What I’m Doing Now!

“My Life in Paragraphs”

I wrote a book! I was inspired to repurpose my card deck into an instructional book, outlining the storytelling process I’ve developed. The book is meant to  be inspirational and is the result of all the “keepers” I’ve developed over the past fifteen years. It includes a few stories of my own, my 52 life story prompts, and also the MLP process. There’s also a companion notebook. Both available on Amazon soon.

Storytelling Courses and Retreats

I’ve developed a process to help people ponder and explore their personal stories. I’m lit up by the experience people have when participating in my process. They see themselves in a new light. They evaluate their lives on a deeper level. They connect in a real way with those they share their stories with, be it family, friends or complete strangers. Often, they have a visceral experience of knowing and understanding that we are all connected, that none of us is alone, that we are all part of our greater human family.

I’ve been developing the “My Life in Paragraphs” process, retreat-workshop and collateral, which has been a dream for years now. If you have a value, there’s an origin story behind it. That’s the fundamental starting point for the work.

I’m committed to being a gentle evangelist for more love and connection in people’s lives, and for our planet.

I’ll be doing live in-person story circles at Creekside Commons in Lafayette in 2022. We’ll come together for about an hour to contemplate a new story prompt each session and share stories, too. There will likely be labyrinth walking involved, also a guided meditation to help deepen your inner explorations.

Story Republic with Bernadette Jiwa

I took the Story Skills Workshop with Akimbo (Seth Godin’s School). Bernedette Jiwa leads this course and she’s a master. I met some amazing folks in the course, and we all pushed our story limits together. I’m integrating the course and practicing those super valuable story skills we learned. My intention is to not only improve myself, but also help others tell better stories. I love Bernadette’s framework. I’m a founding member of her Story Republic community where I remain connected with the gifted storytellers I met, and together, we are upping our story skills game!

Consulting

I’m assisting a handful of lovely people in getting their memoir complete. I offer coaching and project management, pulling from my thirty plus years in graphics (which started in printing) and my fifteen years of life story work. I delight in witnessing “the book inside” coming to life! It’s a sacred partnership.

Filming

I upgraded my video camera and have been diving deeper into the technical aspects of using a camera — my interest is to capture beautiful images which communicate the essence of the persons I’m interviewing. It’s a full package, good sound, nice light and setting, provocative questions.

StoryCatcher®

I love our app. We’ve updated StoryCatcher for iOS to a version I’m more proud of and stoked about sharing. It’s such a wonderful and simple tool. Give it a whirl. Join our mailing list if you want to be in the know: StoryCatcher® website.  We’re dancing with some folks in conversation about White Labeling StoryCatcher to support their brand. That’s exciting! “We” is Urs Brauchli — we are partners in North Beach Apps, LLC — home to StoryCatcher®.

Integration

I feel we’re ready to move towards responsibly integrating technology into our human experience in a more useful way. I intend to be a positive part of that shift. I’m focusing on how to better integrate my interests in life story video interviewing, legacy storytelling for self-discovery, and bridging technology and connection in such a way that technology is a supporting tool for connecting us all rather than the distraction and disconnector it certainly can be. My views on social change near always involve looking at that pendulum swing. I feel we’re at the apex of change.

Work

Meanwhile I’m producing a few family documentaries, an adventurous woman’s world travels, some business web videos, plus quietly building websites for a handful of clients.

Fun

Nature never disappoints. For fun I hike in nature every chance I get, ride my mountain bike in local redwood and oak forests, inline-skate, and listen to people’s stories. I also love live music in a small space. I’m always interested in actively expanding my spiritual life. I’ve been leaning into my love of photography a bit more. My Instagram account is witness to adventures I deem worthy of documenting. 🙂

Derek Sivers is my inspiration behind creating a Now Page. Go to nownownow dot com to be inspired and create your own.

Updated: 17 May 2023