Writing with Purpose – Inspiring Journallers, Writers, Readers and Nature Lovers

Episode 70: Pay Attention, Be Astonished & Finding Awe with Elaine Brooks

When did you last stop in your tracks and think: what if I never see this again?

In this episode of the Writing with Purpose podcast, I'm joined by Elaine Brooks, a certified poetry therapy mentor and certified applied poetry facilitator. Through her own work and teaching collaborations, Elaine helps people uncover their gifts and reclaim their stories using the Eight Wonders of Life framework. Her background as a registered nurse and integrative nurse coach has shaped a uniquely embodied approach to wellbeing, one rooted in the belief that awe is not a luxury but a quiet, transformative force available to all of us.

In this warm and wide-ranging conversation, Elaine and I explore what awe actually is and how to recognise it in your own body, why the research of Dr Dacher Keltner has changed the way we understand wonder, and how the Eight Wonders of Life, from moral beauty and collective effervescence to music, nature, and those sudden aha moments, offer us everyday doorways into something larger. We also talk about the journalling technique of the captured moment, the two questions that can shift the way you move through the world, and how sharing stories of awe can deepen relationships and anchor positive memories more firmly in our bodies.

"What is the weight of the words that I put in my journal? And how many of them are often heavy because I'm writing about things that are going on that are troubling me. And that made me think, what about just kind of balancing that with some lighter words and really capturing moments of awe in my journal, along with the heavyweight words."

In this episode:

• The Eight Wonders of Life framework

• The journalling technique of the captured moment

• Two questions that change how you pay attention

• How awe activates the parasympathetic nervous system, lowers heart rate, reduces inflammation, and draws us out of overthinking

• Elaine's encounter with a juvenile eagle and what it taught her about transformation

Practical wisdom from this episode:

Elaine shares grounded, accessible ways to invite more awe into everyday life, including:

• Practising the captured moment after an experience of awe
• Keeping the Eight Wonders in mind as a compass
• Looking for moral beauty in daily life
• Listening to awe-inspiring music with intention
• Sharing your stories of awe carefully and with people who can truly hear them

Connect with Elaine

Please connect with Elaine to find out more about her work, upcoming workshops, and her forthcoming awe wellbeing project.

• Website
• Contact Elaine
• Email

Also mentioned:

• The Weight of Ink by Rachel Kadish
• When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi
• A Sense of Wonder by Rachel Carson
• Awe: The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How It Can Transform Your Life by Dr Dacher Keltner
• Writing Wild by Tina Welling
• The Good Life Project podcast
• John Muir Laws
• Mary Oliver
• The Poetry Therapy Conference
• Today's Headline, poem by Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer

Podcast Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Awe and Wellbeing

05:44 The Power of Journaling and Reflection

12:38 Understanding Awe and Its Impact

18:35 The Eight Wonders of Life

37:01 Practical Ways to Cultivate Awe

54:32 The Future of Awe and Wellbeing

01:15:12 Introduction to Journaling and Community Engagement

01:15:37 Exploring the Benefits of Journaling Workshops

_ _ _

A new episode is released every other Saturday at 8 am.

If this episode resonated with you, please subscribe to the Writing with Purpose podcast and leave a review. It makes a real difference in helping more people find the show.

• Listen on Spotify | Apple Podcasts | wherever you get your podcasts
• Please download your free journal planner PDF and entrance meditation to kickstart your journalling journey.
• Please connect with me on your preferred platform by ⁠visiting my links page
• Join my bi-weekly Writing and Nature Connection newsletter

Episode 69: One Step at a Time: Alex Staniforth on Resilience, Nature, and the Mountains That Changed Everything

What does it take to keep going when everything falls apart, not once, but again and again?

Alex Staniforth is a record-breaking adventurer, performance coach, author, and founder of Mind Over Mountains, a charity whose mission is to restore mental wellbeing through nature.

Alex has overcome epilepsy, bullying, and mental health challenges whilst surviving two of Mount Everest's most significant disasters before the age of 19. He is the first and fastest person to run all 446 mountains in England and Wales, raising over £150,000 for charity.

In this conversation, Alex and Anna explore how adversity shaped his relationship with the natural world, what two catastrophic events on Everest taught him about survival and gratitude, and why he believes that a single walk in the right place at the right time can genuinely change the course of a life.

Alex speaks with characteristic honesty about burnout, mental health, and the harder question of what comes after the summit, when the goal is gone and the flatness sets in. He also shares how writing has been a constant thread throughout, from keeping a diary on the road to writing books that help him, and others, make sense of the journey.

If I don't have any log of life, then it's so easy to forget it and I've got nothing to pass on. So yeah, that's how I see it really, as an investment."

In this episode

• How one walk in the Lake District at age 14 gave Alex a sense of direction, confidence, and possibility he had never felt before
• Surviving two of Everest's worst disasters, and the lasting guilt and gratitude that followed
• The founding of Mind Over Mountains and how combining walking in nature with professional mental health support creates something more lasting than a single retreat
• Why planning for the aftermath of a big challenge matters as much as the challenge itself
• How writing, voice notes, and keeping a daily diary have informed Alex's books
• Alex's advice for anyone facing their own mountain

Practical wisdom from this episode:

Alex talks about the value of keeping a daily record as a practical investment in memory and legacy. Even ten minutes the morning after, noting the key things from the previous day, is enough.

He also talks about the importance of planning the recovery period before a challenge begins as a way to come down and have something to look forward to. And when the flatness comes, he suggests keeping busy but staying present, talking to people who were part of the experience, and accepting that processing takes time.

Connect with Alex:

• Website
• Mind Over Mountains
• LinkedIn
• Instagram
• Facebook
• YouTube
• Alex's books

Also mentioned

• The Chimp Paradox by Professor Steve Peters
• Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
• Climb the UK challenge
• University of Chester

Podcast Chapters

00:00 Introduction

05:14 The Power of Nature and Personal Transformation

09:36 The Journey to Everest: Overcoming Challenges

12:24 Commitment and the Drive to Achieve

19:04 Fundraising

23:30 Exploring New Sports and Personal Growth

28:09 Writing as a Form of Expression

33:48 The Birth of Mind Over Mountains

37:37 Navigating Mental Health and Charity Work

40:59 Balancing Challenges and Wellbeing

46:28 Planning for Post-Challenge Mental Health

51:17 Future Aspirations and Advice

_ _ _

A new episode is released every other Saturday at 8 am.

If this episode resonated with you, please subscribe to the Writing with Purpose podcast and leave a review. It makes a real difference in helping more people find the show.

Listen on Spotify | Apple Podcasts | wherever you get your podcasts.

• Please download your free journal planner PDF and entrance meditation to kickstart your journalling journey.
• Please connect with me on your preferred platform by ⁠visiting my links page
• Join my bi-weekly Writing and Nature Connection newsletter

What if the earth has been speaking to you all along, and the page is where you learn to listen?

Mary Reynolds Thompson is a British-born, award-winning author, poetry and journal therapist, and eco coach whose work weaves nature connection, wild language, and therapeutic writing into a path of soul recovery and re-enchantment with the earth.

She teaches that the earth speaks to us through archetypes and symbols, and that by writing with these images, we can rewild both our language and our souls.

In this episode, Mary takes us on a journey that begins with a wild Bohemian childhood in Positano, roaming the hills, sleeping in caves, riding a pig called Romana, and travels through her years as a copywriter in London, her own addiction recovery, and her eventual turn toward the soul work that has shaped her books, courses, and therapeutic practice.

This is a conversation about what it means to stop telling the small, fact-based story of your life and open yourself instead to the full expanse of who you are.

"...View your life through this extraordinary, amazing thing that you are — a product of 13.8 billion years of evolution."

