In honour of Black History Month, Ces and Lee reflect on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s timeless reminder: “We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.”

What unfolds is tender, honest, and unexpectedly uplifting.

The episode begins in a place many of us recognize — weary, overwhelmed, quietly questioning what “infinite hope” can possibly mean in the midst of seemingly unrelenting struggles.

For Ces, it is the memory of a muddy walk in Cambodia, Birkenstocks caked in clay. Children laughing as they wash in a river. In that simple, human moment — joy rising from hardship — hope reveals itself not as grand or abstract, but alive and embodied.

Lee’s reflection lifts the lens wider. Hope becomes a banner held high through despair. A nation wrapped in love, freedom, and equality. Drawing on Dr. King’s enduring perseverance, Lee imagines hope strong enough to outlast the “sentinels of despair” and steady enough to guide us forward.

Together, they reflect on how the writing practice itself surprised them — how, even in exhaustion, more words came. More truth surfaced. They speak candidly about aging, about diminished energy, about the heartbreak of seeing hard-won rights challenged or rolled back. And yet, beneath it all, there is resolve: to redefine their roles within communities that stand for democracy and human dignity. To use creative practice as a way to hold frustration and conviction in the same breath.

This episode is a gentle companion for those feeling tired but unwilling to give up, to always carry the hope for a better tomorrow as Dr. King did.

00:08 Intro to Liminal Writing process and the inspiration from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

00:44 Ces’ Writing

02:45 Lee’s Writing

03:51 Debrief: Where the Writing Landed (The Other Side Is Better)

05:08 Storytime: Muddy Roads, Birkenstocks & Kids in the River

06:27 Aging, Activism & Pushback: Redefining Our Roles Now

08:12 Closing Thoughts: Creative Writing as a Way to Hold on to Hope

#LiminalWriting, #CreativeWriting, #WritingWithFriends, #WildMindWriting, #MLK, #BlackHistoryMonth, #DrMartinLutherKingJr, #infinitehope, #CesMillado, #LeeMoran, #poetry, #prose,

In this session of Liminal Writing, Ces and Lee reflect on their practice of 10-minute timed writing sessions inspired by various quotes. They talk about starting this practice of writing together during the pandemic lockdown and discuss its impact on their lives.

They take inspiration from a line from 'A Lion Tracker's Guide to Life' by Boyd Varty - “To stand your ground means to disrupt the hard wiring in the creator's instinctual makeup. They are used to things running away.”

They share personal reflections triggered by this quote, drawing connections to experiences and memories - remembering afternoons winnowing rice in the Philippines, to an unforgettable sight while on safari in Nairobi. The session emphasizes the importance of writing as a means of introspection and invites listeners to try this practice for themselves.

00:23 Reflecting on Past Writing Sessions

01:23 The Inspiration - The Lion Tracker's Guide to Life

03:24 Ces’ Writing

05:05 Lee’s Writing

05:40 Discussion on why their pieces came out as such

09:39 An Invitation to create - the liminal writing way

10:28 Wrap up

#LiminalWriting, #CreativeWriting, #WritingWithFriends, #WildMindWriting, #CesMillado, #LeeMoran, #poetry, #prose, #BoydVarty, #LionTrackersGuidetoLife, #Liontracking, #lifelessons, #winnowing

Episode 12: Liminal Writing: A Night in Bangkok

In this episode of Liminal Writing, Ces and Lee spend time together in Bangkok for the first time after several seasons of writing apart in different cities.

Inspired by the trigger phrase 'night breeze', they reflect on the sensory experiences of a market in Bangkok, their shared history in street theater and activism, and their recent work in leadership development and social justice. They discuss the differences between writing longhand and typing, noting the slower, more reflective pace of writing by hand.

Join them in exploring how a simple phrase can evoke rich, textured narratives.

00:23 Introduction to Liminal Writing

01:19 Ces’ Writing

03:04 Lee’s Writing

04:41 Our Professional Journeys

09:02 Encouragement to Try Liminal Writing

09:45 Thank you and closing

#LiminalWriting, #CreativeWriting, #WritingWithFriends, #WildMindWriting, #CesMillado, #LeeMoran, #poetry, #prose, #Bangkok, #ChaoPraya, #Thailand, #Nightbreeze, #InspiredinBangkok

Episode 11 Liminal Writing: Inspired by a line from Georgia O'Keefe about being terrified…

Content Warning: This episode discusses sexual assault and child sexual abuse.

In this episode of Liminal Writing, hosts Ces and Lee engage in a 10-minute freewriting exercise based on a quote by artist Georgia O'Keefe: 'I've been absolutely terrified every moment of my life, and I've never let it keep me from doing a single thing I wanted to do.”

They reflect on their personal experiences of fear and courage. Ces discusses overcoming sexual abuse as a child, and adult fears, drawing on personal anecdotes of trauma and resilience. Lee describes the terror of stepping on stage.

The conversation touches on the theme of finding and creating safe spaces, both physically and mentally, and the ongoing journey of self-awareness and healing. Ces and Lee invite listeners to try their own freewriting exercises to explore and process their own experiences.

00:33 Today's Trigger Line: Georgia O'Keefe's Wisdom

01:00 Ces' Reflection on Terror and Bravery

03:48 Lee's Perspective on Stage Fright

06:50 Discussion on Childhood Trauma and Coping Mechanisms

09:41 Finding and Creating Safe Spaces

13:16 Encouragement to Try Liminal Writing

#LiminalWriting, #CreativeWriting, #WritingWithFriends, #WildMindWriting, #CesMillado, #LeeMoran, #poetry, #prose, #childabuse, #sexualabuse, #liberation, #safespaces, #safety #freedom, #podcast, #GeorgiaOKeeffe, #Bravery, #MentalHealth, #SurvivorStories, #Empowerment, #Vulnerability

In this episode of Liminal Writing, Lee and Ces explore the interconnected themes of home, freedom, and immense possibilities.

Through heartfelt storytelling, they reflect on how their first independent spaces became sanctuaries for healing, growth, and self-discovery.

Ces shares memories of finding freedom and contentment in simplicity, while Lee describes the empowerment and new beginnings found in his lakeside home.

Together, they discuss the emotional significance of having a space to call one’s own and invite listeners to reflect on their own journeys of independence.

• 0:00 — Introduction to Liminal Writing and today’s prompt
• 0:44 — Ces’ story: Escaping, healing, and finding freedom
• 2:20 — Lee’s story: A lakeside home and true independence
• 3:29 — Comparing experiences: Similarities and differences
• 5:30 — Clean slate: New beginnings and open possibilities
• 5:46 — Sensory memories: Food, place, and nostalgia
• 6:10 — The value of choice and agency in your own space
• 8:24 — Invitation to listeners
• 8:58 — Closing and goodbyes

#LiminalWriting, #CreativeWriting, #WritingWithFriends, #WildMindWriting, #CesMillado, #LeeMoran, #poetry, #prose, #FirstHome #PersonalGrowth #Storytelling #HealingJourney #NewBeginnings #Podcast #SelfDiscovery #WritingCommunity #LifeTransitions

Episode 9 - "Learn to Question Your Thoughts"

Welcome to another episode of Liminal Writing with Ces and Lee! In this session, they explore a contemplative line by Stella Ekaputri, "Learn to question your thoughts. Our thoughts aren't the true reflection of reality."

Join them as they discuss the power of questioning our own thinking.

Key Points:

• Our thoughts are shaped by internal beliefs, fears, and past experiences. They do not always reflect the true nature of reality.
• Regularly questioning your thoughts can help you distinguish between what is real and what is a projection of your anxieties or insecurities.
• Self-reflection and questioning our own thoughts can be difficult, especially when dealing with negative or ruminative thinking, but can lead to greater self-understanding.
• Becoming aware of your thought patterns is the first step toward changing them and finding more peace and clarity.

