Elva Guo: "Finding Uncle John"

Sep 25, 2019

Elva Guo, a talented storyteller from China trained in Matthew Dicks' boot camp, shares her unique journey in storytelling. She recounts her poignant tale, 'Finding Uncle John,' reflecting on cultural nuances and personal growth. The conversation explores the power of storytelling as a bridge across different backgrounds, while Elva emphasizes the importance of crafting relatable narratives. Listeners are treated to insights into how stories can transform everyday experiences, fostering deeper connections in education and hospitality.

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ANECDOTE

Nudging Kids Beyond Fear

Matthew shares the story of gently coaxing a student, David, to climb a 25-foot wall despite his fear.
This approach highlights the power of small nudges to help others overcome personal challenges.

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ANECDOTE

Elva's Near-Kidnapping Experience

Elva Guo shares her tense experience in Guangzhou, narrowly avoiding a kidnapping by a fake 'Uncle John'.
The story conveys her fear, relief, and personal growth in navigating a dangerous situation alone.

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ADVICE

Use Deflection to Preserve Surprise

Use deflection and tone to protect story surprises until the climax.
Present false certainty to lead the audience, enhancing the impact of the reveal.

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Exploring Storytelling Techniques and Film Adaptations

04:04 • 2min

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Exploring Storytelling and Upcoming Workshop in the Berkshires

06:11 • 2min

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Celebrate the Release of a New Book with Stories and Games

08:04 • 2min

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Empowering Moments at YMCA Camp

10:12 • 4min

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The Power of Storytelling in Education

14:04 • 8min

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The Emotional Journey of Storytelling and Teaching

21:50 • 2min

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The Art of Storytelling: Navigating Life and Connection

24:01 • 25min

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Enhancing Storytelling in Healthcare and Beyond

49:05 • 7min

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#8274

• Mentioned in 4 episodes

21 Truths About Love

Matthew Dicks

#490

• Mentioned in 38 episodes

The novel follows an unnamed protagonist struggling with insomnia and a meaningless corporate job. He finds relief by attending cancer support groups, but his life changes when he meets Tyler Durden, a mysterious and charismatic figure. Together, they establish an underground fight club, which evolves into 'Project Mayhem', a cult-like organization aimed at dismantling modern society through chaos and public unrest. The book explores themes of toxic masculinity, consumerism, and the search for meaning in a postmodern world.

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• Mentioned in 8 episodes

Forrest Gump

Eric Roth

A critically acclaimed novel by Winston Groom, adapted into a successful film.

#1616

• Mentioned in 16 episodes

The firm

John Grisham

The Firm follows Mitch McDeere, a top Harvard Law graduate, who is aggressively recruited by Bendini, Lambert & Locke, a small but highly lucrative law firm in Memphis. The firm offers him an irresistible package of benefits, including a high salary, a new BMW, payment of his law school loans, and a luxurious lifestyle. However, Mitch soon discovers that the firm is involved in illegal activities, particularly money laundering for the Mafia. As an FBI investigation unfolds, Mitch is pressured to cooperate while navigating a treacherous moral landscape, trying to protect his family and his own life. The novel is a gripping tale of ambition, morality, and the high-stakes world of legal and criminal intrigue.

#234

• Mentioned in 63 episodes

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.

#1482

• Mentioned in 17 episodes

Stephen King

Published in 1986, 'It' is a horror novel by Stephen King that follows the experiences of seven children in Derry, Maine, as they are terrorized by an evil entity known as 'It'. The story alternates between two periods: 1958, when the children first encounter 'It', and 1985, when they reunite as adults to confront the monster once more. 'It' takes on various forms to exploit the fears of its victims, most commonly appearing as the clown Pennywise. The novel explores themes of childhood trauma, the power of memory, and the enduring impact of evil on the lives of its victims. It is known for its detailed world-building and the vivid depiction of the fictional town of Derry, where the story unfolds.

#734

• Mentioned in 29 episodes

Jaws

Peter Benchley

Published in 1974, 'Jaws' tells the story of a great white shark that preys upon the fictional town of Amity, a small seaside resort on Long Island. The novel follows the efforts of Police Chief Martin Brody, marine biologist Matt Hooper, and shark hunter Quint as they try to stop the shark. The book explores themes of public safety versus economic survival, marital strife, and the primal fear of nature's brutality. Despite mixed critical reviews, the novel was a huge commercial success and led to a iconic film adaptation by Steven Spielberg.

On episode #65 of the Speak Up Storytelling podcast, Matthew and Elysha Dicks talk storytelling.

In our follow-up segment, we read a listener's email about a filmmaker using a transition strategy mentioned on the podcast to great effect.

STORYTELLING SHOWS 2019-2020

November 2: Great Hartford Story Slam, Hartford Flavor Company November 9: Sara Kaplan: Champion of the World at Emmanuel Synagogue, West Hartford, CT 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 April 4: Speak Up at the Unitarian Universalist Society, Manchester, CT

STORYTELLING WORKSHOPS 2019

October 25-27: Storytelling workshop (beginners), Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health November 9: Storytelling workshop (Beginner), CT Historical Society November 16: Storytelling workshop (Advanced), CT Historical Society 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, Matt talks about a moment from his week of camp with students that would serve him well in certain spaces but might not be suited for stages like The Moth or Speak Up for specific reasons.

Next we listen to a story by Elva Guo.

Amongst the many things we discuss include: