We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Linda Syth. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Linda below.
Linda, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you tell us a bit about who your hero is and the influence they’ve had on you?
My heroes are my parents. My father grew up during The Great Depression and experienced extreme poverty. Being hungry in his youth forged a life-long commitment to providing accessible and affordable food while providing living wage jobs for those he worked with. When faced with compromising his principles by management at the expense of the employee team, he lost his job but not his purpose. My folks then went on to own a small community grocery store. My mother also faced great adversity in her youth with a critically ill mother. The long illness and ultimate death of my grandmother forged a strength in my mother that was ahead of her times. She was a fierce proponent of women’s rights and independence. The combination of worker’s and women’s rights influenced my life and work in ways that I appreciate more each day. Kindness, compassion, and equality are my cornerstones and hopefully my legacy.
Linda, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
Of course, my name is Linda Syth, and I am a co-founder of The Layered Onion, an organization that focuses on supporting artists with mental health struggles.
I have always enjoyed being creative, but the resposibilities of every day life kept me from writing. After the loss of my parents and a dear friend, the time was no longer tomorrow, but today. I launched one of my book ideas dormant under the surface for so long. It was exciting. I joined a writing class that inspired me only to have the pandemic cut our camaraderie short.
The demise of my cheerleading squad and the reality that publishing my story was remote, diminished my motivation to finish my novel. Through serendipity, I met a disabled artist. I began to wonder if there were other creators like us who just couldn’t quite thread the needle. From our discussion and my experience blossomed–The Layered Onion.
The Layered Onion was created in spring 2021. We are dedicated to elevating artists with mental and emotional health struggles, fostering empathy, understanding, and acceptance. Imagine an onion, with its layers representing the different aspects of our lives.
Just like an onion, our experiences, emotions, and mental health exist in layers that shape who we are as individuals. Sometimes, certain layers of the onion may be more challenging to navigate, just as mental health struggles can present obstacles in our lives. However, by gently peeling away these layers, we have an opportunity to gain insight, understanding, and growth.
As we uncover each layer, we may discover hidden strengths, resilience, and newfound perspectives. Each layer represents a part of our story, showcasing our unique journey and the lessons we’ve learned along the way. By embracing these layers, we can develop a deeper understanding of ourselves and others.
It is important to remember that mental issues are not a defining characteristic but rather one layer among many. By acknowledging the layers of the onion, we promote a more enlightened perspective. We realized that mental health challenges are common and a part of the human experience. They do not diminish our worth, nor diminish the beauty of our inner selves.
As we peel away these layers, we uncover our shared humanity. Beneath the surface, we find common emotions, hopes, and dreams that connect us all. We begin to recognize that everyone deserves compassion, support, and understanding regardless of their mental health journey.
By embracing the layered onion analogy, we can promote destigmatization, empathy, and acceptance. We create a society that encourages open conversations, fosters healing, and celebrates the resilience and strength that lies within each of us.
So, let us peel away the layers, understanding that at the core, we are all the same, united by our shared humanity, and the potential for growth, healing, and connection.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
Pivoting is a constant in business, career, or life. Pivoting is the most difficult when you are clinging to a version of your dreams you can’t let go of. Over time, I have found pivoting much easier. That might be because my dreams have become less concrete developing a fluidity that recognizes I have a lot less control than I thought that I had. Letting go of my illusions of control has allowed my passions to guide my efforts in ways that I never dreamed of.
Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?
I often found reading trending business books left me feeling a bit flat. I always wondered why most of the topics needed discussing when they were rooted in common sense. It was not until I discovered science fiction and fantasy books that I embraced more creativity in my leadership style. If you develop a shared picture of what the future could look like, the team finds paths to get there that no one would ever dream of.
Contact Info:
- Website: thelayeredonion.com
- Instagram: @thelayeredonion
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jointhelayeredonion/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-layered-onion
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheLayeredOnion
- Youtube: @thelayeredonion
- Other: Podcast on Spotify, Apple Music, Google. The Layered Onion