On episode #81 of the Speak Up Storytelling podcast, Matthew and Elysha Dicks talk storytelling!

In our follow up segment, we share about upcoming events in the Speak Up realm and update you on the condition of Nana!

STORYTELLING SHOWS 2020

• February 8: "Storytelling for Students" at Henry A. Wolcott School, West Hartford, CT
• February 22: "Leap: Stories of Daring Risks and Epic Failures" at Bears Smokehouse/District, New Haven, CT
• March 21: Great Hartford StorySlam, Hartford Flavor Company

STORYTELLING WORKSHOPS 2020

• February 1: Storytelling workshop (Beginner), CT Historical Society
• February 22: Storytelling workshop (Advanced), CT Historical Society
• March 7: Storytelling workshop (Master class), CT Historical Society
• March 21: Storytelling workshop (Advanced), CT Historical Society

In our Homework for Life segment, we talk about strategies that storytellers can use to cause an audience to experience emotions similar to the emotions the storyteller experienced within the story.

Next we listen to a story by John Devan Sandiford.

Amongst the many things we discuss include:

1. Excellent opening sentences.

2. Delivery as a key element to humor

3. Identifying race without identifying skin color

4. Allowing scenes to unfold for the audience like they unfolded for the storyteller

5. Avoiding sentences that telegraph the next moment

Next we answer questions from listeners about visions in storytelling and the use of thesis statements when preparing to craft a story.

Lastly, we each offer a recommendation.

RECOMMEDATIONS

Elysha:

• Little Women (film)
• How Greta Gerwig Built Her Little Women: https://nyti.ms/30vgVQ5
• Does the Academy Think Little Women Directed Itself? http://bit.ly/30jj3di

Matt:

• Scott McCloud's Understanding Comics: https://amzn.to/3a4nX2x

LINKS

Coming to terms with being an imperfect dad: https://wapo.st/2NsNxo5

Purchase Storyworthy: Engage, Teach, Persuade, and Change Your Life Through the Power of Storytelling: https://amzn.to/2H3YNn3

Purchase Twenty-one Truths About Love: https://amzn.to/35Mz1xS

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

On episode #80 of the Speak Up Storytelling podcast, Matthew Dicks analyzes his own story "The Avocado Melt" in an episode we call Storytelling Forensics.

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

On episode #79 of the Speak Up Storytelling podcast, Matthew and Elysha Dicks talk storytelling!

In our follow up segment, we we share Homework for Life success stories from several listeners and attempt to shame a sibling into joining her brother and sister in Homework for Life.

STORYTELLING SHOWS 2020

• January 11: "Still Life: Stories of Stopping and Slowing Down" at the Wadsworth Atheneum
• February 8: "Storytelling for Students at Henry A. Wolcott School, West Hartford, CT
• March 21: Great Hartford StorySlam, Hartford Flavor Company

STORYTELLING WORKSHOPS 2020

• February 1: Storytelling workshop (Beginner), CT Historical Society
• February 22: Storytelling workshop (Advanced), CT Historical Society

In our Homework for Life segment, we talk about how often we might find ourselves in the midst of a story and must exercise patience, waiting for the moment when the story is ready to be told. Matt shares two stories in his life that are 15 and 42 years in the making.

Next we listen to a story by John Cuyler.

Amongst the many things we discuss include:

1. Excellent opening sentences.

2. The power of contrast

3. Assigning double duty to words, sentences and ideas

4. Vocalization techniques

5. The use of anecdote over exposition when trying to make a point

Next we answer questions from listeners about the 5 tips Matt offers brand new Moth GrandSLAM storytellers, a new way of practicing storytelling in your every day life (3-2-1), and advice from a listener on Homework for Life.

Lastly, we each offer a recommendation.

RECOMMEDATIONS

Elysha:

• The New York Times crossword app

Matt:

• TheHappyBroadcast.com

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

On episode #78 of the Speak Up Storytelling podcast, Matthew Dicks analyzes his own story "Searching for the Holy Grail" in an episode we call Storytelling Forensics.

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

On episode #77 of the Speak Up Storytelling podcast, special guest Kathy Binder and I talk storytelling!

This week's episode features the first half of a storytelling show at Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health in Stockbridge, Massachusetts as part of a weekend of storytelling instruction.

Following the stories, Kathy and I discuss each one.

We hope you enjoy!

LINKS

Purchase Storyworthy: Engage, Teach, Persuade, and Change Your Life Through the Power of Storytelling: https://amzn.to/2H3YNn3

Purchase Twenty-one Truths About Love: https://amzn.to/2qEByex

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

On episode #76 of the Speak Up Storytelling podcast, special guest Kathy Binder and I talk storytelling!

