Shows
The Heart of StorytellingClinton Atwater and Being ResponsiveOur guest today is Clinton Atwater, founder of Storytelling Connections and a storyteller who truly embodies the belief that stories are bridges between hearts and minds. Clinton's journey began around a Michigan campfire, where family stories sparked a lifelong passion for the oral tradition. But his path wasn't direct—he spent years as a Pharmacy Operations Manager before discovering his authentic voice through Toastmasters and eventually stepping into the storytelling world.What makes Clinton special isn't just his performances at festivals, schools, and libraries, but his dedication to empowering others. Through his storytelling community "Let Me Tell Ya!", he creates sp...
2026-02-0545 minThe Heart of StorytellingLouise Phillips and Research with StoryLouise Gwenneth Phillips is a professional storyteller, coach, consultant, teacher, researcher, author and honorary Associate Professor in the School of Education, The University of Queensland. Her research and publications focus on story(tell)ing, children’s rights and citizenship, arts and rights-based pedagogies and methodologies (see https://louptales.education/publications/).She is particularly enchanted by the lore of everyday folk which have been told from person to person across generations and millennia. To hold and embrace this wisdom, Louise crafts global folktales into hankies and scarfs, so you can keep the wisdom of the story close to you.Email: louise@louptale...
2026-01-2244 minThe Heart of StorytellingLiz Weir and the Strength in StoriesHaving told stories since 1973, storytelling has played a major part in her life and has taken Liz to five continents. Recently she attended the Marrakech International Storytelling Festival with 100 tellers from 33 countries where she took part in the successful attempt to break the World Record for the longest continuous oral storytelling session - 80 hours and 35 minutes.https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2025/01/165264/marrakech-breaks-guinness-world-record-for-longest-storytelling-session/As she started telling stories in Belfast during our "Troubles" in Northern Ireland, a time when violence was raging on the streets, Liz learned how important the art of storytelling can be as it can encourage people to listen to each...
2026-01-0849 minThe Heart of StorytellingChristina Cairns and the Creative ProcessChristina Cairns is a visual artist/writer/performer/song-writer/storyteller. She is a member of the Great Southern Storytellers and a frequent storyteller at their monthly story gatherings. She has told many stories to appreciative audiences in Denmark over the years.She is fascinated most of all by the power of story, the tales we tell ourselves, tales handed down generation to generation, and how these layers upon layers of story change across time, and shape us and the world we live in. She is inspired especially by fairytales, folklore and mythology, and likes to look at stories from new o...
2025-12-2539 minThe Heart of StorytellingSilvia Lehmann and Old Wisdom of TalesSilvia Lehmann – Storyteller, Theatre Director, Community Facilitator Silvia holds a BA (Hons) and Graduate Diploma in Theatre Directing, Victorian College of the Arts, Melbourne Australia (1995). She has lived in the small coastal town of Denmark in Western Australia for 17 years and regularly runs creative writing, acting, somatic movement and storytelling workshops. Silvia has facilitated many cross-artform community performance projects, including Living Testament (2016), The Fisherman and His Wife (2018), and The Spindle of Spoken Story, a 7-month storyteller development programme devised and delivered together with Nicola-Jane le Breton (2019). Silvia was playwright for Movementworks’ adaption of The Yellow Wallpaper (2011) and playwrighting coordinator/mentor on F...
2025-12-1157 minThe Heart of StorytellingClaire Hennessy and Telling Tall TalesBritish-born Claire Hennessy is co-founder/producer of Six Feet Apart Productions, producing online and in-person storytelling shows and festivals. She was a recipient of a 2024 NSN Oracle Award. She’s a GrandSlam finalist at The Moth, the National Storytelling Festival, and West Side Stories. She was a featured teller at the 2024 St Louis Storytelling Festival, the 2021 and 2024 Women’s Storytelling Festivals and the 2023 Sacramento Valley Storytelling Festival. She helps organize the Bay Area Storytelling Festival and is a Board Member of the Storytelling Association of California. She’s performed on The Risk! Podcast, Better Said Than Done, Good Liar’s Club, Mo...
