“The world is a gift that evades all human grasp.”

-Byung-Chul Han

First Creatures provides inspiration and moral support for lingering through a podcast (coming soon!) as well as concerts, events, and other kinds of gatherings in Richmond, Virginia.

The Podcast

The First Creatures podcast is for anyone who’s looking to develop their own capacity for stillness, contemplation, lingering, and the enjoyment of leisure. Hosted by Ellen Riccio, the podcast

  • examines commonly held beliefs and attitudes which prevent or discourage us from lingering,

  • explores ideas and cultural traditions that offer new (to us) ways of viewing life, time, and each other,

  • discusses methods for encountering various art forms,

  • and offers practical suggestions for how to incorporate these values into a modern, busy life.

Coming soon!

Gatherings

The gatherings of First Creatures offer opportunities to practice and embody themes discussed in the podcast. Based in Richmond, Virginia, these events include concerts, dinners, and other kinds of gatherings which open up space for dwelling and lingering as a community. Events include:

How to support First Creatures

First Creatures is a fiscally-sponsored project of Fractured Atlas, a 501(c)3 organization, meaning that all donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowable by law.

Donate to First Creatures here! If you sign up for monthly recurring donations of at least $5, you will receive Letters From Ellen: end-of-month emails with updates on current projects, what’s coming up next, and her latest inspirations.

Monthly donors will also be invited to a special annual event, as well as advance notification when tickets go on sale for all First Creatures events, including Dippity Dip Dinners!