Good Life Project How to Turn an Emotional Transition Into a Beautiful Celebration | Tembi Locke
Oct 9, 2025
Tembi Locke, a New York Times bestselling author and actor, shares her journey through emotional transitions, particularly the poignant moment of sending her only child to college. She introduces the concept of a 'college moon'—a transformative trip to Sicily that blends family healing and adventure. Tembi highlights how the ambient sounds of Sicily foster intimacy and presence, and discusses the importance of embracing the present, letting go of grief, and the profound connection between place and identity. Her reflections on the myth of Persephone and the art of doing nothing add depth to her insights.
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Audio As Intimate Place-Making
- Tembi chose immersive audio to use sound and silence as a storytelling tool and to invite deep listening.
- She wanted listeners to feel place through recorded environmental sounds and the intimacy of voice.
A College Moon To Hold Time
- Tembi planned a “college moon” trip with her only daughter to savor their last summer before college and end in Sicily.
- She invited her new husband later to gently begin blending their family before the transition.
Sicilian Present-Focus Framing
- Sicilian language lacks a commonly used future tense for older generations, framing life as present-focused.
- That cultural view encouraged Tembi to prioritize the immediate moment over anxious future planning.
