Welcome to The Human Archive Podcast! 🎙️
Hi everyone, I’m Dr. Jen Henderson, and I’m so glad you’re here for another episode of The Human Archive. This week, I’m joined once again by my colleague Em, a fellow Story Collector here at The Human Archive. Together, we dive into a fascinating and thought-provoking conversation about storytelling and how it weaves through every stage of our lives.

Episode Summary ✨
In this episode, Em and I reflect on how stories shape us, from the ones we absorb as children to the ones we create in adolescence, and finally to the ones we pass on as elders. We discuss the evolving role of storytelling throughout life and how it impacts our identity, relationships, and even the legacy we leave behind.

We also explore the stories we tell ourselves, some true, some not, and how they influence the way we see ourselves and the world. Along the way, we share insights from our recent work collecting stories from elders in care homes, offering a beautiful perspective on the wisdom and memories they hold.

This episode is an invitation to reflect on your own stories, the ones you’ve been told, and the ones you’re creating.

Key Takeaways 📚

• The Power of Childhood Stories: The stories we are told as children often shape how we see ourselves, for better or worse.
• Adolescence and Experimentation: As teenagers, we begin to create our own narratives, exploring who we are and who we want to be.
• The Midlife Re-Examination: In middle age, we often revisit our stories with wisdom and insight, rewriting them with new understanding.
• Legacy Through Storytelling: Later in life, storytelling becomes about legacy, passing on memories and meaning to future generations.
• The Stories We Tell Ourselves: Not all the stories we live by are true. Reflecting on and challenging these narratives can transform how we see ourselves.

If this episode resonated with you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who would love it too. Your support helps us keep preserving and celebrating the beauty of human stories.

Thank you for listening. I can’t wait to hear your stories!

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Resources and Links:

• Website: https://escendant.ai
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehumanarchiveofficial/