Storytelling School

I’m 12 years old. It’s summertime, and we’re on our annual family trip to Bainbridge Island off the coast of Seattle. I love going on these trips, and one of my favorite things about them is getting to see family friends Bob and Denise perform in a different play. This particular summer they’re doing The Pirates of Penzance. After the show is over, Bob and Denise walk up to me and ask, “Kymberlee, what was your favorite part?” I’m thinking that since they’re both in it, I don’t really want to pick sides. So I talk about everything: the amazing set design, Bob’s incredible costume, Denise’s epic singing, the cool set, the fantastic dancing, the memorable characters... After each mention, Bob and Denise just stare at me. But I can’t pick just one thing; I love it all! Years later, I realize that what I loved most was… The live experience of story! Seeing it played out right in front of my eyes and ears made each story unforgettable. My special guest today, Mary Lauren, tells stories in multifaceted ways. She directs them, writes them, produces them, performs them, and choreographs them. And in this episode of the Storytelling School podcast, we dive into her tips and techniques on bringing stories to life with questions like: How do you know if a particular story you want to tell is important? What should you always do when you get handed a script for your role? What’s the benefit of playing darker characters? And what can you do when you’re struggling to connect to your story? What you will learn in this episode: How you can bring truth to a character in your story What storytelling aspect can initially stymie a new storyteller Why listening is the key to everything as a performer and storyteller Who is Mary? Mary Lauren is a passionate and multifaceted artist who loves to tell stories. She has had work seen Off-Broadway and regionally as a director, writer, performer, producer, and choreographer. She’s a proud member of the Actors’ Equity Association (AEA) with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. Mary has written several new works, in addition to choreographing and acting as the lead dancer in the short film Dream of Spring (which has been featured in festivals all over the world). Some other acting credits include: The Last 5 Years, Gypsy, Sarah Was Mine, Sophia!, My Shadow and Me, and Hamlet. For almost 20 years, Mary has directed and educated artists. As artistic director of Heart String Theatrical, she created the streaming live/filmed piece Loving You Always. Her cabarets have raised money for artists and for organizations including the NAACP and ACLU. Mary also serves as the Youth Artistic Director at AMT Theatre, a new Off-Broadway Theater in Times Square. She loves working with young artists and finds inspiration from their exuberance and stories. Over 50 productions with young artists have been directed by her including original pieces and published works like Seussical, Annie, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Beauty and the Beast, and more. Links and Resources: Mary Lauren @MaryLaurenW on Instagram @MaryLaurenOnline on Facebook AMT Theatre @HeartStringTheatrical on Instagram Storytelling School Website @storytellingschool on Instagram @storytellingSchool on Facebook

I'm a high school freshman. It’s 2 o’clock in the morning on a school day and I can't sleep, so I get up and wander into our living room. My Dad’s in there taking notes and reviewing video footage of our rival softball team we’re set to play later that day. He’s the head coach of our varsity team and often sends someone to scout out the opponent, so this is a common scene in our household. I say to him, “Dad, why do you spend so much time researching other teams?” “Because the more effort you put in behind the scenes, the more success you’ll have when it’s game time,” he explains. That knowledge bomb was spot on and Dad was right. All those nights and obsessing over the details was worth it since we never lost a single in-league game over the four years I played high school softball. Crazy, right?!? And my special guest today, Marc Bonanni, knows all about research and dissecting what works when it comes to storytelling. In this episode of the Storytelling School podcast, we explore breakdowns and deep dives of story using his encyclopedic knowledge of everything Broadway and Musical Theatre. Marc also answers questions like: What’s the difference between film and theater regarding what’s essential to make a story? What can you use as a performer to make your storytelling successful? Why has Marvel Studios succeeded with their stories when others have failed (and in what way do their movies resemble musicals)? And what makes a character work well (or not work at all)? What you will learn in this episode: What your responsibility is as a storyteller How the public mindset can affect the success of a story How decades-old, discarded stories can take on new life Who is Marc? Marc Bonanni is a Musical Theatre Historian based in Brooklyn, NY. He has a beautiful wife who works on Broadway and two amazing, if dramatic, daughters. His YouTube channel, Broadway By Ghostlight, has featured several Broadway and television favorites and is slowly growing to become a favorite among the theater crowd. When not knee-deep in editing his videos, Marc is usually attending a Broadway show or napping. Links and Resources: Broadway By Ghostlight on YouTube @BwayGhostlight on Twitter @BwayGhostlight on Instagram Storytelling School Website @storytellingschool on Instagram @storytellingSchool on Facebook

My husband Mark and I are at a venue about to give a presentation on the new software application we’ve developed. It's a big deal! We’re in our hometown with a room full of people waiting, and this is the first time we’re showing off what we’ve created. Standing at the front of the room and getting ready to start, we’re plugging in our computers to test everything, and…  There’s no internet?!? Our software needs the internet to run so we start panicking. The audience is getting restless now because we’re late in starting our presentation.  Trying to maintain our composure, Mark and I decide to switch to our PowerPoint presentation which we’ve worked on for weeks and weeks. We fire up the projector and… the light bulb isn’t working and we can’t see our slides!  People are running around the room now, trying to get the internet up and the projector working. Cue mild-to-escalating freaking out mode.  So I take Mark behind the curtain, put my hands on his shoulders, and say, “I know everything’s going wrong, and I’ve got your back. Let’s just.. tell our story.” We come back out to face the audience and tell them the story of how we created our software application, why it matters and what our vision is for its future.  And… it turns out to be a huge success! In this installment of the “So You Think You Want to Become a Storyteller” series, I dive deep into how public speakers can use storytelling to capture an audience’s attention and answer so many good questions like: How can a personal story help you build rapport in your audience right away? How does storytelling help make meaty content about dry subject matters in speeches and presentations more relatable and memorable? And how can you tell a story to an audience who shares an experience you’ve never had? What you will learn in this episode: How voice changes, body language, and facial expressions enhance storytelling and audience engagement How storytelling helps establish and bolster your credibility How stories can be used to inspire action or motivate your audience to make a change A little about me: Hi there. I’m Kymberlee. As a Speaking Strategist and founder of Storytelling School, I’ve had the pleasure of working with over 500 speakers, business leaders, and entrepreneurs worldwide for over a decade. No matter if those folks were getting ready to take the TED or TEDx stage or preparing for a high-stakes presentation with everything on the line, my specialty is High Stakes Short Form Communication. I’ve seen what works when influencing change and what doesn’t. It turns out storytelling is one of the most powerful tools you can have in your arsenal. That’s why I’m building a movement of master storytellers to affect change in the world on a global scale to help people tell real stories that have influence and impact. With effective storytelling, you change people’s lives. Since competition for potential client attention is fierce, a story can make the difference between being memorable or irrelevant. You’ll find me sharing my matcha tea mishap to discuss perfectionism, my quest for Bruce Lee and Hello Kitty art to explore kindness, or the six months of live blade training I underwent to illustrate presence. I spend my days showing the power of using stories to help cement ideas and bring lessons to life and teaching my clients to do the same. If you think business owners can’t tell stories or don’t have stories to share with their clients, staff, donors, followers, or investors, I invite you to reconsider your perspective. There’s no better place than in business to tell your stories so audiences, no matter how big or small, can understand how you think and what you value. Now it’s your turn... If you’re ready to become a master storyteller and effect change in our world, you’ve come to the right place. Links and Resources: Storytelling School Website @storytellingschool on Instagram

It’s a Tuesday night. I’m teaching my Improv class and ask the students to tell me one reason why they came. “I want to work on character voices tonight,” says one person. A few others in the room are here for that too. “I want to work on being more physical tonight,” says another student who also has others echoing the same sentiment. Then a third person pipes up with, “I want to escape.”  It’s so silent you can hear a pin drop. He goes on to say, “I’ve gotten some really tough news today and just want to leave the outside world behind. I just want to play. I just want to laugh.” And so I tell him, “You’re in the right place. You have 100% permission to play.” Sometimes, we just need a change in our story. We need to escape in order to create a different chapter or trajectory, and sometimes that results in something incredibly delicious (even beyond our wildest dreams). Singer and songwriter Priska, my special guest today, has used music to not only change her story but also the lives of so many. In this episode of the Storytelling School Podcast, she talks about the power of positive internal dialogue, why surface appearances don’t always tell the real story, storytelling through song as a sensitive person, and the transformative power of stories. She also answers questions like: How can a traumatic experience actually open up your curiosity about yourself and the world and the stories you create from it? What needs to happen to make the resolution of a story worth it? And how important is it for people to hear diverse voices tell their stories? What you will learn in this episode: How isolation can have an effect on your ability to create stories How music can help you redefine your internal story Why the world needs to know the stories of your heritage Who is Priska? Priska is a Taiwanese-American singer and songwriter from Los Angeles, California who, despite her small stature, will draw you in with her big voice and intimate lyrics. She has performed and competed in various international showcases and singing competitions. In 2018, she released her debut EP State Change which features soaring vocals, lush instrumentation, and cinematic lyrics. A lifelong lover of feeling out songs with her heart, Priska will take you on an emotional journey that involves heartache, loss, and learning to carve your own path. In August of 2020, she started the podcast Two Horny Goats with director and friend Roxy Shih, where the two chat about food, sexuality, and the damaging effects of Asian-American stereotypes. Links and Resources: Two Horny Goats podcast State Change - Spotify | iTunes @priskamusik on Instagram @priskamusik on Facebook @priskamusik on Youtube @priskacooks on TikTok Storytelling School Website @storytellingschool on Instagram @storytellingSchool on Facebook

“Hello, Master Kymberlee.” I’ll never forget hearing those words for the first time. I’d just earned my Fourth-Degree Black Belt in Dynamic Circle Hapkido. And standing in the dojo, after receiving that greeting from a fellow martial artist, makes me reflect on my 20+ years of Martial Arts training. In that moment, I can’t help but think about what it truly means to master something. Fast forward to real-time today on the eve of my Fifth-Degree Black Belt Test. The actual test I have coming up is simply a moment in time. The pursuit of mastery, though, is an evolving adventure on every level, and the gift of mastery is an entire story of evolved learning, growth, accomplishment, and surprise based on a singular skill. Adam C. Hall has spent a good part of his career studying for mastery of the intellectual kind. And as my special guest on today’s episode of the Storytelling School Podcast, he and I unpack and get into this world of genius, mastery, and success by delving into questions like: What is genius, really, and how does it tie into the story of your potential? What bonus benefit comes out of sharing your traumatic stories? Why is there no such thing as bad stories? And where does relatability in your story ultimately come from? What you will learn in this episode: What long-lasting impact freeing yourself from old stories can have How to find the story you want to tell to an audience What helps your story come alive more than mere words can Who is Adam? Adam C. Hall is an intellectual master. He’s the creator of the Genius Process and founder and CEO of Genius Studios. He has three decades of experience as an impact investor and entrepreneur. He’s trained in shamanism and is a teacher of A Course in Miracles. And since 2007, he has been conserving land and working with global evolutionary leaders as the founder of the EarthKeeper Alliance. Adam is also a four-time published author whose teachings integrate science, spirituality, and success. He’s been a featured presenter at numerous summits and conferences, guested on over 100 radio and TV shows, and given more than 40 speeches and keynote addresses. Currently residing in Santa Barbara, California, he’s the proud father of three daughters and grandad to seven granddaughters. Links and Resources: Adam C. Hall adam@adamhall.solutions @the_geniusstudio on Instagram @EarthKeeperAdam on Facebook Storytelling School Website @storytellingschool on Instagram @storytellingSchool on Facebook

