Matthew Dicks

Matthew Dicks, a master storyteller and competition champion, shares the secrets of effective storytelling. He explains why many leaders fail to engage their audiences and reveals counterintuitive techniques that captivate listeners. The discussion includes the importance of emotional connection, the art of crafting compelling narratives, and the distinction between stories and mere anecdotes. Dicks highlights common storytelling pitfalls and offers strategies for finding impactful stories in everyday life, proving that anyone can become a better storyteller.

Matthew Dicks, an internationally bestselling author and master storyteller, shares his transformative journey from trauma to triumph. He discusses actionable strategies for turning dreams into reality, emphasizing the importance of setting achievable goals and the balance between process and results. Dicks highlights the power of storytelling in personal growth and encourages listeners to embrace creativity in every moment, illustrating how small, consistent efforts can lead to significant success. His insights inspire a proactive mindset toward pursuing meaningful aspirations.

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.

Matthew Dicks, an author renowned for his book "Someday is Today," shares wisdom on goal-setting without regret. Ryder Carroll, the creator of the Bullet Journal method, reveals how structured brainstorming can revolutionize productivity. Cal Newport, a professor and digital minimalism advocate, discusses the importance of intentional time management and the mental toll of constant multitasking. Together, they highlight the intersection of productivity and self-care, emphasizing that effective time management can lead to a fulfilling and meaningful life.

Matthew Dicks, a best-selling novelist and storytelling coach, shares his insights on the art of storytelling in business communication. He believes that narratives can transform ordinary messages into memorable experiences. Dicks emphasizes practical techniques for crafting compelling stories, from setting scenes to creating suspense. He also discusses the importance of reflection in uncovering everyday tales, noting that becoming a better storyteller can elevate one's career and make leaders more engaging.

Sophie Medlin, a registered dietitian, emphasizes the mind-gut connection and how dietary diversity can boost brain health. Matthew Dicks, a storyteller, shares innovative goal-setting techniques for achieving dreams, urging listeners to redefine productivity. Dr. Aria, a psychologist, offers insights on cultivating self-confidence and self-love as a foundation for personal success. Cal Newport, an author on digital minimalism, discusses designing a lifestyle aligned with personal values, encouraging listeners to prioritize meaningful work over societal pressures.

Matthew Dicks, a storyteller and communications consultant, shares his insights on creativity and productivity. He discusses practical strategies from his book, focusing on thinking in minutes and mastering time management through the eagle-and-mouse metaphor. Dicks emphasizes the importance of questioning societal norms and embracing imperfection to foster resilience. He champions prioritizing meaningful experiences over trivial concerns and highlights actionable tactics for personal growth while advocating for kindness and self-reflection in everyday life.

Matthew Dicks is a storyteller, communications consultant, and author of 'Someday is Today.' He shares powerful tactics to boost creativity and productivity, including thinking in minutes and adopting an 'eagle mindset' for challenging norms. Dicks advocates for self-reflection and the concept of a 100-year vision to prioritize long-term goals. His quirky ideas, like flossing in the shower, highlight the importance of creativity in routine. He emphasizes letting go of perfectionism and embracing benign neglect in both personal and professional spheres.

Matthew Dicks, a five-time Moth GrandSlam winner and author of 'Storyworthy', shares his storytelling expertise. He emphasizes that anyone can learn to tell compelling stories, using everyday moments for rich narratives. Dicks introduces 'Homework for Life,' a technique to discover hidden stories in daily experiences. He discusses the importance of engaging beginnings and endings, as well as the pitfalls to avoid in storytelling. Plenty of practical advice awaits, including how great stories don't need grand events to capture attention.

This is a rebroadcast. The episode originally ran in July 2019. Matthew Dicks is an author, columnist, teacher, storyteller, podcaster, blogger, playwright, and more. He is the co-founder and artistic director of Speak Up, a storytelling organization that produces shows throughout New England as well as a weekly podcast, and the author of Storyworthy. He's also the CEO of StoryworthyMD, where he teaches storytelling online. He consults with Fortune 500 companies, universities, attorneys, entrepreneurs, the clergy, and many more on storytelling and communication. Matthew is a 58-time Moth StorySLAM champion and 9-time GrandSLAM champion and has told stories for a wide range of events, radio shows, and performance venues. He lives in Connecticut with his wife, Elysha, and their two children. Highlights 07:26 With his wife runs an organization called “Speak Up” which puts on storytelling events 08:13 The science of telling a good story, i.e., public speaking in an engaging way 10:15 Basic storytelling principles: Know what a story is: a moment in your life that is transformational and reflects change over time, as opposed to a simple retelling of chronological events. Ask yourself: Am I speaking about a moment in my life that changed me in some way? You can’t really change your audience with a story unless that story changed you. Share something of yourself, that makes you authentic and vulnerable. Being vulnerable to others also makes you safe to others, and they will be more willing to be vulnerable with you. Set out to have your listeners feel like they connected with you in the end. Showing emotion is acceptable so long as you can speak your truth in a clear way. 21:10 Teaching from scripture versus sharing of yourself It is hard for people to care about the scriptural content or lesson unless they can see a relatable example of application from a person they trust. 24:26 Using our own stories versus using “borrowed” stories, e.g., using a story given in General Conference in a sacrament meeting talk Telling your own story is the best way to be authentic. 26:50 Improving our storytelling: “Homework for life”: Before going to bed, ask yourself “what’s the most story-worthy moment of today?” Write it down. Explore why and how the experience changed you. Matt has noticed that he has changed every day of his life, as documented in his “Homework for life” spreadsheet. Frame of the story is most important: what is the end, and what is the beginning? Must have some entertainment value. Jump right into the story. Stay within the story. Remember the story without memorizing–rehearse! Tell the story in “scenes”. How to tell a story “on the spot”: what does something mean to me? Listeners should know how you are different at the end of the story from the beginning. Asking “why?” five times about your storyworthy moments. I.e.: Today I was changed by X experience. Why did X experience change me? Why A? Because B. But, why B? Because C. Why C? Because D. Etc. 55:21 Storytime! 65:49 Reviewing and deconstructing the story 72:25 How storytelling has helped him become a better person Links MatthewDicks.com Storyworthy: Engage, Teach, Persuade, and Change Your Life through the Power of Storytelling TED Talk: Homework for Life Speak Up Storytelling StoryworthyMD.com YouTube stories Art of Manliness podcast episode Watch this podcast on YouTube Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org. Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg,