Writing Your Resilience: Building Resilience, Embracing Trauma and Healing Through Writing

Lisa Cooper Ellison
  • 4.9 (74)
  • Education
  • Updated Weekly

The Writing Your Resilience Podcast is for anyone who wants to use the writing process to flip the script on the stories they’ve been telling themselves, because when we tell better stories about ourselves, we live better lives.  Every Thursday, host Lisa Cooper Ellison, an author, speaker, trauma-informed writing coach, and trauma survivor diagnosed with complex PTSD, interviews writers of tough, true stories, people who've developed incredible grit, and professionals in the field of psychology and healing who've studied resilience. Over the past 7 years Lisa has taught writers how to write their resilience. Each time her clients and students have confronted the stories that no longer serve them, they’ve felt a little safer, become a little braver, and revealed more of their true selves. Now, with this podcast, she is creating a space for you to do this work too.  Equal parts instruction, motivation, and helpful guide, Writing Your Resilience is an opportunity for you to join a community of writers and professionals doing the work that helps us cultivate our authenticity and creativity.  More about Lisa Cooper Ellison: https://lisacooperellison.com Get Your Free Ditch Your Inner Critic masterclass—your shortcut to a confident, S.H.I.F.T.ed mindset: https://lisacooperellison.com/subscribe/

  1. 2d ago

    Summer Rewind: Deep Memoir Writing Strategies with Jennifer Selig

    Send us Fan Mail About this episode: In this final summer rewind episode, I revisit my highly popular episode with writer, writing instructor, and publisher Jennifer Selig. In it, we discussed how memoir writing can be a powerful tool for healing and self-discovery. Learn how Jennifer’s unique blend of depth psychology and storytelling offers a fresh perspective on the writing process, and find out how her alchemical stages of change and equations for transformation can help you navigate the emotional terrain of your memoir. Episode Highlights 4:30:  Depth Psychology and the Writing Cure12:15:  Understanding Archetypes17:28: The Three Stages of Transformation 25:30 The Four Equations of Transformation 29:00 The Issue of Catharsis 34:00 The Power of Attention Resources for this Episode:  ”Nobody Sees a Flower, Really, It Is So Small”: Extolling the Ethic of Attention” by Jennifer Leigh Selig “A Question of Catharsis” by Debra Gwartney Jennifer’s Bio: Jennifer Leigh Selig is an LBGTQ+ teacher, international speaker, book publisher, and author whose writing and teaching career spans four decades. She’s the author of dozens of newspaper articles, book reviews, essays, journal articles, short stories, screenplays, and books, including the Nautilus Gold award-winning book Deep Creativity: Seven Ways to Spark Your Creative Spirit, and her latest book, Deep Memoir: An Archetypal Approach to Deepen Your Story and Broaden Its Appeal. Connect with Jennifer:  Website: www.jenniferleighselig.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/jennifer.selig.1Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenniferselig/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferleighselig/ Connect with your host, Lisa: Get Your Free Copy of Write More, Fret Less: https://lisacooperellison.com/newsletter-subscribe/ Website: https://lisacooperellison.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lisacooperellison/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UColPDzpoQlVktIv7-f7ObRg Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lisacooperellison/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-cooper-ellison-b5483840/  Produced by Espresso Podcast Production: https://www.espressopodcastproduction.com Building Better Memoir Scenes: https://janefriedman.com/building-better-memoir-scenes-with-lisa-cooper-ellison/ Connect with your host, Lisa: Get Your Free Copy of Ditch Your Inner Critic: https://lisacooperellison.com/subscribe/ Website | Instagram | YouTube | Facebook | LinkedIn Produced by Espresso Podcast Production

  2. Sep 3

    Summer Rewind: Writing Rituals: Staying Grounded While Being Vulnerable with Natalie Buster

