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

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

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

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

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

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

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

In this episode, Ces and Lee are inspired by this quote 'Your daily life is your temple and your religion…' by Lebanese-American, poet, writer and visual artist, Khalil Gibran. They explore the challenges of meeting self-imposed expectations and the importance of recognizing and celebrating the blessings in daily life.

Through personal reflections and anecdotes, they emphasize the value of bringing one's whole self into everyday experiences and finding inspiration within. The conversation includes thoughts on the comfort found in old churches and the significance of acknowledging the contributions of ancestors.

Join them for a heartfelt discussion on living with intention and gratitude.

00:00 Introduction and Setup

00:08 The Search for Inspiration

01:08 Reflecting on Khalil Gibran's Quote

01:36 Personal Reflections and Daily Life

02:58 The Beauty of Churches and Temples

04:35 Connecting with Ancestors and Rituals

09:09 Self-Acceptance and Inner Reflection

13:35 Conclusion and Takeaways