“Opening up is one of the first ways depression loses its power.” -Hannah Brencher
Today’s episode features Hannah Brencher, TED Speaker and author of “If You Find This Letter”. Hannah founded the global organization More Love Letterswhose mission is to use social media to write and mail letters to strangers all over the world, and she was named one of the White House’s “Women Working to Do Good.”
In Hannah’s episode proudly brought to you by VCFA, we uncover the inspiration behind the love letters written to strangers and how it impacts people’s lives. Hannah is incredibly honest when we dive into a discussion about depression, and why it’s so important to be present with those around us.
Xo,
Yin
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“Be present and let people know what they mean to you.” -Hannah Brencher
“I love the idea that you have to go out and you have to live a good life in order to write about it.” -Hannah Brencher
About "If You Find This Letter":
"A heartwarming memoir of love and faith from Hannah Brencher—founder ofThe World Needs More Love Letters—who has dedicated her life to showing total strangers that they are not alone in the world.
Fresh out of college, Hannah Brencher moved to New York ready to change the world. Instead, she found a city full of people who knew where they were going and what they were doing and didn’t have time for a girl still trying to figure it all out. Lonely and depressed, she noticed a woman who looked like she felt the same way on the subway. Hannah did something strange—she wrote the woman a letter. She folded it, scribbled “If you find this letter, it’s for you…” on the front and left it behind."
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN FROM TODAY'S EPISODE:
What inspired Hannah to begin writing love letters to strangers How leaving love letters around New York City helped Hannah to cope with depression The importance of being present and telling the people around you what they mean to you How being open is one of the first ways depression loses its power Writing about hard topics with passion and grace How Hannah’s Ted Talk helped her spread her message LEARN MORE ABOUT HANNAH BRENCHER:Hannah Brencher is a TED Speaker, and blogger dedicating her life and work to the brokenhearted. She founded the global organization More Love Letters in 2011. Her memoir “If You Find This Letter” is now in bookstores across the country. Named as one of the White House’s “Women Working to Do Good” and a spokesperson for the United States Postal Service, Hannah and her work have been featured in publications such as CNN World News, the Wall Street Journal, Oprah.com, and Glamour among others. She calls Atlanta, Georgia home.
Hannah’s Recommended Books & Resources:Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
Scary Close: Dropping the Act and Finding True Intimacy by Donald Miller
Beloved by Toni Morrison
Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston
Say ‘Hi!’ to Hannah