Tag Archives: journaltalk

Q&A: “How Can I Avoid Journaling Burnout?”

Mari Adkins from Journaling Journey asks, “What do you do when you’re burned-out from journal-writing, and how do you get going again?”

After some personal discussion about project management, and some Wings Life Coaching from my co-host Jayde Gilmore, we share our strategies for this familiar feeling of being overwhelmed or stuck in our journaling practice.

We each share our best tips for moving past resistance, gently-yet-directly, to learn more about what’s happening when we don’t want to write anymore. We discuss techniques, such as using famous quotes, movie summaries, lists, and simply allowing yourself to take a break.

Jayde and I share our favorite and proven ways to prime the pump of creativity, and gently draw ourselves back to our journal-writing habit. The silver bullet we kept returning to was the use of simple, yet engaging prompts.

Your turn to answer: When do you feel burned out on writing? How do you cope? What ways do you bring yourself back to the journal? Post your responses at the bottom of this webpage, in the comments section.

You may email your own journaling question to be featured on a future episode of JournalTalk. Or, pick up the telephone and leave a voicemail with your question at 1-805-751-6280. When your question is featured, we will send you a thank-you gift for sharing your voice! (JournalTalk Q&A, Episode #33, October 6, 2015)

Credits:
Audio Editing: Netrix Marketing
Music: Pond5.com
Voiceover: Thomas Gerrard

To Subscribe:
Apple/iPhone/iTunes: Click here.
Google/Feedburner: Click here.
Blubrry site: Click here.

To Listen: Click on the “play” button > at the top of this article.

The Pen Pal Therapist

Leave a reply

Podcast: Play in new window

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS

Daughter of two bookworms, Jenna Mayhew cofounded an international counseling clinic called Write As Rain. She treats clients all over the world, using evidence-based methods of written word therapy. In other words, she is something like a Pen Pal Therapist!

Warning: This conversation is another of those which became fun to the point of giggly! Jenna and I weaved through the interview discussing our personal writing practice, the importance of consistency, keeping true to your goals without sacrificing sanity, Craigslist ads for coaching, digital journaling, and believe it or not, therapy sessions via instant messenger and SMS texting!

Jenna was among of the first participants in the 30-Day Digital Journaling Challenge sponsored by Easy Journaling. She is one of the many people who completely changed her journal-writing habits because of it. (JournalTalk, Episode #60, August 18, 2015)

Exclusive Offer for JournalTalk Listeners: In this episode, Jenna makes a special offer to JournalTalk listeners. Get a copy of her evidence-based goal achievement program (pictured here) along with a thirty-minute coaching session, completely for free! (Together, a value of over $80.00!) Listen to this week’s episode for instructions to take advantage of this generous offer.

Credits:
Audio Editing: Netrix Marketing
Music and Voiceovers: Music Radio Creative

To Subscribe:
Apple/iPhone/iTunes: Click here.
Google/Feedburner: Click here.
Blubrry site: Click here.

To Listen: Click on the “play” button > at the top of this page.

Q&A: “What Makes Journaling So Powerful?”

Leave a reply

Podcast: Play in new window

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS

We’ve heard the 101 reasons to keep a journal, and all the benefits of journal-writing: mental clarity, emotional balance, even physical healing. Today’s question addresses HOW journaling can provide all these benefits.

Kim Ades from Frame of Mind Coaching helps me deconstruct the journaling process, and identify what it is about capturing thoughts that makes journaling so powerful. In short, we agreed that trapping our ideas into an inescapable storyline helps us to frame our experience in a useful way.

This episode was the inspiration from which I wrote a chapter that got published into Jack Canfield’s newest book, “Soul of Success”. The chapter is titled, “The Secrets of Expressive Writing,” and explains why journaling helps people grow. You can order your copy of “Soul of Success” here.

Kim also advised how important journaling is to the results of any coaching relationship, and made a bold guarantee for her Frame of Mind Coaching program. For taking an online coaching assessment, you will receive a free coaching session that she guarantees will produce results. Let Kim know you heard about this on JournalTalk! (JournalTalk Q&A, Episode #32, August 4, 2015)

Credits:
Audio Editing: Netrix Marketing
Music: Pond5.com
Voiceover: Thomas Gerrard

To Subscribe:
Apple/iPhone/iTunes: Click here.
Google/Feedburner: Click here.
Blubrry site: Click here.

To Listen: Click on the “play” button > at the top of this article.

For Those With Absolutely NO TIME To Keep a Journal…

1 Reply

Podcast: Play in new window

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS

Journal-writing can’t get any easier than this.

