On episode #50 of the Speak Up Storytelling podcast, Matthew and Elysha Dicks talk storytelling and celebrate our ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY IN OUR FIRST LIVE EPISODE! In our followup segment, we hear from our friends in Australia, who are attending the show virtually! We also hear from a listener who suggests a way of using Facebook to expand your Homework for Life and from another who makes an interesting comparison between listening to music and listening to stories.  ALSO, UPCOMING SHOWS: June 8: “Nature Calls: Stories of the Outdoors” at Infinity Hall August 10: Great Hartford Story Slam at Hartford Flavor Company August 17: Solo storytelling show, Taproot Theater, Seattle, WA Next we listen to stories by Amanda Coletti and Jack Bourque.  Amongst the many things we discuss include: Opening scenes that activate imagination Avoiding clumping  Strategies for humor in storytelling  The advantages of keeping your story "in the moment" Making your story about something bigger than the story itself The power of vulnerability In our Homework for Life segment, Matt tells a brand new story crafted from a recent Homework for Life moment shared on the podcast.  Finally, we each offer a recommendation.   LINKS Purchase Storyworthy: Engage, Teach, Persuade, and Change Your Life Through the Power of Storytelling 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 STORYTELLING WORKSHOPS 2019 July 27: Storytelling workshop (advanced), CT Historical Society October 4-6: Storytelling workshop, Art of Living Retreat, Boone, NC October 25-27: Storytelling workshop (beginner), Kripalu Center for Yoga and Heath December 6-8: Storytelling workshop (advanced), Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health RECOMMEDATIONS Elysha: Decoder Ring Matt: Information Is Beautiful