Today we’d like to introduce you to Joni Johnson.
Hi Joni, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start, maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers.
I started as a child raised in South Toledo in a home with lots of solitude, moments of chaos, deep imagination, and years of pain. I danced since I was three, so I found that to be a soul-nourishing outlet of expression. But I began to discover my artist voice in high school. College was 10 years of indecision, along with pauses for a mental health discoveries. I finally graduated in 2015 from Bowling Green State University where I earned a Broadcast Journalism Degree and a minor in Visual Communications. Owens Community College also gave me an Associates of Science because of my many years of meandering from interest to interest. Learning has always been a safety, a passion, a romance with life.
During my stint at BGSU, I discovered another love affair: community. I brought Candy Chang’s “Before I Die” wall to Downtown Toledo. I replicated Brandon Stanton’s ‘Humans of New York’ blog (creating Humans of Toledo) and found a home within questions. As my idol, Krista Tippett said in her short Foundations series, Part 2, “Each of us is shaped as much by the quality of the questions we are asking as by the answers we have it in us to give.” Questions are powerful tools of living and growing.
I ventured into the entrepreneurial land and became a business partner of Bleak House Coffee right after graduation where I helped build an online presence and social media presence. Here my roots within the Toledo community began to deepen. I next opened up ‘The Space’, a movement and spiritual space in Downtown Toledo with a group of movers and shakers. I taught dance and Yoga, led community circles, curated workshops, and found a love of space holding. On the side, I built my photography career creating marketing material for several yoga instructors, a few local companies and community organizations, as well as artists and families. As Henry Miller once said, “To make living itself an art, that is the goal.”
Fast forward to today. I still feel like malleable art in motion. I have my hand in several long-term projects, including my own entrepreneurial pursuit of ‘Storied.” Storied is a video, audio & photo production agency providing authentic & digital heirloom through autobiographical documentation of elders, children, & all in between.
The first episode of the Stories series on death on YouTube is out now! Here is the direct link to the episode: https://youtu.be/iLXIypRmRdQ
I invite people to like, comment, subscribe to follow along as each episode is released.
I’ll also be brainstorming and sitting with a product concept this year that I hope to bring to life in the next year.
Mary Oliver wrote, “What is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” My answer, I feel, will always remain to keep asking thoughtful questions. Listen deeply. Play more! And allow space for my free, wild self to express itself.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I didn’t see this question coming.
In short, my mental health journey.
Being an individual that has experienced bipolar episodes, that has been the ongoing challenge since I graduated high school. I’ve been seeking the stability I’ve now have since I was 18. I have had a really healthy past two years, and I’m so grateful.
In “Wired to Create,” research shows a strong correlation between an adverse experience and creativity. “Creative growth was linked in terms of seeing new possibilities in one’s life.” Perhaps that is why I’ve had so many career fields, so many versions of myself. But I do love an inner knowing being reflected through research and writing. I always thought the battle of bipolar gave me creative superpowers. And this book is confirming it.
“Creativity truly carries healing power.”
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Photography: www.jonijohnsonphotography.com Storied: www.tellyourstoried.com
I have no idea what I’m “known” for, except I pride myself in being a community builder, a connector, a bridge.
I think I am most proud of being able to inspire people to dance more. Dance is a healing art. Primitive. I turned the concept of competitive dancing on its head and have created healing, safe, alcohol-free spaces to free form dance. These are not big money-makers. The groups are very small and intimate. However, I feel most proud because they are the definition of liberation from the stories we walk with. They are a moment of bliss. For me personally, I feel a strong connection to Spirit when I dance with community. I feel the thread of Love that weaves through us all.
What sets me apart? I’m absolutely relentless. I have “failed” so many times that I do not fear failure in any way. In fact, my relationship with myself has only solidified in truth, strength, and beauty because of it.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc.?
I tend to utilize resources in seasons of my life. Sometimes, even just the intellectualized concept of a book inspires me. I am a big fan of Krista Tippett’s work in the world. I am an even bigger fan of Herbalism, Native American traditions and teachings, and Mother Earth. I have a handful of spiritual teachers I could name off that have strong influence. Right now, I’m really enjoying Advaya.co and the community of teachers there. I think the most prominent teacher of all would my ongoing, developing relationship with Spirit. I really am a practical “woo woo” person, I promise.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.jonijohnsonphotography.com, www.tellyourstoried.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/light_whispers/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1490498509
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjZoGBZmAmimIBaJn5xooyA
Image Credits
Joni Johnson
