73 - The Search for Meaning: Pam Roy on Living with Purpose

Executive coach Akshay Kapur shares how journaling supports both his family life and his work with leaders navigating uncertainty. He explains how photo journaling in Day One became a daily practice during the pandemic, why the On This Day feature helps him preserve memories, and how reflective questions from his coaching often become prompts for his own writing. The conversation also explores the role of surprise in a good question and how journaling deepens both memory and self-understanding. Visit dayoneapp.com/podcast/episode-75-akshay-kapur for more resources and links from this episode.

In this episode, Emily Silva Hockstra, author of Sunrise Gratitude, Moonlight Gratitude, and Sunset Gratitude, shares how gratitude journaling can shape the way we experience life. A longtime journaler and spiritual life coach, Emily talks about the practice of noticing small, meaningful details, how journaling deepens presence, and why writing down what we’re thankful for can change our perspective over time. We talk about why adding a simple “because” deepens the practice, how gratitude journaling creates a record that’s different from memory, and why gratitude can be a companion not only in joyful moments but also in times of grief.  Visit dayoneapp.com/podcast/episode-74-emily-silva-hockstra for more resources and links from this episode.

In this episode, Pam Roy—writer, philanthropist, filmmaker, and cofounder of the Viktor E. Frankl Institute of America—shares insights from her new book, Viktor E. Frankl and the Search for Meaning: 21 Reflections on Living Life with Purpose. She talks about how Viktor Frankl’s philosophy has shaped her life, how the book encourages deep personal reflection through writing, and why his ideas remain so relevant today. We discuss Frankl’s life and work, including his theory of logotherapy, the “three pathways to meaning,” and why reflection must lead to action if we want to live our values. Pam also shares her own journey of discovering meaning and how anyone can respond to life’s call, moment by moment. Visit dayoneapp.com/podcast/episode-73-pam-roy for more resources and links from this episode.

In this episode, we dive deep into the practice of shadow work journaling with Oliver Mann—journaling mentor, teacher, and co-founder of the Barcelona Journaling Festival. Oliver shares how shadow journaling became a turning point in his life and offers a practical, compassionate path for others to begin exploring the parts of themselves they’ve learned to hide. We talk about the psychology behind the shadow, the three stages of Oliver’s shadow journaling method, and how shadow work journaling can help us grow in self-awareness, release internal friction, and reconnect with our full, authentic selves.  Visit dayoneapp.com/podcast/episode-72-oliver-mann for more resources and links from this episode. 

What happens when you approach your everyday life like a traveler—with curiosity, openness, and a willingness to be changed? In this conversation, journaling guide and writer Marusha Mozolevskaya shares how journaling helps us move past small talk, capture the beauty of fleeting moments, and connect with others in unexpectedly deep ways. We talk about her early days as a travel writer, her work leading group journaling experiences around the world, and the surprising transformations that come from putting honest words on the page. Marusha is the founder of the Barcelona Journaling Festival and the creator of Naked Words, an online journaling course. Visit dayoneapp.com/podcast/episode-71-marusha-mozolevskaya for more on this episode. 

Kevin Anderson has journaled every day since 2020, and he thinks of the habit as a real-life video game. In this inspiring conversation, Kevin shares how journaling helps him track emotions, celebrate wins, and evolve through life’s challenges. He opens up about printing his entries into a growing bookshelf of colorful Day One books, the joy of documenting the things that make him laugh, and how his practice helps him zoom out to see the full arc of his personal growth over time. Whether through naming his journal volumes or reflecting on legacy, Kevin’s approach to keeping a journal is playful, powerful, and triumphant. We close the episode with a first for the podcast—a live “On This Day” journal reading. Visit dayoneapp.com/podcast/episode-70-kevin-anderson for more on this episode. 

C.J. Chilvers has journaled every night since 2010, treating the practice as a form of quiet reflection—part habit, part meditation. In this episode, C.J. shares how a simple routine became a sustaining creative force in his life, why giving himself permission to complain was an early breakthrough, and how journaling helps him clear his head at the end of each day. We also talk about the value of keeping things unstructured and where he sees journaling evolving next. Visit dayoneapp.com/podcast/episode-69-cj-chilvers for more on this episode.   

What if anxiety isn’t something we need to get rid of, but something we can learn to thrive with? In this episode, Dr. David Rosmarin—associate professor at Harvard Medical School, program director at McLean Hospital, and author of Thriving with Anxiety—offers a hopeful and practical reframe of how we understand and respond to anxiety. Dr. Rosmarin shares his four-step approach for dealing with anxiety, and how journaling can support each stage. From naming what you’re afraid of to learning how to release what’s outside your control, this conversation is a compassionate and practical look at working with anxiety, not against it. Visit dayoneapp.com/podcast/episode-68-dr-david-rosmarin for resources mentioned in this episode.  Note: This episode discusses strategies for working with everyday anxiety, and is intended for general reflection and support. If anxiety is interfering with your daily life, we encourage you to seek help from a licensed mental health professional. 

Entrepreneur and adventurer Dale Majors has kept a daily journal for more than 4,000 consecutive days (that's nearly 11 years!) using Day One. In this episode, he shares how a simple streak turned into a life-changing habit—one that brings clarity, presence, and intention to everything from running a business to raising six kids. Dale opens up about the prompts that guide his mornings, why he journals while walking, and how embracing consistency over perfection has helped him build a journaling practice that lasts. Visit dayoneapp.com/podcast/episode-67-dale-majors for a list of prompts shared in this episode, including links to use them in your Day One journal.

In this episode, ICF certified coach Kelly Gallagher joins the podcast for a thoughtful conversation about how coaching and journaling complement one another to deepen self-awareness and accelerate growth. We explore the layered nature of personal insight, how reflection between coaching sessions amplifies progress, and why journaling can serve as both mirror and guide. Kelly shares the value of asking better questions, how coaching uncovers old narratives, and why writing things down helps change take root. You’ll also hear practical journaling prompts and reflections on using writing as a tool for both personal and professional clarity. Visit dayoneapp.com/podcast/episode-66-kelly-gallagher for a list of prompts shared in this episode, including links to use them in your Day One journal.