Jerome Deroy and Julienne Ryan sit down with Dr. Anja Timmermann—historian, communication scientist, journalist, and founder of the Storytelling Symposium in Germany. With a background spanning academia, media, and neuroscience, Dr. Timmermann brings a rich, evidence-based perspective to how humans share knowledge, build connection, and lead through story.

She begins with a vivid moment of culture shock—standing in a Manhattan bus line, a stranger in a city of millions—only to be folded into community by a handful of New Yorkers offering quarters for her fare. That small act of generosity became a lifelong metaphor: storytelling as the bridge between isolation and belonging.

You’ll Hear:

• Belonging Through Story – How a simple New York bus encounter revealed storytelling’s power to create instant community.
• From Facts to Connection – Why storytelling doesn’t distort data—it contextualizes it, allowing truth to be felt as well as known.
• Building the Storytelling Symposium – A global gathering where researchers, educators, and practitioners bring narrative competence into serious professional practice.
• The START Framework – Anja’s adaptation of the STAR model (Situation, Task, Action, Result + Transfer) to help experts translate complexity into clarity.
• Working with Scientists – How she helps data-driven minds see that story is not a compromise of accuracy, but an expansion of understanding.
• Listen Before You Tell – Why the most powerful storytellers are also great listeners—because connection starts with curiosity.

Resources

• Dr. Anja Timmermann on LinkedIn
• Storytelling Symposium: Find out more and register for the 2025 edition!
• The storytelling-symposium.de 
• Website
• LinkedIn
• Instagram
• Youtube
• Symposium on LinkedIn
• Symposium on Youtube

Narativ’s online course in partnership with New Mexico State University Global Campus:
Lead With Your Story (self-paced, on-demand course)
Podcast listeners get 25% off - Use code NARATIV → Register Here

Learn more about how to leverage Narativ’s storytelling method for your pitch and sales team: Download our free e-book, or you’re welcome to schedule a free 15-minute call with Jerome.

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