A lifetime of healing through storytelling.

Mindwriters was founded by author and former journalist Carly Schwartz, who struggled with severe depression and addiction for most of her early adulthood.

Throughout her career as a newsroom and editorial leader, Carly discovered the power of storytelling—one of humankind’s oldest crafts—to create connection, unite communities, spark joy, and evoke empathy. But it wasn’t until she channeled storytelling inward that she was able to transcend her own darkness. During her time in residential rehab, writing was the daily act that eventually guided her into recovery, and exchanging stories with others who deeply understood her challenges helped transform her perspective.

Along the way, Carly was introduced to the concept of narrative therapy by one of her writing mentors. Developed in Australia in the 1980s, this specialized therapeutic approach explores the role of stories in shaping individuals’ lives and experiences. Carly spent a year studying narrative therapy at the Evanston Family Therapy Center, and has used those learnings to inform her development of Mindwriters workshops.

I’ll Try Anything Twice, Carly’s memoir chronicling her recovery adventures in both the Central American jungle and a San Francisco commune, will be published in March 2026 by She Writes Press. She’s the former editor-in-chief of the San Francisco Examiner and founding editor of HuffPost SF, and has been a spokesperson for the JED Foundation and Google’s Recover Together campaign.

Today, Carly runs an editorial consulting firm with an emphasis on telling stories about three subject areas that will play an essential role in shaping the future: climate tech, local politics, and mental health. She facilitates Mindwriters events all over the world, so please get in touch if you’d like to book a workshop or learn more.