Uncategorized
Gadanke.com owner gives TEDx talk
Published
10 years agoon
By Maria Wyllie
Explore Big Sky Staff Writer
LIVINGSTON – Gadanke.com owner Katie Clemons is a self-proclaimed “story catcher.” She’s helped women around the world find meaning in their lives through journal prompts encouraging them to share their stories.
The popularity of these handmade journals, which combine journal and scrapbook elements, landed Clemons as a speaker for a TEDx event in Minot, N.D., in September.
In Clemons’ speech, titled “Story Matters: Empowering Our Community and Lives Through Shared Narrative,” she explains the importance of sharing stories and how gadanke.com came to be.
“TEDx events are a fascinating way for people to share ideas,” Clemons said. “One thing that it’s done for me is connect me with a lot of people who have realized they were kind of like my grandmother and didn’t realize their story mattered.”
Originally from Butte, Clemons was back home in 2007 for her grandmother’s 90th birthday. NPR’s StoryCorps was in town, looking to collect interesting stories from local residents, so Clemons and her grandmother hopped aboard the recording bus. Clemons created a series of prompts for her grandmother, but unfortunately, she couldn’t remember any stories from her past that the prompts beckoned.
It was then that Clemons realized how important journaling is for recording and celebrating one’s life.
Clemons created her first prompt journal while living in Berlin, Germany, with her husband. She was taking German classes full time and realized a lot more people shared the same dilemma as her grandmother. The writing prompts given to the class were key to helping people open up.
Thus she created her blog “Gadanke,” which means “idea” in German. Soon the blog developed into the online journal store it is today.
“My initial goal was to start helping women,” said Clemons, who now lives in Livingston. “I think it was because I often see the average woman as having low self-esteem, and it was really prevalent in my class where women were coming from places like Israel and Pakistan [where] women aren’t [seen] as equals with men.”
Gadanke journals are designed to get at the heart of who you are, unlocking the extraordinary in your life, Clemons noted in her speech.
“When we share our successes and our weaknesses, the power of story is incredible…your life and your story is worthy of celebrating,” she said to the hundred-plus audience.
Gadanke.com’s most popular journal is the “She Journal,” which invites the writer to explore herself and find self-love.
However, although the site began with the goal of empowering women, Gadanke journals are used by both genders.
Clemons’ TEDx talk further delves into the significance of storytelling and can be viewed on YouTube or via the gadanke.com homepage.
Megan Paulson is the Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Outlaw Partners.
You may like
Upcoming Events
march, 2024
Event Type :
All
All
Arts
Education
Music
Other
Sports
Event Details
Children turning 5 on or before 9/10/2024:
more
Event Details
Children turning 5 on or before
9/10/2024: Kindergarten
enrollment for the 2024-2025 school year can be completed by following the
registration process now.
Children
born on or after September 11, 2019: 4K enrollment is now open for
families that have a 4-year-old they would like to enroll in our program for
the 2023-2024 school year. Please complete the 4K Interest Form to
express your interest. Completing this form does not guarantee enrollment into
the 4K program. Enrollment is capped at twenty 4-year-olds currently
residing within Big Sky School District boundary full time and will be
determined by birth date in calendar order of those born on or after September
11, 2018. Interest form closes on May 30th.
Enrollment now is critical for fall preparations. Thank you!
Time
February 26 (Monday) - April 21 (Sunday)
Event Details
My Barking Dog is a nightmare comedy
more
Event Details
My Barking Dog is a nightmare comedy that tells the story of Toby and Melinda, two lonely people whose lives are forever changed the night they encounter a starving coyote at their apartment building. Over time they grow to expect him, leaving ritual offerings to entice the coyote every night. Toby and Melinda forge a connection over this visitor and share curiosity and concern about his presence in the city. The coyote expands their world–until, one night, their world is shattered. Their lives are pushed suddenly into uncharted territory, sending them on a surreal odyssey that changes their city–and the world–forever.
Directed by LX Miller. Starring Max Schneider and Denise Hergett
Verge Theater is continuing their mission to provide accessible theater to our community. Tickets for My Barking Dog are Pay What You Wish with a suggested price of $35. Audience members are offered the opportunity to select the price point that is comfortable for them when purchasing tickets.
My Barking Dog runs March 15-17, 22-24, 28-30
Performances on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays begin at 7:00 p.m., with Sunday matinees offered at 3:00 p.m.
Suitable for ages 16 . No animals are harmed in the staging of this production.
Tickets are available online at www.vergetheater.com
Time
15 (Friday) 7:00 pm - 30 (Saturday) 8:30 pm
Location
Verge Theater
Event Details
Saturday, March 23rd 6:00-8:00pm We will combine the heart-opening powers of cacao with the transcendental powers of breathwork and sound. Together, these practices will give us the opportunity for a deep
more
Event Details
Saturday, March 23rd 6:00-8:00pm
Time
March 23 (Saturday) 6:00 pm - April 23 (Tuesday) 8:00 pm
Location
Santosha Wellness Center
169 Snowy Mountain Circle
29mar3:00 pm4:00 pmGood Friday Mass: St. Joseph Catholic Mission3:00 pm - 4:00 pm Event City:Big Sky
Event Details
Friday of the Passion of the Lord St. Joseph Catholic Mission
Event Details
Friday of the Passion of the Lord
St. Joseph Catholic Mission
Time
(Friday) 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm