Heart of the Story Nadine Kenney Johnstone

156 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 recently featured in Good Grit Magazine. She also discusses the life event that prompted her to write the essay, and what she has learned in the years since that difficult period.
Covered in this episode:
The difficult spring of 2021 and how it impacted NadineWhy readers have resoundingly chose this essay as a favoriteThe words that changed her outlook on lossThe behind-the scenes- process of writing this essayThe wisdom she's gained since this traumatic timeWhat it was like revisiting this material 3 yrs later and what gave her hope and healing
About Nadine:
Download Nadine's mini-retreat reset for busy women here. This guided meditation creates calm and clarity so you can listen to the directions of your heart.
Nadine Kenney Johnstone is a holistic writing coach who helps women develop and publish their stories. Her infertility memoir, Of This Much I'm Sure, was named book of the year by the Chicago Writer's Association. Her articles and interviews have appeared in Cosmo, Authority, Good Grit, OnSite Journal, MindBodyGreen, HERE, Urban Wellness, Natural Awakenings, Chicago Magazine, and more. Nadine is the podcast host of Heart of the Story, where she shares stories from the heart as well as interviews with today’s most impactful female creatives. Pulling from her vast experience as a writing, meditation, and yoga nidra instructor, Nadine leads women’s workshops and retreats online and around the U.S.
Nadine has helped writers in her community develop and publish countless books and hundreds of essays in places like The New York Times, Vogue, the Washington Post, The Boston Globe, Longreads, and more.
Her new book, Come Home to Your Heart, is available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Bookshop.
Follow Nadine on Instagram @nadinekenneyjohnstone

155 As a champion of women writers and entrepreneurs, communications expert Heather Adams has helped launch over 100 NYTimes Bestsellers. Her special sauce is in helping women discern and embrace their unique offerings. If you want to share your story or biz with the world, but you're overwhelmed, self critical, or unclear, this episode is for you. Often we're just too close to our brand of magic to discover or embrace it.
Covered in this episode:
The childhood ritual that turned both Heather and Nadine into avid readersThe milestones and mistake Heather made in her professional journeyHow Heather learned to link arms with other women and why it's been so beneficialThe life-changing advice her husband gave her How to demand what we deserveHow Heather went out on her ownWhy we need to share our stories with the worldHow to discern and embrace your unique offeringsThe clarifying exercise that Heather encouraged Nadine to do in order to hone in on her professional values Why Heather created the Summit and why it's so different from other conferencesThe meditation and journaling workshop that Nadine is leading at the SummitWant to join Nadine at the Choice Media Summit in TN April 28-30? You can sign up here.Get on the waitlist for Nadine's upcoming workshops & retreats here.
About Heather:
Heather Adams is a wife, boy mom, communications expert, and CEO of Choice Media and Communications. It is her greatest passion and mission to link arms with other women as their champion and mentor, in life and in work. Whether you’re a young professional, a mama, an entrepreneur, or all of the above, Heather is here to share her hard-fought wisdom and cheer you on as you design and live a life you love.
https://www.choicemediacommunications.com/
IG: @choicemediacommunications
About Nadine:
Nadine Kenney Johnstone is a holistic writing coach who helps women develop and publish their stories. Her infertility memoir, Of This Much I'm Sure, was named book of the year by the Chicago Writer's Association. Her articles and interviews have appeared in Cosmo, Authority, Good Grit, OnSite Journal, MindBodyGreen, HERE, Urban Wellness, Natural Awakenings, Chicago Magazine, and more. Nadine is the podcast host of Heart of the Story, where she shares stories from the heart as well as interviews with today’s most impactful female creatives. Pulling from her vast experience as a writing, meditation, and yoga nidra instructor, Nadine leads women’s workshops and retreats online and around the U.S.
Nadine has helped writers in her community develop and publish countless books and hundreds of essays in places like The New York Times, Vogue, the Washington Post, The Boston Globe, Longreads, and more.
Her new book, Come Home to Your Heart, is available on a href="https://www.amazon.com/Come-Home-Your-Heart-Harnessing/dp/B0BVGVFJ61/ref=sr_1_2?qid=1677081262&refinements=p_27%3ANadine+Kenney+Johnstone&s=books&sr=1-2" rel="noopener noreferrer"...

