What if your journal could literally rewire your brain forhappiness and resilience?In this episode of the Writing with Purpose podcast, I'm joined byDeborah Ross, a licensed professional counsellor, certified journal therapist, and co-author of the renowned book Your Brain on Ink. Deborah's work sits at the fascinating intersection of neuroscience and therapeutic writing, exploring how our brains respond to Journalling and how we can harness this knowledge for deeper wellbeing. From understanding why traditional gratitude practices sometimes fall short to discovering the transformative power of awe in our writing, Deborah shares insights from her work in cancer centres, her teaching at the Therapeutic Writing Institute, and her groundbreaking research intoneuroplasticity."Your brains are like Velcro for negative experiences andTeflon for positive. This isn't a character flaw – it's a survivaladaptation."In this episode:How neuroplasticity means your brain is constantly changing – and how journalling can direct that changeWhy we actually have four brains (skull, heart, gut, andrelational) and what this means for writingThe science behind why gratitude practices often fail and how to fix themHow to move from "raging on the page" to trulytransformative healing through the "composting" metaphorWhy awe experiences create deeper neural pathways than surface-level gratitudeThe revolutionary question that can transform any journalling practice: "What am I making up about this?""How do I compost it? And then what am I going to nourishwith that compost? "Deborah shares evidence-based advice for anyone looking to harness the neuroscience of writing, including:How to reframe gratitude statements to actually register as positive in your brainWhy embodied writing (engaging all your senses) creates lasting positive neural pathwaysThe importance of approaching your journal with "kindness, compassion, and curiosity"How to use awe experiences as a more powerful alternative to basic gratitude practices.Deborah's passion for evidence-based healing shines as she discusses the four-brain system, the science behind why our minds cling to negative experiences, and how we can use writing to consciously direct our neural development. Whether you're curious about the brain science behind writing or looking to deepen your own journalling practice, this episode offers profound insights and practical tools.Connect with DeborahPlease connect with Deborah to learn more about her fascinating research and teaching programmes.Website "Wellbeing is a skill that can be learned. And one of the most accessible ways to develop that skill is sitting right in front of you: a blank page and a pen."Also mentioned in this podcast:Chi Running – Danny DreyerIra ProgoffDan Siegel E.O. WilsonDacher KeltnerElaine BrooksThe Great Diary ProjectRichard DavidsonPodcast Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Deborah Ross and Her Work12:23 The Role of Reading and Writing in Childhood25:59 Intersection of Neuroscience and Journalling37:21 Expanding Perspectives Through Diverse Experiences39:57 Opening Doors to Growth42:24 Exploring Self-Reflection44:51 The Importance of Structure47:53 Myths and Assumptions49:30 The Evolution of 'Your Brain on Ink'53:13 Cultivating Awe01:01:33 Metaphors and Their Impact on Perspective01:04:53 The Stories We Tell Ourselves01:07:09 AI and the Future of Storytelling_ _ _ A new episode is released every other Saturday at 8 am.Loved this episode? Leave a review or share your thoughts on social media – your feedback helps others discover the podcast and keeps the conversation going. Please download your free journal planner PDF and entrance meditation to kickstart your journalling journey.Please connect with me on your preferred platform by ⁠visiting my links pageJoin my bi-weekly Writing and Nature Connection newsletter

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