It’s 2002. I’ve just come up with a brilliant idea with someone I met at a networking event. We’re in the right place at the right time as this idea involves the creation of a software application that’s never been done before. We get the greenlight to develop this software application for TED. But there’s a problem... As a technologist who has written books on Flash programming, I have a vision for how this might work. Yet I’m not a designer. However, I happen to be running a technology conference and know that the best designers and developers in the world are right there! So we ask for the best to come on board and help this idea take shape by creating an email titled, “Want to Play?” in the subject line. Eight weeks later, we unveil this back-of-the-napkin idea to HUGE success! And it is 100% because of the design, interaction with the software, and what the experience felt like for clients. My special guest today, Ryan Ford, has over two decades of experience as a professional, award-winning designer influencing the stories of products, companies, and brands. And today on the Storytelling School Podcast, he joins me to talk about how the world of design and the world of storytelling intertwine. So if you’re curious to know: What’s the difference between people’s perception of design and its reality? How can you cater your story to different audiences when pitching ideas? How does the design process itself parallel storytelling? Then tune in as we cover it all. And along the way, you’ll be treated to stories involving anime, outcasts, an ice cream cone-licking sloth, and one movie studio’s ability to drive your emotions better than most businesses you’ll encounter. What you will learn in this episode: Why design and storytelling go hand-in-hand Why you should look at audience first, then story second How you can successfully reposition a long-told story with a simple change Who is Ryan? Ryan Ford is an accomplished designer and leader with over 24 years of design experience. He’s built design teams and helped businesses that have had significant cultural impact such as Chime, Deviantart, and Crunchyroll. Among his many other acknowledgements, he received recognition from the California Senate for contributions to eco sustainability through design. Ryan focuses his time on authoring transformative design thought pieces and mentoring young designers, when not enjoying time in his day job or with his family. Links and Resources: Ryan Ford Ryan’s article - “Design is not a formula, it’s an odyssey: replacing the Double Diamond” @ryanford on LinkedIn @ryanford on Medium @ryanford on Mastodon Storytelling School Website @storytellingschool on Instagram @storytellingSchool on Facebook

I’m lying in a hospital bed after my cement truck accident in Hawaii. While I survived, the doctor comes into the room and tells me that something didn’t: “Kymberlee, I’m sorry to tell you this, but you’ve lost your taste and smell forever.” When I get released, I’m craving everything you can imagine. I want to smell and taste it all, especially chocolate chip cookies. But I can’t, and my friend says to me, “Why don’t you just eat rice cakes from now on? Doesn’t matter what you eat.” So that’s what I do, for years and years. I kind of give up on the pleasure of food and eating. But then I start dating a guy who happens to be a chef. He comes over to my house and is horrified at the contents of my fridge: Red Bull, PowerBars, and vodka. That’s all that’s in there! That was my diet at the time. In the months and years to follow, he completely transforms my relationship with food. Instead of eating to survive, I learn to appreciate food again... But not just any food. I notice how my body feels when I eat certain kinds of food and realize that what I put into my body matters. I start eating healthy food because I feel it nourishing my body in a way food hadn’t before. My special guest today, Michael Kuech, also had a health scare that precipitated a change in his experience with food. Now, he has an entire business based on what you put on your plate. In this episode of the Storytelling School Podcast, we talk about food as a risk factor, why healthy eating can be easier (and more fun) than you think, and the emotional connectivity of the foods you choose. If you’re curious to know: How can you enjoy eating healthy as a measure to restore or keep your health story on the right track? What simple thing can you do right now to start rewriting your current eating story into a more healthy one? And how soon will you be able to tell the difference in your body and how you feel? Then tune in to hear about the doctor visit that changed everything, the woman whose wedding ring wouldn’t fit, and much more! What you will learn in this episode: How stories you tell yourself can influence your eating habits  Why adding a healthy eating story into your daily life can be quick, easy, and fun What you can do to break down your emotional connectivity to what you eat Who is Michael? Michael Kuech is a sought-after speaker who