Changing the world for good
Storytime at The Village is about weaving stories together to change the world for good. The beauty of our virtual world now is the ability to connect people anywhere who have exactly two things in common (prima facia): they’re human and they have stories. Bring them together the way Storytime does, and there’s magic. Trust me.
Donald G. James
Senior Executive, NASA, retired
California, USA
What a joy
What a joy to experience Storytime with the incredible community forming at Asheville Relief. Brenda so skillfully and artfully held space for us to connect, get to know one another, and share from our hearts about the tragedy unfolding in Asheville. Her outstanding leadership and ability to create a safe container for vulnerable and emotional conversations was truly extraordinary.
Safe and meaningful space
I was delighted with Storytime. In a very relaxed and engaging way, Brenda fulfilled our objective of creating a safe and meaningful space for therapeutic clowns across North America to share their personal stories. Her questions, comments and invitations showed great sensitivity and deep listening skills.
Inspiring energy hub
Storytime is a grounding, inspiring energy hub. In the gatherings, live or online, a sense of intimacy quickly emerges. People’s hearts open and stories linger in my mind and soul for a long time after. Stories bring healing and connection and Brenda is a master at allowing for true vulnerability, humour, and presence of all participants.
I laugh, I cry, I gasp
At every Storytime, I laugh, I cry, I yelp, I gasp, I hold my breath, I hold my heart, I go through so many emotions and it’s all inspired by the wide variety of stories that are told from strangers that I feel an abundance of love from. I’m also really grateful for the space to share different parts of me, that come from immigrant parents, the LGBTQ+ community, and the parts that are socialized here in Montreal.
Nadia A
Social worker
Montreal, Canada
Vast and deep experiences
Storytime is a space rich with capacity for vast and deep experiences, the sacred and the silly abound. Reclaim “story” from pathologized psychology, and come into the animation of this ancient birthright.
Life changing
Brenda has the amazing skill of opening people up to the most sincere and heartwarming conversations, even during the hardest of times. The calls she ran for us have been life changing for so many, including me.
Founder: Ukraine Now, Open Babylon, PolyAgent, Radical Philanthropies, Corona Why
Silicon Valley, USA
A meeting of souls
Storytime is a safe harbour for all travellers open to care, acceptance, warmth and connections. It is a meeting of souls exploring the best version of themselves. It is an inspiring example of how to improve communities in times of separation, conflicts, and search for reconciliation.
Immensely inspired
The stories told have inspired me immensely and I would have loved to share a story with you all as well but then wanted to just ‘listen’ yesterday. Thank you all for making me reflect on the moments that were truly ‘game changing’ in my own life and recognize them as well. There were so many superpowers in the room yesterday that I am very charged!
Dipti G
Professor, Cinema
Montreal, Canada
Truly amazing and therapeutic
Attending the Storytime gatherings facilitated by Brenda Keesal at Ukraine Now was a truly amazing and therapeutic experience. They were a source of strength and solidarity, helping me navigate the horrors of the war in Ukraine during the early days of invasion and empowering me to take real action. We could open our hearts, share experiences, and build lasting relationships.
Enlightening
As an aspiring film maker, Storytime was a rare moment of intense and authentic sharing of deeply human experiences. It was enlightening in many aspects, and I feel today more confident about my ability to approach people with love and trust, both in my personal life and in my career and artistic endeavors.
Absolutely of this time
I am astonished by this incredible work and the many ways it touches the hearts and lives of so many ‘ordinary’ people living their extraordinary lives. You have found something that is absolutely of this time, that speaks to the very heart and soul of our personal needs for connection and reconnection and that offers genuine comfort-in it’s true meaning-‘with strength’-through the collective field of human consciousness wherever and whenever it is touched by the universal grace of Love.
Nick R
Leadership Trainer
London, UK
Close to people
It is a powerful experience to feel so close to people I have never met before. I once shared about accepting my natural hair as a black woman, a story that opened discussions, awakened curiosity and answered some questions that most non-black people had about my culture.
Seynabou S
HR Strategic Dev Project Mgmt, Int’l talent attraction
Montreal, Canada
Food for humanity
As music is food for the soul, then Storytime is food for humanity; it goes to the core and the essence of what we feel and ultimately what we need.
Discover myself and others
Thank you for letting me be a part of the Storytime experience. Every time was an introspective, enhancive reflection, helping me to discover myself and others with acceptance and understanding. I’m missing the people and those wonderful times.
Jallel Djenane
Building custodian
Abu Dhabi, UAE
Humans of NY on Zoom
Brenda Keesal hosted Storytime especially for us. Think Humans of New York on zoom. We began with a juicy topic and as we heard stories, and shared our own, a deepening of heard connection started to happen in the space. It was an intimate gathering and very moving. The stories still stay with me and the quality of listening allowed me to tell an old story in a new way, giving me insight and deeper connection with others. Thank you, for continuing this important work!
Turning strangers into community
Fundamentally we are creatures of story, and when the environment and framing is right, the simple act of sharing our personal stories with each other is connective and transformative at the deepest levels. Storytime achieves this, time and again, turning strangers into a community, and a community into friends. The act of being heard compassionately, and of hearing with love those with stories different from our own is a key to fixing much of what’s troubling in the world.
Invaluable to our organization
Brenda and her colleagues at The Village have been invaluable to our organization and to me personally. Brenda has an ability to identify the important emotional and moral issues thus drawing out in people their feelings. In a time when uncertainty prevails having a venue where we can meet and discuss what is going on around us is an oasis to deal with what sometimes is overwhelming pressure. As a business man I can say unequivocally that Brenda adds value as a facilitator and recommend her without reservations.
The Village 