Storytelling doesn't always happen in sentences, speeches, or traditional narratives.

Sometimes it happens in images, emotions, metaphors, and poems.

In this special Pride Month episode of The Starfish Storytellers, host Liana Henry sits down with poet, artist, educator, and arts advocate Pilar Quintana to explore storytelling through the lens of poetry, identity, and self-expression.

The conversation begins with Pilar's powerful poem, The Problem of Maria, a deeply personal exploration of gender, culture, belonging, and the lifelong search to understand oneself in a world that often demands simple definitions. As a queer, genderqueer Cuban American artist, Pilar shares how poetry became a language for expressing experiences that traditional storytelling sometimes cannot fully capture. In this conversation, Pilar discusses:

• How poetry allows people to express emotions that are difficult to put into words

• The relationship between identity, culture, and storytelling

• Growing up as the child of Cuban immigrants and navigating multiple worlds

• The power of visibility and representation within LGBTQ+ communities

• Why poetry can help people process experiences and emotions in unique ways

• How art and storytelling can create understanding across differences

• The importance of being seen, respected, and recognized for who we truly are

• How anyone can begin telling their story—even if they don't consider themselves a storyteller

Through personal poems, candid reflections, and thoughtful discussion, Pilar reminds us that storytelling isn't always about finding answers. Sometimes it's about creating space for complexity, authenticity, and connection. Because every person deserves to be seen—and every story deserves to be heard. To learn more about Pilar and the Grey Court Poets, visit:

https://www.instagram.com/greycourtpoets/

https://www.youtube.com/GreyCourtPoets

https://www.facebook.com/GreyCourtPoets/

In this episode of The Starfish Storytellers, we sit down with physical therapist, educator, and author Ron Clinton for a powerful conversation about pain, healing, and the stories we tell ourselves about our bodies. With more than 35 years of experience and extensive training in the McKenzie Method, Ron has helped thousands of patients overcome chronic back, neck, knee, and mobility issues through conservative, evidence-based approaches that often avoid medications, injections, and surgery.

Together, we explore how pain is often misunderstood and how symptoms may originate far from where discomfort appears. Ron shares remarkable real-world stories from his practice, including patients misdiagnosed for years before discovering the true source of their pain. This conversation dives into the emotional side of healing, the importance of movement and self-efficacy, and how mindset, understanding, and patient empowerment can dramatically change recovery outcomes. We also discuss:

• Why storytelling matters in healthcare and rehabilitation
• The connection between movement, independence, and quality of life
• The role of hope and understanding in patient recovery
• Restless Leg Syndrome and emerging insights into possible spinal connections
• Why “movement is medicine” for both physical and cognitive health
• How patients can challenge limiting beliefs about aging and pain

This episode is an inspiring reminder that healing is often a partnership and that sometimes the most powerful stories are the ones we rewrite about ourselves. To learn more about Ron Clinton, visit him at www.kneeandspinept.com. You can listen to this episode wherever you get your podcasts.

In a world where attention spans are measured in seconds, clarity isn’t just important—it’s everything. In this episode of The Starfish Storytellers, we sit down with brand strategist, author, and speaker Orly Zeewy to explore what it really takes to stand out in what she calls a “five-second world.” Orly shares her journey from fine artist to brand strategist, and how a pivotal realization—that businesses often focus on what matters to them instead of their audience—led her to help entrepreneurs turn fuzzy messaging into clear, compelling stories that connect and convert. Through powerful examples and real-world insights, this conversation dives into:

• Why clarity—not volume—is what cuts through the noise
• The biggest mistake businesses make when building their brand
• How to identify your ideal audience (and why you must)
• The role of storytelling in building trust and connection
• Why failure, feedback, and pivoting are essential to success
• The mindset shift behind her upcoming book Why Not Me?

Whether you’re a startup founder, marketer, or business leader, this episode is a reminder that when you truly understand who you are, who you serve, and why it matters—you don’t just get noticed. You get remembered. To learn more about Orly, you can visit her at:

• https://zeewybrands.com/
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/orlyzeewy/
• https://www.youtube.com/@orlyzeewy
• orly@zeewybrands.com