For the past twenty five years Joe has been fully engaged in the art of loving, learning, and healing all that is human in the lives of young people and adults. In his vocation as a high school teacher, counselor and storyteller, he has discovered the profound educational and healing power of story. It is through the intimacy and power of a heartfelt story that human beings discover the art of living a human life.
Joe performs all types of stories for all groups. He is a story looking for a place to happen. He makes use of musical instruments, sound effects, and even twists balloons as means of entertaining others about life’s most basic and treasured truths.
Joe has a B.A. in Theology, Philosophy, an M.Ed. in Counseling Psychology and is a Certified Parent Effectiveness Trainer. He is also the Director of Education and Community Development for the Save A Vet Foundation www.saveavet.us
Tales from Around the World
Joe performs stories for all types of groups that celebrate the wit and wisdom from around the world. He tells stories that bring learning and joy to specific groups including children, adolescents, families and elders. Joe is a complete entertainer in the fact that he can perform stories from many cultures and explain the educational history behind them. He plays several musical instruments and is a professional balloon twister.
Tales of Spirit
Joe has developed shows that celebrate the wisdom of many religious traditions around the world. Included are ecumenical insights which come from tribal traditions. He has a special show called The Tales of the Invisible Apostle. A collection of midrash stories about Jesus and the Gospels written by Joe in the spirit of Jack Shea.
Seminars in Finding the Lost Art of Family Storytelling for Parents, Grandparents, Teachers and Ministers
This program is designed to introduce participants to the simple art of storytelling. The program emphasizes identification and reflection on the spiritual and psychological processes involved in storytelling. It also specifically covers the psychological process that the listener goes through when hearing a story. It teaches how to identify and organize life experience into simple and more complex stories. Joe’s book, The Lost Art of Storytelling comes with the seminar so participants can develop their storytelling skills at their own pace.
Joe is an established keynote speaker and retreat director. He has degrees in Psychology, Philosophy and Theology. He is well read and up to date on the issues we face as individuals and communities in the modern day. He has directed successful confirmation retreats for the past decade. His presentations creatively address the issues of humanity through the language of story, poetry and analogical reasoning. Joe can dynamically speak to any issue dealing with the human condition from several perspectives.
Fighting in the Dark
Joe has a developed a program that deals with trauma of living through depression or watching a loved one struggle with the disorder. He tells tales that dramatize the seriousness of the disease which shows no visible wounds and how those who suffer from it try to become invisible. He then demythologizes the illness and communicates healing strategies for those who suffer from the disorder and action plans who want to be effective helpers during a major crisis for those they love. The program is designed for adolescents and adults groups. To review a curriculum for these programs please contact Joe (847) 894-3336.
A Soldiers Soul: The Story of Dan Hill
Dan Hill is a soldier who has seen it all. He lied his way into the army at the age fifteen. He served our country for thirty years on missions all over the world. The most grueling chapters of his life were his experiences in Vietnam. Dan has been identified as the one the man who predicted the attack on the World Trade Center in 2001. He was one the phone with his best friend and soul mate Rick Rescola when the South Tower came down. In charge of security for Morgan Stanley, Rick Rescola successfully got 2,700 of its employers out of the World Trade Center’s South Tower. Dan’s story is one of adventure, heroism, and patriotism. All proceeds for this performance go to the Save-a-Vet Foundation. A foundation that allows veterans quick access and quality service for their health needs.
Tales My Father Never Told Me
Tales My Father Never Told me is performance dramatizing the lives of a father and son who both have extreme bouts with bipolar depressive disorder. Through the use of prose, poetry and story the performance takes the listener into the dark world of mental illness. It illustrates the interpsychic, intrapsychic, and spiritual challenges of living with mental disease. This performance is for adults only
“Joe’s storytelling talents are complimented by his vast knowledge of parenting, human development and spirituality. He really gave me a sense of the “big picture” in fostering an intimate relationship with my adolescent son.” – Carol Erickson, parent
“Mr. Jekot is the best teacher I have ever had and one of the funniest men I have ever met.” – Linda Chlimoun, Oral Traditions student and finalist for the Northlands Youthful Voices competition
“In Mr. Jekot’s class I don’t take many notes. When he tells his stories it’s nearly impossible to forget.” – Jeff Jordan, Psychology Student at Loyola Academy College Prep.
“Joe told outstanding scary stories at the Campo-oree, to the Northwest Suburban Boy Scouts. He stood in front of a fire with more than 150 Scouts and you could here a pin drop between all the laughter” – Michael O’Malley, North Suburban Boy Scout Council
"Joe brings a Robin Williams-like energy and excitement to his performances. His has this uncanny ability to improvise aspect of his story making it humorous and applicable for any situation." – Dr. Kevin Gary, Professor of Education Goshen University
 |
$12 Family Legends… Family Lies… Every family has them! All too often it is hard to tell the legends from the lies and the lies from the legends. This is what makes family storytelling so entertaining. Joe Jekot has put together seven homespun tales filled with all the drama of being a family. From lying to nuns, to driving the family car through the garage door, Joe’s stories are electric and contagious. |
 |
$20 The Compact Disc version of The Lost Art of Family Storytelling allows the student to learn the art of story by simply listening. Included in the desk are more than sixty minutes of stories performed by Joe. |
 |
$15 |