Frank Warren and the Post Secret

Last Tuesday, Joshua and I had the pleasure of taking Melanie and her best friend, Becah, to Mercyhurst College to hear Frank Warren speak.  For those who don’t know (and there are still a few of you), Frank started Post Secret (www.postsecret.com).  As he declared in his presentation, he is the keeper of secrets.  The premise is that you create a postcard with whatever you choose, and tell a secret on the card.  It can be funny, serious, heartbreaking, whimsical, anything.

I have read a few of the books Melanie has, and checked the website a few times, but I was certainly blown away at this man’s creation and the viral spread of this movement.  He shared secrets from all over the world, and then asked people in the audience to venture to a microphone and tell a secret.  Some were hilarious, like the girl who told us that she always feigns sickness in church so she doesn’t have to shake hands with anyone.  Some were heartbreaking, like the young man who confessed he attempted suicide, failed, and is now addicted to psych meds and pain killers.

There was also a student there from Penn State’s main campus, and she told everyone that when Frank spoke last year at her school, some girls started to anonymously write secrets on the stall walls in one of the main restrooms.  The maintenance crew keeps painting over them, but the secrets keep popping up.

Melanie and Becah were both very happy we were able to be there.  Melanie’s senior project is a Post Secret exhibit with a main concentration of Albion and the surrounding areas.  If anyone would like to send and anonymous post card, you can send it here:

Melanie Vadney/Post Secret project

23 Cliff Street

Albion, PA  16401