Roland Allen On Notebooks, Writing And Thinking – This Week’s Six Pixels of Separation Podcast

Episode #967 of Six Pixels of Separation – The ThinkersOne Podcast is now live and ready for you to listen to:

Roland Allen is a publisher and author based in the UK, with a background in book and notebook publishing. He studied at Manchester University and has written on diverse subjects, including bicycles and bread. Roland has maintained a personal diary for decades and has a particular fondness for stationery. In this conversation, we delved into his latest book, The Notebook – A History of Thinking on Paper, which explores the profound impact of notebooks on creativity and thought processes throughout history (and, wow, I do love notebooks and I loved this book!). Roland shares his insights into how the tactile act of writing engages our senses uniquely, fostering clarity and connection in an increasingly digital world. We discuss the psychological benefits of journaling, the resurgence of interest in handwriting, and how notebooks continue to inspire productivity and joy. His reflections on the utilitarian origins of notebooks and the personal relationships individuals have with their stationery offers a fresh perspective on the value of putting pen to paper. If you’ve ever appreciated the feel of a fresh notebook or the act of writing by hand (or if you can’t walk by a stationary store and not go in… like me), this episode provides a deeper understanding of an often-overlooked tool that has shaped human thought for centuries, and may hold the answer to how you can improve your skills and knowledge in 2025. Enjoy the conversation!

You can grab the latest episode of Six Pixels of Separation here (or feel free to subscribe via Apple Podcast or whatever platform you may choose): #967 – Six Pixels of Separation – The ThinkersOne Podcast.

Before you go… ThinkersOne  is a new way for organizations to buy bite-sized and personalized thought leadership video content (live and recorded) from the best Thinkers in the world. If you’re looking to add excitement and big smarts to your meetings, corporate events, company off-sites, “lunch & learns” and beyond,check it out.