The Healing Power of Writing and Storytelling with Ellie O’Leary (Ep. 44)

In this heartfelt episode of Rise, Heal, and Grow with Leah M. Hill, Leah sits down with poet, teacher, and Poet Laureate Emerita of Amesbury, Massachusetts, Ellie O’Leary to explore the healing and transformative power of writing. Ellie shares how poetry and memoir became a way to organize her thoughts, process life’s challenges, and tell meaningful stories rooted in resilience. She opens up about writing her memoir Up Home Again, which reflects on a difficult period marked by illness and financial struggle, and how taking life one step at a time led her toward renewal. Together, Leah and Ellie discuss creativity, the courage to share our stories, and how writing—whether poetry, journaling, or memoir—can become a powerful path for reflection, healing, and growth.