FAQ for Mr. Bill Berry

FAQ for mrbillberry.com

Micro Farm

Q: What is the St. Pete Micro Farm and what happens there?

A: The St. Pete Micro Farm is my creative headquarters in Saint Petersburg, Florida—a compact 1/10-acre urban oasis with over 80 species of fruiting trees, shrubs, and more. It’s where I host fire-handling intensives, one-on-one mentorship, comedy writing sessions, and collaborative creative work. We’re currently in construction mode (new construction expected to be complete late 2026), but once complete, I plan to launch a residency program for dedicated artists: stay on-site to develop shows, build props, craft new routines, write comedy or books, or thrive in a serene, collaborative community. Follow my socials or contact me for residency updates.

Q: Can I visit the Micro Farm or apply for a future residency?

A: Select visits, sessions, and co-working are available by appointment—reach out via the contact form if you’re local and serious about collaborating. The future residency will be geared toward committed creatives ready to build meaningful work in a supportive environment. Express interest through the site to get on the waitlist or discuss opportunities.

Books

Q: What books have you written?

A: My current titles are Stories That Move (raw allegorical tales of overcoming adversity, resilience, and life’s turning points) and Embracing the Flame (memoir + practical guide to fire mastery, stunt creation, body trust, and mindful philosophy). More books are coming soon—stay tuned via Patreon or the blog.

Q: What is Embracing the Flame about and who is it for?

A: It chronicles my path from street performer to Guinness World Record sword swallower, with hands-on insights on fire handling, extreme mind-body control, and Eastern-inspired wisdom. It’s essential for performers, yogis, or anyone serious about pushing limits safely. Start here if you’re drawn to my workshops—it’s the foundation.

Coaching & Workshops (Including Comedy/Writing)

Q: Do you coach entertainers, artists, writers, or comedians?

A: Yes—I mentor variety performers, jugglers, speakers, and creatives on technical skills, stage craft, and my “Complete Artist Philosophy”: mastering your discipline while building real sustainability (financial independence, home ownership, long-term balance). With growing interest in comedy and writing, I regularly host comedy writing sessions focused on crafting material for stand-up, college gigs, cruise ships, and variety acts.

Q: What about comedy writing sessions, stand-up, or business-of-entertainment workshops?

A: Comedy is a key pillar of strong shows and careers in entertainment—whether building a variety act, speaking engagement, or college/cruise circuit routine. I run regular comedy writing sessions (in-person for St. Pete locals, virtual via Patreon) where we brainstorm, refine jokes, structure sets, and tie humor into performance. I also offer workshops on the business side: booking, show building, sustainability, and turning passion into a viable career. Local St. Petersburg creatives can join in-person co-working/accountability meetups too—message me to set one up.

Fire Handling Workshops

Q: Do you offer fire-handling or “Embracing the Flame” workshops?

A: Yes—rooted in my book Embracing the Flame, I teach one-on-one and small-group fire manipulation intensives at the St. Pete Micro Farm. Sessions cover safety, gear, technique, mindset, and deep trust-building. These are hands-on and transformative for committed students. Start by reading the book, then book via Patreon for personalized training.

Sword Swallowing Instruction

Q: Do you teach sword swallowing or offer private lessons?

A: I receive this question often, as often as several times per month. Sword swallowing is an ancient, high-risk art—not a modern “pay-for-access” skill. It’s transmitted through dedicated, long-term teacher-student relationships built on trust, time, and proven commitment. Read my story of meeting a master (in Embracing the Flame and on the blog) for my philosophy on high-level instruction. I don’t offer casual or quick lessons. For those truly serious: join my Patreon at the highest tier, complete my fire-handling workshop first, read both books, engage deeply in the community, and show consistent dedication over time. Only then might mentorship be considered when readiness aligns. First step: read my blog post “(Read This First) So You Want to Learn Sword Swallowing?”—it explains the selective, safety-first path.

Yoga Specialty Workshops

Q: What yoga workshops do you offer?

A: As a certified yoga instructor, I lead specialty workshops on an as-scheduled basis for studios and teacher-training programs. My signature 2-hour workshop, “Controlling the Body and Mind,” is tailored for YTT students and practitioners of all levels—drawing from my experiences (childhood cardiac challenges to performance-level gag-reflex and breath control) with stories, techniques, and a guided 20-minute meditation.

Q: Where and how can I attend your yoga workshop?

A: Workshops are hosted periodically at requesting studios (Bella Prana Yoga in Tampa is my original home studio, where I grew up as an instructor and still contribute to YTT programs on occasion). The commute from St. Petersburg limits regular classes, so I focus on these targeted, high-impact sessions. Check the Events page or Instagram @mrbillberry for upcoming dates, or email to inquire about bringing one to your studio/group.