Writing Through Shame: Hannah Sward On Memoir, Resilience, And Being Present Writing Your Resilience: Building Resilience, Embracing Trauma And Healing Through Writing podcast

46:06

Send us a text In this episode, I reconnect with the brilliant and multifaceted Sean Murphy—poet, fiction writer, founder of 1455 Literary Arts, director of the Center for Story at Shenandoah University, and host of the podcast Some Things Considered . Together, we explore what it means to create during challenging times, why writing is a long game built on endurance, and how generosity—both to others and to your own process—can sustain your creative spirit. We talk about literary citizenship, artistic joy, and the mindset shifts that help us keep going when the road feels steep. We also tackle one of my most persistent writing problems—something I know I’m not alone in: how to capture all those great ideas that come to me when I’m shampooing my hair. Episode Highlights 2:57: Juggling the Hardships and Hopes of the Writing Life 5:29: Differentiating Writing from Publishing 7:34: The Process is the Reward 12:33: Writing While Wearing Many Hats 18:45: Developing a Creative Mindset 30:34: Why You Must be a Good Literary Citizen Resources Mentioned During this Episode: Some Things Considered: Karen E. Bender & Robert Anthony Siegel | How to Adapt & Thrive as a Writer Information on the connection between dopamine and our endeavors: Dr. Kay Tye: The Biology of Social Interactions and Emotions Writing to Heal with Laura Davis How to Navigate the Business of Writing and Publishing: Expert Advice from Jane Friedman Sean’s Bio: Sean Murphy is founder of the non-profit 1455 Lit Arts, and directs the Center for Story at Shenandoah University. He has appeared on NPR's All Things Considered and been quoted in USA Today, The New York Times , The Huffington Post , and AdAge . A long-time columnist for PopMatters , his work has also appeared in Salon, The Village Voice, Washington City Paper, The Good Men Project, Writer’s Digest, and others. His chapbook, The Blackened Blues, was published by Finishing Line Press in 2021. His second collection of poems, Rhapsodies in Blue was published by Kelsay Books in 2023. His third collection, Kinds of Blue , and This Kind of Man , his first collection of short fiction, published in 2024. He has been nominated four times for the Pushcart Prize, twice for Best of Net, and his book Please Talk about Me When I'm Gone was the winner of Memoir Magazine's 2022 Memoir Prize. To learn more, and read his published short fiction, poetry, and criticism, please visit seanmurphy.net/ and @bullmurph. Connect with Sean: Website: https://www.seanmurphy.net/ Instagram @bullmurph Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorSeanMurphy Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bullmurph/ Link Connect with your host, Lisa: Get Your Free Copy of Write More, Fret Less Website | Instagram | YouTube | Facebook | LinkedIn Produced by Espresso Podcast Production…

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Using Human Design to Break Through Writing Blocks and Find Flow with Maha Mamish 49:59

10 days ago49:59

49:59

Send us a text Have you ever wondered what truly drives you? Are there parts of your personality that leave you puzzled, making you ask, "Why do I do that?" Have you been trying to improve an aspect of your life—especially your writing life—but it feels like no matter what you do, nothing changes? If you’re nodding along, get ready for a mind-blowing conversation with Human Design coach Maha Mamish. In this episode, you'll learn what Human Design is, why I’m so passionate about it, and how it can transform the way you approach your life and creative process. You’ll also hear how it's already making a huge impact on my coaching clients. So, grab a pen, open your heart, and get ready to explore your unique operating system in a way that could change everything. Episode Highlights 4:55: What Is Human Design 7:22: The Main Types in Human Design 13:00: Applying the Types to Our Lives 33:54: Human Design and Your Creative Life 42:24: Maximizing Your Productivity Resources Mentioned During this Episode: Maha’s Professional Story Robin Winn’s Website What Is an Enneagram and How Do They Work Get Your Human Design Chart Maha’s Bio: Maha Mamish is the owner of mishmish, an NYC-based think tank that promotes growth for sustainable brands via holistic business frameworks. This year mishmish launched mishmishfoods- a food brand that uses food experiences as a therapeutic modality for personal and collective healing, as well as Heirloom, a service working with top artists to sustainably transform and modernize family heirlooms. Her work sits at the intersection of entrepreneurship, design, wellbeing, and holism. After 17 years excelling in sales and business development in the global luxury interiors industry, she pursued advanced certifications in quantum coaching, relational presence, neuro-linguistics, holistic health & nutritional science, and crystal healing. She also published her book in 2021 titled "The Creative Entrepreneur: Use Your Sensitive Nature to Build a Highly Successful Business. Maha holds a master certification in human design via Robin Winn, a disciple of Karen Parker Curry who studied directly under Ra Uru himself. Connect with Maha: Instagram: @mishmishnyc Website: www.mahamamish.com Email: mm@mahamamish.com Connect with your host, Lisa: Get Your Free Copy of Write More, Fret Less Website | Instagram | YouTube | Facebook | LinkedIn Produced by Espresso Podcast Production…