2025-11-2748 minThe Heart of StorytellingJeff Atkinson and A Life of Deep MeaningJeff is a storyteller from the edge of the known world or, if you prefer, a small town on the South Coast of Western Australia called Denmark. He runs a monthly community storytelling circle and is involved in running rights of passage ceremonies, in men's work and gatherings at which he has been known to tell a story or two. Jeff has a keen interest in the intersection of story, myth and ritual.Jeff spent twenty years telling small stories with finely honed words often serving questionable ends. Hitting middle-age and embarking on the inward journey that often begins at that...
2025-11-1347 minThe Heart of StorytellingVanessa Woolf and Innovative IdeasVanessa is “London’s resident storyteller” her trailblazing story events for adults have led to a partnership with TimeOut Magazine, a TEDx talk in Stormont NI and many TV /radio performances. She’s founder and lead storyteller of Connection With Wonder (previously London Dreamtime) programming training and projects as well as very popular live events. She’s founder of Space for Storytelling a free crowdfunded support for London’s storytelling community.You can find out more about her on Instagram
2025-10-3050 minThe Heart of StorytellingKen Jones and Yarning on CountryUncle Ken Jones, NAIDOC Male Elder & Proud Boandik ElderUncle Ken is founder of Bush Adventures, a family company that takes guests on personalised tours of the Limestone Coast, telling the stories of Boandik Country. He has He has dedicated over 50 years of his life to conservation efforts , including on the state Aboriginal Heritage Committee, which oversees and advises on the preservation and protection of Aboriginal sites and remains.Pulan the Spirit Bird and the Bunyip is the story he shares.info@bushrepair.com.auwww.bushadventures.com.auFacebook: Bush Adventures
2025-10-161h 00The Heart of StorytellingKarmit Even-Zur and Energetic KnowingKarmit’s work history spans diverse experiences, interests and competences from the healing arts, and the arts & crafts world. Her unique skill-set provides a deep perspective for transformational work, and in working with soul searching questions. Her studies encompass human ecology and earth healing modalities as well as energy healing systems and shamanic practices. Karmit is the founder of Earth speaks, an educational initiative combining earth energy work)and creative expression. Earth Speaks offers seminars and journeys, where people explore holistic connections to the landscape, build a renewed relationship with Place and experience its sacred aspects. Participants develop sensitivity to livin...
2025-10-0255 minThe Heart of StorytellingJennifer Ramsay and Fairy Tale MedicineJennifer Ramsay is a professional storyteller. She has told stories in more than 2,000 events including several international festivals. She also trains people in the art of storytelling.Jennifer is trained in Gestalt therapy, expressive arts therapies, Psychodrama and ecotherapy.She works with story medicine in private practice and as a group facilitator working creatively with stories in unique workshops, weaving tales with Gestalt therapy, psychodrama into the seasons of the year.The heartbeat of Jennifer’s stories is the rhythms of nature as the Celtic wheel of the year turns and the lunar cycles wax and wane. She is committed to...
2025-09-1846 minThe Heart of StorytellingFran Stallings and Science as StoriesFran Stallings is a lifelong storyteller who enchants audiences with her distinctive voice and music. A recovering biology professor, as “Earthteller” she specializes in stories of plants and animals, our ecosystems and the solar system. She performs nationwide and overseas at storytelling festivals, in schools and libraries, and on Zoom.Her website is franstallings.com
2025-09-0454 minThe Heart of StorytellingMarilyn McPhie and Stories of AncestorsIn this episode, I speak with U.S. storyteller Marilyn McPhie who has travelled internationally to tell stories. We share a love of ancestry and sharing family stories and dive into a rich conversation about this. We discuss working with people with dementia, running a storytelling organisation and being online and so much more.
2025-08-2139 minThe Heart of StorytellingRachael Harrington and Time to WonderRachael Harrington is a storyteller whose work has taken her around the globe, presenting imagination infused performances and workshops in arts venues, schools, community settings, and as a guest lecturer at Rutgers University. She presents workshops, stories, and talks at conferences including The National Storytelling Summit, The American Association of School Libraries Conference, New Jersey Education Association, New Jersey Association of School Libraries, and New Jersey TESOL Conference. Publications: Storytelling Magazine, School LIbrary Connection, Voices Journal. Performance Highlights: The Sugarhill Children’s Museum of Art and Storytelling, The Uptown Arts Stroll, The Story Center at Mid-Continent Public Library. Member: The Na...
