The Power of Storytelling and Telling Women’s Stories (feat. Elizabeth Lesser)
History is carried forward through the stories a culture tells and values. That’s why stories have the power to shape our world and define our identity.
However, for most of human history, the storytellers have been men — and women’s voices have been largely absent.
According to my guest, Elizabeth Lesser, had there been an equal blend of male and female voices, it would have changed our culture, our values, and the way we live.
In her new book, “Cassandra Speaks,” she explores these issues in-depth, which we will be discussing in this episode.
Elizabeth Lesser is the author of The Seeker’s Guide, Marrow and the NYT bestseller Broken Open. She is the co-founder of Omega Institute, recognized internationally for its workshops and conferences in wellness, spirituality, creativity, and social change. She’s given two popular TED talks and is one of Oprah Winfrey’s Super Soul 100, a collection of leaders using their voices and talent to elevate humanity.
In this interview, Elizabeth and I discuss the messages in stories we’ve been told through the ages and its impact on how women feel about our appearance, sense of power, and their abilities. We also talk about the steps that we can take to change the narrative so that it empowers both women and men.
Interview time stamps:
03:03 ︳Elizabeth shares her story and what inspired her to do deep dive into the stories of women and their role throughout history
07:23 ︳How and why women are still under an “ancient spell” that dictates what our bodies are supposed to look like, why, and for whom.
16:14 ︳What we can do on an individual and collective level to change the narrative of feminine beauty
20:40 ︳Elizabeth shares advice on how women can overcome the need for perfection and stand in their power
24:13 ︳Why we need to “do power differently” and incorporate the strengths and skills of women into all spheres of life
29:15 ︳How can women showcase their feminine strengths in the workplace and their homes
Learn more about Elizabeth Lesser at her website.