There's no getting around it: over time, we change. As the world shifts and as you change with it, you might find that your creativity is what grounds you to yourself and what connects you to others too. This episode, Ally sits down with singer and songwriter Audrey Assad. She ask her about creativity as healing, her journey with writing, and her evolution as a creative person. The conversation touches on her fundamentalist background, what actually helps her write (this will surprise you), and ...
Feb 25, 2021•44 min
Do you feel like you're living in an unstable world? (We sure do!) Today's guest, poet and a creative coach Mark McGuinness, outlines how we can find stability and assurance in our own creativity. Listen to this conversation to learn: how to use the unpredictability we live in to our advantage what to do instead of picking up your phone why to "forget the career ladder" what falling in love with your writing does for you as a person Find Mark on the internet in these places: Mark's website Mark'...
Feb 18, 2021•43 min
Mothers notoriously have no time in the day and no grace for themselves. Bunmi Laditan, writer and mother living in Quebec, Canada, does it differently. On today's episode, she shares about what a writing practice has meant for her, as a mother. She calls writing her nonjudgmental friend and encourages all writers (and mothers) that they are not alone. Bunmi and Ally have a heartfelt conversation about motherhood, the writing life, and what it means to know we are not alone. bunmiladitan.com Blo...
Feb 11, 2021•52 min
In the face of collective, systemic problems—where does one start? Poet, entrepreneur, tech hybrid investor John Lee Gaston White has a suggestion: start with yourself. John is working on a book on what it’s like to be Black in America and how trauma is passed down through generations. Recorded on the day of the insurrection at the US Capitol, Ally and John discuss what "finding your voice" means in light of current events....
Feb 04, 2021•37 min•Ep. 66
Sometimes we get what we want in life ... and it's not what we imagined. Despite the fact that there were a lot of glamorous elements to her work in Hollywood, Alex Hudgens found herself feeling more and more distant from her true self the longer she worked in television—unsure of the difference between what she truly wanted versus what she was told she should want—until finally she couldn’t stand it anymore. Alex is an actress, a writer, a badass business woman, an advocate for mental health, a...
Jan 28, 2021•45 min•Ep. 65
Do you feel like you matter? Like—really matter? If you do feel like you matter, how do you know? Today’s guest is a man who argues that one way to know that we matter—really know—is to do a thing that we tell you to do all the time: it’s to write . But not just write. It’s to have a daily practice of creativity (like writing) that brings you back to this conclusion everyday: I matter. My words matter. Dr. Eric Maisel, the author of over 50 books, renowned coach to creatives, a columnist for Psy...
Jan 21, 2021•41 min•Ep. 64
Most people go their whole lives without ever actually saying what's on their hearts. Yet we all have something we want to say. What's getting in our way? It's launch week for Allison Fallon's book, The Power of Writing It Down : a Simple Habit to Unlock Your Brain and Reimagine Your Life. Listen as we interview our very own author, Allison Fallon, on what this book means to her. thepowerofwritingitdown.com Looking for more? Listen to our episode Is Everyone Really a Writer?...
Jan 14, 2021•41 min•Ep. 63
In this final episode of our special podcast series called The Power of Writing it Down , I talk with my friend and someone you probably have heard about — her name is Ruthie Lindsey. This episode is the perfect capstone to what we’ve been talking about… Why writing is so hard but powerful How writing can act like therapy and reframe our experiences — even traumatic ones How writing has a tangible impact on our lives — and can make us feel more empowered Who gets to be a writer and how they actu...
Jan 07, 2021•48 min•Ep. 62
Maybe you want to write — but life gets in the way. You’re busy, you’re tired. You don’t have a cabin in the woods. How do all of these people actually get writing done? This is the fifth episode of a special series that’s all about the power of a writing process to create positive change in your personal life. We’re covering topics like why writing can be so challenging, what’s happening in your brain when you write, why writing is therapeutic, what it costs us when voices are silenced, and wha...
Dec 31, 2020•24 min•Ep. 61
Who gets to be a writer? It’s a question so many people ask themselves. On today’s episode, I chat with some voices you’ll recognize, including Science Mike and therapist Elyse Snipes as well as a new voice: Rafik Wahbi, whose program with hip hop writing helped men in jail feel a sense of empowerment over their own stories. We talk about the voices we’ve silenced and the importance of diversifying the content we consume. If you have ever felt like your story isn’t represented in books and artic...
Dec 24, 2020•33 min•Ep. 60
If your life was a movie, what kind of story would it be? Do you ever wish you could... pick a new story? (hint: you can!) This week you’ll hear, again, from therapist Elyse Snipes and also from singer and songwriter Audrey Assad. You’ll get a sense of how writing about your own personal story might help you to reframe it and feel like the hero of your life — rather than just like things happen to you without meaning or purpose. This is the third episode of a special series that’s all about the ...
Dec 17, 2020•30 min•Ep. 59
The big secret about writing is: it doesn’t actually have to be that hard. It’s really simple to tap into the therapeutic aspects of writing. This week you’ll hear from our favorite experts, Journal Therapist Deborah Ross and the infamous Science Mike, and I’ll introduce you to therapist Elyse Snipes, who will walk us through the Cognitive Behavioral Model. You’ll get a sense of how easy it is to change your life: just write it down. This is the second episode of a special series that’s all abou...
