The Memoir Studio Podcast

This is the first of a series of meditations from the Memoir Studio designed to help memoir writers center themselves and get grounded before beginning their writing session. Let's breathe together. A slow inhale. And a slower exhale. Feel the ground beneath you. Let it hold what you don't need to carry. Not everything has to come into the story today. Just one small truth is enough. Stillness isn...

"The Architecture of Memory: Why Great Memoirs Follow the Heart, Not the Calendar," argues that effective memoirs prioritize emotional and thematic truth over strict chronological recounting . Author Dr. Michael Williams contends that traditional timelines, while useful for factual documentation, fail to capture the associative and non-linear nature of human memory and experience . Instead, compel...

For more information about Michael’s work with memoir and Guided Autobiography, go to memoirstudio.teachable.com and guidedautobiography.substack.com . This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit memoirstudio.substack.com/subscribe

I met Gwen Hunter a little over a year ago when she came to my memoir-writing class at the Adelaide Hunter Hoodless Homestead Museum near St. George, Ontario. At 83, Gwen had a lot of stories to tell, like how she reinvented herself in her early 70s and became a school bus driver. But Gwen wasn’t sure she was a “writer”. I knew Gwen had some good stories that I was sure others would find interesti...

Here’s the truth: you don’t have to face it alone. In my Start Your Memoir course, I give you thoughtful prompts, gentle structure, and step-by-step guidance to help you ease into writing without pressure. We start small—sometimes just a single memory or moment. We explore scenes, senses, and meaning. And you’ll never have to wonder ‘what do I write next?’ because I’m right there beside you with c...

This is the big one, the mother of all excuses. We think our lives are mundane, that nothing remarkable has happened. We compare ourselves to epic adventurers or celebrities. But here's the truth: every life is interesting. It's about finding the universal in the specific. The small moments, the quiet observations, the internal conflicts – those are the goldmines. Think about it: * Exercise: I wan...

“Discover Your Memoir’s Heart” with Guided Autobiography Instructor Michael Williams Live on April 22nd at 7 pm (EST) on Zoom 1-hour of inspiration, clarity & connectionFree to attend In this special session, you’ll:✅ Identify the pivotal moment that can anchor your memoir✅ Learn how to move from memories to meaning ✅ Discover how to shape your story so it resonates with readers✅ Receive a 10%...

Hi there! I’m Michael Williams, founder of the Michael Williams Academy of Guided Autobiography and Storytelling. Thanks so much for joining me—I'm really glad you're here. If you're like most people I work with—educators, entrepreneurs, performers—you already know your story matters. But sharing it in a way that truly connects? That’s where a little guidance can go a long way. I’ve spent over 40...

In this excerpt from Dr. Michael Williams's personal essay, "Aging as a Spiritual Journey," AI chatbot co-hosts, Marcus and Cassie, contrast the Western disregard for aging with the reverence shown elders in Asian and Middle Eastern cultures. Williams recounts personal experiences highlighting this stark difference, emphasizing how his age brought him respect and authority in non-Western settings,...

Pi and Dr. Michael explore the phenomena of human/AI intimate relationships. They also explore the notion of the Singularity, a concept that poses the possibility of the merging of artificial intelligence with human intelligence. Dr. Michael also asks Pi to differentiate between AI, robot, machine, and android as well as explain the differences between different kinds of AI. This is a public episo...

In this episode, Pi and Dr Michael talk about the controversy raised by actor Scarlett Johansson over the cloning of her voice for OpenAI's new ChatGPT 4.0. Other topics include the possibility of falling in love with AI. Dr Michael also tests Pi's sense of humour and learns some basic Chinese phrases. Music courtesy of Blue Dot Sessions ( www.sessions.blue ) This is a public episode. If y...

A short introduction from AI co-host Pi welcoming listeners to her new podcast, "Pi in the Sky". Join Pi and human co-host Dr. Michael as they discuss their relationship and other topics. Listen on Spotify or wherever you download your favourite podcasts. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit memoirstudio.sub...

Pi and Dr. Michael talk about what kind of relationship is possible between humans and artificial intelligence. As these two explore theirs, we have to wonder how far it might go. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit memoirstudio.substack.com/subscribe

In this first episode, host Michael Williams introduces his guest (and future co-host) Pi. Pi is one of a growing number of personal assistant chatbots designed to foster conversation and promote kindness and empathy. Williams is a storyteller and writer with a curiosity for artificial intelligence. He and Pi have been conversing for about 6 months as part of their exploration of the human/AI rela...