Story Medicine

Women's Lives, Women's Stories
2026-05-30 15:00 - 17:00 (America/Toronto) | Leicester Library, 1561 Alexander Rd, Leicester, North Carolina, 28748
Saturday, May 30, 3 pm – 5 pm
Leicester Library
1261 Alexander Road
Leicester, NC 28748
828-250-6480
Women’s Lives, Women’s Stories
Featuring Beth Barry, Meta Commerse, and Cynthia Drake
Join us in celebration of women’s life experiences with local authors Beth Barry, Meta Commerse, and Cynthia Drake. Each of these authors has written about different aspects of women’s lives – from love to motherhood to grandmotherhood. They will share their stories and excerpts of their writing, and then answer questions.
This event is free and all are welcome. Light snacks will be provided.

Local Author Panel
2025-10-02 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Toronto) | Leicester Library, 1561 Alexander Rd, Leicester, North Carolina, 28748
Leicester Library
Leicester Meeting Room
Thursday, October 2, 2025
6:00pm–8:00pm
Join us for an evening celebrating our local writing community with three very different local authors. You’ll hear excerpts from Meta Commerse’s memoir Womaning, Mountain Xpress editor Thomas Calder’s novel A Wind Under the Door, and poetry from Nancy Dillingham’s collection After Helene.

Each author will share selections from their books as well as some of their story of writing and putting their work out into the world.
This local author panel is the first of a series of panels that celebrate and explore the inspirations, experiences, and finished works of writers across Buncombe County.
Join us on November 6 and December 4 for more local author readings at the Leicester Library.
This event is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be provided.

Leicester Library
1561 Alexander Road
Leicester, NC 28748
(828) 250-6480

Contact Info
Email: anna.booraem@buncombenc.gov
(828) 250-6495

Crone Talk • Crone Truth • Crone Stories
2025-08-23 10:00 - 14:00 (America/Toronto) | St. James Episcopal Church, 424 W State Street, Black Mountain, NC, 28711, United States
With Meta Commerse
Saturday, August 23, 202510 am – 2 pmSt. James Episcopal Church in Black Mountain, NC

Join us for this Story Medicine workshop! It’s an inspirational healing experience designed especially for elder women, one of our most underserved groups in America.

This half-day workshop is $60/person. Scan the QR Code to register:

Or contact the parish office at 828-669-2754.

Meta Commerse is a Crone on a mission. She is an author and speaker on transformative subjects near and dear to the heart of today’s world. A graduate of Goddard College, she earned an MA in African American Studies and an MFA in Creative Writing. She has been listening closely to previously untold stories sine 1991. Meta has successfully developed healing programs, classes, and workshops for audiences in Asheville, NC since 2010. She is Founder and CEO of Story Medicine Worldwide, a company dedicated to community wellness through racial healing.

Story As Legacy with Meta Commerse
2025-07-19 14:00 - 17:00 (America/Toronto) | Leicester Library, 1561 Alexander Rd, Leicester, North Carolina, 28748
Leicester Library presents:
STORY AS LEGACY
With META COMMERCE
Saturday, July 19
2-5 pm
Did you know that the secret power of your life is living in your story? This writing workshop will name and explore some of the basic gifts of story. We will shine light on the love, lessons, and value for our lives and those of our loved ones, all contained in memory, waiting to be tapped.
Join Meta Commerse, author of the memoir Womaning, for this in-depth conversation deeply rooted in Appalachia.
This class is FREE, but space is limited, and registration is required. Participants should bring a pen and notebook or paper.
To register, scan the QR code, or visit tinyurl.com/story0719

Meta Commerce is a former professor of History and English, award-winning author, and elder healer. She is a word medicine woman in the Southern Appalachian tradition inherited from her grandmother. Her texts include five books, essays, newspaper articles, one stage play, with more art and vocalizing to come. A graduate of Goddard College in Vermont, Meta is founder and CEO of Story Medicine Worldwide, where she developed healing/learning experiences addressing issues of race, age, and gender.

