In this episode of Behind the Author Brand, Susan Kaiser Greenland shares insights from her career as a mindfulness pioneer, innovator, and bestselling author. Susan’s decades of groundbreaking work in mindfulness for children (and their adults) laid the groundwork for her most recent book, Real World Enlightenment: Discovering Ordinary Magic in Everyday Life, a curation of world wisdom practices for fellow modern seekers. In 2023, we worked together on an author branding revamp in preparation for her book launch—but wasn’t the first time I encountered Susan’s work. You’ll have to listen as I share that synchronistic story.
Join us for this delightful conversation about trying (and failing) to stay aligned with yourself, mindfulness, career shifts, the uncanny beauty of connection, and, of course, author branding and marketing.
How do you stay aligned with who you are and create meaningful work in today’s climate? How do you know your work matters, even if your books aren’t bestsellers? How do you honor your own writing process?
We discuss these questions and so many more in this inspiring conversation.
About Susan Kaiser Greenland and Real World Enlightenment
Susan is a mindfulness educator and bestselling author, specializing in distilling global wisdom traditions and scientific research into straightforward everyday practices. In the early 2000s, she helped pioneer the introduction of secular mindfulness into classrooms through her Inner Kids model. After decades of working with children and adults and writing two widely translated books, Susan’s latest work has culminated in a new book called REAL-WORLD ENLIGHTENMENT. With 50 short, powerful tools, it shares the lessons she’s learned as a mindfulness innovator, educator, and leader as, well as insights from psychology to Buddhism and everything in between. Written for modern seekers, it offers time-tested tools that serve as an antidote to the pressures of modern life while fostering meaningful connections in our relationships, all without needing to go on a two-week silent meditation retreat or start up a three-hour morning routine.
Resources & Links:
Susan on Insight Timer App
Connect with Susan:
Writing for your reader, not for algorithms, or validation
How serving your Ideal Readers leads to surprising (magical?!) impact
The evolution Susan’s work in mindfulness and meditation
Strategies for maintaining integrity and your true north in today’s culture
The value of intentional careers and communities
Building a legacy of work, redefining success later in life
Practical advice for new writers: balancing day jobs with creative projects
The significance of sacred space and daily mindfulness practices for creators
Overcoming self-imposed barriers in writing
Embracing flexibility and ongoing growth in personal author branding and career
00:00 - Intro
02:11 - Susan’s journey from lawyer to mindfulness expert
03:48 - Developing mindfulness tools for children in the 90s
08:48 - Transitioning from children to adults
10:12 - The importance of humility and connection over metrics
11:03 - Impact beyond external validation
12:28 - The multifaceted nature of creative work beyond books
13:11 - Building community through small, meaningful offerings
14:23 - The danger of big ambitions without true alignment
16:12 - Aligning with your true self
17:27 - Staying true to integrity in a commercialized landscape
19:17 - Navigating “mindfulness capitalism” and preserving true north
21:14 - Practical tips for writers balancing passion with financial stability
24:23 - The motivation and purpose behind Real World Enlightenment
26:30 - Evolving personal branding
28:16 - Defining and connecting with your Ideal Reader
30:46 - Shifting perspective and overcoming self-criticism
38:14 - Susan’s writing process: “like passing a stone”
41:15 - Overcoming internal blocks and finding your voice
44:17 - Advice for early-career writers: balancing work and passion
47:09 - The importance of sacred space and daily routines
50:07 - Creating environment for creativity and connection
2:01 - Embracing change and joy in ongoing work
54:01 - Connecting with Susan’s resources and staying in touch
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