Author and editor, Rachel Thompson, joins us this week to share an incredibly poignant piece of her writing that has never been shared before (sneak peek!). Rachel gives tons of insider tips for writing your personal story, especially if it's a painful and personal one. Let this week's episode be your sanctuary away from the storm of the coronavirus pandemic.  

Connect with Rachel Thompson

Mary Karr's book The Art of Memoir

100 Rejections Letters Article

Tiffany Han 100 Rejection Letters

"This was not what I desired. This was not what I was attempting to attract. This was in fact, the opposite of what I wanted to attract."

Listen to find out whether things have turned around so far for me in 2020. 

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Really? Writing can help you avoid the flu? Most of the work I do here has an underpinning in the research of social science or psychology. Because science is one of my superpowers, I can understand the nuance of all the stuff out there. Narrative identity and expressive writing are the two subject areas I focus on to help you understand what our stories can do for our health. Today I give you a little peek into what exactly those things even mean and the amazing health benefits that can come from simply getting our stories out of our heads and onto the page. 

Dan McAdams - Narrative Identity: https://www.sesp.northwestern.edu/foley/

James Pennebaker - Expressive Writing Book: "Opening Up by Writing It Down"

Check out Sanctuary: https://www.orchidstory.com/sanctuary/

Lou-Ann Wattley Belk is here to talk about the work of dismantling the roots of the deep injustice that exists for black women’s maternal health. Lou-Ann tells us that we can't ignore the narrative; we have to uplift as many stories of success as we do stories of sorrow. Join us to listen and hold space for Lou-Ann's story "First Fruit". Check out Lou-Ann's blog Well Worth Watering, where she seeks to elevate the voices of black mother’s unique stories: https://www.wellworthwatering.com/

If we accepted that other people's actions were out of our control and that the power to change everything in our own lives lies within our thoughts, where would we be? Using The Model from Brooke Castillo as a guide, I take you behind the scenes to show you how I changed some really negative thoughts about a recent challenging circumstance in my life. 

This podcast is for all of you who show up, time and again, and do what has to be done. You step up to the plate, reliably and always. But what is the cost of doing so? How do you serve the people you love and also focus on your own needs? We explore self-compassion as a starting place to answer these tough questions. Armed with self-compassion, you can start to write a new ending to your story. 

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I am joined by the beautiful, articulate and, just wow, her VOICE, Lottie Joiner. Lottie and I talk life choices, writing, motherhood, spirituality and more. This conversation is for you if you have  questioned the choices you've made about big life decisions: major, career, children, family. Lottie's story is absolutely captivating and she has so much wisdom for us to sink into. 

You can connect with Lottie on Twitter and Instagram: @LottieJoiner

My 10 year old daughter, Carly, shares her experience living with both learning and emotional challenges. If you have a child who has a diagnosis of anxiety or ADHD you'll want to listen. If you are struggling in your parenting relationship this episode will give you some ideas and, more importantly, hope that things can change. This is not a parenting podcast, but Carly has been my absolute greatest teacher of self-discovery and self-reflection and I know you will learn something from her too.  

I don't need you to lose ten pounds or start a new exercise regimen in 2020. But here's what I DO want you to do: ask yourself what you want in your life right now, make hard choices about obligations that are not serving you, and put yourself back on your priority list. How? Listen to get motivated to step away from what's not serving you and towards a sense of freedom and embracing life in the moment. 

Find out about 1:1 coaching with Rachel: https://www.orchidstory.com/coaching