Conversations With Storytellers

By Simon BrooksArts Performing Arts

Conversations With Storytellers episodes

September 20, 2019 Heather Forest
Heather Forest forged her own way into storytelling, coming from a folk music background. A highly intelligent, thoughtful, and warm human being, Heather was great to sit down with. This is the third in a series of three interviews I conducted in March, 2019 at Sharing the Fire, the North East Story Telling Conference. The other two are previous episodes of Elisa Pearmain, and Loren Niemi.

Heather mentions the first guitar she ever had and I found a photo of one just like it - Heather confirmed this!

Heather's website: http://www.heatherforest.com/
1 hr 1 min
August 16, 2019 Elisa Pearmain
Elisa Pearmain was one of the storytellers who created a storytelling community in New England, particularly in the Boston area. Throughout her career her work has been deeply steeped in healing, from dance to storytelling to therapy and her work is included in a number of books and CDs. Her compassion and depth is remarkable, as is her story.
42 minutes
43 min
July 19, 2019 Michael Parent
I have to admit when I first met Michael Parent I was intimidated by him. I couldn't figure him out - was he being serious, was he being funny? I couldn't tell. Over time I got to know him a little better and found him to be a very warm man indeed, sharp as a needle and quick witted.
He still is today, even though his challenge with Parkinson's disease sometimes slows his word choice down. This conversation, with Michael's permission, has been edited, cutting out some of the silences as he sought out the rights words. I thoroughly enjoyed my time with him and cannot wait to see him again and hang out.
Michael Parent talks about his family history in mills, how music was seen as something better than storytelling, but how Michael sees the two should go together. You will hear about his juggling skills, uke band, and sing-a-longs!
He mentions a song by Malvina Reynolds, and here is a version I heard as a kid by the Seekers, of that song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6YP7GCXqdqU
We had many laughs during the chat, and I hope you join in laughing, too.
Peace,
Simon
1 hr
June 21, 2019 Loren Niemi
I first met Loren many years ago, and over the years have come to know him better. Loren is fascinating and has a very broad vision of storytelling. He began as an activist using story for good cause, and has taught, coached, produced and written. He currently has two storytelling books, "Inviting the Wolf In" which he co-wrote with Elizabeth Ellis, and "The New Book of Plots." He also has a poetry book and collection of ghost stories out.
Enjoy this 40 minute conversation with Loren Niemi.
42 min
May 17, 2019 Papa Joe Gaudet
Papa Joe Gaudet once traveled all over the USA telling stories. He had a team of people working for him. Then one day he vanished from the scene.
When I began storytelling professionally in New Hampshire, I was often greeted with a comment - Do you know Papa Joe? I did not. Nor could I find him. Then looking for a fun Halloween story for younger people, my friend and colleague Karen Chace told me a story Papa Joe had created. I could not find him to ask permission, but Karen ensured that Papa Joe loved his stories being shared, and I should tell it. So I did. Then, ten years after his 'disappearance' he reappeared. I reached out to him and we became fast friends. He has mentored me, we have worked and often played together. He is a family friend, not just to me, but to many people in the North East.
Papa Joe is the modern embodiment of what a storyteller used to be. He travels around New England telling stories to anyone who will listen, from schools and cafes, to bars and busking. He lives in his mobile home, drinking from fresh water springs and eating the fruits of the forest, and bread I have made! His laugh is as infectious as his smile, and I am very happy to call him my good friend.
Enjoy this history of an amazing man and his thoughts about story.
Running time approx:1 hour 9 minutes
Papa Joe's website: http://papajoestorytelling.com/biz/index.htm
There are many stories here which he loves people to tell and share.
1 hr 8 min
April 19, 2019 Jay O'Callahan
Jay O'Callahan, in my mind, is a modern day Hans Christian Andersen. He began telling stories he made up for his children. Jay began telling stories to the public years ago. He met Fred Rogers and appeared on Mr. Roger's Neighborhood. He has created some amazing work from stories of steel towns to NASA. Jay has numerous recordings and a few books. His workshops are a must for anyone interested in story and the process of creating work, and his passion for Emily Dickinson is great.
Jay, like all the storytellers I know is a wonderful human being. Open-hearted, thoughtful, with a full spirit, he is fascinating to listen to no matter the topic. This conversation was recorded at his home in Marshfield, Massachusetts, in 2018. Although Jay is one of the very few storytellers I am interviewing who tells personal stories I thought it was important to hear his story. His work is varied, the way his works is pretty unique, and, as I said, I think he is a modern day HCA.
Enjoy.
Running time approx:1 hour 14 minutes
Jay's website: https://ocallahan.com/

1 hr 15 min
March 15, 2019 Donna Washington
I first met Donna Washington at the National Storytelling Network many years ago. Donna was friendly and generous with her time, had a wealth of knowledge and a grin the size of the Cheshire Cat. When I began thinking about this podcast, I knew I had to chat with Donna.
A self-proclaimed arm brat, a storyteller who throws her whole being in her telling, a writer and deep thinker, Donna and I talked about many things. From family to world views, and how traveling gives one a very different view on the world.
Enjoy this Conversation With Donna Washington!
Running time approx: 1 hr 23 minutes
Donna's website: https://dlwstoryteller.com/
Donna's blog: http://donnawashingtonstoryteller.blogspot.com/

1 hr 24 min
February 20, 2019 Elizabeth Ellis, part two
This is the conclusion of the conversation I had with the remarkable Elizabeth Ellis. Elizabeth is one of the fairy godmothers, if not The Fairy Godmother of storytelling. Her skill and passion for the craft is consummate, her support for young storytellers is great, and her knowledge is deep. To get a one-on-one meeting with Elizabeth is beyond worth and I am happy to share the time I was given with you.
This podcast runs to about 60 minutes. Enjoy.
Elizabeth's website: http://www.elizabethellis.com/index.shtml

1 hr
February 16, 2019 Elizabeth Ellis, part one
Many people, when they first meet Elizabeth Ellis are at least a little in awe. She is a powerful and compassionate woman, with a soft voice. She kindly agreed to sit down with me at the 2016 National Storytelling Network Conference. The interview, the conversation began in the hall as we were heading to a quite room, before I got my gear set up. We sat down, Elizabeth got some water and we began to talk. The interview went well over two hours. I edited it down to keep it 'on topic.' We storytellers can meander along a winding path of conversation and take many side roads!
Elizabeth talks history, compassion, authenticity and story. She reminisces about driving 200 miles to see another storyteller - it was just what you did; how she worked with other storytellers, and the importance of story. Because of the length of the conversation, it is broken into two episodes. The first (this) episode is about 55 minutes and part two is around an hour!
Enjoy!
Elizabeth's website: http://www.elizabethellis.com/index.shtml
56 min
February 16, 2019 Laura Simms
After the passing of some great storytellers, I decided I wanted to interview some of the elders in the community of traditional storytelling. I wanted to capture their thoughts, their ideas, and maybe ideals in their own voices.
Episode One - Laura Simms
Laura grew up in New York and lives there now. Learn how she was drawn to telling traditional folk and fairy tales, her work with UNICEF, how her life filled this bubbly and vivacious woman with compassion. Find out how she has worked with musicians, her work with child soldiers and hear one of Laura's stories.
Welcome to Conversations with Storytellers
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Thank you!
50 min