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Bringing Light to History: Amy Fish and the Journey of One in Six Million 37:26

17 days ago37:26

37:26

Send us a text Six years ago, Amy Fish and I sat at a table in a hotel ballroom during the HippoCamp Writing Conference when she told me about her latest book idea. As soon as I heard about it, I said, go write that book. In this episode, we celebrate both the journey and the final version of her latest nonfiction book, One in Six Million. Join us as Amy shares how she maintained her motivation through a six-year writing process, how she kept track of her extensive research, how she found the right tone and voice for this book, and what she's currently trusting in. Episode Highlights 2:30: Finding the Right Voice for Your Book 2:54: Writing Someone Else’s Story 5:47: Managing Your Research 12:25: Maintaining Your Motivation Over the Long Haul 15:40: Nurturing Your Patience 20:07: Incorporating Multiple Facts Into the Same Sentence 23:24: Designing Your Book’s Cover 28:17: Trusting Yourself and the Process Resources Mentioned During this Episode: INTERVIEW: Amy Fish, Author of One In Six Million Honeymoon Sneakers by Amy Fish How to Navigate the Business of Writing and Publishing: Expert Advice from Jane Friedman Amy’s Bio: Amy Fish is the author of One in Six Million: The Baby by the Roadside and the Man Who Retraced a Holocaust Survivor's Lost Identity and I Wanted Fries with That: How to Ask for What You Want and Get What You Need . She specializes in humor writing and memoir and teaches writing workshops at the Quebec Writing Federation, Hippocamp Conference for Creative Non-Fiction and her local library. Amy's work has been published in Writer's Digest , Canadian Traveler , haikuniverse micropoetry journal , among others. Connect with Amy: Website: www.amyfishwrites.com Social Media: @amyfishwrites Substack: https://persistenceforwriters.substack.com/ Connect with your host, Lisa: Get Your Free Copy of Write More, Fret Less Website | Instagram | YouTube | Facebook | LinkedIn Produced by Espresso Podcast Production…

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Building a Writing Career Without Social Media: Amelia Hruby on Creative Independence 53:11

24 days ago53:11

53:11

Send us a text When was the last time you examined your relationship to social media? During this week’s episode, I speak with Amelia Hruby, host of the Off the Grid podcast, a show that helps business owners and creatives leave social media without losing customers or readers. Discover what led her to leave Instagram, how her post-Instagram life has changed, and how tips from her Leaving Social Media Toolkit can enhance your author platform regardless of your relationship to social media. Plus, you’ll learn some easy, actionable SEO tips that will quickly make you more discoverable. Episode Highlights 3:13: Considering Your Relationship with Social Media 5:10: Tips for Getting Off Social Media 10:25: The Importance of Your Website’s SEO 16:11: Marketing as Worldbuilding and Understanding Your Reader 19:20: The Yin and Yang of Leaving Social Media 31:46: Visibility versus Being Seen 40:00: Marketing a Book Without Social Media Resources Mentioned During this Episode: Amelia’s Toolkit for Leaving Social Media How Recovery Supports Memoir Writing and Book Marketing Tips with Laura Cathcart Robbins Glennon Doyle’s Social Media Plan with Amelia Hruby The Art of Thriving Online by Amelia Knott How to Cultivate Creative Resilience with Pascale Coté Amelia’s Bio: Amelia Hruby is a feminist writer, podcaster and producer with a PhD in philosophy. She is the founder of Softer Sounds, a feminist podcast studio for entrepreneurs and creatives. And she’s the host of Off the Grid , a podcast about leaving social media without losing all your clients. On the show, she interviews business leaders and former influencers, and shares stories, strategies and experiments for growing your business with radical generosity and energetic sovereignty. Connect with Amelia: https://www.ameliahruby.com/ https://offthegrid.fun/ https://www.softersounds.studio/ Connect with your host, Lisa: Get Your Free Copy of Write More, Fret Less Website | Instagram | YouTube | Facebook | LinkedIn Produced by Espresso Podcast Production…

