On episode #51 of the Speak Up Storytelling podcast, Matthew and Elysha Dicks talk storytelling and celebrate our one year anniversary with the second half of our live episode! In our followup segment,  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 October 4-6: Storytelling workshop, Art of Living Retreat, Boone, NC October 25-27: Storytelling workshop, Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health Next we listen to stories by Rachel Leventhal-Weiner and Beverly Brakeman.  Amongst the many things we discuss include: Opening scenes that activate imagination Making a story more about yourself The power of brevity Approaching emotional topics from varying angles The advantages of keeping your story "in the moment" In our Homework for Life segment, Matt talks about stealing a Homework for Life moment from Elysha, and he talks about how it might be turned into a story.   We then answer listener questions about critiquing stories while remaining positive, naming characters in storytelling, trigger warnings, and more.  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:  Dicks Family Ice Cream Adventures Matt: Paragone: An Ancient Tactic for Getting the Most From People