"You are nested in this very particular moment in a very particular way, with very particular gifts that you have to rediscover." Mary Reynolds Thompson

In this episode:

• How a wild childhood in Positano with freedom, cave sleeping, and animals planted the seeds of Mary's nature-based philosophy
• Mary's addiction recovery and the moment at the Pacific Ocean that showed her she was strong enough to survive
• What the ‘wild soul story’ is
• How wild language works: using earth archetypes as metaphors for your inner life
• Why there is no getting it wrong in wild writing
• How to take your journal outdoors and let nature lead: the ‘10 things I notice’ practice
• A dialogue technique for communicating with the more-than-human world, trees, stones, and the living landscape

Practical wisdom:

• Start with 10 things I notice. Take your journal outside and list ten things you observe.
• Try the short write. Three minutes, a springboard word or image, no agenda.
• Use landscape as emotional vocabulary. Instead of saying ‘I'm fine,’ ask yourself: which landscape am I travelling through right now?
• Open a dialogue with a tree or stone.
• Write with the archetypes. Each landscape archetype unlocks a different quality of attention and language.

Connect with Mary:

• Website
• Instagram
• Facebook

Mary's books

• Reclaiming the Wild Soul: How Earth's Landscapes Restore Us to Wholeness (Nautilus Prize winner)
• The Way of the Wild Soul Woman: 5 Earth Archetypes to Unleash Your Full Feminine Power
• Embrace Your Inner Wild
• The Wild Scribe

Also mentioned in this podcast:

• Raising Hare memoir by Chloe Dalton
• The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
• Silver by Walter de la Mare - The Poem Tree
• King John's Christmas by A.A. Milne
• Morning Pages by Julia Cameron (The Artist's Way)
• Kay Adams
• José Ortega y Gasset
• Hawkwood Center for Future Thinking

Podcast Chapters

00:00 Introduction

06:05 The Power of Poetry and Childhood Influences

09:01 Wild Childhood Adventures in Positano

12:46 Landscapes and Personal Transformation

16:48 The Journey from Copywriting to Eco-Spirituality

22:14 Authenticity in a Mechanised World

24:22 Living Your Wild Soul Story

26:33 Listening to Nature's Whispers

31:46 Engaging with the Wild Language

37:54 Reclaiming the Wild Soul

42:57 Connecting with Nature through Journalling

49:25 The Creative Process: Archetypes in Writing

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A new episode is released every other Saturday at 8 am.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review — it helps more people find the show. Thank you for listening.

•  Join the Journalling Nook, an online community where we write for our wellbeing and personal growth.
• Please download your free journal planner PDF and entrance meditation
• Please connect with me on your preferred platform by ⁠visiting my links page
• Join my bi-weekly Writing and Nature Connection newsletter

#67 From Soldier to Civilian: The Journey of Transition with John Stephenson

In this episode of the Writing with Purpose podcast, I talk with John Stephenson, author of The Making of a Hunter: A Service User's Guide to Transition from the Armed Forces and Managing Director of Forces Transition Group. John reached the rank of Sergeant Major in the Army before founding an award-winning organisation that helps thousands of military and blue light personnel transition smoothly from service life to civilian careers.

Our conversation explores the powerful transformation from service to civilian life and the identity shift that comes with leaving the military. John shares the story behind his compelling slogan 'Serve Well, Leave Well & Flourish', unpacks his framework of three types of people facing transition, the Sleepwalker, the Hoper, and the Hunter, and reveals why mindset is the foundation of everything.

"You've got to take ownership. Nobody's going to do it for you. You can sit there and wait, but actually, if you want something, go and get it. Be proactive."

In this episode:

• The three types of people in transition and how to become a Hunter
• Why mindset is the foundation of positive change – and how everyone can benefit
• The five fundamentals framework for successful transition
• Real struggles and practical solutions for service leavers
• How Forces Transition Group grew from one to thousands

"Everything starts with mindset. If you haven't got the rightmindset, you're not going to move forward. Positivity, self-awareness, and compassion - they're the three things that underpin everything."

The conversation delves into the five fundamentals to success, the importance of community support through partnerships like Scotty's Little Soldiers and the Shine a Light Initiative, and practical advice for anyone navigating major life changes. Whether you're leaving the armed forces or facing a significant transition, this conversation offers wisdom to help you move forward with purpose and confidence.

Connect with John

To learn more about the training, coaching and services provided to military service leaders, or to enquire about business or charitable collaborations, please get in touch with John.

