{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"Stop Digging!","title":"Leader's Luck & Lessons Learned | S04 | 2026 | Episode 35","html":"<iframe width=\"100%\" height=\"180\" frameborder=\"no\" scrolling=\"no\" seamless src=\"https://share.transistor.fm/e/bb855a05\"></iframe>","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":3716,"description":"In this episode we interview self-published sci-fi author JR Winton, creator of the Desolation Trilogy and the Witch and the Rifleman series. Winton explains how a Josiey Wales/Star Wars image sparked his “space western” style, how his hero Reed Cooper drew from old-school lawmen he knew as a child and a fighter-pilot father, and how mentors and life events shaped his grit, rewrites, and eventual decision to self-publish via Amazon KDP with improved second-edition covers and edits. He discusses pitfalls like marketing scams, the importance of discernment and learning from anyone.","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/JWYRtdPqvUDsGjKer7ubbiaDJycT5rl3YJeQWGsVhvY/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9hMmM5/ZTExNDk1OGJkYjcz/OTM0ZmI3YzY0ZDBm/NTViNi5wbmc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}