What if the strangest thoughts that pop into our heads don’t mean what we think they do? From intrusive thoughts and the call of the void to doubt, possibility, and participation, we’re digging into the weird space between having a thought and what happens next.

Author Ollie Ann Barnett Some writers start early.Some writers start over.The ones who matter most do both. Ollie Ann Barnett’s journey as a writer began in ninth grade. It was fueled by imagination, momentum, and the excitement that makes you believe anything is possible. Chapters were written. A story was unfolding. Then, in a single moment, it was gone.

One tiny question can keep us up for hours, and one answer can somehow create five more. So why do we desperately chase some answers while avoiding others? Down the rabbit hole we go, exploring curiosity and our strange relationship with wanting to know.

Halloween reading isn't just horror. Discover indie books filled with witches, curses, vampires, dark magic, murder, mystery and plenty of things that go bump in the night.

Some books are meant to stay pristine. Others are meant to be underlined, questioned, argued with, and returned to years later. What do the notes we leave behind say about the readers we’ve become?

We collect years of information about the people in our lives, but how often do we check the date? A look at trust, old opinions, the labels we carry, and what happens when someone no longer matches the file we have on them.

Discover indie horror books worth losing sleep over, from ghosts and vampires to creature features, psychological horror, dark fiction and more.

Meet indie author E.M. Frulla and step inside the imagination behind his worlds, where mythology, history, darkness, and deeply human characters come together.

Discover indie romance books filled with heartfelt connections, unforgettable characters, and stories of love in all its forms. Explore romance novels by independent authors and find your next favorit...

Pressure can push us forward, but it can also get in our way. Knowing when to keep going and when to loosen our grip might be the harder part.

What does strength look like when it doesn’t need to be loud? Sensei Sarhn shares her perspective on mindfulness, quiet courage, and finding strength without force.

Indie author Stefanie Nici shares the stories behind The Wishing Stone and The Indie Life, the characters that stay with her, and how writing has changed the way she sees herself and the world.

Submit your indie book to the Motivated Savages Indie Author Bookstore for free. Get your book listed, reach new readers, and join our growing indie author community.

A year ago, I had a lot of ideas about how life works and no idea where any of this would lead. Fifty-three consecutive weeks later, I have something I didn’t have then: evidence. Here’s what happened while we were busy living it.

What happens when a lesson that once protected you sticks around long after life has changed? Sometimes the past gives us valuable wisdom. Sometimes we’re still carrying a shield we no longer need. The real question is whether we know the difference.

Tom LeNoble believes stories can do more than entertain. Explore his approach to storytelling, philanthropy, personal growth, and the quiet moments that can create lasting change.

After 22 years of marriage, I looked back at the pictures, the hard years, the growing years and everything Brian and I built along the way. We had no idea where life would take us, but looking back now, I can see how every chapter helped shape our family, our lives and eventually, Motivated Savages.

Creamy, cheesy, and completely loaded. This baked mac and cheese combines crispy bacon, smoky kielbasa, four cheeses, and a buttery Ritz cracker topping for the ultimate comfort food.

Sometimes the smallest words can change the way we see ourselves. Explore the power of “yet,” the conclusions we carry, and what happens when we leave a little room for who we might still become.

Knowledge gives us possibility, but action is where things begin to change. What if you already know enough to take the next step and discover what happens from there?

Browse a curated indie author bookstore featuring fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and more. Discover and support independent authors across genres.

What happens when a writer creates from joy instead of pressure? In this Author Spotlight, Steven James shares how a safe creative space, authentic storytelling, and a desire to make readers think shape every story he writes. Discover the heart behind his process and the impact he hopes lingers long after the final page.

What does it really mean when someone asks, "Does it have good bones?" This reflection explores trust, character, and the unseen parts of our lives that carry the most weight. Sometimes the strongest things we build are the ones no one ever sees.

Curiosity has introduced me to some of my favorite books. Maybe it'll introduce you to yours too. Come wander the shelves and discover something unexpected.