• Website
• Email John
• Live Transition Day
• The Making of a Hunter Book
• Good Reads
• Maddison House Press
• Facebook
• Instagram

"The skills that you've got from the military are transferable. You've just got to understand what they are and how to articulate them. Don't undervalue yourself."

Also mentioned in this podcast:

• Another Door Opens by Eleanor Tweddell
• Career Transition Partnership
• Scotty's Little Soldiers charity
• Shine a Light Initiative
• Forces Transition Group events and Hot Seat interview practice

Podcast Chapters

00:00 Introduction to John Stevenson and His Work

08:52 The Importance of Transitioning Well

14:31 Understanding the Sleepwalker, Hoper, and Hunter

25:36 The Five Fundamentals of Transitioning

30:35 Empowering Military Candidates

33:14 Mastering Interview Skills

36:22 Financial Literacy for Veterans

37:13 Community Support and Partnerships

43:31 The Journey to Authorship

48:49 Engaging the Next Generation

51:28 Future Plans and Collaborations

_ _ _

A new episode is released every other Saturday at 8 am.

Loved this episode?

Leave a review or share your thoughts on social media – your feedback helps others discover the podcast and keeps the conversation going.

• Download your free journal planner PDF and entrance meditation to kickstart your journalling journey.

• Register for a free ‘Pen to Empowerment’webinar
• Connect with me on your preferred platform
• Join my Writing and Nature Connection newsletter

What happens when being productive starts making you feel hollow inside?

In this solo chatting episode, I share my recent experience of getting stuck in what cognitive scientist Yousaf Aslam calls "output mode" - when your brain becomes trapped in constant productivity gear, shutting down the networks that support self-awareness, introspection, and creativity.

After receiving an email that ‘hit me straight between the eyes, I recognised that despite being busy and productive, I felt numb, disoriented, and ironically, had stopped doing the very practice I teach: journalling.

Episode Highlights

• What is output mode?
• The irony of stopping the very practice that keeps you grounded
• Looking out for the recognition signs
• Simple micro-practices to restore self-awareness and creativity
• How personal transformation shifts awareness

"The goal isn't to stop being productive - it's to create space for the integration and processing that makes productivity meaningful rather than numbing."

I share prompts around how to spot if you’re in output modeand ways to shift your mindset and behaviour to rekindle self-awareness, creativity and reflection.

Also, news about my next upcoming conversation with John Stephenson discussing his debut book, "The Making of a Hunter: A Service User's Guide to Transition from the Armed Forces", out on 25 October 2025.

Free Resources

• FreeJournal Planner
• Free ‘Pen to Empowerment’ webinar – multiple dates available

Podcast Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Personal Reflection

01:24 Understanding Output Mode

05:30 Recognising the Signs of Output Mode

07:20 Reflective Practices to Combat Output Mode

08:16 The Importance of Journalling

09:03 Creating New Patterns Through Awareness

_ _ _

A new episode is released every other Saturday at 8 am.

Loved this episode?

Leave a review or share your thoughts on social media – your feedback helps others discover the podcast and keeps the conversation going.

• Download your free journal planner PDF and entrance meditation to kickstart your journalling journey.
• Register for my free Pen to Empowerment webinar
• Connect with me on your preferred platform
• Join my Writing and Nature Connection newsletter

#65 Finding Your Authentic Voice: From Mental Health Recovery to Publishing Stories That Matter with Gemma Holgate

In this episode of the Writing with Purpose podcast, I'm joined by Gemma Holgate, author, ghostwriter, and founder of Maddison House Press. Gemma's journey from post traumatic stress recovery to building a publishing house dedicated to meaningful stories demonstrates how finding our authentic voice can become a force for positive change in the world.

After struggling to readjust to life in the UK following three years in New Zealand, Gemma faced a diagnosis of mild PTSD that became an unexpected catalyst for transformation. Learning to distinguish between her own voice and others' expectations led her to create a business model that helps thought leaders, change makers, and positive impact pioneers share their stories as "beautiful books" that inspire action and connection.

