By Amy Hallberg
5
44 ratings
The podcast currently has 97 episodes available.
From Amy: Terry Newby and I met in the spring of 2023 and found resonance between our writing that led us to trade books. We wanted to explore what it was to write about real people related to us, Terry in historical fiction and plays, me in creative nonfiction, specifically memoir. This is the third and final episode that resulted from that conversation. While Terry and I write different genres, the fact remains that we're writing around similar troublesome themes in American history, a history that is very much still playing out in modern-day patterns. We simply come to our understandings from different vantage points. Mine came through a longtime study of German literature as a lens on challenges closer to home, and I talk about that narrative path. But it wasn't until I read Isabel Wilkerson's Caste that I finally had a name for what I've seen all along in my homeland.
Terrance C. Newby is an attorney, novelist, and playwright based in St. Paul, Minnesota. His plays The Cage, The Body Politic, Reunion Forever, and The Piano Teacher have been professionally staged in Twin Cities theaters.
Terry's novel, Dangerfield's Promise, was published in April 2022, and has received five-star reviews from the Seattle Book Review, Manhattan Book Review, Chicago Book Review, and the Midwest Book Review, among others. Terry is currently working on a sequel to Dangerfield's Promise.
Terry's LinkedIn
Terry has two upcoming plays being staged. See you there?
Little Rock 1942: The true story of a civil rights lawsuit that brought Thurgood Marshall to St. Paul, and led to the landmark Brown v. Board of Education decision
October 3 & 4, 7 pm | October 5, 2 pm, 2024. Landmark Center, St. Paul, MN.
https://www.landmarkcenter.org/history-play/
Our Dearest Friends (the second play of the night)
Thu, Nov 21, 2024 7:00 PM Sun, Nov 24, 2024 2:00 PM. The Hive Collaborative, St. Paul, MN.
https://www.thehivecollaborativemn.com/events/a-woman-over-forty
Amy Hallberg is the author of Tiny Altars: A Midlife Revival and German Awakening: Tales from an American Life. She is the host of Courageous Wordsmith Podcast and founder of Courageous Wordsmith Circle for Real-Life Writers. As a story coach and book writing mentor, she guides writers through their narrative journeys, from inklings to beautiful works. A lifelong Minnesotan and mother of grown twins, Amy lives in the Twin Cities with her husband and two cats.
Learn about Courageous Wordsmith Circle for Real-Life Writers
Work with Amy 1:1
From Amy: Terry Newby and I met in the spring of 2023 and found resonance between our writing that led us to trade books. We wanted to explore what it was to write about real people related to us, Terry in historical fiction and plays, me in creative nonfiction, specifically memoir. This is the second of three episodes that resulted from that conversation. While Terry writes about real people using fiction to convey larger truths, he wondered what it's like when the people I write about are real people, and my contract with a reader of creative nonfiction says that anything I write about has to have happened. The very fact that I'm writing about any events or relationship already tells you that everything wasn't simply perfect. (Because... boring.) How we treat real people in writing is a question I regularly navigate with writers. Terry and I talk about how I navigate that in my work.
Terrance C. Newby is an attorney, novelist, and playwright based in St. Paul, Minnesota. His plays The Cage, The Body Politic, Reunion Forever, and The Piano Teacher have been professionally staged in Twin Cities theaters.
Terry's novel, Dangerfield's Promise, was published in April 2022, and has received five-star reviews from the Seattle Book Review, Manhattan Book Review, Chicago Book Review, and the Midwest Book Review, among others. Terry is currently working on a sequel to Dangerfield's Promise.
Terry's LinkedIn
Terry has two upcoming plays being staged. See you there?
