The Bibliotherapists

• The Bibliotherapists S2 Ep #8: Matt Trinetti on the power of writing in community

  Welcome to the second series of The Bibliotherapists, and our FINAL episode, featuring MATT TRINETTI, a community builder, publisher, TED talker and the cofounder of London Writers’ Salon & Writers' Hour - aka the friendliest corner on the internet for writers.A must-listen for aspiring writers and people considering a new adventure.-🎧 5 takeaways from our conversation with Matt1. Writing as a Tool for Self-DiscoveryMatt shares how journaling and writing helped him process grief, burnout, and career confusion, ultimately leading to personal breakthroughs.“We all have something to say. The act of saying it is what changes us.”2. Permission to Call Yourself a WriterHe encourages everyone to drop the imposter syndrome and claim their creative identity simply by showing up.3. Community is EverythingThe success of the London Writers’ Salon proves that while writing is often a solitary act, writing in community transforms the experience.4. The Myth of MotivationYou don’t need to feel inspired to write; consistency, ritual and accountability matter more than fleeting passion.“When you show up consistently to your writing, you show up more honestly in your life.”5. Everyone Has a Story Worth TellingMatt urges listeners to honour their unique perspectives, reminding us that “your story could be the light someone else needs.”-The Bibliotherapists is a podcast celebrating the healing power of words, hosted on - and featuring writers and creatives from - the Substack platform.Find Matt on Substack > https://substack.com/@matttrinettiRead the Writer's Hour Magazine > https://writershour.substack.com/Toni (The Shelf Help Clubhouse) on Substack > https://shelfhelpclub.substack.com/Tanya (withEase) on Substack > https://tanyalynch.substack.com/WATCH THE VIDEOVideo recordings of The Bibliotherapists interviews are available exclusively to our Substack subscribers. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shelfhelpclub.substack.com/subscribe

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• The Bibliotherapists S2 Ep #7: Jennie Godfrey on the joys (and woes) of writing a bestselling debut novel

  Welcome to the second series of The Bibliotherapists, and our seventh episode, featuring Jennie Godfrey, the Sunday Times bestselling author of The List of Suspicious Things.This is a lovely conversation on reinvention, recovery, and the power of words to change lives (our own and others).🎧 5 takeaways from our conversation with Jennie1. It’s Never Too Late to BeginJennie started writing her debut novel aged 49, after leaving a corporate HR role. Her midlife reinvention led to a Sunday Times number-one bestseller.“I realised I prefer uncertainty to unhappiness.”2. There are Commonalities Between the Writing and the Recovery ProcessThe Artist’s Way (which encourages a spiritual approach to overcoming creative blocks) was a transformative tool for Jennie (also in recovery), helping her unlock creativity, reconnect with herself, and build a sustainable writing practice.3. Substack as a Creative LifelineAfter the success of her first book left her frozen with pressure, writing weekly on Substack was a way to unlock writer’s block, find her voice again, and begin novel number two.4. Writing = Discipline + JoyJennie treats writing like a job, but also calls it her ‘treat’. Her routine includes early morning journalling and meditation, and bedtime reading.“Reading is how I soothe myself. Writing is how I make sense of it all.” 5. Fiction as ComfortFrom To Kill a Mockingbird to comforting Yorkshire dialect in The Secret Garden, Jennie’s favourite books have offered escape, identity, and connection.-The Bibliotherapists is a podcast celebrating the healing power of words, hosted on - and featuring writers and creatives from - the Substack platform.Find Jennie on Substack > https://substack.com/@jenniegodfreyToni (The Shelf Help Clubhouse) on Substack > https://shelfhelpclub.substack.com/Tanya (withEase) on Substack > https://tanyalynch.substack.com/WATCH THE VIDEOVideo recordings of The Bibliotherapists interviews are available exclusively to our Substack subscribers. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shelfhelpclub.substack.com/subscribe

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• The Bibliotherapists S2 Ep #6: Stacey Heale on writing - and reading - through grief

