A Conversation with Glenda “GG” Goodrich, Artist, Art Doula, Writer, SoulCollage® Facilitator

Glenda "GG" Goodrich, 72, has been questing in the Lakota tradition for 25 years. Questing, a form of going out on the land for self-discovery, has been used for eons. It involves separating from one's regular life, spending time alone and incorporating what the lessons learned can mean in your life. "Nature becomes a mirror that reflects what is going on inside you," Glenda says.

"Over a number of years, I undertook a series of wilderness quests in Oregon, Washington and California in a search to discover what I can learn about life, death, happiness, spirituality and forgiveness through the healing and restorative powers of the natural world," says Glenda. "From a grandmother to my grandkids, from one nature lover to another, I aim to leave readers empowered, at peace with the past, accepting of themselves, and, most importantly, convinced in the indispensability of nature and all the gifts it has to offer."

Her book, Solo Passage: 13 Quests, 13 Questions, Glenda chronicles the sacred ceremonies that connected her to the land, wove her into nature’s web, and transformed her from a woman who worked to please others into a woman who forged her own path. The book is a brilliant collection of adventures—the touch of coyote fur, a snake’s kiss, a ceremonial blood offering—and a profound reflection on the healing and restorative power of nature. Among the questions she explores in the book are: "How can I become my own spiritual authority?" and "How can I reignite the wildness in me?"

Glenda's book was released last September and was a BookLife Editor’s Pick -- “As Goodrich finds solace in her quests, she successfully depicts a symbiotic relationship between nature, solitude and artistic expression. This contemplative journey provides a powerful metaphor for the multifaceted nature of the human experience, emphasizing the importance of self-discovery and reconnecting with nature in finding our truest selves, no matter what age or stage in life. Readers who are curious about the inner workings of the spirit, lovers of nature, or seekers of self-discovery will be enthralled—and likely inspired to embark on their own quests.”

Says Rebecca Jamieson, the author of The Body of All Things: "[Solo Passage: 13 Quests, 13 Questions is a] book for everyone who loves wild places and longs to live an examined life, Solo Passage is a wise, stunningly beautiful page-turner that will leave you moved, inspired and ready to connect more deeply with nature—and yourself."

In this episode, Glenda shares her experience as a "nature nymph" in Death Valley and learning from her life's teachers how to speak her truth without blame or judgment, among other pearls. She guides others to learn how they can be their truest and most honest selves in this life.

As an artist, art doula, SoulCollage® facilitator, writer and convener of ceremony, Glenda brings together earth-based rituals, community gatherings and creative workshops in a search for new ways to explore creative potential and love for the Earth. She feels most alive exploring wild places and spending time with her two children, three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

GG lives in a cottage in the Willamette Valley, Oregon. She humbly acknowledges that she lives on the land of the Kalapuya.

Learn more:

Facebook: @glenda.goodrich.1

Instagram: @glendagoodrich

Website: glendagoodrich.com