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 change
• Why we actually have four brains (skull, heart, gut, andrelational) and what this means for writing
• The science behind why gratitude practices often fail and how to fix them
• How to move from "raging on the page" to trulytransformative healing through the "composting" metaphor
• Why awe experiences create deeper neural pathways than surface-level gratitude
• The 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 brain
• Why embodied writing (engaging all your senses) creates lasting positive neural pathways
• The 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 Deborah

Please 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 Dreyer
• Ira Progoff
• Dan Siegel
• E.O. Wilson
• Dacher Keltner
• Elaine Brooks
• The Great Diary Project
• Richard Davidson

Podcast Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Deborah Ross and Her Work

12:23 The Role of Reading and Writing in Childhood

25:59 Intersection of Neuroscience and Journalling

37:21 Expanding Perspectives Through Diverse Experiences

39:57 Opening Doors to Growth

42:24 Exploring Self-Reflection

44:51 The Importance of Structure

47:53 Myths and Assumptions

49:30 The Evolution of 'Your Brain on Ink'

53:13 Cultivating Awe

01:01:33 Metaphors and Their Impact on Perspective

01:04:53 The Stories We Tell Ourselves

01:07:09 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 page

Join my bi-weekly Writing and Nature Connection newsletter