In a recent conversation with
of , we talked about the writing process, what it means to write about family, the fear of being the “truth teller,” and the surprising ways compassion can grow out of honesty. We get into the knots of shame and secrecy, the small silences that add up over years, and the survival mechanisms that keep us quiet for decades. We talked about how we don’t only write to be seen, but we write to understand—our parents, our younger selves, and maybe even the people who hurt us (and just how powerful this can be).We also explore what happens when the story you’re writing starts to shape the person you’re becoming. That moment when it’s no longer just about putting words on a page, it’s about shifting your relationship to your own past, reclaiming your voice, and choosing how you want to carry that story forward.
Here are a few moments from our conversation that stood out:
(00:00:27) — Naming the fear of hurting family by telling the truth.
(00:01:42) — On recording my mom during a road trip and how that built trust.
(00:03:55) — The moment my mom read my manuscript and wrote on the last page, “I’m proud of you.”
(00:08:40) — Seeing my mom as more than just a mother—understanding her as a daughter, sister, and human being.
(00:10:23) — How the birth of my son forced me to reprocess everything I thought I knew about care and motherhood.
(00:13:52) — Growing up hiding, lying, and burying shame about my past, and how writing began to free me.
(00:20:31) — How hiding our stories keeps us from being fully known.
(00:23:13) — The “shadow” we all carry, and what it means to belong.
(00:24:34) — Writing and somatic practice as survival, and how story can literally save your life.
(00:26:01) — Why the specifics of a story are what make it universal.
If you’ve ever avoided your own story out of fear, shame, or just not knowing where to start, this one’s for you.
And this is why I host Write the Hard Thing Live each week—ten minutes of writing together, with grounding practices to help your nervous system feel safe enough to let the words come. It’s about creating a rhythm, bringing enough safety into the body to finally meet the story you’ve been carrying.
We breathe, we write, we come back to ourselves ten minutes at a time. I’d love for you to join me. The next session is tomorrow at noon ET.
Thank you
, , , , and many others for tuning into the LIVE! Love connecting with you in this space. Stay tuned because we hope to be doing more of these!And a big thank you to Michelle for making this happen despite my initial scheduling and tech issues, and for being such a gracious host.
Share this post