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Deep Memoir Writing: 3 Stages of Transformation Every Writer Should Know with Jennifer Selig 43:34

4 weeks ago43:34

43:34

Send us a text In today’s episode, join me and Jennifer Selig as we explore how memoir writing can be a powerful tool for healing and self-discovery. Learn how Jennifer’s unique blend of depth psychology and storytelling offers a fresh perspective on the writing process, and find out how her alchemical stages of change and equations for transformation can help you navigate the emotional terrain of your memoir. Episode Highlights 4:30: Depth Psychology and the Writing Cure 12:15: Understanding Archetypes 17:28: The Three Stages of Transformation 25:30 The Four Equations of Transformation 29:00 The Issue of Catharsis 34:00 The Power of Attention Resources for this Episode: “' Nobody Sees a Flower, Really, It Is So Small': Extolling the Ethic of Attention ” by Jennifer Leigh Selig “ A Question of Catharsis ” by Debra Gwartney Jennifer’s Bio: Jennifer Leigh Selig is an LBGTQ+ teacher, international speaker, book publisher, and author whose writing and teaching career spans four decades. She’s the author of dozens of newspaper articles, book reviews, essays, journal articles, short stories, screenplays, and books, including the Nautilus Gold award-winning book Deep Creativity: Seven Ways to Spark Your Creative Spirit , and her latest book, Deep Memoir: An Archetypal Approach to Deepen Your Story and Broaden Its Appea l. Connect with Jennifer: Website: www.jenniferleighselig.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jennifer.selig.1 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenniferselig/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferleighselig/ Connect with your host, Lisa: Get Your Free Copy of Write More, Fret Less Website | Instagram | YouTube | Facebook | LinkedIn Produced by Espresso Podcast Production…

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Finding Your Form: Kelly McMasters on Writing Memoir in Essays and Emotional Truth 46:00

5 weeks ago46:00

46:00

Send us a text What happens when a story won’t stay linear—when your life fractures in ways that defy neat beginnings, middles, and ends? In this episode of Writing Your Resilience , I sit down with essayist, professor, and former bookshop owner Kelly McMasters, author of The Leaving Season: A Memoir-in-Essays . From leaving marriages to landscapes, identities to illusions, Kelly’s memoir is a brilliant meditation on grief, desire, and the elastic form of the essay itself. We talk about what it means to write honestly into complexity—how a false childhood memory cracked open the heart of a story, why the essay form became her truest vehicle, and the questions that shape her work long after the final line is written. Episode Highlights 2:40: Essays versus Straight Forward Narratives 9:39: The Power of Three Scenes 16:45: Weaving Themes Into Your Essay Collection 22:09: Navigating Flashbacks 27:13: Getting to the Truth 36:00 Caring for Your Shame Resources Mentioned During this Episode: What Squirrels Taught Me About Life After Divorce In Cold Blood by Truman Capote Michael Foucault’s Theory of Heterotopia The Truth About Unringing Phones by Lara Lillibridge Turn Your Short Pieces Into a Finished Nonfiction Book by Lara Lillibridge The Biggest Memoir Mistake: When Too Much Backstory Derails Your Narrative Kelly’s Bio: Kelly McMasters is an essayist, professor, mother, and former bookshop owner. She is the author of the The Leaving Season: A Memoir-in-Essays (WW Norton) and co-editor of the ABA national bestseller Wanting: Women Writing About Desire (Catapult). Her books have been featured on NPR’s All Things Considered , award-winning podcasts including The Sh*t No One Tells You About Writing , and CSPAN’s Book TV in an episode on Myths of the American Dream Her essays, reviews, and articles have appeared in The Atlantic , Literary Hub , The New York Times , Oprah Daily , The Rumpus , and Virginia Quarterly Review , among others. She currently runs The Magpie Substack and teaches at Hofstra University in New York. Connect with Kelly: Website: https://www.kellymcmasters.com/ Instagram: @kelly_mc_masters Substack: https://kellymcmasters.substack.com/ Connect with your host, Lisa: Get Your Free Copy of Write More, Fret Less Website | Instagram | YouTube | Facebook | LinkedIn Produced by Espresso Podcast Production…

