JCCFS: Tell us a little bit about yourself and your background. How did you get started?

BE: I used to write a newspaper column called Tapestry, which won a first place award with the Georgia Press Association in 2021. The goal was to uncover the extraordinary in the “ordinary” person. Everyone has a story, and some folks don’t know they do! While interviewing a high school senior, who was the youngest historian in his county historical society, he explained to me why he loves to preserve history. Blake Moss stated, “A story can die twice. Once when the person dies, and again if the story is never told.” That was beautiful articulation of WHY we need to tell and preserve stories. Once it’s lost the second time, it’s buried. StoryCatchers are beckoned and commissioned to save the story.

JCCFS: Tell us more about your class’s specific technique or process. 

JB: For this writing class, I am most excited to offer students insight into HOW to make an interview comfortable, and that the story catcher must be in the moment. Any interview requires some level of preparation, but the best interviewer also knows how to let go of the preparation and follow the journey. That’s where you find the story. I want to teach students how to follow a path they may or may not have prepared for while interviewing someone. What’s special about this year, this week of the Story Catchers class, is the opportunity to speak with folks at the school who are part of the 100 years of history. There will be mentors, teachers, historians, skilled craftspeople, artists of all genres onsite. These are people who are masters at what they do and what they know. I want my students to have an opportunity to uncover the extraordinary in these people and preserve it for the school, and for their own satisfaction of knowing they did so.

JCCFS: What does a day in the studio look like?

BE: Story Catcher students will learn about the ART of gathering information from being-in-the-moment with their storyteller, or interviewee. They will learn strategies for preparing ahead of time, but they will more importantly learn how to not over-prepare so they can be available when the extraordinary reveals itself. It’s magical when that happens. This is more important now than ever, because authentic human interaction – the importance of eye contact, being present, and acknowledging the energy of another person – is getting lost amongst technology that allows us to remain in isolation as we move through life. This is not good.

JCCFS: How did you hear about the Folk School? 

BE: As a travel writer, I originally wrote an article on the school for a mountain travel magazine. I took a week-long cooking class covering the last 100 years of cooking at the school. The first-hand experience was exceptional, and helped me to understand the culture and the mission of the school. People matter. Working with your senses matter. Reflection and discussion matters. Being kind and gracious matters.

JCCFS: What tips would you give a student or aspiring craftsperson?

BE: If you have an interest in a craft, skill, or topic, seek knowledge and experience. Your soul is craving something and you must answer. Doors open that way. Energy shifts. Answer the calling, just like John Muir said, “the mountains are calling and I must go.” He didn’t know exactly what he would find or do, but the yearning lead the way for him to something beyond his own expectations. How fabulous is that?

JCCFS: Where can folks find you if they would like to stay up to date on your current work?

BE: I encourage anyone that has questions related to the class and wants to become a Story Cater to email me.