Slow Stories

Jen Batchelor — ”I take it very seriously when a word gets hijacked out of our vocabulary.”

Conscious connection with others has taken on a whole new level of importance after a year of isolation and recalibration. But if you ask changemakers like Jen Batchelor, lasting connection comes from within—and begins with fueling the body and mind, the heart and soul. Enter Kin, co-founded in 2018 by Jen as “the first packaged Euphoric beverage—a non-alcoholic spirit made of adaptogens, nootropics, and Botanics—designed to give you that unique alcohol-fueled buzz, but without any of the negative effects.”

Jen has risen to prominence as a leader in Euphorics, and her category-defining work has created new avenues for those looking to engage in the time-honored ritual of gathering around a table. In this interview, Jen shared more about how pivotal moments in her childhood informed her perspective on community and hosting, the storytelling and science of Kin, and what she hopes to bring to the ritual of gathering today. This episode also opens with a reading by Sophie Roche Conti.

Suzanne Koven — ”Literature opens the conversation.”

“Tell me the whole story from the beginning.” This line has impacted Dr. Suzanne Koven in more ways than one. The revered doctor and writer in residence at Massachusetts General Hospital has cultivated a career that uniquely rests at the intersection of medicine and storytelling. She recently illuminated these experiences in her debut essay collection, Letter to a Young Female Physician.

In Letter to a Young Female Physician, Suzanne reflects on her expansive medical life through lenses including identity, family, and literature. The latter was especially pertinent to this conversation. In this interview, Suzanne shared more about the rituals that have informed medical and writing practice, her thoughts on slow storytelling, and how reading and writing have brought meaning to her community—and life. This episode also opens with a reading by Gia Salvaggio.

Courtney Marie Andrews — ”Poetry is asking you to get beneath the surface.”

What is poetry asking of us? This question was top of mind when speaking with artist Courtney Marie Andrews.

The critically acclaimed musician (and self-proclaimed “student of experience”) has translated her wisdom and storytelling prowess into her debut poetry collection, Old Monarch, which “centers around themes of longing and a desire to belong while excavating scenes from her childhood in the American Southwest.”

In Old Monarch, Courtney's lyrical poetry is reminiscent of not only earthen terrain but of more complex territories, including self-discovery and transformation. Like a monarch itself, Courtney's creative work travels far and wide. But for Courtney, poetry acts as a mechanism to go deeper. While this debut collection has come during a historic time of transformation, it is also a timeless reminder of how art can capture—and honor—the human condition. 

In this interview, Courtney shared more about creating with intention, her life as a musician and poet, and what she's learned about slowing down—and looking in. This episode also opens with a reading by Katie Yee.

Lesley Thornton — ”My self-care is preparation for community care.”

Industry luminaries like Lesley Thornton prove that with a little extra care, beauty can offer something much greater than aesthetics—it can leave an imprint on someone's heart.

Lesley's work in the cosmetics industry is far-reaching, and her past roles have ranged from [retired] esthetician to makeup for The Estée Lauder Companies to on-air beauty and skincare expert for Discovery Networks. But most recently, Lesley has channeled her passion and expertise into building Klur—an eco-inclusive botanicals brand made in California.

Industry insights aside, Lesley's journey in building Klur has been a slow and ever-evolving process. Despite the brand's ups and downs, Lesley's careful balance of science-led formulations and refined storytelling has created a business foundation for Klur to endure—and thrive.

For Lesley, inclusivity, sustainability, and community all transcend Klur's mission statement, and her own story is living proof of the holistic impact that comes when we prioritize people over products. In this interview, she shared more about the life experiences that have shaped her approach to building Klur, the importance of visual storytelling—both online and offline—and what she's learned about the inextricable link between self-care and community care. This episode also opens with a story contributed by Stephanie Tam.

Dina Nur Satti — ”Art is really asking people to listen to the process.”

Design impacts every aspect of modern life, but it can also serve as a vessel for us to reconnect with time-honored traditions and stories. This duality is often at play in the work of ceramic artist Dina Nur Satti.

Dina's practice rests at the intersection of academia, artistry, and aesthetics, and these elements have informed her namesake brand, Nur Ceramics, which in Dina's words, has helped her to “explore ideas of personal purpose and growth, as well as our collective transitions, cultural storytelling, and communal rituals.”

Even with Dina's appreciation for art in all its forms, her arrival into the world of ceramics was slow-going. As she's found her footing creatively, the Brooklyn-based entrepreneur has also navigated the complexities of creating work in tandem with building a sustainable business.

While this process has been anything but linear, Dina has learned to embrace the imperfections and evolution that come with creating a business—and life—with care. In this interview, Dina spoke more about the synergy between creativity and health, how art can help us emerge from—and face—our own shadows, and what narratives she hopes to instill in the next generation of artists. This episode also opens with a reading by Carol Miltimore of Seek Collective.

Jessica Manning — ”Your vision for your future changes.”

Time and time again, we've witnessed how storytelling can transcend barriers and ignite our senses. The latter has become especially important in our interconnected age. Artists like Jessica Manning are living proof of how the digital landscape can be a powerful vehicle for people to create—and tell stories—that remain in our hearts.