154 So many of us want to live more intentionally, but our rote habits are only producing the same inauthentic results. Today's episode is a nudge to mix things up by making small and big changes to experience different outcomes and to live in more alignment. Nadine shares what recently inspired her to make some changes, what she has been doing differently, and what has resulted from it.
Covered in this episode:
Upon turning 40, Nadine realized something big was missing from her life.The silly things she's integrating into her calendarThe new movement and meditation practices Nadine has integrated into lifeThe feeling that gives a good hint that you're curious to try something newThe surprising TV show that has changed Nadine's perspective Why we need community or mentorshipThe books and podcasts that are inspiring Nadine Nadine's upcoming travelsWhat help Nadine has reached out for How to avoid avoiding Mentioned in the show:Amy PorterfieldRenee TrudeauSusan OubariEmily P Freeman - How to Walk into a RoomSara Avant Stover - Handbook for the HeartbrokenThe Branding Business School PodcastWant to join Nadine at the Choice Media Summit in TN April 28-30? You can sign up here.Get on the waitlist for Nadine's upcoming workshops & retreats here.
About Nadine:
Nadine Kenney Johnstone is a holistic writing coach who helps women develop and publish their stories. Her infertility memoir, Of This Much I'm Sure, was named book of the year by the Chicago Writer's Association. Her articles and interviews have appeared in Cosmo, Authority, Good Grit, OnSite Journal, MindBodyGreen, HERE, Urban Wellness, Natural Awakenings, Chicago Magazine, and more. Nadine is the podcast host of Heart of the Story, where she shares stories from the heart as well as interviews with today’s most impactful female creatives. Pulling from her vast experience as a writing, meditation, and yoga nidra instructor, Nadine leads women’s workshops and retreats online and around the U.S.
Nadine has helped writers in her community develop and publish countless books and hundreds of essays in places like The New York Times, Vogue, the Washington Post, The Boston Globe, Longreads, and more.
Her new book, Come Home to Your Heart, is available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Bookshop.
Download Nadine's mini-retreat reset for busy women a...

153 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 to help us write and tell our hard stories.
Covered in this episode:
The life changing impact that Writing Hard Stories had on NadineMelanie’s surprising experiences with renowned authors as she researched her bookThe benefits of writing a hard story How and why it gets easierWhat you discover when you’re writing hard stories and how it’s able to help you processThe phases we go throughout when telling hard stories What prompted Nadine to write and publish her hard storyThe 2 books Nadine reread while writing her memoirThe hard silence Melanie had to keep for almost 10 yrsThe long term impact of not being able to speak your truthWhat helps us stay centered while writing hard stories The guilty pleasure TV show that Melanie and Nadine both watch when they need to escape How it felt for Melanie and Nadine to have their vulnerable books be published What it was like for both writers to write about real life characters and what their family's reactions wereWhat narrative medicine is and how it’s changing health care Hear Melanie read a moving passage that gives anyone permission to share their hard story 
About Melanie:
IG: melaniejmbrookswriter
website: 
melaniebrooks.com
Melanie Brooks is the author of the memoir A Hard Silence: One daughter remaps family, grief, and faith when HIV/AIDS changes it all (Vine Leaves Press, 2023) and Writing Hard Stories: Celebrated Memoirists Who Shaped Art from Trauma (Beacon Press, 2017) She teaches creative nonfiction in the M.F.A. program at Bay Path University and in the M.F.A. program at Western Connecticut State University and professional writing at Northeastern University. She holds an M.F.A. in Creative Nonfiction from the University of Southern Maine’s Stonecoast writing program and a Certificate in Narrative Medicine from Columbia University. She has had numerous interviews and essays on topics ranging from loss and grief to parenting and aging published in the The Boston Globe, HuffPost, Yankee Magazine, Psychology Today, The Washington Post, Ms. Magazine, Creative Nonfiction, and other notable publications. She lives in New Hampshire with her husband, two children (when they are home from university), and chocolate Lab.
About Nadine:
Download Nadine's mini-retreat reset for busy women here. This guided meditation creates calm and clarity so you can listen to the directions of your heart.
Nadine Kenney Johnstone is a holistic writing coach who helps women develop and publish their stories. Her infertility memoir, Of This Much I'm Sure, was named book of the year by the Chicago Writer's Association. Her articles and interviews have appeared in Cosmo, Authority, Good Grit, OnSite Journal, MindBodyGreen, HERE, Urban Wellness, Natural Awakenings, Chicago Magazine, and more. Nadine is the podcast host of Heart of the Story, where she shares stories from the heart as well as interviews with today’s most impactful female creatives. Pulling from her vast experience as a writing, meditation, and yoga nidra instructor, Nadine leads women’s workshops and retreats online and around the...

