Skip to main content

Johnny Worthing on the Art of Storytelling and Societal Change

In the latest episode of our podcast, we delve into an intriguing conversation with Johnny Worthen, an award-winning author, and teacher, about the power and impact of storytelling on cultures and societies. Known for his famous series "Tony Flannery, Slacker Detective" and his science fiction masterpiece "Koranon", Worthen has earned his place in the world of storytelling, using his unique approach to shed light on important societal issues.

The episode begins with a look at storytelling's role in culture. We discuss Johnny's journey as a writer, his diverse background, and how it influenced his writing. We explore his popular series and his unique approach to teaching creative writing, which includes a course on Buddhist lessons for writers. The discussion emphasizes the cultural impact of storytelling and how it has shaped Johnny's life and career. The conversation then moves onto the themes, genres, and power of stories. We explore the creative process of writing and the role of themes in driving a story. The discussion highlights the power of storytelling in increasing empathy and understanding of different cultures. It also touches on the debate between literary and genre fiction, emphasizing the importance of themes and the impact of storytelling on readers.

Next, we delve into the influence of social media on reading habits. We discuss pressing societal issues such as class war, poverty, and the culture war, dissecting the invisible ties between social media, critical thinking, personal biases, and identity politics. The conversation underscores the importance of unity and evolution in the face of the digital media revolution and political polarization.

The episode also delves into the importance of reading and critical thinking. We explore how reading fosters understanding and discernment, playing a vital role in societal growth. We discuss the rise of long-form media and the decline of literacy in today's society, emphasizing the need for evolution and unity. In a fascinating exploration of the occult, storytelling, and biases, the conversation shifts to discuss the topic of allyship and personal biases. The hosts share their experiences and discuss the slow evolution of society and the importance of storytelling in promoting change. We then explore the topic of identity politics and its impact on various aspects of our lives. The conversation touches on the strong emotional attachment people have to their beliefs, the binary thinking prevalent in Western culture, and the connection between the creative process and steps towards enlightenment.

Lastly, we discuss how Buddhism can be used as a tool for creativity and self-discovery. We delve into how writing can be a means of learning about oneself and how the structure of a story can mirror the structure of life. This chapter highlights the potential for creativity to be a path towards personal development and getting good at life.

Listen to the episode at https://www.buzzsprout.com/2267353/14081913-storytelling-and-social-reform-with-author-johnny-worthen.mp3?download=true

Comments

Post a Comment

Thank you for visiting my blog and for leaving a comment.

Popular posts from this blog

VBT-Guest Author Spotlight Donna McDine

      Donna McDine is an award-winning children's author, Honorable Mention in the 77th and two Honorable Mentions in the 78 th Annual Writer’s Digest Writing Competitions. Her stories have been published in many print and online publications and her interest in American History resulted in writing and publishing The Golden Pathway. Donna has two more books under contract with Guardian Angel Publishing, The Hockey Agony and Powder Monkey . She writes, moms and is the Editor-in-Chief for Guardian Angel Kids and Publicist for the National Writing for Children Center from her home in the historical hamlet Tappan, NY. McDine is a member of the SCBWI and Musing Our Children.                What excites you most about your book’s topic? Why did you choose it?       The Underground Railroad was a pivotal time in American history, one that should never be repeated. It is my hope by keeping history alive for each generation that these huge mistakes will never reoccur. Q.     How lon
36 comments
Read more

Websites, Blogs and Newsletters

Marketing and promoting is a subject that confuses many writers. Whether you write fiction, nonfiction, for adult or children readers, are self-published or traditionally published, all writers need to promote themselves. And one of the best ways to do that is through the internet. I put these three together because in reality everyone has their own idea on how to market themselves on the internet. I personally use all three ways to market my work and myself. I know others who use only one form to promote themselves. Whichever you choose, make sure you keep it updated with the most current information about you. Another thing to think about is what you are going to post on your websites, blogs, or in your newsletters. Jan Fields, an instructor at the Institute of Children’s Literature, Editor of Children’s Writers enews said in the February 14, 2008 issue, “We live in the information age and little things can become big things really fast. For example, although it is true that ed
3 comments
Read more

Interview Friday with Karen Cioffi, author of "Walking Through Walls"

Karen Cioffi is an advocate of education, reading, and the environment.  She loves how reading can spark a child’s imagination and bring him or her to new worlds and on amazing adventures. Along with writing children’s books, Karen is a ghostwriter and freelance writer, and has several nonfiction books on writing and book marketing. She has lived in New York City all her life, and two of her favorite sayings are: “Nothing ventured, nothing gained.” American proverb “Be the change you want to see in the world.” M. Ghandi VS: I want to thank you for being my guest here on The Writing Mama today, Karen. To start things off, what do you do to help balance your writing life with your family life? Karen: My family life keeps interrupting my writing life. J Obviously, family obligations and responsibilities must come first. And, with MS, it’s not always easy keeping up with everything. When I get overwhelmed, I tell myself the only writing obligation that I have to meet on a tim
3 comments
Read more