Storycomic Weekly Newsletter: December 13th
ALWAYS POSTED A WEEK EARLIER ON PATREON
Work-Life Balance Is a Lie—So What Actually Works?
Chad Willardson is back on Storycomic Presents—and this time he’s here to talk about his latest book, Fully Invested: Why Work-Life Balance Is a Total Lie. In our conversation, Chad breaks down why “balance” can leave high achievers feeling guilty and split in half, and what it looks like instead to build real alignment between business, family, health, and the life you’re trying to enjoy.
We also get into the practical side: the book lays out seven strategies aimed at scaling without sacrificing your marriage, your kids, your health, or your sanity—and what Chad calls building “true wealth,” not just a bigger number on paper.
If you’re a founder, creator, or leader who’s tired of doing everything “right” while still feeling behind, this episode is for you. Learn more about Chad and his work through Pacific Capital and the book page linked above.
Why This New Nutcracker Retelling Feels So Different
In this episode of Storycomic Presents, I’m joined by Leo Finelli, the author and photo-illustrator of The Nutcracker’s World—a fresh, kid-friendly take on the classic Nutcracker story that widens the spotlight to include multiple winter holidays. Alongside Clara’s magical journey, Leo builds in a “world of winter traditions,” weaving in symbols and celebrations connected to Hanukkah, Christmas, the Winter Solstice, Kwanzaa, and Lunar New Year.
We talk about what made Leo want to create his own Nutcracker version (a dream he’s held since childhood), how he approached adapting a public-domain classic while keeping the heart of the 1892 ballet, and why he chose photo-collage illustrations—including photographing neighbors, local dancers, and friends to bring the cast to life.
Leo also shares how his storytelling connects to his other creative work, including his podcast Generation Change with Leo Finelli, where he spotlights young voices and changemakers.
Project Update: A Big Week for Appliance
My Appliance project has been going really well! I had a strong creative streak this week and ended up writing another 7,000 words, which brings the total up to 44,000. It feels great to see the manuscript filling out and the world taking on more depth and personality with each section.
It’s one of those weeks where the pieces just clicked into place—ideas flowed, the tone stayed consistent, and the world-building lined up with the mechanics in a way that made everything feel cohesive. There’s still a long road ahead, but hitting 44,000 words feels like a very real milestone.
A good, solid week of progress—and I’m feeling energized to keep going.
Comic Review: Dial H – Weird, Wild, and Wonderfully Inventive
This week I dove into Dial H by China Miéville, and what an absolutely bizarre and delightful ride it turned out to be. Miéville takes the old “Dial H for Hero” concept and cranks the dial about five notches past strange—in the best possible way. If you like your superhero stories with a heavy dose of oddball creativity, this is the book for you.
The story follows Nelson Jent, an out-of-shape, down-on-his-luck guy who stumbles onto a mysterious phone booth. When he dials H-E-R-O, he transforms into a completely different superhero every time—each one more unpredictable than the last. One moment he’s a hero powered by metaphors, the next he’s a sentient swarm of numbers, or a being whose abilities make you wonder how Miéville even dreamed them up. The sheer imagination on display is half the fun.
What surprised me most is how much heart the story carries beneath all the weirdness. Nelson isn’t your typical comic-book protagonist—he’s flawed, self-doubting, and trying to figure out his place in the world. Watching him grapple with power, responsibility, and identity gives the book an emotional core that balances the surreal humor and outlandish transformations.
The art matches the tone perfectly: gritty one moment, wildly inventive the next, capturing the shifting nature of the heroes Nelson becomes. It feels like stepping into a comic where anything is possible—and usually happens.
Dial H is wonderfully strange, deeply creative, and packed with that offbeat charm Miéville is known for. It takes a classic Silver Age idea and turns it into something modern, clever, and completely its own. If you’re in the mood for a superhero story that zigzags when you expect it to sprint straight, this one is definitely worth the read.
Personal Update: Early Snow, Slow Sales, and Holiday Gratitude
This past week brought an early taste of winter. We had cold, steady snow—the earliest we’ve seen it fall and stay in a few years. The roads were miserable to drive on, and every morning commute felt like a cautious crawl. Still, there’s something about that first real snow that makes the world feel quieter, even if it adds a few gray hairs on the way to work.
Sales were on the slower side this week, but we’re staying optimistic as Christmas and New Year’s get closer. The holiday stretch is always unpredictable, but it tends to bring some fun surprises, too. We’ve already started prepping for the new year, and our basketball broadcast season kicks off next week, which brings its own energy and excitement.
On the home front, I’ve been filled with gratitude—especially looking over the kids’ wish lists this year. They’re not nearly as giant as they’ve been in years past. Looks like Santa might get a little break on the wallet this time around, which is a small blessing in its own right.
Cold weather, slow roads, slow sales—yet plenty to be thankful for as we settle into the season.
I finally got a new washing machine in the basement!
🎙️ Been Here. Still Awesome. Still Limited. 🎨📚🎲
For a while now, we’ve been offering a tried-and-true promotional opportunity through the Storycomic Patreon—and if you’re an independent creative, it’s still one of the best ways to sustainably share your work and grow your audience.
Here’s what our Patreon members have been benefiting from:
✅ Permanent Promotion
Your website or project link is featured in the show notes of all podcast episodes for as long as you're a patron. That’s long-term visibility across every platform where our show is streamed.
🏆 Founders Club Access
The Founders Club remains limited to just 15 spots. No expansions, no waiting list—once it’s full, that’s it. These early supporters have their names (and links) locked into the Storycomic platform.
📢 Monthly Promotion at the Super Club Level
At the Super Club tier, members receive a minimum of one promotional post per month—whether it's a new release, project update, or spotlight on their creative work.
Founders Club patrons include amazing creators like:
Michael Winn, Higgins802, Von Allan, Stephanie Nina Pitsirilos, Marek Bennett, Donna Carr Roberts, Andrew Gronosky, Simki Kuznick, and Matt & Therese.
Explore their work:
🎯 If you're a creator—author, game designer, comic artist—this is your signal. This system is working. Don't wait until the last spot is gone.
Let’s keep building the kind of community that lifts each other up.
—Barney Smith