For Jessica, this has notably come to life through music. The singer-songwriter's rich vocals and poignant lyrics are just a few details that have shaped her thoughtful perspective and presence. Most recently, Jessica showcased this musical prowess in her newly-released EP titled "You Are Here." Yet even with this milestone, Jessica is no stranger to the importance of slowing down. This has become even more apparent as she's navigated working in a space predicated on output and performance.

For Jessica, pivots have become part of her process, and the result has enabled her to broaden her creative approach so that she can tell stories in new and exciting ways. In this interview, Jessica shared more about her ongoing professional evolution, the origins of "You Are Here" and her musical journey as a whole, and what she's learned about changing her pace to cultivate a more considered creative practice. This episode also opens with a reading by Erika Veurink.

Zak Williams — ”You need to be engaged with your environment and the people around you.”

We can't always prepare for the unexpected, but we can pace ourselves when navigating tough moments. This is a lesson that Zak Williams has slowly learned through the years and is now translating to the masses as the co-founder of well-being brand, PYM, short for Prepare Your Mind. While PYM offers an invitation to those looking to take better care of their mental health, the brand's origins stem from Zak's personal experiences after tragically losing his father—renowned entertainer Robin Williams—to suicide in 2014.

Throughout his recovery, the redemptive power of storytelling ultimately catalyzed Zak to write a new chapter of his life. Through extensive research and an enduring commitment to bettering mental hygiene for all, PYM was born with a mission to, in their words, “support feelings of stress, anxiety, and overwhelm with all-natural, safe, and super effective Mood Chews”

Products aside, Zak's pursuits in the mental health space have also reinforced the importance of slowing down to create brands and conversations with longevity. In this interview, Zak spoke more about these ideas and shared more about the development of PYM, the power of preparation and resilience, and what he's learned about storytelling as a tool to support the mental health movement. This episode also opens with a reading by Tonya Papanikolov.

Content Note: This conversation centers on supporting mental health and fostering well-being but does allude to topics including substance use and suicide. Listener discretion is advised. Thank you for tuning in.

Deja Foxx — ”We should be making statements about who we are.”

Certain moments in life leave an indelible mark on our stories. While it can sometimes be uncomfortable to navigate these moments of uncertainty, individuals like Deja Foxx remind us that moving with intention will always be a step in the right direction.

At just twenty years old, Deja has already risen to prominence as a community builder who is seamlessly bridging the gap between social justice and social media to connect and mobilize young people around the world. While you may be familiar with Deja's work as the Influencer and Surrogate Strategist for Kamala Harris' presidential campaign, Deja's impact began closer to home when, at just sixteen, a question she posed to her senator at a town hall meeting ultimately catapulted her into the spotlight as a leader to watch in the reproductive justice movement.

These days, and even as the world continues to reckon with a global health crisis, Deja has continued to scale her advocacy work—most notably with her digital community, GenZ Girl Gang. But platforms aside, asking questions has remained integral to Deja's work, especially when it comes to examining the systems and policies necessary to ensure a more equitable future.

For Deja, these life-changing experiences have reinforced the critical role that storytelling can play in creating lasting change. In this interview, Deja reflected on her own story, the role of pace in activism, and what she's learned about meeting the moment. This episode also opens with a reading by Samara Cooper.

Becky Cooper — ”What is the story that I should be the one to write?”

Some stories stay with us, and the ones that do often shape our lives in ways that we never thought were possible. This is the case for Becky Cooper, whose chance encounter with a harrowing collegiate tale ignited her ten-year exploration into the unsolved murder of Jane Britton—an archaeology graduate student at Harvard who takes center stage in Becky's sophomore book, We Keep the Dead Close: A Murder at Harvard and a Half Century of Silence.

In this compelling mystery-meets-memoir, Becky creates a rich tapestry of Jane's life as she attempts to unearth details around the tangled investigation of her death. But as someone who is no stranger to the allure of storytelling, Becky's immersion into Jane's world ultimately provoked a deeper inquiry into the systems that shape—and at times compromise—a narrative. For Becky, giving a voice to Jane's life (while also sharing snippets of her own experiences throughout the book) ultimately served as a critical reminder about the power and responsibility that comes with telling stories about the past, especially as we navigate a complicated present. 

In this interview, Becky shared more about these ideas, what initially led her to Jane, how slowing down informed her writing process, and what she's learned about the delicate balance of reconstructing and reflecting on a person's story.

Nicole Caputo — ”I really see design as a lifestyle.”

Don’t judge a book by its cover—instead, look closely and let it take you deeper into the story. Nicole Caputo understands how to make this sentiment a reality. She is translating her dual passion for art and writing into her roles as Creative Director at Catapult and Counterpoint Press and Co-Founder of She Designs Books.

While the relationship between design and storytelling becomes increasingly important in our crowded, often visually-heavy, digital landscape, Nicole has risen to the occasion in making cover art that is in service of the larger story. Part of this approach stems from Nicole’s resolve to lead with empathy—for the writer, for the reader, and for the process itself.

Empathy, coupled with acceptance, has also played a role in Nicole’s own process—and pace—both online and off. As she continues to navigate how to show up for her professional community online, a recent personal health challenge has also influenced Nicole to make space to live, work, and create away from her devices and closer to the people who matter most.

Nicole’s story of creativity and courage is a powerful reminder to live with intention. In this interview, she spoke more about the opportunity that comes when pursuing quiet moments offline, how slow content has inspired her creative process, and what stories she hopes will come out of this transformational period. This episode also opens with a reading by Jennie Edgar.