00:00 – Welcome and intro into the Liminal Writing process

01:15 – Ces' piece discusses personal experiences with questioning thoughts and its impact on creativity and daily life.

02:54 – Lee shares a poetic take on the prompt, exploring the battle between thoughts and reality.

03:30 – Ces and Lee discuss how thoughts are shaped by beliefs, fears, and past experiences, and the importance of questioning them.

08:28 - An invitation to listeners to try their hand at writing based on this episode’s trigger phrase.

08:38 – Thank you and wrap up

Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe and join us next time for more creative prompts and mindful writing.

Hosts: Ces Millado & Lee Moran

#liminalwriting, #creativewriting, #WritingWithFriends, #WildMindWriting, #cesmillado, #leemoran, #poetry, #prose, #QuestioningYourself, #SelfReflection, #Mindfulness, #Creativity, #SelfInquiry, #Beliefs, #Reality, #Awareness, #Ruminating, #ThoughtPatterns, #WritingExercise, #Inspiration, #PersonalGrowth, #MentalHealth, #Introspection, #Mantra, #BuddhistPhilosophy

In this episode, Lee and Ces bring up a piece from their vault of works - a reflection on the impact of travel on the heart and soul. This was written in 2021 when the world was at a standstill, a dramatic change of pace from frenetic trips across continents to the sensory overloads of public spaces. They discuss the profound experience brought about by forced stillness.

Join them for a candid and poetic look at travel, memory, and the joy of discovery. Try out a writing exercise yourself and see where it takes you!

00:00 Welcome to Liminal Writing

1:33 Ces’ Writing

3:31 Lee’s Writing

04:23 Reflection and Lessons

08:12 Encouragement to Write

08:33 Wrap-up and Thanks

Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, share, and join us next time for more creative exploration.

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Hosts: Ces Millado & Lee Moran

#liminalwriting, #creativewriting, #writingwithfriends, #wildmindwriting, #cesmillado, #leemoran, #poetry, #prose, #travels, #travelling

In this episode of Liminal Writing, Ces and Lee explore the theme of “upheaval”. Drawing on their experiences growing up in the Philippines and navigating identity in a changing world, they reflect on the emotional and societal turbulence that shapes our lives.

Key takeaways:

• Upheaval can be both external (natural disasters, political shifts) and internal (emotional turmoil, identity struggles).
• Personal experiences and cultural backgrounds deeply influence how we process and express upheaval.
• Finding community, resilience, and authenticity is essential in times of uncertainty.
• Open dialogue and creative expression can help us navigate and make sense of challenging times.

0:00 – Welcome and brief intro into the writing process

0:42 – Ces’ piece on personal emotional turmoil.

1:55 – Lee’s piece on being swept into the unknown.

2:52 – Ces and Lee discuss how their imagery is influenced by growing up in the Philippines, a country prone to natural disasters, and how these experiences shape their understanding of upheaval.

4:32 – The conversation shifts to global and societal upheaval, including political polarization, the rise of conservatism, and the erosion of civil rights.

6:26 – Lee shares personal experiences as a trans man in North America, discussing vulnerability, the search for safe spaces, and the challenges of living authentically in a polarized world.

9:44 – The Importance of Community and Resilience. Despite challenges, Lee and Ces emphasize the importance of holding onto community, family, and self-acceptance.

13:14 – Closing Thoughts and Sign off

Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, share, and join us next time for more creative exploration.

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Hosts: Ces Millado & Lee Moran

#liminalwriting, #creativewriting, #writingwithfriends, #wildmindwriting, #cesmillado, #leemoran, #poetry, #prose, #upheavals, #transrights, #transgender, #earthquakes, #naturaldisasters, #upheaval