was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 24. While recovering, his then-girlfriend Kristel helped boost his immunity with superfoods and a plant-based eating plan. Together, they started their B corp company Your Super--a company with a mission to improve people’s health with the power of super plants. Your Super went from just the two of them in Kristel’s kitchen to an international community of over a million health-conscious enthusiasts that has sold products worth over $200 million. They work with small farmers to provide the cleanest superfood mixes, plant-based proteins, and organic snacks for everyday health, detoxing, immunity, hormone health, and gut support. Michael has been featured on shows and in publications like The Doctors, Good Day L.A., CheddarTV, People, Well+ Good, Real Simple, Parade, InStyle, and more. Recently, he and Kristel were married and just welcomed their first mini-plant lover, a baby boy they named Leo. And when not residing in Los Angeles, they go wherever their farmers have an extra hammock. Links and Resources: Your Super Your Super Life: 100+ Delicious, Plant-Based Recipes Made with Nature’s Most Powerful Superfoods by Kristel de Groot & Michael Kuech @kristelandmichael on Instagram @yoursuperfoods on Instagram Michael’s TEDx Talk - “One Big Threat to Humanity Is What’s On Our Plates” Storytelling School Website @storytellingschool on Instagram @storytellingSchool on Facebook

At eight years old, my Dad is living on a farm in Illinois. It’s Christmas morning and time to open presents. His brother opens his first; it’s a new train set and he’s ecstatic! But my Dad notices that there’s no gift with his name on it under the tree. Did he do something wrong? Are his parents upset with him? These thoughts run through his head when his parents tell him, “Your gift is outside by the barn. Go ahead!” So my dad goes outside, and there’s a Shetland pony waiting for him! Now, he’s never been around ponies. They don’t even have horses of any kind. Yet dad and this pony (who he names Captain) become the best of friends. They’re inseparable! He even teaches Captain how to shake hands! Sixty years later, my Dad still tells me stories about the antics he and Captain got up to and the lessons he learned that still affect him to this day. My special guest today is a pioneer in so many ways, and his own bond with a four-legged friend provided the spark to change his life and the lives of others. Duey Freeman is a licensed therapist and “horse whisperer” who not only has amassed stories through his own incredible life but is also changing the life stories of his clients. In this episode of the Storytelling School Podcast, he talks about how his work helps those with stories involving attachment issues, we explore the relation between storytelling and relationship development, and he answers questions like: Why are horses so good at helping those suffering from stories of traumatic events? And how are we physiologically affected by the stories we tell (or hear from others)? What you will learn in this episode: How relationships in the wild affect stories of survival How storytelling can influence your nervous system What primarily causes attachment between two beings (in stories and real life) Who is Duey? As the co-founder of the Gestalt Equine Institute of the Rockies, Duey Freeman is a sought-after teacher, trainer, licensed therapist, and equine professional worldwide. He developed and taught practical attachment and human development theories to thousands of university students. He also has nearly 80,000 direct client hours, supervises therapists and graduate students, and has people from all over the world come to study with him. It was Duey’s bond with his beloved horse Jake (who passed away in 2015) that helped him embody tenderness, strength, and authenticity in his relations and work. He’s exploring new horizons in facilitating men’s growth work because, for him, Gestalt and Relational Horsemanship aren’t just approaches; they’re how he walks through the world. In addition, Duey does business and land consultations for new equine therapy sites. Links and Resources: Duey Freeman Gestalt Equine Institute of the Rockies Colorado Ecotherapy Institute @dueyfreeman on Instagram Storytelling School Website @storytellingschool on Instagram @storytellingSchool on Facebook

