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Suleika Jaouad On How to Live an Inspired Life

Making Space with Hoda Kotb

Published: Wed Jul 23 2025

Suleika Jaouad is a New York Times-bestselling author and journalist. When Jaouad was just 22-years old, she was diagnosed with leukemia, sidelining her dream of becoming a foreign correspondent. Instead, she chronicled her cancer battle in the New York Times column "Life, Interrupted", and went on to write a best-selling memoir. Jaouad opened up to Hoda about her journaling practice, which inspired her latest book "The Book of Alchemy: Creative Prompts for an Inspired Life."

Summary

Podcast Summary: Suleika Jaouad On How to Live an Inspired Life

Making Space with Hoda Kotb
Host: Hoda Kotb, TODAY
Guest: Suleika Jaouad
Episode Title: Suleika Jaouad On How to Live an Inspired Life
Release Date: July 23, 2025

Introduction

In this heartfelt episode of Making Space with Hoda Kotb, host Hoda Kotb engages in a profound conversation with bestselling author Suleika Jaouad. Together, they explore themes of resilience, self-discovery, and the transformative power of journaling. Amidst candid discussions about living with leukemia, Suleika shares invaluable insights and prompts from her latest book, The Book of Alchemy: A Creative Practice for an Inspired Life.

Suleika’s Journey and Mindset Shift

Suleika opens up about her ongoing battle with leukemia, which has been a significant part of her life since age 22. She reflects on the emotional toll of receiving a third diagnosis and the common yet challenging question, "How are you doing?"

Suleika Jaouad [04:36]: "I've shifted to a gentler mindset...living every day as if it's your first and trying to cultivate this sense of curiosity and creativity and wonder that a little kid might."

Suleika critiques the conventional advice to "live every day as if it's your last," describing it as exhausting and unsustainable. Instead, she advocates for embracing each day with the curiosity and awe akin to a child's perspective, allowing herself to navigate uncertainty with wonder rather than fear.

The Healing Power of Journaling

Central to the conversation is Suleika's advocacy for journaling as a lifeline. She recounts how journaling served as her refuge during prolonged hospital stays, helping her process fear, anger, and grief.

Suleika Jaouad [08:31]: "Journaling saved my life... it became a lifeline for me."

Suleika introduces her book, The Book of Alchemy, which offers a guided approach to journaling through essays and creative prompts designed to spark new lines of thought and facilitate personal transformation.

Crafting Meaningful Prompts

Suleika delves into specific prompts from her book that have profoundly impacted her life:

  1. To Feel List
    Before tackling daily tasks, Suleika recommends creating a "To Feel List" to prioritize emotional well-being over productivity.

    Suleika Jaouad [20:10]: "Write about the ways you escape your pain. What do you think may be on the other side of these escapes?"

    Example:

    Suleika Jaouad [20:14]: "On my to feel list I said I want to feel grounded... I prioritized going to the park, even if it was just for 10 minutes."

  2. A Day in the Life of My Dream
    This prompt encourages envisioning a perfect day five years into the future, written in the present tense, to clarify personal desires and intentions.

    Suleika Jaouad [21:27]: "You could write about who you’re waking up next to, where you are, what you’re doing... It forced me to articulate what I want."

    Suleika credits this prompt with helping her build a deeper, more authentic relationship with her husband, John Baptiste, by clarifying her true desires beyond initial fears and self-protective measures.

  3. Inside Seeing
    Inspired by a six-year-old cancer survivor, this prompt involves closing one's eyes and focusing on the images that arise, fostering a meditative and introspective practice.

    Suleika Jaouad [27:48]: "His prompt is to play his game of inside seeing... close your eyes and write down the images."

Building Connections Through Journaling

Suleika shares how journaling not only serves as a personal tool but also strengthens her relationships. She describes a unique practice with her husband, where they wrote journal entries as letters to each other during periods of travel. This method deepened their connection and revealed unspoken feelings.

Suleika Jaouad [26:49]: "It was hard to get to the deeper stuff in conversation... but journaling brought out feelings I didn't even know I had."

Overcoming Creative Barriers

Addressing common fears around creative expression, Suleika emphasizes that creativity is inherent in all actions, from resolving conflicts to preparing meals. She encourages listeners to view journaling not as an artistic endeavor but as a personal practice of self-care and exploration.

Suleika Jaouad [17:23]: "We're all deeply creative. Even having a fight with your husband requires creativity and its resolution."

Practical Tips for a Journaling Practice

Suleika offers actionable advice for those new to journaling:

  • Start with Prompts: Utilizing guided prompts can help overcome the intimidation of a blank page.
  • Schedule Unstructured Time: Dedicate specific times for journaling without expectations to foster a sustainable habit.
  • Journaling Groups: Creating a journaling club with friends can lead to meaningful conversations and deeper self-understanding.

Embracing an Unhurried Life

The discussion culminates in a reflection on the importance of slowing down in a fast-paced world obsessed with productivity. Suleika shares her personal practices for maintaining balance, such as scheduling unstructured time for painting, reading, or simply being present with loved ones.

Suleika Jaouad [37:06]: "I schedule unstructured time for myself... giving myself the permission to not do anything is how I recharge."

Conclusion

Hoda Kotb and Suleika Jaouad conclude the episode with a shared appreciation for living intentionally and embracing the present moment. Suleika’s insights into journaling as a tool for resilience and creativity offer listeners a roadmap to cultivate their own inspired lives.

Suleika Jaouad [43:18]: "Probably it would be a day that involves hanging out with my husband, hanging out with our three dogs, journaling and reading a book."

Notable Quotes

  • Suleika Jaouad [04:46]: "Our lives are not a binary. We're not either happy or sad or healthy or well. Most of us exist somewhere in the messy middle."
  • Suleika Jaouad [17:23]: "We're all deeply creative. Even having a fight with your husband requires creativity and its resolution."
  • Suleika Jaouad [31:14]: "If it feels daunting to do this by yourself, do it with a friend."

Final Thoughts

This episode serves as an inspiring testament to the human spirit's capacity for growth and transformation. By sharing her personal journey and practical tools, Suleika Jaouad empowers listeners to make space for introspection, creativity, and meaningful connections in their own lives.

Connect with Suleika Jaouad:
The Book of Alchemy: A Creative Practice for an Inspired Life is available at major bookstores and online retailers. Follow Suleika's journey and insights on her website and social media platforms.

Join the Conversation:
Share your journaling experiences and favorite prompts on social media using #MakingSpacePodcast and tag @HodaKotb.

No transcript available.