26/07/2024
“The compliments that mean the most to you reveal what your values are.”
Creativity expert Austin Kleon referenced this quote from author Katherine Morgan Schaffer in his newsletter this morning. It hit me like a little starburst.
Yesterday, a student in my interviewing class said, “You make everyone feel welcome and comfortable, no matter who they are. I can be myself in your class.”
That compliment made my day! Like Schaffer says, it revealed to me one of my highest values — belonging.
Science proves that we learn far more effectively when we feel we belong. Who hasn't been intimidated in a class or at work and feeling paralyzed by the worry that we're less skilled or experienced than others, or we’re new to a field, or we don't fit in because of our identities, learning styles, or personality traits like introversion?
Every time I teach a new class, I spend just as much time and intention deliberately cultivating that feeling of belonging for everyone as I do developing lessons on storytelling, journalism, and audio craft.
Which is a big reason why I’m so excited to teach a week-long Introduction to Audio Storytelling course at Maine Media in September.
I recently took a week out of my schedule to take a workshop in Mexico. The difference between immersing myself in that workshop and fitting in a class or online learning while working and doing normal family stuff was night and day. I got so much more out of it. I felt far less stressed and much more creative than usual.
If you or a friend has been wanting to learn how to tell stories in audio (for podcasts, radio, museum tours, walking exhibits, oral history, your business, family legacy, etc.), Maine Media is the place to do it.
The 50-year-old Rockport, Maine campus is classic Maine, a heavenly place for immersion in the creative process. (My New England friends — Rockport is right next to Camden, one of my favorite places in the world.)
I also love the way department director Wayne Beach encourages us to teach – mornings in lecture and discussion, followed by afternoon field work in this gorgeous coastal community.
I’m excited to teach new skills in story mining, recording and basic editing, interviewing, writing, story structure, and mic delivery, always with the intention of creating the most welcoming environment possible.
DM me for details, and please share.
(Photo from Maine Media)
