Perfectionism, Pivoting, and Persistence with Writer / Podcaster Nadine Kenney Johnstone

And So, She Left: Wisdom from Women Beyond the Corporate World

Nadine Kenney Johnstone has always surrounded herself with words.

As a child in the Southside of Chicago, Nadine found herself nose-deep in countless books, drawing strength and understanding from the narratives within. Her local library was where her passion for literature bloomed, where she learned to nurture relationships with her loved ones and make sense of her surroundings. Her resilience in overcoming hardships, including bouts of intense burnout and panic attacks, has been nothing short of inspirational.

In recognizing the potential of the written word to forge deep personal connections, Nadine embarked on a journey as a full-time writing coach. She established her organization, WriteWELL, with the mission of uniting wellness and writing through retreats and workshops. Nadine’s podcast, Heart of the Story, amplifies the heartfelt narratives of writers she’s worked alongside. Her goal? To empower as many women as possible, encouraging them to share their most vulnerable moments with the world.

In this conversation, Nadine pulls back the curtain on her own experiences with overwork and the invaluable life lessons she learned in her early years about tenacity and perseverance. She also highlights the power of personal narratives and the freedom in being able to pivot at any stage of one's journey.

Learn more about WriteWELL here. Listen to Heart of the Story.

In this episode, we cover:

• Having supportive parents that encouraged Nadine's unconventional career choices
• Anxiety, panic attacks, and living an unsustainable lifestyle
• Finding fulfillment in helping others to tell meaningful stories
• Overcoming perfectionism and allowing yourself to "slack off" a little bit
• The therapeutic values of writing
• How to get your writing out in the world, and why your story matters

Quote of the Week:

“Talent can only take you so far. You have to have the dedication and endurance to stay the course. And the writers that I coach who have the endurance over the talent will always succeed." Nadine Kenney Johnstone

Hosted by Katherin Vasilopoulos. Made by Cansulta and Ethan Lee.

Music by © Chris Zabriskie, published by You've Been a Wonderful Laugh Track (ASCAP).

Songs used in this episode include: "Air Hockey Saloon," "Short Song 022423," "Short Song 011123," "$50 to Breathe," "Does It Exist or Do I Have to Create It?," "Stories About the World That Once Was," "Can You Even F---ing Imagine Being A Teenager Today?," "Maybe Tomorrow All My Dreams Come True," "Chance, Luck, Errors in Nature, Destruction as a Finale."

Used under the Creative Commons 4.0 International License