Giveaway and Interview with Jen Lee for Monday Inspiration




Jen on stage courtesy of Jen Lee

It is my pleasure to share with you the interview I did with Jen Lee regarding her new multimedia package  "Finding Your Voice" which is available now at Jen Lee Multimedia Resources.  You can see Jen telling you in her own words about the making of "Finding Your Voice" in the video at the beginning of the interview.

I first met Jen online and quickly became a reader of her blog where she shares so openly and honestly, truly living her own motto:  Just Be True!   I have also seen her perform live at Moth Storytelling events and have taken her classes at Squam Art Worshops where she will be teaching again this September.

Below is what I  wrote after returning from Squam last September and it is the best way I have of describing Jen to you.

Jen Lee Squam September 2010

The thing I have to say about Jen is she has this way of seeing right through all your layers and getting to the core of you, I really felt like she was talking to my heart, I have no other way of describing it. In these classes we learned to tell our stories and bear witness to others stories.  I could not write my story, it was too hard and Jen really spent some time with me and helped guide me back. In the afternoon class we learned how to care for our creative souls, how you can feed your soul and keep yourself strong and nourished so we don't get depleted. At the end of the class Jen gave out blessings that we randomly picked and she then proceeded to connect with you by looking straight into your eyes and reading your blessing to you. I can honestly say Jen broke me open in the best way possible.

The questions I had in mind were questions that came up for me and others when we spoke of finding and sharing our own stories, so without further ado here is the interview:

I love that you added an audio component to your multi media package, what led you to this decision?

My favorite way to take in new content right now is to listen to audio programs. I love hearing people speak their own words in their own voices. I wanted to add an audio component to this course because it adds another layer of presence to have a voice to go with the words, and I wanted to infuse this project with as much of my presence as possible. I would prefer to be face-to-face with everyone, but that isn't always possible. I was trying to create something that would be the next best thing, which is also why I decided to hand-write blessings inside each one.

Can you tell us a little about the first time you shared a story on stage or just one on one, what it felt like then and how it feels now?

I was telling stories rather unconsciously to my friends for a long time. I would just tell them what was happening or what I was thinking like it was nothing, really, and sometimes the words would be like little bombs that would just quietly go off in the listener. It took me a long time to figure out, "What's that about?"

Now I'm trying to bring more awareness to the stories I'm holding, so I can deliver them a bit more intentionally and gently. But there's still this part of me that doesn't really understand what I'm holding, especially with a new story. I have to give it away, to tell it, and then have someone tell me what it is before I even know myself.

What is your favorite self care practice during the process of story mining and telling, the one that help keeps your balanced?

My favorite self-care practice is to balance the being seen with letting myself be hidden, too. I've gotten myself in trouble when I've operated out at the edge of my capacity for vulnerability too hard and too long. That kind of overdoing it takes a lot to bounce back from. I go to these shows, and I can tell the stories on stage, but sometimes I can be really socially awkward with the hosts and the audience members before and after. I used to be hard on myself about that, but now I know it's just the next developmental piece for me. Part of the reason I've been able to do it is that I can slip back into the crowd when I'm done. I live this very anonymous existence here in Brooklyn, and the invisibility helps balance the visibility of some aspects of my work.

When I take a big leap, I give myself a lot of loving care on the other side to recover. Mining and telling our stories is more than an intellectual exercise--it can really be a form of soul work--so appreciating the ways we're stretching and being careful not to push ourselves out past the edge of our capacities makes a big difference. It's too easy to make ourselves wrong for needing the things we do, but I get a lot farther when I embrace and honor those needs instead.

What wisdom can you share with those who are interested in learning how to find and share their stories but are concerned with judgment especially in the sharing of their stories?

I'm a big proponent of telling our stories to safe people, in welcoming and secure environments. It starts with one safe person, who will let us belong to her no matter what we say. Our intuition is our best guide regarding what to share and with whom. We don't have to take on our critics or precarious relationships right away--we can work our way up to that, if we must do it at all. The other thing we can do is become safe people for those around us. The greater the safety nets we build, the more courageous we can be.

I would like to thank Jen for taking the time to answer my questions. I really believe this is important work, the sharing and telling of our stories, so  I would like to GIVE AWAY a copy of Jen's "Finding Your Voice".  Just leave a comment to this post to be entered, easy peasy, no rules or requirements.  I will announce the winner this Friday May 6th.

Jen Lee Bio:

Photo by Mati Rose McDonough, www.matirose.com

Jen Lee is a Brooklyn-based writer, photographer and a regular performer in NYC's storytelling scene, including The Moth Radio Hour and The Moth Mainstage. Jen is also the author of Solstice: Stories of Light in the Dark, Fortunes, and Take Me With You: A Journal for the Journey.

Jen leads workshops and retreats focusing on creative expression. She believes everyone has a story worth telling, and she would be delighted to hear yours. Send your stories, requests, comments and questions to Jen using the Contact link found here Jen Lee contact form. She invites you to follow her on Twitter, and to download The Story Catcher, which you will find over at Jen's Blog:  Jen Lee.net

May this day find you and your loved ones well. 

Namaste,

Karen