JournalTalk | Write4Life

The JournalTalk podcast goes international in this sea-voyaging episode!  Meet Juliet Platt, a creative journaling coach from Blunsdon (a village about one mile north of Swindon) in the southwest of the United Kingdom.  She’s the author of The Journal Writer’s Handbook, published in December 2012.  The Handbook is a complete journaling workshop in seven chapters, and Juliet explains how she uses the book in her coaching practice.

As usual, JournalTalk host Nathan Ohren takes the opportunity to highlight some powerful writing prompts and exercises, while touching on the many benefits of journaling.  In this episode, we explore why Juliet believes writing by hand is so helpful in self-discovery.  She gives us three favorite reflective writing techniques that you are sure to enjoy trying out.  Also: Juliet gives us cause to rethink the stereotype that journal-writing is an isolating, self-indulgent activity.  She shares how journal-writing can instead energize us to be more authentically self-expressed, more involved in our communities, and engaged in the world around us.  (JournalTalk, Episode #5, April 29, 2013)

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My taxes are done!  And I’m another year older.  This episode was recorded after a celebratory dinner, prepared by my accountant friend Kathy Lynch, along with a glass (or two) of wine.

Kathy is the only person I know who has maintained her journal for years inside of an Excel Spreadsheet!  And could she possibly write in her journal while driving in her car?  Not sure about that one!  I met Kathy in Landmark Education’s “Wisdom Unlimited” self-empowerment course, the very place where Journal Talk and Write4Life got their start.  I invited her to participate in my journaling course last year, and she has stuck with them, month after month, ever since.  And now, she is the one inspiring me with new methods and resources on journaling.  She introduced me to Dr. James Pennebaker’s work, Writing To Heal, a well-researched book that recommends an effective journaling technique for overcoming trauma, based on scientific study and evidence.

You’ll hear that Kathy and I enjoy a good laugh, while jumping topics from the surreal to the profound.  We enjoy sharing new ideas and insights, always keeping our spirits refreshed and our minds positive.  (JournalTalk, Episode #4, April 15, 2013)

The post Episode #4: Journaling via Spreadsheet first appeared on Write4Life.

In this episode, I interview Mari McCarthy of CreateWriteNow, a bold, successful business woman and inspiring journaling coach.  Mari has been referred to as the “Oprah Winfrey” of journaling, leading hundreds of people to self-discovery, healing, and celebration with her straight-talk advice and upbeat wisdom.  In this interview, we learn where Mari stands on the debate between typing vs. hand-writing a journal.  We also get to hear a few of the many phrases Mari has coined for journaling motivation, such as Journaling for the Self of It.  

Best of all, Mari shares the amazing story that started CreateWriteNow.com.  About thirteen years ago, Mari suffered an episode of Multiple Sclerosis, where she lost sensation and function of the entire right side of her body, including her writing hand.  Being the pragmatic and disciplined person she is, Mari began a daily journaling routine as a method of physical therapy, to teach herself to write with her left hand . . . Only to uncover a buried memory that she actually had always been a lefty from early childhood, but had suppressed the inclination thanks to her Catholic school teachers. Today, Mari credits M.S. not only for her ambidextrous journaling practice but also the inspiration for launching her business.  WriteON, Mari!

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In this episode, I conduct a telephone interview with Jessica Jensen, social media and marketing expert.  Jessica reveals her wisdom in connecting people with others, and the magic of synchronicity.  And she shares stories about her entry into the realm of journaling.  We also learn about www.everything2.com, a site devoted to public journaling, as well as tips and insights for anyone interested in basic journaling technique.  March 17, 2013

The post Episode #2: Public Journaling first appeared on Write4Life.

In this first episode, we go directly to the Journaling Classroom and listen in to participants’ sharing about their journaling experience, challenges, tips, and success.  Then Journaling Coach, Nathan Ohren suggests a new journaling prompt for the coming week for participants to deepen their focus and entries.  March 3, 2013

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