Metabolizing Our Stories On This Walk podcast

1+ y ago 1:06:53

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“Art can serve as our metabolizer.”

It’s a sentiment that struck me as soon as I heard it, and it’s no surprise that the individual behind this poignant quote is none other than writer, wedding photographer, and storyteller Genevieve Georget.

On today’s walk, Gen joins me to discuss how she became a writer, finding balance as we experience the full range of human emotions, the ways in which stories and narratives can both free and hinder us, how to manage the tendency toward perfectionism, and ultimately to share where she is in what she refers to as possibly her most important piece of work yet.

In This Episode

(3:18) Introduction to our guest, Genevieve Georget
(7:57) How writing and photography influence Gen’s relationship with time
(12:22) Gen recalls a moment that brought perspective
(18:33) How authenticity and intimacy allow us to unburden ourselves
(20:23) What You Don’t See
(27:52) Carrying others’ stories while making space for your own
(32:13) A note about generational trauma and childhood experiences
(39:07) “How do you feel about somebody controlling the narrative of your life?”
(49:20) Intimate and honest confrontation
(56:13) Gen’s current, deeply healing project
(1:01:56) My mindfulness journey and equal empathy
(1:04:30) How storytelling allows for connection

Notable Quotes

“When we do have the strength, it allows us to be that anchor for other people. And to say, ‘I’ve got ya. I can hold this space. I can be here and listen to your story as you let it unfold in front of you and as you take down the veil, as you take down the wall.’ And just open up about ‘This is what I’ve been walking with. This is what’s been on my shoulders.’ It’s an unburdening process, and I think it’s interesting because we talk about art as a metabolizer or others have heard me talk about circling and things like that on this show as well, and to me, I think that’s the beauty of a practice like circling where we can verbalize what it is that we are working to process. And when we can do that in a communal way, it opens something up because it allows more and more people to know ‘I’m not alone.’” – Luke (19:18)

“One of the ways that I am learning to dismantle some of those narratives, and that is an aggressive word, but I think it’s necessary sometimes to take a sledgehammer to some of the stuff that we’ve been carrying around for so long. It’s also a method that we’re starting to use with our children a lot. And it’s by asking the question, ‘What story are you telling yourself about that situation?’ So if one of our kids comes home from school and they’ve had something happen with some friends, the first thing we ask them is, ‘What meaning are you putting to that situation? What’s the story you’re now telling yourself?’ to try to help them, ourselves, recognize that we are only one part of that story. – Gen (44:47)

Our Guest

Genevieve Georget is a writer and photographer from Ottawa, Canada that believes in cultivating space for vulnerability, truth, authenticity, and storytelling. In her last two books, Solace: A Journal of Human Experience (2019) and Her Own Wild Winds (2016), Gen explored grief, pain, love, and inspiration. Solace was also named Ottawa FACES Magazine’s 2020 Book of the Year. Currently working on a healing-centered project, she is finding joy in her life with her husband, kids, and golden retriever.

Resources & Links

On This Walk

Genevieve Georget

Mentioned:

Living Untethered: Beyond the Human Predicament by Michael A. Singer

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