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What does it mean to build a meaningful life when the story you thought you were writing doesn’t turn out the way you expected? Bestselling author Laura McKowen joins Nadine for a deeply honest conversation about sobriety, emotional sobriety, relationships, writing, longing, and the messy work of becoming more fully ourselves. Laura shares the questions she now uses to recognize when she’s hiding from herself and how sobriety has taught her to trust her own intuition. They talk about the breakup that forced Laura to choose the clean pain of leaving over the slow erosion of staying—and how, years into alcohol sobriety, she discovered that emotional sobriety has no finish line. The conversation also moves into Laura’s work-in-progress, a book that began as a story about relationships and has evolved into something much bigger: a meditation on midlife, longing, and what makes a life a love story. They talk about writing when you no longer feel certain, the courage to put bad pages on the page, the complicated ethics of writing about people we love, and why sometimes the most important stories are the ones that help us finally offer ourselves compassion. This is a conversation about so many things: recovery, relationships, writing, grief, sisterhood, self-trust, and the possibility that a life can be a love story even when it looks nothing like the one you imagined. --- Join the waitlist for Publish the Personal and get priority enrollment when registration opens. About Laura Laura McKowen is a leading voice in the modern recovery movement and the bestselling author of We Are the Luckiest: The Surprising Magic of a Sober Life, and Push Off from Here: Nine Essential Truths to Get You Through Sobriety (and Everything Else). Her work explores purpose, the potential of a human life, and the ways pain becomes growth. She has written for The New York Times and has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, The Guardian, The Atlantic, The TODAY Show, and more. After getting sober in 2014, Laura left her corporate career to build a life around writing, speaking, teaching, and community. Since then, she has led sold-out retreats and workshops on recovery, transformation, and purpose. In 2020, she founded The Luckiest Club, a global sobriety support community, and she writes Love Story, a popular Substack newsletter about sobriety and writing. 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 regular column about mid-life reclamation on Substack.

251 In 2021, what was supposed to be an epic cross-country road trip suddenly became something entirely different. Just before the journey began, Nadine's father passed away, turning miles of open road into a landscape of grief, phone calls, paperwork, and trying to carry on when life has other plans. Five years later, the same route offered an unexpected second chance. This time, the road trip was filled with good friends, laughter, new memories—and the unforgettable experience of officiating her friend’s daughter’s wedding. Along the way, this solo episode explores something most of us know all too well: sometimes life interrupts the moments we’ve been looking forward to, and sometimes we get the opportunity to experience them again in a completely different light. It’s an episode about grief, friendship, resilience, and the beautiful realization that a chapter that didn’t go the way we hoped doesn’t always have to be the end of the story. Join the waitlist for Publish the Personal and get priority enrollment when registration opens.Join Dirty Messy Alive for FREE Sept 28-Oct 1 or purchase an all access pass to watch the lessons on your own time.

250 Nadine shares her summer break plans for the podcast. Use the time to catch up on episodes you've missed! If you’d like a highlight reel of the last 5 yrs, we’ve released a “Best of” Heart of the Story compilation almost every year. Best of 2025Best of 2024Best of 2023 Pt 1 and Pt 2Best of 2021 Join Nadine at an upcoming retreat: Let Go Retreat June 14-17, Door County WI Revision Retreat: Craft Your Best Draft Aug 24-28, 2026, Madeline Island School of the Arts, WI 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 regular column about mid-life reclamation on Substack. About Michelle Redo Heart of the Story producer Michelle Redo has her own podcast, too... Daring to Tell where writers read their true stories of personal daring, then talk about writing and life. Also check out the audiobooks she's produced at her website, michelleredo.com

249 Nadine reflects on an essay she wrote in a time of deep despair. Join Nadine at an upcoming retreat: Let Go Retreat June 14-17, Door County WI Revision Retreat: Craft Your Best Draft Aug 24-28, 2026, Madeline Island School of the Arts, WI 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 regular column about mid-life reclamation on Substack. About Michelle Redo Heart of the Story producer Michelle Redo has her own podcast, too... Daring to Tell where writers read their true stories of personal daring, then talk about writing and life. Also check out the audiobooks she's produced at her website, michelleredo.com

248 Nadine reflects on an essay she wrote about her favorite place to be in the summertime. Join Nadine at an upcoming retreat: Let Go Retreat June 14-17, Door County WI Revision Retreat: Craft Your Best Draft Aug 24-28, 2026, Madeline Island School of the Arts, WI 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 regular column about mid-life reclamation on Substack. About Michelle Redo Heart of the Story producer Michelle Redo has her own podcast, too... Daring to Tell where writers read their true stories of personal daring, then talk about writing and life. Also check out the audiobooks she's produced at her website, michelleredo.com

247 Nadine reflects on an essay she wrote about a friend swooping in just when she needed it and how it inspired her to pay it forward. Join Nadine at an upcoming retreat: Revision Retreat: Craft Your Best Draft Aug 24-28, 2026, Madeline Island School of the Arts, WI Tiny True Stories and Sketches: A Micro Memoir Retreat October 26-Nov 2, 2026, SPAIN 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 regular column about mid-life reclamation on Substack. About Michelle Redo Heart of the Story producer Michelle Redo has her own podcast, too... Daring to Tell where writers read their true stories of personal daring, then talk about writing and life. Also check out the audiobooks she's produced at her website, michelleredo.com

246 Nadine reflects on an essay she wrote about anxiety and safety. Join Nadine at an upcoming retreat: Revision Retreat: Craft Your Best Draft Aug 24-28, 2026, Madeline Island School of the Arts, WI Tiny True Stories and Sketches: A Micro Memoir Retreat October 26-Nov 2, 2026, SPAIN 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 regular column about mid-life reclamation on Substack. About Michelle Redo Heart of the Story producer Michelle Redo has her own podcast, too... Daring to Tell where writers read their true stories of personal daring, then talk about writing and life. Also check out the audiobooks she's produced at her website, michelleredo.com

245 What is it like to be a midlife mom raising a middle schooler—when time seems to speed up just as you wish you could slow it down? When your child is reaching for independence, but every part of you wants to keep them close? As her son approaches his 13th birthday, Nadine reflects on the emotional tug-of-war of this stage of motherhood. She revisits an early moment that first sparked the pang of nostalgia—and explores the bittersweet milestones that come with raising an almost-teen. This episode is a heartfelt look at growing up and letting go, and the quiet, complicated beauty of loving a child who is becoming their own person. 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 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 regular column about mid-life reclamation on Substack. About Michelle Redo Check out producer Michelle Redo's podcast, Daring to Tell and sample the audiobooks she's produced at MichelleRedo.com

244 Ten years ago, during a particularly stressful and uncertain time, Nadine started a practice of of gathering good moments as reminder notes she could read when anxious. She compiled them into an essay that she shares in this episode. Now, Nadine looks back on that time and reflects on all that has evolved (and stayed the same) in the decade since. 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 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 regular column about mid-life reclamation on Substack. About Michelle Redo Check out producer Michelle Redo's podcast, Daring to Tell and sample the audiobooks she's produced at MichelleRedo.com

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 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 when she lost her fatherWhy 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 5 yrs later and what gave her hope and healing 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 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 regular column about mid-life reclamation on Substack. Check out producer Michelle Redo's podcast, Daring to Tell --True stories read by the writers who lived them.

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 story—no matter how small—is worth capturing. 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 regular column about mid-life reclamation on Substack. Check out producer Michelle Redo's podcast, Daring to Tell --True stories read by the writers who lived them...https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/daring-to-tell/id1547856931

