The Day One Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

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.

Start the New Year with intention and personal growth through reflective journaling. In this episode, we sit down with Lynda Monk, Director of the International Association for Journal Writing, to explore how journaling can help you capture memories, savor life, set meaningful goals, and gain valuable insights.

Lynda shares her unique approach to reflective journaling, practical prompts to get you started, and inspiration to make journaling a transformative habit in 2025. She also discusses the power of reflective journaling, the benefits of community in a typically solitary practice, and how journaling can serve as a compass for life's big decisions.

Visit dayoneapp.com/podcast/episode-57-lynda-monk for a list of prompts shared in this episode, including links to use them in your Day One journal.

Learn more about Lynda’s work and the International Association for Journal Writing at iajw.org.

Join the 14-Day New Year's Journaling Challenge! Start 2025 with clarity and purpose. Over 14 days, you’ll receive daily journal prompts designed to help you set meaningful goals and envision your best year ahead. Visit dayoneapp.com/newyear to get started today.

In our final episode of the year, we take a behind-the-scenes look at the latest updates and highlights from Day One. Head of Engineering Murphy Randle joins the conversation to discuss recent developments, including the return of journal header colors, updates to the Android and web apps, and the end of the Instagram connection.

Murphy also shares how his journaling habits have evolved over the years, reflecting on the power of honest and unfiltered writing.

Topics Covered

• Instagram Connection Discontinued (and the TechCrunch article)
• Return of Journal Header Colors
• Our "What’s New" Release Notes Hub
• Android App Updates
• Enhancements for Day One on the web
• Danny Gregory's YouTube Video on Day One Book Printing
• Day One's 14-Day Year in Review Journaling Challenge
• Give the Gift of Day One

Grief is a universal yet deeply personal experience. In this episode, Agnes Kowalski, an Advanced Certified Grief Recovery Specialist, shares her expansive perspective on grief and how it manifests in everyday life—not just in the wake of death, but through intangible losses like trust, safety, and direction.

Through the lens of journaling, Agnes offers practical ways to honor your grief, process emotions, and find meaning amid loss. Agnes also sheds light on common misconceptions about grief, and explains why active participation in our grief is essential for recovery.

Agnes also shares some journaling prompts for grief, such as:

• What is my level of emotional pain today, on a scale of 0 to 10?
• How is my mind, body, and spirit today in relation to my grief?
• Today, I miss …

Visit dayoneapp.com/podcast/episode-55-agnes-kowalski to get the full list of prompts that Agnes mentions in this episode, including links to answer each prompt in your Day One journal. 

Learn more about Agnes:
agneskowalski.com

In this episode, bestselling author and host of Behind the Human, Marc Champagne, shares how journaling can become a cornerstone of mental fitness. He explores the power of asking better questions, embracing reflection, and taking intentional pauses to navigate stress, boost creativity, and gain clarity.

Drawing from his book Personal Socrates, Marc provides actionable strategies to help you check in with yourself, challenge limiting narratives, and uncover fresh perspectives. He also shares practical journaling prompts designed to build self-awareness, manage daily challenges, and support personal growth, such as:

• How do I feel today?
• What’s fueling this feeling?
• What’s fact, and what’s fiction?
• What can I celebrate about today?

Visit dayoneapp.com/podcast/episode-54-marc-champagne/ to get the full list of questions that Marc mentions in this episode, including links to answer each prompt in your Day One journal. 

Learn more about Marc: 
mchampagne.com

Join the 14-Day Year in Review Journaling Challenge! Pause, reflect, and look back on the moments that shaped your year. When you sign up, you'll receive a daily journal prompt straight to your inbox. Each prompt is designed to help you celebrate your wins, learn from challenges, and close out the year with gratitude and clarity. Visit dayoneapp.com/yearinreview to get started today.

In this episode, internationally bestselling author and founder of Sketchbook Skool, Danny Gregory, shares how illustrated journaling became his creative anchor through life’s ups and downs. From documenting everyday moments to processing profound personal challenges, Danny reflects on the transformative power of combining journaling and art to stay grounded in the present.

We explore how journaling can help celebrate the beauty in the mundane, foster creativity, and provide perspective over time. Plus, Danny offers insights into his 1,000+ day journaling streak and practical advice for those looking to build a sustainable journaling habit. Join us for an inspiring conversation on art, journaling, and finding joy in the little things.

Learn more about Danny: 

https://dannygregory.com/
https://www.youtube.com/SketchBookSkool
https://dannysessays.com/

Join the 14-Day Gratitude Journaling Challenge! For 14 days, discover gratitude, boost happiness, and brighten your outlook, one journal entry at a time. Sign up to receive daily email prompts that inspire reflection on the people, moments, and experiences that matter most.

Sign up now: https://dayoneapp.com/gratitude

The Day One Podcast returns with an insightful conversation with founder Paul Mayne, who shares his vision of Day One as a lifetime companion for preserving life’s meaningful moments.

In this episode, Paul reflects on Day One’s journey—from its early days as an Apple-only app to a trusted, multi-platform tool for millions. He discusses recent updates and behind-the-scenes improvements to ensure seamless performance and security, along with exciting plans to enhance journaling with guided features and carefully considered AI tools.

Join us as Paul shares what’s ahead for Day One, what journaling means to him personally, and his hopes for Day One as a lifetime tool for meaningful reflection.

After a three-year hiatus, the Day One podcast is back with a fresh format and a renewed focus on the power of journaling. In each episode, we'll invite experts and everyday journalers to share their insights into the ways journaling helps us remember and reflect.

Here at Day One, we're on a mission to help people everywhere keep a journal and discover the many benefits of taking time to reflect and capture life's moments. So, whether you're new to journaling or have been at it for years, we hope this podcast will bring you inspiration ideas and some practical tips to enhance your own journaling practice.

We'll also cover the latest updates from the Day One team, including new features, release notes, and a few tips for getting the most from your Day One journal. 

Visit dayoneapp.com/podcast for more info.

Hello! Thanks for listening to our episode today! I wanted to recap some of the main highlights for Day One this year and give a small roadmap update.

10 Questions to Capture the Year in Your Journal

Here are the links to help articles for items mentioned in today's episode.

- Entry Merging

- Timeline Sort Order

- All-day Entries

- Pinned Entries

- Concealed Journals

- Slash Commands

- Backup and Sync options