Welcome to Nutshell’s Storyteller Spotlight, where we give you a chance to get to know this month’s storytellers a little more. We asked our four storytellers to answer a few questions about stories and storytelling. October 16’s theme is “DARK HEARTS.” It’s true, it’s personal, it’s LIVE, and it’s gonna be a dark but beautiful journey. Come shine a light with us. OUR SHOW IS EARLY THIS MONTH! MARK YOUR CALENDAR! (And tix are 20% cheaper in advance!)
Meet Ingrid Nixon
What kind of storyteller are you? What is your storytelling “style”? What kind do you tell?
I am a storyteller who loves a good story, regardless of genre. My style will vary to fit what I feel the story needs . . .why is telling in first person from the POV of a “bad” character so much fun?!
How long have you been telling?
About 25 years.
What do you do when you’re not storytelling?
I work in expedition tourism, so I’ve been traveling far and wide lately. I love a good hike or a kayaking trip, and time in nature. I also produce a storytelling program for National Public Radio in Alaska called Story Borealis. When home, I volunteer for the local hospice. Lately, I’ve been working with various government entities and an NGO to create educational materials for Greenland’s three UNESCO World Heritage Sites. But perhaps the most important thing I do is provide lap time for our two cats.
Does the story you’re telling have a name?
High Flight.
Tell us a little bit about this story. Why did you choose it for “DARK HEARTS”? How are you interpreting the theme?
I have always loved Albert Einstein’s quote: “Coincidence is God’s way of remaining anonymous.” My story involves an amazing series of events involving my father that quietly unfolded on a significant day. Some might call such events coincidences, but to me, it all felt too perfect, as if a force were behind it. Could it have been my deceased father working through the powers he had access to in order to get my attention? That’s what it felt like.
Any thoughts on what it means to commune with the darker side of life? How do we face what is harder, darker, more negative or less rosy?
Some dark things have power over us because they are allowed to hide in that darkness; they remain unspoken, unshared. Calling them out can dissipate that power. Dealing with hard things helps make us more resilient. If life were always perfect, we wouldn’t know the true depth of our strength. Hearing about others’ challenges allows us to learn and feel empathy and compassion; simply being a good listener can be an act of kindness. Dealing with the dark side of life helps make us better human beings.
Do you celebrate spooky season? What’s the best way to Halloween? Favorite trick? Favorite treat?
I LOVE creepy stories, so I jump at any chance to listen to and tell them. Even though we live in a remote place with no neighborhood kids who trick-or-treat, our porch is always festooned with skeletons, spiders, and pumpkins. One must decorate for the season!
Who is your storytelling idol and why?
I can’t say I have one person I idolize, but there are tellers who, each time I hear them, teach me something. Elizabeth Ellis is one. Her story crafting, character development, dialogue, and the way she lets a story breathe as she tells it . . . well, she is a master.
What’s your best piece of advice for someone who is a beginner and wants to learn how to tell a story?
Seek out as many opportunities to listen to and tell stories. Learn about the craft. Attend workshops. Work with a storytelling coach to listen and provide constructive feedback. Put yourself out there and embrace imperfection. It’s all good.
Why should people come see “DARK HEARTS” on October 16?
Because it will be a kick-ass night of fabulous stories, obviously!
Thanks, Ingrid! If you want to see Ingrid tell her DARK HEARTS story, she’ll be at our show on October 16! (A few weeks ago, we asked Regina Stoops who her storytelling idol was, and she said Ingrid. They’re sharing a stage on Friday. Yay!)
Ingrid Nixon
is a retired National Park Service ranger and an award-winning, world-traveling storyteller who loves to whisk listeners away on journeys of the imagination. Exploration nail-biters, lies, ghosts, traditional and personal stories... she tells them all. From Antarctica to the North Pole, Ingrid’s 40+ years in expedition tourism have taken her on a magic-carpet ride around the planet. She produces and hosts Story Borealis, a program dedicated to the art of storytelling on NPR’s KBBI Public Radio in Homer, Alaska. She holds an MA in storytelling from East Tennessee State University. Alaska is home. More at IngridNixon.com.
Ingrid says the dark things that hold power over us are the ones we let hide; shining a light can dissipate that power. Four people are going to do exactly that on Friday. Paid subscriptions are how we make sure they get paid for it, how we keep The Nutshell True Story Hour podcast free for everyone, and now how we get the full show to the people who can’t be here with us in person. If these spotlights are your thing, consider joining us. xoxo, Amy
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