Thresholds Event Testimonial by Kimberly L.

This past month, we kicked off the first event of the semester with Jordan Kisner, host of the Thresholds podcast and former BMI fellow, alongside Jayson Green, who joined us to discuss his new book, UnWorld. Their conversation explored fiction as a means of reconciling one’s grief and the craft of writing in a world deeply affected by advances in AI technology. It was a night that reminded us why we come together, to experience the unexpected connections that arise when stories find their listeners. 

Kimberly L., an undergraduate student at UNLV attending her first BMI event, wrote the following testimonial about her experience:

I already own a Kindle version of Jordan Kisner’s Thin Places and loved her essay on the loss of God and religion, so I was very excited to see her in person.

Upon entering the theatre, I was a bit intimidated as everyone inside seemed to know everyone else and I, being a closet introvert, had to push myself to continue into the theatre, alone.

A lovely gentleman named Joshua from BMI greeted me at the door and handed me a beautiful bag celebrating 20 years of BMI.  I then met the executive director, Colette LaBouff, who was also very kind and we chatted a bit, which helped to ease my self-consciousness.

The program was fantastic! Jayson Greene has come through so much pain and used that to create a memoir that I am looking forward to reading.

Also very impactful, to me, was how he responded to the question on his process of writing. That he allows the “messiness” to happen and then looks back at what he wrote a few days later and withdraws only that which matters and makes sense. 

So many amazing revelations and ideas came from this event. I stayed after to chat with a former student of my husband’s (he sat next to me and neither of us knew who the other was until he saw a gift from my hubby on my lap and asked about it).

We hung out together after and when the crowd died down, I was able to purchase both Jayson and Jordan’s books, (now I have two copies of Thin Places) and spend time chatting while they signed the books.

Jayson spent time chatting with Roy and I as we all delved into our feelings about AI and how it is making people lazy and complacent but also is being used to mislead and incur anger and wrath without substantial support.

The event was fantastic and I thank you for providing us with this opportunity and I plan on attending as many more as possible.

And, I not only purchased several books, got a great new bag – but they had Freed’s cookies that one of the ladies from BMI insisted that Roy and I indulge in!