The Power of Story and Storytelling

Every Friday morning that I’m driving to a meeting, I  find myself listening to StoryCorps, which comes on like clockwork on my local NPR (89.7 WOSU) station at 8:25 am. And each of those mornings I usually find myself reaching for a tissue as the conversations and stories that are evoked from the intimate dialogue are well, perfectly tear-jerking-gut-wrenching moments. I’ve been a fan for years despite the tears.

With that background, and knowing I live to sell the power of story, it was a particular honor and privilege to be on a panel sharing insights back and forth with those that bring you StoryCorps. While they are in town recording interviews for five weeks, they took a break at at a recent Columbus Metropolitan Club forum to talk about the power of story and how their “moments” evoke powerful, memorable and often life-changing stories.

As the founder of TEDxColumbus, I joined in for some commentary on the movement of TEDx and its democratizing platform to share ideas and stories, how to draw out your own best story, and how all stories connect with at least one thing: tension.

I can only hope the work I’ve done in my life contributes a fraction of what Dave Isay and StoryCorps have achieved. People learning, loving, growing, being challenged and empowered by story.

You can watch the video of the forum here. I’m joined by Ava Ahmadbeigi (Site Manager of StoryCorps Mobile Tour), Tom Rieland (General Manager of WOSU Public Media), and host Ann Fisher (Host of All Sides with Ann Fisher on WOSU).

 

You can harness the power of storytelling, too. Learn more about Articulation’s storytelling offering here.

 

Ruth Milligan Articulation Executive Communication CoachRuth Milligan is the Founder, Managing Director and an Executive Coach and Trainer with Articulation. She is perhaps best known as one of the original curators for any TEDx event (the license program for TED). Since 2009, Ruth has selected and coached over 200 speakers who have taken the TEDxColumbus stage. She is often tapped as an expert in the TED-style of speaking and has authored a class on how to be a TEDx speaker coach. Connect with Ruth.