Lenny's Podcast: Product | Growth | Career

How to tell better stories | Matthew Dicks (Storyworthy)

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Dec 15, 2023

Matthew Dicks, a best-selling author and storytelling expert, shares his insights on crafting compelling narratives. He emphasizes the transformative power of storytelling in business, highlighting how personal experiences can create emotional connections. Dicks discusses techniques like starting with the ending and maintaining audience engagement through humor. He also introduces his 'Homework for Life' practice, a method to capture meaningful moments for storytelling. Plus, he offers tips on overcoming public speaking nerves, making storytelling both relatable and impactful.

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00:00 / 00:00

Storytelling for Memorability

Storytelling is crucial for being memorable, especially in business, because our minds don't remember facts or figures as easily as stories.
Without stories, your message gets lost in the noise, like a forgotten conference presentation.

00:00 / 00:00

The Five-Second Moment

Every compelling story revolves around a five-second moment of transformation or realization.
This pivotal moment provides the story's core, giving it meaning and impact.

00:00 / 00:00

Start at the End

Start your stories at the end, with the five-second moment, to ensure a clear message.
Knowing the ending helps structure the story and keeps the audience engaged.

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The Comedian

Maria Bamford

Storyworthy

Engage, Teach, Persuade, and Change Your Life through the Power of Storytelling

Matthew Dicks

In 'Storyworthy,' Matthew Dicks provides a comprehensive guide on the art of storytelling. The book is divided into three parts: Finding your story, Crafting your story, and Telling your story. Dicks shares his own stories to illustrate key points and offers tips and exercises to help readers improve their storytelling skills. He emphasizes the importance of identifying a 'five-second moment' of transformation or realization in every story and provides techniques for making stories engaging and memorable. The book is designed to help anyone become a better storyteller, whether for personal or professional purposes, and highlights how storytelling can deepen connections with others and enhance one's own life[1][3][5].

In the Heart of the Sea

The Tragedy of the Whaleship Essex

Nathaniel Philbrick

In 'In the Heart of the Sea,' Nathaniel Philbrick recounts the tragic story of the whaleship Essex, which was rammed and sunk by an angry sperm whale in the South Pacific in 1820. The book details the crew's desperate struggle to survive in three small whaleboats, facing extreme conditions such as starvation, dehydration, and cannibalism. Philbrick uses accounts from the ship's crew, including those of first mate Owen Chase and cabin boy Thomas Nickerson, to provide a detailed and gripping narrative. The book also explores the broader context of Nantucket's whaling community and the impact of the Essex tragedy on American literature, notably inspiring Herman Melville's 'Moby Dick.'

Happy-Go-Lucky

David Sedaris

In 'Happy-Go-Lucky,' David Sedaris reflects on the pandemic, his father's death, and various personal and public upheavals with his signature wit and sharp observations. The book includes stories about his walks during lockdown, his relationships with his family, and his experiences on the road, highlighting both the absurdity and the poignancy of these times. Sedaris tackles serious topics like loss, aging, and social unrest while maintaining his characteristic humor and irreverence.

The Tale of Despereaux

Kate DiCamillo

The Tale of Despereaux follows the adventures of Despereaux Tilling, a small mouse with large ears and a love for music, stories, and a princess named Pea. The story also involves a rat named Roscuro, who covets a world filled with light, and Miggery Sow, a serving girl with a simple yet impossible wish to be a princess. These characters' journeys intertwine as they navigate the castle, the dungeon, and each other's lives, exploring themes of bravery, kindness, and the power of light over darkness.

I'll Show Myself Out

Jessi Klein

In 'I'll Show Myself Out', Jessi Klein hilariously challenges cultural myths and expectations around motherhood, delving into the humiliations, poignancies, and possibilities of midlife. The book features interconnected essays that explore life's cruel ironies, joyous moments, and bittersweetness with Klein's signature candor and humanity.