In this deeply nourishing episode, I journal alongside the ever-wise and fabulously candid Rebecca Lister, a writer, playwright, counsellor and MC of the storytelling event, Generation Women Melbourne.

Rebecca reflects on how journaling, particularly stream-of-consciousness writing, offers her freedom, release, and surprising insight. She describes her writing practice as therapeutic and how it helps her to get out of her own way and leave the inner critic at the door. With the joy of her newborn granddaughter, Rebecca explores the micro and macro cycles of life: from the helpless beauty of a baby to the universal human need for unconditional love.

A beautiful thread through our chat is curiosity, how being curious with ourselves softens judgment, opens space for reflection, and reconnects us with what matters most.

Some Wonderful Takeaways:

• Feelings are waves: they move, shift, and don’t last forever. Learning to ride them brings resilience and calm.
• Journaling is therapeutic: a space for freedom, expression, and unexpected insight.
• Leave the critic at the door: give yourself space to write without judgement or outcome.
• Self-care and contentment can be simple: finding peace in the ordinary is powerful, real, and sustaining.

This episode will invite you to pause, reflect, and meet yourself where you are, with compassion, curiosity, and a pen in hand.

About Rebecca Lister

Rebecca Lister is an award-winning playwright, writer, arts producer, MC and social worker. She is the Co-artistic Director of arts company Anvil Productions, works as a social worker in private practice and as a sessional worker for Eating Disorders Victoria. She is the host of live chat show ‘On the Couch with Beck Lister’ and the MC of the monthly storytelling show Generation Women. Her book, co-written with Tony Kelly, ‘Growing Pineapples in the Outback’ was launched in 2020. Rebecca is a volunteer committee member of the arts and literary festival Words in Winter.

Rebecca is currently working on a new play, big beautiful female theory (bbft) based on the book by Eloise Grills. Rebecca lives and works on Dja Dja Wurrung country.

Website: Rebecca Lister

Thank you for joining me for this journaling journey. I hope this episode gave you new insights, inspiration, or a fresh perspective to take to your own journal.

If you enjoyed this conversation, I’d love to hear from you! Share your thoughts, tag me on social media, or leave a review. It helps others discover the power of journalling too.

If you’d like to start journaling or enhance your current journal practice, here are some ways you can get started:

• Journal alongside like-minded people as part of an online Journal Community
• Learn to Journal with a Self-Paced Video Tutorial
• Do an Individual Journal Challenge
• Enrich your relationship with a Couple's Journal Challenge
• Book a session for a Group, Organisation or Workplace

Connect with Ingrid

• Sign up for the Journal With Ingrid Newsletter
• Follow Journal with Ingrid on Instagram
• Follow Journal with Ingrid on ...

In this episode I’m joined by a treasured Journal Community member, Wendy Smith, who brings warmth, wisdom, and a deep love for writing to our journaling session.

Wendy shares how journaling with a structured framework has allowed her to creatively problem-solve and imagine new ways of being and reframe the stories she tells herself.

Wendy’s Journalling Gems:

• Journaling is a container for growth: Through regular practice, Wendy has observed herself becoming more reflective, calm, and content in life, moving away from reactive patterns to intentional living.
• The ripple effect of journaling: Insights from journal sessions often cross pollinate into other areas of Wendy’s life, from therapy to creative writing to deepening personal relationships.
• Themes that stay with you: Wendy recalls memorable journal themes, like turning life moments into headlines, exploring the science of awe, and confronting tricky emotions like anger. Each one left a unique imprint on her life.
• A beautiful shift: Over time, Wendy has grown more comfortable with expressing love and gratitude to others, which she acknowledges in part to the emotional clarity and awareness developed through journaling.

This conversation is a gentle yet powerful reminder of the ongoing journey of self-awareness and the role journalling can play in helping us truly see ourselves and the world around us.

About Wendy Smith

Wendy Smith retired at the end of 2022 after a long career that involved writing lots of reports, policies and briefings on social issues for government. Now she is free to write for pleasure. She writes stories about her life and times as part of a fortnightly writing group, keeps a dream journal and a gratitude journal and journals with Ingrid and the Saturday morning online community. Writing, especially guided by Ingrid, is a great way to reflect and helps her reflect on her life and live more intentionally. That she sees is the main task for this part of her life.

Thank you for joining me for this journaling journey. I hope this episode gave you new insights, inspiration, or a fresh perspective to take to your own journal.

If you enjoyed this conversation, I’d love to hear from you! Share your thoughts, tag me on social media, or leave a review. It helps others discover the power of journalling too.

If you’d like to start journaling or enhance your current journal practice, here are some ways you can get started:

• Journal alongside like-minded people as part of an online Journal Community
• Learn to Journal with a Self-Paced Video Tutorial
• Do an Individual Journal Challenge
• Enrich your relationship with a Couple's Journal Challenge
• Book a session for a Group, Organisation or Workplace

Connect with Ingrid

• Sign up for the Journal With Ingrid Newsletter
• Follow Journal with Ingrid on Instagram
• Follow Journal with Ingrid on ...

In this thought-provoking episode, I chat with the wonderful Gray Tham. Gray is the founder of Simply Gray Photography. She is creative, warm and passionate about about helping women see themselves in a new light.

Our conversation uncovers gems, from personal reflections, unexpected insights, to a powerful discussion about the role of technology and the importance of trusting yourself.

Gray reflects on our journal session together and dives into the impact AI can have on her inner world, especially its role in over-productivity and the way it can unintentionally drown out her inner voice. She expressed a need to “break up” with "Chad" (aka ChatGPT) in order to reclaim space for her own thoughts.

Gray also opens up about her evolving journaling practice and how it helps her process emotions and ideas that might otherwise remain hidden. Her Wise Women initiative is a beautiful example of what can emerge from making space to reflect.

Whether you’re new to journaling or looking to reconnect with yourself in a digital age, this conversation is a grounding reminder that your inner voice matters, and it’s often just a pen stroke away.

About Gray Tham

Gray Tham is the founder of Simply Gray Photography. She’s known for her warm, natural portrait style and passion for helping women see themselves in a new light.

From a simple photography studio to creating a movement. In 2023, Gray published The 50 & Wiser Club book, celebrating 74 inspiring women over 50. The launch event drew over 450 people and raised $20,000 for the Go Girls Foundation. In 2024, she created a Wise Women exhibition featuring 36 remarkable women and their stories.

Now in 2025, Wise Women continues to grow with an online magazine and a special print edition planned later this year, honouring stories of women over 40.

Beyond the camera, Gray is a beekeeper, mum of three, and community-builder who believes every woman has a story worth sharing.

Website: Simply Gray

Instagram: @simplygrayphotography

Facebook: Simply Gray Photography

LinkedIN: Gray Tham

Thank you for joining me for this journaling journey. I hope this episode gave you new insights, inspiration, or a fresh perspective to take to your own journal.

If you enjoyed this conversation, I’d love to hear from you! Share your thoughts, tag me on social media, or leave a review. It helps others discover the power of journalling too.

If you’d like to start journaling or enhance your current journal practice, here are some ways you can get started:

• Journal alongside like-minded people as part of an online Journal Community
• Learn to Journal with a Self-Paced Video Tutorial
• Do an Individual Journal Challenge
• Enrich your relationship with a Couple's Journal Challenge
• Book a session for a Group, Organisation or Workplace

Connect with Ingrid

• Sign up for the Journal With Ingrid Newsletter
• Follow Journal with Ingrid on Instagram
• Follow Journal with Ingrid on ...