Dan Nelken is on a mission: he’s passionate about helping creative people create and get over what's stopping them. A fork lift driver and advertising copywriter by trade, his book A Self Help Guide for Copywriters was a breakout hit during the pandemic. I wanted to speak to Dan not just because I’m on a similar mission, or because I wanted to talk about copywriting per se, but because I know he has things to say that are helpful to anyone who’s plucking up the courage to begin their own creative journey. It’s a fascinating chat. We talk about Dan’s chaotic and lawless early years. He introduces me to Alan, the scared little voice inside his head. And he explains how he got over a lifetime habit of not finishing stuff and finally found fulfilment. This episode was recorded down the line. There are kids in the background. And a little hammering. But there’s also lots of great conversation.