275: Liberian Storytelling and Oral Tradition (with Mayonn Paasewe-Valchev)

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">We’re joined by author Mayonn Paasewe-Valchev, an incredible storyteller and educator. We talk about how myths are purposeful, cautionary storytelling, and the differences between oral storytelling and literary traditions.  </span></p> <p> </p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Content Warning:</span></em> <span style="font-weight: 400;">This episode contains conversations about or mentions of parental death, grief, animal attacks, drowning, and kidnapping.</span></p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Guest</strong></p> <p><a href="https://mayonn.com/"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">Mayonn Paasewe-Valchev</span></a> <span style= "font-weight: 400;">was born in Liberia, where she was exposed to a culture of oral storytelling at a young age. She lived in the Netherlands for several years, where she learned to stuff her klompen (wooden shoes) with carrots and developed a love for reading stories—especially tales written by Roald Dahl and Astrid Lindgren. She lives in Georgia with her family. Pre-order her book,</span> <a href= "https://mayonn.com/books/#pre-order"><em><span style= "font-weight: 400;">The Leopard Behind the Moon</span></em></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, today!</span></p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Housekeeping</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">-</span> <span style= "font-weight: 400;">MERCH</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">! Preorder the Tarot Tee Shirt and get your other on-sale merch at</span> <a href="http://spiritspodcast.com/merch"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">spiritspodcast.com/merch</span></a><span style= "font-weight: 400;">!</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">-</span> <span style= "font-weight: 400;">Recommendation</span><span style= "font-weight: 400;">: This week, Amanda recommends</span> <a href= "https://legends.pokemon.com/en-us/"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">Pokemon Legends: Arceus</span></a><span style= "font-weight: 400;">. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">-</span> <span style= "font-weight: 400;">Books</