Speak Up Storytelling

Clara Dicks, an 11-year-old who loves storytelling and performing, joins the family for playful improv and songs. She narrates a brave apple-tree climb and plays the 3-2-1 improv game. Short, lively scenes explore stakes, surprise, and forming story arcs through quick preparation and feedback.

Katherine Field, a Connecticut educator and two-time Fulbright scholar, performs a personal memoir about inheriting a dog while grieving her husband. She contrasts cats and dogs and explores subtle moments of loss and unexpected joy. The story highlights voice, pacing, and small beats that reveal big emotions.

Kat Koppett, improv teacher and co-founder of MOPCO Improv Theater, shares her live story "Prayers for Aslan." The conversation explores childhood games and talismans, a lost charm that shifts belief into ritual, and a Rosh Hashanah moment about choosing faith for her daughter. Hosts analyze list-making, rule-breaking in storytelling, vivid specifics, and when to preserve surprise.

On episode #97 of the Speak Up Storytelling podcast, Matthew and Elysha Dicks talk storytelling! In our follow up segment, we discuss the events taking place in our country right now and how we hope to begin moving in the right direction. We also discuss upcoming shows and workshops, all online! STORYTELLING SHOWS 2020 June 20: "Stories from Around the World" at the Connecticut Historical Society (virtual) July 11: Solo show at MOPCO Improv Theater (7:30 PM) (virtual) October 17: Speak Up at The Wadsworth Atheneum, Hartford CT STORYTELLING WORKSHOPS 2020 June 15, 22, 29, and July 6, 13, and 20: Advanced storytelling workshop (8:00-9:30 PM EST) (virtual) July 11: Master class in partnership with MOPCO Improv Theater (9:30-4:30 PM) (virtual) July 27-31: Storytelling boot camp, CT Historical Society In our Homework for Life segment, Matt talks about the power of contrast when trying to turn a moment into a story. Next we listen to a story by Roszena Haskins. Amongst the many things we discuss include: Shifting tones in stories Pausing Explanation reveals with humor The power of the "but" Preserving surprise Next we answer a questions about our marriage and maintaining curiosity in an audience. Lastly, we each offer a recommendation. RECOMMEDATIONS Elysha: Fuck the Bread. The Bread is Over - https://bit.ly/3gUQQ4C Matt: The Science of Well Being - https://bit.ly/2MxzCMI _______________________________________________ Support Speak Up Storytelling through our Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/speakupstorytelling Purchase Storyworthy: Engage, Teach, Persuade, and Change Your Life Through the Power of Storytelling: https://amzn.to/2H3YNn3 Purchase Twenty-one Truths About Love: https://amzn.to/35Mz1xS 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

On episode #96 of the Speak Up Storytelling podcast, Matthew and Elysha Dicks talk storytelling! In our follow up segment, we discuss our absence for the last couple weeks, share emails from listeners around the world, and describe upcoming events. In our Homework for Life segment, I talk about identifying and crafting seemingly tiny moments into stories. Next we listen to a story by Kim Damokosh. Amongst the many things we discuss include: Scenes and backstory Telling stories that take place over a long period of time chronologically Humor and vulnerability Losing the thread of your story Topic sentences and thesis statements Next we answer a question about hero stories Lastly, we each offer a recommendation. RECOMMEDATIONS Elysha: 13 Ways to Look at a Blackbird: https://bit.ly/2AyZW6e Birdhouse: https://amzn.to/2ZewDjE Matt: Journals by Kurt Cobain: https://amzn.to/2LBo8XY _______________________________________________ Support Speak Up Storytelling through our Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/speakupstorytelling Purchase Storyworthy: Engage, Teach, Persuade, and Change Your Life Through the Power of Storytelling: https://amzn.to/2H3YNn3 Purchase Twenty-one Truths About Love: https://amzn.to/35Mz1xS 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

On episode #95 of the Speak Up Storytelling podcast, Matthew and Elysha Dicks talk storytelling! In our follow up segment, we discuss recent and future virtual shows, brand new Patreon content, and more. We also share listener insight on virtual meetings and performances. In our Homework for Life segment, I talk about turning a crazy and amusing story into something more meaningful and profound by bringing two ideas together. Next we listen to a story by Ron and Marcus Apter. Amongst the many things we discuss include: The difficulty telling stories with another person Telling a universally appealing story with content that is less-than-universal Moving through time and physical distance in a story The building of stakes Keeping the audience guessing all the way until the end Next we answer a question about the considerations required when telling stories to children. Lastly, we each offer a recommendation. RECOMMEDATIONS Elysha: HBO's Bad Education Matt: Peter Aguero and Sara Peters TED Talk "If there is no cure, can we opt for a rescue?" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRqqRFr5ceQ _______________________________________________ Support Speak Up Storytelling through our Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/speakupstorytelling Purchase Storyworthy: Engage, Teach, Persuade, and Change Your Life Through the Power of Storytelling: https://amzn.to/2H3YNn3 Purchase Twenty-one Truths About Love: https://amzn.to/35Mz1xS 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: http://www.matthewdicks.com/matthewdicksblog Subscribe to Matthew Dicks's weekly newsletter: http://www.matthewdicks.com/matthewdicks-subscribe Subscribe to the Speak Up newsletter: http://www.matthewdicks.com/subscribe-speak-up Subscribe to Matthew Dicks's blog: http://www.matthewdicks.com/subscribe-grin-and-bare-it

