It was a quiet Tuesday morning in my hometown on the edge of the prairie. The sun had just begun to peek over the tops of the trees. The birds were just beginning their morning serenade. Ahhhhh It was a quiet and serene morning in my little world. I had just sat down for a […]
You’re Not Done Yet
October 20, 2020 by 2 Comments
There’s a great deal to be said about the past four years. Which, of course, is why Webster’s summarized it all with one word. Their word of the year… Surreal Merriam-Webster defines “surreal” as “marked by the intense, irrational, reality of a dream.” That’s a fine definition. But it’s also kind of tricky. Like everything […]
To The Dreamkeepers
February 5, 2020 by Leave a Comment
Neil Gaiman is a sage of storytelling while he’s awake. And one of the most interesting people alive. But there’s something you may not know about him. He is also a masterful weaver of whimsical, intensely interesting stories while he’s asleep. But dreams are fleeting So, over the years, his wife, musician Amanda Palmer, has […]
Modern Movements, #MindTheDigits
May 15, 2019 by Leave a Comment
By Sam Stern Sam Stern is CEO of MagnifyGood, a communications consultancy that magnifies the good of social sector programs by improving the value of their communications efforts Creating change After the initial news of Harvey Weinstein’s longtime abusive practices spread across the globe, an innumerable amount of stories began piling up. For almost two months, the […]
What A Doughboy Knows That We Don’t
March 19, 2019 by Leave a Comment
It’s the beginning of a new semester. And Bob is at it again. Each semester, Bob shows a video to his international students. It’s this one. Behold the Doughboy effect “Does this make you hungry?” he asks them. They laugh nervously and answer, “No.” “Does this make you think of family or getting together […]
To The Truth Tellers
February 5, 2019 by Leave a Comment
Truth was naked and cold. Destitute. She had been turned away from every door in the village. Her nakedness frightened the people When Parable found her, she was huddled in a corner, shivering, and hungry. Taking pity on her, Parable gathered her up and took her home. There she dressed Truth in story, warmed her, […]
The “What Will We Do With The Creative Brief?” Experience
May 29, 2018 by 1 Comment
It’s seldom creative. It’s never brief. And yet, it’s a creative brief Today’s rambling, uninspiring brief is a flaming bag of shit dropped on your team’s doorstep. They have no choice but to stomp it out. Learn how to reinvent the brief for an age of experiences and storysharing – not messaging. Together, we’ll cover […]
Stories That Move The Movement
March 21, 2017 by 10 Comments
Real stories, narrative stories, are powerful. They connect people and forever change those people for the better. Great stories exist outside time. They live in people’s hearts. And they fuel their actions That’s why stories are the language of tribes. And as such, they hold the power to emotionally connect people. And to define and […]
What’s A Story, Anyway?
February 14, 2017 by 14 Comments
Stories are powerful. They connect with something deep within us. They help us make sense of the world and our place in it. The kinds of stories that motivate tribes and ignite movements define the cause. They illuminate our ideas and actions and make them memorable. They change things When done well, they transcend mere […]
