The Write Life
By Maureen McDole
On this podcast I explore what it means to live my idea of a “write” life full of joy, creativity, adventure and ease. Tune in and come along for the ride with me. I will be sharing some of my writing and poetry too! I am a poet, writer, and speaker. Look for a new podcast every Wednesday!
Learn more about me here: www.maureenmcdole.com
Subscribe to “Insights from the Wild on my website!
My Instagram: @maureenmcdole
Learn more about me here: www.maureenmcdole.com
Subscribe to “Insights from the Wild on my website!
My Instagram: @maureenmcdole
The Write LifeMar 12, 2023
00:00
20:29
Episode 36
Season Two opens with a reading of my column The Write Life that is featured in the Jan/Feb issue of The Artisan Magazine, followed by a talk about the devastations and revelations that come with letting go of the old and moving into the new.
Jan 14, 202431:28
Episode 35
It's my last episode of Season One of The Write Life. I open this episode with my poem "Feast" and share which childhood shames have turned into my greatest gifts as an adult. I also talk about my deep need for quiet and reflection during this time of year even though society expects us to be busy and social. Thank you everyone who has tuned in this year! *Correction: I say Western Hemisphere instead of Northern Hemisphere in this episode! 🤣
Dec 06, 202320:33
Episode 34
In this week's episode I share my poem "Prison Break" and talk about how to overcome fear and doubt when it starts stalking you in your creative practice and in life.
Nov 29, 202322:09
Episode 33
In this week's episode I share my poem "Old Woman" and talk about what my word is for the next year in honor of my birthday yesterday. I also talk about the different ways you can confront the subconscious fears you have around your dreams actually coming true.
Nov 15, 202330:46
Episode 32
In this week's episode I share my poem "The Garden" and talk about how to write a new narrative for yourself, especially if you don't identify with the old one anymore. I also talk about my upcoming monthly The Write Life Newsletter, which I will be offering for a $35.00/month subscription on Substack starting in January. It will feature writing and self-care tips, curated articles, book recommendations and more!
Nov 08, 202321:37
Episode 31
This week I shared my prose poem "Great Grandmother" and talk about my adventures in the last week of consciously listening to my heart's desires. I also discuss how to strengthen your intuition in small ways throughout your day.
Nov 01, 202317:08
Episode 30
In this week's episode I open with my poem "The Passing of the Old Guard." I talk about the practice of asking your heart what it wants as you move through the day. I also talk about the benefits of creating Healing Stories, to help you write new narratives about situations that have caused you pain or frustration.
Oct 25, 202329:54
Episode 29
This week I share my poem "A Circle in a Square World." I talk about how to navigate the forest through the trees when everything seems to be screaming for you to quit your dreams.
Oct 18, 202318:44
Episode 28
In this week's episode I share a love poem my father wrote that I discovered in one of his books while I was cleaning out his apartment today. It caused me to reflect on how tricky it can sometimes be to navigate the complexities of being in relationship with others and with ourselves, especially in times of profound upheaval and change.
Oct 12, 202327:26
Episode 27
In this episode I share my poem "Wild Country" and talk about the value of play and wildness in a world which constantly encourages us to remain tame.
Oct 04, 202312:41
Episode 26
In this episode I share my poem "Truth or Dare" and talk about my writing process and the joy of being a creative. I also offer some performance tips if you are ready to share your writing with a larger audience.
Sep 27, 202326:50
Episode 25
This week I shared my poem "Why I Hate Networking Events" and talk about the value of showing up as our authentic selves, even if that means being introverted in a very extroverted world. We also then empower others to show up as their true selves as well.
Sep 20, 202318:53
Episode 24
This week I share my poem "We Are" and talk about how the creative process can be a healing balm in times of major transition. I also share how my writing is helping me process and move through my grief in really surprising ways after losing my father two weeks ago.
Sep 13, 202330:43
Episode 23
This podcast episode was inspired by being with my father in the last weeks of his life, which has given us the gift of time together for reflection and healing. I share my poem "A Case for Evolution" and talk about how even though our parents try their best, they do not always give us the right tools for life or healthy advice.
Aug 24, 202317:07
Episode 22
In this episode I share my poem "The Library" and talk about my love of reading, which I also share with my father and how we are bonding over books, even in his final days of battling pancreatic cancer. I also share the ways I am planning on taking care of myself, as his caregiver, while also holding space for him in his end-of-life journey.
Aug 16, 202326:09
Episode 21
In this episode I share my poem "Starfish" and reflect on my current journey of riding the waves of heartbreak around my father's rapidly advancing pancreatic cancer, while also trying to not become seasick from grief.
Aug 09, 202323:31
Episode 20
In this week's episode I share my poem "Bookseller Sage" and talk about the many blessings of being an adoptive parent. I also talk about the joys (and balancing act) of being both a creative and a mother.
