Stories. They’ve captivated and entertained us since humankind has been able to communicate. They help us see things we never saw before. Cause us to feel anger. Outrage. Empathy. Joy. Some of them, anyway. Others? We wonder when they’re going to end. Wish we hadn’t heard this one 60 times already. Want to escape the misery. What makes a great story? How do we build stories with love? That’s what this episode is about.
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On This Episode
Rhythm of Life – The Jam Obsession
Random Riffs – Jam is Bustin’ Out all Over
Feature Segment – Built With Love – Your Story
Today’s Quote
The great thing about a song is that no one has to know your story. But if you tell it in a way that has clarity and means something to somebody else, then it can apply to their story. –Amy Grant
Rhythm of Life – The Jam Obsession
It all started with the scones. Made with flax seeds and almond flour. I bite into one and say, “This would taste great with strawberry jam.” But I don’t have any.
I know. I’ll make some!
One thing leads to another, and now I’ve made strawberry, blueberry, and raspberry jam. I even made cute labels.
(c) Kathleen Thompson
And to think it all started with scones. Or did it? Maybe what REALLY started it was exercising my creativity muscle with singing and songwriting? Or gardening? What if the freedom I feel as I create has spilled over into the rest of my life? What if the same thing could happen to you?
It can. Simply by exercising your creativity, it builds the muscle until you find it coming out all over the place. In flavors. Like strawberry, blueberry, and raspberry. Or –in your case – maybe chocolate.
Random Riffs – Jam is Busting Out all Over
As I was writing the Rhythm of Live segment, I thought of this phrase: Jam is busting out all over. That’s a take-off on the song from Carousel – June is Bustin’ Out all Over.
Listen to the episode to hear me riff on this.
Feature Segment: Built With Love – Your Story
People use the word “story” all the time – in different contexts. Marketing and branding experts tell us we have to be good at telling our story. People feel compelled to tell their story to others. And we often hear that the best way to connect with others is through story.
What do we really mean? What’s so great about story? Does it really matter that much? What does it mean to build story with love?
One thing story isn’t? Reciting a series of events. Reliving an event in your own mind without communicating the emotion to the listener.
When told well, a story is similar to music. It bypasses much of the brain’s normal defense mechanisms so we can be open minded and open-hearted. It connects with deep emotions.
When not told well? People can’t wait for it to be over.
Just like your voice is a gift for others, a story should be too. Otherwise, you’d just talk to yourself. To do that, you have to make the audience care. Be emotionally invested.
At its core, a great story is about change. A quest for the hero. That’s why reciting a series of events isn’t a true story. If you want to tell your story with love, here are the elements you’ll want to include.
- Captivates the audience – their attention and imagination.
To do that, you need to: a) Know who they are. b) Understand what they love and what causes them pain. What they think about. c) Want to help and serve them in some way
2. Show conflict.
What do we mean by conflict? Anything that causes the hero to reach a crossroads. Also known as the inciting incident.
- Resolution
The end of the story. How the character changed through the experience. What they learned, and what we can learn from them. The results.
To tell a great story with love means you so want them to understand something that you’re willing to work very hard to tell a story that helps them open their heart and mind. You tell it with vulnerability and respect.
For your action:
- Take one of your favorite stories. Preferably a short one. It can be any media. Analyze the story to determine how the author Captivated Audience, Created Conflict, and then resolved it. What did you learn from that story? Analysis of that story?
- Take story you often tell –in whatever context. Run it through the same analysis. Are you making the audience care? If so, what demonstrates that? Have you created conflict to increase audience involvement? Is there a resolution? A lesson for you and your audience?
- What can you do to build your story with love? Rewrite your story, building in the 3 principles described in this episode.
Want to know something? Building story with love isn’t just for other people. It’s for you, too. The most powerful stories are those we tell ourselves. For good – or ill.
Why not take a story you’ve been telling yourself, and learn to tell it better?
Whatever the story, whoever you tell it to, tell with love. Love for the story. Yourself. Your audience. And the art of storytelling itself.
Do you have a story you'd like to tell with more power and connection? Leave a comment.
Built With Love Series
115 – Built With Love
116 – What is Love?
117 – Your Team
118 – Your Culture
119 – Your Product
120 – Your Marketing
121 – Your Relationships
122 – Your Communication
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