Barbara's Path to Storytelling

In the years before she began storytelling, Barbara Kellogg worked in St. Louis, Missouri. Entrenched in the business world for over 40 years as a manager of a clinic, in sales and marketing, training materials distributor, seminar leader and speaker. Barbara earned her Bachelors of Liberal Arts Degree from St. Louis University with an emphasis in Communications. When her sons were youngsters, she was involved in church work: coordinating day camps, Bible School and various other activities with children. Then, during a spiritual retreat in 1995, she met a storyteller who invited her to an event sponsored by the St. Louis Gateway Storytellers. At this first meeting, Barbara realized that storytelling was her "ministry." On a spiritual search, becoming a minister was one of her longings; she saw storytelling as the path to this calling.

At first, storytelling was done at her own church for luncheons, coffeehouses and Sunday School children. Barbara soon discovered storytelling as a way to have fun while playing, instead of feeling she was working. Today, Barbara continues down this found path of ministry and enlightenment through story telling by involving herself in numerous appearances in several states and communities. Seeing the smiles on the faces of children and adults, especially seniors, is one of her best rewards.

Barbara now resides on the western side of Missouri, having remarried after being single for 27 years! She married a wonderful man who was a former boss over 25 years ago. Now that's a story!

The Power of the Story

People "listen" to a story as it is told to them, but that story is not necessarily what they "visualize" in their mind. Individuals take what they need from a story and see it as it relates to their own lives. Thus, the storyteller becomes a vehicle between the story told and their personal experiences. An individual's mind is a "theater" in itself—provided the right clues, memories can spring from everywhere.

How is this so? In many senior settings, especially nursing homes, the residents might appear to be "far, far, away," seemingly somewhere else. A question Barbara often hears is: "How do you know they are listening?" Her response is that she watches for audience reaction to the stories as she tells them. A small response found in the hint of a small smile, a twinkle in the eye or a movement, applauding, just a hand from a body frozen by a stroke, patting the wheel chair table, tells of a deeper stirring—a rediscovered memory. After a story telling session with seniors, sometimes even during, Barbara provides the opportunity for her audience to share experiences with the group, as recalled by a particular featured story. Barbara's stories Mom's Beef with Rationing Stamps or July 5th Blast, often provide seniors a springboard to past fond times. Likewise, even young children whose memories are just beginning to accumulate, are excited to share their personal adventures or experiences, related to a told story.

The Rewards

One of Barbara's most humbling honors as a storyteller occurred when she was asked to present a "healing" story to a Hospices' annual memorial service for the families of their clients. A healing story is one that provides the listener an opportunity to distance themselves from the stress of their environment or situation. The stories reach the mind of the listener on a deeper level, thus providing relief or momentary shelter.

For example, at the Hospice gathering, she told Just Enough, a Russian folk tale relating to saving memories. She also tells, Shingebiss, a folktale as told by Fran Stallings -- Earth Teller, which captures children and adult's interest alike. This story introduces "Old Man North Wind" as Barbara howls like the wind—we all have a North Wind that blows through our lives; the story tells how we can "be free" of its sharp, penetrating cold.

Children in school setting's often come to Barbara and exclaim: "I could see everything you said!" Consequently, Barbara's experiences in schools have created many memories. Once, when asking children if they had a story to share many hands raised. Several children then took the opportunity to come to the front of the room to tell their own story. Only later, Barbara learned that those children were in special classes for reading and comprehending. Even the principal was surprised and amazed that these children stood up and told a story, something that they ordinarily would not have done! On a much lighter side, during the telling of Robert Munsch's "Andrew's Loose Tooth", one young fellow blew out his loose tooth as the audience collectively was making a big "sneeze." Later, his teacher and the school janitor crawled around the gym floor to find the tooth for the Tooth Fairy.

Invite Barbara into your event; she travels outside of the Kansas City area with adequate compensation, and will be glad to discuss programs and fees with you by e-mail or telephone.

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