Shows
StorylinkingWhy people don't show up (and what we can do about it) with Matt Penniman, Cecilia Sepp, Stacy Averill, and Michelle Thompson-McCuneBuilding authentic community engagement, with insights from across the Storylinking community With this episode of Storylinking, we're trying something a little different. Instead of a one-on-one interview, I’ve pulled together responses from four generous members of the Storylinking community: Matt Penniman, a writer and community advocate; Cecilia Sepp, a longtime association and nonprofit leader; Stacy Averill, a leadership coach and facilitator; and Michelle Thompson-McCune, a co-creative designer who builds with communities. Each of them shares their take on why it’s hard to get people to engage, and what’s actually worked for them. We talk about...2025-04-2233 minStorylinkingEngaging with Media for Action (Not Overwhelm) with Tyler Sonnamaker and Jane BunchWith this episode of Storylinking, we’re trying something new! Instead of the usual one-on-one conversation, I’m sharing a panel discussion from a recent event called The Future is Now, where I had the opportunity to speak alongside journalist Tyler Sonnamaker. The conversation was moderated by Jane Bunch from Revalue, a values-based investment advisory firm. Together, we explore how news and storytelling shape our communities, the responsibilities of storytellers, and the role of local media in building trust and engagement. We dig into why reframing our relationship with media is essential for meaningful participation, how to enga...2025-02-2644 minStorylinkingScience and Story - Connecting Cultures, with Cecilia WandigaThis episode features Cecilia Wandiga, Executive Director of the Centre for Science and Technology Innovations (CSTI) in Nairobi, Kenya. Cecilia’s work brings science and storytelling together in a way that makes complex research practical and relevant for communities facing environmental and climate challenges. In our conversation, we explore how science connects our stories, grounding them in knowledge and shared reality, while storytelling frames science in ways that make it personal, memorable, and actionable. Cecilia shares how CSTI translates climate research into practical solutions for communities, the role of citizen science in driving local engagement, and the ba...2025-02-111h 04StorylinkingLeading with Curiosity and Bridging Divides, with Mónica GuzmánI had the privilege of sitting down with Mónica Guzmán for this episode of Storylinking. Mónica is the Senior Fellow for Public Practice at Braver Angels, the author of "I Never Thought of It That Way," and the host of the podcast "A Braver Way." She’s someone I deeply admire for her ability to lean into curiosity and use it as a tool for building trust and understanding across political and cultural divides. In our conversation, we explored how curiosity can help us navigate tough conversations, whether we’re engaging with colleagues, family members...2025-01-2852 minStorylinkingTheatre as a Model for Dialogue and Engagement, with Chad Swan-BadgeroHow theater can create space for meaningful dialogue, build community trust, and inspire engagement among diverse audiences In this episode of Storylinking, Chad Swan-Badgero (founder and artistic director of Peppermint Creek Theatre and program manager for the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs) joins host Tom Lietz for a conversation about how theater creates space for communities to navigate tough conversations. From Peppermint Creek’s origins to its evolution as a platform for addressing current societal issues, Chad shares his insights on approaches to audience engagement, and the transformative power of participatory storytelling. Key to...2025-01-141h 00StorylinkingLeveraging AI to Scale Human Connection and Creativity, with David NorrisHow AI can elevate human creativity and community engagement In this episode of Storylinking, musician/developer/founder/creator David Norris and host Tom Lietz talk about how generative AI is transforming creativity and community engagement. They discuss practical ways to integrate new AI-based approaches while staying human-centered, balancing innovation with ethical considerations, and using new tools to build meaningful connections at scale. Key topics include the potential of generative AI to transform creativity and community engagement, the balance between AI innovation and human values, and the ethical considerations involved. The conversation explores how leaders can be...2024-12-3148 minStorylinkingUsing Co-Creation to Break Silos and Build Alignment, with Susan BartlettHarnessing Co-Creation for Aligned Impact in Healthcare and Beyond, with Workomics founder Susan Bartlett In this episode of Storylinking, Susan Bartlett, co-founder of Workomics, joins host Tom Lietz to explore the transformative power of co-creative practices in breaking down organizational silos and building alignment across diverse teams. Susan shares how her work bridges internal and external barriers to help organizations create solutions that resonate with all stakeholders: from internal departments like legal and compliance to the end users of healthcare systems. Key topics include the formation of organizational silos and the ch...2024-12-1752 minStorylinkingBuilding Trust and Engagement, with Jody Horntvedt and Eriks DunensUnderstanding how the Trust + Engagement Cycle can Enhance Collaboration in Communities and Organizations In this episode of Storylinking, Jody Horntvedt and Eriks Dunens join us to share insights on trust, engagement, and the relationship between both as we build thriving communities. Drawing on their extensive experience as applied researchers, extension educators, and community builders, they unpack the multifaceted nature of trust (including contractual, communication, competence, and caring) and how each type of trust can play a critical role. The conversation offers accessible strategies for building, repairing, and sustaining trust within organizations and communities. With practical, real-world examples, Jody and...2024-12-0352 minStorylinkingCommunity and Career: Unpacking the 2024 Wiley Society Member Survey with Rich GreenIn this episode of Storylinking, Rich Green (Commercial Director at Madgex) and host Tom Lietz dive into the results of the 2024 Wiley Society Member Survey. Together, they unpack the survey's findings on career development within associations, highlighting a pressing issue: the gap between members' expectations for career advancement and the support they actually