Saundra Gilliard on Prioritizing Feminine Storytelling and Connection
Connection is lost within this misrepresentation
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TW Managing Editor Neva Talladen interviews Saundra Gilliard, a professional storyteller, playwright, and personal transformation leader. The two discuss the importance of prioritizing feminine storytelling from the perspective of feminine people. Much of mainstream media prioritizes the misogynistic idea of a feminine woman rather than the stories written by women for women. Saundra emphasizes the connection that is lost within this misrepresentation and how it can be found in women’s writing.
Saundra Gilliard is a personal transformation leader and narrative coach who grew up in a family of strong, independent women. From the time of her earliest memories of sitting at the kitchen table and listening to her mother and aunts talk, Saundra was instilled with the mindset of self-reliance through education and career. Drawing from her own experiences, Saundra is committed to helping women embrace their authenticity and rewrite the narratives of success. She believes in reclaiming feminine energy and balancing it with the masculine and advocates for a collective reframing of societal beliefs and breaking through systemic barriers.
Saundra’s mission is to guide women in shedding their limiting beliefs and societal expectations and empowering them to live authentically and thrive on their own terms. Through her coaching and leadership, she aims to inspire women to rewrite their stories and create a new paradigm of success.
Femininely Free! is a women-centered personal transformation and development service. The service utilizes story-based transformational tools to help women access their personal power to rewrite their stories and live life on their own terms with the goal of teaching women how to break free from the fear, shame, and guilt that prevent them from being the most authentic version of themselves. The service is driven by a mission to create an equitable society and believes that women can ignite systemic change one story at a time.
During the episode, Saundra and Neva discuss the history of oral storytelling within the African-American community. Her ancestors were enslaved and forbidden from learning how to read and write. But they were able to rebel and educate and entertain themselves in part through the act of oral storytelling. Even after enslavement, African Americans were prohibited from being educated, and school was considered a privilege. However, Saundra’s family has a history of educating themselves through oral history and sharing information.
Saundra and Neva also discuss the use of storytelling and why it can be used to both liberate and control people. They discuss the use of the hidden history of Lilith. Eve was used to control women and place the blame of human suffering on them, whereas Lilith was a rebel, went against God’s will, and was considered a demon. However, many women connect more with Lilith than they do with Eve, as they connect to the act of rebellion more than they do the “reason” for their submission.
As a coach, Saundra makes space for women and their stories. She encourages her clients to write whatever they’re feeling and put it down on the page. They use their writing as a source of connection and share their work with the community to improve their skills.
Check out Saundra’s episode to hear more about her thoughts on prioritizing feminine storytelling and connection.
Episode Information
Saundra’s Website: https://femininelyfree.com/
Saundra’s Instagram: @saundragilliard
Sign up for the L.E.A.P initiative here: https://femininelyfree.com/our-services