From her grandfather's lost stories to her passionate stance that books must have "soul" in an AI-driven world, Gemma reveals how authentic storytelling becomes medicine for both writer and reader.

"The more I dug into who I am and what do I want that to be,the more me I was able to be. And you know, five years later in 2020, I left employed work and went self-employed."

In this episode:

• How post-traumatic stress recovery revealed the difference between her voice and others' expectations
• Why Gemma's grandfather's untold stories sparked her mission to help others
• The "wraparound publishing" model that supports authors from idea to finished book
• Her unique four-stage reader journey framework
• Why she believes books should have "soul" and her
• concerns about AI in publishing
• The "Heather Small Journal" technique: asking "What have you done today to make you feel proud?"

"When you read something or you look at anything that's been created, it's about having that connection with the art itself, but then a connection with the artist as well."

Gemma shares practical wisdom for aspiring authors, including:

• How to distinguish your authentic voice from conditioning and others' expectations
• Why having a clear plan prevents "waffling" and keeps your message on track
• The importance of identifying what you want readers to do after finishing your book
• How to structure non-fiction for maximum transformational impact

Connect with Gemma

To learn more about Gemma’s books, publishing and talks, please connect with her by visiting the Maddison House Press website.

• Website
• Instagram
• Facebook
• LinkedIn

"At the end of a great book, you should put it down and say, 'now I'm going to...' And as an author, if you want to write a book, what do you want that dot dot dot to be in your reader?"

Also mentioned in this podcast:

Andrew Michael Hurley ‘Barrowbeck’

Gwen Hayes ‘Romancing the Beat’

William Nicholson ‘Wind on the Fire’ Trilogy

Jessica Brody ‘Save the Cat’

R.L. Stine Point Horror

Podcast Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Gemma Holgate

10:37 The Power of Journalling

15:25 Early Influences and the Love for Storytelling

23:20 Navigating Mental Health and Finding Your Voice

29:11 Transformative Experiences and the Healing Power of Stories

29:31 Navigating Personal Boundaries in Storytelling

32:17 Breaking Down Misconceptions Through Storytelling

34:16 The Healing Power of Sharing Your Story

35:28 The Multifaceted World of Publishing

37:28 Authenticity in Writing

40:03 Finding Inspiration in Nature

43:59 Positive Impact in Storytelling

51:02 Structuring Your Story for Maximum Impact

55:13 Advice for Aspiring Authors

_ _ _

A new episode is released every other Saturday at 8 am.

Loved this episode? Leave a review or share your thoughts on social media – your feedback helps others discover the podcast and keeps the conversation going.

Please download your free journal planner PDF and entrance meditation to kickstart your journalling journey.

Please connect with me on your preferred platform 

Join my Writing and Nature Connection newsletter

What if the nature on your doorstep holds more healing power than distant wilderness adventures?

In this episode of the Writing with Purpose podcast, I'm joined by Nic Wilson, a Guardian country diarist, BBC Gardeners' World magazine writer, and author of the beautiful memoir 'Land Beneath the Waves.' Nic's story reveals how nature became her sanctuary as a child dealing with her mother's chronic illness, and how, decades later, when facing her own health challenges, local wildlife and nearby landscapes offered support and belonging.

From her early memories in a Cheshire garden to becoming an insightful nature writer, Nic demonstrates how paying attention to the smallest details of our immediate environment can transform our understanding of home, memory, and resilience. Her work creating the first Peat Free Nurseries list shows how personal nature connection can evolve into meaningful environmental action.

"I think we hugely underestimate in our society the value of sitting in one place and looking at something for an extended period of time and seeing where that takes you."

In this episode:

• How nature became a refuge during childhood when traditional memories failed to form
• Why ‘nearby nature’ can be more powerful than distant wilderness for those with limited mobility
• A lifelong affinity with wildlife
• How chronic illness led to discovering a true calling as a nature writer
• Practical ways to bring nature indoors when you can't get outside
• The creation of the UK's first Peat Free Nurseries list and itsenvironmental impact

"If you're in a wild place, whether that's in the middle of a wood or whether that's sat on your front doorstep, which can still be a wild place, and you do slow down, wildlife tends to come more because you're sitting there and you're quiet and you're still."