241 What if a gap year wasn't only reserved for high school grads trying to find themselves? In this encore episode, writer, hiker, and anti-capitalist tiny biz owner, Nic Antoinette, discusses the inspiration behind their 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. Nic also discusses the other ways they have curated a values-aligned life and career. In this inspiring and permission-granting conversation, you'll feel encouraged to make choices that challenge the norm in order to live a life that is a right fit for you. Covered in this episode: Why Nic writes so transparently about moneyHow honesty and privacy can exist at the same time Creating a values-aligned approach to work and lifeThe burnout that comes from being accessible to too many peopleHow we can be honest with ourselves with no pressure to do anything about it How Nadine and Nic have pivoted in their lives and careersThe key question that will help us take imperfect actionThe price of admission that Nic was willing to pay for peace of mindHow Nic's divorce impacted their outlook on changeWhat Nic and Nadine are doing during their gap and apprentice yearTheir worries about how these changes will impact their lives and careersNurturing our off-line lives About Nic: Has spent the past 19 years devoted to a public writing and storytelling practice. Their current writing can be found in a pay-what-you-can weekly newsletter project called Now What? — written for big-hearted, liberation-oriented people who are grappling with the question of who/how we want to be in this collapsing world. They are also the author of two adventure memoirs: How To Be Alone: an 800-mile hike on the Arizona Trail and What We Owe To Ourselves: a 500-mile hike on the Colorado Trail Website: https://www.nicoleantoinette.com/ Revision Retreat: Craft Your Best Draft Aug 2026, Madeline Island School of the Arts, WI Tiny True Stories and Sketches: A Micro-Memoir Retreat. Oct 26-Nov 2, Spain 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 regular column about mid-life reclamation on Substack.

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 Draft Aug 2026, Madeline Island School of the Arts, WI Tiny True Stories and Sketches: A Micro-Memoir Retreat. Oct 26-Nov 2, Spain 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 regular column about mid-life reclamation on Substack.

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. They also discuss midlife freedom, coming out later in life, co-parenting after divorce, and the surprising joys that come with starting over. This conversation is an honest, funny, and thoughtful look at creativity, identity, and the power of telling the truth—even when the truth is still unfolding. Revision Retreat: Craft Your Best Draft Aug 2026, Madeline Island School of the Arts, WI Tiny True Stories and Sketches: A Micro-Memoir Retreat. Oct 26-Nov 2, Spain About Susanna: Susanna Daniel is the author of three novels. Girlfriending, a spinoff of her award-winning short story, "The Goddess of Illicit Choices," is a “a novel to read in a passionate rush, immediately start again in a more savoring way, and then press into the hands of everyone you know,” according to author Amy Shearn and “sexy, page-turning fiction” according to author Catherine Newman. Her debut novel, Stiltsville, was awarded the PEN/Bingham prize, and her second novel, Sea Creatures, was a Target Book Club pick. Susanna co-founded the Madison Writers’ Studio with author Michelle Wildgen in 2013. She’s won lots of fellowships and has been published lots of places, but she’s mostly concerned with building clear and engaging stories and helping new writers develop their voices. Susanna lives in Madison with two terrific teens and adorable mutt. She kayaks a lot and does a lot of hot yoga, and she believes every human deserves human rights. 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 regular column about mid-life reclamation on Substack.

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, remember that every story—no matter how small—is worth capturing. Covered in this episode: Why The Fixed Stars had such a big impact on NadineHow to develop self-trust even when the path forward is unclearWhy we must not abandon ourselvesHow to grow as individuals within a partnershipHow Molly and Nadine (both mothers and teachers) prioritize their writing timeHow to become an emboldened writer even when we're afraidWhat Nadine's and Molly's mid-life journeys have looked likeThe impact of books on their lives and on the mainstream conversation around women and mid-lifeMid-life body empowermentThe brave action they've taken this past year About Molly: Molly Wizenberg is a memoirist, essayist, and teacher of personal narrative writing. She is the author of The Fixed Stars, a Stonewall Honor Book and a 2021 finalist for the Washington Book Award in biography and memoir. Her previous books, A Homemade Life and Delancey, were both New York Times bestsellers. Her work has appeared in The Guardian, The Washington Post, and Bon Appétit, where she was a columnist for three years. She also cohosts the weekly comedy-and-food podcast Spilled Milk, where, with co-host Matthew Amster-Burton, she’s been chewing on-mic since 2010. In other lifetimes, she wrote the James Beard Award-winning blog Orangette (2004-2019) and co-founded the Seattle restaurants Delancey and Essex. Today she writes the newsletter I’ve Got a Feeling, which a very astute person once described as “a chronicle of enthusiasms.” She teaches writing workshops online and around the world. Newsletter: https://mollywizenberg.substack.com/ Website: https://www.mollywizenberg.com/ Current workshop offerings: https://www.mollywizenberg.com/upcomingworkshops Podcast: https://www.spilledmilkpodcast.com/ Instagram (though I’m not there much): https://www.instagram.com/molly.wizenberg/ 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 regular column about mid-life reclamation on Substack.