Little Rock 1942: The true story of a civil rights lawsuit that brought Thurgood Marshall to St. Paul, and led to the landmark Brown v. Board of Education decision
October 3 & 4, 7 pm | October 5, 2 pm, 2024. Landmark Center, St. Paul, MN.
https://www.landmarkcenter.org/history-play/
Our Dearest Friends (the second play of the night)
Thu, Nov 21, 2024 7:00 PM Sun, Nov 24, 2024 2:00 PM. The Hive Collaborative, St. Paul, MN.
https://www.thehivecollaborativemn.com/events/a-woman-over-forty
Amy Hallberg is the author of Tiny Altars: A Midlife Revival and German Awakening: Tales from an American Life. She is the host of Courageous Wordsmith Podcast and founder of Courageous Wordsmith Circle for Real-Life Writers. As a story coach and book writing mentor, she guides writers through their narrative journeys, from inklings to beautiful works. A lifelong Minnesotan and mother of grown twins, Amy lives in the Twin Cities with her husband and two cats.
Learn about Courageous Wordsmith Circle for Real-Life Writers
Work with Amy 1:1
From Amy: Terry Newby and I met in the spring of 2023 and found resonance between our writing that led us to trade books. We wanted to explore what it was to write about real people related to us, Terry in historical fiction and plays, me in creative nonfiction, specifically memoir. This is the first of three episodes that resulted from that conversation. In Terry's case, the relative was Dangerfield Newby, a newly-emancipated black Virginian determined to buy his wife and children out of slavery, and the first of John Brown's men to be killed in the ill-fated raid on Harper's Ferry. Dangerfield's modern counterpoint is fictitious surgeon Michael Turner, who becomes a surrogate for Terry in tracking his ancestor Dangerfield's path. Through this novel, Terry brought historical circumstances to life for me on many levels, and I'm excited to share our discussion.
Terrance C. Newby is an attorney, novelist, and playwright based in St. Paul, Minnesota. His plays The Cage, The Body Politic, Reunion Forever, and The Piano Teacher have been professionally staged in Twin Cities theaters.
Terry's novel, Dangerfield's Promise, was published in April 2022, and has received five-star reviews from the Seattle Book Review, Manhattan Book Review, Chicago Book Review, and the Midwest Book Review, among others. Terry is currently working on a sequel to Dangerfield's Promise.
Terry's LinkedIn
Terry has two upcoming plays being staged. See you there?
Little Rock 1942: The true story of a civil rights lawsuit that brought Thurgood Marshall to St. Paul, and led to the landmark Brown v. Board of Education decision
October 3 & 4, 7 pm | October 5, 2 pm, 2024. Landmark Center, St. Paul, MN.
https://www.landmarkcenter.org/history-play/
Our Dearest Friends (the second play of the night)
Thu, Nov 21, 2024 7:00 PM Sun, Nov 24, 2024 2:00 PM. The Hive Collaborative, St. Paul, MN.
https://www.thehivecollaborativemn.com/events/a-woman-over-forty
Amy Hallberg is the author of Tiny Altars: A Midlife Revival and German Awakening: Tales from an American Life. She is the host of Courageous Wordsmith Podcast and founder of Courageous Wordsmith Circle for Real-Life Writers. As a story coach and book writing mentor, she guides writers through their narrative journeys, from inklings to beautiful works. A lifelong Minnesotan and mother of grown twins, Amy lives in the Twin Cities with her husband and two cats.
Learn about Courageous Wordsmith Circle for Real-Life Writers
Work with Amy 1:1
A note from Amy about this excerpt from Tiny Altars: A Midlife Revival
Every book, like every child, seems to arrive in its own divine timing and have its own significant birthday, and this is especially true for this memoir of history witnessed in real time. Because I had abruptly ended my teaching career midyear, I was available to be an up-close observer of a remarkable period in America, as a longtime student of 20th century German literature and film.
And that's just a taste of my curriculum vitae.
I always intended to release an audiobook of Tiny Altars, originally published in paperback and ebook in April 21, 2023. (On the anniversary of Prince's passing, a significant event in my book and for Minnesotans. Among other reasons.) For whatever reason, this audiobook production didn't align until early 2024. As in, it steadfastly refused to get going—until it did. All year, I've slowly but surely recorded and listened to every chapter, bringing this version to life, in collaboration with K.O. Myers at Particulate Media.
