Episode 11 Liminal Writing: Inspired by a line from Georgia O'Keefe about being terrified…

Content Warning: This episode discusses sexual assault and child sexual abuse.

In this episode of Liminal Writing, hosts Ces and Lee engage in a 10-minute freewriting exercise based on a quote by artist Georgia O'Keefe: 'I've been absolutely terrified every moment of my life, and I've never let it keep me from doing a single thing I wanted to do.”

They reflect on their personal experiences of fear and courage. Ces discusses overcoming sexual abuse as a child, and adult fears, drawing on personal anecdotes of trauma and resilience. Lee describes the terror of stepping on stage.

The conversation touches on the theme of finding and creating safe spaces, both physically and mentally, and the ongoing journey of self-awareness and healing. Ces and Lee invite listeners to try their own freewriting exercises to explore and process their own experiences.

00:33 Today's Trigger Line: Georgia O'Keefe's Wisdom

01:00 Ces' Reflection on Terror and Bravery

03:48 Lee's Perspective on Stage Fright

06:50 Discussion on Childhood Trauma and Coping Mechanisms

09:41 Finding and Creating Safe Spaces

13:16 Encouragement to Try Liminal Writing

#LiminalWriting, #CreativeWriting, #WritingWithFriends, #WildMindWriting, #CesMillado, #LeeMoran, #poetry, #prose, #childabuse, #sexualabuse, #liberation, #safespaces, #safety #freedom, #podcast, #GeorgiaOKeeffe, #Bravery, #MentalHealth, #SurvivorStories, #Empowerment, #Vulnerability

In this episode of Liminal Writing, Lee and Ces explore the interconnected themes of home, freedom, and immense possibilities.

Through heartfelt storytelling, they reflect on how their first independent spaces became sanctuaries for healing, growth, and self-discovery.

Ces shares memories of finding freedom and contentment in simplicity, while Lee describes the empowerment and new beginnings found in his lakeside home.

Together, they discuss the emotional significance of having a space to call one’s own and invite listeners to reflect on their own journeys of independence.

• 0:00 — Introduction to Liminal Writing and today’s prompt
• 0:44 — Ces’ story: Escaping, healing, and finding freedom
• 2:20 — Lee’s story: A lakeside home and true independence
• 3:29 — Comparing experiences: Similarities and differences
• 5:30 — Clean slate: New beginnings and open possibilities
• 5:46 — Sensory memories: Food, place, and nostalgia
• 6:10 — The value of choice and agency in your own space
• 8:24 — Invitation to listeners
• 8:58 — Closing and goodbyes

#LiminalWriting, #CreativeWriting, #WritingWithFriends, #WildMindWriting, #CesMillado, #LeeMoran, #poetry, #prose, #FirstHome #PersonalGrowth #Storytelling #HealingJourney #NewBeginnings #Podcast #SelfDiscovery #WritingCommunity #LifeTransitions

Episode 9 - "Learn to Question Your Thoughts"

Welcome to another episode of Liminal Writing with Ces and Lee! In this session, they explore a contemplative line by Stella Ekaputri, "Learn to question your thoughts. Our thoughts aren't the true reflection of reality."

Join them as they discuss the power of questioning our own thinking.

Key Points:

• Our thoughts are shaped by internal beliefs, fears, and past experiences. They do not always reflect the true nature of reality.
• Regularly questioning your thoughts can help you distinguish between what is real and what is a projection of your anxieties or insecurities.
• Self-reflection and questioning our own thoughts can be difficult, especially when dealing with negative or ruminative thinking, but can lead to greater self-understanding.
• Becoming aware of your thought patterns is the first step toward changing them and finding more peace and clarity.

00:00 – Welcome and intro into the Liminal Writing process

01:15 – Ces' piece discusses personal experiences with questioning thoughts and its impact on creativity and daily life.

02:54 – Lee shares a poetic take on the prompt, exploring the battle between thoughts and reality.

