Tag Archives: journaltalk

Journaling for Transformation

The most powerful promise of a journal-writing practice is its ability to transform any dilemma the writer is wrestling with into something completely new, approachable, and inspiring. This shift from oppression to opportunity, from turmoil to tranquility, hardly comes without practice, and is often accompanied by the guidance of a coach.

Jayde Gilmore is one such coach, and my guest expert this week. In this episode, we celebrate our “win” of NaNoWriMo (having written 50,000 words of a coherent story)! Our conversation also mingles through some of her earliest writing memories, and raises examples of writing for personal breakthrough.

Jayde will be a new voice on JournalTalk Q&A, joining me to answer your questions about journal-writing. She is also one of the talented sponsors (with Jackee Holder, Kay Adams, Lynda Monk, Carolyn Koehnline, Carrie Leigh Sandoval, and others) of the Looking Back, Looking Forward Journaling Kit, a three-part toolkit designed for transforming your experience of any milestone or life transition. It offers practical, bite-size steps for reviewing your journal for reflection and wisdom, and exercises for designing a compelling future. (JournalTalk, Episode #49, February 3, 2015)

Exclusive Offer for JournalTalk Listeners: In this episode, I share some hints about a new service offering I am dreaming up. I invite your input in making it something truly worthwhile. In exchange for your ideas, you will be added to my VIP pre-launch, scheduled for later this year.

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

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Journaling with the Stars

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For Joan Porte, looking inward and looking upward are nearly the same thing.

As a karmic astrologer, she uses the position and trajectory of celestial objects as her prompts for reflection. And from that angle, she arrives at life’s passion, clarity and purpose with astounding results!

Those who know me, (including Joan!) know that I’m a skeptic about such things, and yet her insights provide an entire universe of journal-writing fodder. Her ability to make sense of what she’s describing, and explain the profound conclusions in simple terms, helped me to grasp that perhaps, maybe, if our lives can be affected by Earth’s gravitational pull and miniature waves of light, radiation, and heat, then perhaps somehow, just maybe, we might also be affected in similar proportion by the energies of very largest objects in the known universe!

Join me in this interview with Joan, and let’s ponder questions about our life’s guiding purpose. See also: Joan’s astrological cookbook (you read correctly!) called, Signs of the Tines, a one-of-a-kind collection of recipes inspired by the energies of the zodiac. (JournalTalk, Episode #48, January 20, 2015)

Exclusive Offer for JournalTalk Listeners: In this episode, Joan shares how you can receive a special discount on her signature product, a full thirty-minute audio recording of YOUR karmic birth-chart interpretation, complete with visual aids and explanations.

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

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Journaling for the Care of My Body

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We kick off 2015 with a guest who shares tremendous encouragement for expressing our creativity, and discovering what lights us up. Luisa Tanno is an instructor in many disciplines, including dance, yoga, and writing.

I open this episode with some confession about my own vulnerability, and share some ideas that I’m using to incorporate my BODY in my journal writing.

During my interview with Luisa, she weaves through unique ideas for pursuing your passions as more than just a hobby, shares some eye-opening journaling prompts, and carries a warm encouragement for opening to your Self in a powerful, unashamed way. I felt so much more trusting and accepting of myself as a result of our conversation, and I think you will, too. (JournalTalk, episode #47, January 6, 2015)

SPECIAL OFFER: In this episode, Luisa shares how to take advantage of several online workshops in creativity and personal expression. She has extended this “twofer” special offer especially for you. Mention “JournalTalk” when you register for ANY ONLINE WORKSHOP, and you can register your friend for FREE! What an excellent way to get even more from Luisa’s training! What an excellent way to start the year!

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

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Q&A: “What Should I Do With This Awful Gift Diary or Notebook?”

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It’s gift-giving season, and those well-meaning friends or relatives know full well that you enjoy journal-writing. But they might not understand your personal style enough to give you the perfect journal notebook!

