Speak Up Storytelling David Golder: "The Baby Bird"
Dec 18, 2020
David Golder, an employment attorney and live storyteller, shares a comedic yet poignant tale about rescuing a baby bird. He explores humor through precise lists and vivid imagery. The story balances surprise, vulnerability, and bittersweet stakes around fatherhood. Short, funny, and emotionally resonant.
01:13:28
The Baby Bird Rescue
- David Golder tells of rescuing a fallen baby bird at camp to preserve his daughter's fantasy weekend.
- The rescue reveals his fear, humor, and desire to be a superhero father despite knowing the bird's fate.
Small Moments Say Big Things
- A small, concrete moment can reveal large truths about relationships and mortality.
- David's bird scene becomes a mirror for realizing his daughter no longer sees him as a flawless problem-solver.
Make Humor Specific
- Use specific, concrete details to make humor and meaning land stronger.
- Elysha and Matthew point to exact specifics (e.g., L4 and L5) as a simple trick that heightens comedy.
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Intro
00:00 • 17min
Homework for Life: Finding your voice
17:30 • 4min
Story introduction: David Golder
21:48 • 13sec
Recapturing past moments for stories
22:01 • 55sec
David Golder: The Baby Bird (story)
22:57 • 10min
Story reaction: humor and specificity
33:11 • 2min
Lists, contrast, and language choices
35:24 • 3min
Darkness, vulnerability, and stakes
38:38 • 3min
Editing note: avoid spoiling surprises
41:22 • 9min
Strategic humor in storytelling
50:04 • 2min
Ad break
51:50 • 13sec
Audience question: story in bios
52:03 • 4min
When to use a storytelling bio
55:35 • 2min
Examples: short narrative snippets
57:24 • 3min
Practical bio advice: multiple lengths
59:58 • 7min
Recommendations: Toaster Pets and 52 Things
01:06:31 • 6min
Outro
01:12:17 • 1min
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On episode #107 of the Speak Up Storytelling podcast, Matthew and Elysha Dicks are back, talking storytelling!
In our follow up segment, we discuss future workshops and more.
In our Homework for Life segment, Matt talks about finding and crafting stories from the past.
Next we listen to a story by David Golder.
Amongst the many things we discuss include:
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Humor
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Effective use of lists
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Just enough detail
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Maximizing surprise
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The strength behind vulnerability
Next we answer a question about using stories in bios.
Lastly, we each offer a recommendation.
RECOMMEDATIONS
Elysha:
Matt:
- 52 Things I Learned in 2020 by Tom Whitwell _______________________________________________
Support Speak Up Storytelling through our Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/speakupstorytelling
Speak Up merch at Cotton Bureau: https://bit.ly/3gc1h35
Purchase Storyworthy: Engage, Teach, Persuade, and Change Your Life Through the Power of Storytelling: https://amzn.to/2H3YNn3
Pre-order The Other Mother: https://amzn.to/3guV5Eh
Homework for Life: https://bit.ly/2f9ZPne
Matthew Dicks's website: http://www.matthewdicks.com
Matthew Dicks's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/matthewjohndicks
Matthew Dicks's blog: https://matthewdicks.com/blog