People I (Mostly) Admire

Suleika Jaouad’s Survival Mechanisms (Replay)

36 snips
Nov 15, 2025
Suleika Jaouad, an author and journalist, shares her profound insights from battling cancer and chronicling her journey in her memoir, Between Two Kingdoms. She discusses the importance of honest communication with friends during illness and critiques toxic positivity. Suleika emphasizes the power of community among young cancer patients and highlights her experience transforming isolation into creative expression. The conversation also touches on essential support for patients and innovative ideas to boost bone marrow donor participation.
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ANECDOTE

Turning Isolation Into A Project

  • During COVID lockdown, Suleika used her hospital isolation experience to run the Isolation Journals.
  • She offered a 100-day journaling project to help people convert isolation into creative solitude.
ADVICE

Keep A Low-Pressure Journal

  • Keep a daily journal without pressure: entries can be one word or one sentence.
  • Use prompts and invite creative variations to sustain the habit and unlock reflection.
ANECDOTE

A Novel That Felt Like Company

  • Suleika re-read The Fault in Our Stars repeatedly while facing uncertain survival.
  • The book comforted her by treating characters as full people who talk frankly about death and desires.
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