“We cannot save what we do not love.”
— Stephen Jay Gould

In a time when so many feel unrooted—rushing through places without a sense of belonging, drowning in information yet starved for meaning—there is a deeper way to engage. It’s not just about what we see, learn, or do. It’s about how we connect, how we feel, and how those connections shape us.

For decades I have been exploring the impact of having, or not having a sense of place in our lives.

My approach is built on a simple but meaningful idea: When we cultivate a personal bond with places, we enrich our well-being and naturally feel inspired to care for the world around us. This creates a ripple effect—helping both people and places thrive.

Gaining a toolkit of techniques to evoke those bonds is what my framework is all about. Honed through hundreds of hours of in-the-field experience, it offers a structured yet creative way to uncover and share the stories that matter most.

The Sense of Place & Story Framework

Honed over hundreds of hours of in-the-field experience, this framework provides a structured and creative way to uncover and share the stories that matter most.

If you want to create more impactful stories and experiences—ones that foster true connection and engagement—the Sense of Place and Story Framework provides a clear, proven path forward.

What is a Sense of Place?

I define a sense of place as an integrative meaning-making process—an ongoing journey of discovery where we come to know places, and in doing so, come to know ourselves.

Your sense of place fills you in those moments when you know a place has stirred something within you. When your knowledge meets your lived experience and something deeper emerges—a powerful sense of meaning, belonging, and connection.

It’s about knowing how a place resonates with you and what it reveals to you about the world and your role in it. That kind of knowing is what it means to have a sense of place.

In a nutshell:
 Factual Knowledge + Personal Experience + Integration = Your Sense of Place.

The Soulful Stewardship Method

At the heart of this approach is my Soulful Stewardship Method—a way of working that recognizes the deep relationship between personal stories, connection, and care.

It’s based on these core truths:

• Personal sense of place stories create meaningful connections.

• Meaningful connections lead to care.

• Care inspires stewardship.

We don’t protect what we are told to care about—we protect what we feel connected to. This work helps people find those connections in ways that are personal, authentic, and lasting.

Applying the framework

Whether you’re an individual looking to enrich your storytelling, a site seeking to create more inclusive, engaging programs, or a community aiming to foster deeper connections—this approach can help.

For Interpreters: This approach will transform how you think about program design and delivery. You’ll start by exploring your own sense of place, uncover new perspectives, and develop the skills to craft compelling experiences that engage and inspire.

For Organizations: This approach brings your mission to life. By offering experiences that help people discover their personal connections to meaningful places, you foster a sense of care that leads to stewardship and lasting impact.

For Individuals: Whether for personal storytelling, creative writing, or professional growth, this process helps you uncover the stories rooted in place. You’ll develop storytelling skills and refine your narratives to create lasting, meaningful connections.

For Everyone: No matter your role—interpreter, organization, or individual—the goal is the same: to create stories that deepen our connections to ourselves, our communities, and the world around us.

Let’s Work Together!

Whether you’re looking to deepen your personal connection to place, craft more engaging visitor experiences, or inspire stewardship within your community, this approach provides practical tools and a transformative lens.