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by Fran Stallings ©1988. Entranced by Stories “Entranced . . . complete absorption . . . captivate . . . total attention . . . completely enthralled . . . mesmerizing . . . hypnotic . . . ” We hear such descriptions of storytelling events so often that we hardly notice the words. The […]

by Allison Cox © 2000. Because of my firm conviction that stories convey important information to others in ways that few other forms of communication can accomplish, I use storytelling in my work as a Public Health Educator. The tradition of storytelling is ageless and known to most cultures as an experience vital to the

By William Noonan Ph.D. The metaphors of folktales help cancer patients in their therapy. Unlikely heroes and heroines lie in hospital beds. Living with cancer is hardly a fairy tale existence, yet the life portrayed in fairy tales metaphorically describes the inner journey traveled from illness to healing. The rich resources of these tales present

by Lorna Czarnota. There are two ways to approach the challenges we face in life’s journey. We can run into them head-on and try to move them out of way or push them before us or we can learn to dance with them. When we dance with the challenges, we can look into their eyes,

by Shelia Darr. I have a story. Actually only the beginning of a story, so far, but this story could be the mother and grandmother and great-grandmother to hundreds, perhaps thousands of other stories; stories of life changing adventure and healing for college students from the U.S. and for the people of Belize. Here’s how

By Caren S. Neile (response to September 11). I founded the Storytelling for Social Action Discussion Focus Group and agreed to serve on the HSA Board in order to promote awareness, conversation and action on the role of story in social issues concerning the public and the planet. Seen in this light, the terrorist attacks

By Laura Simms (response to September 11). Early morning of September 11th before the planes hit the World Trade Center, I was awakened by a dream. I saw the door of my loft, which in reality is a dark blue painted metal Manhattan door, now turned into a window with frilly white curtains looking out

By Lorne Browne. (response to September 11) First the Canadian favorites – Bob Homme (the Friendly Giant) and then Ernie Coombs (Mr. Dressup) died. Then Fred Rogers retired from his Neighborhood. Three gentle television storytellers for children now gone, their places filled with frenetic, over-produced kids’ shows. I found myself longing for the more innocent,

By William Noonan Ph.D. Once upon a time, an evil sorcerer stole a magic crystal orb, a troll-like imp turned himself into a poisonous fruit tree, and a giant abducted a princess and hid her in his Castle of No Return. These are images from folk tales that you would expect to find in Grimm’s

By Meg Gilman. I develop storytelling programs for people with ABI (acquired brain injury) and for clinicians who work in that field. While there are common problems and struggles for people with ABI, the unique nature of the brain and it’s response to trauma begs that anyone telling stories to survivors, for any purpose, be