I am. . .

…a little girl who loved books in a huge east-facing bedroom with four massive windows.

Who went to boarding school, then college and a first job at a boutique hotel in Litchfield County, CT. Which led to a chance encounter with a (vrrom, vroom!) race car driver and his company. And after a few years there, onto corporate America and the first job that taught her to write.

Later, the small business world of coaching (and blogging!) in the early 2000s with and side hustles in sales at a tea company, catering|event planning and retail sales in a lifestyle store, hidden in New York’s Hudson Valley. Back to school in my mid thirties for a graduate degree and time as an overnight volunteer for a domestic violence agency’s crisis line. Then many years working with abuse survivors, in abuse education and trauma consulting.

In the Fall of 2022, I took my first writing class in decades. And I finally started taking seriously my love of turning letters into language into story.

What influences me?

Training through Co-Active Training Institute. It was at CTI, back in the wee early days of coaching, that I learned the idea that we are born whole and no matter what happens, we are never damaged or broken. I spent six years working as a life coach. I offered 1-1 coaching and created and facilitated two personal growth workshops: (Awaken Your Passion and Uncommon Confidence) and corporate & group custom programming and public speaking. One of my long-term contract projects was with a victim services agency for whom I facilitated self-esteem building programs.

Background as a trauma educator, researcher and lay counselor. I have worked with inter-personal trauma survivors for 20 years, first as a volunteer on an overnight hotline. Later, as paid staff, I trained hundreds of community professionals on abuse dynamics and active listening. (While at the same time, training community volunteers for a 24 hr hotline and in-office client support. Thanks non-profit world!) I have also been trained by Penny Simkin and Phyllis Klaus, authors of When Survivors Give Birth and am one of only ten professionals worldwide who are certified to use that name in trainings and talks. From 2013-2021, I offered trauma-informed continuing ed trainings on the long-term affects of sexual abuse on reproductive and sexual health to clients like NC AHECs, Duke University School of Medicine, Lamaze and others. I also led survivor support groups (in agency and independently) for five years.

My Masters of Arts degree in Women’s Studies. This means I take a broad view at how “interlocking systems of domination”* come together. Think: patriarchy, white supremacy, capitalism. You’re never “just” a person doing stuff. You’re a human being whose identity is made of up of race, language, ability, sexuality and much more. All of that influences what you think and do as well as how and what you communicate.

I have also trained as a postpartum doula through DONA International and a childbirth educator through Lamaze.

What do others say?

“You are really good, Elizabeth, at distilling complex ideas down, making them practical, and engaging with people around those ideas.”

"When I hear myself talking to kids, I find myself talking and listening like you showed me. Thanks for modeling that for me and making me a better person, specifically a better communicator, a person who sticks up for herself and demands that others do the same. Empowerment is your middle name."

"Knowing women like you, Elizabeth, who are gracious, and passionate and strong has helped me to not only feel less alone in the world but also see the variety of ways people do show up for others.”

What do I believe?

Everyone is a trauma survivor. But that doesn’t mean we are broken.

Abuse is a systemic issue, not an individual's problem to fix.

We are born whole and always learning.

Forgiveness is a racket. Kindness makes a difference. Normal is an invention. Healing doesn’t exist.

The fun stuff?

I love bright colors, clothes and sparkle. I’m a sucker for Haribo gummies and homemade scones. Beach over mountains. Rescue dog fan. Gen X. Terrific with names. Typewriter fan and vintage lover. Heels over clogs. Books (or food) are my love language. New knitter.

In the early days of the pandemic I co-hosted a time-limited feminist podcast that looked at the "wow" & "how" of a life rooted in curiosity, community and liberation. A passion project for the fabulous Larissa Parson and myself! Wondermine archived episodes are available wherever you find your podcasts or head here.

Want to learn more?

Subscribe to my newsletter at Substack below, connect on LinkedIn or follow on Instagram @EMJWriting.

(* Kimberlé Crenshaw for her work around intersectionality which influences my work.
”interlocking systems of oppression” is the brilliant bell hooks’ language. See more here.)