Meet Elizabeth Blake-Thomas | Storyteller

We had the good fortune of connecting with Elizabeth Blake-Thomas and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Elizabeth, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?

2001: London, cold, wet, dark. Leave the house by 8am. Have approximately a new meeting every hour. Return on the busy commuter train 8pm, it’s still, cold, wet and dark.

2011: Los Angeles, warm, dry, bright. Leave the house by 8am, have approximately 4 meetings in the day due to the driving in between. Return home by car 8pm to watch the sunset.

2021: Los Angeles, wake up to the sea lions, seagulls and a blue sky on my boat. Make a cup of hot lemon and ginger. Write my morning pages. Read a chapter of my book. Meditate. Paddle board. Make a phone call. Get dressed. Head to my lunchtime meeting. Return 4pm, make another phone call. Play a game with my daughter. Chat to friends. Create some new concepts. Listen/watch a podcast. Have a cup of tea. Read a chapter of my book. Paint/draw/write. Fall asleep to the sounds of the creaking boat.

2021 might seem too idyllic for some people, but it is my current life. The Great Pause (Covid pandemic) has afforded me the luxury to change my life. I actually didn’t mind 2001. I definitely didn’t mind 2011, but 2021 is pretty unique. Through no choice of our own, we were forced to alter our lifestyles. Some more drastically than others. For me, the timing was just right. How else was I going to be forced into not continually chasing my tail? I needed this time to catch up, to reassess, to change my priorities.

Now don’t get me wrong, the last 20 years of work have been necessary in order for me to now change and have a different work life balance. If I hadn’t put in the hard work to get to where I am, I would feel regretful. I have enjoyed every meeting, every film festival, every place I’ve travelled and visited. But the time came for a change.

I consider the question, “How many yesterday’s and tomorrow’s do I have?” I think about this every day. None of us can be certain, but I hopefully believe that I still have more tomorrow’s than yesterday’s, so I don’t want to waste them. So, what am I going to do with that time? It’s all in my capable hands to choose how I spend those valuable minutes each and every day, and it is important to find that balance of what I give my time and energy to.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?

It’s been a year since we all felt the biggest shake up and shut down that could ever occur. It was forced upon us by something invisible to the naked eye. Life can be hard even without this virus, so to be placed into situations that are not by choice, but by necessity (an unhappy home life, an uncomfortable working situation, a lack of finances, increased feelings of fear, loneliness and depression), has given some people the opportunity to reassess their life.

I, Elizabeth Blake-Thomas, am one of those people. I have been a theatre director for 20 years, a film director for 4 years, and a homeschooling on-set mother for 18 years. (Actress Isabella Blake-Thomas) I have published a book, travelled the world, created a podcast, raised 1.5 million dollars to film and I have directed and written 8 features. I am now embarking on a new course of my journey as Professor Blake-Thomas at Pepperdine University, running a course called “Storytelling and the Power of Our Words.” Oh, and to put this into a bigger context, I was told by various people throughout my life that my writing wasn’t any good and I would never be a writer.

Well, they were right, I’ll give them that, because I’m not a writer. Or a director. Or a photographer or a painter…I’m a STORYTELLER.

This is who I truly am, a storyteller. During the last year, I’ve been given precious time to relook and reflect at who I am and what I’m about; looking into my deep happiness, forgiving myself, removing blame and guilt from my past, meditating and taking much needed time out from the rat race. It has given me the brain space to “find my purpose” and in the words of Joseph Campbell “finding your bliss”.

When this revelation of my true self happened the other day, I cried. It felt so right. All of a sudden everything just fit into my world. It was like for the longest time my puzzle pieces were forced together to make a different picture that I had gotten so accustomed to feeling disconnected from my own life, my true self. Once I reexamined myself during this shutdown, I found a whole new understanding about me and my life, and how I truly define myself.

The last film I directed, “Will You Be My Quarantine” was another change in direction, elevating my filmmaking and directing to another level. Filming under many COVID restrictions, working around a very different filming landscape. All new challenges to overcome. Also being more conscious of ways I could change the industry and make it more inclusive. Working with a much more diverse cast for the first time, actors who were Deaf as well as less abled. I’m so grateful this time of reflection allowed me to learn more and assist in some small way to change the world.

Also, within this pause, my 20 years of research and my own self-reflection resulted in me creating a healing methodology called Medicine with Words. Think of it as yoga for the mind. Medicine with Words is a “spring cleaning” journey of your mind, encompassing everything from your emotions and surroundings, to your purpose and desires. Through guided studies of intention and reflection using pen to paper, meditation, stories and your senses, learn to lead a more purposeful, peaceful life. Free yourself from the unnecessary noise that the world muddles your mind with, and start living intentionally, without fear.

I am sharing this methodology with individuals and non-profits. I’m now a registered healer with the Agency of Healers. It’s a truly exciting time for me to share. Learn more at www.medicinewithwords.com

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?

There is something I find so magical about a bookstore or sitting in a cafe and jotting notes in my journal.

Here are my top 5 spots!

– Bellwood Coffee
– Hodgepodge Coffeehouse
– A Capella Books
– Little Shop of Stories
– Atlanta Vintage Books

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?

Abbie Georganna: Abbie is my incredible assistant, a talented actress, and our Head of Creative Development at Mother & Daughter Entertainment. @abbie.georganna
Isabella Blake-Thomas: Isabella is my best friend, business partner, daughter and a phenomenal artist, both musically and acting on screen. Spotify Music: https://spoti.fi/3cKRpwx . @isabella_b_t

MDE Team: The entire team at MDE works so hard behind the scenes to move forward projects and create meaningful art. @motheranddaughterent

Website: COMPANY: www.motheranddaughterent.com METHODOLOGY: www.medicinewithwords.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elizabeth_b_t/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethblakethomas/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Elizabeth_B_T

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elizabethblakethomas

Youtube: MDE: https://bit.ly/3bX3647

Other: IMDb Page: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm6230910/?ref_=tt_ov_dr Email: mdeasst@gmail.com

Image Credits
Jacob Mariani, Carina Jean Photo, Samuel Aronson, Peter ‘Bob’ White