The Alignment Show

Ever had one of those moments where a “five-minute fix” with technology turns into two hours of hair-pulling? In this solo episode of The Alignment Show, I share a recent run-in with Photoshop that pushed me right to the edge of giving it all up—computers, creative work, even publishing.But behind the exasperation was something deeper:* What do you do when the tools you depend on start draining the joy out of the work?* How do you know if it’s just a temporary frustration—or a sign it’s time to lay something down?* And how do you keep the spark alive in the things you love?I tell a story (with a little humor, a little honesty, and a nod to my AI sidekick “Lizzie”) about nearly tossing my laptop into the lake. More importantly, I invite you to reflect on how you handle those breaking-point moments in your own life.🎧 Listen in, and then let me know: How do you deal with that kind of frustration?Watch the video on YouTube:You can hear audio versions of this podcast at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon podcasts, and Substack. Catch the show notes at DonnKing.com/96.Sponsors for this episode include:* Val Tews and Butterfly Copywriting (DonnKing.com/Butterfly)* Donn’s books, including info on Creating While Caring: Practical Tips to Keep Creating While Caring for a Loved One, coming out before the end of September (DonnKing.com/Books).Remember that we have moved our home over to our new site at TheAlignmentShow.com. We encourage you to subscribe there!If you get value from the show, consider supporting us through Buy Me a Coffee. You can make a one-time contribution or sign up for regular support. Your support helps me continue helping you and others, and thank you in advance!You can also subscribe on Substack for free OR upgrade to a paid subscription to receive the following bonus material for each episode:* The “Big Takeaway”* A bulleted summary of the episode* Practical tips from the episode* A quote to ponder* A topic index with timestampsPlus, Founding Members receive ebook copies of all my books as well as a sponsorship message on the podcast at least once a month.That’s our way for saying “thanks for the support!”Note: if you accidentally subscribe on ConfidenceCultivators.com (which used to host the show), I will comp you the equivalent subscription on King’s Chronicles, the new home of The Alignment Show. Get full access to The Confidence Cultivator at confidencecultivator.substack.com/subscribe This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit kingschronicles.substack.com/subscribe

Editor’s Note: We are setting up a new publishing workflow, which means we may have a few glitches in the next few episodes. Thanks for bearing with us, and email donn@donnking.com with any problems or issues you have.What happens when a global supply chain strategist, author, and TEDx speaker turns his focus from corporate success to soul-deep purpose? In this inspiring conversation, Andy Bhattacharyya—founder of AI-driven sustainability firm Amplo Global—shares his journey from engineering and ESG compliance to mentoring vulnerable youth and writing fiction that champions resilience.Andy reveals:* Why he blends fiction and nonfiction to teach values-based leadership* How sustainability is evolving beyond compliance into purposeful business strategy* The personal “life versions” that shape his choices and drive his legacy* Stories of overcoming vulnerability, from trafficking prevention to mentoring future leadersWhether you’re navigating a career pivot, seeking more meaning in your work, or curious about the intersection of business, storytelling, and purpose, Andy’s insights will challenge you to think bigger, and act with intention.In this episode we talked about:* Andy’s new venture, LeadWithAndy.com (we never got the QR code in the video, but this will take you right to it.* Val Roskens Tews and her Butterfly Copywriting business, one of our sponsors. Find out more at DonnKing.com/Butterfly.* Donn’s books, including the upcoming release of Creating While Caring. Find out more at DonnKing.com/Books.Remember that we have moved our home over to our new site at TheAlignmentShow.com. We encourage you to subscribe there!If you get value from the show, consider supporting us through Buy Me a Coffee. You can make a one-time contribution or sign up for regular support. Your support helps me continue helping you and others, and thank you in advance!You can also subscribe on Substack for free OR upgrade to a paid subscription to receive the following bonus material for each episode:* The “Big Takeaway”* A bulleted summary of the episode* Practical tips from the episode* A quote to ponder* A topic index with timestampsPlus, Founding Members receive ebook copies of all my books as well as a sponsorship message on the podcast at least once a month.That’s our way for saying “thanks for the support!”Note: if you subscribe on ConfidenceCultivators.com, I will comp you the equivalent subscription on King’s Chronicles, the new home of The Alignment Show. Get full access to The Confidence Cultivator at confidencecultivator.substack.com/subscribe This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit kingschronicles.substack.com/subscribe

Next Tuesday, I'm offering two separate opportunities to learn about the power of Substack.If you're seeing this—or reading this—on Substack, there's a good chance you already use it. Not a 100% chance, of course. You can read free material on Substack without ever logging in or subscribing to anyone. But still, a pretty good chance.Even if you're already using it, you might not realize just how much potential Substack has to help you get your message out to a world that needs to hear it.I figured the best way to give you a taste of what we’re going to talk about in the workshop is to use Substack to show you. So, I’m making this post go out through almost every available format Substack offers. That should give you a feel for how flexible it is, and maybe help you decide whether Substack could be useful for you.In the workshop, we’ll take a 20,000-foot view of what Substack can do. This post? Think of it as the 30,000-foot preview.The way I like to explain Substack is with a metaphor: it’s like a Swiss Army knife, or maybe even more like a Leatherman tool. Sure, you could find a better email platform, a more powerful podcast host, or a sleeker blogging tool. But Substack’s strength is in being the Leatherman of creative communication: one solid tool that does everything well enough, and keeps it all in one place.Take this post, for example. I used Substack’s video feature to talk to you, and you’ll find it embedded here. They are rolling out a live video feature, which I don’t have yet. It has some limitations. For instance, it only works from the mobile app, so I can’t use my usual green screen or share slides. But it’s fast, it’s personal, and if you set it up right, the video becomes part of a post that people can watch later. I will use it when it become available to me. For now, I’m recording the video and then uploading it.I can upload a video directly into a post. I can also do an audio version instead—or a full podcast episode. Substack will distribute your podcast to Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and just about anywhere else people listen. This will become such a podcast episode.You can embed video or audio in a regular post that is not a podcast. Or you can just write a regular text post (and if you’re reading this, that may be your preference over video or audio). Add photos if you want. Substack will email that post to your list, which makes it a great newsletter tool—which is how a lot of people first think of it. But you can also send posts only to email without publishing them online, more like a traditional mailing list.Readers can find you through search, or they can subscribe to get emails when you publish, so it functions kind of like a blog and kind of like a newsletter. The post editor gives you a lot of formatting flexibility, though not as much as something like WordPress.There’s even a whole ecosystem for short-form posts, like what Twitter used to be, called Notes. You can share quick ideas, links, reactions, and more. (I will post a Note a little later pointing to this post.)And all of this? Free.Now, if you’ve spent any time on the internet, you’ve heard the old line: “If it’s free, you’re the product.” That’s usually true—most free platforms monetize you through ads. But Substack works differently. It’s a freemium model: you can offer paid subscriptions and give your subscribers bonus content or perks. Substack takes 10% of what you earn, which means they only succeed if you do.That’s a different incentive model from most platforms. They don’t throttle your reach. They don’t ask you to “pay to play.” In fact, it’s the opposite. They want more people to find you, subscribe to you, and support you.Now, it’s true that once you hit a certain level of revenue, you might be able to make more money using another system. But many of us—including me—stick with Substack anyway, because it’s just so much easier to manage than the more complex tools out there.And you don’t have to commit to anything in this workshop. I just want to show you what Substack can do (probably a lot more than you realized) and help you see how simple it is to use. It’s great for people who say, “I’m not good at tech,” and it’s efficient enough to appeal to folks who are good at tech but don’t want to spend their lives formatting blog posts.Just because you can format a WordPress