receive. Rich, an innovator in job boards and career center solutions, shares his perspective on how associations can adapt to better meet members' needs by prioritizing career services, networking opportunities, and professional growth. The conversation reveals how career support impacts member engagement, retention, and...2024-11-1937 minStorylinkingFacing the Fracture, with professor of counseling psychology Tania Israel, Ph.D.How community builders can respond to political polarization In this episode of Storylinking, counseling psychology professor and author Dr. Tania Israel shares her journey of bringing people together across deep political divides. Dr. Israel discusses growing challenges of political polarization and introduces practical, research-based strategies for fostering understanding and connection in divided communities. She explores how reducing polarizing input, recognizing cognitive biases, and using storytelling can help bridge divides and support a healthier democracy. Key takeaways include practical advice on building empathy, engaging in bridging conversations, and strengthening social cohesion within our communities. Ch...2024-11-0538 minStorylinkingRethinking Association Strategy, with product strategist James YoungStrategic Community Building and Leadership with James Young: Balancing People and Product for Long-Term Impact In this episode of Storylinking, host Tom Lietz speaks with James Young, an expert in strategic community building and product-centered design. Drawing from his extensive work with The Product Community, Jim provides a fresh look at how organizations can navigate the shift from traditional association models to more innovative approaches that balance people-first engagement with product-driven value creation. The conversation explores the interplay between storytelling, creating a shared vision, and aligning short-term operations with long-term strategy. Jim offers practical insights...2024-10-2238 minStorylinkingInclusive Identity Storytelling, with philanthropy consultant Katherine LacefieldHow Authentic Stories Drive Collaboration, Compassion, and Sustainable Impact in Nonprofits In this episode of Storylinking, nonprofit leader and philanthropy consultant Katherine Lacefield shares her journey of using storytelling as a powerful tool to build inclusive communities. Katherine dives deep into the importance of shifting from competition to collaboration in the nonprofit world, offering practical strategies for managing compassion fatigue and driving sustainable fundraising efforts. She explains how community-sourced stories can foster empathy, dispel stereotypes, and ignite meaningful action. Key takeaways include practical advice on active listening, seeking diverse perspectives, and strengthening partnerships. ...2024-10-2231 minStorylinkingCreative Collaboration Across Boundaries, with filmmaker Tim WhalenUniting Art and Conservation: The Mates for Life Journey with Filmmaker Tim Whalen In this episode of Storylinking, filmmaker Tim Whalen joins host Tom Lietz to discuss his innovative project, Mates for Life, a unique collaboration between the Joffrey Ballet, choreographer Xavi Núñez, and the International Crane Foundation. Together, they’ve created a powerful film that tells the inspiring comeback story of the whooping crane, blending dance and conservation in a way that bridges the gap between performing arts and environmental advocacy. The conversation touches on the challenges of the creative project, emotional connection both...2024-10-2237 minStorylinkingWhat is Storylinking? (start here)How Co-Creative, Inclusive, and Strategic Storytelling Can Build Stronger Communities and Drive Collective Impact Hi, I’m Tom Lietz, and welcome to Storylinking. In this introductory episode, I share my perspective on storytelling and why I believe we're often doing it wrong when it comes to building communities. For over two decades, I’ve worked as a video producer and creative director, helping mission-driven organizations tackle tough challenges by rallying their communities through story. In this episode, I lay out the vision for Storylinking—a podcast for community leaders and creative professionals about using narrative and the...2024-10-2209 min
MASSP PodcastA.I. in EducationIn this episde, we are joined by Bill Jones (Principal at Hillsdale MS), Aaron Romoslawski (Asst. Principal at Forest Hills Northern) and Tom Lietz (Associate Director at MASSP) as we talk about the role of Artificial Intelligence in education. All three are passionate learners of AI and have seen the benefits of how this magnificent tool can impact the lives of administrators, teachers and students. Listeners should hear some interesting ways that AI can positively impact teaching and learning in their schools. 2023-10-1943 min
Backroads & BonfiresEpisode 093 The 4 Wheeler Incident (Re-Release)Join Adam along with Brett, Tom and special guest Derek Lietz as they discuss the 4 wheeler tag "event of passion", explain how Tom's emotional pain was much worse than Derek's physical pain, & you, the listener, wonder how we are all still friends on this special episode of Backroads & Bonfires.
Intro Music "Upbeat" by Jon Luc Hefferman (No changes were made) License Link (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/legalcode) Outro Music "Quittin' Time" by Patrick Lee (No changes were made) License Link (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/legalcode)
2022-11-281h 19Backroads & BonfiresEpisode 093 The 4 Wheeler IncidentJoin Adam along with Brett, Tom and special guest Derek Lietz as they discuss the 4 wheeler tag "event of passion", explain how Tom's emotional pain was much worse than Derek's physical pain, & you, the listener, wonder how we are all still friends on this special episode of Backroads & Bonfires.
Intro Music "Upbeat" by Jon Luc Hefferman (No changes were made)
License Link (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/legalcode)
Outro Music "Quittin' Time" by Patrick Lee (No changes were made)
License Link (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/legalcode)2022-11-281h 18
MASSP PodcastThe Return to School 2021 (HS Edition)JoLynn Clark (Frankenmuth HS), Joe Esper (Traverse City West HS) & Tom Lietz (Utica HS) all join the podcast to share what has and hasn't changed with how their buildings are handling COVID-19 protocols at the start of the 2021 school year. Mask mandates vs recommendations, contact tracing, quarantine protocols and more are all covered and their particular impact on HS students.2021-10-0832 min