In this episode, Michael McRay introduces his upcoming conversation with Selena Garefino, a somatic storytelling practitioner who weaves yoga, storytelling, anthropology, and coaching into a transformative practice. As a prelude to their full interview, Michael shares the ancient Germanic tale of the Handless Maiden - a powerful story about loss, transformation, and rebirth. Through this myth, Michael explores how stories live not just in our minds but in our bodies, and how disconnecting from our bodies often means losing access to the very stories we need for healing. This episode serves as a beautiful introduction to Selena's philosophy that we don't just tell stories - we carry them, embody them, and move through them as they move through us.

Coming Up Soon

• Join next week for Michael's conversation with Selena Garefino 
• STORY 2025: October 9th and 10th 2025 at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center in Nashville, Tennessee
• Applied Narrative Intelligence: Istoria's certification program 
• Later this season: Lisa Cron, author of "Wired for Story"

Resources

• Istoria Website
• Instagram: @istoria_studio
• Email: [email protected]
• The Handless Maiden: Germanic folktale mentioned throughout the episode
• Dr. Martin Shaw