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Embracing Your Weirdness: Allison Landa on Self-Acceptance and Social Stigma 50:58

6 weeks ago50:58

50:58

Send us a text What makes you weird? Is it something that fills you with pride or something you try to hide, a secret you’re constantly working to cover up? In today’s episode, I’m beyond excited to sit down with the brilliant author, Allison Landa, whose memoir Bearded Lady takes us on a raw and transformative journey of self-acceptance, societal judgment, and the complex relationship we have with both our inner and outer weirdness. Whether you’re a writer or simply someone who wants to connect with a compelling story of resilience and identity, this conversation will inspire and resonate with you. Episode Highlights 1:00: The Challenges of Being Weird 3:17: How Weirdness Both Unites and Separates Us 5:11: Owning Your Story 9:36: Overworking Your Story Dough 11:45: The Shame of Being Seen and Not Seen 17:50: Building Rounded Characters 23:22: Navigating Time in Memoir 29:48: How Writing Changes Your Point of View 32:50: Dealing with Reader Responses 38:58: Building Your Resilience Resources for this Episode: Cold Crematorium: Reporting from the Land of Auschwitz by Deckle Edge The Fact of a Body by Alex Marzano Lesnevich “ The Biggest Memoir Mistake: When Too Much Backstory Derails Your Narrative ” by Lisa Cooper Ellison “ 3 Ways to Experiment with Memoir Structure to Improve Your Narrative Arc ” by Lisa Cooper Ellison Allison’s Bio: Allison Landa is the author of Bearded Lady , an exploration of what makes you feel weird in the world. Her work has been featured in Business Insider , Parents Magazine , HuffPost , The Guardian US , and The Washington Post , among other venues. She has been awarded artist residencies at MacDowell, WordSpace, Writers Colony at Dairy Hollow. Connect Facebook: @matzohbrei Instagram: @adlanda Threads: @ adlanda Website: www.allisonlanda.com Personal Blog: www.allisonlanda.blogspot.com Connect with your host, Lisa: Get Your Free Copy of Write More, Fret Less Website | Instagram | YouTube | Facebook | LinkedIn Produced by Espresso Podcast Production…

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Writing Through Collapse: Eiren Caffall on Illness, Climate, and Finding Your Memoir's Form 49:34

7 weeks ago49:34

49:34

Send us a text How do you tell a story of resistance that invites others in? Through the power of your metaphors—something today’s guest, Eiren Caffall has truly mastered. During today’s conversation, we explore how chronic illness and a love for nature shaped Eiren’s memoir The Mourner’s Bestiary , what it means two books in tandem (and release them just months apart), and how crafting metaphor-rich, layered narratives can become both an act of resistance and devotion. It’s time to grab your pen, open your heart, and get ready to learn how collaboration can enhance your writing and how a single essay can become the hinge that holds an entire book together. Episode Highlights 4:45: The Power of Juxtaposition 7:50: Metaphor as a Vehicle for Change 15:30: Structuring a Circular Story 20:33: Writing as a Collaborative Process 24:08: Teaching Patience 30:07 Red Tides and Amazing Editors Resources for this Episode: Short Film: Becoming Ocean “ Red Tides ” by Eiren Caffall Meander, Spiral, Explode: Design and Pattern in Narrative by Jane Allison Silent Spring by Rachel Carson 3 Ways to Experiment with Memoir Structure to Improve Your Narrative Arc by Lisa Cooper Ellison INTERVIEW: Eiren Caffall, Author of The Mourner’s Bestiary by Amy Eaton Eiren’s Bio: EIREN CAFFALL is a writer and musician. Her work on loss, oceans, and extinction has appeared in Orion , Writer’s Digest , Guernica , The Los Angeles Review of Books , Literary Hub , Al Jazeera , The Rumpus , and the anthology E lementals: Volume IV. Fire , (The Center for Humans and Nature, 2024). She received a 2023 Whiting Creative Nonfiction Grant, a Social Justice News Nexus fellowship, and residencies at the Banff Centre, Millay Colony, Hedgebrook, and Ragdale. Her books include her memoir The Mourner’s Bestiary (Row House Publishing, 2024) and her novel All the Water in the World (St. Martin’s Press, 2025). Connect with Eiren Website: www.eirencaffall.com Instagram: @eirencaffall Blue Sky: @eirencaffall.bsky.social Connect with your host, Lisa: Get Your Free Copy of Write More, Fret Less Website | Instagram | YouTube | Facebook | LinkedIn Produced by Espresso Podcast Production…