Checking in with your feelings — being aware of what’s alive inside you — is the Ground Zero for living a life of passion, clarity and purpose. In this episode, I interview Jim Kleiber, a leader in helping people do just that.

Jim has quite a few inspiring stories to share, and when you hear him speak, you’ll likely notice the power of authenticity that he exudes. Jim trained himself to routinely acknowledge his own emotions using an app he designed for himself, called iFeelio. By mastering that one simple skill, he has learned so much about himself and his own world, that now he’s being invited, literally, all over the planet, teaching the art of emotional self-defense, helping people of many nations sew together the threads in the fabric of world peace.

You may know I manage two websites, Write4Life.com is about tips and techniques for journal-writing, and EasyJournaling.com shares the electronic tools of the trade. I enjoy teaching best practices with journaling apps for your desktop computer, tablet, or even smartphone. Although iFeelio is not exactly a journal-writing app, I’ve never seen a more clever tool for recording your feelings. It asks two simple questions: “What am I feeling, in this moment right now?” And, “What’s happening?” In thirty seconds (or less), you can compose a complete journal entry.

I recommend giving it a try, especially if you are one of those people with absolutely NO TIME for keeping a journal, and yet you’re smart and aware enough to understand the value of “checking in” with yourself on a frequent basis. (JournalTalk, Episode #57, June 30, 2015)

Exclusive Offer for JournalTalk Listeners: In this episode, Jim offers a free fifteen minute telephone conversation, to discuss any topic or issue of interest regarding iFeelio, or his Emotional Self-Defense workshops. Listen to the podcast to get instructions for contacting him directly, and please let him know you heard him on JournalTalk.

Credits:
Audio Editing: Netrix Marketing
Music and Voiceovers: Music Radio Creative

To Subscribe:
Apple/iPhone/iTunes: Click here.
Google/Feedburner: Click here.
Blubrry site: Click here.

To Listen: Click on the “play” button > at the top of this page.

The Soul of Success

2 Replies

Podcast: Play in new window

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS

Recovering from pneumonia was precisely the reminder I needed to breathe deeply, and move forward on my most important projects in a steady, self-compassionate pace.

Before then, I had been burning the candle at both ends, pushing myself to work harder, faster and smarter than ever. Now that I’m healthy and getting back into my stride, I’m confronted with mountains of tasks, and a gnawing urge to catch up to where I would have been if I hadn’t gotten sick. Can you feel me?

In this episode, I share a favorite 5-minute journaling technique, which I call the Ta-Da! List, for when I’m overwhelmed and need a system for making small steps of progress on the things that matter most.

This episode is also a grand unveiling for three exciting projects I’ve been working on.

Power Insights. A new seven-day program that is guaranteed to help you discover valuable insights into any situation, decision, relationship, or issue you are facing. Special offer: JournalTalk listeners receive a 67% reduced price on this guided coaching program.
Soul of Success. I’ve co-authored a book with Jack Canfield and several other entrepreneurs for helping people discover secrets of health, wealth and success. Click HERE to get your copy of this book today!
Capturing Life Through Technology. We’ve (re)launched a new podcast series about using the best electronic tools of the trade; not only for journal-writing, but also including the many ways to capture life’s most precious moments. You can listen for free from the iTunes store, and I’d appreciate your honest review and 5-star rating! (JournalTalk, Episode #56, June 16, 2015)

To Subscribe:
By email: Click here.
Apple/iPhone/iTunes: Click here.
Google/Feedburner: Click here.
Blubrry site: Click here.

To Listen: Click on the “play” button > at the top of this page.

Q&A: “What Kind of Journal-Writing Makes for the Best Future Reading?”

Leave a reply

Podcast: Play in new window

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS

Joyce asked a beautiful journaling question: “How can I write in my journal in a way that I’ll enjoy re-reading my entries in years to come?”

Seasoned journal-writers know that there’s a treasure chest full of good reasons to go back and re-read past journal entries. But often those gems of wisdom are hard to locate among all the “chatter” that often permeates the pages.

Heather Severson, my friend who founded the Write It Out Journal Workshops returns this episode to join me in sharing tips about journaling in such a way that makes future reading more interesting. We both conclude that this is one of those journal-writing paradoxes: The most fun and interesting entries to read later are the ones which are simply honest and present, seemingly written for no future audience!

Fuel the Dialogue: Do you write for your future self to read? What types of your writing do you most enjoy reading later? Post your responses at the bottom of this webpage, in the comments section.

You may email your own journaling question to be featured on a future episode of JournalTalk. Or, pick up the telephone and leave a voicemail with your question at 1-805-751-6280 (only normal toll charges may apply). When your question is featured, we will send you a thank-you gift for sharing your voice! (JournalTalk Q&A, Episode #27, April 21, 2015)

Credits:
Audio Editing: Netrix Marketing
Music: Pond5.com
Voiceover: Thomas Gerrard

To Subscribe:
Apple/iPhone/iTunes: Click here.
Google/Feedburner: Click here.
Blubrry site: Click here.

To Listen: Click on the “play” button > at the top of this article.

Write From The Body Workshops

Leave a reply

Podcast: Play in new window

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS

What’s the connection between the mind and the body when it comes to writing? How might moving our bodies affect the way we feel, think, and express ourselves through language?

JournalTalk listeners are in for a treat this week. Elizabeth Schwyzer, freelance writer, newspaper arts editor, and dance critic, shares a special exercise in this episode to help us combine writing and body movement, for a fuller, richer experience of knowing and trusting ourselves.

Participants in her “Write from the Body” workshops have found great enjoyment and therapeutic release as well as a sense of having freed up their creativity. After listening to her describe the connection between movement and writing, you’ll understand her passion for using both forms of expression to help writers access their truest voices.

To find out when Elizabeth is putting on her next series of Write from the Body workshops, you may keep in touch with her. Or, you may request she bring her workshop to you (or your studio). She’s currently based in the Bay Area, but happy to travel to share this powerful method of connecting with yourself and your story. (JournalTalk, Episode #54, April 14, 2015)

Credits:
Audio Editing: Netrix Marketing
Music and Voiceovers: Music Radio Creative

To Subscribe:
Apple/iPhone/iTunes: Click here.
Google/Feedburner: Click here.
Blubrry site: Click here.

To Listen: Click on the “play” button > at the top of this page.

Q&A: “What To Do With Journaling Guilt?”

Leave a reply

Podcast: Play in new window

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS

Carol from New Zealand asks “What do I do with the guilty feelings I get when I stop journaling?”

It might be easy to quip, “Just process those feelings in your next journal entry,” but often, the shame is accompanied by unrealistic hopes of “catching up,” and then we avoid journaling altogether.

Jayde Gilmore and I both relate to that nagging cycle of feelings. Over time, we’ve learned to recognize them as gentle reminders to come kindly back to our Self. We offer several suggestions to Carol and others who put tons of pressure on themselves to write more. This seems to be one of the paradoxes of journal-writing, and perhaps any worthwhile habit — pushing yourself to do a little more than what’s convenient, while knowing how to be kind to yourself when you slow down.

Fuel the Discussion: Do you feel guilty when you’ve stopped writing for awhile? How long is too long to go without writing? What do you tell yourself when you’ve stopped the habit? Post your responses at the bottom of this webpage, in the comments section.

Credits:
Audio Editing: Netrix Marketing
Music: Pond5.com
Voiceover: Thomas Gerrard

To Subscribe:
Apple/iPhone/iTunes: Click here.
Google/Feedburner: Click here.
Blubrry site: Click here.

To Listen: Click on the “play” button > at the top of this article.

Don’t Leave Home Without Your Journal

3 Replies

Podcast: Play in new window

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS

Does keeping a journal encumber your vacation, or enhance it? Lavinia Spalding agrees wholeheartedly that journaling on vacation deepens one’s travel experience. But because we understand the inherent challenges, we offer simple, practical tips for travel journaling without feeling like you’re missing the boat.

Lavinia Spalding is the author of Writing Away, A Creative Guide to Awakening the Journal-Writing Traveler (named one of the best travel books of 2009 by the LA Times) and also, With a Measure of Grace: the Story and Recipes of a Small Town Restaurant. She is also the series editor of an annual anthology called “The Best Women’s Travel Writing”.

In this interview, Lavinia shares wisdom from her travel-writing experience. Don’t miss her TEDx Talk about Travel Writing and World Peace, which is equal parts entertaining and profound. She’s makes an excellent case for keeping a journal when taking that next trip, whether it’s a business trip, a family vacation, or a simple visit outside of our area code. (JournalTalk, Episode #53, March 31, 2015)

Exclusive Offer for JournalTalk Listeners: In this episode, Lavinia offers you her “Friends and Family” discount for either an editing project, or a writing coaching session. Send her a request to schedule, and let her know that you heard her on JournalTalk.

Credits:
Audio Editing: Netrix Marketing
Music and Voiceovers: Music Radio Creative

To Subscribe:
Apple/iPhone/iTunes: Click here.
Google/Feedburner: Click here.
Blubrry site: Click here.

To Listen: Click on the “play” button > at the top of this page.

Q&A: “What’s the Difference Between a Journal Coach and a Journal Therapist?”

Leave a reply

Podcast: Play in new window

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS

Today’s question from Mark is one of terminology. What do you call a person who helps others achieve new insights and accomplishments, using the power of journal-writing? Is it a Journal Coach? or a Journal Therapist?

We could have also discussed the role of Journal Facilitator (which I am currently studying at The Center for Journal Therapy) but let’s stick to Mark’s question!

Kim Ades, from Frame of Mind Coaching in Toronto, Canada, joins me to answer this intriguing distinction. You can learn more about Frame of Mind Coaching by taking this assessment, and receive a free consultation from a coach. Please let them know that you heard about them on JournalTalk!

Your turn to answer: Are you a Journal Coach or Journal Therapist? If so, how do you describe and distinguish your role? If not, with whom would you rather work, a journal coach or a journal therapist? Post your responses at the bottom of this webpage, in the comments section.

Credits:
Audio Editing: Netrix Marketing
Music: Pond5.com
Voiceover: Thomas Gerrard

To Subscribe:
Apple/iPhone/iTunes: Click here.
Google/Feedburner: Click here.
Blubrry site: Click here.

To Listen: Click on the “play” button > at the top of this article.

The One Thing About Journaling: Getting Real

Leave a reply

Podcast: Play in new window

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS

As soon as I bought her book, “Getting Real“, I knew I wanted to invite Dr. Susan Campbell to be a guest on JournalTalk.

I’ve often shared that the one thing you need for a healthy journal-writing habit — far more important than whether you type or handwrite, or whether you write daily or just sporadically — is the ability to get completely honest with yourself.

In addition to being author of incredible books, Dr. Campbell has helped people embrace their authenticity in all areas of life, through workshops and coaching programs. She’s been featured on several national television spots and magazines for her insight and step-by-step instructions on using our truth to understand, connect, and heal ourselves and our relationships.

I’m hopeful that our conversation, both contemplative and giggly, will delight and inspire you. We discuss several of her books about authenticity and relationship repair (click here for a library of them on Amazon.com). We ponder what to do with our stacks of disregarded journals of the past. And, Dr. Susan shares a number of journal-writing exercises to try. One of them she calls the “Do-Over”, a powerful series of questions that help you revise a statement or promise you’ve made to someone when you weren’t being 100% authentic. Dr. Susan invites me to share my own example of this, and, thinking for a moment that I was in the privacy of her office, I allowed myself to share something very personal about a relationship with someone from high school. (JournalTalk, Episode #52, March 17, 2015)

Exclusive Offer for JournalTalk Listeners: In this episode, Dr. Susan offers to send listeners a downloadable “cheat-sheet” of the Revising/Do-Over exercise, when they contact her and mention “JournalTalk”. This is a wonderful activity that helps you practice authenticity in your communications with others, even if you haven’t been as authentic with them as you could have in the past.

Credits:
Audio Editing: Netrix Marketing
Music and Voiceovers: Music Radio Creative

To Subscribe:
Apple/iPhone/iTunes: Click here.
Google/Feedburner: Click here.
Blubrry site: Click here.

To Listen: Click on the “play” button > at the top of this page.

Q&A: “Do You Ever Feel a Burning Hole in Your Soul?”

Leave a reply

Podcast: Play in new window

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS

By far, Tom has sent in the toughest journaling question I’ve been called upon to answer. You can even hear my subtle attempts to avoid it.

With co-host Jayde Gilmore, I wandered into the wilderness of related side-conversations: Grief, gratitude, trance writing, loving-what-is, depression, and comparing the various levels of journal certification to reiki! We may have even stumbled over the inspiration for the 1990 hit song by They Might Be Giants, “Birdhouse in Your Soul”.

I apologize for having no better way to summarize the dialogue from this episode. I’m hoping Tom will accept our invitation to write again with a few clarifying details. I’d also appreciate hearing which parts of our answer were most helpful.

Your turn to answer: How do you use journal-writing to address those yearnings of the heart which cannot be described? Do you have tips for diving that deep in your writing? How does writing help you move through your darkest hours? Or, how would YOU answer this week’s question? Post your responses at the bottom of this webpage, in the comments section.

Credits:
Audio Editing: Netrix Marketing
Music: Pond5.com
Voiceover: Thomas Gerrard

To Subscribe:
Apple/iPhone/iTunes: Click here.
Google/Feedburner: Click here.
Blubrry site: Click here.

