Tag Archives: journaltalk

One-Year Celebration of JournalTalk

Happy First Anniversary! This episode is dedicated to you, the JournalTalk listeners, and all your collective wisdom about journaling. We’ve been podcasting together, talking about journaling, for twelve months, and I’m sharing voice messages from fans across the world.

Another celebration: I’ve completed my instructor certification from the Center for Journal Therapy, and now taking registrations for my first “Journal To The Self” workshop, a tutorial on 22 different journaling techniques, based on the work of Kathleen Adams. Register here, or get more information about this amazing course that has helped people begin their own lifetime practice of effective journal-writing.

Book Review: Albert Diaz Cruz shares his review of Writing From the Body by John Lee. Please leave a comment below to enter the drawing for a copy of this book mailed to you for free! (JournalTalk, Episode #25, February 16, 2014)

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

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The Ultimate Journaling Tour-Guide

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My final guest for 2013 is the lovely Hannah Braime, another journaling coach influenced by Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way, and who is now teaching people how to keep in a kind and compassionate relationship with themselves.

Hannah will be presenting with Lynda Monk and me at the 2nd Annual Journaling Expo on January 12th at 10:00 AM (Pacific Time Zone). Come register for this free event here.

In this episode, Hannah and I discuss both of her books: The Ultimate Guide to Journaling, and From Coping to Thriving: How to Turn Self-Care into a Way of Life. Both of these, and her weekly podcast titled “Becoming Who You Are”, are available on her website at www.BecomingWhoYouAre.net. Be sure to check out her interview of me in a recent episode!

Journal-keepers young and old will undoubtedly appreciate Hannah’s wise tips for remembering to be gentle with ourselves in the process of personal growth. She shared a new resource with me called 750words.com, which I’ll be checking out this week. For all these reasons, I cherished my conversation with Hannah, and look forward to working more with her in 2014. (JournalTalk, Episode #22, December 23, 2013)

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

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Journaling with Ho, Ho, Ho! (Holistic Holiday Health!)

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The Oprah of Therapeutic Journaling is back again, and just in time — with good tidings for our health and well-being during this holiday season.

In this episode, Mari L. McCarthy and I discuss a full range of topics: from the upcoming journaling challenges being offered at CreateWriteNow; to the power of mindful eating; to the connection between mind, body and soul; to the free 2nd Annual Journaling Expo webinar scheduled for January … and more!

I was also curious to ask Mari how her ambidextrous morning pages are coming since Episode #3, when she first explained them. She gave a mind-blowing and inspiring reply, illustrating once more that journaling is a therapeutic tool for holistic health! (JournalTalk, Episode #21, December 9, 2013)

Credits:
Music: AudioNetwork.com and Mari L. McCarthy
Voiceover: Thomas Gerrard
Logo Art: Wendy Kipfmiller, Snixysnix.com

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A Whole Universe of Journaling!

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After creating and leading her first “WriteOn!” journaling workshop in 1985, Kathleen Adams knew she had found her purpose in the world. Since then, she has made an impressive list of accomplishments and contributions to the field.

Her book, Journal to the Self: Twenty-Two Paths to Personal Growth, is among the most-referenced, pragmatic guides to the craft. It has become the basis of her signature Instructor Certification program at The Center for Journal Therapy.

In this episode, we discuss some other titles she’s written on journal-writing, a few amazing (and utterly important) projects that keep her stimulated, a review of her “Journal Ladder”, and her brand-new creation, The Journalverse, a worldwide, friendly block-party for all journaling enthusiasts! (JournalTalk, Episode #19, November 11, 2013)

UPDATED, SPECIAL OFFER: JournalTalk listeners get 25% off the upcoming Journal-To-The-Self workshop, when you register before March 1, 2014. Just use the coupon code “JOURNALTALK” at check-out. This offer expires when the next episode of JournalTalk is released, so please head over today!

Credits:
Music: AudioNetwork.com
Voiceover: Tami Egbert and Kym Maher
Logo Art: Wendy Kipfmiller, Snixysnix.com

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Journaling After Brain Injury

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Barbara Stahura’s life was turned inside-out the moment her husband Ken was struck by an automobile. The first four minutes of this episode, Barbara tells the story of how she turned to journal-writing to cope with the myriad of stressful details, and to create a path toward healing from the trauma.