Aug 02, 202327:53
Episode 19
In this week's episode I talk about how I am starting to embody the life I really want to live and how for many years it was my "dirty little secret." I share some steps you can take to bring your dream life into reality as well. I also share my poem A Poet All Along. The two books I recommend in this episode are The Poetry Home Repair Manual by Ted Kooser and The Untethered Soul by Michael A. Singer.
Jul 26, 202325:28
Episode 18
This week's episode was recorded in the beautiful WNC mountains where I am currently housesitting. I share my poem "The Visitor" and talk about the doubt that can creep in when you aren't feeling creative and how to nurture yourself until the muse returns. I also share the story about my recent encounter with a disgruntled spirit in the apartment we stayed at in Savannah on our way up, showing how inspiration (I am already brainstorming the poem I will write about my experience) can find you in the most random of ways.
Jul 19, 202329:00
Episode 17
I having been reading Duane Elgin's book "Voluntary Simplicity" and was inspired to talk in this week's episode about the desire to simplify my life. I share my poem "Disconnected" and discuss ways in which we all can become more conscious of what we consume, so we leave the world better for future generations.
Jul 12, 202325:22
Episode 16
In this week’s episode I share my poem “Playing with Dolls” and talk about how to move through periods in life when you aren't feeling like your best self.
Jun 28, 202326:10
Episode 15
In this week's episode I share my poem “My Body is No Longer a War Zone.” I talk about my tricky relationship with food, exercise, and how I finally learned to love my body.
Jun 21, 202328:41
Episode 14
I am back after missing last week, due to jet lag and illness! This week I share my poem “The Great Cosmic Joke: Here's Hoping Heaven is Not a Materialistic Society.” I talk about being inspired by my travels abroad to live a life of quality over quantity and what that looks and feels like to me.
Jun 14, 202325:49
Episode 13
This week I am recording from Wiesbaden, Germany. I share in this short episode my poem "Masks" and talk about all the masks we wear in our everyday life, which may or may not be known to us, but can be shed during travel. I also talk about how our view of the societal narratives we inhabit in our particular corner of the world can change after travel or reading a piece of literature from another part of the world like it did for me after reading "The Man Who Could Move Clouds'' by Ingrid Rojas.
May 31, 202316:29
Episode 12
Summer break is here! This week I share my poem "Jersey Daydreams" and talk about the joys of parenting, specifically parenting as a creative and having a creative child. I also share some of my summer travel plans, but remind you about the all the ways that travel is available, even close to home.
May 24, 202328:43
Episode 11
This week I share my poem "The Huntress." I talk about my wild nature, which is currently begging to be expressed regularly and in a healthy way. I also share some ways for you to do this for yourself too.
May 17, 202325:40
Episode 10
Cha cha cha changes are in the air! This week I share my poem "Moving Forward" and talk about how to move through transitions with grace and ease, even though they can be anything but comfortable.
May 10, 202324:59
Episode 9
This week I share my column in May's issue of The Artisan Magazine. I also talk about how we can't let perfectionism get in the way of being our true selves.
May 03, 202323:29
Episode 8
This week I share a poem in progress and talk about learning to be good with the good, when you are used to the bad. (I apologize for the sound quality. I am still learning the podcast world. I also say this is episode 9, but it’s episode 8.)
Apr 26, 202320:43
Episode 7
This week I share my poem “The Mind Vs. The Heart.” I talk about the art of living in alignment with your intuition. I also speak about how to move towards the solution and not stay stuck in the problem when faced with one.
Apr 19, 202331:21
Episode 6
This week I share my poem “All That Is Required” and talk about how to move through transitions with grace and ease, especially when feeling ungrounded by the winds of change.
Apr 12, 202330:51
Episode 5
This week I share my April column in The Artisan Magazine. I also talk about my practice of patience in waiting for the muse when she takes an extended hiatus. Sometimes that space can take us to unexpected places, which can offer new ways of approaching our creative practice.
Apr 05, 202319:59
Episode 4
This week I share my poem "Searching For My Soul In The Bookstore.” I also talk about several of the tools I that have used over the years to stop hiding my authentic self. *Correction- I say Margaret Mead worked in Africa, but she worked in Oceania.
Mar 29, 202327:30
Episode 3
This week I share my poem “The Relationship Closet” and talk about the wild ride of being in relationship with other people and with yourself.
Mar 22, 202325:46
Episode 2
This week I share my poem “Tales of a Bookworm” and talk about how growing up feeling like an outsider liberated me as an adult to take risks and chances with my creativity.
Mar 12, 202320:29
Episode 1
Hello! Welcome to The Write Life. I open this episode with my March column in The Artisan Magazine. Thanks for tuning in and listening to the ramblings of my curious creative spirit. I am excited to see where this journey takes us.
Mar 06, 202310:27
March 5, 2023
Mar 05, 202300:43