post doesn’t mean you want to spend the time it takes to do it.So however you came across this, whether through a recorded video, audio, a text post, a Note, an email, or just stumbling across it online—I hope you’ll check out our workshop on July 8, 2025.And if you find this after that date, don’t worry—you can still find the replay at the link I’ll share. But if you’re seeing this in time, go ahead and sign up. That way you can join us live and get your questions answered.Just go to DonnKing.com/SubstackInfo to sign up. That’s DonnKing.com/SubstackInfo, and that Donn with a double N. DonnKing.com/SubstackInfo.You may know folks who would also benefit from this. Share the post—it’s free!Make sure you get our content on effective communication and life management. Our home base is at King’s Chronicles: Get full access to The Confidence Cultivator at confidencecultivator.substack.com/subscribe This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit kingschronicles.substack.com/subscribe

From interviewing Middle Eastern dignitaries and riding the waves of international journalism, to revolutionizing how modern franchises share knowledge, Penny Hopkinson’s journey is nothing short of remarkable. In this wide-ranging conversation, Penny shares how she turned a love of words and systems into a career that reshaped an industry.Whether you're a writer, business leader, or someone exploring what it means to live with integrity and purpose, this episode offers real-world wisdom from someone who’s done just that, across borders, generations, and platforms.We also get a special live update from Penny about her upcoming Manual Magic AI tool, a knowledge-sharing SaaS that could change the way businesses capture and transfer know-how.You can catch video replays at the following links, or hear audio replays at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon podcasts, and Substack.* LinkedIn* YouTube* FacebookResources shared in this episode include:* Penny’s Linktree leading to “all things Penny.”* She’ll post here when Manual Magic AI goes live* She talked about writing a memoir, too. Keep this bookmarked for updates!* Penny on LinkedIn* Hayley Mills info* About shorthand, including samples of systems* Penny’s book, Manual Magic (but remember she is offering access to her new Manual Magic AI through October 2025—keep an eye on her Linktree for when that goes live)* Our new sponsor, Val Rosken Tews at Butterfly Copywriting* Our sponsor, Saleswise Live* Our sponsor, Donn’s books (the new book, Creating While Caring, will be coming out soon and will be linked here).Share, like, and subscribe!Remember that we have moved our home over to our new site at TheAlignmentShow.com. We encourage you to subscribe there!If you get value from the show, consider supporting us through Buy Me a Coffee. You can make a one-time contribution or sign up for regular support. Your support helps me continue helping you and others, and thank you in advance!You can also subscribe on Substack for free OR upgrade to a paid subscription to receive the following bonus material for each episode:* The “Big Takeaway”* A bulleted summary of the episode* Practical tips from the episode* A quote to ponder* A topic index with timestampsPlus, Founding Members receive ebook copies of all my books as well as a sponsorship message on the podcast at least once a month.That’s our way for saying “thanks for the support!”Note: if you subscribe here on Confidence Cultivator, I will comp you the equivalent subscription on King’s Chronicles, the new home of The Alignment Show. Get full access to The Confidence Cultivator at confidencecultivator.substack.com/subscribe This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit kingschronicles.substack.com/subscribe

Dan Janal thought he was the picture of health, working out regularly, feeling fine, living fully. So when a routine checkup turned into a life-threatening diagnosis, everything changed… and so did his mindset.In this powerful and deeply personal conversation, Dan shares how he went from shocked patient to hopeful guide, using his skills as a writer and speaker to reframe what it means to live with cancer. What begins as a health crisis becomes a life mission and a lesson in hope, presence, and purpose for all of us.If you’ve ever faced something unexpected, or you’re looking for a practical example of living in alignment with your values even in the hardest seasons, this episode will move you.We talked about these resources:* Cured: Strengthen Your Immune System and Heal Your Life by Jeffrey Rediger.* Dan’s web site for Reframing Cancer.* Dan’s Substack.* Lois Creamer’s episode 80.* The world-famous Mayo Clinic.* Our sponsor: Saleswise Live™.