Recently, K.O. and I have been weighing which chapters I'd like to excerpt here first, on my podcast.
As I've revisited my own words aloud, it has fascinated me to recognize JUST HOW TIMELY AND RELEVANT this book has become in the summer of 2024. So much so that when my beloved Joe Biden (I saw him speak in Minneapolis when he was campaigning for Barack Obama's second term) stepped down from his candidacy for reelection as President of the United States, passing the torch to Kamala Harris, we both knew this was the section for me to start with. K.O. set about producing the episode for me.
That was even before my beloved Minnesota Governor Tim Walz joined the ticket. You won't see his name in my book. It's too late to add him to this episode. But he's in it. Along with this, our Minnesota Nice culture, once again in the world's spotlight.
Yesterday Kamala and Tim accepted the nomination, and it occurred to me that today, the third day of the DNC in Chicago, is exactly the right day to release this episode. Two notes on its content: My book is about finding personal responsibility and freedom in my American homeland, and this chapter is about my personal and political lineage.
I do mention two characters. My aunt "Vivian" and my paternal grandmother "Doris" are significant elders to me.
I believe that Tiny Altars, my audiobook, will premiere on October 3, 2025—leading up to the election.
But we'll see!
Thanks for listening now.
Love, Amy
Amy Hallberg is the author of Tiny Altars: A Midlife Revival and German Awakening: Tales from an American Life. She is the host of Courageous Wordsmith Podcast and founder of Courageous Wordsmith Circle for Real-Life Writers. As a story coach and book writing mentor, she guides writers through their narrative journeys, from inklings to beautiful works. A lifelong Minnesotan and mother of grown twins, Amy lives in the Twin Cities with her husband and two cats.
Learn about Courageous Wordsmith Circle for Real-Life Writers
Work with Amy 1:1
Amy chats with Erica Jones about embodied writing. They discuss the healing process through writing, and how their collaboration brings together their unique expertise in writing and somatic nervous system work. In particular, Erica shares her journey of processing trauma through storytelling.
NOTE from Amy: In this episode, Erica and I talk about a book and an upcoming writing retreat. We originally thought the retreat might happen this fall, but if you listen to the episode, it's clear that our bodies know this timeline is fluid. We'll keep you posted.
Erica Jones is a Transformational Coach, Multidimensional Healer, Musician, Author, and Mystic. A passionate explorer and voracious researcher, Erica lives in the intersection between science and spirituality. Her practical, evidence-based approach is a blend of 22 years of professional training and experience, inspired by her living connection with spirit. Clients call her the goddess of understanding, she has a keen ability to translate the wonders of the world, the wisdom of the body, and the whispers of the soul into actionable, aligned steps towards a life of passion and purpose. Erica’s background as a massage therapist, health educator, bodywork practitioner, sound healer, somatic practitioner, trauma-informed coach, podcast host, author, and retreat leader has helped clients around the United States, ranging from Olympic athletes, CEOs, directors of nonprofits, and community leaders, with a focus on helping high-performing women to come home to the themselves and experience feeling welle, within.
Erica's Substack
https://www.instagram.com/wellewithin
https://open.substack.com/pub/wellewithin
https://m.facebook.com/wellewithin/
Amy Hallberg is the author of Tiny Altars: A Midlife Revival and German Awakening: Tales from an American Life. She is the host of Courageous Wordsmith Podcast and founder of Courageous Wordsmith Circle for Real-Life Writers. As a story coach and book writing mentor, she guides writers through their narrative journeys, from inklings to beautiful works. A lifelong Minnesotan and mother of grown twins, Amy lives in the Twin Cities with her husband and two cats.
Learn about Courageous Wordsmith Circle for Real-Life Writers
Work with Amy 1:1
In this episode of Courageous Wordsmith, author and story coach Amy Hallberg reflects on her personal and professional journey over the past year, marked by the decision to re-center her business and hire a virtual assistant, Brooke Roy.