03:30 – Ces and Lee discuss how thoughts are shaped by beliefs, fears, and past experiences, and the importance of questioning them.

08:28 - An invitation to listeners to try their hand at writing based on this episode’s trigger phrase.

08:38 – Thank you and wrap up

Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe and join us next time for more creative prompts and mindful writing.

Hosts: Ces Millado & Lee Moran

#liminalwriting, #creativewriting, #WritingWithFriends, #WildMindWriting, #cesmillado, #leemoran, #poetry, #prose, #QuestioningYourself, #SelfReflection, #Mindfulness, #Creativity, #SelfInquiry, #Beliefs, #Reality, #Awareness, #Ruminating, #ThoughtPatterns, #WritingExercise, #Inspiration, #PersonalGrowth, #MentalHealth, #Introspection, #Mantra, #BuddhistPhilosophy

In this episode, Lee and Ces bring up a piece from their vault of works - a reflection on the impact of travel on the heart and soul. This was written in 2021 when the world was at a standstill, a dramatic change of pace from frenetic trips across continents to the sensory overloads of public spaces. They discuss the profound experience brought about by forced stillness.

Join them for a candid and poetic look at travel, memory, and the joy of discovery. Try out a writing exercise yourself and see where it takes you!

00:00 Welcome to Liminal Writing

1:33 Ces’ Writing

3:31 Lee’s Writing

04:23 Reflection and Lessons

08:12 Encouragement to Write

08:33 Wrap-up and Thanks

Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, share, and join us next time for more creative exploration.

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Hosts: Ces Millado & Lee Moran

#liminalwriting, #creativewriting, #writingwithfriends, #wildmindwriting, #cesmillado, #leemoran, #poetry, #prose, #travels, #travelling

In this episode of Liminal Writing, Ces and Lee explore the theme of “upheaval”. Drawing on their experiences growing up in the Philippines and navigating identity in a changing world, they reflect on the emotional and societal turbulence that shapes our lives.

Key takeaways:

• Upheaval can be both external (natural disasters, political shifts) and internal (emotional turmoil, identity struggles).
• Personal experiences and cultural backgrounds deeply influence how we process and express upheaval.
• Finding community, resilience, and authenticity is essential in times of uncertainty.
• Open dialogue and creative expression can help us navigate and make sense of challenging times.

0:00 – Welcome and brief intro into the writing process

0:42 – Ces’ piece on personal emotional turmoil.

1:55 – Lee’s piece on being swept into the unknown.

2:52 – Ces and Lee discuss how their imagery is influenced by growing up in the Philippines, a country prone to natural disasters, and how these experiences shape their understanding of upheaval.

4:32 – The conversation shifts to global and societal upheaval, including political polarization, the rise of conservatism, and the erosion of civil rights.

6:26 – Lee shares personal experiences as a trans man in North America, discussing vulnerability, the search for safe spaces, and the challenges of living authentically in a polarized world.

9:44 – The Importance of Community and Resilience. Despite challenges, Lee and Ces emphasize the importance of holding onto community, family, and self-acceptance.

13:14 – Closing Thoughts and Sign off

Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, share, and join us next time for more creative exploration.

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Hosts: Ces Millado & Lee Moran

#liminalwriting, #creativewriting, #writingwithfriends, #wildmindwriting, #cesmillado, #leemoran, #poetry, #prose, #upheavals, #transrights, #transgender, #earthquakes, #naturaldisasters, #upheaval

Welcome to episode 6 of Liminal Writing with Ces and Lee!

