Esam Boray: Ten Seconds of Courage

On episode #63 of the Speak Up Storytelling podcast, Matthew and Elysha Dicks talk storytelling! In our follow-up segment, we read listeners' emails about diversity in storytelling, the intersection between vulnerability and social media, and another way of approaching Homework for Life. We also announce our latest partnership with a fantastic new venue.   STORYTELLING SHOWS 2019-2020 September 7: “Tests” at Real Art Ways November 2: Great Hartford Story Slam, Hartford Flavor Company November 9: Sara Kaplan: Champion of the World at Emmanuel Synagogue, West Hartford, CT November 23: Twenty-one Truths About Love book release, CT Historical Society, Hartford, CT December 14: “Crafty” at CT Historical Society, Hartford, CT January 11: Speak Up at the Wadsworth Atheneum April 4: Speak Up at the Unitarian Universalist Society, Manchester, CT STORYTELLING WORKSHOPS 2019 October 4-6: Storytelling workshop, Art of Living Retreat, Boone, NC October 25-27: Storytelling workshop (beginners), Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health November 9: Storytelling workshop (Beginner), CT Historical Society November 16: Storytelling workshop (Advanced), CT Historical Society December 6-8: Storytelling workshop (advanced), Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health January 25: Storytelling workshop (Beginner), CT Historical Society February 22: Storytelling workshop (Advanced), CT Historical Society In our Homework for Life segment, Matt talks about a brief but important moment that took place beside a baggage carousel in an airport and how storyworthy moments can sometimes happen in the blink of an eye.  Next we listen to a story by Esam Boray.  Amongst the many things we discuss include: The power of contrast in storytelling Turning a story about something huge and incomprehensible into something much smaller and universalCombining anecdotes into a more cohesive narrative The importance of knowing key characters in a story well before putting them into action Slowing down key moments in stories to allow the action to unfold for your listeners We then answer a listener questions about noticing and documenting small changes over time, avoiding over-rehearsing a story, and managing my Homework for Life spreadsheet.  Finally, we each offer a recommendation.   LINKS Purchase Storyworthy: Engage, Teach, Persuade, and Change Your Life Through the Power of Storytelling Purchase Twenty-one Truths About Love  Homework for Life: https://bit.ly/2f9ZPne Matthew Dicks's website: http://www.matthewdicks.com Matthew Dicks's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/matthewjohndicks  Matthew Dicks's blog: http://www.matthewdicks.com/matthewdicksblog Subscribe to Matthew Dicks's weekly newsletter:  http://www.matthewdicks.com/matthewdicks-subscribe Subscribe to the Speak Up newsletter:  http://www.matthewdicks.com/subscribe-speak-up Subscribe to Matthew Dicks's blog: http://www.matthewdicks.com/subscribe-grin-and-bare-it RECOMMEDATIONS Elysha: When characters in musicals transition from speaking to singing - http://bit.ly/2kfjzbZ Matt: The Rewatchables - https://www.theringer.com/the-rewatchables