What if the key to resilience, healing, and even success in business lies in the ancient art of storytelling?
In this episode, April chats with Maria Gillen, an award-winning Irish storyteller, who reveals the timeless wisdom hidden in Celtic stories. They talk about how “soft strength” and the art of storytelling can guide us through life’s challenges, connect us to our deeper selves, and bring harmony to our personal and professional lives. You don’t want to miss this inspiring conversation filled with humor, heart, and ancient wisdom!
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Key Takeaways:
- The Power of Storytelling: Maria explains how traditional Irish stories encapsulate ancient wisdom, helping us connect with our emotional, physical, and spiritual selves.
- Soft Strength: Learn about the unique concept of “soft strength,” a resilient form of feminine power that thrives on adaptability, flexibility, and knowing when to step back to recharge.
- Medicinal Storytelling: Maria shares how stories are used as tools for healing and personal growth, tapping into our ancestral wisdom to navigate modern-day challenges.
- The Wise Questions: Maria recounts how she used “wise questions” to lower employee turnover from 70% to 0% in her corporate role, teaching us how to create an inclusive, supportive, and respectful work environment.
- Music, Dancing, and Connection: Discover the power of communal activities like singing, dancing, and storytelling to create bonds and build stronger communities, even in corporate environments.
Mic Drop Moments:
“The strength of women and the strength of Celtic culture is a soft strength. It’s adaptable and resilient—at times standing strong, and at other times stepping back to recover, only to return even stronger.”
“Storytelling is medicinal. It reminds us that we’re not just living in our minds; it connects us to our hearts, bodies, and spirits in a way that modern life often neglects.”
“There’s a concept in Irish storytelling called the ‘red thread of story’—the idea that one story sparks something in your heart, and in turn, your story lights something in mine. We’re all connected through our shared stories.”
“Soft strength is like the Irish mist—it surrounds you, softens the edges, and allows you to change shape, to adapt. It’s the kind of power that doesn’t force its way through, but quietly transforms everything in its path.”
“In Irish culture, we have the Ceiste Olaise, the wise question. It’s about asking, not telling—inviting others to share their wisdom and help solve problems together. This approach transformed our corporate culture, taking turnover from 70% to 0%.”
Who is Maria Gillen?
Maria was the Storyteller in Residence for the Kerry Writers Museum from 2019 to 2022. She was the Artistic Director for the Listowel International Storytelling Festival 2019-2022. She is a well known popular storyteller on the storytelling circuit in Ireland and on the Cyberspace Platform. She is a well known Bean An Tí (Irish Session Host) on the Irish Storytelling Circuit.
She loves listening to stories and will tell a story at the drop of a hat. She loves co-creating stories with anyone ‘from the cradle to the grave’. She believes deeply in the power of stories to build communities, heal prejudice and to build resilience. She is a member of IACAT (Irish Association of Creative Arts Therapists).
Resources:
Maria’s website: Story From Seeds
Book Recommendation: The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle
Book Recommendation: Bodymind by Ken Dychtwald
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/storyfromseeds.ie/
X: https://x.com/storyfromseeds
Radio Playlist www.cr.ie/seanchaichorcai
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