Has this ever happened to you? Someone gives you a diary or journal, maybe one they spent some thought picking out for you, but you just don’t “get along” with it?

Jenny asked for some advice on how to accept the gift, without accepting the pressure that comes when they start wondering why you’re not using it!

Fuel the dialogue: Have you ever received a gift journal notebook that you hated? Was it from someone who keeps pressuring you to use it? What did you do with it? Can you tactfully turn it down? What’s the best way to be honest without “looking a gift horse in the mouth”? Post your response at the bottom of this webpage, in the comments section.

You may send 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 #19, December 30, 2014)

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

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Journal-Keeping Tips for Fiction Writers

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Ever since my experience with NaNoWriMo, I’m convinced more than ever that journal-writing helps to sharpen the skills needed to write any story or novel.

My guest this week is Danielle Hanna, a crime fiction author who believes that her journal is (more often than she’s consciously aware!) the source of her material for publication.

Danielle shares some great tips from her new book, specifically for fiction writers to use their journals in developing a keen sense of awareness, feeling, and composition. She also shares how her dealings with a family tragedy led her to agreement with Oscar Wilde’s conclusion that “Life imitates Art far more than Art imitates Life.” My favorite part of this discussion with Danielle was our chuckling that the phrase “based on a true story” is probably applicable on some level to every novel and movie ever made.

For more journal-writing tips inspired by the world of fiction, please be sure to check out my interview with Anne Marvin in episode #78.

This interview with Danielle Hanna also reminded me of a JournalTalk Q&A episode, where a listener named Raul wrote in to ask me, “Can Journaling Help Me Become a Better Writer?” Raul, this episode is for you, and not-surprisingly, Danielle’s answer is: DEFINITELY!

Exclusive Offer for JournalTalk listeners: Danielle’s book, Journaling to Become a Better Writer, is available for a limited time on Smashwords.com, in any format for any reading device, for just $1.99. You must use the code QG87T on check-out to receive this discount. (JournalTalk, Episode #46, December 23, 2014)

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

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Journaling for Everyday Celebration!

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Our journaling prompt this week: “What was the best part of my day today?”

With her motto, “Cake Every Day”, my guest this episode helps us to identify and appreciate the celebration in every single day. Whether you’re dealing with anxiety, panic, depression, or any other energy imbalance, Raychelle LeBlanc coaches methods for healing and gratitude.

One main ingredient in her personal prescription for healthy life-balance is journaling. Raychelle shares a no-nonsense, tangible approach for working with the written word, including a few focus points that have been helpful in her experience: gratitude, honesty with self, laws of the universe, and connecting to source. Icing on the cake: Listen to Raychelle’s elegant way of turning everyday complaints and judgements into valuable choices.

Click on this link, or the book image, to learn more about Raychelle’s book, Your Daily Slice Journal. (JournalTalk, Episode #43, November 25, 2014)

SPECIAL OFFER: In this episode, Raychelle invites you to contact her and mention JournalTalk, for a FREE one-on-one meditation and journaling session featuring her “balance wheel”.

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

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Q&A: “What Does Journaling Actually Do For You?”

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A brand new listener asked, “Apart from the obvious (recording your thoughts) what does journal-writing actually do for you?”

Each and every single episode of this podcast provides at least one unique answer to this, but Mari and I thought it would be nice to take this opportunity to share OUR favorite benefits.

At the conclusion of the 30-Day Digital Journaling Challenge, we asked the 1,400+ participants to share what benefits they experienced by keeping an electronic journal. If you’d like to see those results, please add yourself to our mailing list here, and take the Challenge yourself!

In the book, 101 Reasons To Write a Journal, the author devotes an entire chapter to eight main benefits he received personally from journal-writing over 20 years. Here are the chapters:

1. Self-Improvement (Reasons 1-28)
2. Creativity (Reasons 29-36)
3. Family (Reasons 37-49)
4. Writing (Reasons 50-62)
5. Problem-Solving (Reasons 63-71)
6. Spirituality (Reasons 72-82)
7. Daily Life (Reasons 83-91)
8. Logging (Reasons 92-101)

Fuel the dialogue: What benefits have YOU received from keeping a journal? Post your response at the bottom of this webpage, in the comments section.

