{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"705: On Becoming: The Art and Craft of Storytelling (Ep 5: The Stains on My Baseball Pants) with Kaila Barber","description":"Show Notes:   Hi, friends, and welcome back to our series, On Becoming: The Art and Craft of Personal Storytelling. In this series, we take a close look at personal essays written by real students, talking about why we love them, what makes them work, and how they came to be.  In this episode, we break down an essay on\u2026 wait for it\u2026 baseball. Wait, what? But Ethan, I thought writing about a common topic was a fast track to blending in. And yes\u2014in many cases, it can be. But this essay offers a great example of how a familiar topic can become something more layered, specific, and personal. To dig into how that happens, I\u2019m joined by Kaila Barber: essay coach at CEG, Associate Director of 1-on-1 Coaching, and professional track star. Together, we explore how to stand out with a common topic, how to weave in challenge without letting it take over the story, and one specific technique for crafting a strong, memorable ending. If you\u2019re the kind of person who enjoys seeing how things get made, whether it\u2019s a great meal, a film scene, or a piece of writing, I have a feeling you\u2019ll enjoy this one. Kaila Barber has been helping students prepare for college in various capacities since 2018. After graduating from the University of Notre Dame with a master\u2019s degree in Global Health, a bachelor\u2019s degree in PreProfessional Science, and a minor in Education, Schooling, and Society, Kaila decided to serve her local school district as an educational assistant. For two years, she worked closely with students who had learning differences, tailoring lesson plans and materials to better suit the needs of her students. Kaila enjoys walking side-by-side with students, guiding them through their memories and insights, while they discover new ways to make meaning from their lives that can be highlighted in creative and compelling essays.  We hope you enjoy.    Play-by-Play: 2:07 \u2013 Who is the student behind the essay, and what made his approach to a sports topic stand out? 4:44 \u2013 Kaila reads the essay we\u2019re calling, \u201cThe Stains on My Baseball Pants\u201d 8:40 \u2013 What stands out about the essay\u2019s use of showing vs. telling? 10:27 \u2013 How did the essay evolve from a baseball topic into a montage centered on stains? 12:56 \u2013 How does the essay incorporate themes of identity and belonging without making them the central focus? 15:38 \u2013 How were the different \u201cstains\u201d chosen to represent key parts of the student\u2019s story? 19:52 \u2013 What does the kimbap stain reveal about family, culture, and leadership? 22:00 \u2013 What does the dirt stain reveal about growth, belonging, and identity? 26:57 \u2013 What new role or identity is revealed through the eye black blotch paragraph? 31:51 \u2013 What does the \u201cparents\u2019 pilot\u201d metaphor reveal about the student\u2019s role in his family? 36:20 \u2013 How does the ending bring the theme of \u201cstains\u201d back while highlighting community and belonging? 40:15 \u2013 What does Kaila hope students take away from the essay writing process? 41:31 \u2013 Closing thoughts    Resources: \u201cThe Stains on My Baseball Pants\u201d Essay College Essay Guy\u2019s Personal Statement Resources College Essay Guy\u2019s College Application Hub ","author_name":"The College Essay Guy Podcast: A Practical Guide to College Admissions","author_url":"http:\/\/collegeessayguy.libsyn.com\/website","html":"