An Interview With Jake Frankel
Find your passion and then move toward it as quickly as you can. My passion is faith, family, and my western lifestyle. I moved closer to it and then wrote about it. I found a need so we started the Cowboy Entrepreneur Foundation to help. Everyone has a passion and with that it will give you an opportunity to help others.
As part of my series about “How to write a book that sparks a movement” I had the pleasure of interviewing Scott Knudsen.
Scott Knudsen is far from your typical 5th generation Texas cowboy. With a business degree from Tarleton State University in Stephenville, TX, his journey has been anything but ordinary. Struck by lightning — in the head with a discharge from his hand — Scott’s resilience and unique experiences have shaped his remarkable story.
As the host of the weekly podcast “Cowboy Entrepreneur,” available on popular platforms like Spotify, iHeartRadio, and Apple Podcasts, Scott shares insights into the cowboy way of life combined with entrepreneurial wisdom.
He’s not only a podcast host but also a familiar face on television. Scott previously hosted the series “On The Road with the Cowboy Entrepreneur” on Television and has a new show set to stream on Knekt TV.
Adding to his repertoire, Scott is an accomplished writer, with his first book, “Sovereign Rein,” already published by Leadership Books. His second book, “You Can’t Crack That Egg Twice,” is set to release in the summer of 2024. Scott also contributes to “Rodeo Life” magazine, showcasing his passion for storytelling.
In the summer of 2024, audiences can anticipate the release of “Lightning Cowboy: A True American Love Story,” an autobiographical feature film chronicling Scott’s survival from lightning strikes and the profound themes of faith and family that have shaped his life.
Beyond his creative endeavors, Scott is a sought-after keynote speaker, captivating audiences nationwide with his inspiring story. He’s also an adept emcee and brand ambassador, leveraging his diverse experiences to connect with audiences across various platforms. Scott is also an on air comera commentator.
Scott’s impact extends globally, with appearances on podcasts in over 7 countries and coverage from prestigious media outlets such as Fox News, BBC, and The Guardian. His resilience and passion for giving back led him to co-found the Cowboy Entrepreneur Foundation, which supports families in the Western Cowboy community through initiatives like cowboygive.org.
To keep up with Scott’s adventures and insights, visit https://www.cowboyentrepreneur.com and join him on his extraordinary journey.
Thank you so much for joining us! Can you share the “backstory” of how you grew up?
I grew up in central Texas. I am a 5th generation cowboy . I did get a bachelors from Tarleton State University in business. I grew up living the western lifestyle that I love so much. I never searched out the entertainment industry, it just happened. I am blessed to get to combine being a cowboy and the entertainment industry. Even better, I get to do it with my wife and daughter.
When you were younger, was there a book that you read that inspired you to take action or changed your life? Can you share a story?
I loved books by Louis L’Amour. I couldn’t read enough of them. The detail and the story lines were so incredible. My favorite actually was his book, ‘Education of a Wandering Man’. It was his true story which had as many interesting stories. I remember always looking to the older cowboys and they had so many stories. I wanted to have stories. So I live my life saying “yes”. Now I have the ability to share my stories and still create new ones.
What was the moment or series of events that made you decide to bring your message to the greater world? Can you share a story about that?
I was hit in the head by lightning while holding my daughter. My wife was standing next to me. I had to learn to read and write again. I lost my memory. Once I started to get well and recover I had and still do have such a desire to write. I never really did before but now I sure do. I love it.
What impact did you hope to make when you wrote this book?
I hope to inspire and motivate people who choose to read my books. I write about what has happened to me and I hope that the reader can be inspired and go on to live their best life. I wanted to share what God has done in my life and how important my family is.
Did the actual results align with your expectations? Can you explain?
I have really big expectations in everything that I do. It is when someone reads my books and they let me know that it helps or inspires them . That is so important to me. I always want to do more so I am never really satisfied.
What moment let you know that your book had started a movement? Please share a story.
I was at church and someone came up to me and said they bought my book. They saw it in a doctor’s office. They didn’t know I wrote a book so they were surprised. They ask the Doctor about it and he said the book is full of inspiration and hope and that is what his patients need. That was a very cool conversation. Very humbling for sure.
What kinds of things did you hear right away from readers? What are the most frequent things you hear from readers about your book now? Are they the same? Different?
Everyone’s a little different. They all love the pictures of my western lifestyle but the stories touch everyone a little differently. That is what I wanted. The most frequent thing I hear is how important God and my family are to me. They can read it. The fun thing to me is to see how the different stories create a different reaction. How different stories cause a different reaction and how the reader relates to the story. I love that. One of the most common questions is -how are you alive? The second most common is how do you stay motivated?
What is the most moving or fulfilling experience you’ve had as a result of writing this book? Can you share a story?
When someone has bought my book and reads it and gets emotional. That means a lot to me. When they go out and by more to give them out to help others…that means everything. When a reader spends their money on my book and then spends their time reading it… there is no words for me to say but Thank you.
Have you experienced anything negative? Do you feel there are drawbacks to writing a book that starts such colossal conversation and change?
I haven’t notice anything negative. I write about myself — true stories. I really put my life on display and that is ok. I chose to do that.
Can you articulate why you think books in particular have the power to create movements, revolutions, and true change?
Books are so powerful. Just take one of the stories in my book, two readers will read it and have two totally good but different take-aways. That is exactly what I wanted. I wanted it to be relatable . I want to create that kind of relationship with my readers-build a relationship. I don’t want the same reaction . To me that is boring. I want every reader to discover something different that applies to them.
What is the one habit you believe contributed the most to you becoming a bestselling writer? (i.e. perseverance, discipline, play, craft study) Can you share a story or example?
One of the most important things for me is honesty. I put it all out there for the reader. If I hurt or if I am recovering from an accident I let the reader know . I try to describe the events and the situation and then put in how I am feeling. Then I want the reader to see themselves in the story.
What challenge or failure did you learn the most from in your writing career? Can you share the lesson(s) that you learned?
I learned that you have to have a plan and that it is a process. Just like training a horse if you skip a step you will cause the process to take longer. The old saying that slow and steady wins the race is so true even in writing a book.
Many aspiring authors would love to make an impact similar to what you have done. What are the 5 things writers need to know if they want to spark a movement with a book? (please include a story or example for each)
1)Be honest- when people read my stories or see an interview they can’t believe that these stories really happened.
2)Be accessible- for me after writing a book needed to be out promoting the book and meeting people who spent their money on it- creating relationships
3)Be transparent- I answer every question the best way I can. I don’t have secrets. I think it comes across in the writing
4)Be available- if someone wants to message or take a picture and they are a supporter of the book at the very least i can be available for them.
5)Find your passion and then move toward it as quickly as you can. My passion is faith, family, and my western lifestyle. I moved closer to it and then wrote about it. I found a need so we started the Cowboy Entrepreneur Foundation to help. Everyone has a passion and with that it will give you an opportunity to help others.
The world, of course, needs progress in many areas. What movement do you hope someone (or you!) starts next? Can you explain why that is so important?
My family and I along with some great people started the Cowboy Entrepreneur Foundation. The foundation was started to unite companies, brands, and individuals that are in need, whether financially, emotionally, or spiritually. www.cowboygive.org
How can our readers follow you on social media?
Thank you for the opportunity. My social media is Cowboy Entrepreneur and I am on Facebook, X, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. My website is www.cowboyentrepreneur.com and we started a foundation Cowboy Entrepreneur Foundation www.cowboygive.com
Thank you so much for these insights. It was a true pleasure to do this with you. Thank you.
Scott Knudsen On How To Write A Book That Sparks A Movement was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.