trailer

trailer
Published on:

2nd Feb 2026

From Cork to New York: Exploring the Alchemy of Story

From Cork to New York is not your typical storytelling podcast; it is a dedicated exploration of the transformative alchemy that occurs when ancient narratives meet modern souls. Hosted by Jim Brulé, a professional storyteller and author based in the forests of Central New York, and Maria Gillen, a storyteller broadcasting from the "Rebel City" of Cork, Ireland, the show serves as a bridge across space, time, and borders.

The partnership between Jim and Maria is a testament to the very connection they champion. Their professional relationship began online, blossomed during a week-long storytelling festival in Marrakech, and has now "flowered" into this collaborative digital hearth. Beyond their deep roots in the corporate world, both hosts felt a distinct "calling" toward storytelling, recognizing its unique power to make the unsayable sayable and to lift the human heart. Their shared love for technology allows them to bring these traditional oral arts into the modern era, proving that the shortest distance between two people is, indeed, a story.

What truly unites them, though, is their love of stories filled with heart wisdom from multiple cultures, especially those from ancient times. By listening carefully to stories from these cultures, and then retelling them with that same open heart, Maria and Jim create a sacred space for all to share.

Listeners can expect a new episode every couple of weeks. Each session features Jim and Maria sharing stories and engaging in deep discussions about how these narratives help navigate our physical, emotional, social, and spiritual selves. They view storytelling not merely as entertainment or performance, but as a tool for personal and global transformation.

As the series progresses, the hosts will welcome guest storytellers into their "stone soup of story," adding new perspectives and cultural flavors to the conversation. Whether you are looking to connect with your ancestors or seeking a new way to view the world, Jim and Maria invite you to "pull up a chair by the fire."

Transcript
Maria:

They say that the shortest distance between two people is a story.

Jim:

I'm Jim Brule, and I'm joining you from the forests of Central New York.

Maria:

I'm Maria Gillen, and I'm speaking to you from the Rebel

Maria:

City, Cork, in the south of Ireland.

Jim:

You know, we're here to tell stories, but not for entertainment.

Jim:

We're not here to perform;

Jim:

we're here to share the alchemy of stories with you.

Maria:

Stories are our tradition.

Maria:

They link us back deep into the past, to the Ancestors, and they link

Maria:

us forward to all those that will hear our stories in future times.

Jim:

I just have to say, Maria, this is the culmination of a relationship that

Jim:

started online that blossomed in person in Marrakesh, and now here we are, flowering

Jim:

in a new way around the world together.

Maria:

Absolutely amazing.

Maria:

And we often say when we meet, Jim, the power of story to wipe out, you know,

Maria:

space and time and boundaries and borders.

Maria:

Stories make the unsayable sayable, and they lift the heart.

Maria:

They connect us.

Jim:

They do.

Jim:

They lift us, they connect us, and they give us the chance to see the

Jim:

world differently, to transform ourselves and the world around us.

Jim:

So that's why we're here and that's what we're gonna be doing.

Maria:

Yeah, it amazes me as well that our story roads are so similar.

Maria:

Because both of us have spent time deep in the corporate world.

Maria:

Both of us have really enjoyed it and love going back now, you know,

Maria:

uh, we both love technology, which is amazing in this world of storytelling.

Maria:

I really think that story called both of us as well.

Maria:

This really feels like my calling that I've been called to tell stories.

Jim:

Yes.

Jim:

Lots of time in corporate world, but I will tell you, for

Jim:

a long time in storytelling.

Maria:

Same.

Jim:

So what should you as a listener expect from us?

Jim:

Well, every couple of weeks we're gonna share stories between us.

Jim:

And then discuss how these stories help us navigate not

Jim:

only our worlds, but our souls.

Maria:

Yeah.

Maria:

You know, stories reach all parts of us, our physicality, the language, which

Maria:

is the paint brush of the storyteller, our emotional selves, our social selves

Maria:

for sure, and our spiritual selves.

