Doing what I love at Netroots Nation

I’m one of the lucky people who gets to do something I love for a living. Even better? Getting to do a lot of things I love all at once — which I’ll be doing when I present an Ignite talk at the Netroots Nation conference in Detroit on July 19.

I’ve always been a writer and storyteller. I’ve been a freelance writer and strategist most of my career. I wouldn’t have it any other way.

But I have another love: theatre. I spent more than 20 years working in local theatre, performing in and directing one or two shows a year. I miss being onstage, and I miss the unique kind of storytelling involved in playing a role like Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Todd or directing a play like Amadeus.

At Netroots Nation, I get to do all that again — but in a new way. The Ignite format gives presenters five minutes to speak, accompanied by 20 slides that automatically advance every 15 seconds.

In this high-energy format, I’ll be talking about the Affordable Care Act and using personal stories of how it benefits Americans to demonstrate the value of healthcare reform.

My passion as a writer and strategist is using communications for social good, to educate and engage people in issue advocacy and change minds. At Netroots Nation, I get to combine that with my love of theatre, transformed into a very personal kind of storytelling.

I can’t wait.

If you’ll be at Netroots Nation — the country’s largest gathering of progressive leaders, activists and grassroots organizers — don’t miss the Ignite closing keynote on Saturday, July 19 starting at 4:30 p.m. ET. I’m one of 14 presenters who will be taking the stage to tell our stories.

The keynote may be available via live streaming, or I’ll post a video later. Tickets to Netroots Nation are also available if you’d like to attend starting July 17.

Although my Ignite talk will definitely be a high point for me, I’m looking forward to the entire conference. I’ll be doing what I love with thousands of others who feel the same way.

How lucky can you get?