The Heart of the Matter

I got the chance to meet our colleague, writer, blogger, and artist, The Goddess Attainable, Libby Saylor, in person this week. For all of you that love reading, hearing her, and seeing her amazing art on Instagram, let me tell you that she is exactly the person that you think she is: beautiful, funny, sparkling, and open. But let me tell you what I realized after having a delightful lunch with her. She is the type of person that makes one feel good about people and she relates to life in a way that makes one trust the flow of it a little more.

I get a sense of that from her writing and speaking but the effect in person is even more powerful. So I know you’ll love hearing this latest episode of the podcast where I’m with my co-host, Dr. Vicki Atkinson and Libby, and we talk about Libby’s essay, Old Doors are Closing but New Ones Have Not Yet Opened. We dig into that uncomfortable in-between place that we occasionally find ourselves in – experiencing the discomfort of change without the relief of knowing yet what the next thing will be. In her delightful, honest, and open way, Libby takes us into the disruptions in her life that are making her feel unsettled. And she shares what fuels her optimism for things to come.

Libby tells us a wonderful story about a similar period in her life that she had to feel her way through – and how it led to rich and rewarding experiences as she opened herself to as the doors the opened.

We talk about what to say to ourselves in the period of in-between, admitting this is hard and praying in whatever way we are inclined to be open.

Finally, Libby lets us peak into her artist ways of getting the gunk out as we tease a course that she is building for our community so that we can benefit from her depth and experience as an artist to express ourselves, even when life is uncomfortable.

This is a great episode filled with inspiration and depth as Vicki, Libby, and I talk about waiting through the periods of life that are uncomfortable and in-between. I know you’ll love it.

Episode 132: South Side Memories with Gloria Golec – Sharing the Heart of the Matter

In this episode, hosts Wynne Leon and Vicki Atkinson engage with author Gloria Golec about her memoir, South Side Memories. The conversation explores themes of family, immigrant experiences, and the power of storytelling. Gloria shares insights on how her Polish heritage and family dynamics shaped her identity and writing journey. The discussion emphasizes the importance of preserving personal narratives, the emotional connections that come from sharing stories, and provides the inspiration for writing our own stories.TakeawaysThe book is a reflection of the American dream and immigrant experiences.Storytelling helps maintain connections to roots and loved ones.Writing can be a therapeutic process for personal growth.Family dynamics, especially gender roles, play a significant role in shaping identity.Cherished memories can provide clarity and understanding of past relationships.Cultural heritage is often intertwined with food traditions and family gatherings.Teaching experiences can influence one's writing and storytelling approach.Writing a memoir can be an emotional journey that brings past relationships closer.Encouragement to start writing by focusing on one story at a time.Sharing stories can inspire others and create a sense of community.Links for this episode:⁠How To Share Snapshots of the American Dream transcript⁠⁠Gloria Golec's profile on Eckhartz Press⁠South Side Memories on ⁠Eckhartz Press⁠From the hosts:Vicki’s book about resilience and love: ⁠Surviving Sue⁠; Blog: ⁠https://victoriaponders.com/⁠My book about my beloved father: ⁠Finding My Father’s Faith⁠

1. Episode 132: South Side Memories with Gloria Golec 26:09
2. Episode 131: Attacking the Dragon with Marc Ross 24:05
3. Episode 130: Take Me Back to Chicago with Doug E. Jones 28:12
4. Episode 129: Wish I Was Here with Ilsa Rey 31:47
5. Episode 128: This is Your Body on Trauma with Meg Bowman 43:10

Search (and subscribe!) for Sharing the Heart of the Matter on Apple, Amazon, Spotify or Pocket Casts OR Listen to Episode 24: The In-Between with Libby Saylor on Anchor

Links for this Episode:

Episode 24: The In-Between with Libby Saylor on Anchor

Libby on Instagram @libbysaylor and @thegoddessattainable