How I Write

Latest Episodes:

Brandon Stanton: Meet The Creator of “Humans of New York” | How I Write Nov 12, 2025

Show notes

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Brandon Stanton, the creator of Humans of New York, came on the show to talk about how he wrote his way to five published books and 13 million Instagram followers. Along the way, the man basically invented his own genre of biography. There are short stories, there are long stories.

What he would do every single day is he'd walk out onto the streets of New York, photograph people, and interview them. He would say, "How do I tell this person's story?"

What he discovered is that these people's stories were stories about the human condition itself. It went completely viral.

So if you're interested in thinking about how to tell better stories about people, how to find your voice as a writer, then you're going to like this conversation.

About the host

Follow me Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-i-write/id1700171470 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DavidPerellChannel X: https://x.com/david_perell

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David Grann: How to Write Non-Fiction That Reads Like Fiction | How I Write Nov 05, 2025

Show notes

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David Grann: one of the best storytellers alive today and an absolute master at narrative nonfiction. You might know him from "Killers of the Flower Moon", which Martin Scorsese turned into a film. And then there's "The Wager"; I can't think of a single book that more people I know have said that they just read the entire thing, from start to finish, in one sitting.

So what is it that he does to find stories, to research them, to turn them into writing that just makes people flip from page to page? Lush, vivid prose, great descriptions. How does he do it?

That's what this conversation's all about. About the host

Follow me Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-i-write/id1700171470 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DavidPerellChannel X: https://x.com/david_perell

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Susan Orlean: Award-Winning Writer Explains Her Entire Process | How I Write Oct 29, 2025

Show notes

Susan Orlean writes nonfiction books that read like fiction, sort of working in the style of Joan Didion or Tom Wolfe. But what makes her different is how intentional she is about her writing process. She's very intentional about the research, the writing, the editing phases, all of it. And if you're thinking about your own process, how can you structure your life in order to lead to good writing? Well, you're going to love this episode.

About the host

Follow me Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-i-write/id1700171470 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DavidPerellChannel X: https://x.com/david_perell

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Stefan Sagmeister: Why Are Things Less Beautiful Today? | How I Write Oct 22, 2025

Show notes

Stefan Sagmeister is the author of six books and one of the most influential designers in the world. He's won multiple Grammy Awards for his designs, and he's designed album covers for people like Jay-Z and David Byrne, the Rolling Stones.

But he's a writer. What does he write about? Well, design, beauty, how to find good ideas.

You'll notice when you pick up one of his books that the form, the style, the vibe, the typography is every bit as important as the content. This is really about design, beauty, and why our world looks the way it does. Enjoy!

About the host

Follow me Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-i-write/id1700171470 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DavidPerellChannel X: https://x.com/david_perell

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Morgan Housel: How to Master Writing | How I Write Oct 15, 2025

Show notes

Morgan Housel is one of the top non-fiction writers in the world. He is most famous for his book “The Psychology of Money”, which has now sold more than 8 million copies.

Before he wrote the book, he wrote more than 4,000 blog posts for publications like The Wall Street Journal and The Motley Fool, and that’s how he honed his craft. This is my second time having Morgan on the show. The first time, I just wanted to talk about Morgan, how he goes about his work. But this time I said: “Tell me about stories.”

“How do you find stories? How do you tell stories? How do you think about the rhythm of stories?” That’s why he’s been able to sell millions of books in the world of psychology, investing, and business: because of his ability to tell a really good story. Enjoy!

00:00:50 Collecting Good Stories
00:04:12 Storytelling Beats Facts
00:05:16 How to Hook Readers
00:08:39 How Morgan Uses ChatGPT
00:15:53 Teaching vs Preaching in Writing
00:18:01 The #1 Worst Writing Advice
00:25:18 Wide Funnel, Tight Filter Framework
00:27:08 How to Find Your Writing Style
00:31:45 Why Write Books in an Online World
00:36:20 How Morgan Wrote ‘The Art of Spending Money’
00:47:16 Morgan’s Admiration for Beautiful Writing
00:53:28 How to Start a Chapter
00:57:18 Becoming More Observant
01:01:01 You Don’t Need New Ideas
01:08:16 How Morgan Deals With Rejection

About the host

Follow me Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-i-write/id1700171470 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DavidPerellChannel X: https://x.com/david_perell

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Mitch Albom: Storytelling Master Shares His Secrets | How I Write Oct 08, 2025

Show notes

You can’t walk through an airport without seeing a Mitch Albom book on one of the shelves. He’s most famous for writing Tuesdays with Morrie, which may very well be the best-selling memoir of all time. He’s now written 14 books, which combined have sold more than 40 million copies.

In 45 years of hitting the keyboard, this is the deepest conversation he’s ever had about the craft of writing. I asked him to approach this like a college writing seminar. Give me the rigor. Give me the examples, baby. Show me how you go about your craft.

And that’s what he did. He taught me the ins-and-outs of character building, writing novels, and our conversation started with how to tell great stories.

