Personal Storytelling
If you've ever listened to The Moth Radio Hour or The Moth Podcast, or have been to a storytelling event at The Monti in the Triangle, you already know the power and fun of personal storytelling.
The stories we tell at The Time Of My Life aren't traditional tales, folktales, or stand-up comedy. They are parts of our shared human existence — sometimes dramatic, sometimes hilarious, sometimes ordinary and seemingly insignificant, but always honest, authentic and real. They are told in the first person, on stage without notes between the storyteller and the audience.
- Stories can be transforming for the storytellers as well as their audience.
- People often end up by telling a story that they did not expect.
- There's no right or wrong when it comes to what has importance in a person's life.
If you're not familiar with Personal Storytelling, please look up The Moth or The Dublin Story Slam. Both are available on podcast.
THE VALUE
"I have been surprised at the power of emotional, autobiographical storytelling. Emotional, autobiographical storytelling means writing about events and people that have mattered to you in your own life--not just describing the facts of your lives. Research shows that even brief autobiographical storytelling exercises can have substantial impacts on psychological and physical health even months after the storytelling."
Sherry Hamby Ph.D., Psychology Today
"Humans are hardwired to share personal stories and to enjoy listening to them because we need to. Stories ignite our imagination and help us to make sense of the struggles we all face. Personal stories have the power to shape our lives and the lives of our listeners..."
author Carmine Gallo
"Evidence suggests that the process of personal storytelling enables the concept of self and the life story to connect in a way that facilitates a reframing of identity and encourages personal growth (Roberts, 2000, et. al). On imparting a story, an individual expresses the significant events in their own words and in their own time, and is empowered to reflect. The process enables new awareness and new meanings of the self to emerge. These are in most cases, positive new meanings that reformulate the teller’s sense of self."
www.iriss.org.uk