Story Medicine for Racial Healing: Parent Edition
2025-05-24 12:00 - 18:00 UTC | North Carolina
Saturday, May 24, 2025, from 12:00 to 6:00 pm ET, cost $75
The racial healing workshop is intended to practice the Story Medicine modality. Participants investigate the social and personal impact of America’s racist history while focusing on raising race-conscious children. Conducted in white space, we provide practical tools for white parents of young children, using a story-centered, indigenous practice of word medicine where participants will heal without burdening people of color.
Attendance is limited; enrollment closes May 17, 2025.
Instructor – Heidi Wood, LCSW, Certified Story Medicine Teacher
The class will be on Zoom – the Zoom link  will be provided before the start time.
Questions? Email us at heidi.storymedicineworldwide@gmail.com
See more about our programs and offerings at www.storymedicineworldwide.com.
Register

Introduction to Story Medicine: Current Events in America
2025-05-09 18:30 - 20:30 UTC | North Carolina
Image by Freepik
Feeling anxious, afraid, angry, and powerless about the state of America and the world? Find healing, community, and the medicine within you. Join us for a powerful opportunity to experience Story Medicine!
Story Medicine Worldwide presents…
Current Events in America
Friday, May 9, 2025, 6:30-8:30 pm – Cost $43
This workshop will provide a space for healing and processing current events. Participants will learn about the Story Medicine modality utilizing ceremony, group learning, and writing. Conducted in white space, we use a story-centered, indigenous practice of word medicine where participants heal without burdening people of color.

Attendance is limited; enrollment closes May 2, 2025.
Instructor – Heidi Wood, LCSW, Certified Story Medicine Teacher
The class will be on Zoom – the Zoom link will be provided before start time.
Questions? Email us at storymedicineworldwide@gmail.com
See more about our programs and offerings at:
www.storymedicineworldwide.com
Register

Story Medicine Workshop: Healing the White Body
2025-02-15 10:00 - 11:30 UTC | North Carolina
Saturday February 15, 2025, 10:00-11:30AM ET, cost $30
The class will be held in a Private West Asheville Location
(details will be shared after registration)
In this workshop you will have the opportunity to:

Connect with Nature as a resource for learning and healing.
Acknowledge harmful aspects of whiteness while releasing shame that inhibits your ability to heal and learn.
Be patient and gentle with yourself as you confront the patterns of whiteness held in your body.
Connect to indigenous wisdom through your own ancestors and other world traditions.

Instructor – Dave Hamilton

Dave is a licensed touch professional specializing in trauma healing. He is now on the path to becoming a Certified Story Medicine Teacher.
Email Dave with questions: dsjhamilton@gmail.com
See more about our programs and offerings at www.storymedicineworldwide.com.
Register

Story Medicine for Racial Healing: Parent Edition
2024-09-28 12:00 - 18:00 UTC | North Carolina
Saturday, September 28, 2024, from 12:00 to 6:00 pm ET, cost $75
The racial healing workshop is intended to practice the Story Medicine modality, where participants investigate the historical and personal impact of systemic racism, with a focus on raising race-conscious white children. This workshop provides practical tools for white parents of young children and engagement in a story-centered, indigenous practice of word medicine in white space where participants will heal without burdening or traumatizing people of color. Attendance is limited; enrollment closes September 21, 2024
Instructor – Heidi Wood, LCSW, Certified Story Medicine Teacher
The class will be on Zoom – the Zoom link  will be provided before the start time. Questions? Email us at heidi.storymedicineworldwide@gmail.com See more about our programs and offerings at www.storymedicineworldwide.comAttendance is limited; enrollment closes September 21, 2024

Register

Class: Story Medicine for Racial Healing
2024-07-01 08:00 - 17:00 UTC | North Carolina
Join us as we celebrate Womaning, a Memoir, with live music, good food, great company and fine performances. Meta will read from her book, and special guests will speak. This will be an opportunity to party AND remember the importance of our stories in the world. This is a ticketed event.

Special Workshop: Listening with Compassion
2024-06-30 08:00 - 17:00 UTC | North Carolina
Join us as we celebrate Womaning, a Memoir, with live music, good food, great company and fine performances. Meta will read from her book, and special guests will speak. This will be an opportunity to party AND remember the importance of our stories in the world. This is a ticketed event.
DETAILS

Date: March 31, 2023
Time: 7:00 pm
Cost: $15.00

Book Party for Womaning, a Memoir!
2024-06-27 08:00 - 17:00 UTC | North Carolina