This week's episode features the first half of a storytelling show at Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health in Stockbridge, Massachusetts as part of a weekend of storytelling instruction.

Following the stories, Jeni and I discuss each one.

We hope you enjoy!

LINKS

Purchase Storyworthy: Engage, Teach, Persuade, and Change Your Life Through the Power of Storytelling: https://amzn.to/2H3YNn3

Purchase Twenty-one Truths About Love: https://amzn.to/2qEByex

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

On episode #75 of the Speak Up Storytelling podcast, Matthew and Elysha Dicks talk storytelling!

In our follow up segment, we discuss last week's book launch event. We also direct listeners to our new Soundcloud account and Matt's updated YouTube channel. We also ask listeners to help solve a problem.

STORYTELLING SHOWS 2019-2020

• December 14: "Crafty" at CT Historical Society, Hartford, CT
• January 11: "Still Life: Stories of Stopping and Slowing Down" at the Wadsworth Atheneum
• February 8: "Storytelling for Students at Henry A. Wolcott School, West Hartford, CT
• March 21: Great Hartford StorySlam, Hartford Flavor Company

STORYTELLING WORKSHOPS 2019-2020

• February 1: Storytelling workshop (Beginner), CT Historical Society
• February 22: Storytelling workshop (Advanced), CT Historical Society

In our Homework for Life segment, we talk about an unexpected reaction to jury duty and how that might become a story. We also talk about ways to avoid overcomplicating a story.

Next we listen to a story by Joey Meyer.

Amongst the many things we discuss include:

1. Saying big, important things by telling the story of a small, brief, encounter

2. Outstanding openings and the power of perpetuating a mystery throughout the story

3. Sliding details about location seamlessly into the narrative

4. Effective sentence structure

5. The hazards of harming animals in a story

Next we answer questions from listeners about storytelling for job interviews and how writers can transfer what they do from the page to the stage.

Lastly, we each offer a recommendation.

RECOMMEDATIONS

Elysha:

• Fleabag

Matt:

• Mike Birbiglia's "The New One"

LINKS

Cardboard Knight: http://bit.ly/2YdewZ9

The Robbery: http://bit.ly/2P6339z

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

On episode #74 of the Speak Up Storytelling podcast, we air the launch of Matthew Dicks's latest novel "Twenty-one Truths About Love."

The episode features stories about the publishing of the book, Elysha playing her ukulele and singing for just the third time in public, and much more!

STORYTELLING SHOWS 2019-2020 December 14: "Crafty" at CT Historical Society, Hartford, CT January 11: "Still Life: Stories of Stopping and Slowing Down" at the Wadsworth Atheneum February 8: "Storytelling for Students at Henry A. Wolcott School, West Hartford, CT

STORYTELLING WORKSHOPS 2019-2020 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

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

On episode #73 of the Speak Up Storytelling podcast, Matthew Dicks analyzes his own story, "Naked and Wet," in an episode we call Storytelling Forensics.

STORYTELLING SHOWS 2019-2020 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: "Still Life: Stories of Stopping and Slowing Down" at the Wadsworth Atheneum February 8: "Storytelling for Students at Henry A. Wolcott School, West Hartford, CT

STORYTELLING WORKSHOPS 2019-2020 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

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

On episode #72 of the Speak Up Storytelling podcast, Matthew and Elysha Dicks talk storytelling alongside the first Great Hartford Storyslam winner, Chris Gaffney!

In our follow up segment, we discuss (and decide upon) the name for the start-and-stop episode that was so popular with our listeners.

STORYTELLING SHOWS 2019-2020 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: "Still Life: Stories of Stopping and Slowing Down" at the Wadsworth Atheneum February 8: "Storytelling for Students at Henry A. Wolcott School, West Hartford, CT April 4: Speak Up at the Unitarian Universalist Society, Manchester, CT

STORYTELLING WORKSHOPS 2019-2020 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, we talk about how a story can hinge on the way a conversation can suddenly change the way you see the world.

Next we listen to the winning story from the very first Great Hartford Storyslam, told by Chris Gaffney.

Amongst the many things we discuss include:

1. Balancing tone in a story with a combination of humor, tension, suspense, and more.

2. Effective choices for the opening a story

3. The effective advancing of space and time for both time and verisimilitude in a story

4. Preserving surprise by allowing the audience to experience the events of a story in a way that is similar to how the storyteller experienced them

5. The value (and possible danger) of subtlety in storytelling

Then we answer a listener questions about evoking emotion from an audience and make some recommendations.

RECOMMEDATIONS

Elysha:

• What Your Child Would Tell You About ADHD If They Had the Words

Matt:

• The 22 Rules of Storytelling According to Pixar

Chris:

• Newspapers

LINKS

Uncommon Discourse: http://uncommondiscourse.com

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