Heart of the Story

225 Want to see your words in print but don't know where to begin? Or maybe the rejections are racking up and you don't know why. The world of publishing can feel illusive at best and cutthroat at worst, but once you know the unspoken rules, you can get published in no time. Learn how Nadine has gotten her writing in top mags and how she's helped hundreds of writers get published in places like Th...

224 If you want to feel more vibrant and inspired, this encore conversation is for you. Artist and retreat leader, Flora Bowley, joins Nadine for a conversation about their favorite creative practices and Flora's book, The Art of Aliveness. Join Nadine at her Revision Retreat on Madeline Island Aug 24-28, 2026. About Nadine: Nadine Kenney Johnstone is an award-winning author, podcast host, and wri...

223 As we prep for the holidays and turn our attention to food, we're revisiting our chat w/ cookbook author, registered dietician, and culinary school grad Nisha Melvani. Covered in this episode: -how living in many places (Jamaica, England, Canada, NY) has impacted her cooking -how food affects our bodies -how to eat more plants even if you're not vegan -how to welcome a career change even while...

222 Nadine is taking a semi-sabbatical this year to study, try new things, & travel, and she's sharing her adventures with you in a podcast series that airs monthly throughout the year. In this 10th episode, she shares the highlights, challenges, and takeaways from October, which was a month of trying new things and being in community. She shares her recent experiences at a retreat in upstate...

221 In this hilarious episode, bestselling author Catherine Newman discusses the beauty and torture of parenting and perimenopause. They discuss the balance of humor and fear in Catherine's latest novels, Sandwich and Wreck, in which Catherine gets real about the complexities of everything from family vacations to "reproductive mayhem." Catherine shares her writing process and the personal experie...

220 Writer’s block. How do we overcome it? Nadine shares the 8 tried and true ways to not only break the block, but avoid it altogether. Hear the wisdom she’s gained from her decades of professional writing, magazine editing, university teaching, and manuscript coaching. Here are the links for her 2025/2026 workshops and retreats: Writer Workout Membership  (virtual): Every Monday, Doors Clos...

219 Nadine is taking a semi-sabbatical this year to study, try new things, & travel, and she's sharing her adventures with you in a podcast series that airs monthly throughout the year. In this 9th episode, she shares the highlights, challenges, and takeaways from September, which was a month of giving and receiving help. She shares her personal experiences and reflections on the importance of...

218 To celebrate Sari's 60th bday, we're bringing back this beloved chat, and listeners access to the full-length conversation! Oldster magazine creator, Sari Botton, joins Nadine to talk about the highlights and hardships of “traveling through time in a human body at every phase of life.” As a collector of stories, Sari also shares what she has learned about aging and new beginnings from others....

217 Bestselling author Jen Hatmaker joins Nadine to discuss her latest book, Awake, which recounts the shocking loss of her 26-yr marriage. Jen reveals all the things she was ignoring (her finances, her codependent behaviors, even her own knowing) and the steps she took to reclaim her agency. She confesses why this book has cost her more sleep than her 13 other books, what it's like to write the w...

216 To celebrate Dr. Hillary McBride's latest book, Holy Hurt: Understanding and Healing from Spiritual Trauma , we're bringing back this beloved conversation about how to hold ourselves when we are hurting. Why does it hurt so badly when things don't go as we'd hoped? How do we hold ourselves when we're in great pain? How do we talk to others so that we can reestablish loving connections when the...

215 In this encore episode with bestselling author, Emily P. Freeman, we discuss how to decide whether to stay in or leave a space (a job, friendship, community, home, relationship, etc.) While no one else can choose for us, there are key questions that help us decide from an aligned space. That's why Emily P Freeman's latest book, How to Walk into a Room (which immediately landed on the bestselle...

214 In this encore episode, Nadine shares her guest appearance on the Living Centered podcast where she talked about tapping into your innate wisdom through journaling your story. This vulnerable, powerful conversation was one of Nadine's favorite podcast chats as a guest. She also gets practical and shares accessible journal prompts that changed her life and the lives of her workshop and retreat...

213 Nadine is taking a semi-sabbatical this year to study, try new things, & travel, and she's sharing her adventures with you in a podcast series that will air monthly throughout the year. In this 8th episode, she shares the highlights, challenges, and takeaways from August, which was a month of transitions. Here are the links for her 2025/2026 workshops and retreats: Publish the Personal &nb...

