My name is Stephen Caldwell, aka Podge, and I make my living as a writer, editor, and fourth-generation ink-stained wretch. I do all of that in the context of who I am: A follower of Jesus.
I have written, ghostwritten, or collaborated on more than 40 books, as well as thousands of articles for newspapers, blogs, and magazines. As a writer, I’m no Hemingway, but I’ve done OK for a redneck from Lee County, Arkansas.
Most of my work these days involves collaborations, typically as a ghostwriter or book doctor, but I also dabble in my own projects.
My adult writing career began in the newspaper biz as a sports reporter and columnist. Then I helped launch the The Life@Work Journal, an award-winning magazine on the intersection of faith and work. I also spent a few years creating training and development for Fortune 500 companies.
My beautiful wife, Audrey, and I live in Hot Springs, Arkansas. I refer to her as “my grace gift from God,” because that’s what she is. We have a blended family that, at last count, includes seven children and 19 grandchildren.
My two oldest daughters began calling me Podge when they were teenagers, and it stuck as my “grandfather” name. So, as far as I know, it makes me sort of like Tigger – I’m the only one.
Me . . . the More Formal Version
Stephen Caldwell is a veteran writer, editor, editorial consultant, and entrepreneur whose work has appeared in a variety of platforms across multiple markets—from the sports and family sections of a statewide daily newspaper to an award-winning magazine on combining Biblical wisdom and business excellence; from leadership development training for the world’s largest company to the New York Times bestseller list for business books.
As the founder and chief word architect of WordBuilders Communications, Stephen lives out his passion for helping others shape and effectively communicate their message to a broad audience. He has written or contributed to more than 40 books and hundreds of articles for clients with shared values, interests, and goals, and who want a collaborative and creative relationship.
Stephen’s writing career began as a pre-teen, when he penned articles about Little League baseball games for the weekly newspaper owned by his family in Marianna, Ark.
After college and a successful career as a sportswriter and columnist for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, he helped launch the award-winning faith-based magazine, The Life@Work Journal.
He also has worked as a city editor for the Democrat-Gazette and as the editorial director for a corporate training agency. So he has more than 40 years of experience with a broad background that includes projects with ministries, start-ups, Fortune 500 companies, pastors, and CEOs.