What's the most important skill for the "messy middle"? about stories art of hosting the story dojo work of the heart Jul 04, 2024

HINT:  it's one of the key skills of a great host as well.

It's holding space

This concept -- and it's practice -- can be hard for practitioners who are focused on methods to understand because you don't appear to be doing anything. But in fact, you are doing one of the...

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Where are your beginnings, middles & endings right now? about stories makes me think making meaning Jul 03, 2024

Although we like to think of life as one big story, in reality, every human being is an intersection of stories. And they're all going on at the same time! 

There are stories in your life right at the beginning. New things starting, new adventures to have, new experiences and...

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Love & Freeedom about stories crafting stories life stories stories from the journey story as a map Feb 17, 2024

When I was around 16 my mother asked me if I'd like to meet Rob. My mother was a Guidance Counselor at the High School and Rob was the son of her colleague.

Rob had just returned from being an exchange student in Japan. Now you need to know that in the 1970s there was no such thing as sushi...

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Today I want to tell you a love story... about stories crafting stories life stories stories from the journey story as a map Feb 14, 2024

But first, a small but potent memory...

I remember someone long ago who, after regarding me thoughtfully for some time, said: "If you were to have had the ordinary life, you would have had it by now!"

Still, it felt like it started ordinary enough. On this day -- February 14 -- we celebrated...

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Storytelling impacts democracy & governance about stories makes me think story goes to work Jun 20, 2023

What does collective intelligence mean for democracy and governance? If you've been curious, then check this out...

My chapter -- incidentally number 28 -- is called "To Transform the Community, Change the Story" and features Percolab's work with the FabCity initiative. It makes fascinating...

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Creating transformational spaces about stories crafting interview May 09, 2023

Such a fun conversation today with Madelyn Blair, PhD for her YouTube show UNLOCKED! Of course we talked about #storytelling and how it's a key #leadership skill, but also about how #storytelling can create the power of connection and #engagement.

During our conversation I offered a simple...

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What we can learn from trees about stories art of hosting makingadifference people in practice Aug 20, 2022

Last week at the Art of Hosting Practitioner's Gathering in Slovenia we talked a lot about what it takes to host others in their conversations that matter during turbulent times.

In the end, it doesn't matter if you have the most sophisticated tools in the world. These days, people are...

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Storycatching at the airport about stories crafting stories leadership mastery story as a map storycrafing Aug 03, 2022

Here I am at the airport again. It feels both tiring and wonderful. Tiring because I still need to build up my resilience for being around other people and wonderful because I'm off into some new adventures and I'll be performing one of the roles I love best -- StoryCatcher!

Every time you...

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When is it a story? about stories story evolution storycrafing Aug 01, 2022

One of the things I love about my online community THE STORY DOJO is that I get to introduce fabulous story people to my circle. Noa Baum joined us in February to tell stories about love and friendship and share= about how she creates them.

Of course there's lots of talk out...

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Getting clear on your significant stories about stories crafting stories life stories story as a map Jul 26, 2022

Have you ever stepped inside an elevator with others from a group or conference and found you needed to introduce yourself? What about that moment as your speech begins and the person introducing you has read out your professional bio, but you want to make a real connection to the audience?

We're...

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Is love a leadership capacity? about stories leadership learning edge makes me think Jul 14, 2022

If you listen more deeply to the conversations around you, what are the themes you're hearing? Yesterday I was in conversation with David Hutchens, who told me he's been thinking a lot about the conversations he's been part of and how he's beginning to muse on love as a leadership capacity.

I...

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What will mend the cracks? about stories future story makes me think story activism Jul 06, 2022

I am a naturally optimistic person. I have a spirit of hope inside me that still believes we can change prevailing storylines and create a human society that works for all. And at the same time, I am confronted with the very real challenges all around us, challenges that have their basis in some...

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