From the Magic Pencil: Voices of Writing Through

S2 Ep12: Hope Is a Muscle, and So Is Creativity (w/ Sue Guiney)

In this episode, our former interns Rachel Wachman and Eva Phelps interview Sue, Writing Through’s CEO and Executive Director. On this, our 10th Anniversary, she takes time to reflect on the experiences, revelations, and hopes that have led her to grow the organization to what it is now. Sue tells us about the desire to help that has followed her from childhood to the present, and her use of writing as a tool to help herself and others navigate tragedies and difficult histories. She discusses Writing Through’s recent expansion into countries like the US, and how collaborative, creative thinking is needed more than ever. We hope you enjoy getting to know Sue and Writing Through in the final episode of the season! If you would like to get involved and volunteer or train as a facilitator, please get in touch at info@writingthrough.org [info@writingthrough.org] and/or to make a donation to help our work please click the link. - Donate Now [https://writingthrough.org/help/#]

S2 Ep11: Art and Social Work in the Creative Zone (w/ Lux Mean)

In this episode, Kristin speaks with Mr Lux, the Executive Director of PEPY Empowering Youth: an organization that runs personal and professional development programs for students in Siem Reap and one of Writing Through’s partners. With Kristin, he discusses the importance of creativity to today’s youth and how to best foster it, his journey as a businessman-turned-photographer and social worker, and the similarities in his creative process while taking photographs and leading PEPY. Other topics they talk about include knowing when a creative work is finished and appreciation for the arts in Cambodia. If you enjoyed this episode and would like to learn more about PEPY, you can check out Season 1 Episode 12 for Kristin’s interview with Kim Ann Khlang, also from the organization! https://www.pepyempoweringyouth.org/ [https://www.pepyempoweringyouth.org/] Pepyempoweringyouth [https://www.facebook.com/pepyempoweringyouth] Pepy_cambodia [https://www.instagram.com/pepy_cambodia] Pepy-empowering-youth [https://www.linkedin.com/company/pepy-empowering-youth]

S2 Ep10: The Joy and Process of being Creative for a Living (w/ Christie Pink)

This week’s episode features Christie Pink, a freelance graphic designer based in Cambodia and the founder of Creation Haus, an organization that offers graphic design services, classes, and workshops worldwide. Kristin invited Christie to the podcast after attending her stellar presentation on the importance of creativity, and together they discuss the importance of playfulness, curiosity, and letting the mind wander. You’ll also hear them talk about the effect of physical space on creative thinking, the joy of teaching children to think creatively through design and poetry, and the drawbacks of the increasing access to technology.  Creation HausCreation Haus [https://www.creationhaus.com/] https://www.creationhaus.com [https://www.creationhaus.com/] Creation HausFacebook · Creation Haus320+ followers [https://www.facebook.com/creationhaus/] Creation.HausLinkedIn · Creation.Haus5 followers [https://www.linkedin.com/company/creation-haus]

S2 Ep9: Poetry in Everyday Life (w/Carlos Andrés Gómez)

IN THIS EPISODE, KRISTIN SPEAKS WITH CARLOS ANDRÉS GÓMEZ, AN AWARD-WINNING COLOMBIAN AMERICAN POET AND PUBLIC SPEAKER. CARLOS WORKED WITH WRITING THROUGH DURING OUR FIRST GREAT LAKE POETS EXPRESS WORKSHOP IN CAMBODIA’S PREK TOAL FLOATING VILLAGE BACK IN FEBRUARY OF THIS YEAR, AN EXPERIENCE HE NOW CONSIDERS ONE OF THE HIGHLIGHTS OF HIS LIFE. ON THE PODCAST, THEY DISCUSS THE CHILDHOOD DIFFICULTIES THAT SHAPED HIS PRESENT CREATIVE APPROACH TO LIFE, HIS LIFE-CHANGING ENCOUNTER WITH POET MARTÍN ESPADA (NOW A CHERISHED MENTOR), HIS EXPERIENCES WITH IMPROV POETRY, AND HIS RELATIONSHIP TO FAILURE AND REJECTION. IMPORTANTLY, HE EMPHASIZES THE NEED TO BELIEVE IN ONESELF AND SURRENDER TO YOUR INNER, SPONTANEOUS CREATIVE SPIRIT. IT’S A WONDERFUL AND INSIGHTFUL CHAT! Carlos Andrés Gómez: Official Websitecarloslive.comhttps://carloslive.com [https://carloslive.com/] Carlos Andrés Gómez (@carlosaglive)Instagram · carlosaglive7.1K+ followers [https://www.instagram.com/carlosaglive/] Carlos Andrés GómezFacebook · Carlos Andrés Gómez21.8K+ followers [https://www.facebook.com/carlosontour/] Carlos Andrés Gómez - Diversity, Equity and Inclusion ...LinkedIn · Carlos Andrés Gómez1.1K+ followers [https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlosaglive]

S2 Ep8: Express Yourself (w/ Andrea McKenna Brankin)

In this week’s episode, Kristin sits down with Andrea McKenna Brankin, a multitalented writer-journalist and long-time Writing Through facilitator based in Singapore. As someone who has always expressed herself creatively through words, fashion, and tattoos, Andrea now works to teach students to do the same, be it in poetry workshops, rugby matches, or yoga sessions. They discuss the difference in rigid and creative teaching styles and their effect on students’ learning, writing about her experiences with bipolar disorder and the destigmatization of mental health, and dealing with imposter syndrome. To buy Andrea’s Book please click this link -  https://www.amazon.com/stores/Andrea-McKenna-Brankin/author/B08KXR16LJ?ref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true [https://www.amazon.com/stores/Andrea-McKenna-Brankin/author/B08KXR16LJ?ref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true]