• Nic shares practical wisdom for anyone seeking to deepen their nature connection, including:
• How drawing plants forces you to really see their intricateconstruction
• Using the Merlin app to identify birdsong from your bed when mobility is limited
• Why bringing scents like mint or lavender inside can combatsensory overwhelm
• How local wildlife groups can provide expert knowledge andcommunity connection

Connect with Nic

Please connect with Nic on social media, visit her website or sign up for her newsletter to follow her journey and find out about workshops, talks, and her book. Read her Country Diary column on the Guardian online.

• Website
• Guardian Country Diary
• Gardener’s World
• Blue Sky
• Bookshop.org – order Nic’s book

"We need stories ... We need narratives about it that have hooks that people are interested in and they remember."

Also mentioned:

• Tom Cox Ring the Hill
• Michael J. Warren The Cuckoo’s Lea
• Nicola Chester Ghosts of the Farm
• Alan Garner The Weird Stone of Brisingamen
• Robert Westall The Wind Eye
• Terry Pratchett The Wee Free Man

• Trevor Dines Urban Plants
• Elizabeth Tova Bailey Wild Snail Eating
• Merlin Bird App

Podcast Chapters

03:58 The Connection Between Place and Identity

06:45 The Role of Nature in Writing and Healing

09:37 Influences from Literature and Experience

12:21 Childhood Memories and Their Impact

15:11 The Importance of Sensory Experiences

17:51 Breaking Down Boundaries

20:53 Journalling and Self-Discovery

23:30 Reflections on Nature and Society

26:29 The Future of Nature and Wildlife Awareness

35:47 Creative Journalling and Personal Expression

40:33 Teaching and Sharing Knowledge in Nature Writing

43:34 Bringing Nature into Daily Life for Those with ChronicIllness

48:39 The Importance of Observation and Connection

58:07 Peat-Free Practices

_ _ _

A new episode is released every other Saturday at 8 am.

Loved this episode?

Leave a review or share your thoughts on social media – your feedback helps others discover the podcast and keeps the conversation going.

• Please download your free journal planner
• Please connect with me on your preferred platform
• Join my Writing and Nature Connection newsletter

#63 Forest Bathing and The Honest Journal: Somatic Healing Through Nature and Writing with Kate Busby

What if a slow walk through the forest could literally change your body chemistry and heal stored trauma?

In this episode of the Writing with Purpose podcast, I'm joined by Kate Busby, a trauma-informed somatic practitioner who specialises in forest bathing and aromatherapy. Based in Barcelona, Kate expertly weaves together the science of somatic healing with the transformative power of nature and journalling. From understanding how our bodies store trauma in our muscles and fascia to discovering how pine forests emit healing particles that last for seven days, Kate shares profound insights about the intersection of physical and emotional wellbeing.

Kate's journey from corporate marketing to holistic healing illuminates how we can balance high-energy pursuits with practices that help us regulate our nervous systems. Her creation of 'The Honest Journal' and her involvement in the Barcelona Journaling Festival demonstrate how writing becomes a bridge between our inner experiences and outer transformation.

"We are 70 to 75% water and sound passesthrough water as vibration. How can we not be in some way impacted by the sounds around us?"

In this episode:

• The fascinating science behind forest bathing: howphytoncides and negative ions literally change your body chemistry
• Why trauma stores itself in our muscles and fascia, and how practices like yoga and massage can help release it
• How Kate's sciatica disappeared when she addressed her fears about career transition
• The powerful story of a relationship crisis resolved through tree meditation and pine cone wisdom
• How sound healing works through our water-based bodies to shift our vibrational frequency
• The iterative process of creating 'The Honest Journal' and why honesty with ourselves is revolutionary

"When you choose slowness and go to a place where you can really be quiet and ask the important questions and observe life around us, we get answers. Somehow and in some way that we weren't expecting, but we get answers."

