STORYTELLING HAS BECOME UBIQUITOUS with Helene Thomas
If there was one thing you think society should talk more about, what would it be?
“Storytelling has become ubiquitous. It’s become a buzzword and is on trend for marketing purposes and branding. Radical storytelling on the other hand is less spoken about and I would love society to talk more about this.”
“Radical storytelling can be used as a tool for social change. Feminism and movements like #MeToo have encouraged and given legitimacy for women to write from their own experience and incorporate their own voice and standpoints in their storytelling. As a journalist I've been trained to be objective and detached. Later in my journalism career I came to see value in in-depth personal storytelling, and I am passionate now about feeling-based and women-centred stories.”
I’m thrilled to introduce you to a special guest today - she’s an audio artist and storyteller who hails from nipaluna/Hobart. Helene Thomas, is obsessed with the sound of the voice and the power it has to move people. Originally a print journalist, Helene found her true passion when she discovered the intimacy of sound and immersive audio storytelling. She created her very own mobile sound studio and it’s enabled her to travel throughout Australia to capture people’s voices and bring to people's ears marginalised voices and incredible untold stories.
Helene understands that sharing people’s stories comes with significant responsibility so she made this the topic of a PhD study. Through her research, which was based predominantly in Rwanda, she developed a practice that involves slowing down and making deeper human connections to ensure a more responsible and ethical storytelling occurs. Helene is in her happy place when she’s with people who are sharing their lifeworlds and feels it a privilege to step into people’s lives and hear their stories.
As you’re about to find out, Helene is one very interesting woman…
In the episode, Helene and I talked about her story. You can find it here;-
“My story is called A Simple Act”: https://www.thewayfinder.com.au/podcast/episode/c11844ce/a-simple-act
Helene also talked about a new process she developed called Stories as Soul Medicine.
You can find out more on her website;- “The process involves listening to creative, highly engaging true stories in an intimate and safe setting followed by sharing feelings, emotions and thoughts that stir from deep within. These sessions tap into the healing power of being fully present while listening deeply to sound and stories. This is my passion. This is what makes my heart sing. This, is what allows me to reclaim my power as a survivor of sexual violence.”
For more information about Helene, check out these places;-
Website: https://www.thewayfinder.com.au/
Instagram: @thewayfinderstorystudio https://www.instagram.com/thewayfinderstorystudio/
Linkedin: Helene Thomas
