54 episodes
Wild Words Nicole Gulotta
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- Arts
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5.0 • 13 Ratings
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The Wild Words Podcast helps writers embrace the season they’re in, create at their own pace, and care for their minds and bodies along the way. With conversations covering self-doubt to social media, host Nicole Gulotta (author of WILD WORDS and EAT THIS POEM) offers gentle encouragement for introverted or sensitive writers looking for a little support in an overstimulating world.
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53. Let's Plan a Writing Retreat!
If you’re ready to give yourself the gift of space, time, and rest, this episode is for you. I’m sharing the highs and lows of a recent writing retreat I took with a friend, plus lots of takeaways to help you plan your own DIY getaway.
Episode Highlights
Why even one night away is always worth it (and how to make the most of a short trip)
Thinking through the when, where, and how—logistics are covered
The pros and cons of solo vs. group retreats
The value of meal planning (including my favorite sparkling water and a tip for when you return home)
Seeing the momentum before and after a retreat as adding to the overall experience
How to capture retreat magic at home
Linkable Mentions
Substack Newsletter: Diary of a Writing Retreat
Episode 52: Micro-Shifts to Prioritize Writing
What to bring on a writing retreat (Edan Lepucki)
Aura Bora sparkling water
Vacation Anticipation Can Boost Happiness (Well+Good)
Let’s Connect
Visit my website: nicolemgulotta.com
Sign up for my encouraging Substack newsletter
Curl up with one of my books: WILD WORDS and EAT THIS POEM
Say hi on Instagram: @nicolegulotta.author -
52. Micro-Shifts to Prioritize Writing
Writing in the margins isn’t just the actual time captured, it’s also the belief that these micro-moments add up to something. In Part 1 of our liminal space series, we discussed the “sacred pause,” Part 2 covered how to approach liminal seasons as a vacation from writing, and today we explore re-entry. What happens after we’ve moved through a pause, a break, or liminal season but also find the same schedules and demands waiting for us?
Conversation Starters
“Big shifts are harder to achieve and make sustainable long-term, so pick one, maybe two things to start with and see what happens when you prioritize your writing again with both your energy AND your time.”
Episode Highlights
How I moved through creative liminal space in 2023
Experiments to reconnect to your writing practice
Why writing magazines can help you feel connected
What’s happened since making micro-shifts to prioritize writing
Let’s Connect
Visit my website: nicolemgulotta.com
Sign up for my encouraging Substack newsletter
Curl up with one of my books: WILD WORDS and EAT THIS POEM
Say hi on Instagram: @nicolegulotta.author -
51. How to Take a Vacation from Writing
After spending three weeks away from home this winter (more on why in the episode), it got me thinking about how we spend time off from our writing routines, and how to approach it when we do. This episode is full of real-time insights on preparing for a break, including suggestions for mindfully setting expectations and cultivating curiosity along the way.
Episode Highlights
What *not* to do when you’re preparing for a break or vacation
How to set realistic expectations
6 things to try when you’re out of your regular writing routine
My biggest takeaways from three weeks away from home
Let’s Connect
Visit my website: nicolemgulotta.com
Sign up for my encouraging Substack newsletter
Curl up with one of my books: WILD WORDS and EAT THIS POEM -
50. “Make Space, Not Time” and Other Insights from the Sacred Pause
In a world driven by doing, pausing can feel lazy, inaccessible, and scary. Most of us know that rest is important, but often find ourselves caught between what our bodies are telling us and the cultural expectations we’re pushing up against. It’s a lot to navigate, and takes time to soften into. In Part 1 of a 3-part series on liminal space and creative pauses, hear the wisdom from three writers who have approached this in different ways, plus a handful of practical suggestions for embracing this energy in daily life.
Conversation Starters
“I had intentionally brought no distractions: no email, no books, no articles to read, no doing-things, no podcasts, no small or big work tasks, no lists, no organizing intentions, nothing. That was it. It sounds easy. It wasn’t.” —author Molly Caro May on her recent sabbatical
Episode Highlights
3 authors on how pausing has impacted their creativity
Reflections from book burnout, starting a brand new book, and planned sabbaticals
The attachment between worth and productivity
Practical suggestions for embracing the pause in daily life
Linkable Mentions
The Pause and Creating Conditions (Molly Caro May)
“Body Full of Stars: Female Rage and the Passage Into Motherhood” by Molly Caro May
How I Start a New Book (Katherine May)
Episode 34: The Necessity of Winter with Rebecca Magee
Episode 40: Searching for White Space
Episode 41: The Discomfort of White Space
Let’s Connect
Visit my website: nicolemgulotta.com
Sign up for my encouraging Substack newsletter
Curl up with one of my books: WILD WORDS and EAT THIS POEM -
49. Seasonal Reflection Ritual: Spring 2024
Welcome to a new season of Wild Words! I’ve recently completed my seasonal reflection ritual, and am sharing my process to support your writing practice too. We’re covering what came up in winter, the books I’m looking forward to reading, what my writing life looks right now, plus a few podcast updates.
Episode Highlights
How a reflection ritual supports your writing practice
Why wintering doesn’t always mean not writing
The books I’m excited to read this spring
8 questions to ask yourself as you head into a new season
Linkable Mentions
You Are Here: Poetry in the Natural World by Ada Limón
Rooted Kitchen: Seasonal Recipes, Stories, and Ways to Connect to the Natural World by Ashley Rodriguez
Around our Table: Wholesome Recipes to Feed Your Family and Friends by Sara Forte
Nora Goes Off Script by Annabel Monaghan
Summer Romance by Annabel Monaghan
The Opt-Out Family: How to Give Your Kids What Technology Can't by Erin Loechner
Let’s Connect
Visit my website: nicolemgulotta.com
Sign up for my encouraging Substack newsletter
Curl up with one of my books: WILD WORDS and EAT THIS POEM
Say hi on Instagram: @nicolegulotta.author -
48. 6 Ways to Soothe Your Nervous System
Learning what makes your brain and body feel supported and safe is an act of self-love. With a spirit of experimentation, this episode offers a variety of ways to soothe your nervous system, tune in to what feels good, and prioritize rest on a daily basis.
Episode Highlights
Why experimentation is a key to understanding your nervous system
The easiest type of breathwork to try
Which types of books are the most relaxing to read
Why rewatching old sitcoms can help your body integrate
A pitch for touching trees
The essential oils I can’t live without
Linkable Mentions
The Book of Lymph by Lisa Levitt Gainsley
Your Brain on Art by by Susan Magsamen and Ivy Ross
Episode 29: How the Nervous System Impacts Your Writing Life
Reading reduces stress by 68 percent
Rocky Mountain Oils Counting Sheep blend
Can Stimulating the Vagus Nerve Improve Mental Health?
Essential oils study
Science-backed reasons you like rewatching TV shows
Let’s Connect
Sign up for my encouraging newsletter (including Wild Words podcast updates!)
Website: nicolemgulotta.com
Instagram: @nicolegulotta.author
Customer Reviews
A writer’s friend
Nicole’s podcast has the same feel as her newsletter: a chat between writerly friends. She had me at Eat This Poem.
Gentle encouragement and wisdom
I love the Wild Words podcast and the ways Nicole offers wisdom and encouragement for all the ways of being a writer in the world. She always offers good ideas for my writer’s mind, body, and spirit. Her book, Wild Words, is a great companion for the podcast too. I keep it on my writing desk and dip into it often to help get me started.
Gentle Encouragement
Love the Wild Words podcast for Nicole’s human-centered, self-care approach to writing practice. I look forward to her calming reminders and interesting tips.
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