Making Room for Messy Creativity with Poet Abena Green

In today’s episode of the Power Your Platform Podcast, I’m interviewing Abena Green who is an award-winning spoken word poet, author and teacher who helps others elevate their lives through words and movement.

A first-generation Canadian raised in Antigonish, Nova Scotia, Abena writes on experiences in small-town living, culture, the environment, family, love, courage, and fear. She has performed her poetry in Ghana, Ethiopia, Rwanda and Canada, and has been featured in both the Canadian Festival of Spoken Word and Canadian Individual Poetry Slam.

In today’s interview, Abena and I discuss the importance of giving ourselves permission to pursue a messy, creative process. We also talk about the power of words and how we can create a writing habit that leads to stronger brand storytelling.

By the way, you’re going to hear Abena’s little one, Somi, on this podcast episode as well. Just hearing her juggle the role of motherhood and being a creative entrepreneur took me back a few years to when my own kids were young.

I deliberately left the baby’s cry in this episode for a reason.

First, because it’s a strong reminder that no matter what season of life we’re in, there is room for creativity.

And second, it’s a reminder that we’re always being watched by a younger generation – so to hold off on our own dreams doesn’t serve anyone, including our children.

Here are my Top 10 takeaways from today’s interview with poet and performer Abena Green:

1. Let your feet be where they are, and embrace the season you’re in.

2. Give yourself permission to tell your own story in a way that’s authentic to you.

3. Give your story space to grow and get better over time.

4. Develop a storytelling discipline that works for your schedule and season of life.

5. Excavate the gold at the heart of your story and share it with others.

6. Carve out time for yourself to write and create new messaging for your brand or business.

7. Make creative time a non-negotiable part of your schedule.

8. Prioritize your own self-expression through art, or writing, music, dance or any form that lights you up!

9. What moves us is at the heart of our story.

10.Today’s power move is to challenge yourself to find a NEW way of saying old things. When you do, it will grab your audience’s attention.

Thanks so much for listening in to today’s podcast interview. If you enjoyed it, please take a moment to subscribe, rate and review the Power Your Platform Podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. When you do, we’ll be able to reach even more women to help them make an impact with their story.

Until next time, keep owning your story, following your purpose and raising your voice. Because the world is waiting to hear YOUR story.