Brad Meltzer, one of the most widely read authors in America, joins Reshma for a candid conversation about midlife, legacy, and learning how to be gentler with yourself. He reflects on breaking up with achievement, reexamining his relationship with his parents, and the teacher who changed his life by simply saying, “you can write.”

They also talk about empathy, self forgiveness, and the ideas behind his viral talks Make Magic and How to Write Your Own Obituary, which explore how we shape the lives we are remembered for. The conversation also touches on the inspiration for his new thriller, The Viper, but at its core, this episode is about accepting the early lines, the mistakes, and the parts of ourselves that make the masterpiece possible.

Follow Brad Meltzer on Instagram at @bradmeltzer.

You can follow our host Reshma Saujani on Instagram at @reshmasaujani and on Substack. 

Stay up to date with Moms First (www.momsfirst.us) on Instagram at @momsfirstus and with Lemonada at  @LemonadaMedia. 

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To follow along with a transcript, go to lemonadamedia.com/show/ shortly after the air date.