JCCFS: Tell us a little bit about yourself. What’s your background in your medium? How did you get started?

KH: I’ve been facilitating personal transformations since 2000 in a variety of ways. I’m trained as a psychologist but now I work mainly through story, ritual and nature-connection. In addition to the PhD I hold certificates in eco-psychology, hypnotherapy and transformational life coaching. The work I do now was birthed through a sudden death, that of my partner-at-the-time, Tyler. The overwhelming onslaught of grief and rage brought me to my knees and cracked me open in ways I could have never imagined before. Through the guidance of some wise elders and participating in numerous rituals and rites of passage ceremonies I found a way out of the darkness into a new way of living that feeds me much more deeply than anything I could have imagined before. Storytelling has always been a part of initiation rituals. Over the years I have sought out the myths and lore of my native lands – the British Isles. I see that they carry deep medicine and sharing them brings new insights, expanded possibilities and a sense of belonging to those who hear them. For me it’s a way to connect more deeply with my ancestors and carry a thread of our ancient, earth-honoring culture into the modern world.

JCCFS: Tell us more about your class’s specific technique or process.

KH: The stories we tell to, and about, ourselves determine how we experience life. Our stories impact our relationships with Self, others, and the beyond-human world. Do you find yourself stuck in the same old movie? Going around and around with the same problems, getting the same results. Old stories impact all areas of life – work, relationships, spirituality, our sense of belonging in the world, and our emotional and physical health. Our inner stories maybe repeated often but rarely examined and revised with an eye to our soul’s evolution. When we take the time to work with these essential life narratives we can change how we perceive and participate in the world. Is it time for a new story? This two-day program is a chance to step out of time, out of the continual narrative of your life, into a securely held circle designed for deep transformation. Here you can let your guard down, fall apart, melt into the forest, and release back to the earth those loyal-soldier stories that may have protected you well but you no longer need and are only serving to shield you from life’s vibrant beauty. In this magical space we will work with your story, ancient medicine stories from the Celtic lands, the nature and elemental beings to help you forge your new story – one with wings strong enough to carry you, radiant, into this next chapter of life.

JCCFS: What can students expect to leave your class with?

KH: A new story of who they are, why they are here and what’s next.

JCCFS: What do you enjoy most about teaching?

KH: My experience tells me we learn and grow best in collaboration with each other. As I guide others through this process I always learn something new about myself and find yet another way to revise my story. Sharing the old stories from my ancestral lineage is a way for me to speak with their voices, to bring some of their wisdom into this world so in need of nourishment.

JCCFS: Where do you draw inspiration for your work?

KH: The forests, mountains and rivers of the Southern Appalachians encourage me to come home to myself, to tap into that deep part that can give voice to the stories coming from the earth.The folk music here takes me home to Scotland instantly.

JCCFS: What’s one piece or craft object you’ve made recently that you are proud of, and why? 

KH: I’ve been making full-sized felted sheepskin rugs that are gorgeous! Sheep are dear to me, I grew up on a sheep farm in Scotland and I’m sure many of my ancestors felted. It’s a joy to use my hands to work the wool from our farm here in Marshall.

JCCFS: Where can folks find you if they want to stay up to date on your work? 

KH: They can find me in a few places, kathoughton.com, and adventuresintheotherworld.

Here’s a piece I wrote specifically about the old loyal soldier or weary warrior stories we carry that will be the focus on this class.

https://adventuresintheotherworld.substack.com/p/weary-warrior-stories