The rest of the episode, Barbara shares why she is grateful that it happened. Today, she is a Certified Journal Facilitator with The Center for Journal Therapy. Her unique journal-writing workshops have been made into a workbook: “After Brain Injury: Telling Your Story”, a guide for people (re)shaping the stories they have of themselves and what’s possible. Barbara gives practical examples of writing exercises she uses in her workshops.

Barbara has also written a memoir, What I Thought I Knew, a heartfelt collection of stories, full of humor and insight, sharing life’s uncertainties and fears, bravery and joy. Barbara also writes a blog and publishes articles on the subject of journaling and brain injury.

I especially enjoyed this episode because of Barbara’s love and passion for her work, and the difference she is making one workshop at a time. (JournalTalk, Episode #17, October 14, 2013)

Credits:
Music: AudioNetwork.com
Voiceover: Tami Egbert and Kym Maher
Logo Art: Wendy Kipfmiller, Snixysnix.com

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Writing To Heal

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Who knew, back in Episode #4 when I discovered the amazing-but-unavailable book, Writing To Heal, that I’d eventually be interviewing the co-author of its revised and updated edition?!!

I learned a lot from my guest this week, John F. Evans, MAT, MA , Ed.D., a consultant, writing clinician, and an integrative health coach who speaks at national and international conferences about the power of writing to create better health, overcome trauma, and build resilience. He is also the founder and executive director of Wellness & Writing Connections, providing individual, group, and institutional life course guidance programs.

The first thing I learned from John is that I still have much more to learn about being an effective journaling coach! With an astute-yet-modest perspective, John shares some of the scientifically proven health benefits of expressive writing (while cautioning me of the potential dangers of simply touting them to others)! We also discuss the Pennebaker Paradigm, and the contribution that John is making to update and re-publish the landmark guidebook in this field, Writing To Heal, by Dr. James Pennebaker. As mentioned in Episode #4, this groundbreaking and revered work has been out-of-print for several years.

John also publishes articles for Psychology Today in a column entitled Write Yourself Well, and is leading a workshop, “Transform Your Health”, with the International Association of Journal Writers later this month. John teaches workshops at Duke Integrative Medicine, Duke Medical School, and the UNC Wellness Center in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. We’ll talk more about these in a future episode! (JournalTalk, Episode #15, September 15, 2013)

Credits:
Music: Christopher Brooke, “Happy Me” and Paul Mottram, ”Easy Bean Swing” (AudioNetwork.com)
Voiceover: Tami Egbert and Kym Maher
Logo Art: Wendy Kipfmiller, Snixysnix.com

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Journaling for Authentic Refreshment

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Those of you already familiar with Dawn Herring will find this episode a special treat. She is even more inspiring and engaging than you’ve come to expect from her years of hosting the weekly Twitter chat room she calls #JournalChat Live! Your “Refreshment Specialist” shares bountifully from her years of experience and hundreds of interviews.

Dawn Herring

Those of you meeting Dawn for the first time: get ready to meet a Wonder Woman in the field of journal writing. Dawn Herring is a talent scout for journaling tips and techniques. If you’ve published an article online about the many virtues or approaches to journal writing, chances are Dawn will find you! And soon you’ll find yourself invited to the world’s largest chatroom arena on journaling, a Twitter event that she hosts on the first Sunday afternoon of each month at 1:00 PM Pacific / 4:00 PM Eastern (updated 12/8/13).

Our lively and profound conversation weaves in and out of personal stories, journaling tips, and a whole bunch of amazing projects that Dawn is up to. From her fine art in pointillism, to a blog on electrical safety she maintains an aura she calls Authentic Refreshment for herself and those around her: “Appreciate Yourself For Who You Really Are, Validate Your Feelings, and Nurture Your Soul.” (JournalTalk, Episode #14, September 1, 2013)

Credits:
Music: Paul Mottram, ”Easy Bean Swing” and “Short n Sweet” (AudioNetwork.com)
Voiceover: Tami Egbert and Kym Maher
Logo Art: Wendy Kipfmiller, Snixysnix.com

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Turning Journals into Memoirs

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Thanks to Joan Leof, my guest expert in this week’s episode, I’ll need to update my website. In preparation for our interview, Joan did some research about me; she figured out that I had given up on writing a book based on content from my years of journal-writing. And in our subsequent conversation, she asked me some questions that stirred my thinking about this. Being the amazing journal-to-memoir coach that she is, by the time we were finished talking, I was reminded of my belief that my story is a valuable one, and re-inspired to pick up my old writings to breathe new life into them! Since then, I’ve been writing 100-Word Flash Memoirs as often as I can, collecting the pieces to assemble for a unique story about my spiritual odyssey and coming-of-age.

