Storytelling

Storytelling is an ancient art form that is fundamental to every culture and community. It has the ability to connect, inspire, teach, and even work through conflict and solve large problems. Listening to others tell their stories and telling our own in turn is one of the most powerful ways we create community and form relationships as human beings. The stories we tell each other help us make sense of the world and our experiences, and many traditions believe—and a lot of science supports—that the stories we tell about ourselves can change our biological capacity to deal with emotional adversity, psychological stress, and extreme physical conditions. Storytelling is both an instinct and a skill, and practicing it can empower us to create positive change and confront harm within our own selves and communities.