Dan Yashinsky is a self-proclaimed ex-hippy, originally from California, he is young at heart and has been telling stories for as long as he can remember. His interest was telling stories for adults and because if you don’t have a venue for telling stories, one needs to make one. Dan created several venues for telling. He has written and edited books, won countless awards and is a very well-respected and popular storyteller throughout the world.

Unfortunately, it turned out we didn’t have long to talk, however, we covered a lot in the short amount of time we had. Dan mentions Bob Barton, Joan Bodger and Alice Kane amongst others, and there was a book we could not remember the title of. Written by Ms. Bodger it is called: “How the Heather Looks” and talks about her travels in the UK visiting sights where British children’s literature took place.

We talk about developing the language of stories, words, and how we should “never give the audience an ace when a 2 will do…” (so the audience can remain in the story themselves). We also asked, what are we doing as emerging storytellers in this still beginning, in Dan's words, renaissance of storytelling?

Reach out to Dan at his website: https://tellery.com/dan-yashinsky/

And the video he talks about regarding his stories and his partner’s dance: https://www.youtube.com/@AnnemarieCabri

The book he recommends by Alice Kane: https://broadviewpress.com/product/the-dreamer-awakes/#tab-description

If you are interested in telling in Toronto and maybe seeing Dan- https://1001fridays.org/wordpress/

And lastly, but not least (ly!) I hope you enjoy this episode of Conversations with Storytellers.

Peace,

Simon

Antonio Rocha has created a masterful piece of storytelling about a slave ship called Malaga. There is a connection between the ship and Antonio and this plays into his telling. I cannot wait to share this conversation with you.

Antonio began life as a mime, then became a storyteller. In 2020 he discovered a story about a slave ship which was built in Maine, where he now lives, and operated between the States and Brazil, where he grew up. His heritage is part African. This episode is about his research and the story and what it meant to him to be able to tell this story.

Joseph Bruchac is one of the preeminent Native storytellers in the USA. He is part Slovak and part Abenaki. He is a keeper of Native traditional tales, marched with Martin Luther King Jr., told poetry with Robert Bly and is one of my favourite storytellers and writers. Did you know he drove (and maybe still drives) a Harley, and taught in Ghana? Now you do! Find out other fascinating things about Joseph in this wonderful interview. Not to be missed!

Raised in Clayton, New York, Regi Carpenter came from the school of scrappy, studied music, but became a storyteller! Although steeped in folk and fairy tales, myths and legends, she also tells deep personal narrative. Digging deep in the well of truth she brings her love of language to all the tales she tells, and shares with us her two very different processes on learning stories, whether it’s a folk tale, or personal story. Regi also shares a folk tale.

I hope you enjoy this episode.

Regi’s website: https://regicarpenter.com/

I had been hearing about Doug for a while, and then heard his harmonica at a festival, then briefly met with him at said festival. I bought one of his CDs and loved what he did, and decided we should hear his voice here! Doug is a humble man with a deep knowledge of the woods, marshes, swamps, rainforests and a deep desire to show the human connection with the world about us through storytelling. There’s a fair bit about vultures, or peace eagles, and I get to show off how ignorant I am about nature!

One of Doug's motos: "Life is like playing a harmonica - you find a good note and wail on it!"

Doug's website: https://dougelliott.com/

Doug's books and CDs: https://dougelliott.com/shop/