by johnnoltner
So it’s never really done. There’s always something more that you can do. But that’s sort of the story of life, isn’t it?
Categories: Uncategorized • Tags: activism, art, book release, books, justice, new book, peace, society, solutions, storytelling, travel, writing
by johnnoltner
Neal Moore is a journalist, an adventurer and an expatriate. He is in the midst of a two-year journey, paddling 7,500 miles across the United States. I met him in a coffee shop—by chance—in Columbus, Mississippi and we found time the next day to do an interview. You can follow Neal’s journey at https://22rivers.com/. “There’s this strange phenomenon that takes place, when you realize that you’re in a situation that can absolutely end your life. That’s when you feel like […]
Categories: Uncategorized • Tags: a peace of my mind, adventure, divides, paddling, peace, storytelling, travel, wilderness
by johnnoltner
20,000 miles. That’s how far we’ve driven since October to explore issues, listen to stories, and imagine new possibilities. All with our trailer / house in tow. We’ve stayed at state parks, horse ranches, RV campgrounds, and the back corners of distillery parking lots. We’ve met artists and activists, politicians and programmers, veterans and veterinarians. It’s true that our country is divided in many ways. Turn on the television and it doesn’t take long for both the rhetoric and your […]
Categories: Blog • Tags: America, dialogue, healing, justice, listen, peace, storytelling, travel, weavingcommunity
by johnnoltner
Joseph McGill is the founder of The Slave Dwelling Project. I interviewed him at the Magnolia Plantation and Gardens in Charleston, South Carolina. Ten years ago, Joe started spending the night in historic slave quarters and has slept overnight at more than 150 such sites across the country. He uses the experience to talk about the importance of preserving these historic structures so that we may have full and honest conversations about our country’s history. When you’re uncomfortable, that’s when the learning starts.” – […]
Categories: Podcast • Tags: Black History, History, Joseph McGill, Magnolia Plantation, oral histpry, photography, plantations, slave dwellings, Slavery, social issues, society, South Carolina, storytelling, the south, travel
by johnnoltner
When I was shooting a lot of travel assignments, I noticed a predictable—if mildly uncomfortable—process unfold. As I drove to the location, whether it was an autumn fly-fishing stream in Spearfish Canyon, South Dakota, or a grain truck sunset tour of the Kansas wheat fields, I worried. It was hard to see the potential in the shoot. I could feel the anxiety well up. The light was no good. Power lines traced the length of the trout stream. Billboards marred […]
Categories: Blog • Tags: a peace of my mind, creativity, cry out, listen, patience, pay attention, prayer, storytelling, travel
by johnnoltner
Life has seasons, and so does this work. Fall was a busy season on the road, hauling the exhibits and leading programming at colleges and conferences across the country. It was an exciting and robust schedule, but the last run was 30 days and 5,000 miles long. By the time it was over, I was ready for a break. I returned home November 16 and went straight into harvest mode. For those of you who don’t know, Karen and I […]
Categories: Blog • Tags: home, plan, reflect, seasons, travel, vision, writing
by johnnoltner
This morning was an early start. I like to get out of the city before rush hour ramps up. Three sleepy people in a truck. Trailer hitched behind us. All headed west. In 1,529 miles we will be at Holden Village in the Washington Cascades for my fourth year running as part of the teaching staff. My social media stream will be quiet for a couple weeks. There is a lot of community at Holden Village, but not much technology. […]
Categories: Blog • Tags: connect, exhibit, holden village, peace, stories, travel
by johnnoltner
It’s easy to reach out to those you feel comfortable around. Compassion comes easy in those circles. But we tend to place ourselves in a bubble. We surround ourselves with those who look like us, live like us, and voted like us in the last election cycle. If we hope to bridge any of the divides that exist in our country (or even the divides that we perceive to exist) it is important that we reach out to those who […]
Categories: Blog • Tags: art, Blog, conversation, dialog, faith, Holden, humanity, learning, photography, privilege, religion, travel, washington
by johnnoltner
I’ve always loved my work as a travel photographer. For me, it dovetails perfectly with the work of A Peace of My Mind. When we visit new places…when we get outside of our comfort zone…we learn to see the world in new ways. It’s good to step out of our routine and open our eyes to other possibilities. For the past three weeks, we were fortunate to travel with good friends through Europe. After a busy few years building A […]
Categories: Blog • Tags: drought, europe, italy, peace, photography, refugee, scotland, travel
by johnnoltner
Tuesday night was a great celebration of a long effort to produce our new book, A Peace of My Mind: American Stories. Thanks to everyone who came out to Squirrel Haus Arts for the release party. There were people who’ve been in my books, people who helped support and fund the books, friends, family, and more. If I could judge it right from up front, there were smiles, tears, nods of understanding. Neal Hagberg provided great music to balance and […]
Categories: Blog • Tags: book, books, community, justice, love, peace, photography, relationship, social justice, spiritual, stories, story, travel