On episode #94 of the Speak Up Storytelling podcast, Matthew and Elysha Dicks talk storytelling! In our follow up segment, we share a listener's tip on digital whiteboards and discuss upcoming online events. STORYTELLING SHOWS 2020 April 18: Solo show, MOPCO Improv Theater STORYTELLING WORKSHOPS 2020 April 18: Storytelling workshop (beginner), MOPCO Improv Theater April 22, 29, May 6, 13, 20, and 27: Advanced storytelling workshop July 27-31: Storytelling boot camp, CT Historical Society In our Homework for Life segment, I talk about working through a moment, seeking as many possible meanings as possible before settling on a story. Next we listen to a story by Lisa Ferguson. Amongst the many things we discuss include: Expressing big ideas in tiny moments Strategies for telling stories from childhood Process language The "less is more" nature of description and details Launching a story with stakes Next Elysha answers a question about being married to Matt and a question about telling stories when specific moments are seemingly absent from the story. Lastly, we each offer a recommendation. RECOMMEDATIONS Elysha: Knives Out (film) Saturday Night Live At-Home episode (04.11.2020) Matt: John Krasinski's "Some Good News" _______________________________________________ Support Speak Up Storytelling through our Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/speakupstorytelling Purchase Storyworthy: Engage, Teach, Persuade, and Change Your Life Through the Power of Storytelling: https://amzn.to/2H3YNn3 Purchase Twenty-one Truths About Love: https://amzn.to/35Mz1xS 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: http://www.matthewdicks.com/matthewdicksblog Subscribe to Matthew Dicks's weekly newsletter: http://www.matthewdicks.com/matthewdicks-subscribe Subscribe to the Speak Up newsletter: http://www.matthewdicks.com/subscribe-speak-up Subscribe to Matthew Dicks's blog: http://www.matthewdicks.com/subscribe-grin-and-bare-it

On episode #93 of the Speak Up Storytelling podcast, Matthew Dicks offers strategies and insights into effective communication and performance on video conferencing platforms like Zoom, Skype, Google Meets, and the like. Consider this a bonus episode for those listeners who have found themselves transitioning to online platforms as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. Stay safe and well, friends! _______________________________________________ Support Speak Up Storytelling through our Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/speakupstorytelling Purchase Storyworthy: Engage, Teach, Persuade, and Change Your Life Through the Power of Storytelling: https://amzn.to/2H3YNn3 Purchase Twenty-one Truths About Love: https://amzn.to/35Mz1xS 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: http://www.matthewdicks.com/matthewdicksblog Subscribe to Matthew Dicks's weekly newsletter: http://www.matthewdicks.com/matthewdicks-subscribe Subscribe to the Speak Up newsletter: http://www.matthewdicks.com/subscribe-speak-up Subscribe to Matthew Dicks's blog: http://www.matthewdicks.com/subscribe-grin-and-bare-it

Monica Malaver shares her journey of 'My American Dream' on Speak Up Storytelling. Topics include humor through vulnerability, connecting story beginnings and endings, and avoiding process language. Other segments discuss combining moments in storytelling, beginnings of stories, and recommendations like 'Guardians of the Galaxy' and '5 Mistakes When Writing Flashbacks in Memoir'.

On episode #91 of the Speak Up Storytelling podcast, Matthew and Elysha Dicks talk storytelling! In our follow up segment, we congratulate listeners on their new baby! We also launch our Patreon campaign, announce an upcoming virtual storytelling workshop and solo show, and a weekly free storytelling workshop for kids on Facebook Live and YouTube. STORYTELLING SHOWS 2020 April 18: Solo show, MOPCO Improv Theater STORYTELLING WORKSHOPS 2020 April 18: Storytelling workshop (beginner), MOPCO Improv Theater July 27-31: Storytelling boot camp, CT Historical Society In our Homework for Life segment, I talk about looking for moments of contrast in our lives and exploiting them for their storytelling potential. Next we listen to a story by Tom Moore. Amongst the many things we discuss include: The power of self deprecation Scene setting Delivering powerful messages via humorous stories Connecting the beginning and endings of stories Considering the specificity of your audience when telling a story Next we answer a question about the "inside baseball" cost-benefit ratio. Lastly, we each offer a recommendation. RECOMMEDATIONS Elysha: Smitten Kitchen's Pretzel Buns and Knots Matt: Reply All Episode # 158: The Case of the Missing Hit _______________________________________________ Support Speak Up Storytelling through our Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/speakupstorytelling Purchase Storyworthy: Engage, Teach, Persuade, and Change Your Life Through the Power of Storytelling: https://amzn.to/2H3YNn3 Purchase Twenty-one Truths About Love: https://amzn.to/35Mz1xS 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: http://www.matthewdicks.com/matthewdicksblog Subscribe to Matthew Dicks's weekly newsletter: http://www.matthewdicks.com/matthewdicks-subscribe Subscribe to the Speak Up newsletter: http://www.matthewdicks.com/subscribe-speak-up Subscribe to Matthew Dicks's blog: http://www.matthewdicks.com/subscribe-grin-and-bare-it