Joan Leof has been coaching journalers, creative writers, and spiritual autobiographers for over 30 years. Her website displays her own accomplishment of her personal story made into a book, Fatal If Swallowed, as well as other journaling resources and workshops that she teaches in the Delaware area.

Our conversation was stimulating and fascinating. Joan gives a clear goal for memoirists to stay focused on, to make sure the journey from journaling to published author stays satisfying. In addition, Joan shares some excellent tips for people who want to join (or begin their own) journaling groups to deepen their practice! I look forward to hearing your feedback. Please post a comment below, telling what you enjoyed most! (JournalTalk, Episode #12, August 5, 2013)

Credits:
Music: Paul Mottram, ”Shellfish Behaviour” (AudioNetwork.com)
Voiceover: Tami Egbert and Kym Maher
Logo Art: Wendy Kipfmiller, Snixysnix.com

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Journaling in Groups

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It’s one thing to achieve personal transformation through the act and habit of journaling. But there’s a new trend emerging among journal-writers: taking that transformation to the level of community. My guest this episode is Lynda Monk, who has been journaling with her friends for several years, and ready to launch a book on the experience, Writing Alone Together: Women Journaling for Creativity, Compassion and Community.

Lynda has been a Social Worker in Canada, for over 20 years, including 10 years of crisis intervention and counseling work. In 2000, she founded Creative Wellness — a coaching and training business specializing in supporting the stress and burnout prevention needs of helping and healthcare professionals. In 2009, Lynda became a Certified Co-Active Life Coach, and turned her passion for the transformational and healing power of therapeutic journaling into the heart of her business. She offers “Writing for Wellness” workshops, presentations and coaching programs to helpers, healers, caregivers and conscious-living enthusiasts.

Her company provides access to a wealth of resources for both the individual as well as organizations that seek enlivened practice and healthy living. Her “Writing for Wellness: Getting Started Guide” (available for free on her website) is an impressive introduction to the art of therapeutic journaling, and is just one of the free resources she offers.

As you listen to my interview with Lynda, we’ll explore a powerful dynamic of journaling within the context of community. Lynda touches on the power of storytelling, and encourages us to consider beginning our own journaling circle, for many of the same reasons a book enthusiast would join a book club. I also appreciated the way Lynda so beautifully acknowledged how this podcast series itself is a project of community-building amongst journaling advocates. (JournalTalk, Episode #11, July 22, 2013)

Credits:
Music: Alexander L’Estrange / Joanna Forbes ”Ooh Yeah” AudioNetwork.com
Voiceover: Tami Egbert and Kym Maher
Logo Art: Wendy Kipfmiller, Snixysnix.com

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Journals Have Feelings, Too!

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This podcast series is a way to create and share within a community of people who have remarkable stories of growth and healing through journal-writing. And the more I look for examples, the more incredible and numerous they come!

This week’s guest is Carrie Leigh Sandoval, author of Journals Have Feelings, Too! In this episode, we discuss her book and the ways that journaling helped her through the dramas and traumas of her adolescence. It’s no wonder that Carrie’s passion is empowering youth, showing them how to find, release, and heal past wounds, and replace them with new beliefs. She also offers online coaching for teens and their parents.

Carrie is also a Law of Attraction coach, and after she shared what that means, she took me on a short journey to fulfill an intention of my own creation. In turn, I used that as an example for another journaling exercise together! So grab your journals and tune in as Carrie shares The Law of Attraction! (JournalTalk, Episode #10, July 8, 2013)

Credits:
Music: Alexander L’Estrange / Joanna Forbes ”Ooh Yeah” AudioNetwork.com
Voiceover: Kym Maher
Logo Art: Wendy Kipfmiller, Snixysnix.com

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Episode #9: Kids Can Journal Too!

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Kids Can Journal Too!

