Alan Seales, Heather Vickery & Broadway Podcast Network
101 episodes
1 week ago
People talk about manifestation as a thing that you can just think into existence. Unfortunately, it’s not that easy. When it comes to making your creative dreams come true, what really matters is putting yourself in a position to thoughtfully and intelligently take advantage of the opportunities presented to you. And sometimes these opportunities show up in very unexpected ways.
We’re Heather Vickery and Alan Seales, two perfect strangers who met by chance and embraced opportunity! Listen in as we chat with other successful people about the risks they took, and continue taking, to put themselves on a path to creative success.
WAS IT CHANCE? The podcast about embracing opportunity and taking intentional risks for your creative life.
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People talk about manifestation as a thing that you can just think into existence. Unfortunately, it’s not that easy. When it comes to making your creative dreams come true, what really matters is putting yourself in a position to thoughtfully and intelligently take advantage of the opportunities presented to you. And sometimes these opportunities show up in very unexpected ways.
We’re Heather Vickery and Alan Seales, two perfect strangers who met by chance and embraced opportunity! Listen in as we chat with other successful people about the risks they took, and continue taking, to put themselves on a path to creative success.
WAS IT CHANCE? The podcast about embracing opportunity and taking intentional risks for your creative life.
#98 - Audrey Goldberg Ruoff: How Failure Fueled a Debut Novel
Was It Chance?
1 hour 7 minutes
1 month ago
#98 - Audrey Goldberg Ruoff: How Failure Fueled a Debut Novel
Audrey Goldberg Ruoff knows a thing or two about living a double life—in the best way possible. By day, she’s a middle school teacher, bringing “Ms. Frizzle-level” energy to the classroom. By night (and early mornings, and stolen weekends), she’s a novelist who just released her debut adult novel, Hopelessly Devoted. This cozy, witchy rom-com blends love, humor, ghosts, and tea in a way that feels perfect for fall—and forever.
In this conversation, Audrey shares the winding journey that led her from journalism to teaching to finally finishing and publishing her first book. We talk about the creative risks she’s taken along the way: querying for years, writing stories “just for herself,” and daring to put her real name on her book. From Addams Family inspiration to YA horror recommendations, to thoughtful takes on teaching, sex positivity in literature, and even the ethics of AI, this episode is full of the same warmth and wit you’ll find in her writing.
📚 Find Hopelessly Devoted wherever books are sold (support your local indie or check bookshop.org)
📸 Follow Audrey on Instagram: @audreygoldbergruoff
Connect With Us:
📩 Email us at wasitchancepodcast@gmail.com
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📱 Connect with us on TikTok and LinkedIn
✨ More about Heather at her website, subscribe to her Substack and on LinkedIn, YouTube, and more
EPISODE TAKEAWAYS
Creativity often blooms when you finally write for yourself, not for the market.
Failure—whether in writing or teaching—is inevitable, but it’s also the doorway to growth.
Cozy, witchy magical realism can make our world feel “just a little bit better.”
Teaching is a deeply powerful, creative profession that shapes future storytellers.
Risk is choosing to show up authentically—even if it means students, editors, or the world will see the real you.
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Was It Chance?
People talk about manifestation as a thing that you can just think into existence. Unfortunately, it’s not that easy. When it comes to making your creative dreams come true, what really matters is putting yourself in a position to thoughtfully and intelligently take advantage of the opportunities presented to you. And sometimes these opportunities show up in very unexpected ways.
We’re Heather Vickery and Alan Seales, two perfect strangers who met by chance and embraced opportunity! Listen in as we chat with other successful people about the risks they took, and continue taking, to put themselves on a path to creative success.
WAS IT CHANCE? The podcast about embracing opportunity and taking intentional risks for your creative life.
