Today we’d like to introduce you to Katie Cheesman.
Hi Katie, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
From the time I was young I have felt a connection to older generations, almost like I was born an old soul. My passion for seniors sprouted when I got my first job serving meals at an assisted living center. It continued to grow when I became a CNA and then later a home health nurse. My love increased more than I ever thought it would when I moved in with my grandpa to care for him as we navigated his dementia diagnosis together.
During my time working as a home health nurse, I would hear story after story from my patients and saw how undervalued they were in our society– their eyes lit up when I took the time to listen to them. I was blown away by what they had experienced (The Great Depression, WWII, personal trials, etc.) and thought, “someone needs to record these first-hand accounts!”
So one day, I asked my patient if I could record his life story. I filmed him and his wife, sitting in the home they built together, as they reminisced and shared their life stories with me. A couple of months later, he unexpectedly passed away and his family was so grateful to have his life preserved through video. That’s when I recognized the power of documenting.
I took the leap and quit my job as a nurse to pursue my true passion– listening to and recording the wisdom of elders. That’s when The Listening Ear Project was born, and for the next 6 years, I hung out with seniors and learned videography through the University of Youtube.
I have filmed nearly 300 life stories and I have learned so much from older generations. Another reason why I am so passionate about sharing my video interviews is to show society (especially younger generations) who they really are, because if you actually spend time with older adults– they break every stereotype in the book.
For example, my friend Grant who I filmed running a 50-mile race at the age of 87. Or my 80-year-old friend Carol, who attended a Black Lives Matter march. And even my friends Cleo and Donna, who had slumber parties together in their 80s! Seniors are FUN and lively, strong, and so much more than they are painted out to be.
But above the importance of documenting and advocating for elders, my true passion lies in intergenerational connection and spreading love in this world. It’s been humbling to sit across from complete strangers and dive into the deepest parts of their souls. It’s like our human barriers come down and I see them for who they truly are.
I feel like if we all took the time to truly listen to one another, and understand what shapes a person (background, upbringing, life experiences, etc.), we would have a lot less division and a lot more love.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. What started out as a hobby, quickly turned into a full-blown business where families would hire me to create legacy videos of their loved ones. I felt honored to provide this service but knew that being a founder, and managing employees, wasn’t my calling in life.
So one day, as I sat inside of a workspace building crunching numbers, it hit me– almost every person I interviewed talked about slowing down, enjoying life, and how relationships are everything. I thought about my two children at home and remembered that money was never a motivating factor for me. The next day, I let go of my ten contracted employees and the business I spent two years building.
The few months following this decision were dark, like a part of my identity had died, but slowly I started creating again. And now I film for fun, which was how it all began, asking a handful of my favorite question to elders. Overall, balancing my passion and motherhood has been the trickiest juggling act, but I think we’ve finally figured it out after seven years of trial and error.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Some call me the grandparent whisperer, others call me the videographer-chick-that’s-weirdly-obsessed-with-old-people. But ultimately, I film and interview elders to preserve their wisdom and advice!
I’ve spent years curating a questionnaire that allows an oftentimes private generation, to share their life with me. It’s been an honor to learn from those who have lived the longest.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you.
As I reflect on how I landed here, pursuing my passion– I can see the stepping stones that led me here. I chose to go to nursing school, not knowing that it would teach me how isolated seniors were, while simultaneously showing me how much they have to offer to our society.
Another stepping stone was the innate love I had for creating art through video. And an obvious place of privilege being able to quit my job, but keep my favorite part, which was the visiting! It’s almost like a seed was planted from the time I was born, to fulfill this calling of mine and I consider myself lucky to have been able to witness it bloom.
Lastly, I feel like I am constantly being led by those who have come before me and older friends that have passed on, which keeps me on my little stone path.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @thelisteningearproject
Image Credits
Branded Loft Creative
