The GAB Gazette — July - August 2026 Edition

The GAB Gazette

July - August 2026 Edition

“Be not afraid of growing slowly, be afraid only of standing still.”

Chinese Proverb

You can find previous GAB Gazette editions on our website at: https://thebirrencenter.org/the-gab-gazette

The Gazette is continuously improving in content. Please share your feedback and ideas for future GAB Gazette editions with us at: info@thebirrencenter.org

In this Issue:

Happenings in the World of GAB
Anthology News and Updates
New Courses
Speak at the GAB Summit
Theme: The First Blossoms
Spotlight On: Sarah White
Q and A with Dr. James Birren
Book Corner: Shelf Worthy Books
Call for Volunteers: YouTube

From the Interim Executive Director

Summer is in full swing, and there is a lot happening at the Birren Center.

Instructor Survey

Survey response collection and analysis are not yet complete, but a few insights have emerged: You told us that finding students and filling classes remains a top challenge; hence the topic of the July GAB Chat.

You also told us you value community—but often prefer meaningful connections in smaller groups rather than large gatherings. That is exactly what our GAB Instructor Writing Groups are designed to provide. These free, peer-led groups bring together four to five instructors who meet on a schedule that works for them to continue writing their own life stories using the GAB method. Participants exchange stories, explore themes, and enjoy the experience of being GAB writers themselves while building relationships with fellow instructors.

To apply to be matched into a group, fill out this online form.

One finding that particularly stood out: many of you do far more than teach Guided Autobiography. You are personal historians, writing coaches, community builders, and champions of life review in many forms. The breadth of talent and experience in this community is remarkable, and we look forward to exploring ways to better support those varied interests.

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Anthology Update

Selections have been made, authors have been notified, and editing is now underway. The submissions were exceptionally strong this year, making the selection process both rewarding and challenging. We believe Moments That Shape Us (working title) will be a powerful collection of stories that demonstrates the impact of Guided Autobiography and helps introduce new readers to what this work is all about.

Each volume of the Birren Anthology represents significant volunteer participation. The process begins with choosing a theme, developing the call for submissions, and inviting instructors and students to share their stories. Then comes the careful work of organizing submissions, reviewing essays, making selections, editing, proofreading, and preparing the manuscript for publication.

Much of this happens quietly, behind the scenes. The Birren Center is grateful to the volunteers who have contributed their time, skill, and thoughtful attention to this year’s Anthology and helped carry the project from idea to finished book.

Second Chances, our 2025 anthology, is available on Amazon.com, where we’ve reduced the price of past anthologies to $12.95/print $9.99 Kindle.

I hope you'll join us at the GAB Chat on July 15 to learn more about what’s coming from the Birren Center and enjoy the GAB community.

Sarah White
Interim Executive Director
The Birren Center for Autobiographical Studies

Next GAB Chat
July 15, 2026
4 pm Pacific

Our monthly gatherings, GAB Chats, are designed specifically for Guided Autobiography Instructors across the globe. This initiative aims to foster a supportive community while enhancing our professional work through shared experiences and collaborative learning.

This month’s meeting details:

Date: Wednesday, July 15, 2026
Time: 4:00 pm Pacific Time
Subject: The Gentle Power of YouTube: How GAB Instructors Can Share Their Message Online Without Hype, Pressure, or Performance
Host: Gord Deyell

In this encouraging presentation, Gord Deyell will introduce Guided Autobiography instructors to the possibilities of YouTube as a gentle, practical marketing tool. Designed for instructors who are new to YouTube or unsure how it might fit their work, the presentation will focus on how video can help people discover GAB workshops, understand the value of life story writing, and begin to trust an instructor before ever attending a program.

Gord brings the perspective of a fellow GAB instructor, as well as his role on the Birren Center Board of Directors, where he is responsible for developing the Birren Center’s YouTube channel. Rather than focusing on performance, technology, or “becoming a YouTuber,” this session will show how instructors can use simple, meaningful content to share their message online with warmth, clarity, and confidence.

The meeting will include time for Q&A followed by the networking breakout rooms that have become a popular feature of our GAB Chats.

We hope you will join us!

Register for GAB Chat

In case you missed it

Last month's GAB Chat with Norman Lesperance is one worth watching. Norman, a certified GAB instructor, hypnotherapist, and Hollywood screenwriter, introduced guided imagery as a gentle, optional tool for helping your students mentally step back into their memories through the senses. If you've ever wanted to help your participants write with more vivid detail and emotional depth, this conversation is full of practical insight.

Watch the full recording below.

Watch It Here

Upcoming Workshops & Courses

Find Your Students, Fill Your Classes

Ready to grow your GAB workshops? This six-week, hands-on course helps you move from uncertainty to action. You’ll build a clear six-month Marketing Action Plan, craft your elevator pitch, and create materials you can use right away—all with step-by-step guidance. Designed for certified GAB instructors who want more confidence and clarity in promoting their classes, the next workshop begins July 10.
Contact Sarah White at sarah@thebirrencenter.org to reserve your seat or to learn more.

Expand your GAB teaching toolkit.

Norman Lesperance's six-week professional development course, Stories Beneath the Story, teaches certified GAB instructors how to use guided imagery to help students access richer memories and write more vividly about their life stories. Through demonstration, practice, and peer feedback, you'll develop theme-specific imagery scripts you can use immediately in your own classes.

No prior experience with guided imagery required, just a commitment to deepening your facilitation skills. Tuesdays, October 6 through November 10, 11am PST via Zoom.

Contact normanlesperance@gmail.com at to reserve your seat or to learn more.

Bring Your Workshop to the Birren Center

Have an idea for a workshop that would benefit life story writers, memoirists, personal historians, or the broader GAB community? The Birren Center welcomes workshop proposals from instructors, practitioners, and subject-matter experts.

