When I was around 16 my mother asked me if I'd like to meet Rob. My mother was a Guidance Counselor at the High School and Rob was the son of her colleague.
Rob had just returned from being an exchange student in Japan. Now you need to know that in the 1970s there was no such thing as sushi...
I'd already been in New Zealand for more than 10 years when I complained to another storyteller friend about the incessant question: "Where are you from?"
I called it "my graciousness question." when I was feeling gracious I knew it was a question that helped people make connection, and...
But first, a small but potent memory...
I remember someone long ago who, after regarding me thoughtfully for some time, said: "If you were to have had the ordinary life, you would have had it by now!"
Still, it felt like it started ordinary enough. On this day -- February 14 -- we celebrated...
I've often found that the things truly worth experiencing challenge you to see if you are really committed. That happened to us in my last week in Africa, on the way to Mana Pools -- a UNESCO Heritage site which is a haven to all kinds of wild animals.
Mana Pools is in the north of...
I've been quiet for some time now, just cooking on my last journey and reflecting on the state of our world. There are two stories that stick with me from my very brief week in Istanbul. They reflect two lenses on what is happening and how we can host it.
The first is a moment in our ...
I've just come back from spending a week in a house surrounded by forest in Connecticut. It had no internet, so I got away from the keyboard and the scrolling and spent time reading, resting and reflecting.
On my way there I stayed two nights with the vibrant and thoughtful Juanita Brown and her...
Stories in a word...
German journalist Uwe von Seltmann fell in love with the Yiddish language and culture and has written many books about music, writers and history. These days he tours giving readings through Germany and the world. Here he talks about a favourite Yiddish word "die Levone" or...
Stories in a word...
Just in case you're a fan of the Netflix series "The Witcher", Gabi von Settlzmann tells where it came from.
Stories in a word...
Polish artist Gabi von Seltzmann talks about the true meaning of the Polish word "Wiedźma" or witch. It means a woman with knowledge or wisdom. In the old Slavian traditions, she knew about herbs, healing and had contact with ancestors and magic. In the middle Ages the word...
Stories in a word...
The Danes have a particular focus on what they call "seeing eye to eye" or "being at the same eye level." Moving past the time of the sovereign kings, Denmark's people had to work together to rebuild their society. Being at eye level is a stance and a value. Toke Paludan...
Stories in a word...
Toke Paludan Møller talks us through the Danish concept of "dannelse", which is all about educating your "humanbeing-ness." The Danish Folk High School system -- still renowned around the world -- focuses on balancing knowledge and skills with supporting people to...
Stories in a word...
Ordinary people have coffee breaks, but the Swedes have "fika", a collective art in taking breaks. There are certainly fewer places in the world that drink more coffee and have developed the cinnamon bun into an artform.
Could the practice save the world? Listen to...