You may also reply with your own journaling questions 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 #16, November 18, 2014)

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

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Frame of Mind Journaling

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Kim Ades takes journal-writing to a whole new level. Her company, Frame of Mind Coaching, combines the power of journaling with trained, professional coaching to help clients achieve breakthrough results in a very short period of time.

Through her licenseable, online journaling software, JournalEngine, Kim’s clients tap into their own thought patterns to identify hidden beliefs that are holding them back from the success they seek.

I enjoyed discussing the concepts of coaching people through an active journal-writing routine, and I’m considering joining Kim’s team. Please let me know what you think? (JournalTalk, Episode #42, October 28, 2014)

SPECIAL OFFER: In this episode, Kim offers a free trial of the “Frame of Mind Coaching” program. After completing this short assessment (be sure to tell her that you heard about it on JournalTalk!) you will be matched up with a journal coach, who will work with you using a daily journaling practice, to get new results in your life, and make dormant dreams a reality.

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

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Journaling With Our Inner Committee

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First, let’s do a journal-writing activity that I teach in my Passion, Clarity, Purpose journal workshop: calming our conflicted emotions by honoring them one at a time.

When faced with a situation that activates several different, seemingly competing reactions, I’ve found it useful to take the time to slow down and give each voice in my “inner committee” a chance to fully express itself.

Then, my guest this week is Steven Summerstone, who discusses “sub selves”, his music, and an interesting cornucopia of other topics. Steven has a video podcast on YouTube that features a wide variety of philosophies and musings. His website, Nurturing Truth, is where he invites you to connect with him. (JournalTalk, Episode #41, October 14, 2014)

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

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Journaling to Rewire Your Brain!

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About one episode in every three, I feel as if I’m unveiling my “new favorite” episode — one that contains a life-altering perspective, and some truly fresh ideas. This is one of those.

My guest this week studied neuroscience at the Mindsight Institute with Dr. Dan Siegel and applied her findings to a therapeutic writing curriculum she titled “Your Brain on Ink” which is offered at the Therapeutic Writing Institute.

Deborah Ross, an avid journaler, recognizes the healing power of expressive writing and shares techniques for using journal-writing as self-directed neuroplasticity. That’s a fancy way of saying that journaling can literally alter the connections and shape of our brains, and therefore everything else in our experience of life. (JournalTalk, Episode #40, September 30, 2014)

SPECIAL OFFER: Click the photo to purchase “Mindsight”, the groundbreaking book by Dr. Dan Siegel, and Amazon will make a contribution to these JournalTalk podcasts.

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

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Q&A: “Can Journaling Help Me Become a Better Writer?”

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Raul wrote in to ask, with deep yearning and colorful examples, “Can journaling help me become a better writer?” Both Mari and I reassured him that he’s already on that path, with a significant piece of evidence hiding right inside the four-paragraph question!

For a more detailed response to this question, you will surely enjoy my interview with Danielle Hanna, crime-fiction writer, and author of Journaling to Become a Better Writer.

In his book, 101 Reasons To Write a Journal, the author devotes an entire chapter to thirteen different ways that journal-writing improves your general writing skills, regardless whether you keep an analog or digital journal! Here are the first ten.

1. Capture ideas before they vanish.
2. Build grammar, spelling, and vocabulary.
3. Learn how to start, tell, and end a story.
4. Find your sense of humor.
5. Increase your writing speed.
6. Practice writing every day.
7. Develop plot-building skills.
8. Increase your writing confidence.
9. Discover whether you even enjoy writing.
10. Destroy writer’s block.

Please join the dialogue: Post comments (on our website’s comments section) if you have more examples of how journaling has improved your writing.

If you are receiving this in email format, you may also reply with your own journaling questions to be featured on a future episode of JournalTalk. Or, please call 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 #13, September 23, 2014)

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

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Q&A: “Why Can’t I Ever Finish One Notebook?”