212 In this encore episode, Nadine chats with literary legend Abigail Thomas about the interesting turns her life has taken, how she accesses hard stories, and her unique approach to structure. In this vulnerable interview, Abby shares painful moments and how she's come to embrace acceptance. In this conversation that covers an array of heartfelt topics, Abby also shares the hilarious thing she do...

211 In this encore episode, Nadine shares her guest appearance on the Radically Loved podcast, where she talks about the power of writing in your healing journey. About Nadine: Nadine Kenney Johnstone is an award-winning author, podcast host, and writing coach. After fifteen years as a writing professor, she founded WriteWELL workshops and retreats for women writers. She interviews today’s top fem...

206 Nadine is taking a semi-sabbatical this year to study, try new things, & travel, and she's sharing her adventures with you in a podcast series that will air monthly throughout the year. In this 7th episode, she shares the highlights, challenges, and takeaways from July, which was a month of contrasts. Covered in this episode: An update on her ongoing areas of study: creativity, perimenopau...

209 In Part 2 of this encore series, Nadine talks to Daring to Tell host, Michelle Redo, about the life-changing impact that journaling has had on her, and she shares an excerpt of her latest book, Come Home to Your Heart. About Nadine: Nadine Kenney Johnstone is an award-winning author, podcast host, and writing coach. After fifteen years as a writing professor, she founded WriteWELL workshops an...

208 In Part 1 of this 2-part encore series, Nadine talks to Daring to Tell host, Michelle Redo, about the life-changing impact that journaling has had on her, and how it led her to create her own guided journal. Stay tuned for part 2 of their conversation next week, when Nadine shares a sneak peek excerpt of her new book, Come Home to Your Heart. About Nadine: Nadine Kenney Johnstone is an award-w...

207 This encore episode from when Nadine was a guest on the And So She Left podcast is about perfectionism, pivoting, and persistence. Nadine Kenney Johnstone has always surrounded herself with words. As a child in the Southside of Chicago, Nadine found herself nose-deep in countless books, drawing strength and understanding from the narratives within. Her local library was where her passion for l...

206 On this encore episode, Nadine was a guest on The Branding Business School Podcast. Here's the description from the TBBS podcast page: This enlightening conversation with the extraordinary Nadine Kenney Johnstone, takes you on a journey through her life's narrative, from overcoming academic hurdles to flourishing as an award-winning author and holistic writing coach. Listen in as Nadine unpack...

205 Nadine is taking a semi-sabbatical this year to study, try new things, & travel, and she's sharing her adventures with you in a podcast series that will air monthly throughout the year. In this 6th episode, she shares the highlights, challenges, and takeaways from her June area of interest: roadtripping. Covered in this episode: Why she traveled 2000 miles in 3 weeks Where she went and who...

204 To celebrate Nadine's July masterclass with literary consultant, April Eberhardt, we're bringing back this conversation with April. (find out more information at nadinekenneyjohnstone.com/classes ) Nadine talks with her about the rapidly changing world of publishing and new doors of hybrid and self publishing women writers have for how to get their work in front of readers. About April: April...

203 in this special Father’s Day episode, Nadine chats w/ My Father’s List author, Laura Carney, about the profound journey she went on to complete all the items on her late father’s bucket list. In this vulnerable conversation, the two share what they’ve learned about themselves and their fathers in the wake of their passing and the powerful messages their fathers have shared with them. A must li...

202 Nadine is taking a semi-sabbatical this year to study, try new things, & travel, and she's sharing her adventures with you in a podcast series that will air monthly throughout the year. In this 5th episode, she shares the highlights, challenges, and takeaways from her May areas of interest: acknowledging our growth and celebrating in a way that feels deeply meaningful. Covered in this epis...

201 To celebrate Nadine's June 18 masterclass with author Peg Conway called "Inviting Yourself Back to the Page" we're bringing back Peg's episode about memoir writing and self compassion. Registration for the class will be live on June 3 at nadinekenneyjohnstone.com/classes . About the episode: Nadine talks with memoirist Peg Conway about her book, The Art of Reassembly: A Memoir of Early Motherl...