Kate shares practical guidance for anyone seekingto integrate somatic healing into their lives, including:

• How to start journalling with prompts that make you "a little bit uncomfortable"

• Why combining slow forest walks with journalling circles creates powerful transformation
• How to create your own mandala in nature as a non-verbal form of expression
• Ways to use AI as a journalling companion for greater self-awareness

Connect with Kate

Please connect with Kate to learn more about her teachings, forest baths, the Do Nadā Club, and her new journal.

• Instagram

"Journalling is such an opportunity to get to know all parts of you and to accept all parts of you and to nourish and in some cases, tone down potentially some parts of you."

Also mentioned in this podcast:

• The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk
• The Barcelona Journalling Festival

Podcast Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Holistic Healing Practices

03:31 The Science Behind Sound Healing

06:08 Exploring the Impact of Trauma on the Body

09:14 The Role of Self-Care in Healing

11:54 Understanding the Connection Between Mind and Body

14:47 Personal Anecdotes and Insights on Healing

17:34 Conclusion and Reflections on Holistic Practices

20:06 The Essence of Forest Bathing

29:16 The Science Behind Nature's Healing

37:38 Journalling as a Tool for Self-Discovery

45:01 AI and the Future of Journalling

53:19 Connecting with Nature and Community

_ _ _

A new episode is released every other Saturday at 8 am.

Loved this episode?

Leave a review or share your thoughts on social media – your feedback helps others discover the podcast and keeps the conversation going.

Please download your free journal planner PDF and entrance meditation to kickstart your journalling journey.

Please connect with me on your preferred platform by ⁠visiting my links page

Join my Writing and Nature Connection newsletter

What if your journal could literally rewire your brain forhappiness and resilience?

In this episode of the Writing with Purpose podcast, I'm joined byDeborah Ross, a licensed professional counsellor, certified journal therapist, and co-author of the renowned book Your Brain on Ink. Deborah's work sits at the fascinating intersection of neuroscience and therapeutic writing, exploring how our brains respond to Journalling and how we can harness this knowledge for deeper wellbeing. From understanding why traditional gratitude practices sometimes fall short to discovering the transformative power of awe in our writing, Deborah shares insights from her work in cancer centres, her teaching at the Therapeutic Writing Institute, and her groundbreaking research intoneuroplasticity.

"Your brains are like Velcro for negative experiences andTeflon for positive. This isn't a character flaw – it's a survivaladaptation."

In this episode:

• How neuroplasticity means your brain is constantly changing – and how journalling can direct that change
• Why we actually have four brains (skull, heart, gut, andrelational) and what this means for writing
• The science behind why gratitude practices often fail and how to fix them
• How to move from "raging on the page" to trulytransformative healing through the "composting" metaphor
• Why awe experiences create deeper neural pathways than surface-level gratitude
• The revolutionary question that can transform any journalling practice: "What am I making up about this?"

"How do I compost it? And then what am I going to nourishwith that compost? "

Deborah shares evidence-based advice for anyone looking to harness the neuroscience of writing, including:

• How to reframe gratitude statements to actually register as positive in your brain
• Why embodied writing (engaging all your senses) creates lasting positive neural pathways
• The importance of approaching your journal with "kindness, compassion, and curiosity"
• How to use awe experiences as a more powerful alternative to basic gratitude practices.

Deborah's passion for evidence-based healing shines as she discusses the four-brain system, the science behind why our minds cling to negative experiences, and how we can use writing to consciously direct our neural development.

Whether you're curious about the brain science behind writing or looking to deepen your own journalling practice, this episode offers profound insights and practical tools.

Connect with Deborah

Please connect with Deborah to learn more about her fascinating research and teaching programmes.

• Website

"Wellbeing is a skill that can be learned. And one of the most accessible ways to develop that skill is sitting right in front of you: a blank page and a pen."

