Speak Up Storytelling

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**Speak Up Storytelling**

Learn to tell better stories from the producers of Speak Up, a Hartford-based storytelling organization. Bestselling author, 53-time Moth StorySLAM champion, and 7-time GrandSLAM champion Matthew Dicks partners with his wife, Elysha Dicks, to share stories recorded from years of Speak Up shows. More importantly, they offer tips, feedback, strategies, and advice on these stories, all in an effort to help you tell your best stories.

Latest Episodes:

James Bengiovanni: "Game Show Host" Aug 02, 2021

Show notes

On episode #116 of the Speak Up Storytelling podcast, Matthew and Elysha Dicks are back, talking storytelling!

In our follow up segment, we discuss our return to posting new episodes and our upcoming shows and workshops.

August 18: Speak Up at Hill-Stead Museum (6:00 PM EST)
August 20-21: Storytelling Workshop (Phoenicia Playhouse, Woodstock, NY)
August 21: Speak Up at the Phoenicia Playhouse, Woodstock, NY (7:00 PM EST)
October 23: Speak Up at The Wadsworth Atheneum (7:00 PM EST) Tickets available soon!
December 4: Speak Up at The Connecticut Historical Society (7:00 PM EST)

In our Homework for Life segment, Matt talks about finding stories through contrast.

Next we listen to a story by James Bengiovanni.

Amongst the many things we discuss include:

Authenticity of voice
Capturing secondary characters in meaningful ways
Raising the stakes
The art of "the pause"
Powers of location
Alternatives to the impulse to play jokes loudly
The importance of ending in the heart of the storyteller

Next we answer questions about using stories in cover letters and job interviews.

Lastly, we each offer a recommendation.

RECOMMEDATIONS

Elysha:

Crip Camp Documentary (Netflix)

Matt:

How Walking Can Build Up the Brain by. Gretchen Reynolds (NYTimes)

_________________________________________________________

Support Speak Up Storytelling through our Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/speakupstorytelling

Speak Up merch at Cotton Bureau: https://bit.ly/3gc1h35

Purchase Storyworthy: Engage, Teach, Persuade, and Change Your Life Through the Power of Storytelling:

https://amzn.to/2H3YNn3

Homework for Life: https://bit.ly/2f9ZPne

Matthew Dicks's website: http://www.matthewdicks.com

Matthew Dicks's YouTube channel:

https://www.youtube.com/matthewjohndicks

Matthew Dicks's blog:

https://matthewdicks.com/blog

"Remembering Your Story" with special guest Thomas Krafft Apr 16, 2021

Show notes

On episode #115 of the Speak Up Storytelling podcast, Matthew and special guest Thomas Krafft talk storytelling!

In our follow up segment, we discuss new content on our Patreon page and upcoming shows and workshops.

In our Homework for Life segment, Matt talks about the way that a simple statement, when given enough thought and consideration, can produce a story.

Next Matt and Thomas discuss strategies for remembering content for the stage, incluidng:

Memorizing versus remembering
Strategies for practicing aloud
Strategies for recording
Active listening
The reverse memory palace

Lastly, we each offer a recommendation.

RECOMMEDATIONS

Thomas:

Geocaching

Matt:

Photo rotation _______________________________________________

Support Speak Up Storytelling through our Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/speakupstorytelling

Speak Up merch at Cotton Bureau: https://bit.ly/3gc1h35

Purchase Storyworthy: Engage, Teach, Persuade, and Change Your Life Through the Power of Storytelling: https://amzn.to/2H3YNn3

Homework for Life: https://bit.ly/2f9ZPne

Matthew Dicks's website: http://www.matthewdicks.com

Matthew Dicks's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/matthewjohndicks

Matthew Dicks's blog: https://matthewdicks.com/blog

Questions Answered! Apr 08, 2021

Show notes

On episode #114 of the Speak Up Storytelling podcast, Matthew and Elysha Dicks are back, talking storytelling! And answering your questions!

In our follow up segment, we discuss new content on our Patreon page and upcoming shows and workshops.

In our Homework for Life segment, Elysha explains to Matt how one of his Homework for Life entries can make a great story.

Next we answer lots of listener questions!

Lastly, we each offer a recommendation.

RECOMMEDATIONS

Elysha:

Wandavision on Netflix

Moby Dicks in Pictures by Matt Kish _______________________________________________

Support Speak Up Storytelling through our Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/speakupstorytelling

Speak Up merch at Cotton Bureau: https://bit.ly/3gc1h35

Purchase Storyworthy: Engage, Teach, Persuade, and Change Your Life Through the Power of Storytelling: https://amzn.to/2H3YNn3

Homework for Life: https://bit.ly/2f9ZPne

Matthew Dicks's website: http://www.matthewdicks.com

Matthew Dicks's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/matthewjohndicks

Matthew Dicks's blog: https://matthewdicks.com/blog

Two Little Jewish Dicks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIrItw1hsSI

Shoe Thief: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tl_gQhsPqXA

Donna Shubrooks: "Driveway Interview" Mar 16, 2021

Show notes

On episode #113 of the Speak Up Storytelling podcast, Matthew and Elysha Dicks are back, talking storytelling!

