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PODCAST

Heart of the Story

Nadine Kenney Johnstone

Author and writing coach Nadine Kenney Johnstone shares interviews with today"s top women writers, including Jen Hatmaker, Catherine Newman, Maggie Smith, Molly Wizenberg, Abigail Thomas, Dr. Hillary McBride, Emily P. Freeman, Laura Tremaine, Sari Botton, Francesca Royster, Susan Piver, Jane Friedman, Mae Yoshikawa, and more. Nadine also shares her own stories of healing, hope, and following her heart.

education self-improvement

All Episodes

19:31

Looking Back 5 Years Later

Heart of the Story ·

2026/04/12

243 Five years ago, Nadine's father passed away at the age of 57. Nadine looks back on the spring of '21 and the years since, reflecting on all that has evolved. She explores important questions like: How to we go on in the wake of deep loss? How do we overcome the fear of our own mortality?In this deeply vulnerable episode, Nadine shares a personal essay that is an excerpt from her book, Come Home to Your Heart, and was featured in Good Grit Magazine. She also discusses the life event that prompted

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18:27

Finding Joy in Hidden Places

Heart of the Story ·

2026/04/05

242 Nadine revisits an Easter-themed essay she originally wrote in 2021 and reflects on what's changed in the 5 yrs since. She also shares the writing process behind the essay and gives some writing tips for how to express emotional depth in a narrative. Join Nadine, Molly Wizenberg, and Hallie Bateman in Spain from Oct 26-Nov 2 for Tiny True Stories and Sketches: A Micro-Memoir Retreat. Whether you’re a seasoned writer or just wanting to preserve impactful memories on the page, remember that every

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55:03

Taking a Grown-Up Gap Year w/ Nic Antoinette

Heart of the Story ·

2026/03/29

241Whatifagapyearwasn'tonlyreservedforhighschoolgradstryingtofindthemselves?Inthisencoreepisode,writer,hiker,andanti-capitalisttinybizowner,NicAntoinette,discussestheinspirationbehindtheirgrownupgapyear,andNadineopensupaboutthemomentofjealousythatledtoher"apprenticeyear."Thisisnotanew-year-new-you,live-your-best-lifeepisode.Instead,NicandNadinetalkopenlyabouthowtheyaretryingtoberealwiththeirplansandexpectations.Nicalsodiscussestheotherwaystheyhavecuratedavalues-alignedlifeandcareer.Inthisinspiringand

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31:24

Sometimes It's Just Hard

Heart of the Story ·

2026/03/22

240 Nadine gives a personal update by sharing her recently written essay, Sometimes It's Just Hard, in which she opens up about her upcoming move, the state of her marriage, and the past events that impact her present day choices. She shares a recent conversation with her husband that inspired the essay and the writerly techniques she used to craft it. If difficult moments have prevented you from feeling hopeful and assured, you're not alone. This episode is for you.Revision Retreat: Craft Your Best

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47:36

Midlife Freedom w/ Susanna Daniel

Heart of the Story ·

2026/03/15

239 Author Susanna Daniel joins Nadine to talk about her new novel Girlfriending—a deeply personal work of autofiction inspired by heartbreak, midlife reinvention, and the messy joy of dating again. Susanna shares how a breakup and a suggestion from a writer friend led her to begin writing from life for the first time.Together Nadine and Susanna explore the creative process behind autofiction, the complexities of writing about real people, and how courage in life often leads to courage on the page

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58:40

Living Life on Our Own Terms w/ Molly Wizenberg

Heart of the Story ·

2026/03/08

238 This encore chat w/ bestselling memoirist Molly Wizenberg covers it all: partnership, parenting, writing, teaching, navigating midlife, and taking brave action. At its heart though, it's a chat about following our desire, even when it disturbs the status quo.Join Nadine, Molly, and Hallie in Spain from Oct 26-Nov 2 for Tiny True Stories and Sketches: A Micro-Memoir Retreat (just a few spots left). Whether you’re a seasoned writer or just wanting to preserve impactful memories on the page,

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16:11

Date Night Gone Wrong

Heart of the Story ·

2026/03/01

237 Nadine shares an essay about a couple’s painting night that went awry and how she went about writing the piece. Join Nadine, Molly Wizenberg, and Hallie Bateman in Spain from Oct 26-Nov 2 for Tiny True Stories and Sketches: A Micro-Memoir Retreat. Whether you’re a seasoned writer or just wanting to preserve impactful memories on the page, remember that every story—no matter how small—is worth capturing.About Nadine:Nadine Kenney Johnstone is an award-winning author, podcast host, and writing

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01:04:48

Life-changing Creative Moments w/ Hallie Bateman &...

Heart of the Story ·

2026/02/22

236 What do we do when we face resistance in our creative practice? What small practices lead to the most profound shifts? How can we grow to love our projects again when we’ve become blocked or critical? These are just some of the questions that bestselling memoirist Molly Wizenberg, bestselling author/illustrator Hallie Bateman, and host Nadine Kenney Johnstone answer in this episode.Need a pattern interrupt to jumpstart your creative practice? Join Nadine, Molly, and Hallie in Spain from Oct

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31:03

How to Build a Creative Practice + Join Us in Spain!

