On The Paper Trail...

Episode 17 continues our discussion on Journaling for Mental Health! September is National Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Awareness month, so for these two most recent episodes we have been discussing a topic important to both of us: journaling for mental health and self-care. Part II dives into less traditional journaling techniques that we have both experimented with in the past, including creative practices such as doodling and ink swatching, quote collecting, handwriting practice, sticker journaling, and more.
Disclaimer: Our discussion here is highly personal and specific to us and our own individual situations. Journaling is not a substitute for professional mental health treatment. If you need help, or feel that you need to talk to someone, we strongly encourage you to speak with a mental health treatment professional.
Show Notes and Links
National Suicide Prevention Month
On The Paper Trail Live in Nashville (October 16-18)
New Gentleman Stationer Storefront
T.G.S. x Tono & Lims Exclusive Inks
Pilot Frixion Waai
Pilot Custom 845 Vermillion Urushi Fountain Pen
Lamy 2000 Fountain Pen
Pilot Juice Up
Davinci Raymay 6-Ring Refills
Wearingeul Thumbelina Ink
Lisa's New Stickers
Kaleidocraft Prints
Get caught up on previous episodes, and find more information on the main podcast informational page.

September is National Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Awareness Month, so for Episode 16 we decided to talk about a topic that's close to both of us: Journaling for mental health and techniques we both find helpful for self care. Part I discusses our own techniques, and Part II will discuss additional journaling techniques that we may not use all the time but have tried in the past and break out periodically. Of course, we also make time to discuss the recent San Francisco Pen Show, new shop arrivals, and upcoming events!Disclaimer: Our discussion here is highly personal and specific to us and our own individual situations. Journaling is not a substitute for professional mental health treatment. If you need help, or feel that you need to talk to someone, we strongly encourage you to speak with a mental health professional.
Show Notes and Links
National Suicide Prevention Month
Pilot S20 Ballpoint
Kuru Toga Wood Mechanical Pencil
Mark'Style Tous Les Jours Ballpoint Pen
Midori Planners
Vinta Ink
Pennonia
Roterfaden Restock
Schon DSGN Lil' Dipper
Art of Creation Panel Discussion
Dallas Pen Show
On The Paper Trail Live in Nashville
Get caught up on previous episodes, and find more information on the main podcast informational page.

Join Joe and Lisa as they co-host "The Art of Creation," a panel discussion at the 2026 San Francisco Pen Show featuring a discussion with three independent makers in the stationery industry. We had the opportunity to ask our guests about their creative process, followed by an audience question and answer session. Please note that this was a live panel recording, and the audio may be uneven in parts. We have attempted to optimize it as best we can. If you would like to view the video of the panel session, you can find it at the On The Paper Trail YouTube Channel.

Show Notes and Links to Guest Profiles
Ian Schon of Schon DSGN, a manufacturing company based in Philadelphia making fountain and ballpoint pens. Schon DSGN pens each have a unique look and feel, some pens being heavier made out of brass or copper and others from super lightweight Engineered Plastics or Anodized Aluminum.
Iris Au of Glassophy, which aims to express its ideas through the art of glass lampworking. Glass lampworking is a technique that uses heat exceeding 1000 degrees Celsius to soften glass into suitable shapes, allowing for various shaping techniques such as dotting and scribing, combined with other precious materials like gold, Silver, and artificial opal.
Daryl Lim, Founder of Atelier Musubi, Singapore-based maker of small goods and specialty notebooks.Get caught up on previous episodes, and find more information on the main podcast informational page.

Do you ever feel that some fountain pen and ink combinations work especially well together? Have you found that switching inks can make a pen write better? Today we talk about how to pair fountain pens and inks to optimize your writing experience. We each go through three of our favorite pen and ink combinations, and discuss why we like specific inks in specific fountain pens.
While we try to describe everything in as much detail as possible in the show audio, those who wish to view products in real time should check out the video stream or see the show notes and links for additional information.
Podcast Video Stream
Show Notes and Links
Joe's DC Pen Show Recap
Vanness Hummingbird Green Ink
Platinum Classic Fountain Pen Ink
Galen Leather Legacy Collection
Leonardo Momento Zero Pura Fountain Pen
Leonardo Momento Magico Fantasy Series
Lamy x Uni Kuru Toga Inside Mechanical Pencils
OnionBrand Leather Notebook Covers
Pilot Iroshizuku Ink
Joe's Inks from Japan
TWSBI ECO Bahama Yellow
Kyo-no-Oto Ink
Callifolio Ink
San Francisco Pen Show
Dallas Pen Show
On The Paper Trail Live in Nashville

Our first fountain pen ink episode, where we discuss permanent inks! In this episode you'll learn about document inks, pigment inks, and iron gall inks, including relative waterproofness and lightfastness, pen care, and more. Fountain pen ink is a huge topic, so expect more ink-related episodes as we break things down into manageable chunks.
While we try to describe everything in as much detail as possible in the show audio, those who wish to view products in real time should check out the video stream or see the show notes and links for additional information.
Podcast Video Stream
Show Notes and Links
Sunderland MK1:
Roterfaden TGS_25
Lochby Mini Pocket Journal
Joe's 10 Fountain Pen Post
Custom Nib Studio
Pilot Grance Fountain Pen
Kaweco Pearlescent Green Perkeo
Galen Leather A4 Folio
Document Inks
Kakimori Pigmented Inks
Diamine Forever Inks
Platinum Pigment Inks
Platinum Iron Gall Inks
KWZ Iron Gall Ink
Diamine Registrar's Ink (Iron Gall)
Results of Our Water Test