When a proposal is accepted, the Birren Center provides marketing support through our website, GAB Gazette, and social media channels, helping you reach a broad audience of people interested in life review and storytelling. Instructors also receive a share of workshop revenue.

You do not need to be a certified GAB Instructor to submit a proposal.

Learn more about the process on our website.

The 2026 GAB Summit is coming

and we want you on the stage.

October 14–16, this year's Summit brings together Guided Autobiography instructors, students, and friends from around the world for three days of learning, reflection, and connection around this year's theme: Story as Transformation: The Stories That Connect Us.

We're currently seeking speakers, workshop leaders, and panel contributors who have something to share about how GAB has shaped their work, teaching, community, or personal life. Presentations are 20 minutes and organized around four central themes: Life Themes & Meaning-Making, The Craft of Guided Autobiography, Writing as Discovery, and The Impact of Life Review.

If you've found a meaningful way to use Guided Autobiography, with a specific population, in an unexpected setting, or through your own personal journey, this is your opportunity to share it with a global community.

Applications are open now. Deadline: July 7, 2026.
Apply here: https://gabsummit.scoreapp.com/

Wed, Jun 24

The First Blossoms: The First Signs of Growth

By Alice roselo

There is a special kind of joy that comes with seeing the first blossom appear. For weeks or perhaps months, we have watered, nurtured, waited, and wondered. We have tended the soil and trusted the process.

Read More

Spotlight On

Sarah White: Sharing Stories That Matter

Most of us in the GAB community have crossed paths with Sarah White in one way or another, perhaps through a class she has taught, in a GAB Chat, with her work on the annual Birren Center anthology, or through one of the many behind-the-scenes roles she skillfully and creatively fills.

Read More

A Series of Q & A with Dr. Birren

As our founder and friend through GAB, Dr. James Birren had many words of wisdom to share with GAB instructors. Through an online Q & A series with Dr. Cheryl Svensson during her GAB online instructor training sessions from 2010 to 2015, he answered questions from GAB instructors. You may find that you have similar questions. His answers are as relevant and helpful today as they ever were.

Photo of Dr. Birren

With gratitude for Dr. Birren’s long and productive life … here are some of his thoughts on GAB and aging.

Question for Dr. Birren: If you were just starting to offer GAB classes, would you try to start an online group or go with an in-person concept?

Dr. Birren’s Answer: I would definitely offer an in-person GAB class first. That gives the facilitator experience in the one-on-one group method with all the nuances that format offers. I feel you really learn more from a small group that is sitting around a table face-to-face.

Question for Dr. Birren: What is the best venue to lead a GAB group?

Dr. Birren’s Answer: They are all good. I have taught GAB in retirement communities, synagogues, churches, senior centers, universities. I think I have taught GAB in almost all the venues. I think it works best if the students have some small group experience even though that is not necessary. A diverse geographical area brings out an increased richness in backgrounds. I find heterogeneity stimulating.

Remembering James E. Birren

Shelf-Worthy: This Edition’s Top Picks

Becoming My Best Self ⎯ Memories & Reflections

The goal to write and publish a book hovered in my consciousness for over twenty years. I admit that the goal was daunting. I started stories set in Pacific Rim cities that I felt had the making of a political thriller and a more recent one about spiritual development mixed with fantasy. About 18 months ago, I realized that there was an easier way to achieve my goal. At that time, I had already written nearly twenty autobiographical vignettes while participating in Barbara Smith’s GAB courses.

Read More

2025 Anthology, Second Chances, is Riveting Reading!

Written by Ansley Dauenhauer

Once I started reading, I couldn’t put down Second Chances: Lives Change, One Story at a Time, the Birren Center’s 2025 anthology. Each writer had a moment when they realized they had been given a second chance, sometimes at the time of the event, and sometimes the realization came later upon reflection.

As a reader, I was stunned by the efficacy of the shortform stories in the anthology format. I was reading it before bed, and I kept thinking, I have time to read just one more. Before I knew it, I had read half the book! I might not have related to the actual experiences in all of the stories, but I felt a strong kinship with the reflections of the writers, and those drew me in and kept me going long past bedtime at least as much as the telling of the events.

That’s the power of GAB.

Any of the Birren anthologies would be strong tools to have in your kit as you teach your own GAB classes. They’d also be extremely motivational for encouraging potential students! I highly recommend reading and using the GAB anthologies in your work.

Past Anthologies

Be on the lookout for the 2026 anthology—coming soon!

Volunteers Needed! YouTube Channel Updates

Did you know the Birren Center has a YouTube channel? We do! And we'd like everyone to know about it and to use it! Gord Deyell, a Birren Center board member, develops YouTube channels and grows their reach for his clients. He has taken on the Birren Center channel as one of his projects.

Gord is looking for 3-5 people interested in joining a team to help him update the channel. No YouTube creation experience is required! If you are committed to the GAB principles (and perhaps have some graphic design or video production experience), you are eligible! In return for meeting once a month for about 6 months to determine the content and design aspects of the Birren Center's channel, you will acquire a greater understanding of how to use YouTube as a marketing tool for your own GAB work.

Contact Gord at gord@thebirrencenter.org for more information!

Meet the GAB Gazette editorial team, a hardworking group of volunteers who generously give their time and expertise to support the mission of The Birren Center.

The GAB Gazette is a bi-monthly publication from the Birren Center.
GAB Gazette Team
Contributors: Duke Coats, Ansley Dauenhauer, Alice Gaddi-Roselo, Roselyn O’Connell, Barbara Smith, Cheryl Svensson, Angela Turner, and Makayla Denbo

“Just when the caterpillar thought the world was over, it became a butterfly.”
― Chuang Tzu