The Power of Story Structure with Deborah Ager

"That thing you feel awkward about? It might be your superpower." In this episode, Michael Dargie sits down with author, editor, and writing mentor Deborah Ager, founder of Radiant Media Labs. Based in Maryland, Deborah helps business leaders, professionals, and creatives translate their decades of knowledge into books that clarify, inspire, and connect. This episode is sponsored by my new book BRANDJITSU, helping you find, shape, and share your story with the world. Deborah shares how her work evolved from marketing consultant to book coach—and how a single ghostwriting project opened a door she didn't expect. Now, she guides clients through a process she calls "Clarify, Storify, Amplify," giving them the structure and strategy they need to write books that build brands, careers, and legacy. She opens up about how poetry, language precision, and her own creative practice inform her work—and how joy, not perfectionism, is the secret ingredient to finishing. Whether you're stuck at page one or polishing your manuscript, this episode is full of practical wisdom, thoughtful metaphors, and writer-to-writer solidarity. Quotable quotes "Editing is revision—but it's also revisioning." "That thing you feel awkward about? It might be your superpower." "Just creating can feel very good—even if no one ever sees it." "Words have nuance. Choosing the right ones can change everything." "Discernment will help you move forward faster." Episode highlights From Marketing to Memoirs | How Radiant Media Labs got its start Ghostwriting to Book Coaching | The power of clarifying other people's ideas Editing as Joyful Revisioning | How to make peace with the hard parts Mindset Matters | Why joy and process go hand in hand Not Everyone Will Like It | And that's okay Knowing Your Reader | Why audience clarity changes everything The Poetry Edge | Precision of language as a business advantage Clarify, Storify, Amplify | Deborah's signature 3-part writing framework A Perfect Deborah Day | Creativity, conversation, and long walks What Deborah Reads | Essays, hybrid memoirs, and story-rich nonfiction Guilty Pleasures | Gardening, lake walks, and sharing food with wildlife Creating for Joy | Letting go of judgment and loving the process Rebels in Waiting | Discernment is the rebel's best friend Black-Eyed Peas & Greens | Deborah's go-to comfort food Dreambook Launcher | A free tool to help you start your book Links from the episode Radiant Media Labs Website (https://radiantmedialabs.com) Deborah Ager on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborahager) BrandJitsu Book (https://brandjitsu.com) Hosted by: Michael Dargie THEREBELREBELPODCAST.COM | LINKEDIN.COM Get Your Copy of Michael's Book: "BrandJitsu™: Move Your Brand From 'Meh' To Memorable" Indigo | Barnes & Noble | MichaelDargie.com