From Amy:

I am not a fangirl. I'm not that person who waits at the stage door to talk with famous people after a concert or someone who would approach a famous person at a restaurant to ask for an autograph. I'd rather go home and sleep than attend a loud afterparty where I have to engage in group small talk. Better still, I love to connect one on one, in a quieter setting, uninterrupted, around the stories behind the performance.

Which is why this podcast episode is both surprising and not. Because it's all about connecting through creativity on genuine, human level.

I've heard Jeremy Messersmith's name around the Twin Cities for years. His music is frequently played on The Current, the Minnesota Public Radio music station. Some years back, I heard that he was doing these house concerts where he played his ukulele in people's living rooms. Last summer, I attended one of these parties where I had a front row seat and interacted more with Jeremy than I would have expected. Afterwards, over catered appetizers, we got into a conversation around the parallels between his creative process and mine.

Which led to this conversation around Jeremy Messersmith's creative process, and where he gets his inspiration and courage.

In a world where it's loud out there and human presence feels increasingly rare, Jeremy has found a way to perform his songs and connect with people personally, much in the intimate way that a storyteller does. He's sharing this human experience. And it goes beyond performance to the creation. Jeremy interacts with fellow musicians to write his music, and his engagement with audience members reflects back meaning.

And isn't that why we create?

It's a good conversation. Enjoy.

Travel safely,

Love, Amy

PS—Twin Cities real-life creatives....read below for my take on an interactive living room party for writers.

Jeremy Messersmith is a singer/songwriter based in Minneapolis, MN.

Instagram @jeremymessersmith

Jeremy's linktree

Coming Sunday, August 10, 9:45–noon in St. Paul, Minnesota: Courageous Wordsmith Sunday Morning

Interested in my iteration of a Courageous Wordsmith Twin Cities living room party, inspired in part by Jeremy's idea? Join us for my first-ever Courageous Wordsmith Sunday Morning, part parallel writing session, part reflective circle. Get inspired in the company of kindred writers.

$25 for a session, FREE for members of the Courageous Wordsmith Circle for Real-Life Writers.

Email me at amy @ amyhallberg (dot) com for the details and payment link.

Amy Hallberg is the author of Tiny Altars: A Midlife Revival and German Awakening: Tales from an American Life. She is the host of Courageous Wordsmith Podcast and founder of Courageous Wordsmith Circle for Real-Life Writers. As an editor and writing mentor, Amy guides writers through their narrative journeys—from inklings to beautiful works, specifically podcasts and books. A lifelong Minnesotan and mother of grown twins, Amy lives in the Twin Cities with her husband and two cats.

Get Amy's Books and Audiobooks