To Listen: Click on the “play” button > at the top of this article.

Spring Cleaning: Journaling to De-Clutter!

4 Replies

Podcast: Play in new window

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS

Proving once again that journal-writing is NOT just an introverted, navel-gazing activity, Carolyn Koehnline shows us how to use our journals to remove clutter from our homes, heads, hearts and schedules.

Author of “Confronting Your Clutter”, a practicing mental health counselor, and Certified Journal Therapist, Carolyn guides us toward our compassionate inner voice to support us through transitions. In fact, Carolyn’s are some of the most potent writing prompts in the Looking Back, Looking Forward journaling challenge, a month-long journal-writing course designed to help you review the recent stepping-stones of life, and design a compelling future.

In this episode, I share a personal story about the three years I avoided a storage room full of my “stuff”, and how, thanks to Carolyn’s journaling suggestions, I found courage to tackle the overwhelm, and save $300 per month in storage fees! (JournalTalk, Episode #51, March 3, 2015)

Exclusive Offer for JournalTalk Listeners: In this episode, Carolyn invites listeners to contact her for a free gift, simply for mentioning that you heard her on JournalTalk.

Credits:
Audio Editing: Netrix Marketing
Music and Voiceovers: Music Radio Creative

To Subscribe:
Apple/iPhone/iTunes: Click here.
Google/Feedburner: Click here.
Blubrry site: Click here.

To Listen: Click on the “play” button > at the top of this page.

Journaling for Mindfulness

5 Replies

Podcast: Play in new window

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS

After frantically rushing to get to my yoga class on time, I learned a big lesson in mindfulness.

In this 50th episode, I give a personal “fireside chat” about my true motivations for this podcast series. I describe the traits of people who live passionately and “on-purpose,” and reveal three simple habits that support them.

Completing a second year of JournalTalk, I make a straight-forward request to all who are listening: If you have enjoyed this program, please show your support by spreading the word. Here are a few suggestions to help broaden the reach of this work:

Write an honest review in iTunes, with a five-star rating. This is easy to do once you’ve logged into your Apple account. Start here, and follow the links.
Subscribe on your computer or mobile device, so future episodes are automatically downloaded. See the links below.
Share JournalTalk with a friend who wants to live a life of passion, clarity and purpose.
Write your own blog post, article, or social media update, sharing what you’ve enjoyed about JournalTalk, and include this link to all JournalTalk episodes.
Leave your comments below, to share what you enjoy about these podcasts.

I’ve got some big plans coming together in Year Three of JournalTalk, and I’m looking to see who its supporters are. Please step forward, and demonstrate your voice with action. And thank you to everyone who already and so consistently does so! (JournalTalk, Episode #50, February 17, 2015)

Credits:

Audio Editing: Netrix Marketing
Music and Voiceovers: Music Radio Creative

To Subscribe:
Apple/iPhone/iTunes: Click here.
Google/Feedburner: Click here.
Blubrry site: Click here.

To Listen: Click on the “play” button > at the top of this page.

Q&A: “What Are Some Examples of Transformation Through Journal-Writing?”

Leave a reply

Podcast: Play in new window

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS

The recent podcast on Journaling for Transformation became quickly popular, and some listeners have asked for more specific examples.

Kim Ades of Frame of Mind Coaching is my guest co-host, and she surprises me (completely unscripted and unplanned, I promise!) with a testimonial from a JournalTalk listener, who took Kim’s journal coaching program!

If there’s any area of your life where you’re seeking to create more freedom, power, and ease, then you are welcome to test-drive the Frame of Mind Journal-Coaching program for free. From career concerns to relationship woes, journaling can reveal brand new avenues for transformation. Start with this assessment, which will automatically begin your private journal account, and invite a trained FOM coach to call you back for next steps.

Fuel the dialogue: What’s your best story of personal transformation through journaling? Post your responses at the bottom of this webpage, in the comments section.

You may email your own journaling question to be featured on a future episode of JournalTalk. Or, pick up the telephone and leave a voicemail with your question at 1-805-751-6280 (only normal toll charges may apply). If your question is featured, we will send you a thank-you gift for sharing your voice! (JournalTalk Q&A, Episode #22, February 10, 2015)

Credits:
Audio Editing: Netrix Marketing
Music: Pond5.com
Voiceover: Thomas Gerrard

To Subscribe:
Apple/iPhone/iTunes: Click here.
Google/Feedburner: Click here.
Blubrry site: Click here.

To Listen: Click on the “play” button > at the top of this article.