The Story Of Your Soul with Brenda Peterson

MP3 Download

Chances are your life includes a few chapters where you’ve embarked on one or another approach to self-exploration—spiritual practice, therapy, self-help books or gurus. But have you tried getting to know yourself by writing your memoir? Brenda Peterson has, and in the process she’s discovered a powerful tool for uncovering elements of your psyche that may have eluded every other attempt at self-examination. It forces you to see your life from an entirely different perspective. She explains, “Many people, because they need to survive, and need to achieve, are very perceptive about the world. But whether or not they know themselves—that’s the question. And in memoir you’re the main character, and the plot is the evolution of soul, or self. So you have to show up on the page. You can’t just be watching everybody around you. You have to turn that eye back on yourself.” Ms. Peterson freely shares the often startling personal discoveries she made along the way, and will inspire you to explore the untold story of you—and the inner hero, heroine, angel, or villain you have yet to meet. (hosted by Justine Willis Toms)

Bio

Brenda Peterson is a novelist, nature writer, and writing teacher. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, Chicago Tribune, Orion Magazine, and O: The Oprah Magazine. She’s a regular commentator for Seattle NPR and the Huffington Post.

Brenda Peterson is the author of eighteen books, including:

• Build Me an Ark: A Life with Animals (W. W. Norton 2001)
• Duck and Cover (Backinprint.com 2004)
• I Want to Be Left Behind: Finding Rapture Here on Earth (Da Capo Press 2010)
• Wolf Haven: Sanctuary and the Future of Wolves in North America (coauthor Annie Marie Musselman) (Sasquatch Books 2016)
• Wolf Nation: The Life, Death, and Return of Wild American Wolves (De Capo 2017)

To learn more about the work of Brenda Peterson go to www.brendapetersonbooks.com.

Topics Explored in This Dialogue

• The simple writing exercise that will help you discover the real meaning of your life
• How humor can alter your story—and improve your negotiating position
• Why your family may not be able to receive your love offerings
• How you can find your own brand of “rapture” here on earth
• Why everyone can write and tell a story

Host: Justine Willis Toms    Interview Date: 2/10/2010     Program Number: 3343

Music Playlist

From Album: Disfarmer
Artist: Bill Frisell
2009 #478524-2 Nonesuch Records

Opening Essay: Track 01 Disfarmer Theme
Music Break 1: Track 25 Natural Light
Music Break 2: Track 04 Farmer
Music Break 3: Track 01 Disfarmer Theme