Ep. 391 - Why Journaling Actually Works: Ritual, Healing, and Clarity with Tara Schuster

12 snips

Jan 23, 2026

Tara Schuster, an author and former TV executive, shares her journey from childhood struggles to self-discovery through journaling. She highlights the importance of rituals over mere habits in personal growth and emphasizes how writing can break mental loops. Tara dives into the science of expressive writing, explaining its paradox of temporary discomfort leading to long-term healing. With insights on creativity and intuition, she encourages listeners to use journaling as a tool for deeper self-connection, compassion, and transformation.

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ANECDOTE

From Rotten Home To 600-Page Reparenting

Tara Schuster described escaping a neglectful, high-status childhood and building a 600-page Google doc to reparent herself.
That prolonged journaling transformed her from suicidal anxiety to a new self who eventually wrote memoirs and healed.

INSIGHT

Rituals Animate More Than Habits

Rituals animate life while habits automate it, bringing presence and emotional range.
Tara argues a journaling ritual makes daily life more meaningful and increases emotional richness.

ADVICE

Use Expressive Writing To Close Loops

Try expressive writing: write about the worst thing in explicit detail for 15–20 minutes across several sessions.
Expect short-term distress but longer-term reduction in negative affect and clearer perspective.

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Are you overthinking…or under-processing? What if reflection was the missing piece to becoming (and receiving) everything you’ve ever wanted?

Today, Tara Schuster returns to the Expanded Podcast to explore one of the most impactful healing modalities there is: journaling. Her latest book, This Journal F*cking Works, offers a science-backed and historical look at why journaling is so powerful, woven together with humor and Tara’s own journey of rewriting internal narratives to break free from toxic, repetitive thought loops. It’s an invitation to start “DMing with your soul” and to open up neural pathways of self-understanding, emotional processing, and healing.

Jessica and Tara unpack why ritual matters. Not everything is about maximizing habits, productivity, or “doing it right.” Real transformation often comes from giving your brain space to process lived experience: to be honest, imperfect, and fully human. With this outlook, journaling becomes a bridge between science and intuition, seamlessly supporting your own TBM and personal growth practice.

This conversation is for anyone who feels stuck in mental loops, wants a grounded and research-backed way to connect more deeply with intuition, and yearns to understand who they are at their core.

**Trigger warning: Discussion of self-harm and abusive family dynamics at 00:07:10 through 00:09:28**

Find the complete show notes here -> https://tobemagnetic.com/expanded-podcast

Resources:

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In this episode we talk about:

Tara’s personal journey and initial skepticism with the effectiveness of journaling
Why “thinking harder” doesn’t always lead to clarity, and how writing helps the mind complete emotional cycles
The difference between habits that automate and rituals that animate
How rituals create meaning, presence, and emotional range
Why writing by hand deepens comprehension and self-awareness
The power of naming emotions without storytelling and how journaling builds self-trust over time
Why clarity often comes after discomfort, not before
Using journaling to track energy, not just emotions
How to approach journaling without shame or perfectionism
Why falling off a practice isn’t failure—it’s proof you care
How writing reconnects you to your intuition in a distracted world

Mentioned In the Episode:

Connect with Tara Schuster

HOW TO MANIFEST by Lacy Phillips

(with exercises by Jessica Gill)

Available now!

The Expanded Podcast, from To Be Magnetic™ (TBM), is the leading manifestation podcast rooted in neuroscience, psychology, and energetics. Hosted by TBM’s Chief Content Officer Jessica Gill, with monthly appearances from founder Lacy Phillips, Expanded is where science and the mystical meet to help you manifest in the most grounded, practical, and life-changing way.

At TBM, we’ve redefined manifestation through Neural Manifestation™—our proven, science-backed method developed with neuroscientist Dr. Tara Swart. This process helps you reprogram limiting beliefs at the subconscious level so you can create the life most aligned with your authenticity.

Each week, we take you inside the TBM practice to help you expand your subconscious to believe what you desire is possible. Through expert interviews, thought leader conversations, TBM teachings, and real member success stories, you’ll learn how to:
– Rewire your subconscious mind and step into your worth
– Heal your inner child and integrate shadow work
– Set boundaries, strengthen intuition, and reclaim self-worth
– Manifest relationships, careers, abundance, and experiences that align with your true self

With over than 40 million downloads and a global community in over 100 countries, Expanded has become the gold standard in manifestation content. Think of it as your weekly practice for expanding your mind, believing what you want is possible, and manifesting the life you’re meant to live.

Past guests include leading voices such as Mel Robbins, Lewis Howes, Jenna Zoe, Martha Beck, Dr. Joe Dispenza, Dr. Gabor Maté, Mark Groves, and Brianna Wiest.

Where To Find Us!

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