In our follow up segment, we discuss new content on our Patreon page and upcoming shows and workshops.

In our Homework for Life segment, Matt talks about the way that Homework for Life can help illuminate a story that took years to complete.

Next we listen to a story by Donna Shubrooks.

Amongst the many things we discuss include:

Humor strategies in storytelling
Dispensing information without leaving the confines of the story
Spooling
Openings
Avoiding describing scenes after the fact

Next we answer questions about subtle stories and storytelling introductions.

Lastly, we each offer a recommendation.

RECOMMEDATIONS

Elysha:

https://www.cookingwithshereen.com

Matt:

Speck of Dust by Sarah Silverman (Netflix) _______________________________________________

Support Speak Up Storytelling through our Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/speakupstorytelling

Speak Up merch at Cotton Bureau: https://bit.ly/3gc1h35

Purchase Storyworthy: Engage, Teach, Persuade, and Change Your Life Through the Power of Storytelling: https://amzn.to/2H3YNn3

Homework for Life: https://bit.ly/2f9ZPne

Matthew Dicks's website: http://www.matthewdicks.com

Matthew Dicks's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/matthewjohndicks

Matthew Dicks's blog: https://matthewdicks.com/blog

SPECIAL EPISODE #5: Real Life People in a Book - "Twenty-one Truths About Love" Feb 22, 2021

Show notes

In this special episode of the Speak Up Storytelling podcast, Matthew Shepard and Steve Brouse talk about what it's like to become characters in a book of fiction and other oddities in the creation of Matt's novel, "Twenty-one Truths About Love," a book written entirely in list form.

In this series of 5 episodes, Matt, along with Elysha, several friends, his editor, and the illustrator of the cover, will pull back the curtains on publishing. They'll talk about the writing process, creativity, collaboration, stumbling blocks, and more.

"Twenty-one Truths About Love" is now available in paperback and can be purchased wherever you get books.

SPECIAL EPISODE #4: Stumbling Blocks - "Twenty-one Truths About Love" Feb 22, 2021

Show notes

In this special episode of the Speak Up Storytelling podcast, Matt and storyteller Jeni Bonaldo talk about the stumbling blocks that occurred in the writing of Matt's novel, "Twenty-one Truths About Love," a book written entirely in list form.

"Twenty-one Truths About Love" is now available in paperback and can be purchased wherever you get books.

SPECIAL EPISODE #3: My Cover Designer and Me - "Twenty-one Truths About Love"" Feb 21, 2021

Show notes

In this special episode of the Speak Up Storytelling podcast, Matt and designer Kerri Resnick talk about the creation of Matt's novel, "Twenty-one Truths About Love," a book written entirely in list form.

"Twenty-one Truths About Love" is now available in paperback and can be purchased wherever you get books.

SPECIAL EPISODE #2: My Editor and Me - "Twenty-one Truths About Love" Feb 21, 2021

Show notes

In this special episode of the Speak Up Storytelling podcast, Matt and editor Hannah Braaten talk about the creation of Matt's novel, "Twenty-one Truths About Love," a book written entirely in list form.

"Twenty-one Truths About Love" is now available in paperback and can be purchased wherever you get books.

SPECIAL EPISODE #1: The Birth of a Book - "Twenty-one Truths About Love" Feb 21, 2021

Show notes

In this special episode of the Speak Up Storytelling podcast, Matt and Elysha talk about the creation of Matt's novel, "Twenty-one Truths About Love," a book written entirely in list form.

"Twenty-one Truths About Love" is now available in paperback and can be purchased wherever you get books.

Sue Huggans: "Handling Money" Feb 10, 2021

Show notes

On episode #112 of the Speak Up Storytelling podcast, Matthew and Elysha Dicks are back, talking storytelling!

In our follow up segment, we discuss Elysha's recovery from COVID-19, a public service announcement on birds, upcoming shows and workshops, and more.

In our Homework for Life segment, Matt talks about finding stories through contrast.

Next we listen to a story by Sue Huggans.

Amongst the many things we discuss include:

The chronology of storytelling
Controlling your audience's wonder
Description without adjectives
The powerful combination of surprise and vulnerability
Avoiding describing scenes after the fact

Next we answer questions about our podcasting equipment, Charlie's finger, and creating a family legacy.

Lastly, we each offer a recommendation.

RECOMMEDATIONS

Elysha:

Thekitchn.com

Matt:

Springsteen on Broadway _______________________________________________

Support Speak Up Storytelling through our Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/speakupstorytelling

Speak Up merch at Cotton Bureau: https://bit.ly/3gc1h35

Purchase Storyworthy: Engage, Teach, Persuade, and Change Your Life Through the Power of Storytelling: https://amzn.to/2H3YNn3

Homework for Life: https://bit.ly/2f9ZPne

Matthew Dicks's website: http://www.matthewdicks.com

Matthew Dicks's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/matthewjohndicks

Matthew Dicks's blog: https://matthewdicks.com/blog

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