* Our sponsor: Donn’s books.You can catch video replays at the following links, or hear audio replays at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon podcasts, and Substack.* LinkedIn* YouTube* FacebookIf you get value from the show, consider supporting us through Buy Me a Coffee. You can make a one-time contribution or sign up for regular support. Your support helps me continue helping you and others, and thank you in advance!You can also subscribe on Substack for free OR upgrade to a paid subscription to receive a bonus post each month for subscribers only, including an audio version. Plus, Founding Members receive ebook copies of all my books.UPDATE: We are experimenting with bonus material for Paid subscribers (including those who support us through regular Buy Me a Coffee payments). We will now share with Paid subscribers the following bonus material for each episode:* The “Big Takeaway”* A bulleted summary of the episode* Practical tips from the episode* A quote to ponder* A topic index with timestampsThat’s our way for saying “thanks for the support!”Thanks for reading The Confidence Cultivator! This post is public so feel free to share it. Get full access to The Confidence Cultivator at confidencecultivator.substack.com/subscribe This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit kingschronicles.substack.com/subscribe

What does it take to follow your passion—responsibly?In this episode of The Alignment Show, I sat down with Ahuva Gruen, founder of AG Financial CPA, to explore her inspiring journey from corporate CFO to independent business owner. Ahuva shared how she aligned her career with her lifelong entrepreneurial spirit, even in the face of major life transitions. We discussed the difference between a CPA and a CFO, why businesses need strategic financial leadership, and how individuals can responsibly pursue their dreams without sacrificing stability. Whether you're considering a leap toward your own business or looking to strengthen the one you already have, this conversation is packed with wisdom about living your values, taking smart risks, and building a thriving future.Resources we mentioned include:* Ahuva’s website* Ahuva on LinkedIn* Saleswise Live™* Donn’s booksYou can catch video replays at the following links, or hear audio replays at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon podcasts, and Substack.* LinkedIn* YouTube* FacebookShare your comments, even though the broadcast is over! We always pay attention and would love to continue the conversation.If you get value from the show, consider supporting us through Buy Me a Coffee. You can make a one-time contribution or sign up for regular support. Your support helps me continue helping you and others, and thank you in advance!You can also subscribe on Substack for free OR upgrade to a paid subscription to receive a bonus post each month for subscribers only, including an audio version. Plus, Founding Members receive ebook copies of all my books.You know someone who could use this boost! Get full access to The Confidence Cultivator at confidencecultivator.substack.com/subscribe This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit kingschronicles.substack.com/subscribe

Note: I’m running a little behind posting the show notes and audio podcast for this episode. My grandson wound up needing emergency surgery (he is OK now), and so I just now have time to get it posted. But Kevin is worth waiting for!I’m thrilled to welcome back one of our "Stars in Alignment"—Kevin Tumlinson. Kevin is a bestselling author, entrepreneur, podcaster, and one of the most values-centered creatives I know. He’s also someone I personally fanboy over a bit (you’ll hear why).In this rich, wide-ranging conversation, we talked about the ongoing quest to align our lives with our values, even when life throws curveballs. Kevin opened up about shifting from discovery writing to outlining, navigating burnout, and rediscovering joy in writing after a difficult season. He also shared insights from launching a new venture, Author Anchor, which helps writers focus on what they love—writing—by offloading the rest to trained virtual assistants.Whether you're a writer or not, this episode is about far more than craft. It's about humility, resilience, and realignment. It’s about finding your mission and having the courage to keep creating even when the world gets loud.Among other things, in this episode we talked about:* The mother source for all things Kevin.* The auntie source for all things Kevin’s books (i.e., Amazon).* The Wordslinger podcast on YouTube.* Kevin on Substack, including his newsletter, The Writer_.* Draft2Digital got mentioned several times. Check them out.* Author Nation, the world’s largest author conference and multi-genre reader event, uniting authors, industry leaders, and readers for five transformative days of learning, networking, and growth.* Author Anchor provides cost-effective Virtual Assistants. Book a free discovery call tell them Kevin Tumlinson sent you from The Alignment Show. Doing so enables you to get your first month for $49 instead of $99 (VA rates will still apply—this is a discount off the base monthly fee).* Donn’s books, a show sponsor. It costs you nothing to check it out! You may find your next favorite read.* Saleswise Live™, a show sponsor. Again, it costs you nothing to check it out! You may change the course of your career, which is why they’re such a great sponsor for The Alignment Show.You can catch video replays at the following links, or hear audio replays at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon podcasts, and Substack.* LinkedIn* YouTube* FacebookIf you get value from the show, consider supporting us through Buy Me a Coffee. You can make a one-time contribution or sign up for regular support. Your support helps me continue helping you and others, and thank you in advance!You can also subscribe on Substack for free OR upgrade to a paid subscription to receive a bonus post each month for subscribers only, including an audio version. Plus, Founding Members receive ebook copies of all my books.You know someone who needs to hear this!And, we would love to converse with you. Questions for Kevin? Comments about what we talked about? Get full access to The Confidence Cultivator at confidencecultivator.substack.com/subscribe This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit kingschronicles.substack.com/subscribe

Note: For the past few weeks, I’ve been uploading a video version of the podcast to Substack, but I’ve noticed a few things: (a) most listeners aren’t using Substack for video (at least, for this podcast), (b) we already provide links to the live video replays, making this redundant, and (c) splitting my focus between video and audio has likely affected the audio quality.So, I’m shifting back to our original approach—prioritizing high-quality audio on Substack (and podcast platforms) while directing video learners to our existing video channels. If I’ve misread what works best for you, let me know in the comments or email me at donn@donnking.com!How do we engage in tough conversations without losing our cool—or our relationships? In this powerful episode of The Alignment Show, host Donn King sits down with Bob Burg, co-author of The Go-Giver, to discuss the art of tactful yet honest communication.With today’s divisive climate, it often feels impossible to have meaningful discussions with those who hold opposing views—whether at the holiday dinner table or in the workplace. Bob shares practical strategies for navigating disagreements with grace, avoiding emotional reactivity, and fostering genuine connection—even when tensions run high.The Confidence Cultivator is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.In this episode we talked about:* Why so many conversations escalate into personal attacks—and how to stop it.* The Ransberger Pivot technique for reframing discussions to find common ground.* How to respond (not react) when faced with inflammatory statements.* The secret to changing minds—without manipulation or aggression.* When to engage—and when to walk away.Whether you're trying to communicate better in your personal life, in business, or online, this conversation will give you tools to defuse conflict, build trust, and make your message heard.Watch or listen for a masterclass on influence, persuasion, and the power of respectful dialogue with Bob Burg.Here are some of the resources we shared in this episode:* Bob’s books* Saleswise Live™* The Go-Giver Success Vault* Jeff West’s books* Let Them Theory* Living Untethered* Russell Moore, former editor of Christianity Today, on modern “Christians” calling the teachings of Jesus “weak.”* Donn’s books* Free short story: “Writing Home: A Short Story About the Real Final Frontier”You can catch video replays at the following links, or hear audio replays at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon podcasts, and Substack.* LinkedIn* YouTube* FacebookYou know someone who needs to hear this.If you get value from the show, consider supporting us through Buy Me a Coffee. You can make a one-time contribution or sign up for regular support. Your support helps me continue helping you and others, and thank you in advance! You can also subscribe for free OR upgrade to a paid subscription to receive a bonus post each month for subscribers only, including an audio version. Plus, Founding Members receive ebook copies of all my books. Get full access to The Confidence Cultivator at confidencecultivator.substack.com/subscribe This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit kingschronicles.substack.com/subscribe