The Writers' Haven Podcast

Thanks to ALL who joined us for our Writers On Writing live video on Wednesday, May 6, 2026. WRITING AS A LIFELINE: A conversation with Cali Bird and Christine Wolf. Subscribe to Writers' Haven by Christine Wolf on Substack Subscribe to Gentle Creative by Cali Bird on Substack Books by Cali Bird • Don't Give Up Your Day Job: Practical ways to lead a fulfilling life and still pay the mortgage • Tal...

Hi, I’m Christine Wolf. I’m a trauma-informed memoir coach certified in Mental Health First Aid response. In my work, I sit with people who are writing about the hardest chapters of their lives. And today, on National Fentanyl Awareness Day , I want to talk about a topic that comes up more than you might think. Here’s what you need to know. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid 100 times more potent than...

Hi hi! After a long day of working, instead of refilling my water bottle, I somehow decided to go LIVE on Substack, as one does in the midst of a regime change. The heart wants what it wants, and tonight, my heart clearly yearned for seven unscripted minutes of fidgeting in front of a camera, crying in front of your literary hero and various acquaintances and strangers, and fumbling desperately fo...

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LAST CALL for Submissions (by 9/30) We’re collecting 750-word essays for We Began Again: Collected Essays on Second Chances through 11:59pm Central time on Tuesday , September 30, 2025 . Hey, everyone! Hope you’re having a great start to your week. Friendly reminder that TOMORROW’s your last chance to submit a second chance story for the book I’m co-editing with Eric, called WE BEGAN AGAIN: Collec...

Upcoming Virtual Workshops Wednesday 12/3, 5:30-8:30pm Central https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1976497953585?aff=oddtdtcreator Friday 12/5, 10a-1pm Central https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1976499243443?aff=oddtdtcreator Past Workshops * Sunday, September 28 | 9a-12 PM Central VIRTUAL: ZOOM (Can’t make it? You’ll receive a link to the recording) Expressive Writing for Emotional Healing (3 hours) $100 (Pa...

Ahem. I almost didn’t post this video. I watched it and cringed. —Why didn’t I hold the camera higher?—Why didn’t I speak more concisely?—Why did I repeat myself in so many places? WHATEVER. This is me. And this is my authentic encouragement to you: Embrace the mess and keep going! We’ve GOT this. Writers' Haven by Christine Wolf is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support...

I’ve had the honor of knowing authors Steve and Sharon Fiffer for nearly two decades, and from DAY ONE, I’ve admired their writing wisdom and passion for building community. In this interview, we discuss (among other things)… …how Steve and Sharon Fiffer conceived the idea for STORIED STUFF , their brilliant new anthology of short stories about cherished objects …how they collaborate as co-editors...

In honor of Women’s History Month, I’m offering a free copy of my book, Politics, Partnerships, & Power: The Lives of Ralph E. and Marguerite Stitt Church . This book , co-written with Jay Pridmore, tells the story of hidden figure Marguerite Stitt Church , a remarkable woman from my hometown of Evanston, Illinois, who became one of the first 50 women in Congress. Marguerite Stitt Church was a Rep...

How it started… One night in my early 40s, I woke with a sudden, stabbing pain that tore through my face and ear. The pain was so unfamiliar that I went straight to the mirror, looking for signs of swelling… or a bruise… or even torn skin, but … nothing. The pain felt like an ice pick repeatedly stabbing my cheek, the back of my throat, and my ear. If I touched my skin, I felt like I was being ele...

Hey, everyone! I’m delighted to announce the winner of the September Writers’ Haven Monthly Giveaway: Sheila Kamuda! Congratulations! Congratulations! Congratulations! Congratulations! Every subscriber of Writers’ Haven by Christine Wolf is automatically entered in my monthly literary giveaway. Whether you’re a free or paid subscriber, you’ve got a chance of winning, so subscribe now, and good luc...

In March of 2022, I discovered through 23andme that I have an older half-sister I never knew existed. I was 53 years old when I made this discovery, and the news came out of the blue for both of us. We’ve spent the past year building and tending to our brand-new sisterhood, and it’s been an eye-opening, loving, and fascinating journey. When I first learned the news, I didn’t know where to turn, le...

I don’t know what the weather’s like for you today, but for me, the Chicago area’s been cool, cloudy, drizzly, and generally quiet. As someone who loves being out in the sun, things feel a bit somber today — though I appreciate the gentle raindrops on my windows and the peace that seems to fill the (practically) empty streets and sidewalks. I’ve been sitting here in my living room (where I usually...

During the pandemic, I received an invitation to appear as a guest on The Check Out Podcast . Host Jill Schacter envisioned the platform as a way to hear from different voices in the community, discussing our unique lives and describing all the ways our public library fits into them. Launched during the pandemic, Jill created a unique approach to bringing our city together. During the interview, J...

Hi there, and WELCOME to The Writers’ Haven Podcast . I’m Christine Wolf. It’s January 31st, 2022, and this is my very first podcast episode on Substack. Whether you’re a writer, a subscriber, or just curious about what this is, I’m really glad you’re here. And, as you can hear, so far, this podcast is little more than skin and bones. In time, that’ll change, and as I’ve learned through writing —...

Hi there. I’m Christine Wolf—trauma-informed memoir coach, developmental editor, former columnist, and lifelong believer in the healing power of telling the truth. If you’ve landed here, there’s a good chance you’re a writer… or someone who wants to write but isn’t sure where to start. Maybe you’ve lived through something profound—or painful—or just real —and you’ve got the urge to put it into wor...