Imprinted Stories: Recent Episodes
Lisa Gutta
Helena's story is one of transforming something tragic into art. Her suicide attempt left her with several scars, but a piercer found inspiration in her marks.
Jenny shares two scar stories; the first was a result from a nasty bike accident (always wear a helmet!) and the second deals with a mysterious, painful infection that attacked her whole body during the height of covid.
In one of the most fun conversations I've had to date, Ryan and I talk about about an array of topics from his relationship with his mom, growing up with a rare kidney disease, music, his various jobs, and more.
Cait's childhood injury is still visible today; sometimes Grandma doesn't always know best. Check out Cait's podcast, "Friends with Niche Hobbies" here: https://www.friendswithnichehobbies.com/
Catherine's interview actually took place while she was in the hospital for treatment for self-harm and her mental health. On top of self-harm, there is also discussion of sexual abuse in this episode. It was a unique opportunity to interview someone in the middle of their journey to a healthier and healthier place.
Mike is a fascinating guy; our conversation weaves in and out of an array of topics, obviously touching on the various scars he's collected over the years. Check out his podcast, "That's Enter-brian-ment!": https://open.spotify.com/show/2Z5u0e65PPYaYokI72Yp86?si=KTo-hv2qSvOc9PQ1JKl3Tw&utm_source=copy-link&dl_branch=1
Jessica recounts an incident on Labor Day that led to a scar behind her knee when she was only 2 years old.
Caitlin had a birth mark removed which left a scar on her face; however, her story focuses on the evolution of her confidence and identity.
Melanie gained 3 scars in just one year; each one had a significant impact on her and heavily influenced how she approached life after that year. Visit Melanie's website at www.melaniemcnamara.com .
Gulia is the epitome of a strong woman; she had a c-section and a brain tumor removed on the same operating table and then had to relearn how to walk and function with a newborn at home.
Lala was born with unilateral breast agenesis; meaning as she grew up, she only developed one breast. She discusses her relationship with her body, breast implants, breast removal, and how we can all learn to listen and analyze how we talk about/to our bodies. Check out her website at: https://linktr.ee/laladrona and her most recent performance piece will be available February 15th at: https://vimeo.com/594468276
Athanasia has a hard story to hear; however, she manages to turn it into a powerful message. She was in a car accident that took the lives of two of her friends and left the majority of her body burned- but now she uses her story to educate and inspire. Check out her podcast, Crash Victim Life Survivor at www.athanasiahouvarda.com .
Grace tells a tale involving her big scary brother (he's no longer scary...don't worry) and child logic.
As a child, Roland was attacked by a dog at a friend's birthday party. After multiple procedures, he was left with a relatively large scar on his face.
Ren was born with polydactyly; a condition where you are born with extra fingers and/or toes. They discuss their surgeries, their experiences, and how it built a connection between them and their sister.
Brittany had cancer; furthermore, she was in a unique position when she found out: she had been researching chemo as part of her studies, her mother had the same exact cancer though there is currently no genetic connection, and this all happened during the beginning of the pandemic. This is a thoroughly interesting, engaging, informative, and beautiful interview.
Rosalie remembers playing around in her bedroom and accidentally smashing a window which led to her scar...the only thing is, can anyone corroborate her story? Check out Rosalie's podcast, "Shit My Soul Says" here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/shit-my-soul-says/id1544143111
Ashley discusses life after being born with a club foot; the invisible struggles as well as the very physical and painful ones.
Eve will bleed for her art; in this case, her art is a high school drama production. Listen as Eve hilariously recounts how she gets a pretty big scar on her hand when a high school play goes awry.
Victor intellectually discusses his time in the military, having emotionally unavailable parents, toxic masculinity, and how all of these variables led to a suicide attempt.
Rachel hilariously details a few scars she's gained over the years; one on her foot, one on her finger, and one on her thigh. If you've ever worked in a restaurant, you'll really empathize with this one! Check out Rachel's podcast at: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/welcome-to-stars-hollow/id1525642749
Catherine just knew she would be kidnapped as a child, and it was her hope that her arrowhead-shaped scar would be the key to her family identifying her body. Check out Catherine's website and podcast, "We Only Look Thin" at: https://www.weonlylookthin.com/
Katie bravely shares the story of her rape, the botched police investigation into it, and a subsequent interaction with her rapist that led to the scar on her arm.
Tracie recalls the serious open heart surgery she was required to get at the young age of 4; while she is left with a large scar, she finds the beauty surrounding her journey.
Sarah's origin story to her scar on her rump was a freak accident that left her mom feeling guilty...but she finds it to be a funny story.
Jase had struggled with back pain for years, but then she suffered from debilitating pain for over a month. This pain upset her life, her wedding, and all she wanted was some relief. Check out Jase's podcast, "Do You Still Like Me?" : https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/do-you-still-like-me/id1552669350
Sally talks about a dog bite that occurred when she was a child that left an impact on the whole family.
Brittany hilariously recounts the different stories that have left her with a variety of scars- some of which she's proud of, others not so much.
Nathan's interview highlights the problems with the mental health care system as he discusses his history with self-harm, depression, and suicide attempts.
