In this episode, our guest is Suleika Jaouad, author of The Book of Alchemy and creator of The Isolation Journals Substack. We delve into how journaling can help you unlock creative potential and navigate life’s challenges.
Suleika shares her personal journey with journaling as a lifeline during her battle with leukemia and a pathway to "creative alchemy" – transforming difficult experiences into meaningful expression. She highlights the benefits of journaling on mental health, and how it has changed her life.
The discussion also explores practical aspects of journaling, from overcoming the fear of a blank page to maintaining consistency through accountability and prompts. Suleika shares her preferred tools—a fountain pen and quality paper—and the rituals that help her stay consistent..
Plus, Wirecutter writer Arriana Vasquez tells us about digital notebooks, an innovative way to modernize the writing experience without sacrificing the tactile pleasure of it.
Listeners will gain actionable insights into starting and sustaining a journaling practice.
Access the full show notes for this episode here.
Products we recommend:
- The best hardcover notebook: Leuchtturm1917 Hardcover Notebook Classic (A5)
- The best pen: Uni-ball Jetstream RT
- The best digital notebook: Supernote A6 X2 Nomad
- Best for replacing your paper notebooks: reMarkable 2
- Best for reading and annotating ebooks: Kobo Elipsa 2E
Suleika’s favorites:
- Her current journal: Leuchtturm1917
- A fountain pen: Lamy
- Le Labo Santal No. 26 Candle
- The journals of famous writers she keeps on her desk: Susan Sontag, Virginia Woolf, Audre Lorde, Frida Kahlo and Sylvia Plath
Additional reading:
- Journaling Changed Suleika Jaouad's Life. Here Are Her Tips for Getting Started—and Sticking with It.
- The 3 Best Digital Notebooks of 2025
- The 11 Best Notebooks and Notepads for 2025
- The 7 Best Pens of 2025
More from Suleika Jaouad:
- Instagram:/suleikajaouad
- Facebook: /SuleikaJaouadPage
- Website: https://www.suleikajaouad.com/
- Substack newsletter:https://theisolationjournals.substack.com/about
- The Book of Alchemy
More from Wi
Popular Podcasts
Joy 101 with Hoda Kotb
Joy is essential. And it's also elusive. You can't order it, borrow it, or simply hope it into life. But now, there's a new and exciting way to start your journey toward a more joyful existence: The Joy 101 Podcast with Hoda! Best known for her Emmy-winning work and co-anchoring Today, Hoda Kotb infuses her authenticity, curiosity, and warmth into conversations with the world’s most fascinating people. Entertainment legends, sport icons, wellness experts, and everyday folks will share how they find, allow, and experience joy. Hoda will offer her own tips and takes on seeking a more balanced, harmonious life. If you're craving inspiration, support, and useful tools to maximize your joy, tune in to these candid, uplifting, and moving on-air chats. Joy after a breakup, joy as an empty-nester, joy after loss, joy as a caretaker — Hoda's new podcast will speak to you. Joy 101 with Hoda Kotb, an iHeartPodcast.
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com