Find Your Voice: How to Write When You're Not a Writer

So many of us write for ourselves, but we wonder, “Could this be my full time gig?” Author, TED speaker, blogger, and writing coach Hannah Brencher shares why (and how) she's made "writer" her professional title. She also reflects on her publishing experience: what she learned publishing her first book and all the ways she’s writing differently now.  Most importantly, Brencher demys...

What do you do when no one else seems to understand the story you’re living?  You write your story. And, in that process, you change yourself, your community, and make space for others who, like you, feel alone.  Paria Hassouri is a pediatrician, Iranian-American, and mother of three. Her book Found in Transition details her journey as a mother as her teenage transgender daughter transitioned. On...

Maybe some people just don’t find value in writing.  Or maybe not. Matthew Ford is not a writerly type. Founder and Executive Producer of an experiential marketing agency, he always had plenty to keep him busy with work and never felt the need to process through writing. But like many entrepreneurs, he felt locked in the exhaustion of a 80-hour work week and weighed down by the relentless pressure...

Melissa Johnson, therapist, spiritual director, writer and podcaster, believes that the American version of beauty is way too small, which is why she started Impossible Beauty: an avenue for women to redefine beauty. But Impossible Beauty would never have come into existence if Melissa did not have the courage to start writing her own story. Listen in as Melissa shares with complete transparency h...

After uncovering trauma from his childhood, Robert Imbeault was set on ending his own life. But first, he felt compelled to write a letter. What started as a “goodbye letter” to his family and friends ended up instead turning his perspective around--he was saved by the very words that were meant to be his last. On this episode, Robert reflects on the power of writing down one’s story, his own publ...

Melody Miles is an infectious disease expert. For years, she worked to end malaria with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. She “had it all” by most standards: a meaningful career, a marriage, a mortgage. But when she had panic attack at work, it was wake-up call that she was ignoring the most important person in her life—herself. She “had it all” by most standards: a meaningful career, a marri...

Ever said something like, “Other people are really good at this, and I shouldn’t be doing it because I am NOT.”  Amy Wolff, executive coach, hears this all the time about public speaking. At Find Your Voice, we hear it all the time about writing.  In this episode, Amy dives into how to speak and how, through three small words, she gained the attention of her neighbors, her state, Good Morning Amer...

Sometimes, it feels like we can’t escape from the life cycle that we’re living. No matter how much we try, we end up with the same relationships, life circumstances, or unhealthy patterns. As someone who has walked the road to recovery, writer, healer, and coach Sasha Tozzi shares her perspective on hypnotherapy and how we truly own the power to “re-program” what we believe about ourselves. Record...

Taylor Tippett is a flight attendant for American Airlines who started her writing journey through a project called "Words from the Window Seat." Now, she regularly writes travel guides on her website atravelinlady.com , and she’s currently working on a book. In a frank conversation with Allison Fallon, Taylor shares on her mental health journey, what words and writing have meant for her...

Your body might know more about you than you realize. Yoga instructor and Storybrand expert Koula Callahan describes the body as a library full of rich data on our experiences, thoughts, emotions—and the truth about our stories. This interview covers:  How our body can communicate to us the truth of how we’re feeling How a regular practice of movement—not even necessarily yoga—gives us an integrat...

Allison Trowbridge, author and entrepreneur, is a woman full of goals and ambition. She has written books, argued with senators about the severity of human trafficking, studied at Oxford, traveled the world, and now she’s starting a company. The running thread? Good company along the way. As she dives into what it takes to write a book or pursue any creative project, her main advice remains: “Do s...

Nicole Sachs LCSW, shares about her story of healing from chronic pain, how she helps clients through JournalSpeak, and what traditional medical practices completely overlook when it comes to curing your body. thecureforchronicpain.com The Cure for Chronic Pain with Nicole Sachs Podcast youtube.com/channel twitter.com/YourTruthNow  

How can we, as writers, handle criticism (readers, trolls, and the inner critical voice)? Jonathan Merritt, award-winning contributor for The Atlantic , a contributing editor for The Week , and author of several critically-acclaimed books, has some thoughts on how to connect with an audience, how to connect with your own power as a writer, and how to deal with the voices of critics. Jonathan Merri...