    Send us Fan Mail About this episode: In this summer rewind episode, I revisit my conversation with yoga therapist and certified death doula Natalie Buster as we grapple with this question: How do you write about really tough, or even traumatic, life events in a way that connects with your audience and the truth, without losing yourself? It’s a question so many writers ask me. Natalie's answers are ones every writer and creative needs to remain open hearted and true to their art and who they are.  Episode Highlights 2:28 What Is a Trauma-Informed Yoga Instructor? 7:18 Opening the Shop Step One: Grounding 12:07 Opening the Shop Step Two: Breathwork16:27 Opening the Shop Step Three: Moving Your Body 21:43 The Importance of Play 25:42 Opening the Shop Step Four: The Power of Affirmations 29:11 What Death Teaches Us About Storytelling 35:42 Natalie’s Best Writing Advice37:10 Closing the Shop Resources for this Episode:  Our Year at ABODEBefore You Go Bonus Episode: Opening and Closing the Shop Natalie’s CostumeHow to Locate, Reclaim and Strengthen Your Writing VoiceDonate to Abode Natalie’s Bio:  Natalie is a yoga therapist, an end-of-life navigator, a certified death doula, a grief reliever, an actor, a podcaster, a writer, and a mentor with a deep desire to help people. As a professional actor in New York City, Natalie first discovered yoga as a way to practice self-care in an incredibly demanding profession. After dealing with personal loss, Natalie found comfort in the world of yoga therapy and has since made it her life's mission to help people find relief and love. Natalie specializes in working with people at the end of life, people experiencing grief, and loss, and performers looking to practice self-care. She is currently serving as the executive director of Abode, an end-of-life home that offers contemplative care for the dying.  Connect with Natalie:  Websites: https://nataliebuster.wixsite.com/groundedactorhttps://www.nataliebuster.com/yogaforendoflifehttps://www.nataliebuster.com/https://abodehome.org/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nataliebusteryoga/https://www.instagram.com/groundedactorproject/Building Better Memoir Scenes: https://janefriedman.com/building-better-memoir-scenes-with-lisa-cooper-ellison/ Connect with your host, Lisa: Get Your Free Copy of Ditch Your Inner Critic: https://lisacooperellison.com/subscribe/ Website | Instagram | YouTube | Facebook | LinkedIn Produced by Espresso Podcast Production

  3. Aug 27

    Summer Rewind: Writing about Intergenerational Trauma with Margaret Lee

    Send us Fan Mail About this episode: In this summer rewind episode, I revisit my conversation with Margaret Lee, author of the highly acclaimed memoir Starry Field. In it we explore the impacts of intergenerational trauma on our identity, the challenges of writing a researched memoir, staying motivated over the long haul, and the problem of getting an agent too soon. Since recording this episode, Starry Field has been named a best book of 2024 by the San Francisco Chronicle, Washington Independent Review of Books and Largehearted Boy. It was also the winner of the Discovery Prize for Nonfiction by the Writers’ League of Texas.  Episode Highlights 4:00 Why Explore the Past?7:00 The Impact of Intergenerational Trauma9:00 The Role of Stories in Identity Formation15:00 Maintaining Your Momentum Over the Long Haul20:00 Getting an Agent Too Soon22:00 Structuring a Researched Memoir26:00 The Miracle of the Memoir Process29:00 Turning Yourself into a Character35:00 Understanding Situation versus Story Resources for this Episode:  Starry Field with Margaret Juhae Lee and Grace M. Cho Interview for the Korea Society Margaret’s Bio: Margaret Juhae Lee is an Oakland-based writer and a former literary editor of The Nation magazine. She has been the recipient of a Bunting Fellowship from Harvard University and a Korean Studies Fellowship from the Korean Foundation. She is also a Tin House alum and has been awarded residencies at the Mesa Refuge, Anderson Center, and Mineral School. In 2020, she was named “Person of the Year” by the Sangcheol Cultural Welfare Foundation in Kongju, South Korea, for her work in honoring her grandfather, Patriot Lee Chul Ha. Her articles, reviews, and interviews have been published in The Nation, Newsday, Elle, ARTnews, The Advocate, The Rumpus and Writer's Digest. Connect with Margaret:  Website: www.margaretjuhaelee.comInstagram: @mjuhaeTwitter: @margaretjuhaeLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/margaret-juhae-lee-2b95905/Building Better Memoir Scenes: https://janefriedman.com/building-better-memoir-scenes-with-lisa-cooper-ellison/ Connect with your host, Lisa: Get Your Free Copy of Ditch Your Inner Critic: https://lisacooperellison.com/subscribe/ Website | Instagram | YouTube | Facebook | LinkedIn Produced by Espresso Podcast Production