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How to Protect Your Writing Time, Energy, and Creative Worth with Carolyn Fallert 32:07

8 weeks ago32:07

32:07

Send us a text Have you ever felt like your creativity isn’t enough or that your artistic endeavors are secondary to everything on your to-do list? Have you tried all the strategies only to find yourself struggling with this yet again? Join me and my client, Carolyn Fallert, as we explore the impact of familial and cultural socializations and how strategies aren’t enough. You need to understand yourself. Get ready to discover the importance of understanding your unique operating system and how it should determine the strategies you use. Episode Highlights 1:40 The Number One Trick for Getting Unstuck 6:40 Protecting Time and Your Creative Energy 7:31 Understanding Your Nature 17:20 Overcoming Your Conditioning 22:50 Identifying Your Why Resources for this Episode: We Need Your Art by Amie McNee What is Human Design? What are the nine Enneagram types? The True Meaning of Success and the Multiple Paths to Publishing Your Book with Courtney Maum The Art of Intimacy: Crafting Connections in Memoir and Essay with Lilly Dancyger Carolyn’s Bio: Carolyn Fallert is a writer with over four years of dedicated study and practice in creative nonfiction. In 2024, Kenyon Review selected Carolyn for their Residential Writers' Workshop. Her first published essay in Spank the Carp received the highest reader vote for its issue. Before her writing career, Carolyn consulted for Fortune 500 companies and the Gates Foundation. She has an MBA from Harvard Business School and an MPA-ID (Master of Public Administration in International Development) from Harvard Kennedy School. Carolyn is writing a memoir about learning self-defense as a survivor of sexual assault. Connect with Carolyn Instagram: @carolynfallert Substack: https://yourpowers.substack.com/ Connect with your host, Lisa: Get Your Free Copy of Write More, Fret Less Website | Instagram | YouTube | Facebook | LinkedIn Produced by Espresso Podcast Production…

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How to Navigate the Business of Writing and Publishing: Expert Advice from Jane Friedman 37:39

9 weeks ago37:39

37:39

Send us a text Writers, if you've ever wondered how to navigate the ever-changing world of writing and publishing, then you are in for a treat. Jane Friedman, who has spent nearly 25 years in the book publishing industry is here today to talk about the second edition of her groundbreaking book, “The Business of Being a Writer.” Join us as we explore the most important part of the business of being a writer: the mindset writers need to cultivate to build a viable writing career. Get ready to learn the secrets to handling rejection, thinking not just about a book, but about your writing career, and Jane's number one tool for creating sustainability over the long haul. Episode Highlights: 2:20: The Benefits of Seeing Writing as a Business 4:30: Writing a Second Edition 6:50: Writing with Foresight 11:54: Jane’s Evolving Mindset 16:20: Mindset Considerations 24:36: Navigating Setbacks 30:15 The Power of Boundaries Resources Mentioned During this Episode: Write is a Verb by Bill O’Hanlon The Art of Possibility by Rosamund Stone Zander and Benjamin Zander My Latest Rejection Story by Jane Friedman The Attention Economy Substack Writing with Hunger: Mindset, Goals, and The Publishing Shift Jane’s Bio: Jane Friedman has spent nearly 25 years working in the book publishing industry, with a focus on author education and trend reporting. Her latest book is THE BUSINESS OF BEING A WRITER, SECOND EDITION (The University of Chicago Press), which received a starred review from Library Journal. In addition to serving on grant panels for the National Endowment for the Arts and the Creative Work Fund, she works with organizations such as The Authors Guild to bring transparency to the business of publishing. Connect with Jane: https://janefriedman.com https://youtube.com/@janefriedman https://linkedin.com/in/janefriedman Connect with your host, Lisa: Get Your Free Copy of Write More, Fret Less Website | Instagram | YouTube | Facebook | LinkedIn Produced by Espresso Podcast Production…

