Find the spark to set your story free
THE STORY DOJO is a vibrant online community dedicated to supporting you to find your compelling story & bring it to life.
A comprehensive step-by-step journey, two live meetings per month, personal coaching and much more.
Join us at the fire!
This is your personal invitation...
I'm Mary Alice and I'm the author of 365 ALIVE! and the founder of THE STORY DOJO. This is your personal invitation to join me on the journey to the heart of our stories and a more generative world for all.
Join THE STORY DOJOIt's time to get skillful with the power & practice of story
When all else seems barren of meaning and we no longer know which direction to turn, what we still have to guide us are our stories and community. This is a time to get skillful at both of these ancient practices of humanity.
Together as storylovers and story practitioners...
We can get to know our personal stories as the frame that shapes how we meet the world around us and discover story as a container for collective wisdom.
At the same time, we can experience community as a place to hone our skills, be in respectful practice with each other and warm ourselves at the fire.
We can to go back into the world once more with renewed strength and courage.
Welcome to THE STORY DOJO!
What is the THE STORY DOJO?
THE STORY DOJO is all about story -- how you can work with it and how it can work for you.
It is a place where you can meet and work with your own story. And it is a community for exploring, ideating and practicing the power of story. It is both a playground and a practice space, offering the opportunity to connect and collaborate with others committed to becoming skillful in working with story.
365 ALIVE! is our roadmap for the journey
Taking the book 365 ALIVE! as a guide for the journey, each month we take on a new theme and hear from story practitioners, thoughtleaders and people pushing the edges on new and innovative ways to work with stories and life. We try out new ideas and methods in practical ways.
You will get hands-on support as you deepen your connection to your own stories and build a more solid foundation for your life and work.
THE STORY DOJO is a place where worlds meet, imagination is inspired and you can explore the facets, the edges and the applications of storytelling and storywork. There's always more to learn in the fusion of story, hosting and Story Activism.
Why "Dojo"?
"Dojo" is a Japanese word for the place where martial artists gather to practice. "Do" means way and "jo" the place of practice. Literally, "the place you practice your way." We think STORY is a way of life, as well as an intrinsic human capacity. It's good to practice and get skillful with it, and it's even better to have a place to practice with others!
How does it work?
The 365 ALIVE! journey
A new strength comes to the heart of THE STORY DOJO as we wrap our practice around the 365 ALIVE! journey.
Each month we take our focus from the book and make our time together a deep and profound learning about how story works, how it influences our lives and how we decide to shape the stories we have been given and we are living in.
This is the opportunity to take back the power of your story, to make it your ally and to work with it to step into your vibrant potential.
Your own PDF copy of 365 ALIVE! is your starting point.
You can join at any time -- we'll see you at the fire!
Support to go deeper
Following 365 ALIVE!, there will be a new theme each month. Each week also has a bite size theme:
- During week one we FOCUS on the theme and you'll get both the book chapter and video material.
- In week two we REFLECT with a live call and a special guest.
- In week three we INTEGRATE with special input in the form of stories, meditations and other creative inputs created specially for you.
- In week four we PRACTICE and come together for Office Hours for personal coaching.
Pick and choose what works best for you.
Vibrant conversation & Hosted space
THE STORY DOJO has two monthly live meetings. These are created specifically to be highly interactive so you get a chance to work with others and get a hands on sense for the ideas were are exploring.
You have a regular opportunity to get to know others and to learn from and with them.
Mary Alice Arthur is the founder and host of THE STORY DOJO. She has more than 25 years experience hosting groups all over the world and is expert at creating brave and transformational space online.
Safe space to grow & change
Working with your stories is like growing a whole new root system. What eventually happens is you find your solid ground. But in the meantime it can be like changing the engine on a 747 while still in flight!
We give you a safe space where you can be met at exactly the place where you are. And we'll walk with you.
Digital Learning Library
Not only do you have access to all the recordings from THE STORY DOJO since its inception, but you all gain a full library of event recordings.