Jim:

And every, every so often, probably more and more often, as time goes by,

Jim:

we'll be bringing in other storytellers as our guests to put them into this

Jim:

wonderful stone soup of story and see what the new stew emerges each time.

Maria:

Yes.

Maria:

And of course you'll be able to find us on your favorite podcast,

Maria:

whatever your app is, don't miss us.

Maria:

We'll be having the kettle on and we'll be looking forward to seeing you.

Jim:

So don't forget, this is our new podcast: From Cork to New York.

Jim:

You can find us in your favorite podcast app or on the web at Cork2NY.com.

Jim:

That's cork, the number two, ny.com.

Jim:

Be sure to join us.

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About the Podcast

From Cork to New York
A cross cultural story bridge connecting the narrative traditions of Ireland and the United States - and beyond.
"From Cork to New York" acts as a cross-cultural Story Bridge, stitching together the rich narrative traditions of Ireland and the United States while welcoming guests from a vast array of cultures around the world. By gathering these diverse international voices to share their unique crafts, the show creates a rich space where global perspectives meet, mingle, and find common ground. At its heart, the podcast explores the concept of transformational storytelling, delving into how narratives - both ancient and modern - can foster community healing and personal growth across the globe. It serves as a vital digital thread connecting distant shores, using the deep-rooted ties between Cork and New York as a foundation for a truly global conversation.

About your hosts

Jim Brulé

Profile picture for Jim Brulé
Jim Brulé is a transformational storyteller, death doula, teacher, and mentor, drawing on a unique background that encompasses advanced degrees in both clinical psychology and artificial intelligence. For the past seven years, he has directed Transformational Storytelling, an online school accredited by the National Storytelling Network. This global community trains spiritual storytellers from diverse traditions to craft narratives that inspire healing and foster spiritual growth.

Co-authored with Rebecca Lemaire, his book 'Stories of the Heart' presents 18 global tales for navigating life and death. https://StoriesOfTheHeartBook.com/

Jim is the recipient of the 2025 Oracle Regional Service & Leadership Award (Northeast Region), and participated in setting the Guinness World Record for the longest continuous oral storytelling at the 2025 Marrakech International Storytelling Festival.

Jim's classes, workshops, and communities embody his dedication to multicultural wisdom, grounded in the belief that true abundance arises from interconnected generosity and gratitude. You can learn more here: https://TransformationalStorytelling.org/

Maria Gillen

Profile picture for Maria Gillen
Maria is the current Storyteller in Residence for the Kerry Writers Museum. She is a well known Bean An Tí (Irish Session Host) on the Irish Storytelling Circuit. She loves listening to stories and will tell a story at the drop of a hat. She loves co-creating stories with anyone ‘from the cradle to the grave’. She believes deeply in the power of stories to build communities, heal prejudice and to build resilience. She is a member of IACAT (Irish Association of Creative Arts Therapists). She is an award-winning storyteller, having won the longest-running Story Competition in Ireland - Finuge - twice and the Butter Roads Storytelling Competition.

Maria was the Irish Storyteller in Residence for Kerry Writers Museum from 2019 to 2022. She was the Artistic Director for the Listowel International Storytelling Festival 2020 to 2022. Maria is currently working as an archivist with Sheahan’s Storytelling Cottage in Finuge – a 300 year old traditional Rambling House in Finuge, Co. Kerry

She is a well-known popular storyteller on the storytelling circuit in Ireland and on the Cyberspace Platform. She is a well-known Bean An Tí (Irish Session Host) on the Irish Storytelling Circuit.

She is the preferred storyteller of Colette Travel Agency (the oldest existing travel agency based in the USA) for their premium storytelling experience in Cork. Maria delivers stories of Ireland’s Ancient East, Wild Atlantic Way, the Diaspora bond with America and the impressive history of Cork City and Cobh Harbour.