Our guest this episode is Giovanni Boivin, the proprietor of The BookLoft, a 50-year-old independent bookstore in Great Barrington Massachusetts in the US. A “Storyteller turned Storyseller”, Gio (as he is known to staff and customers) turned a grade school love of story to a career that has manifested in creative writing and then relating the stories behind a tourist destination as a tour guide, at an historic house in the Berkshire region of Western Massachusetts he calls home. Since 2022 Gio has been the owner of The Bookloft, where he started as a clerk and wore many hats for years before becoming its steward and proprietor.

The Bookloft serves locals and visitors as an alternative to the big box retailers who have rendered many indie bookstores extinct. But fear not if Western Mass is not on your itinerary anytime soon. Gio presides over a healthy online business as well, that will locate and ship titles domestically for your reading pleasure and gifting needs. https://www.thebookloft.com/

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Our guest this episode is Malu Halasa, a prolific and passionate observer of the Middle East through the lens of art and culture. Our conversation explores how she provides readers with a unique window into the changing mores of the region, having written and edited over 8 anthologies, and several novels and short stories of her own.

Born in Oklahoma, to Jordanian and Filipino parents, raised in Ohio, a graduate of Barnard College, Columbia University, Malu now lives in London, where she is currently a Literary Editor at The Markaz Review.

As a journalist, Malu’s contributions include music journalism for Rolling Stone, and writing for Huffington Post, and The Guardian.

Anthologies she has edited include:

· “Syria Speaks: Art and Culture from the Frontline”,

· “Culture in Defiance: Continuing Traditions of Satire, Art and the Struggle for Freedom in Syria”,

· “Transit Tehran: Young Iran and Its Inspirations”

· “The Secret Life of Syrian Lingerie: Intimacy and Design”,

· “Woman Life Freedom: Voices and Art from the Women’s Protests in Iran”,

· And a new book coming out in January called “Sumud: A New Palestinian Reader”

Her debut novel “Mother of all Pigs” is an epic Jordanian family saga chronicling the comedy and pathos of the patriarchy in decline.

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What could be more theatrical than stories told in a courtroom? Especially those told to represent individuals who cannot afford adequate defense when accused of a crime?

In this episode we chat with Matt Cleaver, Staff Attorney with Brooklyn Defender Services, a passionate public defender and a human rights activist. Trained in theater, experienced in arts administration and theater management, Matt pivoted to a career in law, to make a difference in lives of those disadvantaged in society. He brings a unique perspective to his role, representing and advocating for clients whose stories are often silenced by the nature of legal system. In our chat Matt shares anecdotes of using story to engage prosecutorial adversaries as collaborators, the need for specificity to amplify the stories of his clients, and the significance of language we use that can subtly impact the outcome of any defense.

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In this episode we couldn’t be prouder to chat with jazz vocalist Tierney Sutton.

A nine-time Grammy nominated artist, with an international performing career, Tierney is known for unique and inventive arrangements of jazz standards and other musical genres, a 20-year relationship with her band, and deft retellings of songs’ stories that we thought we knew. She is now performing own compositions in one of her most recent collaborations (or “consultations” as she explains on the podcast) with the San Gabriel 7 in the album and music video Good People.

You can learn about all things Tierney, find a calendar of where she is performing, and links to listen to recordings her music and her on YouTube pages listed on her site: https://tierneysutton.com/

If you don’t know her work there are so many stand outs we would recommend listening to, including albums featuring songs from artists as diverse as Joni Mitchell and Sting, and songs we know from movies. (She has great stories about the band working with Clint Eastwood to creating the soundtrack to the movie “Sully”.)

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In Episode 3 of Season 3 we're thrilled to speak with author and marketing guru Mark Earls. Mark make the brain stuff simple to help brands and businesses understand how people behave.

Follow Mark on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-earls-a393982/ or visit his website https://herdhq.com/ for more.

Story Conversations is produced by Iambic Creative and Griffin + Skeggs Collaborative.

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In Episode 2 of Season 3 we have the privilege of chatting with the inspiring Mary Beech, CMO and Chief Transformation Officer of Scholastic Corporation, the renowned global children’s publisher, education and media company.

It's hard not to think about “story” in the context of a 100 year old brand dedicated to publishing and distributing books that instill a love and passion for reading in kids of all ages. But Mary’s career journey before Scholastic, at companies like Ralph Lauren, Kate Spade and Disney, has included critical roles helping these organizations leverage their unique brand narratives.

Follow her on Linked in https://www.linkedin.com/in/maryrennerbeech/ where she shares her views on how to be a successful CMO, the role of story to convey purpose as well as driving a P&L, and generally how to be a good and gracious leader.

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Welcome to Season 3!

In our first episode of Season 3 we speak with the wonderful Emily Weiner (co-founder and Artistic Director) and Susan Goodwillie (Managing Director) from Houses on the Moon theater company: https://housesonthemoon.org

We hear all about how and why the company was formed and the philosophy behind their productions that amplify the stories of unheard voices.- including their latest show Hotel Happy, playing from Feb. 14th – March 3rd, 2024: https://housesonthemoon.org/production/hotel-happy/

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In this episode we speak with the wonderful Steve McCreary, General Manager of Collings Guitars. We explore why an authentic origin story is important, but also the power of association through storytellers. Who tells the story matters.

Learn more about Collings.

Story Conversations is produced by Iambic Creative and Griffin + Skeggs Collaborative.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.