Heart of the Story ·

2026/02/15

235 Creativity often feels elusive, especially when life gets busy. How can we prioritize our writing when there's not a minute to spare? In this episode, Nadine shares how you can harness the beauty of small moments through micro memoirs and sketches to enrich your creative journey. Need a pattern interrupt to jumpstart this creative practice? Join Nadine and bestselling authors Molly Wizenberg and Hallie Bateman in Spain from Oct 26-Nov 2 for Tiny True Stories and Sketches: A Micro-Memoir Retreat

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22:19

What Happened After Couples Therapy

Heart of the Story ·

2026/02/08

234 What happens when the opposite traits that attracted you to your partner become the very things that frustrate you?Nadine revisits an essay she first wrote in 2018 and originally shared on episode 3 in 2021—an essay about her husband and the moments that have exposed their differences, for better and for worse.Nadine also reflects on what it's like to listen back, now that her kindergartener is a middle schooler and her home address has changed from Chicago to Florida. Yet some things have

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22:14

How It Started, How It’s Going: 5 yrs of Podcasting

Heart of the Story ·

2026/02/01

Five years ago—amid the uncertainty of a global pandemic—Heart of the Story was born. In this special anniversary episode, Nadine reflects on the journey that began in isolation and grew into a deeply resonant creative practice and community.Looking back at the episode that started it all, Nadine explores how revisiting our own work can reveal surprising truths about growth, desire, and inner wisdom. She pulls back the curtain on what has changed in the last several years and what lessons she's

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33:46

I Went Silent for 5 Days: Lessons from a Mediation...

Heart of the Story ·

2026/01/25

232 Five days. No talking. No technology. Just awareness.Nadine shares her powerful experience from a five-day silent Vipassana retreat—and what emerged when there was nowhere left to escape. From boredom and resistance to unexpected joy, grief, and clarity, Nadine opens up about the emotional and spiritual breakthroughs that unfolded in stillness.She reflects on self-compassion, non-reactivity, and the freedom that comes from releasing expectations and the constant desire for things to be

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54:04

Becoming a Beginner Again: Lessons from My Sabbatical...

Heart of the Story ·

2026/01/18

What happens when you don’t fully step away — but you stop rushing forward?Nadine reflects on the key takeaways from her semi-sabbatical: a year of working part time, studying deeply, and intentionally becoming a beginner again. Instead of chasing output, she followed curiosity. Instead of mastering, she practiced.This episode explores what a slower, experimental year taught her about identity, learning, rest, and growth — and why becoming a beginner might be one of the most transformative choices

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01:59

Get ready for Nadine's Sabbatical year in review!

Heart of the Story ·

2026/01/11

On the next episode of Heart of the Story, Nadine shares takeaways and surprises from her Sabbatical Year, 2025. 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 female authors on her podcast, Heart of the Story. Her infertility memoir, Of This Much I'm Sure, was named book of the year by the Chicago Writer's

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02:29

Prioritize Your Writing in 2026!

Heart of the Story ·

2025/12/28

229 While the show is on a holiday break, catch up on any episodes you missed!Reclaim your writing time with the following offerings in 2026:Tiny True Stories, Micro Memoir workshop (virtual) Jan 15Publish the Personal (Virtual): Fridays Jan 23-Feb 27Revision Retreat: Craft Your Best Draft (In-person): Aug 2026, Madeline Island School of the Arts, WIAbout Nadine:Nadine Kenney Johnstone is an award-winning author, podcast host, and writing coach. After fifteen years as a writing professor, she

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01:07:26

Best Episodes of 2025

Heart of the Story ·

2025/12/21

228 In 2025, Nadine interviewed bestselling authors Catherine Newman, Jen Hatmaker, Molly Wizenberg, and more! Now, Nadine chats with her producer about their favorite podcast moments and which bits of guest wisdom impacted them the most. Learn how their personal and creative lives have changed as a result these impactful conversations.While the show is on a holiday break, catch up on any episodes you missed!About Nadine:Nadine Kenney Johnstone is an award-winning author, podcast host, and writing

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03:54

Sabbatical Adventures #11: Avoid Avoiding

Heart of the Story ·

2025/12/14

227 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 2025. In this 11th episode, she shares the highlights, challenges, and takeaways from November, which was a month of tackling things she's been avoiding. She breaks down the major reasons for avoidance and her strategies for taking baby steps towards the very things we ignore. Join Nadine in her next round of Publish the

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53:55

Start Small, Start Now - Realizing Your Dreams w/...

Heart of the Story ·

2025/12/07

226: How do you turn a daydream into a life? Tricia Leach has been doing exactly that for the past decade. What began as a bold leap into full-time RV living became a family adventure that took Trish, her husband, and their kids through all 50 states and beyond—stories they’ve shared with a worldwide following through their beloved YouTube channel, Keep Your Daydream.But the journey didn’t stop at the state lines. Along the way, Trish launched her own line of spice blends and published two cookbooks

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26:10

Top Tips for Getting Published

Heart of the Story ·

2025/11/23

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 The New York Times, Vogue, The Sun, Brevity, Boston Globe Connections, the Chicago Tribune, Hippocampus,

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44:51

The Art of Aliveness with Flora Bowley

Heart of the Story ·

2025/11/16

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 writing coach. After fifteen years as a writing professor, she founded WriteWELL workshops and retreats for

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148 results

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