  4. Aug 20

    Summer Rewind: When Agents Say No with Jessica Yen

    Send us Fan Mail About this episode: In this summer rewind episode, I revisit my conversation with Jessica Yen, an alumni of my Camp Structure program and now a coach about the challenges she faced while dealing with discouraging feedback from a literary agent. Join us as we explore how agents think, what the market may–or may not–be looking for, and how to regain your power when difficult feedback knocks you down.  Episode Highlights  5:41: The Agent Mindset10:55: Are We Ready for COVID Stories? 13:12: The Demand for Parenting Books15:10: Finding Your Book’s Essential Question24:10: Taking Your Power Back27:15: A New Take on Writer’s Block Resources for this Episode:  Categorically So by Jessica YenBeauty by Jessica Yen (nominated for a Pushcart Prize)How I Went From “Big 5 or Die!” to Ecstatic Self-Published Author by Denise MassarNinety-Nine Fire Hoops by Allison Hong-MerrillWhat My Bones Know by Stephanie FooBetween the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi CoatesThe True Meaning of Success and The Multiple Paths to Publish Your Book with Courtney MaumRecovering from Cults and Religious Trauma Through Writing with Tia LevingsHow to Stop Gaslighting Yourself with Ingrid Clayton Jessica’s Bio: Jessica Yen is a Chinese American author who explores the intersection of memory, family, culture, language, identity, and history. Her work has been supported by an Oregon Literary Fellowship, Regional Arts and Culture Council, Caldera Arts, Kimmel Harding Nelson Center, and Voices of Our Nations Arts. She is a twice-Pushcart Prize nominated essayist whose work has appeared or is forthcoming in Fourth Genre, The Masters Review, Oregon Humanities, and Best American Travel Writing, among others. She is currently working on a memoir. By day, she writes grants and edits academic manuscripts for non-profits, university departments and scholars, and clinics who seek to address health inequities and works as a wellness coach. You can find her online at www.jessicayen.com. Connect with Jessica:  Website: www.jessicayen.com Connect with your host, Lisa: Get Your Free Copy of Write More, Fret Less: https://lisacooperellison.com/newsletter-subscribe/ Website: https://lisacooperellison.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lisacooperellison/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UColPDzpoQlVktIv7-f7ObRg Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lisacooperellison/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-cooper-ellison-b5483840/  Produced by Espresso Podcast Production: https://www.espressopodcastproduction.com Building Better Memoir Scenes: https://janefriedman.com/building-better-memoir-scenes-with-lisa-cooper-ellison/ Connect with your host, Lisa: Get Your Free Copy of Ditch Your Inner Critic: https://lisacooperellison.com/subscribe/ Website | Instagram | YouTube | Facebook | LinkedIn Produced by Espresso Podcast Production

  5. Aug 13

    Summer Rewind: Crafting Stories that Ignite the Soul with Sue William Silverman

    Send us Fan Mail About this episode: In this summer rewind episode, I revisit my conversation with the amazing Sue William Silverman about her craft book Acetylene Torch Songs: Writing True Stories to Ignite the Soul. In it, we talk about the power of creative nonfiction, how to use metaphor, masks, and language to harness its power, and how this work can lead to personal growth. Episode Highlights 4:00 Why We Write Creative Nonfiction 8:00 Metaphors in Creative Nonfiction Writing 24:00 Using Masks to Externalize the Narrator and Connect with Their Voice 30:00 Writing, Creativity, and Emotional Truth 36:00 Creative Nonfiction Writing and Personal Growth 42:00 Writing, Memoir, and Essay Collections.48:00 Writing, Resilience, and Self-Expression Resources for this Episode:  “Innocence & Experience: Voice in Creative Nonfiction” by Sue William Silverman“INTERVIEW & REVIEW: Sue William Silverman, Author of Acetylene Torch Songs” Crafting Meaning in Flash Nonfiction with Sue William Silverman How to Write a Memoir When You Don’t Remember with Sue William Silverman Sue’s Bio: Sue William Silverman is an award-winning author of nine works of nonfiction and poetry. Her new book, "Selected Misdemeanors: Essays at the Mercy of the Reader," is a collection of flash essays. Her book on the craft of writing, "Acetylene Torch Songs: Writing True Stories to Ignite the Soul," won the 2024 IPPY Silver Award. Her memoir-in-essays collection, "How to Survive Death and Other Inconveniences," won the gold star in Foreword Reviews INDIE Book of the Year Award. Other works include "Love Sick: One Woman’s Journey through Sexual Addiction," made into a Lifetime TV movie; "Because I Remember Terror, Father, I Remember You," which won the AWP Award; and "The Pat Boone Fan Club: My Life as a White Anglo-Saxon Jew." She’s co-chair of the MFA in Writing program at Vermont College of Fine Arts. Her media appearances include The View, Anderson Cooper-360, and PBS Books. Connect with Sue:  Website: www.SueWilliamSilverman.comFacebook: @SueWilliamSilvermanInsta: @suewilliamsilverman Connect with your host, Lisa: Get Your Free Copy of Write More, Fret Less: https://lisacooperellison.com/newsletter-subscribe/ Website: https://lisacooperellison.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lisacooperellison/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UColPDzpoQlVktIv7-f7ObRg Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lisacooperellison/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-cooper-ellison-b5483840/  Produced by Espresso Podcast Production: https://www.espressopodcastproduction.com Building Better Memoir Scenes: https://janefriedman.com/building-better-memoir-scenes-with-lisa-cooper-ellison/ Connect with your host, Lisa: Get Your Free Copy of Ditch Your Inner Critic: https://lisacooperellison.com/subscribe/ Website | Instagram | YouTube | Facebook | LinkedIn Produced by Espresso Podcast Production

  6. Aug 6

    Summer Rewind: The Art of Intimacy Summer Rewind: Crafting Connection in Memoir and Essay with Lilly Dancyger

    Send us Fan Mail Join me and editor extraordinaire Lilly Dancyger for this summer rewind episode where we discuss her latest book, First Love, an intimate, electric collection of essays on friendship, identity, and what it means to grow into yourself in community. During our conversation, Lilly shares her sharp insights on the craft of memoir, why she bristles at the idea of writing as catharsis, and how she pushes back against the dead girl trope by keeping her cousin Sabina fully alive on the page. If you’ve ever wondered how to turn memory into art without falling into the trap of polishing your pain, this one’s for you. Episode Highlights 3:36: The Problem of Connecting Memoir with Catharsis10:12: Essays as a Space for Play and Variation13:04: Showing Intimacy on the Page21:12: Zooming In and Zooming Out27:00: Pushing Against the Dead Girl Trope33:44: Strategies for Cleansing Your Creative Palette  Resources for this Episode:  “Canceling My Book Deal Was the Best Career Move I’ve Ever Made” by Lilly Dancyger“Why Your Memoir Won’t Sell” by Jane FriedmanMore Than True Crime with Sarah Perry Sign up for Find and Sharpen Your Memoir’s VoiceGet Your Free Human Design Report Ditch Your Inner Critic Now  Lilly’s Bio: Lilly Dancyger is the author of First Love: Essays on Friendship, and Negative Space. Her work has been published by The New York Times, The Atlantic, The Washington Post, Playboy, and Rolling Stone, among others, and she writes the Substack newsletter The Word Cave. Dancyger lives in New York City, and teaches creative nonfiction in the MFA programs at Columbia University and Randolph College. Connect with Lilly:  Website: https://www.lillydancyger.com/Substack: https://substack.com/@lillydancygerBlue Sky: @lillydancyger.bsky.socialInstagram: @lillydancyger on instagram Connect with your host, Lisa: Get Your Free Copy of Write More, Fret Less: https://lisacooperellison.com/newsletter-subscribe/ Website: https://lisacooperellison.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lisacooperellison/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UColPDzpoQlVktIv7-f7ObRg Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lisacooperellison/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-cooper-ellison-b5483840/ Produced by Espresso Podcast Production: https://www.espressopodcastproduction.com Building Better Memoir Scenes: https://janefriedman.com/building-better-memoir-scenes-with-lisa-cooper-ellison/ Connect with your host, Lisa: Get Your Free Copy of Ditch Your Inner Critic: https://lisacooperellison.com/subscribe/ Website | Instagram | YouTube | Facebook | LinkedIn Produced by Espresso Podcast Production