Follow me Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-i-write/id1700171470 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DavidPerellChannel X: https://x.com/david_perell

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Dan Wang: How He Became America’s Favorite China Expert | How I Write Sep 24, 2025

Show notes

I interviewed Dan Wang, a writer and analyst whose annual letters from China have become a first draft of modern Chinese history. We talked about how he blends personal observation with deep analysis, how to skip the cliches and write with texture instead, and how classical music and literature have shaped his writing style.

What’s unique about Dan is that he built a name for himself by writing one essay per year (in an age where writers are encouraged to publish consistently). We also talked about his approach to travel writing, the difference between living in Beijing, Shanghai, and Hong Kong, how AI is changing the way he thinks (but not how he writes), and why China’s influencer culture is his least favorite thing about the country.

00:1:04 Why Dan writes Annual Letters
00:07:53 Dan’s favorite novel
00:15:01 Dan’s method for writing
00:26:02 Why most travel writing stinks
00:30:44 How to travel through China
00:33:05 The regions of China, explained
00:44:47 Trade books vs. academic books
00:53:46 The problem with history books
01:01:42 Did Dan write his book with AI?
01:10:50 Dan’s least favorite part about China
1:15:42 A critique of American elites
1:33:08 Dan’s website got blocked in China
1:39:52 What China mocks about America
1:54:49 A simple way to improve your writing

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Ada Limón & Joy Harjo: Everything I Learned From The World's Greatest Poets | How I Write Sep 17, 2025

Show notes

I interviewed Ada Limón and Joy Harjo, two of America’s most celebrated poets and former U.S. Poet Laureates. We talked about the art of deep listening, how to translate the music of the world into language, and why silence is never empty but always alive. We explored how poetry resists “clock time,” why metaphor is essential to truth, how culture lives through song and dance, and what it means to trust your voice across a lifetime of writing.If you want to write with more presence, rediscover the mystery of language, or understand how poetry can awaken a deeper way of being, this conversation will give you timeless insights from two masters of the craft.

Hey! I’m David Perell and I’m a writer, teacher, and podcaster. I believe writing online is one of the biggest opportunities in the world today. For the first time in human history, everybody can freely share their ideas with a global audience. I seek to help as many people publish their writing online as possible. Follow me Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-i-write/id1700171470 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DavidPerellChannel X: https://x.com/david_perell

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AJR: The Writing Secrets Behind TikTok's Viral Sounds | How I Write Sep 10, 2025

Show notes

I interviewed Jack and Ryan from AJR, the band that has built one of the most original voices in modern music. We talked about how they use humor and vulnerability to write songs that connect on a deeper level, why embarrassment is often the best creative compass, how Broadway and magic inspire their live shows, and what they’ve learned about navigating TikTok, streaming, and the new economics of the music industry. We also explored their thoughts on AI, why imperfection makes art feel authentic, and how they’ve grown from writing dorm-room party songs to filling arenas around the world. If you want to understand the future of music, create art that’s both playful and profound, or learn how to stay true to yourself in a world driven by algorithms, this conversation will give you a rare inside look at the creative process of AJR. 00:00:00 The truth in music 00:09:41 Embarrassment as creative fuel 00:20:05 Context is everything 00:29:24 From 2D to 3D songwriting 00:39:36 Live shows as the real artwork 00:49:42 Truth, AI, and the future of music 00:59:41 Haters, resilience, and regret-proof songs 01:09:27 Writing a thousand bad songs 01:18:58 Partnership and balance 01:28:32 Themes, loss, and the arc of Maybe Man
Hey! I’m David Perell and I’m a writer, teacher, and podcaster. I believe writing online is one of the biggest opportunities in the world today. For the first time in human history, everybody can freely share their ideas with a global audience. I seek to help as many people publish their writing online as possible. Follow me Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-i-write/id1700171470 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DavidPerellChannel X: https://x.com/david_perell

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Steven Pressfield: The Brutal Truth About Creative Success | How I Write Classic Episode Sep 03, 2025

Show notes

Every so often, I’ll re-publish one of my favorite How I Write episodes. This classic episode is with Steven Pressfield, the author of more than 25 books who speaks as beautifully about the creative process as he writes. He waded through 27 years of Resistance so you don’t have to. Come learn his best practices for doing your best work.

TIMESTAMPS: 00:00:00 Intro 00:00:40 Your career in writing 00:07:00 Writing rough drafts 00:11:10 Copywriting 00:13:20 Hemingway 00:14:20 The Legend of Bagger Vance 00:18:40 Fiction vs Non-fiction 00:19:15 Storytelling advice 00:29:20 Editing your work 00:40:55 Discipline in writing 00:43:45 Villains in writing 01:02:45 How Steven started writing 01:05:15 Robert Greene 01:08:50 Tim Ferriss 01:12:00 60 scenes method 01:13:20 Writing styles 01:20:20 Make your heroes suffer 01:23:55 Steven Pressfield's new book "The Daily Pressfield"
Hey! I’m David Perell and I’m a writer, teacher, and podcaster. I believe writing online is one of the biggest opportunities in the world today. For the first time in human history, everybody can freely share their ideas with a global audience. I seek to help as many people publish their writing online as possible. Follow me Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-i-write/id1700171470 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DavidPerellChannel X: https://x.com/david_perell

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