Storytelling Matters

In this episode, we hear about the power of stories to affect our lives, especially when we learn to tell the story that's been pursuing us. For many, that story is our own story, seen through a different lens.

In this episode, we learn about myth and magic, which carry some of the deeper themes within stories – and how they affect our modern lives. Our guest this week is Doctor Leonia Kurgan, a Psychoanalyst and a Psychodramatist from Poland and South Africa – late of Los Angeles – who uses stories professionally, as well as a storyteller. Importantly, she has found deep resonances with them in her own life, which then further informs her understanding and use of them. Full show notes can be found at http://storytellingmatterspodcast.com/s1e7

In this podcast, we visit the world of the hidden – and how it can be revealed. Storytelling has a lot to do with things that are hidden, that can be hidden in many different ways. The most obvious form of hiding is in plot elements that are deliberately hidden, such as in a murder mystery. Then there are the things that are hidden that are far less concrete, but still part of the intent of the story. But most interesting are things that lie beneath the surface, which are often not explicitly known to the teller. These are the personal meanings that the audience – and the teller! – can discover in the story without specific intent. In this episode, we'll hear some stories and thoughts about things that are hidden and revealed. Our guest is TZiPi Radonsky, a maggidah, Rabbi, and PhD educator. She'll share personal stories, reflections, and pearls of wisdom. You'll also hear a traditional story about things hidden and revealed, and some thoughts and experiences about when those moments of unexpected revelations

In this podcast, we visit the topic of turning and returning: how one turns away from darker points in our lives. The Hebrew word for "repentance" is t'shuvah­, which literally means to turn (around). It implies an act of will, and also the notion of not simply turning, but REturning to a better state. In this episode, we hear stories that open some of those darker spaces and the ways that people might respond to that darkness. Philip Rose, our guest, will share a personal story that he uses in his transformational work; Titi Ogunnaike will share a cautionary children's tale from the Yoruba that might remind some of us of the Brothers Grimm; and I will share a story of a very dark place from the canon of the Baal Shem Tov. We'll also enjoy a surprise personal snippet from Phil about being audacious.

In this podcast, we visit the world of humorous stories – and how they can be transformational. Many times, when we imagine a transformational story, we think of something deep, with layers of meaning that are soul-stirring, full of emotional moments and archetypic characters, plot, and setting. However, light-hearted stories can be full of healing in unexpected ways; and healing, after all, is an important kind of transformation. In this episode, we hear stories that lift our souls with joy and a little mischief. One, a story from the canon of Hershel of Ostropol, is told by our guest, Hanita Blair, who also shares her more serious thoughts on how a storyteller must connect with their audience. I share a short collection of the tales of the city of Chelm, a place more fictional than real (although it is found in modern Poland). We also discuss the ways in which humor can actually be an important source of transformation.

In this podcast we visit an enticing but controversial topic – telling stories from cultures other than our own. Stories have cultural values buried deep within them. Sometimes those values are explicit, but more often than not, they can be simply assumed and never specifically taught. We are under a special obligation to take care when sharing some other culture's story: do we have a sufficient understanding to tell it authentically? Will the audience understand those values? In this episode we hear stories from three cultures: Japanese, West African, Afghan, and Kalahari. Each is told by a different storyteller, including our emerging storyteller from Nigeria, a guest to be featured in a future episode from Poland, South Africa and Los Angeles, and a traditional folk teller from North America with an unusual background (a PhD in Botany) and an incredible international reach: Fran Stallings. We also hear from Fran and her journey through storytelling, and her pearls of wisdom for storytellers. Tracking Intr

In this podcast we visit Folktales – stories passed on in a tradition in an oral fashion: they shift a little from teller to teller and audience to audience, but without significant changes. However, the shifts are critical – they're what help keep the story alive. Folktales may have an embedded value – just part of the subtext – or the value may be the whole point of the story. And of course, there's a lot of stories in the middle ground! Today we hear three stories of each type, from three cultures: West African, Afghan, and American. Each will be told by a different storyteller, including an emerging storyteller from Nigeria and a traditional folk teller from North America with over 6,000 audiences to his credit: Papa Joe. We also hear from Papa Joe and his journey through storytelling, and his pearls of wisdom for storytellers. Tracking Introduction, and a taste of things to come. Papa Joe's recollections of his journey through storytelling. Hovia, Hovia! Papa Joe's spooky story… The Tortoise and the Dog

Welcome to the inaugural episode of "Storytelling Matters." In this episode, you'll hear a story from me, Maggid Jim Brulé, and two stories from Kohenet Rinah Rachel Galper. In these stories – and my interviews with Rinah Rachel, we'll explore what a transformational story is, as well as how who we are presents us with challenges and opportunities to craft and tell such stories. You'll hear three different kinds of stories: a personal story, a folktale, and a crafted story that presents a different view of traditional events that will likely surprise you. You'll also hear Rinah Rachel discussing her journey into transformational storytelling, as well as benefit from some of the lessons she's learned over the years. Tracking Introduction, and a taste of what is in the episode. Lapu Lapu, a personal story of worlds in collision, by Jim Brulé. How do we know who our heroes are? What happens when your view of the world is not just contradicted, but turned inside out? The Hummingbird, told by Rinah Rachel Galper.