Secret Gardens & Wonderful Places

Christie Purifoy joins the show to talk about a fascinating adventure that takes her from earning a PhD at the University of Chicago to trading the academic life for an old Pennsylvania farmhouse called Maplehurst. Now she cultivates art and space for people to experience beauty, wonder, and peace as a gardener, writer, and photographer.Why did the “The Secret Garden” have such a significant impact on Christie’s life? What does it take to move from a career in the academic world to one as a gardener and writer? What if the first book you write only has an audience of one? How do our physical experiences contribute to breakthrough for creative work? Why does giving one small “yes” unlock more than building up to a massive leap?Check out this episode for the answers to these questions and another inspiring story of creativity meeting courage.Christie’s Website: https://www.christiepurifoy.com/Christie’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christiepurifoy/Seedtime and Harvest: https://www.christiepurifoy.com/seedtime-and-harvest-book/The Secret Garden: https://www.amazon.com/Frances-Hodgson-Childrens-Curiosity-Exploration/dp/1774021765Chapters00:00 Introduction and Background02:58 Discovering a Love for Gardening06:40 Turning Points and Taking Risks09:24 The Importance of Small Yeses12:09 Teaching and Creating Community16:28 Transitioning from Academia to Writing23:21 Overcoming Stuck(ness) and Embracing Rest27:01 Engaging in Other Creative Pursuits29:09 Finding Community and Learning from Others36:19 Overcoming Fear and Sharing Your Work42:23 Detaching Your Identity from Your Creations46:16 Embracing Rest and Seasons of Life Get full access to Story Script at kentstudio.substack.com/subscribe