Also mentioned in this podcast:

• Chi Running – Danny Dreyer
• Ira Progoff
• Dan Siegel
• E.O. Wilson
• Dacher Keltner
• Elaine Brooks
• The Great Diary Project
• Richard Davidson

Podcast Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Deborah Ross and Her Work

12:23 The Role of Reading and Writing in Childhood

25:59 Intersection of Neuroscience and Journalling

37:21 Expanding Perspectives Through Diverse Experiences

39:57 Opening Doors to Growth

42:24 Exploring Self-Reflection

44:51 The Importance of Structure

47:53 Myths and Assumptions

49:30 The Evolution of 'Your Brain on Ink'

53:13 Cultivating Awe

01:01:33 Metaphors and Their Impact on Perspective

01:04:53 The Stories We Tell Ourselves

01:07:09 AI and the Future of Storytelling

_ _ _

A new episode is released every other Saturday at 8 am.

Loved this episode?

Leave a review or share your thoughts on social media – your feedback helps others discover the podcast and keeps the conversation going. 

Please download your free journal planner PDF and entrance meditation to kickstart your journalling journey.

Please connect with me on your preferred platform by ⁠visiting my links page

Join my bi-weekly Writing and Nature Connection newsletter

#61 The Healing Power of Words: Exploring Bibliopoetry Therapy with Nancy Scherlong

What if the words you write could heal your mind, body, and soul?

In this episode of the Writing with Purpose podcast, I’m joined by Nancy Scherlong, a writer, coach, therapist, and former president of the International Federation for Bibliopoetry Therapy. Nancy’s career spans decades of helping people heal through the transformative power of writing, poetry, and storytelling. From her early days journalling as a child to her groundbreaking work in bibliopoetry therapy, Nancy shares how words can unlock creativity, process trauma, and foster deep personal growth.

Nancy’s passion for helping others shines through as she discusses her journey, the power of metaphors, and how we can all use expressive writing to improve our wellbeing. Whether you’re a seasoned writer or someone looking for a new way to connect with yourself, this episode is packed with insights and practical tools.

“I use writing to internalize the good things and hold onto them, so I have them … like a snapshot the way we would use a camera to capture that moment.”

In this episode:

• What is bibliopoetry therapy, and how can it help you heal?
• The role of metaphors in improving wellbeing and unlockingcreativity
• How Nancy’s personal experiences shaped her career and approach to therapy
• Simple journalling techniques to process emotions and find clarity
• The neuroscience behind writing and its impact on the brain
• How group work and storytelling can amplify the healing process

“Creativity is largely about can we have a different view or can we find our agency in a stuck situation like writer's block or after an accident. And that sort of innovation is what helps the brain stay neuroplastic and adapt and thrive, not just survive."

Nancy shares practical advice for anyone looking to start ordeepen their journalling practice, including:

• Why there are no rules in journalling – creativity is your guide
• How to use writing to externalize worries and internalize joy
• The power of combining movement (like walking) with reflective writing
• Why metaphors are a natural and powerful tool for self-discovery

Connect with Nancy 

Please connect with Nancy to learn more about her work, to book onto an event or further our conversation.

• Website
• Facebook
• LinkedIn
• Eventbrite

"Sometimes we just have to put the judge outside the door … because so many people, especially with writing, have been told they do it wrong or they're not good at it … that can be a barrier … Creativity does not have rules.”

Also mentioned in this podcast:

• The International Federation of Bibliopoetry Therapy
• Kay Adams
• The University of Derby Nature Connectedness Research Group
• James Pennebaker
• Emily Dickinson
• Matt Haig
• Malcolm Gladwell
• Tim Ferris
• Neuroscience News
• Deborah Ross
• Narrative Medicine
• The Good Listening Project

Podcast Chapters

00:00 Introduction

03:52 Understanding Interactive Bibliopoetry Therapy

06:30 The Power of Expressive Writing Techniques

09:23 The Role of Creativity in Healing

12:00 Nancy's Path to Becoming a Therapist

14:43 The Impact of Personal Experience on Professional Growth

17:50 The Intersection of Science and Creativity

20:17 Reading and Writing as Lifelong Practices

22:55 Journaling Techniques for Personal Growth

31:52 Creative Approaches to Self-Expression

36:18 The Power of Metaphors: Nature and Wellbeing

45:28 Exploring Therapeutic Techniques: From Writing to EMDR

51:52 Future Endeavours: Merging Storytelling and Healing

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A new episode is released every other Saturday at 8 am.

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