I’m running TEDxSantaBarbara in 2017 with my husband Mark. Our committee is gathering to select the speakers for the upcoming event, and we’re going through hundreds of applications. One particular application stands out with a bold statement. It claims that half of all blindness in the world is just a 10-minute surgery away from being cured. That’s an idea that absolutely deserves to be heard far and wide. But is it real? Is it actually possible? To find out, we interview the doctor behind the idea and discover that not only is it real, but it’ll change cataract surgery as we know it! We unanimously invite him to speak at our TEDx. And now, I’ve invited that doctor onto the Storytelling School podcast. In this episode, I talk with special guest Dr. Jeffrey Levenson about what has changed since his TEDx Talk in 2017, how one person who watched his Talk was inspired to fund 10000 eye surgeries, and the remarkable story behind his passion for affordable and accessible cataract surgery to all. He answers questions like: How does the rate of blindness in poor communities affect the story of those around them? What happened to him recently that changed the trajectory of his story and that of a thousand people (and potentially more)? What are doctors doing overseas for just $50 to change the story for blind people in poor countries (and is it happening in the U.S., too)? What you will learn in this episode: What the essence of a story is  Why you should never give up on telling your story What makes for the most impactful stories Who is Dr. Levenson? Jeffrey Levenson, MD is a Florida based eye surgeon and the founder of Jacksonville's Gift of Sight Program, a program that has for over 30 years assured that no one in North Florida is blind for want of a cataract surgery, regardless of their ability to pay. He's also the Chief Medical Officer of SEE International, a Santa Barbara based charity dedicated to the end of needless blindness around the world. He has spent the last ten years working around the globe to promote a re-engineered variant of cataract surgery that's less expensive, equally effective, and suitable to low resource communities. Half of all the blindness in the world is people who need a 10 minute surgery. It doesn't have to be that way. His TEDxSanta Barbara Talk points the way.   Links and Resources: Ending Preventable Blindness: reinventing cataract surgery | Jeffrey Levenson | TEDxTalk SantaBarbara 1,000 Blind People See For The First Time | MrBeast | Youtube SEE International Gift of Sight Levenson Eye Associates Storytelling School Website @storytellingschool on Instagram @storytellingSchool on Facebook

It’s 2015, and I’m ready to take the next leap. I’ve been working with speakers one-on-one for a while and want to try my hand at hosting my own event. Except, I’ve never done this before, and if I do it… will anyone even come to it? How long should it be? What content should I cover? And what about the whole performance aspect of speaking? These are the questions going through my mind when I realize that I need to ask my Improv mentor, Alan Irwin, to join me in co-hosting this event. So I reach out to him: “Hey, Alan. Want to play? This is what I’m thinking. What do you think?" He loves the idea and soon we’re planning all the details for our dream speaker power event on napkins and stickie notes.  On June 12th 2015, we host our very first live event and haven’t stopped since. And today, I’ve invited my event co-hosting partner in crime back on the Storytelling School Podcast. He and I have gained many insights and fielded many questions after years of running these events.  So in this episode, we talk about how these workshops help you, as a speaker or storyteller, effectively express your message to an audience. We touch on developing and refining your ideas on your terms, including humor in your speech, and overcoming fear related to public speaking by answering questions like: How can you effectively dig deep into exploring the ideas and stories you want to share with an audience? What’s the formula for adding humor to your Talk, and how does humor benefit you as the speaker or storyteller? How can you work on the fear you feel when telling a story or sharing your ideas in a presentation? And how does Improv influence you as a communicator or storyteller? What you will learn in this episode: How immersion helps you embody your stories and ideas What approach to take if you want to incorporate humor into your speech How to take on a character when you’re afraid of giving a Talk or sharing your story Who is Alan? Storytelling has played a role in both of Alan Irwin’s careers in different ways. He recently retired from a career spent in the infrared industry as a senior software engineer by day. However, he stumbled into Improvisational Comedy in his 30s and by night has performed it for over 30 years, while also spending most of that time teaching Improv. Improvisation has transformed Alan’s teaching. His secret weapon lies in his penchant for making complex subjects accessible and fun. It has served him well worldwide in speaking engagements on a wide range of other topics, from robotics to crisis intervention (including suicide prevention). He’s taken on the task of communicating very complex ideas to others in tech (and his interests, like geek culture and cheesemaking). Links and Resources: Santa Barbara Improv Story to Standing Ovation - Speaker Bootcamp Storytelling School Website @storytellingschool on Instagram @storytellingSchool on Facebook