Why storytelling literally changes brains

Welcome to Minisode Monday, where we kick off the week with something quick and actionable -- to make you more magnetic and effective -- that you can implement right away. Marsha Shandur of Yes Yes Marsha rejoins us (check out her full episode here) with ways we can harness emotions for powerful storytelling -- and what to leave out for better effect. Let's get to it! The Cheat Sheet: Telling a good story well literally floods your listener's brain with dopamine (which helps with information processing) and oxytocin (which makes them trust you more). Contrary to popular belief, it's not usually the addition of too many details that ruins good storytelling; it's not including enough of the right details. What are the right details? How living through the story made you feel -- the emotions the experience generated. As we share the story with others, tuning them in to these emotions allows them to better relate. Beginning a story with an action sequence (as Marsha demonstrates) places an information gap that helps build tension and keeps people paying attention. Internal monologue describing how events made us feel and naming the emotions experienced keep the listener hooked. Pinpointing where in the body we felt these emotions adds a visceral element that makes the story even more relatable. No spoilers -- as with our favorite television shows, we want tension to build without the ending being given away. This week, practice telling your friends short true stories in which you include how you felt when you were living them. Make sure to check out Marsha's page for AoC listeners with an exercise and extra help by which you can learn to harness emotions for powerful storytelling! Find it here. Download episode worksheet here. (Coming soon!) To learn more about social dynamics and productivity hacks, take the Art of Charm Challenge by clicking here, or text AOC to 38470. Also be sure to check out our Social Capital Intensive here! Let us know about how you put today's Minisode Monday into practice! Tweet with @TheArtofCharm in your response or write to Jordan directly: jordan@theartofcharm.com (he actually reads everything)! Full show notes at https://theartofcharm.com/podcast-episodes/minisode-monday-78-harnessing-emotions-for-powerful-storytelling/ Find out more about the team who makes The Art of Charm podcast here! Take the Art of Charm Challenge by clicking here, or text AOC to 38470. We'll take you step by step to becoming better at making personal and professional connections, becoming a better networker, increasing your personal social capital and charisma. This is for both men and women! Does your business have an Internet presence? Now save a whopping 50% on new webhosting packages here with HostGator by using coupon code CHARM! Listen to The Art of Charm, Dogma Debate, and hundreds of your favorite podcasts with the free PodcastOne app (on iOS and Android) here! HELP US SPREAD THE WORD! If you dig the show, please subscribe in iTunes and write us a review! This is what helps us stand out from the crowd and help people find the credible advice they need. Review the show in iTunes! We rely on it! http://www.theartofcharm.com/mobilereview Stay Charming!

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