Welcome to Corkers Uncorked.

These are some of my most treasured interviews — mostly because I get to know my readers (you!) on a whole different level. We focus on your astounding biz-related superpowers and origin stories. Bonus: you get to learn more about your cohorts, gain some insight into what makes someone successful, and hear how others got their start. (Wanna be one of our Uncorked stars? Start by raising your hand here.)

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Meet Janelle Hardy.

You may remember her from the 12 Days of Butter and Beast project. (The essay she wrote got right to the heart of what we were all attempting to convey, so I featured hers first.)

Janelle’s a powerful advocate for embodied creativity — which means she’s on a mission to help folks get unstuck by reconnecting them to their bodies. And she creates gorgeous, soulful devotional paintings. All while raising a child on her own.

Janelle currently lives in Canada’s southwest on Vancouver Island — a place that connects her to the sea, sky, forests; the trees and horizons of the imagination.

What’s your super power, Janelle? And what advice would you give others who want to shine in the same arena?

My superpower is listening and witnessing.

What this means is that I’m really good at tuning in, connecting with someone, and listening to what’s really going on. Sometimes this is literal, but often it comes through in the non-verbals, the unspoken parts of the conversation and especially through body language, intuition and art.

The advice I would give to others who want to become good creative listeners is twofold. And both bits require curiosity.

First: Drop the desire to share or talk about yourself, and instead, get really curious about the other person. Who are they? What makes them glow? What’s up for them? How are they living in their bodies? If they make art, what themes are there?

Then, become curious about yourself. Start digging into what makes you tick, and what you can sort out, understand and heal. The better your self-awareness, the easier it is to really tune in and listen to others. The less likely you are to be triggered or upset by their ways of being.

It’s also from this place of self-knowing that you’ll become more skilled at overcoming shyness, connecting with others, and able to use your gifts and stories in service of those that are in your life, whether personal or professional.

What inspired you to start your business?

I was inspired when everything finally clicked.

Once my interests in stories, dance, writing, the visual arts, hands-on bodywork and healing, creating, and my desire to connect, all came together, I created the foundation of Embodied Creativity.

What’s the story behind your logo?

My logo is a painting I did called Owl Eyes. She showed up in a body of work about masks, and when I saw her — with a human face and eyes, and then the owl eyes above, I knew it was a representation of myself.

Who inspires you? If you could have dinner with ANYone (living, dead or fictional), who would that be and why?

Right at this moment, my dream dinner party would include: Zora Neale Hurston, Josephine Baker, Angelina Jolie, Isabel Faith Abbott, Clarissa Pinkola Estes, Frida Kahlo, Katherine Dunham, James Herriot and Rumi.

Except for James and Rumi, they’re all deep sensual uncommon women who have forged their own beautiful paths without regard for what people thought/think of them. The writers among them have such a way with words, the dancers are so stunning and Rumi could tie all of the energies into a poem to transcend. James Herriot I added in for the earthy and hilarious way he had with storytelling and animals, He’d be the sweet and lovely contrast to all the lusty ethereal esoteric folks.

What would you like to get the word out about right now?

My Embodied Creativity Guidance Group. (<< Click that link to join)

I offer a free secret Facebook group where I provide body and creativity guidance three times a week, with options to upgrade membership for greater support. It’s so fun, and I would love to connect more people to their innate embodied knowing.

Why do you read the Story Bistro blog and emails?

I like your way of connecting with people and engaging with them. Your way of being genuine, bringing together groups of people, and having an intent to share stories, resources, and connections.

Which means that, from you, I’ve learned a slower paced style of relational marketing that works for me.

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Are you doing remarkable or astounding things? Do you have some advice you can share with us? Be a Story Bistro “Corker Uncorked” by raising your hand here.