Conversations With Storytellers

Milbre Burch

Milbre Burch is not just a storyteller, but a dancer, and theatre artist, has studied a lot, and has a remarkable and unshakable sense of humour. I first discovered Milbre for myself shortly after the falling of the Twin Towers on 9/11 in 2001. I purchased her CD Making the Heart Whole Again, a wonderful gift for anyone suffering from hate and intolerance. What she has not done? And what we did not talk about… We talk briefly about the Gullah people, those taken by force from their homes in Angola, to work on the rice plantations of SC way back when. She’s a Grammy nominee (wait til you hear who she was up against, if not sharing the table with), and also a scholar and an artist - so her witt is sharp!
Milbre is a wonderful human being. Her website is Kindcrone.com where you can find all of her CDs.

Tim Jennings and Leanne Ponder

Tim Jennings and Leanne Ponder were tandem tellers, although to call them that does not fulfill what they really do! As they tell their well crafted stories, they talk over each other juggling with words, and phrases, switching characters. One would think the recorded stories were carefully produced in a studio to make it work, but most of thier recordings are done at live events.
Sadly Leanne has Alzheimer's and does not perform stories with Tim anymore, although sometimes plays music with him. It is incredibly sad that they can no longer perform live together. Their meeting, their working together, and Tim's passion of folk and fairy tales are all here. He talks about his influences, his solo work, Leanne's work and a little of his growing up.
I will be adding more on my Patreon site, but here is the interview, the conversation with Tim Jennings, and a little of Leanne Ponder.
This episode lasts 1 hour and 45 minutes.

Heather Forest

Heather Forest forged her own way into storytelling, coming from a folk music background. A highly intelligent, thoughtful, and warm human being, Heather was great to sit down with. This is the third in a series of three interviews I conducted in March, 2019 at Sharing the Fire, the North East Story Telling Conference. The other two are previous episodes of Elisa Pearmain, and Loren Niemi.
 
Heather mentions the first guitar she ever had and I found a photo of one just like it - Heather confirmed this!
 
Heather's website:  http://www.heatherforest.com/ 

Elisa Pearmain

Elisa Pearmain was one of the storytellers who created a storytelling community in New England, particularly in the Boston area. Throughout her career her work has been deeply steeped in healing, from dance to storytelling to therapy and her work is included in a number of books and CDs. Her compassion and depth is remarkable, as is her story.
42 minutes

Michael Parent

I have to admit when I first met Michael Parent I was intimidated by him. I couldn't figure him out - was he being serious, was he being funny? I couldn't tell. Over time I got to know him a little better and found him to be a very warm man indeed, sharp as a needle and quick witted.
He still is today, even though his challenge with Parkinson's disease sometimes slows his word choice down. This conversation, with Michael's permission, has been edited, cutting out some of the silences as he sought out the rights words. I thoroughly enjoyed my time with him and cannot wait to see him again and hang out.
Michael Parent talks about his family history in mills, how music was seen as something better than storytelling, but how Michael sees the two should go together. You will hear about his juggling skills, uke band, and sing-a-longs!
He mentions a song by  Malvina Reynolds, and here is a version I heard as a kid by the Seekers, of that song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6YP7GCXqdqU
We had many laughs during the chat, and I hope you join in laughing, too.
Peace,
Simon

Loren Niemi

I first met Loren many years ago, and over the years have come to know him better. Loren is fascinating and has a very broad vision of storytelling. He began as an activist using story for good cause, and has taught, coached, produced and written. He currently has two storytelling books, "Inviting the Wolf In" which he co-wrote with Elizabeth Ellis, and "The New Book of Plots." He also has a poetry book and collection of ghost stories out.
Enjoy this 40 minute conversation with Loren Niemi.

Papa Joe Gaudet

Papa Joe Gaudet once traveled all over the USA telling stories. He had a team of people working for him. Then one day he vanished from the scene.
When I began storytelling professionally in New Hampshire, I was often greeted with a comment - Do you know Papa Joe? I did not. Nor could I find him. Then looking for a fun Halloween story for younger people, my friend and colleague Karen Chace told me a story Papa Joe had created. I could not find him to ask permission, but Karen ensured that Papa Joe loved his stories being shared, and I should tell it. So I did. Then, ten years after his 'disappearance' he reappeared. I reached out to him and we became fast friends. He has mentored me, we have worked and often played together. He is a family friend, not just to me, but to many people in the North East.
Papa Joe is the modern embodiment of what a storyteller used to be. He travels around New England telling stories to anyone who will listen, from schools and cafes, to bars and busking. He lives in his mobile home, drinking from fresh water springs and eating the fruits of the forest, and bread I have made! His laugh is as infectious as his smile, and I am very happy to call him my good friend.
Enjoy this history of an amazing man and his thoughts about story.
Running time approx:1 hour 9 minutes
Papa Joe's website: http://papajoestorytelling.com/biz/index.htmThere are many stories here which he loves people to tell and share.

Jay O'Callahan

Jay O'Callahan, in my mind, is a modern day Hans Christian Andersen. He began telling stories he made up for his children. Jay began telling stories to the public years ago. He met Fred Rogers and appeared on Mr. Roger's Neighborhood. He has created some amazing work from stories of steel towns to NASA. Jay has numerous recordings and a few books. His workshops are a must for anyone interested in story and the process of creating work, and his passion for Emily Dickinson is great.
Jay, like all the storytellers I know is a wonderful human being. Open-hearted, thoughtful, with a full spirit, he is fascinating to listen to no matter the topic. This conversation was recorded at his home in Marshfield, Massachusetts, in 2018. Although Jay is one of the very few storytellers I am interviewing who tells personal stories I thought it was important to hear his story. His work is varied, the way his works is pretty unique, and, as I said, I think he is a modern day HCA.
Enjoy.
Running time approx:1 hour 14 minutes
Jay's website: https://ocallahan.com/
 

Donna Washington

I first met Donna Washington at the National Storytelling Network many years ago. Donna was friendly and generous with her time, had a wealth of knowledge and a grin the size of the Cheshire Cat. When I began thinking about this podcast, I knew I had to chat with Donna.
A self-proclaimed arm brat, a storyteller who throws her whole being in her telling, a writer and deep thinker, Donna and I talked about many things. From family to world views, and how traveling gives one a very different view on the world.
Enjoy this Conversation With Donna Washington!
Running time approx: 1 hr 23 minutes
Donna's website: https://dlwstoryteller.com/
Donna's blog: http://donnawashingtonstoryteller.blogspot.com/
 

Elizabeth Ellis, part two

This is the conclusion of the conversation I had with the remarkable Elizabeth Ellis. Elizabeth is one of the fairy godmothers, if not The Fairy Godmother of storytelling. Her skill and passion for the craft is consummate, her support for young storytellers is great, and her knowledge is deep. To get a one-on-one meeting with Elizabeth is beyond worth and I am happy to share the time I was given with you.
This podcast runs to about 60 minutes. Enjoy.
Elizabeth's website: http://www.elizabethellis.com/index.shtml