2025-08-0751 min
The Heart of StorytellingKelli Dunham and Working with HumourKelli Dunham is the nonbinary ex-nun storytelling nurse comedian so common in modern Brooklyn. Kelli has appeared on Showtime and the Discovery Channel, PBS Stories From the Stage, the Moth Mainstage, NPR, nationwide at colleges, prides, fundraisers, oh so many nursing conferences and even the occasional livestock auction. Kelli's award-winning but dubiously named Second Helping: Two Dead Lovers, Dead Funny was called "a love letter to the power of community" by the Bechdel Theater, and "drop dead funny" by Go Magazine, was featured in last year's Edinburgh Fringe and is touring internationally. Kelli was one of the faces of n...
2025-07-2450 min
The Heart of StorytellingTalia Levy and Connection to LineageTalia Levy is an emerging storyteller.She is a woman who follows the flame of passion and inspiration. She is in service to life, authenticity and harmony.She is a teacher of children, a way-shower for women and a guide for those exploring deep nature connection.Her depth and breadth of experience across these fields have found their co-habitation in Storytelling.Through the art of storytelling Talia explores the deep questions of belonging, connection and longing.Storytelling has given her a way to connect to her ancestry through the untold stories of women. She hopes to support others to find...
2025-07-1038 min
The Heart of StorytellingJamie Brunson and Sharing the PersonalJamie J, Executive Director of First Person Arts, is an artist/activist using storytelling to build community and catalyze dialogue around important issues, especially those issues impacting the unheard. Brunson was named a 2022 NEA/ Delaware Division of the Arts Established Artist Fellow in Literature: Playwriting. Her creative body of work includes produced plays, published poetry and stories for the stage. She has brought storytelling to audiences across multiple platforms for over a decade, including: executive producer of two documentary films, producer of 12 annual First Person Arts Festivals of memoir and documentary art, host of WHYY’s Philadelphia Revealed Podcast (July 2024); WH...
2025-06-2648 min
The Heart of StorytellingJim Brulé and an Invitation into GriefJim Brulé is a transformational storyteller, end-of-life doula, and educator. Drawing on a blend of cultural, spiritual, and academic experiences, he brings a unique perspective to his work with advanced degrees in Family and Systems Therapy and Artificial Intelligence. Jim’s workshops explore themes of healing, multicultural wisdom, and end-of-life support. For over a decade, he has trained spiritual storytellers from a variety of traditions. Known for his collaborative spirit, Jim has co-developed and led dozens of workshops with storytellers worldwide.You can learn more at https://TransformationalStorytelling.org/ or jimbrule@gmail.com
2025-06-1252 min
The Heart of StorytellingMini-Episode #1In June 2025, I went to the Sydney International Storytelling Conference and had an incredible time. While I was there, I chatted with a bunch of great people and this mini-episode is the result of that. Adam Booth was the keynote speaker at this event, hosted by Australian Storytellers. You can find out more about it here.
2025-06-0414 min
The Heart of StorytellingChristine Carlton and Story RelationshipsChristine Carlton is an Australian Storyteller and Educator who has performed and facilitated workshops throughout Australia, New Zealand, USA and Asia. She loves how stories challenge, heal, entertain, inform, develop and delight both the tellers and the audience. For over 40 years Christine has conducted workshops with groups of children and adults, organisations, and lectured in Story and Drama in Education at the University of Western Sydney. She also provides individual coaching and mentoring for people keen to expand their storytelling skills. Christine has been the Convenor for all of the Weaving Stories Together - Sydney International Storytelling Conferences and is Pre...
2025-05-2953 min
Not the PlotAlyssa Curtayne – Breathing new life into old storiesSend us a textAlyssa Curtayne is a passionate storyteller, writer, and researcher who is on a mission to breathe new life into forgotten fairy tales and the ancient art of storytelling. With a deep love for the old stories and the timeless lessons they hold, she is dedicated to reviving these tales and the traditions of the original tale-tellers, ensuring they continue to inspire and encourage imagination, creativity and wonder for future generations. A former journalist and English teacher, she has a strong commitment to inspiring creativity, fostering self-expression and cultivating connection through her...