That's more than 75 hours of content to view or listen to whenever you like.
International Community
Members of THE STORY DOJO are based all over the world. You are sure to meet some intriguing human beings and have some inspiring and deeply nourishing conversations.
You will certainly learn about others and their different ways of seeing the world, and you just might even learn more about yourself!
Our focus...
Your story is at the core of your ability to be successful in the world. For this reason alone, it is vital to master your story and your message. But that's not all it can do.
EXPLORING
Storytelling is an intrinsic human capacity, but it is also a multi-faceted and highly flexible tool and art form, easily at home across all types of media and applications. We explore the heart and the edges of this amazing human superpower.
IDEATING
Story shows us the range of possibilities each of us can express and also determines our sense of agency in the world. How we use it and for what purpose makes all the difference to what kind of world we shape and experience. This is a place for trying out new ideas and noodling together on what might be.
PRACTICING
To be a practitioner, one needs to keep practicing. Like any skill, story offers itself as a practice field, whether you are interested in working with it for yourself or with others. Practice leads to Mastery. And from there, you can begin to try your Artistry and find your unique voice.
Finally, if you are fortunate, Mystery shows up. Mystery is at the heart of all great stories and myths. It is up to each of us to choose our practice level.
What's next in THE STORY DOJO
Taking curiosity as your starting point
Curiosity is an important starting point for anyone wanting to explore the power of stories. It helps us prepare, get clear on our motivation and stand at the crossroads ready to begin.
Our special guest is professional storyteller and overall curious person Svend Erik Engh. He shares with us how to keep the inner child alive with the love of stories. PS This Fireside Conversation promises you will make friends with a giant.
Stories are the currency of humanity
One of the most valuable things human beings have always traded is stories. Stories are everywhere, so getting clear about the kind of stories you are exchanging and why is an important first step.
Our special guest is Paul Costello of Storywise, who has done some groundbreaking work in shifting narratives in places of conflict. He is an ideal guide for looking beneath the surface to uncover how story really works in society.
Make a story health check
You can test the health and vitality of any system by checking on what’s flowing in it. See what you discover when you pay attention to the stories circulating around you.
Our special guest this month is Yannick Wassmer, a senior consultant at Reos Partners who is based in The Netherlands and is currently working with a number of multi-stakeholder systems change projects (Social Labs) in the historically Black boroughs of London.
What stories have you been steeping in?
We take a look at how stories influence what we see and who we think we can be. And we remind ourselves we have a choice about the stories we choose to activate.
Our special guest this month is story artist Nancy Wang, half of the performing duo Eth-noh-tec, who have a dedication to story practice, a focus on Asian storytelling and a commitment to story exploration.
How can stories help you take an eagle-eye view?
When I tell my stories from inside my experience, I can get stuck in them. But when I step back and take the helicopter view, I can begin to see patterns and the “red thread” linking things together.
David Drake, the originator of Narrative Coaching is our special guest this month. He'll give us a unique and very practical perspective of how we can work with our inner stories to untangle the threads and open the way to a brighter future.
What stories are shaping your stance in the world?
Sometimes we’re not in charge of our life – our story is. Critical narratives we’ve consistently heard can become an internalized inner critic. It’s time to make a choice about the stories we are listening to and shift the inner critic.
Our guest this month is Leanne Babcock, a professional coach, inner explorer and an expert at working with the inner stories to create amazing results.
What's coming up in the STORY DOJO?
Stories are ever evolving and how we work with them keeps changing too. Watch this space for the announcement of our upcoming themes in THE STORY DOJO.
If you'd like an invitation to see what we're all about, click the button.
It's time to make story your ally!
Join THE STORY DOJO -- the online community dedicated to the power & practice of story
A worldwide network of story practitioners in all stages of their journey with storytelling & story work are waiting for you. There's a seat at our fire with your name on it!
Included in your membership...