Dec 10, 2020•29 min•Ep. 58
If I’m really a writer, why is writing so hard for me? Most people are shocked to find that writing is not only hard for them, it’s hard for anyone and everyone who has ever tried to write—even those people who are very gifted at their craft. In this episode, we hear from: Psychotherapist and Journal Therapist Deborah Ross, author of the book Your Brain on Ink: A Workbook on Neuroplasticity and the Journal Ladder a nd the infamous Science Mike on what happens in our brain as we write—and why it'...
Dec 03, 2020•30 min•Ep. 57
You know how sometimes no matter how hard you try to write, you just can’t seem to get any words on the page? Hello 2020 . Today, poet, writer, two-time author and writing coach Nicole Gulotta shares why that can sometimes be a good thing, how inspiration ebbs and flows, and how in learning to be more present with our writing we do eventually get more writing done. Wild Words: Rituals, Routines, and Rhythms for Braving the Writer’s Path Eat This Poem: A Literary Feast of Recipes Inspired by Poet...
Nov 26, 2020•42 min•Ep. 56
Do you consider yourself a confident person? If not, what's getting in your way? Not only has Hilary Billings interviewed some of the biggest celebrities out there on the red carpet, she's been in the spotlight herself as Miss Nevada. Hilary is a self proclaimed recovering perfectionist, and, on this episode, she shares her journey from inadequacy to confidence. Hint: "fake it until you make it" isn't the answer. @Hilary_Billings hilarybillings.com...
Nov 19, 2020•51 min•Ep. 55
The chaos of 2020 can make us feel like our lives are going off track. But what if the frustrating detours of life weren't detours at all? Christine Owenell is the woman behind Alchemy of Chaos: a group program experience for leaders, a podcast and a book. While Christine has structured business deals for millionaires (and hung out with Richard Branson on his private island), her genuine spirit brings that same kindness, attention and honesty to everyone she meets. This episode dives into how we...
Nov 12, 2020•44 min•Ep. 54
No matter who you are, it's sometimes difficult to access your intuition. Kim Chestney, author, creative business incubator, and intuition expert, joins us on this episode to dive into what intuition is, what keeps us from trusting ourselves, and how to use intuition to fuel a creative life. Order a copy of her new book to learn more: Radical Intuition: A Revolutionary Guide to Using Your Inner Power kimchestney.com IG @Kim.Chestney...
Nov 05, 2020•42 min•Ep. 53
What happens when the story we've been working towards takes a sharp turn? What do we do when, despite our best attempts to prepare, difficult and painful moments come our way anyways? What do we do when we think to ourselves, "This is not how this story was supposed to go"? In today's episode, Ally tells the story of her daughter's birth. To put it lightly, nothing went as planned. Ally shares how she used writing to re-understand the pain, trauma, and beauty of her birth experience....
Oct 29, 2020•52 min•Ep. 52
Why are some people happier and more successful than others? And is there anything we can do to move ourselves from here (discontent, striving, always looking for the next thing) to there? Tim Schurrer, COO of StoryBrand and author of an upcoming book on success, says yes. Listen in to hear the mindset change which can make all the difference for you: in your personal life and in your career. Instagram: @timschurrer businessmadesimple.com...
Oct 22, 2020•38 min•Ep. 51
So often are we wonder, "Did I do it the 'right way'?" But what if, instead, we asked ourselves, "Did I feel empowered by that experience?" Brittany Ross is a voice on marriage, motherhood, baseball, and anti-trafficking. She's a writer and client of Find Your Voice. Her journey is one which makes us pause, reflect, and ask ourselves new questions. mission108.com instagram.com/britt_ross108...
Oct 15, 2020•44 min•Ep. 50
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 demystifies what it means to write professionally and encourages all writers to fall in love with the process. Preorder: ...
Oct 08, 2020•40 min•Ep. 49
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 this episode, Hassouri shares her wisdom on identity, healing, motherhood, and our own capacity to evo...
Oct 01, 2020•43 min•Ep. 48
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 of leading a growing business. Then COVID hit, and he lost over a million dollars in business overni...
Sep 24, 2020•49 min•Ep. 47
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 her book-writing journey, how it changed her, and where that path has led. impossible-beauty.com...
Sep 17, 2020•38 min•Ep. 46
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 publishing path, and what it takes to heal. robimbeault.com Book: Before I Leave You: a Memoir on Suicid...
Sep 10, 2020•42 min•Ep. 45
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 marriage, a mortgage. But when she had panic attack at work, it was wake-up call that she was ignoring th...
Sep 03, 2020•42 min•Ep. 44
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 America, and, eventually, a publisher. Whether on stage or on a yard sign, Amy has built her life on the b...
Aug 27, 2020•49 min•Ep. 43
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. Recorded in the first month of the 2020 pandemic, Tozzi and Fallon also discuss how we can intentionally b...
Aug 20, 2020•54 min•Ep. 42
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, and what it’s like to be a first time author securing a book deal. Through it all, Taylor insists, we’re the...
Aug 13, 2020•43 min•Ep. 41
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 integrated and holistic way to move through the world How to tap into the rich data that our body offers for ...
Aug 06, 2020•47 min•Ep. 40
