61. The Story of More Love Letters + Launching a Global Movement - Hannah Brencher
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Overview
Meet Hannah. At 22, she moved to NYC for a dream job and ended up spiraling into a deep depression. As a way to cope with the sadness, she began writing letters and leaving them around the city — bookstores, coffee shops, libraries, everywhere. Today, she runs a global organization called More Love Letters, inspired by those first letters to strangers in a lonely city. An acclaimed author and TEDx speaker, Hannah knows heartfelt storytelling and breaks it down for us. Tune in to hear about her newest book, Fighting Forward, in stores now!
Today’s Guest
Hannah Brencher, Founder, More Love Letters, TEDx Speaker, Best Selling Author
“I think we think it isn’t going to matter if it isn’t a big deal. I now run a global movement that I was not expecting, and it is because of the thing that I assumed could not change the world. Listen to your nudges and follow through with them. You never know where it will lead you.”
The story of the founding of More Love Letters (3:05)
Hannah’s story about sharing her story with TED (9:20)
Interweaving storytelling into the hearts of our organizations (15:40)
Hannah’s new book: Fighting Forward (23:00)
A powerful story from More Love Letters (29:00)
Hannah’s One Good Thing: Listen to your inner nudges and follow through with them. (34:40)
How to connect with Hannah and get involved with More Love Letters (37:00)
Powerful Quotes:
“I knew at that time in my life, if I want to be anything in my life, I want to be consistent.” -Hannah
“People get to come online, read a story, and take it offline to write a letter to someone who needs it.” -Hannah
“We all want to be seen. All of us are lonely, vulnerable, flawed individuals. We have all found moments when we feel isolated and alone. The love and kindness of a stranger can move into spaces and create a massive change.” -Becky
“Always remember “the one” in whatever you are doing. The most valuable thing we can do is see one another where we are at. We are always trying to see “the one” and let them know they matter and that it matters that they’re here.” -Hannah
“Give people something meaningful to do, and something that will enable them to help someone else, but be a gift to them.” -Hannah
“Don’t forget the human connection wherever you can, and ask your community what they want and need.” -Hannah
“People are there. I love that you are challenging us to ask and put it out there because you can mobilize your army.” -Jon
“Do for one what you wish you could do for all. This helps me on the days when I want to do everything and I can’t.” -Hannah
“Where I am right now is only because people saw me and took a chance. If I can give that feeling to someone else, that is the fire that lights up the whole world.” -Hannah
“This new book is my chance to show up and encourage people. You could call them mini love letters.” -Hannah
“There was a moment that I looked around and realized that I didn’t like the way I was fighting. I spend so much time encouraging other people and yet I can’t encourage myself at all.” -Hannah
“I started to transform my pain into these fight songs. They are for people who want to show up and live. They are tired of being on the sidelines. They want to start and be in the race. They are power packed anthems for them.” -Hannah
“When you are in the pit and in the darkness clawing your way out, the kindness of strangers, love of community and learning how to love yourself is the way out of darkness.” -Becky
“Throughout the writing process, I dug deeper and wrote what I would say to my daughter. I finished the book, and found out I was pregnant the same day I turned in the manuscript.” -Hannah
“Employ the Hannah Brencher mentality. Write letters to the people you love.” -Becky
“I think we think it isn’t going to matter if it isn’t a big deal. I now run a global movement that I was not expecting, and it is because of the thing that I assumed could not change the world. Listen to your nudges and follow through with them. You never know where it will lead you.” -Hannah
Hannah’s TED Talk
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Julie Confer, Jonathan McCoy, Becky Endicott & Hannah Brencher