  7. Jul 30

    Summer Rewind: How to Protect Your Writing Time, Energy, and Creative Worth with Carolyn Fallert

    Send us Fan Mail About this Episode: Have you ever felt like your creativity isn’t enough or that your artistic endeavors are secondary to everything on your to-do list? Have you tried all the strategies only to find yourself struggling with this yet again? Join me and my client, Carolyn Fallert, in this summer rewind episode, as we explore the impact of familial and cultural socializations and how strategies aren’t enough. You need to understand yourself. Get ready to discover the importance of understanding your unique operating system and how it should determine the strategies you use.   Resources for this Episode:  We Need Your Art by Amie McNeeCarolyn’s SubstackWhat are the nine Enneagram types?The True Meaning of Success and the Multiple Paths to Publishing Your Book with Courtney MaumThe Art of Intimacy: Crafting Connections in Memoir and Essay with Lilly DancygerSign up for Find and Sharpen Your Memoir’s VoiceGet Your Free Human Design Report Ditch Your Inner Critic Now Episode Highlights 1:40 The Number One Trick for Getting Unstuck6:40 Protecting Time and Your Creative Energy 7:31 Understanding Your Nature 17:20 Overcoming Your Conditioning22:50 Identifying Your Why Carolyn’s Bio: Carolyn Fallert is a trauma-informed, feminist self-defense coach who shares everyday practices for moving through fear, standing in our powers, and finding safety within through her substack and in-person self-defense trainings. Her essays have been published in Spank the Carp and Points in Case. Prior to dedicating herself to writing and self-defense, she consulted for Fortune 500 companies and the Gates Foundation. She has an MBA from Harvard Business School and an MPA-ID (Master of Public Administration in International Development) from Harvard Kennedy School. She’s writing a memoir about learning self-defense as a survivor of sexual assault. Connect with Carolyn Instagram: @carolynfallertSubstack: https://yourpowers.substack.com/ Connect with your host, Lisa: Get Your Free Copy of Write More, Fret Less: https://lisacooperellison.com/newsletter-subscribe/Website: https://lisacooperellison.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lisacooperellison/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UColPDzpoQlVktIv7-f7ObRgFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/lisacooperellison/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-cooper-ellison-b5483840/  Produced by Espresso Podcast Production: https://www.espressopodcastproduction.com Building Better Memoir Scenes: https://janefriedman.com/building-better-memoir-scenes-with-lisa-cooper-ellison/ Connect with your host, Lisa: Get Your Free Copy of Ditch Your Inner Critic: https://lisacooperellison.com/subscribe/ Website | Instagram | YouTube | Facebook | LinkedIn Produced by Espresso Podcast Production

  8. Jul 23

    Summer Rewind: The Fawning Trauma Response: Ingrid Clayton on Healing People-Pleasing and Codependency

