Heart of the Story

40 Episodes
Subscribe

By: Nadine Kenney Johnstone

Author and holistic writing coach Nadine Kenney Johnstone shares interviews with today's top women writers about how to navigate life when things don't go according to plan. Guests include 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.

Writing through the Side Door with Abigail Thomas
#213
Today at 4:00 AM

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 Association. Her latest book, Come Home to Your Heart, is an essay collection and guided journal. She has been featured in Cosmo, Authority, MindBodyGreen, Natural Awakenings, Chicago Magazine, and more. She writes a weekly column ab...


Nadine on the Living Centered Podcast
#212
Today at 4:00 AM


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 Association. Her latest book, Come Home to Your Heart, is an essay collection and guided journal. She has been featured in Cosmo, Authority, MindBodyGreen, Natural Awakenings, Chicago Magazine, and more. She writes a...


Nadine on the Radically Loved Podcast
#211
08/10/2025

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 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 Association. Her latest book, Come Home to Yo...


Sabbatical Adventures #7: A Month of Contrasts
#210
08/03/2025

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, perimenopause, and environmental supportHow Nadine adjusts her writing rhythms in the summerNadine's week of day dates with her husband while their son was at campThe many new experiences Nadine embarked on Nadine's favorite...


Nadine on the Daring to Tell podcast - Pt 2
#209
07/27/2025

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 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 th...


Nadine on the Daring to Tell Podcast pt. 1
#208
07/20/2025

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-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...


Nadine on the And So She Left podcast
#207
07/13/2025

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 literature bloomed, where she learned to nurture relationships with her loved ones and make sense of her surroundings. Her resilience in overcoming hardships, including bouts of intense burnout and panic attacks, has been nothing short...


Realistic Wellness for Busy Women (NKJ on The Branding Business School Podcast)
#206
07/06/2025

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 unpacks the transformational role writing has played in her life, especially through the challenges of infertility leading to writing her empowering memoir, Of This Much I'm Sure. She also offers invaluable wellness advice for those constantly on the go...


Summer Roadtrip: Sabbatical Adventures #6
#205
06/29/2025

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 weeksWhere she went and who she visitedThe moments that made her emotional The 5 things that roadtripping does for your soul

*This is the sixth episode in a year-long series for paid subscribers.

Access for...


Join us on July 31 + Writing and Publishing w/ April Eberhardt
#204
06/22/2025

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 Eberhardt, a literary change agent and advocate, is passionate about helping authors be published in the most effective and satisfying way. After 25 years as a corporate strategist and management consultant, April joined the...


The Power of a Bucket List w/ Laura Carney
#203
06/15/2025

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 listen.

Covered in this episode:

How Laura lived our her father's dreamsThe surprising things on her father's bucket listThe healing power of writingHow activism can be born fro...


Sabbatical Adventures # 5 How to Really Celebrate
#202
06/08/2025

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 episode:

How to take imperfect actionWhy celebration is essential How to celebrate in a way that actually feels meaningfulWhat GROW meetings are and why they're so impactfulHow unstructured time can be a gift...


Join Us on June 18 + Memoir Writing w/ Peg Conway
#201
06/01/2025

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 Motherloss and Aftergrief.

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...


Celebrating 200 episodes + Jane Friedman's new book
#200
05/25/2025

200 To celebrate 200 episodes and to honor the publication of Jane's new book, we're bringing back this listener-favorite episode!

Writing guru Jane Friedman answers all your burning questions about the business of being a writer (which also happens to be the title of her latest book).

Covered in this episode:

-How the pandemic changed the publishing industry (for the better)

-How to have an honest outlook about getting published and still have hope

-How to give yourself yourself grace when you're burnt out

-Marketing approaches that actually work<...


Sabbatical Adventures #4: Untangling Codependence + Not Proving Your Relevance
#199
05/18/2025

199 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 4th episode, she shares the highlights, challenges, and takeaways from her April areas of interest: applying to residencies, untangling her codependent behaviors, and grappling with being enough when she's not trying to prove her relevance.

Covered in this episode:

Updates on her year-long projects like local food sourcing How HRT (hormone replacement therapy) has been goingWhy she's applying to writing residenciesWhat she's discovering...


The Mother of All Decisions w/ Betsy Armstrong
#198
05/11/2025

198 If you've ever felt crippled by loss and utterly uncertain about your next steps, this episode is for you. In her new book, The Mother of All Decisions, Betsy Armstrong navigates the impossible--the early death of her mother, the wrath of her stepfather, chronic pain, and a harrowing adoption journey--with the kind of steadfast resilience that gives us boundless hope. This conversation is no different. It will leave you thinking about the impact we have on each other and the powerful legacy you can create.

