I’ve been intrigued by Liz’s practice for years—and also a little scared of what it might reveal. Yet I took her wise counsel of being one percent more curious than afraid, and I not only penned my own letter from love, but I shared it live during the workshop.

Liz also shared one of hers, and our beloved Isolation Journals community wrote and shared theirs too. I knew the workshop was going to be transformative, but it far surpassed my expectations. As one attendee said, “I’ve never experienced such connection and love in a community! Is this real?”

If you missed it, don’t worry—we recorded it for those who couldn’t attend live. Paid subscribers can find the video replay below. You’ll also find a transcript of the chat and a poem Liz had me read at the end.

This was truly one of the most profound experiences of my life, and I hope it will be for you too.

Sending love,
Suleika

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Over the weekend, I had the great joy of hosting this beloved community for a Studio Visit from my very first painting residency. I never feel more at home than when I’m in conversation with this community—you send in the most thoughtful questions, and you hold space for so much. I got to talk about my very favorite things: dogs, of course, but also allowing yourself to pivot, to try something new, to do it for no one but yourself. (Mine was a ceramics class; I made the world’s worst pinch pots.) I also got to show you a behind-the-scenes glimpse of my studio, what I’m making, and how I’m making it.

But maybe the part I loved most was gaining a new understanding of how creativity is contagious—specifically when I answered your questions about my mom, the visual artist Anne Francey, and our upcoming show, “The Alchemy of Blood.” What a joy to have this event spur new insights, new revelations, new ways of meaning making.

If you missed the Studio Visit, or you just want to revisit it, paid subscribers can find the replay below.

Toward the end of the conversation, a community member named Anita wrote in and said, “My question was going to be ‘Does our community of the Isolation Journals still give you sustenance, or is it a commitment that takes you away from your creative projects?’ But I think (I hope) you are saying you, like all of us, need our collaborative community.”

Anita, the answer is a resounding yes. I’m sending my deepest gratitude to you—this beloved, buoying, life-giving community.

Suleika

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Hi friend,

This past Sunday, I was honored to host a workshop with the thoughtful, brilliant, all-round wonderful human, Susan Cain. There are so many ways that our work is in conversation, so it was an incredible joy to be in an actual conversation with her and also with our communities. We talked about the challenge of accepting life’s sorrows, how they deepen the joys, and how, if we’re open and curious, we can find a creative practice that helps us marry the two.

I heard from so many people afterward who said how poignant it was, and I agree—we got to behold the true depth and richness of the human experience together. But maybe my favorite was this wry comment from a community member named Jo. “Careful,” she wrote. “If we keep being exposed to such top-notch givers in the soul department, we might start thinking the world ain’t quite such a scorched heap of fang-filled leaping lizards who deny creative connections, internal/external joys, and permission to explore, quietly and loudly, what we’re called to explore. FINE. If you insist. So thankful for you/this!”

And I do insist! That’s why I’m here with a video play of our workshop for those who couldn’t attend live—or for those who simply want to revisit some of the ideas we touched upon.

Paid subscribers can find the replay below. May it help you make space for the full range of human experience. May it allow you to practice the forever lesson of holding the cruel and beautiful things in life in the same palm.

Sending love,
Suleika

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Over the last few months, I’ve attended more than a dozen screenings of our documentary, American Symphony. It’s always surreal to see our lives projected on the big screen, but it was nothing like last night, when I got to see the Isolation Journals community’s reactions to the film in real time—what made you laugh, what made you cry, and how this wild ride of ours has moved you. What an honor it was to share this with you.

American Symphony is now available worldwide on Netflix. Also available is a video recording of the post-screening conversation with me, my husband Jon Batiste, and the brilliant Oscar-nominated director Matthew Heineman—you’ll find it below. I was so delighted to hear and answer your questions—and I have to say, they were by far the most heartfelt and thoughtful I’ve received since we began sharing the film with people. We got to talk about what Jon called “peak compartmentalization,” me learning to say “I’m not okay,” and how Matt squirreled his way into filming at the Grammys.

I am always in deep gratitude to this community, but today I feel especially so. American Symphony is an intimate story that follows Jon and me during our highest highs and our lowest lows. Sharing in this way often leaves me feeling exposed and raw—I call it “the vulnerability hangover.” But the support and love from this community is the perfect cure. I truly can’t thank you enough.

Sending love,
Suleika

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We’re just a few days out from our next Studio Visit with the oh-so-wise and equally funny Kate Bowler—this Sunday, October 31, from 1-2pm ET.

Kate is a brilliant mind and wondrous human, and I can’t wait for this conversation about finding joy and solace in surrender. A professor of religion at Duke University and two-time New York Times bestseller, Kate tackles some of the hardest questions out there—like how we live with the simple truth of our limited agency and our finitude.

In light of our upcoming talk, I wanted to send along a creative care package of her work. Below you’ll find things to read, watch, and listen to, as well as some personal news and a discussion on hard journeys and packing light, inspired by her newest book, No Cure for Being Human.

Studio Visits and our discussions are part of the paid subscription that sustains the Isolation Journals and allows us to send out our free weekly prompts. Become a paid subscriber to join us!

Sending love, and hope to see you soon—

Suleika

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Read Kate’s First NYT Piece

Watch Kate’s TED Talk

Listen to Kate on Dax Shepard’s Armchair Expert Podcast

Join Our Discussion: Hard Journeys and Packing Light

For the past few months, I’ve been feeling off.

Since the end of my cancer treatment, I have to undergo routine blood tests, and the last two have come back with unsettling results. At times like these, it’s easy for me to descend into worst case scenarios—thinking my leukemia is back, or that cancer has returned in some new form, or how naive I’ve been to think that it’s behind me, and that I can make plans for the future.

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We talked about taking risks, dreaming big, and the most important question you can ask yourself when you’re at a crossroads. Watch a video replay of our conversation below!

Suleika

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