Journaling Through Life's Plot Twists with Suleika Jaouad

In this episode, our guest is Suleika Jaouad, author of The Book of Alchemy and creator of The Isolation Journals Substack. We delve into how journaling can help you unlock creative potential and navigate life’s challenges. 

Suleika shares her personal journey with journaling as a lifeline during her battle with leukemia and a pathway to "creative alchemy" – transforming difficult experiences into meaningful expression. She highlights the benefits of journaling on mental health, and how it has changed her life.

The discussion also explores practical aspects of journaling, from overcoming the fear of a blank page to maintaining consistency through accountability and prompts. Suleika shares her preferred tools—a fountain pen and quality paper—and the rituals that help her stay consistent.. 

Plus, Wirecutter writer Arriana Vasquez tells us about digital notebooks, an innovative way to modernize the writing experience without sacrificing the tactile pleasure of it. 

Listeners will gain actionable insights into starting and sustaining a journaling practice.

Access the full show notes for this episode here.

Products we recommend:

• The best hardcover notebook: Leuchtturm1917 Hardcover Notebook Classic (A5)
• The best pen: Uni-ball Jetstream RT
• The best digital notebook: Supernote A6 X2 Nomad
• Best for replacing your paper notebooks: reMarkable 2
• Best for reading and annotating ebooks: Kobo Elipsa 2E

Suleika’s favorites: 

• Her current journal: Leuchtturm1917
• A fountain pen: Lamy
• Le Labo Santal No. 26 Candle
• The journals of famous writers she keeps on her desk: Susan Sontag, Virginia Woolf, Audre Lorde, Frida Kahlo and Sylvia Plath

Additional reading:

• Journaling Changed Suleika Jaouad's Life. Here Are Her Tips for Getting Started—and Sticking with It.
• The 3 Best Digital Notebooks of 2025
• The 11 Best Notebooks and Notepads for 2025
• The 7 Best Pens of 2025

More from Suleika Jaouad:

• Instagram:/suleikajaouad
• Facebook: /SuleikaJaouadPage 
• Website: https://www.suleikajaouad.com/
• Substack newsletter: https://theisolationjournals.substack.com/about
• The Book of Alchemy

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Credits:

The Wirecutter Show is executive produced by Rosie Guerin and produced by Abigail Keel. Editing by Abigail Keel. Engineering support from Maddy Masiello and Nick Pitman. This episode was mixed by Rowan Niemisto. Original music by Dan Powell, Marion Lozano, Elisheba Ittoop, and Diane Wong. Wirecutter’s deputy publisher and general manager is Cliff Levy. Ben Frumin is Wirecutter’s editor-in-chief. Hosted by Caira Blackwell and Christine Cyr Clisset.

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Website: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/

Newsletter: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/newsletters/

The Wirecutter Show is executive produced by Rosie Guerin and produced by Abigail Keel.Engineering support from Maddy Masiello and Nick Pitman. Episodes are mixed by Catherine Anderson, Efim Shapiro, Rowan Niemisto, Sophia Lanman, and Sonia Herrero. Original music by Dan Powell, Marion Lozano, Elisheba Ittoop, and Diane Wong. Wirecutter’s deputy publisher and general manager is Cliff Levy. Ben Frumin is Wirecutter’s editor-in-chief. Hosted by Rosie Guerin, Caira Blackwell and Christine Cyr Clisset.

Find edited transcripts for each episode here: The Wirecutter Show Podcast