Covered in this episode:

The moments that led Betsy to consider...


Join Us on May 13 + Writing and Publishing w/ Melanie Brooks
#197
05/04/2025

197 To celebrate Melanie and Nadine's collaborative masterclass, Publishing Your Stories, on May 13, we're bringing back this chat with Melanie Brooks. If you can't make it live, you can still register and catch the replay.

---

Many of us have carried at least one hard story for years, suffering under the weight of secrecy and silence. But what if you didn't have to carry it anymore? What if writing or telling it could not only free you, but deepen your relationships with your loved ones? Melanie Brooks--author of Writing Hard Stories and A Hard Silence--is here...


Healing from Trauma w/ Dr. Hillary McBride
#196
04/27/2025

196 To celebrate the publication of 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 they've hurt us or we've hurt them? Psychologist and embodiment expert Dr. Hillary McBride answers all these questions and more in this profound conversation that offers deep...


Honoring National Infertility Awareness Week w/ Hillary Alberta Sherer
#195
04/20/2025

195 In honor of National Infertility Awareness Week, we're bringing back our conversation with the founder of Humanize Infertility, Hillary Alberta Sherer.

Whether you're experiencing infertility or want to support someone who is, you won't want to miss this profound conversation. In this episode, Nadine and Hillary discuss the emotional impact of infertility, how to support yourself or your loved one, the most important questions to ask when seeking treatment, and how best to self-advocate as a patient. This empowering and hopeful conversation reminds us all that we know our bodies best and have the right to advocate...


Sabbatical Adventures #3: Writing, Garbage Time, and HRT
#194
04/13/2025

194 Nadine is taking a semi-sabbatical this year to study, try new things, and travel, and she's sharing her adventures with you in a podcast series that will air multiple times throughout the year. In this 3rd episode, she shares the highlights, challenges, and takeaways from her March areas of interest: creative writing, garbage time, and perimenopause support.

Covered in this episode:

How Nadine developed a regular writing practiceWhat's inspiring her to stay dedicated to her writingThe surprising lessons from her recent trips to Illinois, Georgia, and South CarolinaWhat garbage time is and why it's so important...


Reclaiming Your Voice in Midlife w/ Tia Levings
#193
04/06/2025

193 Disruptor and author of a Well-Trained Wife, Tia Levings shares her journey of escaping a high-control religious environment and reclaiming her identity. Tia roots for women to recognize their worth and reclaim their voices, especially in the face of patriarchal systems. Tia walks us through her daily practices for nervous system regulation and how she got to her "grandma is a bestselling author" era.

Covered in this episode:

How patriarchy siphoned parts of her identityHow she was able to question the brainwashing and fight backThe role grief played in Tia's transformationWhy reclamation is a long but...


The Book Every Writer Needs w/ Maggie Smith
#192
03/30/2025

192 To celebrate the release of Maggie Smith's new guidebook for writers called Dear Writer: Pep Talks and Practical Advice for a Creative Life, we're bringing back this beloved chat with Maggie about writing, self-trust, and life in the ellipsis!

---

What do we do when the future we thought we’d have is wiped clean, and we're stuck in uncertainty? Bestselling author Maggie Smith joins us to talk about life in the in-between and how, even when we’re at a loss, we can still trust ourselves. She also explores the writerly decisions she made in h...


Join Us on Apr 15 + Navigating Mid-life Transitions w/ Sara Avant Stover
#191
03/23/2025

191 To celebrate Nadine + Sara's upcoming collaborative masterclass on April 15, we're bringing back this much-loved episode w/ Sara Avant Stover. Register for the class at https://www.nadinekenneyjohnstone.com/classes

If you've ever felt alone in your suffering and uncertainty, this episode is for you. Bestselling author Sara Avant Stover shares her own story of serial heartbreaks and the steps she took towards repair. Through IFS (Internal Family Systems) therapy, Sara discovered how to acknowledge, understand, and heal her parts.

Covered in this episode:

The midlife transition most of us go through Signs/stages of...


Awaken Your Wild Soul w/ Renee Trudeau
#190
03/16/2025

190 To celebrate Renee's April 25th women's retreat: Tending Your Wild Fire, we're brining back this fan favorite episode.

Award winning author and retreat leader Renee Trudeau joins Nadine to talk about the self discernment practices she does when she feels lost, why she walked away from a book deal, how her life has changed in the last 2 years, and why retreat is so important for women.

Renee and Nadine geek out on why they love leading & taking retreats.

