The Connection with the Connection
My one-woman show, What We Carry: Stories of Care, Legacy, and Becoming - a dream fulfilled. Photo by Shannon Samson
I had to write about this because it is incredible!
On Sunday, November 8, 2026, I had the amazing experience of presenting my one-woman show, What We Carry: Stories of Care, Legacy, and Becoming, at the Indiana Historical Society in Indianapolis.
My opening story focused on my family’s history in Anadarko, Texas and the importance of preserving our legacy. I shared how my cousin Barbara felt led by the Spirit to make sure our family contributed its history to a book titled Connections. During the story, I featured a photograph of the historical marker recognizing our family’s history in Texas.
But what happened after the show was something I could never have imagined!
Everything was aligned. But none of this would have happened if I hadn't taken the leap.
Sheila Spencer and Jos N. Holman - He is a storyteller who attended my show and we made an unbelievable connection,
A gentleman approached me with his phone and said, “I know about Anadarko, Texas.”
He began showing me photographs of the plantation and historical markers connected to the place I had just discussed onstage.
Then he asked me a question that stopped me in my tracks.
“Is your cousin’s name Barbara Spencer Dunn?”
WHAT?!
He had actually texted his aunt DURING MY SHOW! He showed me their text conversation, and his aunt was talking about the very book, Connections, that I had displayed onstage!
We began talking and discovering even more connections.
His name is Jos N. Holman. He is a storyteller affiliated with Storytelling Arts of Indiana, the organization that presented my show, and he lives nearby in Lafayette, Indiana.
Now, here’s another beautiful part of this experience.
During my show, I shared a story about discovering that my dear friend Monica and I were actually family. And here I was, just moments after leaving the stage, experiencing yet another unexpected connection!
I have been reflecting on the timing of it all.
I was supposed to be on that stage at that moment, and Mr. Holman was supposed to be in the audience. Everything was aligned.
But none of this would have happened if I hadn’t taken the leap.
You see, one of the central messages of my show was about having the courage to take a leap, even when we don’t know what awaits us on the other side.
I took that leap by applying for the Frank Basile Emerging Stories Fellowship and sharing my stories on that stage.
And look what was waiting on the other side!
I couldn’t have planned this encounter. I couldn’t have orchestrated the timing. All I could do was show up, trust the journey, and tell my story.
Sometimes we don’t know who needs to hear our story, who might be connected to it, or what discoveries are waiting to unfold.
Click the play button to hear our incredible conversation!
I’m so grateful that my friend Schirrell captured our conversation on video because this is a moment I will always treasure.
Click the play button to hear our incredible conversation.
Connections are everywhere! And sometimes, we have to take the leap to discover them!
From the stage I shared about framily and what is waiting on the other side of the leap.
I had no idea what was waiting on the other side of my leap onto the stage … literally.
Take the Leap …
Sheila P Spencer
Missed my one-woman show? Click link under the photo below to Watch What We Carry: Stories of Care, Legacy, and Becoming here!
Frank Basile's Emerging Stories: "What We Carry" featuring Sheila Spencer on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026 at Eugene & Marilyn Glick Indiana History Center. "Sheila’s program was fascinating and highly motivational!' wrote sponsor Frank Basile. "Katrina and I loved it, as the responsive audience clearly did." Click the link below to experience the journey.. Photo by Shannon Samson