This month, our Letter from the Campfire is being written by one of our Season 14 fellows, Chris Santillan! Here, he’ll offer a bit of insight into his take on our recently selected season question: “How does love change us?” We welcome you to hear more from him on the topic at his upcoming Campfire, taking place July 10th at Work and Leisure STL!

Hello Everyone!

I’m Chris, and I’m honored to be the next storyteller at the July 10th Campfire. As I sit down to write this letter, I’m contemplating a profound question: How does love change us? It’s a question that digs deep into who we are and how we feel.

For me, love has been a lifelong lesson—a journey marked by both light and shadow. Growing up as a shy Filipino kid in the Midwest in the ’80s, I often felt uncertain about love, leaving me feeling awkward and isolated. Sometimes I made reckless choices, searching for love in all the wrong places, unaware of its true essence. But even in those confusing times, I gained insight about love’s influence on our lives.

Then came the 28 years I spent in prison, where love seemed like a distant memory. It was a dark and lonely period, and in this place of despair, where the walls seemed to close in around me, I felt the weight of being unloved and unlovable. But amidst the gloom, I encountered people who showed me the true meaning of love. Their kindness and compassion illuminated my path, teaching me about love’s enduring strength and capacity for redemption.

However, it’s important to acknowledge that love can also change us in ways that aren’t always positive. At times, it can lead us down difficult paths or cause us pain. But even in those moments, there are lessons to be learned and growth to be found.

This letter is more than just an introduction; it’s an invitation to explore the complexities of love with me. Let’s discuss how it shapes us, both for better and for worse. Together, we can uncover its profound impact on our lives and relationships as it continues to inspire us to be better, kinder, and more compassionate human beings. It’s an opportunity for us to understand ourselves and each other on a deeper level.

Looking forward to connecting with you there!

All the best,
Chris

Stand Out Stories

These are the stories that are standing out for our team this month:.
Mariah has been savoring the third season of Abbott Elementary, which just finished last month. This is not a new recommendation, since the show is already critically acclaimed. But the hype is real! Each character is written with such love and depth, and Mariah and her family end up repeating some of each episode’s best one-liners to each other throughout the week.

Like most of the internet, Amma was captivated by Luca Guadagnino’s latest film Challengers. Of particular interest to her was the unique story structure: a film taking place in large part at a single event, flashing back to the events of over a decade before to inform what we see on the court of this high-stakes tennis game. Go see it (or rent on demand) for the storytelling, stay for the incredibly fun soundtrack!

Steven took a deep dive into the world of Fallout. Not only did he watch the entire Fallout series on Prime in record time, but he also went and bought one of the games. He has spent more time playing it then he’d care to admit. Steven can appreciate how difficult it is to make another story – in a different medium – for a beloved series. But from what he can tell, the show does a great job of creating a new narrative that fits into the existing while adding in a unique take on what may be going on.