With this episode of Storylinking, we're trying something new! Instead of the usual one-on-one conversation, I'm sharing a panel discussion from a recent event called The Future is Now, where I had the opportunity to speak alongside journalist Tyler Sonnamaker. The conversation was moderated by Jane Bunch from Revalue, a values-based investment advisory firm. Together, we explore how news and storytelling shape our communities, the responsibilities of storytellers, and the role of local media in building trust and engagement.

We dig into why reframing our relationship with media is essential for meaningful participation, how to engage with local and analytical news sources, and how storytelling can serve as a framework for action rather than just passive consumption. We also discuss strategies for focusing on impactful stories, avoiding burnout, and collaborating across diverse perspectives. If we think of stories as tools for shaping our communities, what changes in how we participate?

Check out Tyler Sonnemaker and his work:

• https://kaheawaimedia.com/
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/tylersonnemaker/

Follow Revalue and their event series The Future Is Now:

• https://www.revalueinvesting.com/
• https://www.linkedin.com/company/revalueinvesting

Check out more from Storylinking:

• https://storylinking.com (the full show site)

Key moments from this episode:

01:30 Panel Introduction: The Future is Now

01:50 Meet the Panelists: Tyler and Tom

04:27 The Power of Storytelling in Communities

04:34 Building Trust Through Storytelling

07:27 Engaging with Diverse Perspectives

09:49 Reframing Our Relationship with News

14:57 Self-Care and Collective Action

15:36 Activism and Organizing Through Stories

18:31 Finding Local and Analytical News Sources

23:43 Positive Shifts in Local Media

27:52 Responsibilities and Privileges in Storytelling

32:04 Q&A: Engaging the Media and Community

42:06 Conclusion: Intentional Media Engagement