Jasjeet Dhanota has lived a lot of her life blended between Punjabi and Californian cultures, not quite fitting in with mainstream America or modern-day India. It’s in this in-between that stories became her belonging. Jasjeet found herself in the stories her grandmother told before bed, in the pages of her favorite books, and in being the youngest member of her family – often listening and observing the stories around her. She learned to write stories, finding that words could sometimes convey the unseen textures of our lives. Her career has included zoonotic disease research, teaching biology and health, and environmental education. These days, she gathers data on what helps her to feel and be well. So far, her results suggest that being outdoors, community, and learning are essential to her wellness. Jasjeet currently teaches workshops and provides consulting grounded in these key principles. Jasjeet is an independent storytelling and well-being consultant. She was one of our 2023 Story Ambassadors and she now works with us as a storytelling workshop facilitator. You can find out more about her on her website.