In this episode, Ces, joining from the UK, and Lee, tuning in from Canada dive into the art of free-flow writing, inspired by a single evocative line - “He wants nothing more in life than for me to feel better.” from Melissa Holbrook Pierson’s book, "The Secret History of Kindness":

What’s Inside:

• Ces and Lee explain their writing process: taking a prompt and giving themselves 10 minutes to write freely, letting inspiration lead the way.
• Both read their writing inspired by the prompt line, exploring themes of kindness, empathy, and the quiet power of caring for one another.
• The conversation expands to discuss the importance of kindness in relationships, the privilege of experiencing genuine care, and how small acts can make a big difference.
• A thoughtful tangent on the role of public libraries as community hubs, and how books and shared spaces foster connection and learning.

Key Takeaways:

• Kindness is a powerful force, often found in the simplest acts and quietest moments.
• Writing prompts can unlock deep personal reflections and shared understanding.
• Community spaces like libraries play a vital role in nurturing creativity and connection.

Prompt for Listeners: Try your own 10-minute free writing session using the line: “He wants nothing more in life than for me to feel better.” See where your thoughts take you!

[0:00] Introduction and host greetings

[0:06] The writing prompt and its origin

[1:50] Lee's writing and reflection

[2:49] Ces' writing and reflection

[4:25] Discussion on kindness and relationships

[7:37] Public libraries and community

[10:32] Closing thoughts and listener challenge

Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, share, and join us next time for more creative exploration.

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Hosts: Ces Millado & Lee Moran

Inspired by "The Secret History of Kindness" by Melissa Holbrook Pierson

Episode 5: Works from a conversation prompt "What's on your unofficial resume?" by Esther Perel

In this episode of Liminal Writing, hosts Lee Moran and Ces Millado delve into a thought-provoking exploration based on a prompt from Esther Perel's 'Where Should We Begin?' A Game of Stories.

They discuss the things that are unwritten, parts of them that may be unknown to those who know and work with them. This is a reflection piece on personal and professional experiences that define their identities beyond conventional metrics. Through candid sharing, they highlight the struggles involved in assessing one's worth and contributions.

They encourage listeners to engage in free-flow writing about their own unofficial resumes, embracing the vulnerability and insight it brings. This episode underscores the essence of Liminal Writing - navigating and expressing the nuances that lie just beneath the slender surface.

00:00 Welcome to Liminal Writing

00:12 Introducing Esther Perel's Deck of Cards

01:22 The Prompt: What's on Your Unofficial Resume?

01:35 Ces’ Reflections

04:08 Lee's Reflections

06:26 The Struggle with Resumes

08:41 The Essence of Liminal Writing

09:55 Encouragement to Write

10:16 Closing Thoughts and Future Prompts

#liminalwriting, #creativewriting, #writingwithfriends, #wildmindwriting, #cesmillado, #leemoran, #poetry, #prose, #estherperel, #whereshouldwebegin, #unofficialresume, #conversationprompt

Episode 4: Inspired by a line from “Pintxo Possibilities”

In this episode of Liminal Writing, hosts Ces Millado and Lee Moran engage in a timed, free-flow writing session inspired by a line from an article, “Pintxo Possibilities” by Jennifer Hope Choi published in Bon Appétit Magazine (May 2025).

For Ces and Lee the chosen line links back to personal memories of grief and loss. Ces reflects on her multilingual experiences and the comfort found in the space between languages, while Lee recalls moving moments from his father's funeral. The episode underscores the emotional depth and introspection that Liminal Writing can bring, and the possibilities of where a line may take the writers and the readers.

00:00 Introduction to Liminal Writing

00:28 Today's Inspiration: Food and Pintxos

01:56 Ces' Reflection on Language and Memory

03:15 Lee's Reflection on Grief and Movement

04:33 Discussion on Writing and Personal Experiences

07:21 Memories and Coping Mechanisms

12:31 Encouragement for Liminal Writing

12:47 Wrap up

#liminalwriting, #creativewriting, #writingwithfriends, #wildmindwriting, #cesmillado, #leemoran, #poetry, #prose, #bonappetit, #BonAppétit, #bonappétitmagazine, #JenniferChoiHope, #grief, #language, #languages, #survival