Finding Resilience Through Storytelling with Rita Avella

 

Episode Summary:
In this powerful episode of the All About Us podcast, host Carl Allen sits down with Rita Avellar, a Brazilian-born storyteller, writer, filmmaker, and breast cancer survivor, to explore resilience, creativity, and the transformative power of authentic storytelling. Rita shares her journey from growing up in Rio de Janeiro to becoming a creative force in Indianapolis and how her experiences shaped her perspective on life and art.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• How Rita discovered her passion for storytelling at a young age.
• The impact of cultural transitions on her resilience and creativity.
• Behind-the-scenes insights into her short film The Fat Lady.
• The intersection of storytelling and healing in her battle with breast cancer.
• Why authenticity is vital in both personal and professional life.

Key Highlights:

• [00:45] Introduction to Rita Avellar’s background in storytelling and film.
• [06:38] Growing up in Rio de Janeiro and adapting to new cultures.
• [25:10] The story and inspiration behind The Fat Lady.
• [31:51] Discovering breast cancer and the journey to recovery.
• [39:38] Embracing vulnerability and empowering others through storytelling.

Chapters

00:00 Resilience Through Storytelling

00:44Finding Strength in Our Stories

00:45 Introduction to Resilience and Storytelling

04:01 Cultural Experiences and Resilience

10:04 From Brazil to the U.S.: A Journey of Adaptation

16:17 Creative Writing and the Shift to Screenwriting

21:58 The Fat Lady: A Story of Identity and Judgment

29:28 The Journey of Independent Filmmaking

30:30 Storytelling as a Healing Process

31:34 Facing Breast Cancer: A Personal Journey

37:39 Authenticity in Storytelling

39:31 Overcoming Barriers to Authenticity

42:46 The Courage to Share Vulnerable Stories

45:01 Maintaining Artistic Vision During Challenges

45:42 Creative Outlets and Resilience

46:21 The Importance of Community in Filmmaking

49:27 Cultural Strength and Storytelling

49:43The Impact of Personal Stories

56:44 Your Story Matters

57:52 Intro and outro.wav

 

Quotes to Remember:

• “Resilience is rooted in adaptability and staying true to yourself in new environments." - Rita Avellar
• “Your story matters. Sharing it can heal you and inspire others." - Rita Avellar

Resources Mentioned:

• https://www.instagram.com/ritaavellar/
• www.ritaavellar.com (on my website, there is a FREE ebook called "10 Blah-Blah-Blah Tips to Get Back on Track, Girl!" to help female entrepreneurs rediscover their spark with practical tips for creative comebacks.
• https://www.instagram.com/avellar_productions/
• thefatladyfilm.com
• https://www.instagram.com/siteforyourbiz/
• https://www.siteforyourbiz.com/

 

Connect with Us:
Don’t forget to subscribe to All About Us for more inspiring conversations. Share this episode with someone who needs a reminder of the strength in their own story!

IG: https://www.instagram.com/dalla_s4lr/

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Hashtags:
#Storytelling #Resilience #Authenticity #TheFatLadyFilm #CreativeJourney