Yarns for the Soul
"Yarns" is a common way for New Zealanders to describe having a chat, a conversation. We might say 'I had a great yarn with Nicole the other day!'. For me, a yarn can go in many different directions, often including multiple tangents and side stories. It also involves having deeper discussions and diving into some vulnerability, before coming back up to a lighter level with some sarcasm or dark humour.
Yarns for the Soul was born out of a desire to champion more honest and vulnerable conversation (but also feel like you're sitting on a friend's couch with a cup of tea having a yarn with them- and that friend is me!).
I believe in the magic and power of story-telling, and everyone has stories that deserve to be shared with the world. We are all experts of our own lived experiences, and I hope by sharing these we can foster more curiosity and compassion for others and the world around us.
I yarn with my guests on a range of topics, often delving into subjects that are still considered socially taboo or not spoken about enough. In my mini-yarns, I also share parts of my own stories, and reflect on things that I'm learning while I continue to muddle my way forward and follow my nose!
...
If you'd like to get in touch, or follow my journey, you can find me over in Instagram @yarnsforthesoulnicole. See you there!
Yarns for the Soul
Episode 50- Mini-yarn on the origins of "yarns"
Welcome to episode 50!! I am celebrating this milestone episode with a special mini-yarn all about the origins of the word "yarn".
Most people outside of New Zealand will only associate yarn with wool, and I have to tell people my podcast is sadly not about knitting! So here's an episode to explain what the word yarning means to me, as well as exploring the historical origins behind the use of the word in everyday kiwi conversation.
On my research journey I pulled at many threads, from indigenous cultures to Greek mythology, and I was surprised by what I unearthed. Is the origin from early sailors visiting New Zealand shores, and telling tall tales while they hoisted sails? Or is yarning another form of cultural appropriation? Perhaps spinning yarn is a synonym for goddesses weaving the destiny of mortal souls?
I wrap up the episode by tying together what my discoveries mean to me, and how this affects the future of the Yarns for the Soul podcast.
...
Resources:
"To Spin a Yarn: The Female Voice in Folklore and Fairy Tale"
Te Ara- "The origins of Kiwi humour"
"Yarning about Yarning as a Legitimate Method in Indigenous Research"
"Stories from the Aboriginal Women of the Yarning Circle: when cultures collide"
"Clinical yarning with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples"
"The power of healing in the yarn: working with Aboriginal men"
"Yarning up with Doc Reynolds: an interview about Country from an Indigenous perspective"
...
If you want to get in touch with me, or just follow along as I muddle my way forwards, come find me over on Instagram @yarnsforthesoulnicole- see you there!
