• Liminal Writing: The Focus of Stress
    Nov 23 2024

    Episode 2:

    In this episode of Liminal Writing, hosts Ces and Lee explore the experience of how stress can at times sharpen the attention better than good times. They picked a trigger line - 'Stress focuses your attention in ways that good times can't” - from the book “Same as Ever” by Morgan Housel,

    They discuss personal experiences with stress, its impact on productivity, and the challenge of maintaining focus. They also talk about the historical role of stress in human survival and the importance of mindfulness in managing stress.

    The session ends with a reflection on the creative processes driven by stress and an encouragement for the listeners to try out the wild mind writing process.

    00:00 Introduction to Liminal Writing

    00:41 Today's Trigger Line: Stress and Focus

    01:32 Personal Reflections on Stress

    04:33 Discussion on Stress and Hyper Focus

    09:10 Evolutionary Perspective on Stress

    10:20 Balancing Stress and Creativity

    12:19 Conclusion and Next Steps

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    13 mins
  • Liminal Writing: Inspired by a quote from Audre Lorde "Caring for myself is not self indulgence..."
    Nov 16 2024

    Episode 1: Self-Care as a Political Act: Conversations on Resilience and Activism

    Liminal Writing Season 4 begins with a session inspired by a quote from American activist and poet, Audre Lorde: 'Caring for myself is not self indulgence. It is self preservation, and that is an act of political warfare.'

    This prompt leads to a discussion on the challenges of self-care, the impact of recent political events in the US, how affects the LGBT communities, and in particular the impact on trans folks.

    Ces and Lee also reminisce about their community activism in the Philippines, and sing a few lines from a couple of protest songs from their youth. Their conversation ends with unwavering eyes on hope, the power of unity, song, and resilience in the fight for equality and justice.

    00:53 Reflecting on Self-Care

    01:23 Struggles and Resolutions

    02:39 Political Context and Personal Impact

    03:38 Trans Rights and Political Climate

    07:42 Hope and Resilience

    08:27 Global Struggles and Solidarity

    10:03 Songs of Protest and Unity

    14:13 Nature's Lessons on Support

    15:40 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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    16 mins
  • Liminal Writing: Inspired by a line from Su Scott's cookbook "Pocha"
    Nov 8 2024

    Episode 13: Inspired by a line from “Pocha: Simple Korean Food from the Streets of Seoul"

    In this episode, Ces and Lee explore the deep connections and vivid memories sparked by a line from "Pocha", a cookbook by Su Scott. They reflect on the poignant line, 'People's stories are layered thickly on the sticky tabletops,' sharing personal stories of beloved restaurants in London and in Manila during their university days.

    They talk about the galvanizing power of food to nourish not just the body but the soul and the sense of community it fosters. The episode underscores the importance of good company and breaking bread together as unforgettable life-giving experiences.

    00:00 Introduction and Today's Topic

    00:23 Discovering 'Pocha' by Su Scott

    01:33 Reflecting on Personal Stories

    04:20 Food Memories and Connections

    07:28 The Art of Conversation Over Food

    14:17 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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    15 mins
  • Liminal Writing: Inspired by a line from Castle Dor, "He rose from his chair and stood looking out of the window across the harbour..."
    Nov 1 2024

    Episode 12: Inspired by a line from Daphne du Maurier’s “Castle Dor”.

    In this episode of Liminal Writing, Ces and Lee get their creative spark from a line from Daphne Du Maurier's historical novel, 'Castle Dor'.

    Ces shares a deeply personal story from her childhood, reflecting on her past trauma and the healing process, while Lee offers a poetic meditation on the calming presence of the sea.

    After each read their works, they discuss the therapeutic benefits of writing, the importance of safe spaces, and a breathing technique that activates the parasympathetic nervous system. They encourage listeners to try their hand at liminal writing, emphasizing that the space is theirs to explore and create.

    Content warning: This episode talks in part about child sexual abuse and emotional abuse.

    00:31 Introducing the Trigger Line

    01:17 Lee’s writing: The Sea's call

    02:00 Ces’ writing: Childhood memories

    04:03 Discussing the Writing Process

    05:41 Exploring the Parasympathetic System

    07:33 Reflections on Safe Spaces and Healing

    14:08 Encouragement for Liminal Writing

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    15 mins
  • Liminal Writing: Inspired by a lace capped caterpillar
    Oct 25 2024

    This episode’s inspiration comes from a line from an article in the National Geographic Sept 2024 issue. It describes a lace capped caterpillar.

