437 - How to Heal When Everything Falls Apart

What do you do when life falls apart? In this powerful conversation, Suleika Jaouad shares how journaling, creativity, and community helped her survive cancer, heartbreak, and uncertainty - and build a life of purpose and beauty. You'll learn how to transform pain into power, rewrite limiting narratives, and reconnect with what makes you feel most alive.
@SuleikaJaouad is an Emmy Award-winning writer, visual artist, and author of the New York Times bestselling memoir Between Two Kingdoms is this week's guest on the show! You may know her from her viral "Life, Interrupted" column, or from the deeply moving Oscar-nominated documentary American Symphony. Suleika's new book The Book of Alchemy is available here. Follow Suleika on Instagram and subscribe to her Substack, "The Isolation Journals."
WHAT'S COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:
03:14 - The Shocking wake-up call that forced Suleika to reimagine everything
04:08 - Why "containers" like the 100-day project can be life-changing
12:38 - Stuck in a thought loop? This will set you free
16:15 - The magical key for unlocking creativity
21:20 - The behind-the-scenes chaos of launching The Isolation Journals
27:14 - Journaling vs. monetization: how Suleika made peace with both
32:05 - This journaling prompt will rewrite your future
40:08 - Why dreaming big can feel dangerous - but it's the only way forward
45:21 - The moment Suleika shrunk her truth in a room full of geniuses
54:37 - The loss that turned hallucinations into art
57:58 - Simple tools that make your journaling habit stick
1:03:21 - Rescue dogs, real estate & design on the farm
1:13:00 - Non-negotiable rituals for peace, clarity & creative downloads
1:20:45 - Stop doing this one thing if you want to live your truest life
Thanks for listening! New episodes drop every Tuesday. Make sure you hit the follow button to get notified. <3
If you prefer vide or want closed captions, you can watch all our episodes on YouTube → youtube.com/marieforleo
COME SAY 'HI!'
Instagram: instagram.com/marieforleo
Tiktok: tiktok.com/@marieforleo
Facebook: Facebook.com/marieforleo
Twitter: twitter.com/marieforleo
MORE RESOURCES FOR YOU
FREE AUDIO TRAINING: Learn the 3 steps to get anything you want in life or business → marieforleo.com/how-to-get-anything-you-want
THE BOOK OF ALCHEMY: Grab your copy of Suleika Jaouad's new book → amzn.to/3EuTcrt
If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review! <3 It really helps us get encouraging and actionable advice to entrepreneurs and creatives who need to hear it most!