For the past four months, I’ve been sharing my reasons for creating JournalTalk. But I also want to share how JournalTalk is creating me! In this episode, I discuss four profound lessons that I’ve learned since starting this project, along with a whole variety of other stories:

I share a journaling exercise that will put your finger on your most valuable strengths! (Source: Barbara Sher’s book, I Could Do Anything, If I Only Knew What It Was)
I answer feedback and questions from listeners around the world.
Two new journaling courses you’ll want to check out: Mari McCarthy’s 12 Days of Morning Pages, and my Dream Journaling workshop.
A sweet story about my seven-year-old niece who started keeping a journal.

All this, and more, on Episode #9 of JournalTalk! (June 24, 2013)

Credits:
Music: Philip Guyler / John Stax “Bliss” AudioNetwork.com
Voiceover: Tami Egbert and Kym Maher
Logo Art: Wendy Kipfmiller, Snixysnix.com

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Episode #7: Journaling Out of the Whirlwind

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Journaling Out of the Whirlwind

I am consistently impressed with each person I meet in the field of journaling; we are authentically glad to share our secrets, techniques, and we sincerely want to work in collaboration with one another. My guest this week is Michael Pearlman, M.D., and while he is exceptionally gifted in the area of journal therapy, he is no exception to the generosity I have found among journaling teachers. What sets Dr. Pearlman apart from others is the unique system he developed for transformative journaling he calls Out of the Whirlwind. It’s free, online, confidential, and easy to use.

This episode, Dr. Pearlman walks me through the five writing prompts of his online journaling tool, after I choose an area of focus. The five prompts: APPRECIATION, KNOWING, MY VISION, CURRENT REALITY, and ACTION. Listen as I transform a nerve-wracking dentist visit into “loving my mouth and all its inhabitants”. You can also receive free training in this tool with Dr. Pearlman himself, on “Free Coaching Thursdays” once you start using the online journal.

Dr. Pearlman invites me (and by extension, all journaling coaches, and JournalTalk fans too) to participate in the expansion and co-creation of the future of this tool. Check out this powerful method for getting to the heart of any issue. Let us know what you think, and how you could use it in your own journaling practice! Your comments below are encouraged! (JournalTalk, Episode #7, May 27, 2013)

Credits
Music: Alexander L’Estrange / Joanna Forbes ”Ooh Yeah” AudioNetwork.com
Voiceover: Tami Egbert
Logo Art: Wendy Kipfmiller, Snixysnix.com

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Journaling for the Next Generation

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In case you thought I only interviewed beautiful women, I had to prove that there are other men who enjoy discussing their journaling habits! This episode, I’m pleased to introduce Sam, nick-named the “Digital Journaling Guru”. Sam’s perspective is unique on several levels. An accomplished Civil Engineer with strong family values, he speaks about helping people ensure their writings safely reach future generations.

Sam and his wife Tiffany, started EasyJournaling.com for people who feel they journal better on a keyboard than by hand. In fact, Sam has diplomatically settled the debate between those who type and those who hand-write, by stating it depends on your goal: If you’re looking to preserve your writing for the future, using the latest technology is your key. Sam has formulated a free online selection tool called BestJournalApp.com to help you figure out which journaling application should suit your needs best.

Sam is barely thirty years old, and yet has as much experience journaling as I have! He’s been documenting his life (at the wise prompting of his parents) since the tender age of eight! Now with children of his own, Sam advocates journaling as one of several effective ways to capturing life’s lessons and precious memories. For writing prompts and guides, Sam respectfully points his followers back to myself and other journaling coaches. But Sam is delighted to offer expert advice on best practices for digitizing, editing, securing, backing up, and printing your journal entries. In our conversation, we discuss his brand-new podcast, Capturing Life Through Technology, as well as his plans for an upcoming Digital Journaling University! Along the way, we discuss his book, 101 Reasons To Write a Journal, and exchange ideas about family newsletters, upgrading videos, photography and more.

Credits
Music: Alexander L’Estrange / Joanna Forbes “Ooh Yeah” AudioNetwork.com
Voiceover: Kym Maher
Logo Art: Wendy Kipfmiller, Snixysnix.com

Sailing the Seas of Self-Discovery

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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)

Episode #4: Journaling via Spreadsheet

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Journaling via Spreadsheet

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)