On episode #32 of the Speak Up Storytelling podcast, Matthew and Elysha Dicks talk storytelling! In our followup segment, we talk about new workshop dates and links, an email from a merchant marine, and a girl crush on Elysha.  In our Homework for Life segment, we talk about finding and collecting stories while visiting familiar locations and how some of them could be stories.  Next we listen to Tom Reed Swale's story about love on a college campus. After listening, we discuss: The power of self deprecating humor The best places to start stories Enhancing the power of surprise in a story Capturing mood and tone through inflection  The hazards of cultural references Avoiding the de-activating of your audience's imagination Next, we answer questions about telling stories that cast people in a negative light and the possibility of two people sharing a stage to tell a story. Finally, we each offer a recommendation.   LINKS 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  Subscribe to Matthew Dicks's weekly newsletter:  http://www.matthewdicks.com/matthewdicks-subscribe Subscribe to the Speak Up newsletter:  http://www.matthewdicks.com/subscribe-speak-up Peter Aguero and Sara Peter's TED Talk: https://bit.ly/2Ciqgir She Held My Hand: https://bit.ly/2TPb5o6 RECOMMEDATIONS Elysha: Pilot G2 pens (.7 and .38) SeeSaw Stickers Matt Heavyweight