    Send us Fan Mail Have you been told you’re a people pleaser or found yourself saying yes when you meant no, without even thinking about it? Have a friend who struggles to express their feelings or share their preferences? If so, you might have encountered the fawning trauma response. Join me and Ingrid Clayton, author of Fawning the memoir Believing me, for this summer rewind episode where we unpack the misconceptions regarding this trauma response, share our experience strength and hope, and show you how to join the unfawning revolution she’s spearheading with her new book.  Episode Highlights 1:30: The Fawning Trauma Response5:51: The Problem of Co-dependence10:04: Complex Trauma’s Impact on Our Nervous Systems12:50: Fawning’s Influence on Writing 22:29: The Energetic Signature of Your Book28:45: The Unfawning Process43:45: The Role of Tears  Resources for this Episode:  What is the Fawning Trauma Response by Ingrid Clayton How to Stop Gaslighting Yourself with Ingrid ClaytonBelieving Me by Ingrid ClaytonGet Your Free Human Design Report Ditch Your Inner Critic Now  Ingrid’s Bio: Ingrid Clayton is a licensed clinical psychologist with a Master’s degree in transpersonal psychology and a Ph.D. in clinical psychology. She has maintained a thriving private practice in Los Angeles for over seventeen years, supporting individuals in healing trauma, reclaiming agency, and reconnecting to their authentic selves. She's the author of Fawning and Believing Me. Her work has been featured in Oprah Daily, The New York Times, Women’s Health, and Forbes, and she has appeared on podcasts and programs including 10% Happier with Dan Harris, Girls Gotta Eat, and NPR’s On Point with Meghna Chakrabarti. Her latest book, Fawning, addresses an often-overlooked piece of the fight-flight-freeze reaction to trauma—explaining what it is, why it happens, and how to help survivors regain their voice and sense of self. Connect with Ingrid: Website: https://www.ingridclayton.com/Instagram and YouTube: @IngridClaytonPhDGet a free copy of her PDF on the fawning response: https://www.ingridclayton.com/fawningtraumaresponse Connect with your host, Lisa: Get Your Free Copy of Ditch Your Inner Critic: https://lisacooperellison.com/subscribe/ Website: https://lisacooperellison.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lisacooperellison/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UColPDzpoQlVktIv7-f7ObRg Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lisacooperellison/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-cooper-ellison-b5483840/  Produced by Espresso Podcast Production: https://www.espressopodcastproduction.com Building Better Memoir Scenes: https://janefriedman.com/building-better-memoir-scenes-with-lisa-cooper-ellison/ Connect with your host, Lisa: Get Your Free Copy of Ditch Your Inner Critic: https://lisacooperellison.com/subscribe/ Website | Instagram | YouTube | Facebook | LinkedIn Produced by Espresso Podcast Production

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The Writing Your Resilience Podcast is for anyone who wants to use the writing process to flip the script on the stories they’ve been telling themselves, because when we tell better stories about ourselves, we live better lives.  Every Thursday, host Lisa Cooper Ellison, an author, speaker, trauma-informed writing coach, and trauma survivor diagnosed with complex PTSD, interviews writers of tough, true stories, people who've developed incredible grit, and professionals in the field of psychology and healing who've studied resilience. Over the past 7 years Lisa has taught writers how to write their resilience. Each time her clients and students have confronted the stories that no longer serve them, they’ve felt a little safer, become a little braver, and revealed more of their true selves. Now, with this podcast, she is creating a space for you to do this work too.  Equal parts instruction, motivation, and helpful guide, Writing Your Resilience is an opportunity for you to join a community of writers and professionals doing the work that helps us cultivate our authenticity and creativity.  More about Lisa Cooper Ellison: https://lisacooperellison.com Get Your Free Ditch Your Inner Critic masterclass—your shortcut to a confident, S.H.I.F.T.ed mindset: https://lisacooperellison.com/subscribe/

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