The Modern Editor Podcast

with Tara Whitaker

Helpful Tips & Bold Perspectives

I started this podcast for the same reason I started my community, the Freelance Editors Club: to provide a space for freelance editors to get the education, support, and coaching they need to grow their editing businesses.

If you love learning, elevating writers’ voices, making connections in the industry, and lifting up your “competition” as you climb, you’re a modern editor and this podcast is for you.

Join me each week for… 

  • Solo episodes

  • Guest speakers

  • Insightful interviews

  • Too many Murder, She Wrote references

  • I find myself nodding along to nearly everything she says, and if I’m not agreeing with her, it’s because I’m thinking, “Huh, what a great idea! I’ll have to try that!”

    I love her supportive no-gatekeepers attitude and the fact that she gets straight to the point. She really values my time, and I value her insights. I wholeheartedly recommend adding this to your podcast lineup.

    —Barbie Halaby

  • Love hearing Tara’s enthusiasm. Tara is a fresh and current breath of fresh air. So many editors can come off as stuck in their ways and, as a new presence in the editing world, I find Tara’s attitude and voice reassuring. I’m looking forward to future episodes.

    —Bsan891

  • Full of compassionate common sense. I’m thoroughly enjoying Tara’s voice and wisdom in her podcast. Her ideas and information always give me something to think about, and she does it all with such a thoughtful and kind tone. I am encouraging all my editor friends to listen in. Thanks, Tara, for making your advice so accessible.

    —EditorLMZ

  • Modern editing has a new voice! When I found Tara’s podcast, I was reaching for any strand of hope for specific guidance for my freelance editing and proofreading work. I listened to the first four episodes in one serving.

    It was nice to hear a voice that shared what a new editor and a new business owner needed to hear.

    —MommaBookworm

Latest episodes

Podcast Tara Whitaker Podcast Tara Whitaker

Celebrating Fifty Episodes By the Numbers 

We’ve officially hit fifty episodes of The Modern Editor Podcast! I’ve never been great at slowing down enough to celebrate achievements, so I want to take a moment to reflect on this milestone instead of rushing toward the next goal.

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Podcast Tara Whitaker Podcast Tara Whitaker

What the Heck is an Editing Macro?

Did you read this episode title and immediately check out? Trust me, I get it, but I’m here to change your mind about macros. I’m still a baby user, but macros have positively impacted my editing in such a short time that I feel like I have to shout it from the rooftops. If you’ve never used macros before and think they aren’t your thing, this episode is for you.

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Podcast Tara Whitaker Podcast Tara Whitaker

An Introvert’s Guide to Attending Conferences

If you’re anything like me, you know the impact that conferences can make on your business and education, yet as an introvert, it takes a bit of preparation. I want to share a few tips to help you prepare and manage your energy so you can get the most out of the event.

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Podcast Tara Whitaker Podcast Tara Whitaker

My 5 Favorite Rules to Reference in CMOS

I'm a fiction editor, so I always find myself reaching for my trusty Chicago Manual of Style (CMOS) to confirm my work. With so many rules, it’s impossible to remember them all, but there are some I check all. the. time. In this episode, I’m sharing the five rules I always double-check while editing.

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Podcast Tara Whitaker Podcast Tara Whitaker

Why Is It So Tough to Take Breaks?

There’s an emotional side to taking breaks from work that not enough people talk about. The truth is that we’re so used to working (and feeling guilty when we don’t) that our brains fight us every step of the way. We end up either never taking breaks or taking breaks that aren’t restorative. So how do you prepare your mindset to take the break you deserve as both a small business owner and a human?

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5 Reasons to Join a Book Club

Are you on the fence about joining a book club? Over the years, I’ve had both good and bad experiences with book clubs, and I currently host one inside the Freelance Editors Club. In this episode, I’m sharing my top five reasons to join a book club and tips on finding the right one for you.

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Podcast Tara Whitaker Podcast Tara Whitaker

Elevate Your Business Processes with Akua Konadu ft. HoneyBook’s 2025 Growth Guide

Do you see other entrepreneurs seamlessly taking on new clients while you’re piecing together your processes like a puzzle? In today’s episode, Akua Konadu, host of the Independent Business Podcast, joins us to share valuable insights on how you can grow your business. Listen in as she breaks down some of the major findings that came out of the research behind Honeybook’s 2025 Growth Guide, along with key takeaways that’ll help you harness more business growth in 2025.

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