Conversations With Storytellers

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 co...

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 poetr...

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...

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...

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 talke...

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 w...

Many people, when they first meet Elizabeth Ellis are at least a little in awe. She is a powerful and compassionate woman, with a soft voice. She kindly agreed to sit down with me at the 2016 National Storytelling Network Conference. The interview, the conversation began in the hall as we were heading to a quite room, before I got my gear set up. We sat down, Elizabeth got some water and we began...

After the passing of some great storytellers, I decided I wanted to interview some of the elders in the community of traditional storytelling. I wanted to capture their thoughts, their ideas, and maybe ideals in their own voices. Episode One - Laura Simms Laura grew up in New York and lives there now. Learn how she was drawn to telling traditional folk and fairy tales, her work with UNICEF, how he...