Amy discusses the importance of finding collaborative partners, learning from missteps, and understanding her own creative and working style through the lens of Human Design. The episode features a candid conversation with Brooke about her life-changing trip to Egypt and its metaphoric significance in their working relationship and creative process.
The episode underscores the necessity of support, authenticity, and courage in embodying one's voice.
Brooke Roy, is a virtual assistant and medical intuitive. She is a Reiki Master and has been on this journey of self-exploration and wellness for almost 20 years. She believes we can help our over health by being aware of our emotions and surroundings. Brooke's passion is providing people with insights through her medical intuitive readings. You can find Brooke on FB & IG.
Schedule a Medical Intuitive Reading
Amy Hallberg is the author of Tiny Altars: A Midlife Revival and German Awakening: Tales from an American Life. She is the host of Courageous Wordsmith Podcast and founder of Courageous Wordsmith Circle for Real-Life Writers. As a story coach and book writing mentor, she guides writers through their narrative journeys, from inklings to beautiful works. A lifelong Minnesotan and mother of grown twins, Amy lives in the Twin Cities with her husband and two cats.
Learn about Courageous Wordsmith Circle for Real-Life Writers
Work with Amy 1:1
This is an old recording I found (or that found me) while I was working with audio files, and it seemed like the perfect timing to give you a sense of what it's like to work with me in a group writing session... which I offer regularly in my Circle for Real-Life Writers and when I facilitate writing retreats. Even if you don't want to write, the first part of the recording talks about some of the push and pull between different parts of your mind that make it hard to get traction with writing. In case you were wondering.
I hope you enjoy it.
Amy Hallberg is the author of Tiny Altars: A Midlife Revival and German Awakening: Tales from an American Life. She is the host of Courageous Wordsmith Podcast and founder of Courageous Wordsmith Circle for Real-Life Writers. As a story coach and book writing mentor, she guides writers through their narrative journeys, from inklings to beautiful works. A lifelong Minnesotan and mother of grown twins, Amy lives in the Twin Cities with her husband and two cats.
Learn about Courageous Wordsmith Circle for Real-Life Writers
Work with Amy 1:1
Dr. Martha Jo Atkins, professional counselor, author, and speaker, guides individuals and families through end of life journeys. With three decades of experience, and a passion for storytelling through photography and film, Dr. Atkins fosters a space where fear lessens and courage and understanding bloom, allowing us to embrace the sacredness of dying and what it means to be alive.
Amy Hallberg is the author of Tiny Altars: A Midlife Revival and German Awakening: Tales from an American Life. She is the host of Courageous Wordsmith Podcast and founder of Courageous Wordsmith Circle for Real-Life Writers. As a story coach and book writing mentor, she guides writers through their narrative journeys, from inklings to beautiful works. A lifelong Minnesotan and mother of grown twins, Amy lives in the Twin Cities with her husband and two cats.
Learn about Courageous Wordsmith Circle for Real-Life Writers
Work with Amy 1:1
Emily P. G. Erickson is a Minnesota-based writer specializing in mental health and parenting. You can find her bylines in major digital publications, including Everyday Health, Health, The New York Times, Parents, Romper, Verywell Mind, Wired, and more. A former PTSD researcher for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Emily also holds a master’s degree in counseling psychology. Today her work focuses on bringing personal insights, scientific findings, and expert advice to the public through writing.
Sign up for Emily's newsletter
https://emilypgerickson.com/
Amy Hallberg is the author of Tiny Altars: A Midlife Revival and German Awakening: Tales from an American Life. She is the host of Courageous Wordsmith Podcast and founder of Courageous Wordsmith Circle for Real-Life Writers. As a story coach and book writing mentor, she guides writers through their narrative journeys, from inklings to beautiful works. A lifelong Minnesotan and mother of grown twins, Amy lives in the Twin Cities with her husband and two cats.
Learn about Courageous Wordsmith Circle for Real-Life Writers
Work with Amy 1:1
The podcast currently has 97 episodes available.