process of personal reinventionThe business side of independent publishing and the blending of creative and business skillsTed’s prolific writing catalog, including middle-grade fiction, YA, memoir, and a nonfiction series on bias and equityEmbracing a non-linear, imperfect adulting journeyHow past traumas and experiences shape our passions and careersQuote from the Episode:“...maybe we could have it all, but not all at the same time.” — Ted NeillConnect with Ted NeillIG @therealauthortedneill TikTok: @tedneillwritesNever Miss a Moment of Imperfect AdultingWe invite you to join our email community and let us bring the podcast directly to you! As a subscriber, you'll receive notifications about new episodes, exclusive offers from our amazing guests, and easier access to any of the important links mentioned on the show—no more scrambling to write down websites or remember special codes.Why subscribe?Stay up-to-date without checking your podcast appGet guest offers delivered straight to your inboxAccess all important links in one convenient placeCatch the highlights even when you don't have time to listenAre you ready? Join us at https://www.imperfectadulting.com If you love the show and you'd like to support it directly you can tip the host here https://imperfect-adulting.captivate.fm/supportIf you have a story to share and you'd like to be a guest on The Art of Imperfect Adulting, here are the steps for how you can make that happen. Pitch yourself at https://www.imperfectadulting.com/be-a-guestHere are a few resources that Amy uses to make all this great content. These are affiliate links :-)For livestreaming and recording ECamm https://www.ecamm.com/mac/ecammlive/?fp_ref=amy69Podcast hosting and distribution: Captivate FM https://www.captivate.fm/signup?ref=ntczmwi Website hosting with Siteground https://www.siteground.com/?referrer_id=9115590Ai Transcription Tool: Castmagic https://get.castmagic.io/ugrmjjrt8ofjFor Email I recently switched to Beehiiv https://www.beehiiv.com?via=Amy-Stonebefore that I used Kit. Books I like and books written by show guests on Bookshop.org https://bookshop.org/lists/podcast-guest-authors