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Do you ever get bored with a journal notebook you’ve started, and just want to move on to the next one already? What’s that about?

With our typical playfulness, wit and creativity, Mari L. McCarthy and I offer some helpful suggestions to Susan who asks, “Why can’t I ever finish a journal notebook?” We cover the full range of ideas, including an encouragement for Susan to celebrate her not-finishing a notebook!

Please join the dialogue. Do you drool over the many options in the stationery aisle, while picking out your next journal notebook? Do you get so anxious to start a new one that you leave the old one with unused pages? We welcome additional comments and suggestions about finishing up one notebook before going to the next. Electronic journal-writers: Chime in!

You may reply to this email with your own question to be featured on a future episode of JournalTalk. Or, please call 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 #11, September 9, 2014)

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Journaling (and Other Dangerous Pursuits!)

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My guest this week, Samara O’Shea, is author of three wonderful gems. Each of them highlights a slice of what makes journal-writing such a rich exploration of our hearts.

We discuss each of them, and the unique stories and choices Samara has made, from her online business of writing love letters for people, to her decision to become a psychotherapist. Samara shares about her role models, recalls some lessons about unrequited love, and gives us permission to appreciate our soul’s yearnings. Plus, we both offer up some unique journaling exercises about our attractions (maybe obsessions?) for other people!

Samara reminds us that the honest and vulnerable tales we carry within us makes journaling both a dangerous and tender journey.

SPECIAL OFFER exclusively for JournalTalk listeners: The first TWO people who contact Samara by email (please say you heard her on JournalTalk) will receive ALL THREE of these books for one steeply discounted price of just $25.00. (JournalTalk, Episode #38, September 2, 2014)

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

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Q&A: “How Can I Restart My Journaling, After Trust Has Been Broken?”

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I’ve always been successful in keeping my journal private (I think!) but I realize that one reason people may find it difficult to take up a diary or journal-writing habit is because they fear of it being found, and read, by someone for whom it was not intended.

This week, Mari and I explore some ideas for creating safety in your journaling, especially if you have felt your trust was broken by someone reading your journals in the past.

Please join the dialogue. We welcome additional comments and suggestions about “how to restart journaling after trust has been broken”. Or, send us your own questions that we can feature on a future episode of JournalTalk. (JournalTalk Q&A, Episode #9, August 5, 2014)

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

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Journaling to Cultivate Joy

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Judy Shafarman, lifelong teacher in many public and private institutions, has written a number of journal-prompting books which you may find helpful. In this interview, Judy and I buzz from one stimulating topic to another, exploring some unique ideas and assignments for unsent letters, grief and loss, and cultivating joy through journaling. (JournalTalk, Episode #36, July 29, 2014)

You will find Judy online here, and please click on the icon of her book to purchase on Amazon.com. JournalTalk will get a small percentage (at no cost to you or to Judy!) for the investment in your journal-writing!

Credits:
Audio Editing: Netrix Marketing
Music: AudioNetwork.com
Voiceover: Kym Maher, Tami Egbert & Thomas Gerrard

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Write4Life

Journaling for Passion, Clarity & Purpose!

Tag Archives: journaltalk

Journaling for Transformation

Journaling with the Stars

Journaling for the Care of My Body

Q&A: “What Should I Do With This Awful Gift Diary or Notebook?”

Journal-Keeping Tips for Fiction Writers

Journaling for Everyday Celebration!

Q&A: “What Does Journaling Actually Do For You?”

Frame of Mind Journaling

Journaling With Our Inner Committee

Journaling to Rewire Your Brain!

Q&A: “Can Journaling Help Me Become a Better Writer?”

Q&A: “Why Can’t I Ever Finish One Notebook?”

Journaling (and Other Dangerous Pursuits!)

Q&A: “How Can I Restart My Journaling, After Trust Has Been Broken?”

Journaling to Cultivate Joy