2025-05-2427 min
The Heart of StorytellingLaura Packer and a Lifetime of StoriesLaura Packer knows that the best way to the truth is through a good story. For over 30 years she has told, taught, ranted, raved, consulted, and considered storytelling around the world. When she isn’t telling, she runs venues, coaches, writes, and helps people and organizations find their stories, hone their vision and use their voices to make the world a better place. She has won many awards, including induction into the National Storytelling Network's Circle of Excellence for standard bearers of the art and craft of storytelling; Best in Fringe in many fringe festivals; the New England Storytelling Brother Bl...
2025-05-2251 min
The Heart of StorytellingDaniel Abercrombie and Curating StoriesDaniel Abercrombie is the Head of Programming at the Scottish Storytelling Centre in Edinburgh and the Associate Director for the Scottish International Storytelling Festival, which takes place throughout Scotland each October. He has over 15 years of experience in events programming, working in partnership with a wide range of artists and cultural organisations in Scotland and internationally, focussing his work on collaboration and shared creativity. Daniel also hosts and curates the storytelling podcast Another Story. https://www.instagram.com/dannyabercrombie/https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/another-storyhttps://www.sisf.org.uk/https://www.scottishstorytellingcentre.com/
2025-05-1549 min
The Heart of StorytellingMarcus Pibworth and Building Men’s SpacesMarcus Pibworth is a storyteller who uses story to entertain, explore the magic of the world, and facilitate change. Two years ago he moved with his wife and two young daughters to the foothills of the Black Mountains just on the English side of the Welsh border, where he has been working tirelessly to explore the intersection between story and the natural world, rewild and restory 10acres of land, and use the ancient wisdom of story to bring groups of dads together to explore fatherhood in the magical Rock Cottage yurt, and provide a peaceful rural haven for storytellers. Marcus...
2025-05-0145 min
The Heart of StorytellingLucia Luckett-Kelly and Creating SafetyLucia L. Luckett-Kelly , solopreneur, the founder and owner of Phantasy Staircase Education is an Educator, Creative Dramatic Instructor and Storyteller.She has been teaching students of all ages and backgrounds for over 30 years and has been performing for even longer.Lucia has made appearances at schools, park districts, libraries, churches, museums, bookstores, restaurants, private family homes, and art festivals, in person and virtually on Zoom.She is a former Board member of the ITA (Illinois Theatre Association), a member of NSN (National Storytelling Network), and on the Board of Directors for (BlessingsBalanceBreathYoga).She is an artistic, sociable and enterprising individual w...
2025-04-1754 min
The Heart of StorytellingDonald Smith and generosity of spiritDonald Smith is a storyteller of Scotland. Inspired by his time at the School of Scottish Studies in Edinburgh, Donald became Director of The Netherbow Arts Centre and founding Director of the Scottish Storytelling Centre. He is a longstanding activist in Earth Charter International, and co-founder of The Earth Stories Collection. Donald is currently Director of the Scottish International Storytelling Festival but also a busy supporter of Scotland's national storytelling network. In 2023 he received the Hamish Henderson Award for lifetime service to the Scottish arts. donald@tracscotland.orgOffice: 0131 652 3271Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43-45 High Street, EH1 1SR
2025-04-0358 min
The Heart of StorytellingMichael Harvey and Social StorytellingMichael has told stories both as a solo performer and with other artists throughout the UK and Europe as well festivals in North and South America. Most of his work is in either English or Welsh and he specialises in bilingual delivery of stories.He is a familiar performer in the UK festival and club scene and draws particular inspiration from the Welsh oral heritage and landscape. He combines depth of material with lightness of delivery which is timed and paced to perfection and minted fresh for every audience.Michael has devised and toured collaborative work w...