  Welcome to the second series of The Bibliotherapists, and our sixth episode, featuring Stacey Heale, a writer, speaker, curator, fashion academic, and campaigner known for her honest discussions on womanhood, grief, and rebuilding after loss.This is a (surprisingly?) uplifting conversation about life, love and rebuilding.🎧 5 takeaways from our conversation with Stacey1. Grief is a Portal, Not a Problem to SolveStacey shares how the death of her husband Greg reshaped her entire identity and how grief became a teacher, not just a wound.“If we can feel deeply, we can connect deeply.”2. Words Save LivesThrough journalling, reading and speaking, Stacey learned to give voice to pain and help others feel less alone in theirs.3. There’s Healing Power in Telling the TruthStacey’s writing is raw and real. She speaks to the unspeakable in a way that creates space for healing and community.4. You Don’t Need to ‘Get Over’ GriefStacey rejects the notion of closure, instead advocating for grief literacy, compassion and continuing bonds with the people we’ve lost.“Love never ends. It just changes shape.” 5. You Can Be Broken and BeautifulAmidst profound loss, Stacey found strength, creativity and a deeper connection to herself and her daughters.-The Bibliotherapists is a podcast celebrating the healing power of words, hosted on - and featuring writers and creatives from - the Substack platform.Find Stacey on Substack > https://chaoticheartsclub.substack.com/Toni (The Shelf Help Clubhouse) on Substack > https://shelfhelpclub.substack.com/Tanya (withEase) on Substack > https://tanyalynch.substack.com/WATCH THE VIDEOVideo recordings of The Bibliotherapists interviews are available exclusively to our Substack subscribers. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shelfhelpclub.substack.com/subscribe

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• The Bibliotherapists S2 Ep #5: Helen Marie on books to soothe your nervous system

  Welcome to the second series of The Bibliotherapists, and our fifth episode featuring Helen Marie, a professional therapist sharing thoughts from the therapy room.This episode is a must-listen for anyone feeling overwhelmed, depleted and/or disconnected and looking for tools to soothe.🎧 5 takeaways from our conversation with Helen1. Regulation is the Foundation of EverythingHelen explains how nervous system dysregulation lies at the heart of burnout, anxiety, people-pleasing and shame, and why addressing this from a place of safety needs to come first.2. Boundaries are Acts of Self-LoveHelen reminds us that saying no, prioritising ourselves, and protecting our peace isn’t selfish, and that these things are essential for healing and wholeness.“Boundaries are the gateway to self-worth.”3. Rest is a Right, Not a RewardThe therapist challenges the hustle paradigm, inviting us to embrace stillness and softness as powerful antidotes to survival mode.4. Self-Abandonment is Learned (and that means it is UNlearnable)Many women are conditioned to disconnect from themselves. In this conversation Helen offers gentle tools to rebuild that trust and return to the body,“Healing doesn’t mean you never get triggered—it means you know how to return to yourself.”5. Healing is a RememberingThrough tools like therapy, embodiment and inner reparenting, Helen invites clients/readers/listeners to come back to who they are.-The Bibliotherapists is a podcast celebrating the healing power of words, hosted on - and featuring writers and creatives from - the Substack platform.Find Helen on Substack > https://substack.com/@helenmariesToni (The Shelf Help Clubhouse) on Substack > https://shelfhelpclub.substack.com/Tanya (withEase) on Substack > https://tanyalynch.substack.com/WATCH THE VIDEOVideo recordings of The Bibliotherapists interviews are available exclusively to our Substack subscribers. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shelfhelpclub.substack.com/subscribe

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• The Bibliotherapists S2 Ep #4: Donna Lancaster on how healing begins with feeling

  Welcome to the second series of The Bibliotherapists, and our fourth episode featuring Donna Lancaster, an author, life transitions coach, group facilitator and spiritual mentor with 36 years experience.This episode is a balm for anyone navigating loss, longing or big life transitions.🎧 5 takeaways from our conversation with Donna1. Grief is Not a Problem—It’s a ProcessDonna reframes grief not as something to ‘get over’ but as a sacred and essential emotional passage that connects us to our deepest selves.“Grief is sacred. It’s the price we pay for loving.”2. Emotional Literacy is Radical Self-CareDonna invites us to reconnect with our feelings through practices like breathwork, ritual, journaling and crying.3. The Power of Community in HealingHer work on The Bridge is rooted in the belief that healing happens when we’re witnessed, supported and held by others who’ve walked similar paths.4. Women and ShameShe explores how generations of women have inherited shame around voice, expression, desire and softness, and shares ideas on how we can reclaim our wholeness.“We don’t need fixing—we need feeling.”5. You Don’t Need to Be FixedThe most powerful message of all: healing isn’t about changing who you are, it’s about remembering who you were before the world told you to shrink-The Bibliotherapists is a podcast celebrating the healing power of words, hosted on - and featuring writers and creatives from - the Substack platform.Find Donna on Substack > https://donnalancaster.substack.com/Toni (The Shelf Help Clubhouse) on Substack > https://shelfhelpclub.substack.com/Tanya (withEase) on Substack > https://tanyalynch.substack.com/WATCH THE VIDEOVideo recordings of The Bibliotherapists interviews are available exclusively to our Substack subscribers. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shelfhelpclub.substack.com/subscribe

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