Story Circle

Telling your story can make a difference.

Exploring our stories offers us the opportunity to review our lives and shift old patterns and beliefs. Sharing them with other people helps us build the deep, meaningful connections we long for. By telling stories, we see ourselves the way other people see us and build self-confidence. We naturally cultivate compassion and understanding for ourselves and others. Known benefits from storytelling include compassion, connection, kindness, friendship, and love. This is what we’ll create in this virtual space. Story circles have been used for a very, long time to:

• communicate valuable information that was important for human survival.

• make sense of things that we don’t understand or can’t explain using myths and legends.

• share sacred medicinal and religious practices.

• allow community members to share their experiences and point of view.

• allow communities to settle disagreements or handle negotiations.

Listening to one another around a fire is a beautiful practice lost in our modern society. But after leading story circles in my online courses and witnessing their power, I’m excited to share their connective power with you — one circle at a time.

In my circles, you’ll:

• learn some of the basics of how storytelling works.

• practice telling your personal stories in a group.

• receive feedback on what people relate to in your story.

• gain understanding of how the science behind how storytelling works.

• receive emotional support as you process your emotions.

• gain powerful insights about yourself as you explore your stories.

Join me and others from around the world in sharing your story.

Story Prompt For January:

Your Investment

I believe that everyone should have access to a safe space to tell their stories, regardless of their ability to pay.

Pay what you can. My suggested sliding scale rate is 50-97 USD.

10-49 USD: You get access to the circle. You can contribute as little as 10 USD as I would rather you attend than be limited by your financial situation.

50-97 USD: You’ll receive the recording of you telling your story along with personalized written feedback on how the story could be improved utilizing storytelling techniques and the science of telling stories.

As this is a shared space where students are practicing telling their stories — stories they may or may not be willing to share with the world — I don’t share a full recording of the session just your individual story recording.

Please note: I’m unable to offer refunds on this service. Due to the the fact that I’m trying to keep this course financially accessible and I’m charged processing fees with payment.

Creating Safety In THE Circle

My desire is that each person who enters the circle feels safe and can express themselves freely. However, I also must honor the experience of everyone else in that circle which encompasses a range of ethnicities, physical bodies, religious affiliations, sexual orientations, sexes, ages, gender identities or economic positions.

My goal is for our circle to practice deep listening, non-violent communication, compassion, empathy, and non-judgement. If you choose to join, I ask you to join me in creating safety for others in the circle. Nonviolence encompasses our language, so choose your words carefully as you tell your story. Please avoid any language that may create separation for others in the group.

In story circles, our job is not to solve a problem for someone else, advise, defend our positions, or emotionally bypass the storytellers. Instead, our goal is to listen in non-judgement and allow the teller to feel anything they need to feel. Some storytellers may cry or laugh or yell as they tell their story. Some may fall silent. We allow for all emotions and give them the space to process their story in whatever way is right for them. Thank you for joining me in these practices.