The Found Project | Ashley Gurley Artwork

She Speaks | A Let Her Speak Podcast

We are celebrating women's fearlessness, resiliency, and readiness to change the world. Hosted by Catherine Porth, Founder of Let Her Speak. This podcast is an expansion of the She Speaks Series, a project that elevated and celebrated women's stories across the US during the pandemic. The first season of the She Speaks Podcast is about honoring how far we've come over the last 2+ years. Throughout the season, you will hear interviews with women we captured during the pandemic followed by a new episode where we catch up with them 2 years later to talk about what has changed, what they've learned, and what they're doing now. Join us weekly on this journey of amplifying women's authentic stories. Together - we will make our voices heard!

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She Speaks | A Let Her Speak Podcast

The Found Project | Ashley Gurley

March 24, 2023 • Let Her Speak

If you’ve been connected to our community for a while, then you already know how we feel about “hustle” culture. One other thing that we're getting REAL tired of is the requirement for women to live in a world where we have to be constantly resilient.

Why is it not enough to just be?

The frustration with our society celebrating hustle and resiliency led to a very interesting conversation between our founder. Catherine Porth, and photographer, Ashley Gurley, in late 2022.

That conversation is what sparked the inspiration for The Found Project.

We started this project because we are believers in the power of rest — it’s in periods of rest, when we are doing something for pure enjoyment, that we can rediscover who we really are. The woman who was there all along - growing despite the societal pressures and NOISE from the outside world.

It only seemed fitting that the last woman we feature in this project is Ashley herself. Not only did Ashley photograph the other 11 fabulous portraits we've been teasing all month — but she had the additional challenge of taking a self-portrait!

Both growing up and today, Ashley likes to escape to and feels found in books.

As a child, Ashley’s mother would often be searching for her — to finish her homework or to work on household chores — and Ashley would be hiding, usually in a tree, with a book. Her favorite book? Anne of Green Gables.

“There is nothing like getting lost in a story. I find that books are such a mirror for us…I’m able to look at myself and see where I am in the stories and remind myself of my bravery, and courage, and MY strength, and all of the things I have accomplished in my life.”

To get the complete Found Project experience, visit The Found Project Gallery to view each woman's portrait and listen to her interview.

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Thank You to:

Our sponsor: Knoxville Entrepreneur Center
Our producer & theme music composer: Travis Tench of Oak Hill Audio
Our photographer & collaborator: Ashley Gurley of Ashley Gurley Photography
Our social media manager: Rachel Woods of Smoke Signal Media

Have any questions, comments, or want to connect more with the Let Her Speak community? Contact us at hello@letherspeakusa.org

People on this episode

Catherine Porth

Host