To be a successful writer (or artist, or anything that involves money, relationship, or consistency), we are now supposed to think of ourselves as a brand. For years I have helped other artists and creatives to try to craft their image, but I can’t seem to do it for myself. And the poet and the … Continue reading
Author Archives: Kristen Caven
Two New Lecture Series…featuring ME!
You know how cool things sometimes pile up to create a whole new bigger cool thing? By some strange fortune I am speaking at not one but TWO new member lecture series at the lovely Bellevue Club this week! Wellness Wednesdays: Imagine the EcoBellevue, Wednesday, April 18th, 1pm Members on the Mic: Socialites, Socialism, and … Continue reading
Articles / Enlighten / Illuminate / Insight / Inspire
“This changed my life” —Oprah learns about ACEs and Trauma-informed care
Re-posted from ACEs Connection & ACES Too High… “Don’t ask ‘what’s wrong with you.’ Ask, ‘what happened to you.’” I watched the Oprah segment with my mother, Dr. Louise Hart, who heard Dr. Vincent Felitti speak about the CDC-Kaiser Permanente Adverse Childhood Experiences Study ten years ago. At that time, she asked him, “What is being done … Continue reading
Writing Well
Kristen Caven is devoted to writing well: in the sense of excellence of expression—and also for wellness, for healing, to make sense of and straighten out a broken world full of broken minds. Prolific and facile, Kristen writes books, blogs, short stories, articles, essays, cartoons and comics, plays, marketing copy, slogans, newsletters, manifestos, bad jokes, bylaws, musicals, neologisms and billboards. … Continue reading
A Variety of Voices
Whereas other writers and artists choose to hone a single medium, genre, style, or sentiment, Kristen’s outpouring is defined by variety as well as quality. She has a “Generous Muse” and considers herself a “Liberal Artist” in every sense: Liberal as in free-thinking, liberal as in bountiful, and liberal as in having to do with books. A degree in … Continue reading
A Creative Force
Kristen Caven’s imagination is driven by possibility and playfulness. “What if” and “why not” are two of her two favorite words. Kristen once told her father, “I want to grow up to be a thaumaturgist.” She believes in the power of ordinary humans to create miracles. A producer of art events and other creative happenings, Kristen … Continue reading
For Positive Change
Change is inevitable. When it is growthful, it is good. Kristen brings activation energy and a philosophy of possibility to every challenge, assignment, production and project. Trained in positive psychology, she teaches the science of happiness, and as a change agent she puts it into practice. Kristen spent decades helping parents and kids create better experiences together, … Continue reading
“Black Music Matters” Dance Party Playshop 2/25/18
There is a goosebump moment I enjoy, in my life, on a regular basis: when I lead the song “Waka Waka” in my Zumba classes, and a room full of old folks of European and Asian descent raise their arms reverently at the end as Shakira says “We are all Africa.” The same thing happens … Continue reading
Whispers to Shouts
Year One of #45 was a year of whispered words being spoken, amplified, then shouted out loud. A year ago, I felt nervous calling the new Resident a BULLY. But on inauguration day (which was HUGE), we all came together and said PUSSY out loud on the streets. For months we watched this authoritarian authority … Continue reading
The Fountain of YOU…
Kick off your 2018 with inspiration and energy…Come check out my KEYNOTE speech for Wellness Week at The Bellevue Club this Sunday! 525 Bellevue Avenue, Oakland CA 94610 KEYNOTE: Sunday, January 7th, 5:30p.m. $10 donation • No-Host Cocktails from 5:00 pm• Free Parking The Fountain of Youth is a myth that spans centuries, cultures and … Continue reading