Renee's Info:

Subscribe to Renee’s weekly Live Inside Out blog where she shares pers...


How to Understand Ourselves w/ Buddhist Teacher Susan Piver
#189
03/09/2025

189 To celebrate the release of Susan's new book, Inexplicable Joy, we're bringing back this fan-favorite episode!

Buddhist teacher and writer, Susan Piver, talks about the surprising path that landed her on Oprah and the NY Times bestseller list. She candidly opens up about the pitfalls of publishing that lead her to start her own press. Nadine and Susan share the secrets and support systems that help them as authors, and Susan explains the benefits of the Buddhist Enneagram as a tool for understanding ourselves and each other.

About Susan:

Susan Piver is a...


Sabbatical Adventures #2 - Reclaiming Agency
#188
03/02/2025

188 Nadine is taking a semi-sabbatical this year to study, try new things, and travel, and she's sharing her adventures with you in a podcast series that will air multiple times throughout the year. In this 2nd episode, she shares the highlights, challenges, and takeaways from her February areas of interest: creative writing, local food sourcing, and perimenopause support.

Covered in this episode:

Why Nadine chose to focus on these three topicsWhat's inspiring Nadine's writing lifeHow and why she's supporting local food growersWhat perimenopause symptoms she's noticing and what she's doing about themThe thought-provoking video that gave...


Getting Amazing Writing Residencies w/ Faith Adiele + Join Us on Mar 11
#187
02/23/2025

187 We're bringing back this encore episode to celebrate Faith and Nadine's March 11 masterclass: Applying to Residencies and Fellowships. Replay will be sent if you can't make it live.

Episode originally aired in June 2023.

Want to know how to fulfill your writing and traveling dreams (& receive full or partial funding)? Grab a notebook because this episode with travel memoirist Faith Adiele is FULL of helpful info and resources. In addition to chatting about Faith's memoir, her travel column, her 20+ residencies, and her fascinating experiences as Thailand's first Black Buddhist nun, we discuss:

-How to...


Sabbatical Adventures #1 - Lessons in Self Compassion
#186
02/16/2025

186 Nadine is taking a semi-sabbatical this year to study, try new things, and travel, and she's sharing her adventures with you in a podcast series that will air multiple times throughout the year. In this kick-off episode, she shares the highlights, challenges, and takeaways from her recent two-week trip to California to study conscious dance at Esalen and meditation at a 5-day, device-free, silent retreat.

Covered in this episode:

What conscious dance is and why Nadine wanted to study itThe surprising lesson she learned about self compassion via danceWhy dance has become so important for processing...


Raising Independent Kids w/ Emily Edlynn + Join us on Feb 27
#185
02/09/2025

185 We're bringing back this encore episode to celebrate Emily and Nadine's Feb 27 masterclass: Integrating Research into Writing. Replay will be sent if you can't make it live.

Episode originally aired in Summer 2024.

We want to protect our children but we can sense that our over protection is doing more damage than good. In this eye-opening conversation, parenting expert Emily Edlynn explains why controlling parenting is taking its toll on our kids, and how to make small changes that can make a big difference. This hopeful conversation will help you compassionately release control so that your...


Living Life on Our Own Terms w/ Molly Wizenberg
#184
02/02/2025

184 This 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.

About Molly's latest memoir, The Fixed Stars: "At age 36, while serving on a jury, author Molly Wizenberg found herself drawn to a female attorney. Married to a man for nearly a decade and mother to a toddler, Wizenberg tried to return to her life as she knew it, but she felt that something inside her had changed irrevocably. Instead...


Personal Highs and Lows: A Year in Review
#183
01/26/2025

183 In this candid episode, Nadine reviews the highlights and hardships from the past year. She shares the good, bad, and the complicated when it comes to navigating mid-life, parenting a middle-schooler, living in FL, having difficult conversations w/ loved ones, prioritizing fun, and everything in between.

Access for the full episode is available when you become a paid subscriber on Substack.

About Nadine:

Nadine Kenney Johnstone is a holistic writing coach who helps women develop and publish their stories. She is the proud founder of WriteWELL, an online community that helps women reclaim...


Join us on Jan 22! + From Seed to Story w/ Tamara Belinfanti
#182
01/19/2025

182 We're bringing back this encore episode to celebrate Tamara and Nadine's Jan 22 masterclass: Writing for Major Magazines. Replay will be sent if you can't make it live.

Episode originally aired in 2021: How does an idea become a book? How do you find the time to write in the midst of working and parenting? How do you overcome fear of what others will think of your writing? Nadine and Tamara talk about all these things and more in this inspiring interview!

