Monster Baby Episode #109 A Story for Everything with Corey Rosen

What if storytelling isn’t about performance—but about helping meaning emerge?

Monster Baby co-hosts Ted and Lisa welcome back dear friend, storyteller, and teacher Corey Rosen to discuss his new book, A Story for Everything. The trio starts the conversation by taking a brief review look at his first book, Your Story Well Told (1:24), before turning toward to the broader-range view of the new work (9:30). Rather than focusing on performance per se, the conversation explores how storytelling functions in everyday life: in teaching, parenting, feedback, ritual, and moments that rarely feel “story-worthy” at the time.

Corey reflects on the chapter in his book that has taken on special meaning for him (16:01), sharing a personal story about his father and the origins of an approach to communication he calls the “circle method.” From there, the three move into practice, playing the Portkey game (23:45) a super-fun storytelling exercise that uses everyday objects as portals into memory. Together, they explore how small, specific moments carry unexpected weight, and how meaning emerges when we slow down and look more closely (35:05). The conversation then turns toward the question of message—how we move from insight to something shareable without forcing a moral or lesson (39:43).

Corey notes how his understanding of his own book has shifted since its release and how the text has revealed itself as a practical tool and not just a reference text (50:45). Ted, Lisa, and Corey reflect on listening as a mindfulness practice (53:59), considering what it means to offer genuine attention and how being heard can deepen understanding on both sides of a conversation. A related exercise—“The Rant” (58:28)—reveals how complaints often point toward unspoken values, inviting curiosity rather than judgment.

The three friends next turn toward the contemporary question of AI and storytelling (1:05:17). Corey shares a grounded, optimistic perspective on where these tools can support creativity and where they fall short.

If you’re jazzed about Corey’s work, make sure to visit his website, yourstorywelltold.com where you can find his book, story starter kits, great prompts for storytelling, and a whole lot more. If you’re in the Bay Area and want to see him and hear other great storytellers live, check out The Freight in Berkeley on the 1^st Wednesday of each month or the Lark Theater in Larkspur on the 3^rd Tuesday of each month. Corey also leads stories at BATS Improv in San Francisco from time to time as well—check the schedule there at www.improv.org.

As always, we so appreciate your listening in. If you’re inspired by what you hear and would like to share a response, you can reach Ted and Lisa at info@monsterbabypodcast.com, or leave a review on your favorite podcast platform.

To subscribe and receive updates on future Monster Baby episodes, visit http://monsterbabypodcast.com

If you want a great mindfulness and improv read for the new year—based on this podcast itself!—visit www.playfulmindfulness.info to pick up a copy of Ted’s book Playful Mindfulness: a joyful journey to everyday confidence, calm, and connection.

Thanks again, and Happy New Year!

 

 

 

 

 

 

San Francisco improvisors Ted DesMaisons and Lisa Rowland explore the beautiful, surprising and unruly intersections between mindfulness and improvisation as they seek to befriend that oft-hidden and sometimes scary part of all of us that can lead to a life well-lived.

 

 

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