The Surprising Origins of National Reading New Book Month — Paul Pape | Ep 10

If you’re looking to bring fresh energy and purpose to your creative work or business, this episode is for you. I sat down with Paul Pape, author of The Creative Player's Handbook to Business, to explore how turning business into a game can actually make planning and marketing feel more like an exciting quest than a chore. Paul shares why separating yourself from your “business character” helps you see your strengths and blind spots more objectively, and how storytelling can make even the most serious topics stick.

You’ll walk away with practical tips on how to approach business (or any serious subject) with more fun and creativity, and guidance on banishing the “starving artist” myth once and for all. If you’re a podcaster or creator, you’ll learn:

• How to use character creation, RPG-style, as a tool for business planning and personal growth.

• Why reading (and writing) unique, story-driven books can unlock new ideas and confidence in your work.

Connect with Paul Pape

Website: https://www.gamifybusiness.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gamifybusiness/

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Chapters

00:00 Celebrating Reading New Book Month
00:42 Introducing Paul Pape and Creative Gamification
01:23 Turning Business Into a Game
03:32 Why Write a Book for Creatives?
05:37 How Books Take You on Adventures
07:23 Books vs. Doomscrolling and Social Media
10:20 Reading Aloud, Voices, and Imagination
10:56 Character Creation for Business Planning
11:45 Identifying Strengths and Finding Your Party
14:08 Fighting the Starving Artist Myth
15:36 How Creatives Should Value Their Work
17:45 Picking the Right Book for Inspiration
19:04 The Takeaway From Paul’s Handbook
20:17 Lightning Round: Books & Creativity
23:58 More From Paul: Current and Upcoming Books
25:18 Inspiration for Paul’s Fiction Book
28:28 Where to Find Paul and His Work
29:43 Wrap Up and Newsletter Invite