About Tamara:

Tamara Belinfanti is a Jamaican writer whose work explores themes of...


Taking a Grown-Up Gap Year w/ Nic Antoinette
#181
01/12/2025

181 What if a gap year wasn't only reserved for high school grads trying to find themselves? Writer, hiker, and anti-capitalist tiny biz owner, Nic Antoinette, discusses the inspiration behind her 2025 grown up gap year, and Nadine opens up about the moment of jealousy that led to her "apprentice year." This is not a new-year-new-you, live-your-best-life episode. Instead, Nic and Nadine talk openly about how they are trying to be real with their plans and expectations for 2025. Nic also discusses the other ways she has curated a values-aligned life and career. In this inspiring and permission-granting conversation, you'll feel encouraged...


Best Show Moments of 2024
#180
12/22/2024

180 This was a big year for the show, as Nadine got to interview her writing idols, including Maggie Smith, Abigail Thomas, Dr. Hillary McBride, and more! In this episode, Nadine chats with her producer about their favorite podcast moments from 2024. Learn which life bits of guest wisdom impacted them the most and how their personal lives have changed as a result.

While the show is on a holiday break, catch up on any episodes you missed!

Episodes referenced:

179 Sari Botton

177 Sarah Fay

174 Hillary McBride

173 Patty McNair

<...


Life in the Contradictions w/ Sari Botton
#179
12/15/2024

179 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. Ultimately, Nadine and Sari explore how to embrace life’s contradictions and feel less alone in the process. If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Am I the only one who feels this way?” this episode is for you!

Covered in this episode:

-What inspired Sari to start Oldster magazine

-What S...


2024 Highs & Lows
#178
12/08/2024

178 In this candid episode, Nadine discusses her creative and professional successes and struggles of the past year.

Join Nadine & Sarah Fay on Dec 10, 10-12:30 CST for a collaborative masterclass, Knowing Your “Why”: Set Up Your Substack to Grow. Replay sent if you miss. If you'd like automatic access to all of Nadine's monthly masterclasses, as well as her weekly writer workouts for women, you can join her Writer Workout PLUS Membership.

About Nadine:

Nadine Kenney Johnstone is a holistic writing coach who helps women develop and publish their stories. She is the proud foun...


How Writers Are Reclaiming Control on Substack w/ Sarah Fay
#177
12/01/2024

177 In this empowering conversation, Nadine chats with Substack Growth Strategist, Sarah Fay, about the transformative power of Substack for writers. They share their writing journeys, the challenges of book launching, and why they’ve both turned to Substack to take back control of their writing careers. They discuss Substack’s infinite benefits, including monetization, longer book launches, and even book serialization. Writers who’ve felt discouraged by traditional publishing gatekeepers will love this dynamic, writer-centric approach that allows for greater creative freedom and connection with their beloved readers.

Covered in this episode:

What Substack is & how it’s e...


When the Unexpected Happens + Holiday Sale Through Dec 2
#176
11/24/2024

176 In this mini-sode, Nadine talks about her doozy of a week and the things that brought her comfort. She also announces 2 big holidays sales, happening now through Dec 2!

20% Discount on her Substack Annual Membership: Moving forward, Nadine's personal essays, reading and watching recommendations, tales of her 2025 adventures, and certain full length Hearth of the Story interviews will be reserved for paid Substack subscribers only. That’s why now through Dec 2, you get 20% off your Substack annual subscription. (Only $48 for the year!)

SALE on her Writer Workout Membership: If you’d like to take a class with...


Prioritizing Ourselves in Busy Seasons + Nadine's Plans for 2025
#175
11/17/2024

175 If your calendar keeps filling up, but your own needs are neglected, this episode is for you. Nadine shares the 5 ways she's prioritizing enjoyment, rest, and self-connection, especially as the holidays approach. She also shares a sneak peek for her 2025 plans, personally and professionally.

2 Sales now through Dec 2:

20% Discount on my Substack Annual Membership: Moving forward, my personal essays, reading and watching recommendations, tales of my 2025 adventures, and certain full length Hearth of the Story interviews will be reserved for paid Substack subscribers only. That’s why now through Dec 2, you get 20% off your Substack an...


How to Hold Ourselves When We're Hurting w/ Dr. Hillary McBride
#174
11/10/2024

174 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 they've hurt us or we've hurt them? Psychologist and embodiment expert Dr. Hillary McBride answers all these questions and more in this profound conversation that offers deep solace to anyone who's hurting.

Covered in this episode:

Transitions that Hillary and Nadine are currently navigatingWhat's bringing them delight Why there is a deep grief when our plans don't play outHow...