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The Art of Intimacy: Crafting Connection in Memoir and Essay with Lilly Dancyger 43:51

10 weeks ago43:51

43:51

Send us a text Join me and editor extraordinaire Lilly Dancyger as we discuss her latest book, First Love , an intimate, electric collection of essays on friendship, identity, and what it means to grow into yourself in community. During our conversation, Lilly shares her sharp insights on the craft of memoir, why she bristles at the idea of writing as catharsis, and how she pushes back against the dead girl trope by keeping her cousin Sabina fully alive on the page. If you’ve ever wondered how to turn memory into art without falling into the trap of polishing your pain, this one’s for you. Episode Highlights 3:36: The Problem of Connecting Memoir with Catharsis 10:12: Essays as a Space for Play and Variation 13:04: Showing Intimacy on the Page 21:12: Zooming In and Zooming Out 27:00: Pushing Against the Dead Girl Trope 33:44: Strategies for Cleansing Your Creative Palette Resources for this Episode: Canceling My Book Deal Was the Best Career Move I’ve Ever Made ” by Lilly Dancyger “ Why Your Memoir Won’t Sell ” by Jane Friedman More Than True Crime with Sarah Perry Lilly’s Bio: Lilly Dancyger is the author of First Love: Essays on Friendship , and Negative Space . Her work has been published by The New York Times , The Atlantic , The Washington Post, Playboy , and Rolling Stone , among others, and she writes the Substack newsletter The Word Cave . Dancyger lives in New York City, and teaches creative nonfiction in the MFA programs at Columbia University and Randolph College. Connect with Lilly: Website: https://www.lillydancyger.com/ Substack: https://substack.com/@lillydancyger Blue Sky: @lillydancyger.bsky.social Instagram: @lillydancyger on Instagram Connect with your host, Lisa: Get Your Free Copy of Write More, Fret Less Website | Instagram | YouTube | Facebook | LinkedIn Produced by Espresso Podcast Production…

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Writing with Purpose: How to Understand Your Audience and Create Compelling Content with Krystal Proffitt 43:24

11 weeks ago43:24

43:24

Send us a text Whether we like it or not, writers are content creators. And one of the biggest struggles I watch writers face is understanding their audience—what they want, what they need, and how to authentically engage with them. In this episode, podcast coach, content strategist, and host of the award-winning The Proffitt Podcast, Krystal Proffitt shares valuable insights on how writers can navigate this challenge and build meaningful relationships with their readers. If you're a writer looking to expand your platform and reach, this episode is for you. Let’s dive in! Episode Highlights 2:22: Maintaining An Attitude of Gratitude During Busy Seasons 4:08: Building Authentic Audience Engagement 6:32: Humor Is Your Secret Weapon 8:05: Tailoring Your Content to Your Platform 13:32: The Magic of Taking Readers Behind the Scenes 15:09 The Power of Audience Surveys 20:32: How Asking Closed Questions Gets Better Results 27:35: Building Your Launch Squad Resources Mentioned During this Episode: Start a Binge Worthy Podcast: A Step-By-Step Guide to Creating a Podcast Your Audience Craves by Krystal Proffitt How to Survey Your Audience for Feedback Content Ideas Audience Engagement and Feedback on Your Content Podcasters Connect Embracing the Full Catastrophe: Writing About Loss and Finding Belonging with Casey Mulligan Walsh The Caregiver Cup with Cathy VandenHuevel Krystal’s Bio: Krystal Proffitt is a Podcast Coach, Content Strategist, and host of the award-winning show The Proffitt Podcast . She specializes in helping content creators create with confidence. Having published over 1,450 podcast episodes, she knows what it takes to keep creating year after year. Krystal teaches content strategy, repurposing, branding, and marketing through her podcast, digital courses, and YouTube channel dedicated to content creation. She has also appeared as a Content Expert for brands like Podcast Movement, Buzzsprout, Ramsey Solutions, Amy Porterfield, and Streamyard. Connect with Krystal: Website: https://krystalproffitt.com/ Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/krystalproffitttx/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@KrystalProffitt/ Connect with your host, Lisa: Get Your Free Copy of Write More, Fret Less Website | Instagram | YouTube | Facebook | LinkedIn Produced by Espresso Podcast Production…

