Speak Up Storytelling

Tom Reed Swale: Awfully Young

7 snips
Jan 14, 2019
Tom Reed Swale, a storyteller and vice principal, shares a humorous and relatable tale about a surprising romantic encounter during his college days. He discusses the power of self-deprecating humor and how to effectively engage audiences through storytelling. Tom highlights the importance of mood and tone, as well as the hazards of cultural references. The conversation also touches on the ethics of storytelling, particularly when it comes to sharing personal narratives involving others, providing a thoughtful perspective on the art of connection.
Ask episode
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
ANECDOTE

Tom Swale's Awkward College Romance

  • Tom Reed Swale recounts a college love story marked by awkwardness and surprise at a UConn event.
  • The story culminates in a poignant moment where Liz tells him, "you're awfully young."
INSIGHT

Crafting Real and Engaging Stories

  • Using people's full names adds realism and texture to stories.
  • Self-deprecating humor at the start gains audience sympathy immediately.
ADVICE

Start Stories With Impact

  • Start stories by plunging the audience into an engaging moment to activate their imagination.
  • Introduce backstory early to enhance the impact of later surprises and raise story stakes.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Get the app