Our experiences don't just shape our memories. They shape what we protect, what we create, and the person we're becoming. What are you building with the life you've been given?

We spend so much of our lives keeping score, measuring productivity, success, and progress, that we rarely stop to ask if we're measuring the right things. In this episode, a round of golf becomes the starting point for a bigger conversation about growth, purpose, and why our best days are not always the ones with the highest score. What if the way you've been measuring your life has been missing the moments that matter most?

We've spent our lives believing success is a race, but what if we've been looking at it all wrong? In this episode of the Motivated Savages Podcast, Jody Savage explores the powerful idea that life is really a relay. Every lesson, every act of encouragement, and every example we receive becomes something we carry forward and eventually pass on. It's a simple shift in perspective that may change the way you see your own journey and the impact you're already having on others.

What if the most powerful things shaping your life can't actually be seen? Every day, we live among trust, language, money, traditions, and ideas so familiar that we've forgotten they all began in someone's imagination. Join me as we explore the invisible world humanity has been building for thousands of years and discover why seeing it may change the way you look at the ordinary world forever.

Every year, life introduces us to experiences we never saw coming. This episode explores why our perspective is always evolving, how today's understanding limits tomorrow's imagination, and why the future may be far bigger than we can currently see.

Tender teriyaki steak, caramelized pineapple, roasted broccoli, creamy avocado, and pickled red onions come together over jasmine rice in a bowl that's equal parts comfort food and tropical escape. Paired with a Pineapple Whiskey Mule, this easy recipe transforms an ordinary dinner into something worth slowing down and savoring.

Some of the most meaningful chapters of our lives begin as simple curiosities. In this reflective exploration, Jody Savage examines the unexpected role side quests play in self-discovery and why the things that shape us most often start as ordinary conversations, interests, invitations, and questions. What if curiosity isn't leading you somewhere new, but introducing you to parts of yourself you haven't met yet?

Some relationships seem to repeat the same frustrations no matter how much time passes. In this episode, Jody Savage explores the patterns we unknowingly participate in, why participation isn't the same as blame, and how awareness creates new possibilities. Sometimes the relationship doesn't need a different person. Sometimes it simply needs a different dance.

Why have humans gathered around fires to share stories for thousands of years? From ancient campfires to modern podcasts, discover how storytelling helps us create meaning, borrow wisdom, and navigate the adventure of being human.

What if the version of you from ten years ago could see you today? Chances are they would be amazed by how much you've grown. In this reflective article, discover why many of us are carrying around an outdated picture of ourselves, how hidden growth shapes our lives, and why recognizing who you've become may unlock possibilities you never thought were within reach.

Most people don’t realize how much of their life has been shaped by opinions from people who never actually lived the kind of life they want. In this episode and companion blog, we explore why fear often disguises itself as wisdom, how emotionally safe people unintentionally project limitations onto others, and why taking advice from spectators can quietly shrink your future. If you’ve ever felt pulled between your instincts and other people’s expectations, this message will challenge you to rethink whose voice truly deserves authority in your life.

In Episode 37 of the Motivated Savages Podcast, Jody Savage explores the powerful phrase “That’s just the way I am” and challenges the idea that people are emotionally fixed. Through reflections on leadership, relationships, mindset, and personal growth, this episode dives into how repeated patterns quietly shape identity and why transformation remains available for anyone willing to stay open to becoming more.

Gratitude isn’t about being positive. It’s about being present. Start and end your day in a way that changes how your life feels.

You’re not just noticing the energy around you, you’re becoming it. In every conversation and interaction, you’re either being pulled by your environment or choosing how you show up. This piece breaks down how to stop absorbing everything around you and start directing your energy with intention, so you can lead every moment instead of reacting to it.

You’re not resisting change the way you think you are. You’re reacting to what it feels like and what it means about you. In this episode, we break down why change triggers different responses and how understanding that can transform how you lead, adapt, and grow.