53 episodes

The Wild Words Podcast helps writers embrace the season they’re in, create at their own pace, and care for their minds and bodies along the way. With conversations covering self-doubt to social media, host Nicole Gulotta (author of WILD WORDS and EAT THIS POEM) offers gentle encouragement for introverted or sensitive writers looking for a little support in an overstimulating world.

Wild Words Nicole Gulotta

    • Arts
    • 5.0 • 13 Ratings

The Wild Words Podcast helps writers embrace the season they’re in, create at their own pace, and care for their minds and bodies along the way. With conversations covering self-doubt to social media, host Nicole Gulotta (author of WILD WORDS and EAT THIS POEM) offers gentle encouragement for introverted or sensitive writers looking for a little support in an overstimulating world.

    52. Micro-Shifts to Prioritize Writing

    52. Micro-Shifts to Prioritize Writing

    Writing in the margins isn’t just the actual time captured, it’s also the belief that these micro-moments add up to something. In Part 1 of our liminal space series, we discussed the “sacred pause,” Part 2 covered how to approach liminal seasons as a vacation from writing, and today we explore re-entry. What happens after we’ve moved through a pause, a break, or liminal season but also find the same schedules and demands waiting for us? 

    Conversation Starters

    “Big shifts are harder to achieve and make sustainable long-term, so pick one, maybe two things to start with and see what happens when you prioritize your writing again with both your energy AND your time.”

    Episode Highlights


    How I moved through creative liminal space in 2023


    Experiments to reconnect to your writing practice


    Why writing magazines can help you feel connected


    What’s happened since making micro-shifts to prioritize writing



    Let’s Connect


    Visit my website: nicolemgulotta.com


    Sign up for my encouraging Substack newsletter


    Curl up with one of my books: WILD WORDS and EAT THIS POEM


    Say hi on Instagram: @nicolegulotta.author

    • 16 min
    51. How to Take a Vacation from Writing

    51. How to Take a Vacation from Writing

    After spending three weeks away from home this winter (more on why in the episode), it got me thinking about how we spend time off from our writing routines, and how to approach it when we do. This episode is full of real-time insights on preparing for a break, including suggestions for mindfully setting expectations and cultivating curiosity along the way. 

    Episode Highlights


    What *not* to do when you’re preparing for a break or vacation


    How to set realistic expectations


    6 things to try when you’re out of your regular writing routine


    My biggest takeaways from three weeks away from home



    Let’s Connect


    Visit my website: nicolemgulotta.com


    Sign up for my encouraging Substack newsletter


    Curl up with one of my books: WILD WORDS and EAT THIS POEM

    • 20 min
    50. “Make Space, Not Time” and Other Insights from the Sacred Pause

    50. “Make Space, Not Time” and Other Insights from the Sacred Pause

    In a world driven by doing, pausing can feel lazy, inaccessible, and scary. Most of us know that rest is important, but often find ourselves caught between what our bodies are telling us and the cultural expectations we’re pushing up against. It’s a lot to navigate, and takes time to soften into. In Part 1 of a 3-part series on liminal space and creative pauses, hear the wisdom from three writers who have approached this in different ways, plus a handful of practical suggestions for embracing this energy in daily life. 

    Conversation Starters

    “I had intentionally brought no distractions: no email, no books, no articles to read, no doing-things, no podcasts, no small or big work tasks, no lists, no organizing intentions, nothing. That was it. It sounds easy. It wasn’t.” —author Molly Caro May on her recent sabbatical 

    Episode Highlights


    3 authors on how pausing has impacted their creativity


    Reflections from book burnout, starting a brand new book, and planned sabbaticals


    The attachment between worth and productivity


    Practical suggestions for embracing the pause in daily life



    Linkable Mentions


    The Pause and Creating Conditions (Molly Caro May)


    “Body Full of Stars: Female Rage and the Passage Into Motherhood” by Molly Caro May


    How I Start a New Book (Katherine May)


    Episode 34: The Necessity of Winter with Rebecca Magee


    Episode 40: Searching for White Space


    Episode 41: The Discomfort of White Space



    Let’s Connect


    Visit my website: nicolemgulotta.com


    Sign up for my encouraging Substack newsletter


    Curl up with one of my books: WILD WORDS and EAT THIS POEM

    • 20 min
    49. Seasonal Reflection Ritual: Spring 2024

    49. Seasonal Reflection Ritual: Spring 2024

    Welcome to a new season of Wild Words! I’ve recently completed my seasonal reflection ritual, and am sharing my process to support your writing practice too. We’re covering what came up in winter, the books I’m looking forward to reading, what my writing life looks right now, plus a few podcast updates. 

