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

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:
Join Tara’s free 14 day journaling challenge!
This Journal F*cking Works: The Science, Ritual, and Art of Journaling
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