Jason's struggle with epilepsy led to him having brain surgery in hopes of stopping the seizures. He talks at length of the difficulties of epilepsy as well as the side effects of such a surgery.
Gina shares two stories: one funny tale about her traditional masculine father dealing with a teenage girl's mini-crisis, and one rough story about her efforts to get comfortable in her body.
I don't want to give too much away on this one, so I'll just say Kristen shares a funny story about a mark on her arm. Check out Kristen's podcast at: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-lunarmagicteatimes-podcast/id1511563462
My conversation with Stephanie starts with her discussing three surgical procedures she's had, but then we delve into a great chat about the differences in the educational and medical systems in Germany, South Africa, and the US.
Sam was bit by her grandmother's dog as a child and now has a unique "dimple" by her eye. Check out Sam's website (and whole brand!) at http://moxiemama.tv and her podcast, "Meant for Moxie" https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/meant-for-moxie/id1487575230?uo=4
Anastasia recounts how she received a "bundle" of scars from an incident that ruined a wedding, plus a few bonus scar stories. Check out Anastasia's podcast, "Horror Vs. Reality" at: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/horror-vs-reality/id1517231155
Jetta's interview is a story on medical advocacy: doctors not taking concern and pain seriously and the journey to get the treatment (in one instance, life-saving treatment) one needs.
Shaughnessy hilariously recounts her first time trying to throw a real party, and teaches us an important lesson about hot oil and water. Check out her podcast at: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/dont-look-under-the-bed/id1539056813
Lisa speaks from a place of healing and health, but what she reflects on are some difficult topics: drug use, a suicide attempt, self-harm, homelessness, and abuse. She wears her past and her scars openly, showing strength and bravery in her journey to sobriety.
Lizzie talks about a scar on her forearm she got as a result from a childhood accident, and how the mark led to an emotional struggle for many years.
Jennie is tough and seemingly fearless: we talk about xenophobia, falling from a construction site as a child, an ankle-shattering altercation, and how scars are marks that show you've truly lived.
This is a story about resilience. After 7 miscarriages, IVF treatments, and multiple surgeries, Meaghan discusses two scars on her hips and her and her husband's journey to start a family.
Celia jokes that she doesn't have any traumatic or dramatic stories; she gives us a light-hearted interview going through the different scars on her body, including her tattoos.
This is a really beautiful, philosophical, thought-provoking conversation on some really ugly topics: rape, trauma, and suicide. Sophia Franciscus talks about a very dark part of her life and how she's grown, reflected, and processed those things.
Dr. Mobi approaches the topic of scars from a medical background, and explores how be self-reflective on your lifestyle is key to living a happy, fulfilling life. He touches on a scar he has on his neck, and how that surgery required him to alter his own lifestyle. To order Dr. Mobi's book: https://www.amazon.com/Lifestyle-Dr-Mobi-Irregular-sleep/dp/B08K58H871
Alec was in a traumatic accident on his way to a musical festival. Despite the accident, he continued the trek to Electric Forest and the experience altered his whole outlook on life (not to sound too dramatic). Check out his artwork @ArtByAlec
Beata was in a severe car accident at 7 years old and overheard the doctors tell her mother that she would never be normal. Boy, would she prove him wrong. Visit Beata's website at: https://beatalifecoaching.com/
Wally was on his way to play professional basketball, when he had a sudden injury that changed the trajectory of his life. To check out Wally's podcast, "Off the Stoop", visit: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/off-the-stoop/id1505421441
Paul talks about two scars that he received before he can remember. However, the one has acted as a reminder of his mortality and shaped how he approached life even as a youth. To check out Paul's artwork, visit: http://paultonnes.com/
Sarah discusses her history with self-harm. She very eloquently explores her past of growing up in a cult, acclimating to public school late in the game, living with PTSD, and developing her support system.
Roslyn talks about a pretty major back surgery she had as a teenager to address her scoliosis.
Gabriella discusses the scars she's left on her arm; however, our conversation really delves into religion, questioning your own belief systems, and autism. To listen to Gabriella's Podcast, Actively Autistic: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/actively-autistic/id1498395366
Robert talks about a near death experience in a foreign country that led to a scar on the side of his face. Check out Robert's podcast, Bliss of the Abyss at: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/bliss-of-the-abyss/id1505320846
Riley talks about a car accident that left a dent in her hip and delves into the mindset of being a teenager during such an event.
Ken talks about a scary accident on his orchard that humbled him as well as some other gnarly incidents from growing up on a farm.
Kathleen talks about a childhood injury that led to a scar on her forehead, how Harry Potter made it cool, and her evolving relationship with it over the years.
Cristina talks about her outlook on life and motherhood and how her C-section scar stands as a symbol for her philosophies.
Jen talks about two injuries to her fingers she received as an 8 year old...and how it taught her lesson (though I think her dad should have learned a lesson more so than her!) To check out Jen's artwork you can visit: https://www.facebook.com/groups/311099200000142/?ref=share
Paul discusses life without a belly button. If you want to check out Paul's work or his own podcast, visit: https://www.paulkerensa.com/
A teaser for how "Imprinted Stories" will unfold, also some stories about the scars on my hands!