Comments on: Kim Weitkamp – Reaching Troubled Youth through Storytelling.

By: Carey Dobbins

Carey Dobbins — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 03:47:39 +0000

I’m a huge fan of kim’s as are many of my friends. Listened to the interview and loved it. Had no problem with the Carol woman.

I have had the pleasure of seeing Kim perform and have met her three times. Never have I met someone with a more earnest heart for storytelling and the good it can do

I have noticed a name change for this podcast. Hopefully a name that is now more encompassing means we will hear more from Kim on topics relating to things outside of youth storytelling.

Keep up the good work Brother Wolf!

By: Brother Wolf

Brother Wolf — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 23:51:17 +0000

Well

That’s an interesting comment Tim -
I think you are talking about two core values of the show that sometimes artists or other storytellers have conflict with – “ 1) if you show up and participate as an audience member you can have your two minutes of fame. And 2) I discover the topic with the listener.

I provide a way for anyone in the storytelling community to call in participate, be recorded, broadcast and if they want leave a comment on the blog. I can’t tell you how many people send me postings or things they want me to tell the listeners about. My reaction is the same to all notices. Come on the show – spend some time engaged in the interview – give me permission to record and sell your voice and I will give you the opportunity to pitch to the listener. (Soft short pitches please.)

I am not disturbed that Carol came on the show as a clear ally of Kim’s interview. I am disturbed that so few other storytellers or business people who are based on storytelling take advantage of this free airtime and come on to talk about their work in the field.

As for the second value – “ I have (rarely) had guests feed me questions. I never speak with them about the topic. I think that I did know about the relationship – “ and I do invite all my guests to bring ringers and allies onto the show – “ I would have to listen again – “ it’s been almost 9 months for me. But I think I discovered with the listeners the full nature of the relationship. The reason I asked for Carol to talk more was to separate between Carol and Kim’s projects. The great thing about podcasting is the fast forward button and my assumption is that many listeners will skip ahead of a caller they don’t like.

That brings me to a third value of the show. 3) The listener is smart enough to make up there own mind and editing will be limited. I am trying to share my journey not give you the highlights. I could have easily taken out that piece where it got info commercially – “ I have on occasion taken out a few sentences of a guest or audience member who got to pitchy for the show. Given your feedback I will be more! fascist about people who pitch too sweet or long. But again I really want to share the journey not the highlights. You’re clearly smart enough to make up your own mind.

Wow- you poked me and got me going!!!

Thanks for caring – your interest in my work is very important to me.

Eric Wolf

By: Tim

Tim — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 06:11:04 +0000

Fascinating interview with Karen… loved hearing about her work.
But Eric, I think you botched the call from Carol.
I’m assuming this was Carol Rice, one of the founders of Cherish Bound? It’s kind of weird having a business partner on the call feeding the guest a question about her business… but I don’t begrudge Kim the right to earn an income and promote her business. (Every guest you have on the show talks about what they do). And Carol actually asked a pertinent question. It would have been fine if it had ended there, but Eric, you then asked Carol to talk about Cherish Bound and let her have two minutes… which was weird for two reasons: first, it was Kim’s interview, and she’d already explained the role of Cherish Bound in her work, so why let Carol go on about it? Two, neither you nor Carol identified her as the owner/founder of the company.
I found these few minutes of the otherwise interesting show weird, and in the moment, rather distasteful.

By: Rosie Cutrer

Rosie Cutrer — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 20:18:30 +0000

Hi, Kim. So glad to see you here after working with you at the Cape Girardeau festival in April.
Just listened to your audio interview. I loved the part describing your work with teens in crisis. I have some teenage relatives going through some difficult time. Your comment about them just needing to be loved and accepted without being judgemental struck a chord with me. Also the part about silence after you’ve given a story being a positive thing really helps. I’m still fighting with my acting background where applause, laughter etc. becomes like a drug. Having the strength to step back and not be judgemental of your audience is one of the hardest lessons that I, as a storyteller, am still working with.
Thanks for the great information!