    Ces and Lee explore the dissimilitude of seeing caterpillars initially as a nuisance and the pleasure of witnessing their transformation into beautiful creatures of flight. The episode touches on themes of play, camouflage, garden adventures, and the joys of writing about light-hearted topics. Towards the end, they invite listeners to reflect and write about their own associations with caterpillars.

    00:00 Introduction and Session Overview

    00:06 Trigger Line about lace capped caterpillars

    02:02 Caterpillar Discussion and Childhood Memories

    03:37 Reflections on Caterpillars and Nature

    07:05 Lighthearted Writing and Brief Exchange on Food

    08:36 Conclusion and Writing Prompt

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    9 mins
  • Liminal Writing: Inspired by Carl Jung's "The privilege of a lifetime is to become who you really are"
    Oct 18 2024

    Episode 10: Inspired by a quote from Carl Jung , "The privilege of a lifetime is to become who you really are.”

    The Privilege of Becoming: Exploring Authenticity through Liminal Writing

    In this episode of Liminal Writing, Ces and Lee find inspiration from a line by Carl Jung, 'The privilege of a lifetime is to become who you really are.'

    They explore themes of self-discovery, authenticity, and personal growth, recounting their unique journeys of understanding their true selves. For Ces, it was about moving in the direction that seemed to be unacceptable to others, but felt right for her. And for Lee, it was the long journey to his truth and happiness as a trans man.

    The conversation touches on the challenges and triumphs of their paths, the impact of societal expectations, and the liberating experience of embracing one's identity. The episode concludes with an invitation for listeners to engage in their own writing exercise using the same trigger phrase.

    00:00 Introduction to Liminal Writing

    00:11 Exploring the Concept of Liminality

    00:34 Writing Prompt: Carl Jung's Quote

    01:04 Ces’ reflection on Authenticity

    02:54 Lee’s reflection on Identity

    03:58 Discussion on Personal Transitions

    04:53 Childhood Memories and Gender Socialization

    05:56 Adapt or Dampen: Navigating Life's Challenges

    06:43 Physical Strength and Personal Growth

    08:13 Exploring Gender Representation in Theater

    09:27 Celebrating Personal Achievements

    11:29 Final Reflections and Encouragement

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    12 mins
  • Liminal Writing: When I lay my head on the ground, what do I hear?
    Oct 11 2024

    In this 9th episode of Liminal Writing, Ces and Lee revisit a piece written in 2021 when all the world was rife with uncertainty and unanswered questions.

    Both their reflections land on drawing peace and finding safety in nature during the COVID19 pandemic. Their conversation underscores the mental and physical benefits of spending time in nature and the sanctuary of writing practices that began in challenging times.

    00:00 Introduction to Liminal Writing

    00:14 Unearthing an Old Writing Prompt

    00:51 First Writing Piece: A Connection with Nature

    02:04 Second Writing Piece: Heartbeat and Nature's Echoes

    03:15 Reflecting on the Writing Experience

    04:40 The Role of Nature During the Pandemic

    06:24 Personal Stories and Nature's Healing

    10:12 Grounding Exercises and Their Benefits

    11:05 Encouragement to Try Liminal Writing

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    12 mins
  • Liminal Writing: Inspired by Huainanzi's "Anything that has form can be overcome, anything that takes shape can be countered…”
    Sep 27 2024

    In this episode, Ces and Lee return after a brief hiatus to explore profound ideas inspired by a quote from Huainanzi, picked up from Robert Greene's 'The 33 Strategies of War”. They discuss the significance of remaining formless and flexible in the face of opposition, likening this strategy to the benefits of fluidity and adaptability in both personal and collective efforts.

    The conversation delves into how overcoming fear can be achieved by giving it form, which in turn makes it manageable. They reflect on the importance of humility and openness to learning in order to harness greater strength. The episode wraps up with gratitude for the inspirations driving their liminal writing journey.

    00:00 Introduction and Greetings

    00:23 Trigger Lines and Source

    01:19 Reflections on the Quote

    02:32 Personal Interpretations

    03:51 Strategizing Change

    07:12 Overcoming Form and Shape

    08:35 Concealing Forms in Nothingness

    10:05 Conclusion and Thanks

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    11 mins