What do you do in the world?

I am a multimedia storyteller and educator. I feel most at home as an interviewer, editor, and curator, and I love facilitating learning communities. I am the mother of two small children, who I get to co-parent with my partner of twenty years.

What brings you alive?

I am fed by conversation, and I crave time alone. I am a voracious consumer of ideas and of stories. One of my favorite rituals is listening to On Being while stocking the fridge with food for the week. I love checking on the progress of our little garden with my daughter and the joyful spirit of my little ginger-haired boy. I am grateful to have a partner with whom I can sit in silence.

How does the work of Window Seat Media resonate with you?

Window Seat Media gives me, an introvert by nature, an opportunity to connect with people and try to make sense out of the complexity and contradictions of the human experience. I am not a natural listener, so part of my interest in this work is selfish - to cultivate my own ability to really listen, without judgement or assumption, and through the process (I hope) become a better human.

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What do you do in the world?

I am a student, communications consultant, advisor, writer and reader. I am finishing my first year in the Evergreen Masters in Public Administration program with an emphasis on Public Policy, co-own a design agency called August Creative, and am heavily involved in the health and future of the Olympia community.

What brings you alive?

I love to read. Even though I'm in graduate school and working full time I still read 2-3 new books a month (and check out five times that from the local library, but that's a story for another time). I enjoy a broad spectrum of subjects, but lately I'm into fantasy and science fiction (have your read the Broken Earth trilogy by Jemisin?), experimental literature and prose poetry (i.e. Grief is the Thing with Feathers by Porter) and essays (can't get enough of Mary Ruefle right now). Books are an incredible way to access other's experiences and bodies of knowledge, and for us to learn from each other.

How does the work of Window Seat Media resonate with you?

Window Seat Media encourages communities to find common ground and to focus on their shared experiences. I am so inspired by our curator, Elaine, the language she uses, the respect she has for the communities she engages with. I have learned so much from her and our board.

What do you do on the world?

In my work with the Heartsparkle Players, a Playback Theatre Company,  I strive to provide a creative and supportive space for everyone to tell their stories, to see their stories become a work of art and to have their stories honored in a way that allows for the uniqueness and the shared aspects of their humanity. In my work as an actor with medical personnel at Joint Base Lewis McChord I strive to bring authenticity and constructive feedback to help providers better serve their patients. In my community theatre work I strive to bring my joy and love of live performance to all our community and to participate in telling stories that bring insight and connection. In my everyday life I strive to better understand the complexity of my community, to build bridges across difference and to see social justice in small and large acts.

What brings me alive?

Sweet moments with my dear family and friends, performing, watching other artists share their gifts, dancing, standing near a tree and watching my goddaughter grow into her own true self.

How does the work at Window Seat Media resonate with you?

I am endlessly fascinated and in awe of the human story and the ways in which we tell our stories and view our stories. I long to highlight the stories that have not been held in respect and reverence by the dominant culture. WSM strives to support, seek out and find a place for stories to be heard and brought out in the light. I am honored to be a part of this organization and to hold stories central in our community.

What do you do in the world?

I’ve been retired for the past five years.  For the twenty-five years before that, I was very fortunate to lead the Dispute Resolution Center of Thurston County. I currently do activities that help me be mindful in the moment, that keep my body strong and flexible, that promote peace and justice in the wider world, and that feed my soul with all the beauty and pleasure of being alive.

What brings you alive?

I feel most alive when I’m well connected with family members and friends, when I’m eating great food with others, when I’m in the natural world I’m a part of, when I make music alone or with others, and when I’m swimming or biking or practicing Tai Chi.

How does the work of Window Seat Media resonate with you?

I want to promote any activity that encourages human connection and empathy.  Telling and listening to each others' stories is such a powerful way to promote connection.  Window Seat Media offers so many creative and varied ways to connect with each other.  If our species is going to survive, we have to transcend our fears and hatreds of the ‘other’.    

What do you do in the world?
I actively work for peace and justice locally and globally. I am the Program Manager at the Rachel Corrie Foundation for Peace and Justice where I enjoy using my planning and coordination skills in support of social justice and human rights. I also work for the Dispute Resolution Center of Thurston County as a Trainer for the YES! (Youth Empowerment Services) facilitating conflict resolution skills and processes that engage youth in authentic dialogue that deepens understanding.

What brings you alive?
I am fueled by the paintings of Frida Kahlo, the words of Climbing Poetree, the music of Florence and the Machine, and the feeling of brand new running shoes.

How does the work of Window Seat Media resonate with you?
​I hope to join my many interests with the work of Window Seat Media to not only expand my own growth as an artist, listener, and peacemaker but to contribute to the growth of our community towards an inclusive and liberating one.

What do you do in the world?

I am a grandmother, gardener, poet and friend. Although I have retired from professional life, some of my work lives on in interpretive signage at parks and natural areas.

What brings you alive?

I feel most alive when forging connections with people and with the land.

How does the work of Window Seat Media resonate with you?

I am excited by WSM’s approach of using story and deep listening to build bridges between people and connect them to new perspectives.