In this episode of Old Soul, Matthew Millstein sits down with Rowana Miller, founder and executive director of Cosmic Writers, to explore how creative writing can transform literacy, learning, and young lives.

Born during the early days of the pandemic and propelled by a wildly successful virtual camp, Cosmic Writers has grown into a nationwide movement giving kids the agency to tell their own stories—and build critical skills along the way.

Rowana shares how storytelling became her personal anchor, how Dungeons & Dragons campaigns can unlock a student’s voice, and why AI makes human creativity more valuable than ever. With humor, depth, and conviction, she makes the case for writing that’s not just about standards—but about self-expression, community, and joy.

What We Cover in This Episode:

• What is Cosmic Writers?
   A nonprofit that brings creative writing workshops and mentorship to students (grades 3–8) both online and in person, while also training educators to make writing joyful and purposeful.

• AI in the Classroom—Friend or Foe?
   Why ChatGPT makes creative writing more important, not less—and how it sharpens the skills machines can’t replicate: originality, empathy, and voice.

• Writing as Empowerment:
   How creative writing offers one of the only spaces where kids have full agency—and why that matters.

• Rowana’s Origin Story:
   From drafting novels in middle school to publishing her debut in 2024, Rowana opens up about the generational storytelling influences that led her to found Cosmic Writers.

• The Dungeons & Dragons Effect:
   What happens when kids realize their role-playing campaigns count as writing—and how that unlocks creativity and confidence.

• From Pandemic Project to Movement:
   How a $3,000 grant and one viral virtual camp signaled a huge, unmet need—and launched a national platform for young writers.

• Why Writing Should Be as Fun as Robotics:
   Rowana’s bold vision to rebrand writing education as something joyful, not just functional.

Key Moments

05:46 Empowering Kids Through Storytelling

09:34 Creative Writing Access Lacking

11:08 "WordCamp: Transformative Creative Writing Education"

13:48 Chat About Writing Education

Connect with Rowana Miiller

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rowana-miller-7506bb179

Website: https://www.cosmicwriters.org/

If you’re an educator, parent, librarian, or just someone who believes in the power of young voices, this episode is for you. It’s not just about writing—it’s about reimagining what it means to communicate, connect, and create.