Seven and counting…
One of our Speak Up storytelling shows earlier in the year featured four former storytelling workshop students who have gone on to tell stories at Moth StorySLAMs in New York,…
The Moth: The Robbery
In March of last year, I told this story at the Brooklyn Academy of Music about an armed robbery that I experienced in 1993. It was the hardest story I've…
I don’t teach mindfulness. Don’t ever accuse me of teaching mindfulness. Here’s why.
When I teach storytelling, and especially when I teach about finding stories in your life, I'm often told by students that what I'm really teaching is mindfulness. When I hear…
Things I Do #6: I touch bricks
Last night I performed in a club in Lewiston, Maine constructed in large part of brick. Whenever I find myself adjacent to a brick wall, I reach out and touch…
This is the worst thing you can do to a storyteller
As a storyteller - and perhaps a human being - one of the worst things that can happen to me is for someone to doubt my story.I have stood on…
Meditation and McDonald’s
I've spent this weekend at the world famous Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health.With its silent breakfasts, farm to table meals, candle-lit shrines, and slow walking, contemplative guests, the place…
I thrive in possibly inappropriately competitive situations.
Next month I will be teaching storytelling at Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health. This will be my second year teaching at Kripalu and I'm already scheduled to teach there…
Practicing your speech in front of a mirror makes no sense
In the past four years, in addition to working with the hundreds of storytellers who have performed in our Speak Up shows, I've also been working on a fairly regular…
An important lesson for all public speakers, storytellers, and the poor souls who must conduct meetings
I love this church sign. I love it because it's emblematic of one of the most important lessons for all public speakers and storytellers:Say less.Shorter is better.Fewer words rule.The 20…
Mom and Dad had a reely big show last nite
Earlier this month, Elysha and I produced and performed in a show at Infinity Hall in Norfolk, CT. Having been in that theater before to see some incredible musical acts,…
