WV Uncommonplace : Uncommon Conversations

Tina Davidson, a renowned classical composer with over four decades of experience, embarked on a journey into memoir writing with her deeply moving title, "Let Your Heart Be Broken." Raised in a foster home in Sweden before being adopted by an American mother, Tina's personal odyssey greatly influenced her musical compositions. Her perspective on her memoir is centered around the concept of heartbreak being a transformative experience. Through her own trials with loss, trauma, and major life changes, she urges readers to face their heartbreak head-on. As Davidson sees it, pain can be a catalyst for growth, rebirth, and healing. By sharing her own experiences with composing music and authoring her memoir, she seeks to inspire others to delve into their emotions, connect with their inner selves, and find purpose in their experiences. Ultimately, Davidson's perspective underscores the importance of vulnerability, introspection, and resilience in overcoming adversity.

Phyllis Leavitt, a distinguished psychotherapist and author, has a profound personal connection to the topic of mental health crisis and therapy. Her journey commenced with childhood trauma, which she bravely confronted through therapy, ultimately inspiring her to pursue a career in psychotherapy. Through her own healing process and rediscovery of her intrinsic goodness, Phyllis developed a passion for assisting others in navigating similar challenges. Her book, "American Therapy," not only reflects her personal experiences but also delves into broader societal issues, shedding light on the impact of family systems on individuals. With a comprehensive understanding of the interconnectedness of personal and societal dynamics, Phyllis Leavitt remains a staunch advocate for mental health awareness and holistic healing practices in her professional endeavors.

(00:02:16) "After recovering the memories of what had happened to me and starting to recover my connection to my own essential goodness, I decided to become a psychotherapist." - Phyllis Leavitt" - Phyllis Leavitt

(00:07:37) "To the extent that I was able to heal myself and sort of recover from the worst impact of what had happened to me, the less the people that I was hurt by mattered in a way." - Phyllis Leavitt" - Phyllis Leavitt

(00:15:45) "Psychology is all about reconnecting with ourselves and peacefully and lovingly and safely connecting with the people in our world to the extent that we can do that. It's all about repair of relationship. It's not about somebody beating somebody else at the game." - Phyllis Leavitt" - Phyllis Leavitt

(00:23:43) "Because, and one of the things that my, my original coach had said to me, whenever you feel lost, you come back to your, why? Why are you doing this? And I know in my heart that why I do what I do is because I love people and I love this planet. I love the earth, and I have children and I have grandchildren, and I want them to inherit a safe, peaceful, loving world that welcomes them and everyone. And that's why I do what I do. And that's the only reason I do what I do." - Phyllis Leavitt" - Phyllis Leavitt

(00:35:47) "You have a power that no one else has, and that is to form mental stability, to make mental stability." - Jr Sparrow

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Joel Bond, an international traveler, speaker, writer, and educator is renowned for his expertise in navigating cross-cultural systems. Notably, he has an eclectic background encompassing a professional magician, member of the International Brotherhood of Magicians, Italian vineyard worker, London-based flight attendant, and an Iraq-based worker. His worldly experiences have molded his perspective on indie book awards, viewing recognition as a much-needed validation of his work. Being a finalist in the best indie book awards competition, he has experienced firsthand the reassurance and validation such recognition brings, enhancing the joy in the process of creation and serving as motivation to continue exceeding his previous successes. Rather than letting recognition inflate his ego, Bond sees it as an encouragement to continue pursuing his passion for writing.

(00:00:53) "So my main goal really is to help people connect with others on a deep level and to go across cultures and see how they can really move and work in this world." - Joel Bond" - Joel Bond

(00:05:14) "People don't understand this about education. Once you provide someone with education, you give them the foundation and the groundwork, and the groundwork from there could lead to you, you making the next international president somewhere, or not making, but helping, aiding someone and going further than what they would have done." - JR Sparrow

(00:07:33) "Home really is the place where you are known, where you're most connected, where you've created and established a sense of community, and how do you do that?" - Joel Bond" - Joel Bond

(00:14:38) "I think just having spent those five months in Greece, on that island, and working with refugees there, and seeing the global migration crisis, basically 1% of the world's population has been displaced due to conflict." - Joel Bond

(00:18:37) "Sometimes when you find yourself faced with serious trouble to press into it, to embrace it, because it's only through recognizing your failures that you develop that resilience over time." - Joel Bond" - Joel Bond

Leanne Wolf, a former professor and sexual anthropologist from Palo Alto, California, holds a unique perspective on the sexual revolution of the San Francisco Bay Area, influenced by her decades-long career in academia and her personal experiences. As a native witness to the transformation of the area before the emergence of tech giants, Wolf saw how the accessibility of birth control and the pre-AIDS era nurtured an atmosphere of sexual freedom and experimentation. In her view, the period's shift in morality lessened judgment towards casual relationships and one-night stands. These experiences and observations not only shaped her perspective but also steered her career path. As a sexual anthropologist and counselor, she devoted her later years to fostering a safe space for individuals to investigate and converse about various aspects of sexuality without fear of stigmatization.