In this episode, Allison Larkin shares her journey as a writer and the impact of mental health on her creative process. She discusses her experiences with ADHD, the emotional toll of writing, and the importance of authenticity in her work. The conversation explores the challenges of balancing personal relationships with the demands of being a writer, as well as the grieving process that comes with finishing a book. Larkin emphasizes the significance of self-discovery and vulnerability in creativity, and the role of reader feedback in shaping her writing.

Learn about Allison: Allison Larkin is the internationally bestselling author of the novels Home of the American Circus, The People We Keep, Stay, Why Can’t I Be You, and Swimming for Sunlight. Her short fiction has been published in the Summerset Review and Slice, and nonfiction in Author in Progress, a how-to guide from Writer’s Digest Books, and the dog anthology I’m Not the Biggest Bitch in This Relationship. She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband, Jeremy, and their rescue dogs, Roxy and Bosley.

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Learn more about Deborah Lee Smith:

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New here? More Than You See strips away the highlight reels to reveal the real mental health journeys of actors, artists, and creatives. Hosts Deborah Lee Smith and Shelley Regner ask the questions others avoid — exploring what was happening off stage when life looked perfect, and how depression, anxiety, and resilience shaped the people we admire.

Each episode also brings a dose of “good news” in mental health: uplifting stories, new research, and cultural shifts that remind us progress is happening. Come for the unfiltered confessions, stay for the hope, and leave knowing you’re not alone.

In this episode of the More Than You See podcast, Deborah Lee Smith shares her personal journey with a gratitude practice that has significantly impacted her mental health. Following a family emergency, she discusses how actively engaging in gratitude has helped her cope with stress and maintain a positive outlook. She also delves into the neurological benefits of gratitude, explaining how it can enhance emotional well-being and improve mood. The episode concludes with encouragement for listeners to adopt their own gratitude practices.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Episode Overview

01:43 Personal Experience with Gratitude Practice

06:42 Neurological Benefits of Gratitude

09:03 Conclusion and Encouragement for Listeners

Thank you for being part of this MTYS community!

Join us on social media:⁠⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠⁠| ⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠Tik Tok⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠

_______________________

Learn more about Deborah Lee Smith:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠~NEWSLETTER SIGN UP~⁠⁠⁠⁠

~

New here? More Than You See strips away the highlight reels to reveal the real mental health journeys of actors, artists, and creatives. Hosts Deborah Lee Smith and Shelley Regner ask the questions others avoid — exploring what was happening off stage when life looked perfect, and how depression, anxiety, and resilience shaped the people we admire.

Each episode also brings a dose of “good news” in mental health: uplifting stories, new research, and cultural shifts that remind us progress is happening. Come for the unfiltered confessions, stay for the hope, and leave knowing you’re not alone.

In this episode of More Than You See, Deborah Smith discusses the importance of mental health for creatives, especially in overwhelming times. She emphasizes the need for community, self-care, and the power of storytelling to reclaim joy. Through reflective questions, she encourages listeners to prioritize their well-being and recognize their unique contributions as storytellers.

Thank you for being part of this MTYS community!

Join us on social media:⁠⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠⁠| ⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠Tik Tok⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠

_______________________

Learn more about Deborah Lee Smith:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠~NEWSLETTER SIGN UP~⁠⁠⁠⁠

~

New here? More Than You See strips away the highlight reels to reveal the real mental health journeys of actors, artists, and creatives. Hosts Deborah Lee Smith and Shelley Regner ask the questions others avoid — exploring what was happening off stage when life looked perfect, and how depression, anxiety, and resilience shaped the people we admire.

Each episode also brings a dose of “good news” in mental health: uplifting stories, new research, and cultural shifts that remind us progress is happening. Come for the unfiltered confessions, stay for the hope, and leave knowing you’re not alone.