Hello beautiful people,

My name is Marissa Brooks, and I am honored to be the final storyteller for Campfire season 15. My storytelling event is part of the St. Louis Storytelling Festival and will be held at Work and Leisure on November 13th. I’ll explore the question, “What does the body know?”—a reflection drawn from my personal experiences and insights.

I know we’re all dealing with much uncertainty right now. My goal is to create a safe, comforting space where we can come together, reflect on our own experiences with our bodies, and gain new perspectives on life’s challenges.

A little about me: I grew up in Louisville, KY, in a community focused on faith, family, and togetherness. I’ve faced my share of challenges, from becoming a mom at a young age to juggling higher education and raising a family. I earned a bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education and a master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy, driven by my desire to support minority communities.

I consider myself a spiritual healer, someone who holds space for others to bring awareness and process the body and spirit connection. About a year ago, I realized I needed to take a step back and focus on my own health and spiritual well-being. Now, I have a testimony to share. Through my stories, I hope you’ll find inspiration to look within to learn what your body knows.

Thank you,
Marissa Brooks

Stand Out Stories

As the holiday season approaches, we asked the Campfire team their favorite standout stories about family – be they by blood, by choice, or any other ways that we create community.
Mariah recently re-read Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston for the first time since high school, and it was just as powerful as she remembered it being at age 16. Hurston’s most famous work is a beautiful story about the power of fighting to build a family that recognizes one’s full self (among many other things!).

Steven forgot all about Chef’s Table on Netflix until his sisters came to town for the Usher concert. He was looking for something to watch with his oldest sister and picked the Ivan Orkin episode (S.3, E.4) and Nancy Silverton episode (S.3, E.3). He loves the cinematography, the editing paired with classical music, and the stories of how people got to where they got to. The episodes can be heartbreaking, breathtaking, hunger inducing, but ultimately they are just stories about people figuring out a way through life while making (hopefully) delicious food that brings community together to be nourished in every way.

Analisa recently rewatched the Disney movie Coco for Día de los Muertos. It’s a fun, vibrant movie that showcases the beauty of Mexican tradition and culture. It highlights the strength found in family unity while also focusing on how our roots influence our personal identity. As we get ready to celebrate the holidays this year, it’s a great reminder to honor the loved ones who have passed and all those who have come before us.