What can we do when we feel “blocked” or “stuck”? Healer, writer and breathwork coach Jenna Reiss answers the question, “What is breathwork?” and dives into what to do when you feel unable to move forward—in our writing or in our lives. She’s also working on her first book, and she gets honest about her questions and fears as a first-time author with a book deal. jennareiss.com @jennamreiss

Amy is a radio host on the Bobby Bones’ show, a mom of two adopted Haitian kids, and an entrepreneur several times over. While she has made a career out of speaking every morning, it wasn’t until recently that she embraced her passions. In this episode, she traces her evolution from “Radio Amy” to “Amy Brown,” a woman proud of who she is and unabashed about the projects which speak to her heart. ...

Actress, singer, songwriter and entrepreneur Caitlin Crosby knows about creating something from scratch. But in the midst of responsibilities, projects, and the craziness of life, how do we find what’s important?  This conversation leads us down a path of the challenges of business ownership, balancing work and family, discovering what’s really important to you, and of course Caitlin’s journey to...

Writing holds up a mirror... and we don’t always like what we see.  In this episode, Hollywood producer and actor Alex Beh approaches the uncomfortable fact that writing reveals what’s inside—our biases, our addictions, and the ways we participate in objectifying systems. The good news? Writing doesn’t leave you there.  Part of finding your voice is learning to shut up, listen to others, receive f...

It wasn’t that long ago the internet didn’t exist. Now, more than ever, who you are feels connected to how you present yourself online. Which brings up the question: How does the “real” you compare to the brand of yourself you put online? If you’ve ever thought about how the internet is changing the way we view ourselves, pick up Jia Tolentino’s Trick Mirror: Reflections on Self-Delusion .

Ever wondered if you’re “too young” to write a book? (or too—anything! You fill in the blank!) At age 19, Lauren Kinney decided that the only “qualification” she needed was her own permission. With her first published book, Unshakeable: Overcoming Fear to Discover a Life of Freedom , out now, Kinney’s story shows us all that, if we’re making excuses not to write, we’re getting in our own way. Laur...

Speaker and storytelling coach Mike Pacchione ( miketalks.co ) addresses the obstacles of “being yourself”—in life, on the stage, and on the page. While covering distinctions and similarities between speaking and writing, Mike provides practical steps for how to calm anxiety and how to design an engaging (and authentic) speech. Mentioned:  Why Not Me by Mindy Kaling Is Everyone Hanging Out Without...

Leslie Marmon Silko’s book Ceremony not only displays the depth of creativity in Indigenous literature, it invites us all into a journey of reconciling ourselves, our past, and our future with the people around us. Listen to hear how this book impacted one reader's life, and then order a copy for yourself!

If you’ve ever wondered if full-time, successful writers struggle with self-doubt or procrastination—or if they've ever wished they could take back what they printed—Kirsten Powers has your answer. Kirsten is a bestselling author, a columnist, and political analyst. She writes for USA today and is an on-air political analyst for CNN. In this episode, she talks about finding her voice, writing...

Kim Gravel is surrounded by hustle. She’s a TV personality, QVC host, hugely successful entrepreneur, business badass who built a multimillion dollar industry from scratch, beauty queen and pageant winner including a former Miss Georgia (one of the youngest Miss Georgia’s on record).  But she’s also learned that finding your purpose is not in the hustle.  Listen for insight on how to achieve your...

In Just Mercy , Bryan Stevenson eloquently displays how unjust our criminal justice system is. Read his book to face the real stories of the people on Death Row, what got them there, and what one man did to try for justice.  Book Review: Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson The Equal Justice Initiative: eji.org

This prompt is all about unpacking what we believe and why. Mary Oliver says it best in her poem "Angels." Join thousands of others, creating positive change in their lives through writing: get free writing prompts in your inbox, every Monday: findyourvoice.com/prompts