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Are Trauma Triggers Ruining Your Writing Life? Here's What to Do 24:53

12 weeks ago24:53

24:53

Send us a text If you’ve ever sat down to write about a tough experience, only to find yourself avoiding the page, feeling emotionally wrecked, or questioning whether you should even be writing this story—you are not alone. Writing about trauma can be healing, but it can also trigger us in ways we don’t expect. Today, we’re going to unpack this. We’ll talk about what trauma triggers really are, how they show up on the page and inside us , and—most importantly—what you can do to navigate them so your writing process supports your well-being rather than working against it. Episode Highlights 4:30: Trauma Triggers 6:16: Types of Triggers 9:08: What Triggers Look Like On the Page 12:24: Trauma Triage and Self-Care 15:43: Two Powerful Journal Prompts 19:17: How Choices Empower You Resources for this Episode: HuffPost Essay on Emotional Flashbacks Get Your Copy of Write More, Fret Less Watch my Building a Resilient Writing Practice Series Jacob Nordby Episode: The Creative Cure for Writers Jessica Buchanan Episode: From Captivity to Clarity Seeking Wisdom by Julia Cameron Lisa’s Bio: Lisa is a writer, speaker, trauma-informed writing coach, and host of the Writing Your Resilience podcast. Her writing and work live at the intersection of healing and creativity, and she combines her experiences with Complex PTSD and suicide with her clinical training and storytelling expertise to help writers tell stories that transform lives, especially their own. Her work has been featured in Risk! , The New York Times , HuffPost , and Kenyon Review Online , among others. Connect with your host, Lisa: Get Your Free Copy of Write More, Fret Less Website | Instagram | YouTube | Facebook | LinkedIn Produced by Espresso Podcast Production…

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The Power of Words: Samman Akbarzada on Finding Her Voice After Fleeing Afghanistan 43:29

13 weeks ago43:29

43:29

Send us a text Imagine working tirelessly for years to publish your first novel—only to have the moment of celebration collide with the collapse of your country. Imagine being forced to flee, leaving behind everything you’ve ever known, and yet… still finding your voice through poetry, storytelling, and advocacy. Today, I have the honor of speaking with Samman Akbarzada—a poet, novelist, refugee, and fierce advocate for human rights. Her novel, Life is a Movie , tells the story of a working child in Afghanistan, while her poetry collection, A Glimmer in the Dark , captures the heartbreak of exile and the enduring hope of survival. Join us as we discuss the power of storytelling, the resilience of the human spirit, and how writing can bear witness to both personal and collective grief. Episode Highlights 2:04: Publishing in a War Zone 9:43: The Impact of Crisis and Loss on Our Writing Lives 17:31: Giving a Voice to Someone Who’s Gone 21:35: How Helping Others Empowers You 28:50: Listening to the Howl 32:48 Writing as an Act of Service 35:20: Samman’s Best Writing Advice Resources for this Episode: Afghan refugees head to Washington asking special visas be issued for families Afghan refugee pleads for resettlement support on Capitol Hill Volunteer Information: https://www.volunteermatch.org/ Volunteer Organizations in Charlottesville: https://soundjusticelab.org/cville-tulips https://www.charlottesvilleunited.org/ https://www.virginiaequitycenter.org/ Watch the Trailer for Limbo Samman’s Bio: Samman Akbarzada is an Afghan refugee and the author of two books: A Glimmer in the Dark , her poetry collection, and Life is a Movie , her debut novel. A second-year student at the University of Virginia, she is committed to working with NGOs and advocating for the rights of underserved communities. Her words capture the suffering, heartbreak, gratitude, and redemption that mark a life lived on the blade of conflict, with love and empathy as her constant guiding light. Connect with Samman Author Website: https://www.amazon.com/author/samman-akbarzada Instagram.com/sammanwrites LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samman-akbarzada-9359792a0 Samman’s books on Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/p/books/life-is-a-movie-samman-akbarzada/17408199?ean=9780620941297&next=t&next=t Connect with your host, Lisa: Get Your Free Copy of Write More, Fret Less Website | Instagram | YouTube | Facebook | LinkedIn Produced by Espresso Podcast Production…

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The Creative Cure for Writers: Trauma-Informed Approaches for Memoir and Embracing Your Creativity with Jacob Nordby 40:57

14 weeks ago40:57