2025-03-2053 min
The Heart of StorytellingLaura Simms and storytelling magicLaura is an internationally acclaimed storyteller, writer, coach, and humanitarian. She combines traditional stories with personal narrative. She is artistic Director of the Hans Christian Andersen Storytelling Center, and served as a Senior Research Fellow for Rutgers University Peace Center under the auspices of UNESCO. Laura won the Sesame Street SUNNY DAYS AWARD for work with children worldwide, received the Hasbro September 11 Grant and a lifetime achievement award from the National Storytelling Network. She is a certified dharma art teacher, senior meditation instructor, and works with The Constellation. Her most recent book is Our Secret Territory: The Essence of Storytelling...
2025-03-061h 03
The Heart of StorytellingMelissa Min and sacred story medicineMelissa Min is one of West Australia’s most prominent storytellers. She works with language, myth and story to evoke a deep sense of connection, belonging and healing. Melissa is a passionate advocate for bringing creative and artistic practices to community spaces. She facilitates storytelling events, poetry circles and creative writing sessions throughout Perth and the South West of WA.
2025-02-2041 min
The Heart of StorytellingKavita Shah and weaving the storyKavita breathes stories and is a passionate professional storyteller. She facilitates storytelling experiences for children and adults utilising various storytelling techniques and art therapies methods. Her lively storytelling performances using different storytelling styles keep people of all ages spell-bound. Her repertoire of stories includes a wide range of Indian and other Asian folktales, European fairy tales, Personal and Family stories, True-life incidents, and modern stories from numerous cultures. Different Artforms like Oral Storytelling, Kamishibai (Japanese), Kawwad- DashaAvtara (Rajasthan), Musical Storytelling with Rhythmic Beats, Tandem Telling, Story Cards, Story Performances Solo and Tandem, Crankie Storytelling, and many more to be performed...
2025-02-0648 min
The Heart of StorytellingBrian Walsh and Irish tales and landscapes“Do Scéalaí Ceanadach le Scéalta Éireannacha!”“Your Canadian Teller of Irish Tales!”Brian Walsh is a professional storyteller specializes in Irish Folktales and Mythology as a source of wisdom and humor, discomfort and delight. Brian’s background is in Psychotherapy, World Religions, and Celtic Studies. He has told at diverse venues including the Toronto International Storytelling Festival, the Niagara Irish Festival, Schools/Universities, and around the campfire under the stars.Find him on Instagram at:https://www.instagram.com/brianwalsh.ca/
2025-01-2350 min
The Heart of StorytellingBrenda Berrisford and building confidenceBrenda moved to Perth from England with her family in 1970. She wears many hatsincluding retired librarian, oral storyteller and writer of poetry and short stories.In the 70s she enrolled at WAIT (now Curtin University) in Library Studies. Duringthis time she worked in high school libraries and discovered the Storytelling Guild ofWA in 1983, of which she is a Life Member. After graduating she started her ownbusiness, combining libraries and storytelling.She has travelled widely – interstate and overseas – on holidays, or spreading thejoy of oral storytelling through her love of words and language. Storytelling andlecturing took her to many interesting venues, incl...
2025-01-0945 min
The Heart of StorytellingJenni Cargill-Strong and finding belongingJenni is a nationally recognised storyteller and educator with thirty years experience, now based in Meanjin, or Brisbane. Jenni tells her stories eye to eye and heart to heart, engaging listeners with her warm, welcoming and expressive style. Jenni toured schools in Australia and New Zealand for seven years and has five award-winning story albums. She has been an invited presenter and workshop leader at online storytelling gatherings and conferences in the US and is a part-time academic at Southern Cross University, teaching storytelling for educators, change-makers and healers. Jenni is available for storytelling performances, workshops, story coaching, school shows...
2024-12-2644 min
The Heart of StorytellingMarion Mary and dancing in the heartMarion spent many hours in the evening as a child sitting on the lap of her mother reading stories. When she encountered the Art of Storytelling in 2013 it was evident. This was the craft of her heart! She went in 2018 studying Storytelling at Emerson college in England. As her craft grew she traveled to many places telling stories until she landed in the northern part of Italy where she settled. Today, Marion is creating her own events where she tells stories as well as goes to schools to enchant the imagination of the children. She also weaves Storytelling and Dance, her...
2024-12-1234 min