152 At some point, each of us must 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 newest book, How to Walk into a Room (which immediately landed on the bestseller list), is the perfect guide for discerning the next step in your big decision.
Covered in this episode:
Emily and Nadine share personal stories of hard goodbyesThe scene from the book that gave Nadine permission to be human Why Emily’s editor urged her to have more self-compassionWhy we didn't choose wrong even if something didn't last foreverWhat to do when our investment in something makes it hard to say goodbyeHow to give ourselves grace in the midst of transition-shameWhat to do when we experience endings we didn't see comingHow to give ourselves closure when we haven't gotten it from someone elseEmily’s favorite 2-word mantra when we're in a seemingly long struggleWhat Emily knows for sure
About Emily:
Emily P. Freeman is the Wall Street Journal bestselling author of five books, including The Next Right Thing: A Simple, Soulful Practice for Making Life Decisions. As a spiritual director, workshop leader, and host of The Next Right Thing podcast (more than 25 million downloads), her most important work is to help create soul space and offer spiritual companionship and discernment for anyone struggling with decision fatigue. Emily holds a master’s degree in spiritual formation and leadership from Friends University. She lives in North Carolina with her family.
website: https://emilypfreeman.com/ 
IG: https://www.instagram.com/emilypfreeman/
About Nadine:
Download Nadine's mini-retreat reset for busy women here. This guided meditation creates calm and clarity so you can listen to the directions of your heart.
Nadine Kenney Johnstone is a holistic writing coach who helps women develop and publish their stories. Her infertility memoir, Of This Much I'm Sure, was named book of the year by the Chicago Writer's Association. Her articles and interviews have appeared in Cosmo, Authority, Good Grit, OnSite Journal, MindBodyGreen, HERE, Urban Wellness, Natural Awakenings, Chicago Magazine, and more. Nadine is the podcast host of Heart of the Story, where she shares stories from the heart as well as interviews with today’s most impactful female creatives. Pulling from her vast experience as a writing, meditation, and yoga nidra instructor, Nadine leads women’s workshops and retreats online and around the U.S.
Nadine has helped writers in her community develop and publish countless books and hundreds of essays in places like The New York Times, Vogue, the Washington Post, The Boston Globe, Longreads, and more.
Learn more about Nadine's 2024 classes here.
Her new book, Come Home to Your Heart, is available on a...

151 While Nadine usually hosts Heart of the Story, this week she got to be a guest on one of her favorite podcasts for female entrepreneurs: 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, ensuring that her insights resonate with everyone, from busy moms to dynamic entrepreneurs.
This episode is a treasure trove of inspiration, particularly for women seeking to harness the power of journaling and wellness to navigate the complexities of modern life. Nadine's transition from academia to creating her business, WriteWELL, is a testament to blending passion with profession. She shares her unique approach to teaching, integrating meditation and yoga with writing, and provides strategies for prioritizing self-care amidst the whirlwind of entrepreneurship and motherhood. Her story encourages you to explore your own creative outlets and the peace that can come from establishing routines that grounds you. 
Cap off this motivational experience by discovering how simplifying your life can lead to newfound clarity and focus. Nadine's personal anecdotes, including her minimalist living in an Airstream camper, offer a perspective on decluttering that extends beyond the physical space. She reveals how intentional living and strategic delegation in her business have opened doors to continuous growth and innovation. Moreover, Nadine and Victoria delve into the concept of a solo work retreat, illustrating how dedicated time for reflection can rejuvenate both your business and personal life, a practice that has been pivotal in the development of her latest project, a guided journal. So, sit back and let this episode inspire you to find your balance and clarity through writing and wellness.
Links mentioned in today's episode:
Visit Nadine’s Website
Follow Nadine on Instagram
Of This Much I’m Sure: A Memoir
Come Home to Your Heart: A Guided Journal
Heart of the Story Podcast 
For show notes, head to www.thebrandingbusinessschool.com/thepodcast/
Follow BrandWell on Instagram.
Follow The Branding Business School on Instagram.




About Nadine:
Her new book, Come Home to Your Heart, is available on Bookshop, Barnes & Noble, and Amazon.
Award-winning author Nadine Kenney Johnstone is a holistic writing coach who helps...