    Episode Highlights


    How a reflection ritual supports your writing practice


    Why wintering doesn’t always mean not writing


    The books I’m excited to read this spring


    8 questions to ask yourself as you head into a new season



    Linkable Mentions


    You Are Here: Poetry in the Natural World by Ada Limón


    Rooted Kitchen: Seasonal Recipes, Stories, and Ways to Connect to the Natural World  by Ashley Rodriguez


    Around our Table: Wholesome Recipes to Feed Your Family and Friends by Sara Forte 


    Nora Goes Off Script by Annabel Monaghan


    Summer Romance by Annabel Monaghan


    The Opt-Out Family: How to Give Your Kids What Technology Can't by Erin Loechner



    Let’s Connect


    Visit my website: nicolemgulotta.com


    Sign up for my encouraging Substack newsletter


    Curl up with one of my books: WILD WORDS and EAT THIS POEM


    Say hi on Instagram: @nicolegulotta.author

    • 19 min
    48. 6 Ways to Soothe Your Nervous System

    48. 6 Ways to Soothe Your Nervous System

    Learning what makes your brain and body feel supported and safe is an act of self-love. With a spirit of experimentation, this episode offers a variety of ways to soothe your nervous system, tune in to what feels good, and prioritize rest on a daily basis.

    Episode Highlights


    Why experimentation is a key to understanding your nervous system


    The easiest type of breathwork to try


    Which types of books are the most relaxing to read


    Why rewatching old sitcoms can help your body integrate


    A pitch for touching trees


    The essential oils I can’t live without



    Linkable Mentions


    The Book of Lymph by Lisa Levitt Gainsley


    Your Brain on Art by by Susan Magsamen and Ivy Ross


    Episode 29: How the Nervous System Impacts Your Writing Life


    Reading reduces stress by 68 percent


    Rocky Mountain Oils Counting Sheep blend


    Can Stimulating the Vagus Nerve Improve Mental Health?


    Essential oils study


    Science-backed reasons you like rewatching TV shows



    Let’s Connect


    Sign up for my encouraging newsletter (including Wild Words podcast updates!) 


    Website: nicolemgulotta.com


    Instagram: @nicolegulotta.author

    • 27 min
    47. Starting Over as a Writer on the Internet

    47. Starting Over as a Writer on the Internet

    Surprise! After a year of consideration, I’ve officially moved my newsletter to Substack and this episode is the audio version of my first official post. From my brief history in the entrepreneurial world (hello, burnout) to the slow and methodical steps I’ve taken to simplify how I show up (and where), we’re talking about what it means to be a writer online today.

    Episode Highlights


    The mistakes I made when pursuing and online business


    4 reasons it took me so long to stop doing all the things


    How Substack supports my decision to embrace ease


    Why paying for a newsletter service was less about the money and more about keeping my body in survival mode



    Linkable Mentions


    Why Your Life Purpose is Bigger Than Capitalist Productivity 


    Author Edan Lepucki’s after school problem


    The blogging boom is back—and it’s happening on Substack



    Let’s Connect


    Sign up for my encouraging SUBSTACK newsletter (including Wild Words podcast updates!) 


    Website: nicolemgulotta.com

    • 21 min

Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5
13 Ratings

13 Ratings

HeyBookishMama ,

A writer’s friend

Nicole’s podcast has the same feel as her newsletter: a chat between writerly friends. She had me at Eat This Poem.

One to enjoy all winter long ,

Gentle encouragement and wisdom

I love the Wild Words podcast and the ways Nicole offers wisdom and encouragement for all the ways of being a writer in the world. She always offers good ideas for my writer’s mind, body, and spirit. Her book, Wild Words, is a great companion for the podcast too. I keep it on my writing desk and dip into it often to help get me started.

drivenwriter116 ,

Gentle Encouragement

Love the Wild Words podcast for Nicole’s human-centered, self-care approach to writing practice. I look forward to her calming reminders and interesting tips.

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