I was on the Risk! podcast. You can listen to my episode here, or listen to Risk! wherever you usually get your podcasts.
Despite the episode title – Holiday Blues – I think my story is fairly hopeful and uplifting. But I’ll let you decide that.
I am finding it hard to find hope these days. No one I know is enjoying the current norm, no matter their political leanings. It’s just not a joyful time in this country, at the least. As an entertainer, I realize that people need and crave diversion and joy and laughs. As a storyteller, I also understand that the stories I tell should respond to and reflect the times. So does that mean they should bring joy and hope, address current politics and fear, or reflect what I see through metaphor and folklore? Storytelling problems are not the worst problems to have, but these are the thoughts that I prefer keeping me up at night.
I have two shows coming up where I am attempting to walk that line. On January 31st, I’m premiering a new story at Better Said Than Done’s “A New Leaf” storytelling show, in Falls Church, VA. Tickets and details here. This one is hard. This story stares darkness in the eyes. But there are six other storytellers who will be standing beside me, and some of them will bring the joy that I don’t feel this story will. Connection, yes. Empathy, perhaps. But not joy. Not this time.
I’m having a hard time deciding what to tell at The Grapevine, on February 11th. Partly, I am nervous because I am featured alongside Chetter Galloway, one of my favorite humans and storytellers, and I don’t want to let him down. We’ve spoken about our sets a couple times now – trying to balance our stories. Between the two of us, we’re planning to bring heartwarming joy, while also reflecting and responding to current events. I know he’ll be great. But I went to see Bonnie Gardner and Andy Offutt Irwin in the January show at The Grapevine and it was a perfect set. The two of them did everything I aspire to do as a storyteller in this time. They managed to walk that line so well, they set a really high bar. So, I plan to bring it – just as soon as I figure out the “it” I am going to bring.
Details and links to register to watch The Grapevine online or in-person for free here.
Between my two upcoming performances, my “Five Weeks of Winter Workshops” begins. What I love about the online workshops is that people can join from all over and I can keep the fee affordable. But what I love most about any workshop I lead is the interaction. I love teaching, but especially love hearing from the students – whether that’s their questions, their comments, or their stories. Storytelling is always a conversation, but in my storytelling workshops, we actually get to have real, interactive conversations about one of the things I love the most in this world – storytelling. And that brings me, and I hope also my students, heartwarming joy.
Details and links to register to one or all of my five weeks of winter workshops here.
I know stories are not the most important thing in the world, but I do believe in the importance of sharing stories in this moment – whether that is because of the community feel of attending or performing in a storytelling show, or because stories can teach us, much like history can teach us, about the world and how to navigate it. And, of course, stories can bring joy and much needed relief in times of conflict and stress, like the one we find ourselves in now.
Come to a show, take a workshop, meet me at the Women’s Storytelling Festival, listen to your favorite podcast, or go see your favorite storyteller, comedian, singer, author, entertainer of any type. Take care of yourself. And please, take care.
I have a newsletter. It goes out about ten times a year. It’s a centralized location to read a summary of both the stuff I have coming up and the stuff I just did. Mostly, it’s a way to find out about upcoming events without having to come back to my Events Listing – the way I know you all do.
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I appreciate you. Thank you for reading.